Larry Harrison, President of The Conrex Group of Companies was raised just north of Toronto, in Thornhill. He has had an illustrious career as a corporate leader, bringing a positive culture and exponential growth to the companies he has led.
We sat down together to dig a little deeper into his approach to leadership, his insights on managing growth, and how continuously evolving technologies can be used to support successful businesses.
Q: How long have you been with Conrex Steel and what do you do when you’re not working?
LH: I’ve been with Conrex now for 8 years and it’s an interesting question, because I don’t think I actually stop working. That’s my biggest challenge.
My mind always wants to think of the business puzzle, you know, how to help your people be better, growing capabilities, grow your customers and resources. There are only two things that take my mind off work because I actually have to focus on them. One is sailing, because you’re looking after people on your boat and you’re always thinking about what is the next thing; the storm, the boats coming toward you, and you always try to be five or six steps ahead, which when you think about it, is a lot like business. The other one is riding a motorcycle because you can’t think of anything but riding a motorcycle or you’re not going to be able to ride ever again.
Q: What other companies have you led?
LH: I have worked in radio and television in Oshawa, Peterborough, and Kingston where I ran CHEX TV and CKWS TV. Following those positions I led Kinedyne Canada in the role of President and VP of Global Sales and Marketing, and Kinedyne Corporation in the role of Vice President.
Q: You have worked in a number of varied sectors. How have you managed to adapt to each industry that you’ve tackled along the way?
LH: That’s a question I get asked a lot, and the thing about it is, regardless of the industry, it’s business. It’s revenues, expenses, and people. “People” being the people on your team, your suppliers, and your customers. If you’re focused on those as the foundation, you can then gain a good grasp of any business within a certain time, it’s just a bit of a learning curve. For me that’s typically 3 to 6 months to be very capable of understanding the business and speaking to the industry.
Q: How has this industry changed since you started at Conrex?
LH: The machines that we purchase today are much more sophisticated. They have AI capabilities, so they do more than they were able to do before. Reinvesting in the company’s capabilities and processes is now more important than it’s ever been and we are constantly on the lookout to find ways to improve our capabilities.
Q: How would you sum up your management style?
LH: I think it’s changed over the years. At this point in my career I’m looking to give back more than I ever have. Now my management style is focused on creating great leaders and if you create great leaders, then you have a great team. In the past I think I was trying to work with my leaders to create great plans and then help execute the plan while being involved in the strategy. Now I believe that if I create strong leaders, they’re going to create their own strategies as a team and own them and get the rest of the team to buy in and be involved in the success. That’s been a big change for me and it’s probably evolved over the last five years.
Q: Hiring a successful leadership team can be challenging. What’s your strategy?
LH: Every new hire is a chance to improve your team. You hate to see good people leave but at the same time if you have the opportunity to bring in somebody that has one more skill set that makes the team stronger. You end up farther ahead.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career or at Conrex or both?
LH: At Kinedyne, I doubled the business in five years. That was a huge accomplishment, but it was more from pushing a team versus getting the team to the right level, I say my biggest accomplishment right now is the culture that I’ve created at Conrex. Everybody supports each other. It’s like a family, but they work hard and smart, and they enjoy working and winning.
Q: Conrex provides your customers with peace of mind knowing that the job will be done right with quality and delivered on time. Can you talk a little bit about that philosophy?
LH: It’s what I want to receive when I’m a customer. I want to know that a business can produce something with an expected level of quality, and within the promised time. It’s especially important because of our role in the process.
We provide a component of many components that go into something bigger; a pressure vessel. It’s no different than a nut that goes on a car, or the front windshield or anything else that if they don’t have it, they can’t finish assembly so they need it on-time in the time they need it with the quality that they expect. If all of that happens and it’s a good exchange, then they come back and use our company again.
Q: What’s next for Conrex and what’s next for you?
LH: At this point, I’m really just enjoying life and giving back and producing leaders and strong teams. Obviously acquisitions are a challenge because you’re trying to merge two cultures and two leadership styles but then again that’s a little bit of a skill set that only comes with time. But that challenge itself is fun and rewarding, but it’s not easy.
In the end, you’d like to create a customer experience that puts your company at the forefront in the industry.
Another thing I’m also enjoying now is developing the next generation of leaders. We hire co-op engineering students for a paid internship every year. We provide them with real life skills in their chosen career. David Puddy was part of this program and now he is a member of our mechanical engineering team full time. He’s been with us full time for several years and is an important member of our team.
I’m really driven to be a mentor in the industry at this stage of my career and I’m enjoying it immensely. Helping people grow professionally which in turn helps the business grow is what it’s all about. It’s very gratifying.
Meet Kimberley Greene, our conrEXPERT Senior Customer Service / Estimator.
She’s been a valued member of our amazing team since the summer of 2021.
What does she like best about her day-to-day?
“That’s easy,” she says, “The fantastic people I work with and our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience to our customers, from quoting right through to the finished job.”
