Building on a legacy
Schilthuis Group of Companies
Caledonia, ON
Days after arriving from Holland in 1952, Harm Schilthuis started the Schilthuis construction company. Now over 60 years later, Harm's vision lives on in the hands of the family's forth generation. Specializing in industrial, commercial and institutional builds - and well respected for their award-winning projects - Schilthuis required a new website that would reflect their legacy while building their future.
““Every project is building a legacy.””
Built on family values
Ask anyone at Schilthuis what the company is built on and they will say family, and with that, the belief that relationships are the strongest foundation for the business. The importance of their values - hard work, quality, fairness and family - is seen in the handshake that marks the start of a project to the celebration on opening day.
““Anybody can put up four walls and a roof. But that’s not us.””
Telling a story
The Schilthuis office was a literal treasure trove of mementos and photos from the last half century. Combining these artifacts with stories and quotes from each of the generations was an ideal way to communicate the rich history and strong values of the Schilthuis family and brand.
““There is value in doing your best every day.””
The next generation
The Schilthuis sons grew up digging pits by hand, wheeling concrete and sweeping job sites. Today, they're all part owners in the company. At the core of their success is the loyalty, compassion, high expectations and pride felt by everyone at Schilthuis. Whether they're related or not, the crews are like family. Current images of the family, crew and work sites were essential visual elements for the website, providing a modern context for what Schilthuis brand looks like now.
““ A successful project is one where everyone is successful.””
Show and tell
Schilthuis is all about moving forward and building upward. The projects they are most proud of have ambitious timelines, regulatory hurdles, innovative design, cutting-edge technology, big dreams and tight budgets. Case studies and project listings were used to showcase Schilthuis' expertise, experience and success.