Our vision is to build a sustainable future working in partnership with our communities.
Everything we do at Walker supports our communities; all of our communities. We look at our relationships with our neighbours, customers, regulatory authorities and of course employees as partnerships.
A sustainable future for Walker, means working together with each of these groups to safely build and service communities across Canada and the U.S. while investing in their health, educational and cultural well-being.
Community Partnerships
Walker is committed to contributing to the social, economic and environmental well-being of each of our communities.
We actively build and nourish strong partnerships with the communities in which we operate. Embracing our role of being a good neighbour, we support environmental, health, cultural and educational initiatives that are important to our communities and our employees who live there.
INSTILLING A CULTURE OF GIVING BACK
From the very beginning Walker has always been a company that understands the importance of giving back. Through charitable donations, sponsorships of local initiatives and employee volunteer days, we choose to demonstrate our belief in being an active community member.
Innovation at Walker
We are continuously inspired by our partners, communities and customers to create innovative solutions.
The world is changing faster than ever. That’s why we encourage our employees to transform challenges into opportunities and enable Walker to be a proactive and creative industry partner.
A HISTORY OF INNOVATIVE GROWTH
For over 130 years, we’ve been problem-solving; innovating before innovation was a recognized discipline. Right from the start, in the early 1900’s, we took waste from one man’s stone cut rubble and turned it into roads. Later, we researched and developed products to make those roads stronger through new emulsions chemistries and then continued to diversify to expand into new markets. We’ve tackled the critical issue of safe waste disposal head on and found ways to create clean energy in the process. How have we done all of this? We take the long view, looking for innovative solutions that work for everyone. It’s our legacy and our future.
INNOVATING TODAY FOR A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW
Walker supports innovation by connecting employee ideas with project development expertise and resources.
We invest in game-changing concepts that will benefit our future and that of our communities. Creating innovative alternatives allows us to share our knowledge and drive change within our industries so that together we can make an impact. Here are some of the things we’re doing to facilitate meaningful change:
- Converting landfill gas into renewable energy used by neighbouring manufacturers and fed into the local grid through Integrated Gas Recovery Services Inc. (IGRS), our partnership with Comcor Environmental Limited.
- Generating renewable energy and nutrient-rich soil supplements through anaerobic digestion of fats, oils and greases collected through Walker Grease Trap Services.
- Partnering with industry leaders to divert railway ties and waste wood from landfill and creating sustainable fuel options that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Piloting projects that repurpose materials bound for landfill such as mixing ground recycled asphalt shingles with aggregates to produce a more sustainable road base alternative.
- Committing to innovative remediation and rehabilitation of sites such as our Edgerock Vineyard on a rehabilitated portion of our Vineland Quarry.
Health & Safety
Every employee has the right to go home safe at the end of each and every work day.
Walker invests in building and fostering the health, wellness and safety of its employees. We acknowledge not only their right to work in a safe and healthy environment, but that this attitude and belief starts at the very top. It filters through all levels, begins every meeting and has remained a core value of our company since the beginning.
RECOGNIZING DEDICATION TO HEALTH & SAFETY
We are proud of our superior safety culture. That’s why, each year, we recognize an employee who leads by example and personifies our commitment to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are rewarded for participating in training sessions, sharing ideas for making improvements, and for implementing innovative safety ideas both in and out of the workplace.
HEALTHY EMPLOYEES ARE HAPPY EMPLOYEES
We encourage our employees to take care of themselves and their families. That’s why we continue to implement and evolve programs to support our overall health, safety and wellness goals:
- Roughly 10,000 hours spent on training each year to continually upgrade and maintain employee skills and knowledge
- Enhanced health and safety programs and implementation of the latest educational and training tools
- A comprehensive benefits program with access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program
- An annual subsidy employees can put towards wellness and fitness related activities to promote a healthy lifestyle