Most customers get to deal with Kimberley on a regular basis and if you’re one of them, you know how positive an experience it is to work with her. It’s a personal mission of hers.
She loves being part of the team here at Conrex and appreciates the opportunities we provide for learning and career growth.
Away form the office her focus is on family and friends. And one of her favourite chants is “GO, LEAFS, GO!”.
He joined us last November and says, “I’ve already noticed the company’s consistent drive toward optimizing production processes and maintaining strong communication across departments. This alignment helps to deliver quality products to our customers and enhances operational efficiency.”
Manan has a Masters of Engineering degree from the University of Windsor and applies that learning to advanced engineering principles and methods to solve complex problems.
He is part of the next wave of young talented professionals we mentor and develop to help sustain an innovative thriving industry.
His role strengthens our commitment to reliability, enhances customer satisfaction, and fosters long term trust.
Manan loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking and kayaking as well as playing soccer and cricket.
Vimal’s ConrEXPERT area of expertise is all about stress relieving.
Educated as an engineer, he’s been part of our team for 13 years and as Stress Relieving Manager Vimal handles the entire stress relieving and blasting department at Conrex Steel. This includes quoting, pricing, job scheduling, coordination, and shipping.
As a member of the leadership team, he weighs in on many aspects of our business including some IT support and social marketing.
“One of the reasons I like working at Conrex” he says, “is because of our ‘customer first’ philosophy. And we’re continuously refining and improving operations to exceed quality standards, while delivering jobs on time.”
Always active, Vimal enjoys daily walks with his wife as well as early morning yoga routines. He likes to listen to podcasts and audiobooks on self development. Occasionally, he likes to make vegetarian meals for the family.
Meet our new Quality Control Manager, Narendra Parmar.
Narendra oversees the entire quality control process, ensuring that all products meet or exceed the highest industry standards and the specifications of our customers.
“I was drawn to Conrex,” he says, “because of their reputation for excellence and innovations in our industry. I feel aligned with Conrex’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement.”
Why is quality so important? Here’s Narendra’s philosophy: Quality control is essential to maintaining the integrity and reliability of our products. By ensuring that every piece meets rigorous standards, we help our customers trust that they are getting the best possible product, which is crucial for their projects’ safety and success.
He brings tons of experience to the team. More than 2 decades in the metal fabrication industry, supported by a robust industry-related education. He is a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.), a Project Management Professional (PMP) through PMI, and a CWB-qualified Welding Supervisor for both Steel and Aluminum.
A DIY guy at heart, he also loves to spend his spare time with his family, exploring the outdoors.
Welcome, Narendra. We’re lucky to have you on our team.
As our new Director of Operations, Fabio Nichilo sees his position as one of mentorship and leading by example.
“I’m here to be part of a strong leadership team that is dedicated to mentoring our staff so that they can grow in their careers, while we nurture a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and improvement,” he says.
Throughout the interview process, Fabio felt a connection to the team, and our goals and so the decision to join us was an easy one. He was impressed by the industry knowledge, dedication, and strength of the company.
His philosophy on serving our customers aligns with what has made us so successful. “Any time you’re supplying something to a customer, it’s important”, he says. “They depend on you to make sure their vision is successful.”
He adds, “It’s not the mistakes you make, but the response and quick actions you take to resolve them that matters to most customers.”
When he’s away from work, Fabio enjoys sports and outdoor activities with his family.
Welcome Fabio. We’re lucky to have you on our team.
Meet Antoinette Boyne-Stevens a new Conrexpert who joined our team in February.
She’s our new Contracts Specialist, a pivotal role as we continue to grow our company to serve you better.
We sat down for a short Q and A with Antoinette to get to know her a little better and get her first impressions of the company and our talent team.
CONREX: What attracted you to our company?
ANTOINETTE: The values and commitment to excellence, The culture! Conrex is an industry leader and the products that we make are amazing. It’s a solid company with a strong history.
C: What are some early observations?
A: We do some incredible things in the products and service we provide, and we are making a great impact nationally and globally.
C: Can you describe what the best part of your job is?
A: Easy! The people. From before I stepped through the door for my Interview, I was blown away; the genuine warmth, comity, and a true feeling of belonging; from the President and the entire team. BRAVO to an amazing group of people! – A+
C: How does your experience and expertise help our customers?
A: I have a wealth of Knowledge and expertise in building great and sustainably relationships with customers, and suppliers.
I am a strong advocate of mutual respect and collaborative partnerships and that is how I approach my job.
With more than 20 years’ experience I apply the same vigor, passion, and commitment to quality and excellence every day, ensure our customers get the Conrex quality assurance of excellent products and services.
C: We saw that strong work ethic and great approach from the very first interview. Tell us a bit about what you like to do when you’re not working.
