A Fine Example of Unparalleled Leadership: Timber Tech’s Visionary CEO, Wendy Murphy

Meet Wendy Murphy, the remarkable CEO of Timber Tech Truss Inc., whose exceptional leadership and 27 years of expertise in the construction and manufacturing industry have propelled her brand to new heights. As the second-generation owner of Timber Tech, Wendy bears the responsibility for the company’s triumphant journey across its three flourishing locations in Alberta, supporting a team of 100 dedicated employees.

Wendy’s ascent to ownership commenced in 2006 when she joined Timber Tech Truss Inc. as a partner. Her visionary journey began by establishing Timber Tech’s prominent Calgary division. Leveraging her vast knowledge and foresight, she nurtured the Calgary branch to grow organically and masterfully orchestrated a crucial acquisition in 2018. Under Wendy’s skillful guidance, Timber Tech emerged as a highly esteemed organization in the city’s new-home construction sector. Her unwavering focus on community and the Timber Tech South division has cemented the company’s enduring legacy among Alberta’s esteemed enterprises.

An alumna of both the University of Lethbridge and SAIT Polytechnics, Wendy Murphy values personal and professional growth above all. Her commitment to excellence led her to participate in the prestigious Ivey School’s Quantum Shift program in 2013 and become a longstanding member of TEC Canada. Moreover, in 2020, she graduated from the esteemed Hoffman Institute. Wendy’s deep-rooted passion for giving back to her community and the industry is evident through her active involvement in various Boards, such as The Western Wood Truss Association, BILD Calgary, and Alberta Women Entrepreneurs.

Wendy’s dynamic leadership and unwavering commitment have earned her several prestigious accolades. Nominated for an Honorary Doctorate in Business at The University of Lethbridge, she was also named a finalist for the esteemed EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. In addition, Deloitte recognized Timber Tech as one of the top 50-operated businesses in Alberta under her stewardship.

The Transformative Changes Brought by Wendy to Timber Tech Truss

As the visionary CEO and owner of a 40-year-old business, Wendy has consistently strived to foster an engaging, collaborative, and positive work culture. Her vision focused on empowering team members to enhance efficiency and deliver unparalleled service to their valued customers across Alberta and Western Canada.

To effect this transformation, Wendy implemented a performance improvement strategy that centered on six vital components of corporate success: revenue, systems, procedures, procurement, service and culture. The well-planned strategy encompassed a sales approach, streamlined software implementation, meticulous job evaluation, clearly defined KPIs for every employee, and a review and change of procurement standards. Significant adjustments to operating processes were also made after a detailed process analysis.

“To promote a culture of health and safety, we collaborated with a full-time health and safety business. Furthermore, partnering with an HR company has been integral to our commitment to fostering an excellent workplace and hiring top talent. Additionally, we invested in IT upgrades across all divisions to improve internal communication,” says Wendy Murphy. These improvements, including weekly executive meetings, bi-annual corporate town halls, and a commitment to increased staff engagement, facilitated better feedback and communication across the organization.

Inspired by her father’s legacy, Wendy introduced the SMARTShare Program in 2022. This profit-sharing initiative rewards all employees who have contributed to Timber Tech’s financial success. The results have been immensely rewarding, with record-high employee engagement and the company’s continued strong performance. 

Primary Hurdles and Innovative Solutions

The years 2020–2022 brought unprecedented price fluctuations, posing significant challenges to the industry. The rising costs of raw materials, coupled with increased labor and operating expenses, added pressure on businesses, including Timber Tech.

To address the issue of trucking raw materials, Wendy Murphy spearheaded fleet expansion, collaborated more closely with logistics service providers, and hired a full-time procurement specialist. This proactive approach enabled the company to receive over 20 truckloads of raw materials per month, ensuring continued operations.

Finding skilled labor for manufacturing plants and office roles remained an ongoing challenge. To overcome this, Timber Tech, through the adopted performance improvement strategy allowed Timber Tech to hire remote and offshore staff support. The Canadian Foreign Worker Program has also proved beneficial, providing reliable labor support to the company.

Timber Tech’s Nurturing Work Environment – Fostering Openness and Positivity

Timber Tech Truss prioritizes open communication and fosters a positive work environment where team members feel empowered to express their ideas and opinions. The management actively encourages collaboration and the exchange of diverse viewpoints through weekly toolbox meetings, monthly health and safety meetings, employee engagement surveys, suggestion boxes, and annual reviews.

Wendy firmly believes in regularly communicating the organization’s vision, mission, and objectives. Bi-annual Town Hall meetings and individual annual reviews serve as platforms to share strategic priorities, while motivational learning opportunities keep employees inspired and engaged. The company acknowledges and celebrates individual and team accomplishments through yearly rewards and incentives, such as profit sharing, team luncheons, family events, and heartfelt gratitude, contributing to a more positive work environment.

 The Unique Leadership Approach

Wendy Murphy embodies a unique and effective leadership approach that centers on the growth and development of her entire team. Her primary leadership factors include vision, integrity, empathy, communication, accountability, adaptability, collaboration, empowerment, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning.

The Future Outlook – Personal and Professional Growth

Wendy Murphy, when asked about her future intentions, reveals a profound perspective on leadership and business ownership. ” My personal goals are reflective and intentional. I celebrate and give gratitude for the daily success in life with the intention of constantly improving the quality of my mind and health. In 2020, when the global pandemic flipped our business and everyone’s personal lives upside down, I realized the significance of this,” says Wendy.

As for the future, she intends to maintain Timber Tech’s relevance in a fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape. Wendy emphasizes a focus on the company’s core strengths, aiming not to be the biggest but the best in the industry. Quality, experience, and professionalism remain at the heart of their mission. Wendy’s leadership philosophy centers on having the best team members, efficient processes with innovative systems, strong partnerships with vendors, and ultimately providing customers with products and services that ensure their success.

 Words of Wisdom

Wendy Murphy leaves aspiring entrepreneurs with invaluable advice: start with a clear vision and define long-term goals and aspirations for your business. Allow your WHY to be your guiding light throughout your entrepreneurial journey, fueling your focus and motivation. Dedication, hard work, and resilience are paramount to success. Remain committed to your goals, continually seek knowledge, and embrace evolution. Enjoy the journey, and celebrate each milestone achieved along the way!

As she continues to be passionately focused on the sustained success of Timber Tech Truss, Wendy Murphy aspires to build strong teams, foster lasting partnerships, maintain efficient procedures, stay current with cutting-edge operating systems, vigilantly monitor the markets, pursue responsible growth, and uphold a healthy balance sheet. Through her unwavering dedication, Wendy is a beacon of unparalleled leadership in the industry.