Family-run since 1956.

Three generations of the Vanderveen family, and the same promise of quality concrete work since 1956.

Our history

A wheelbarrow on the roof of his car.

Like many Calgarians, Phil VanderVeen Sr. emigrated from Holland to Canada in the early 1950s and worked for several years as a labourer and supervisor for Dominion Construction. In 1956 he went out on his own. Phil’s commitment to hard work and quality soon made A-1 Cement Contractors a company its customers could depend on.

All seven of Phil and Lee’s children worked at A-1 over the years. Under Phil Jr., the company grew into one of Calgary’s leaders in concrete flatwork, known for his honesty and integrity in business and in life, and the family tradition carried on: it is still common to see brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, sons and daughters working at A-1.

Since becoming President, Russell has carried that legacy forward, providing meaningful jobs to many people, including his own children and extended family, while delivering quality concrete work to thousands of customers. Russell and Beckie are committed to honouring Phil Sr.’s passion for doing a job well, with a team aligned with the company’s core values.

Over six decades our tools have been modernized, our equipment upgraded and our location moved to meet new needs. Our promise of unparalleled concrete work has not changed. A-1’s reputation rests on honesty, excellence and Christian values, and throughout our journey we humbly acknowledge God’s faithfulness as the cornerstone of our success.

1956
Phil VanderVeen Sr., who came to Calgary from Holland in the early 1950s, starts going door to door offering to install concrete, a wheelbarrow on the roof of his car. His wife Lee does the bookkeeping.
1985
Phil Jr. and his wife Linda buy the company and begin serving home builders around Calgary. A-1 becomes one of the city’s leaders in concrete flatwork.
1999
A-1 earns its COR safety certification, and has held it ever since.
2019
After 34 years as President, Phil Jr. becomes Chairman, and his son Russell Vanderveen takes the helm as President.
2020
Russell and his wife Beckie become partners, committed to carrying on the family legacy.

The A-1 Cement mural at the office: the Vanderveen family and crews, with a seal reading 1956 to 2006, serving Calgary for over 50 years

Safety

A job done right is a job done safely.

Safety is a very important part of how A-1 works, so we built a comprehensive safety program, and our accident and incident record is one of the lowest in the industry.

Since 1999
COR certified
A member of the Alberta Construction Safety Association, whose stringent code a company must meet for its Certificate of Recognition.
Every job
Checks before work
Pre-trip inspections and hazard assessment forms are completed before crews start on a site.
Every employee
Trained and current
Industry courses and in-house training keep everyone up to date with health and safety legislation, regulations and practice.
Management
Always improving
Our management team provides the resources everyone needs for a safe and healthy workplace, and keeps bettering the program.

Our team