A: I love gardening, interior decorating, painting (making my own art), cooking and I always listen to music when I am cooking. Reggae is my favourite music. Sushi, and wine is my Friday night comfort along with action movies.
Thank you, Antoinette, and thank you for being part of the team. We’re lucky to have you.
Engineering is crucial in all industries and none more so than in the tank head industry where hot and cold formed heads for pressure vessels must be manufactured to the most exacting standards.
As engineers, we are equipped to understand the complexities of all aspects of a project, from what type of raw materials will be used to the capacities of various equipment, and the many stages of manufacturing, such as cutting, welding, forming, and heat treatment.
Some of the common challenges we face are when we fabricate parts or heads using “exotic materials”, or to form them into new or original shapes. In this way, we need to be imaginative in how we approach these projects while maintaining rigid specifications for the end product. A combination of hardnosed experience along with sophisticated software allows us to experiment with solutions in a more cost effective way than ever before. Complex methods and simulating software that can predict failure or success of a project are now vital tools in the manufacturing process. This is done before the project makes it to the shop floor.
Many disciplines are called upon in tank head manufacturing
Not only are Mechanical Engineers part of the manufacturing of heads for pressure vessels, but Chemical Engineers also play an essential role. The makeup and composition of steel requires deep knowledge of the chemistry and how it reacts to the extremes of the manufacturing process. As well, there are engineering specialists who play a key role. These include Metallurgists and Specialists in welding.
We are often called upon to manufacture a specific component of a larger project, for example a head to be used in a pressure environment within a large factory or manufacturing facility such as a refinery or a chemical plant. While we may not necessarily know the full scope of the entire project, an engineer will ensure that the component itself adheres to the specifications required by the functionality of that part.
The role of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering within the tank head industry
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, and the field of Engineering is not immune to its reach. Within the tank head manufacturing industry, it seems opinions are split. Some maintain that the human know how required is still a barrier to A.I. taking over. Others believe that harnessing the best parts of A.I. is the way forward. As with all technological advances, they become part of the industry and using best practices as a guideline has proven to be the right way to navigate change.
Currently Finite Element Analysis and robotics play a very large role in the engineering and manufacturing of tank heads. Robotics has made Conrex a driving force in the pressure vessel heads manufacturing industry. We were one of the first to employ this technology. It can be stated that the decision to use robotics in the manufacturing of heads represented a huge leap forward for the company. Using FEA in simulating our engineering process of forming heads leads to savings of time and costs. These simulations provide insights into the process that might not otherwise be foreseen. This allows us to overcome difficulties and manufacture quality products. This becomes even more important when a customer approaches us with something new or out of the ordinary.
Most of our orders are custom, and so it is essential that engineering play a key role in analyzing the feasibility of a project and to prevent (or foresee) potential difficulties before they occur.
Our newest CONREXpert is Alex Leclerc. He’s our new Sales Representative for Ontario.
Alex brings with him a wealth of experience in customer service. Should a problem arise (and we sure do our darnedest to make sure that doesn’t happen) he knows how to get it resolved quickly and professionally.
“I love Conrex’s reputation for quality and service,” he says. “It’s one of the things that attracted me to this exciting new position. The company is an industry leader. Always innovating. Always building on the knowledge of the craftsmen that work with steel and the engineers who look for new and better ways to do what we do.”
Outside of work, Alex spends time with his wife and two children. He’s involved in minor hockey on many levels, from executive to coach to referee. Good call joining us Alex. We’re thrilled to have you on our team.
There’s just so much to like about Jon. If you’ve met him, you already know.
Warm smile. Mad about golf. Jordan, Kobe, and sneaker aficionado. Devoted family man.
He is truly a sports dude for all seasons; he loves golf, basketball, skiing on regular water, and the frozen kind. And about those shoes? He’s collected them since 1996 and now has a couple hundred pairs!
Jon and Lindsay are blessed with their three children, Phoenix, Memphis, and Waverly. They are deeply committed to the charity they formed in honor of their daughter Aspyn. You can learn more about their important work by visiting www.aspynarrows.com where they look to share their profoundly personal story while educating and empowering young families.
Jon is a proud Native American of the Creek Nation Tribe and a Northeastern StateUniversity graduate.
He knows our business inside and out and is celebrating ten years at Prescor.
We chatted recently about what makes him tick, about his long career with Prescor, and his enthusiasm about it becoming part of The Conrex Group of Companies.
“I was beyond excited to hear the news that Prescor was joining The Conrex Group of companies,” he says. “There is nothing better than teaming up with a company that shares the same values. Values like on-time delivery, for example. The customer’s resources are important to us; the vessel can’t be made if the heads aren’t in the shop. There couldn’t have been a better company to partner with. I couldn’t wait to share the amazing news and be able to offer the largest tank head assortment in the industry and more to our customers.”
The Conrex Group of Companies is a world leader. Conrex Steel and Prescor provide high quality formed heads for tanks and vessels. To learn more, click on the company logo.
