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2 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 17, 2007 Bot Construction Limited ­ a tribute BY JANICE FORD-SPENCER Fifty years is considered a milestone. To achieve this landmark in the world of business is rare. It is therefore Oakville's privilege to wish a very Happy 50th to Bot Construction! The celebration begins rightfully with where it all began...with Silvio Bot. It was February 9th, 1925 in a little village north of Venice where the future of Oakville's construction dynasty was born. Silvio developed into a determined young man who employed his woodworking and building skills during World War II. It was shortly thereafter he packed a suitcase full of purpose and fortitude and made his way to these shores. Accompanying Silvio was talent and a strong work ethic. Now 1948, Silvio began to build himself a reputation for woodworking and building improvements in the Chatham area. As a result, in the early fifties he excelled in construction for Halton Paving. Not one to work under the umbrella of another, Silvio had a vision. True to the nature of the man, he took a leap of faith and incorporated Bot Construction in 1957. His foresight of what the upcoming Ford plant would mean to Oakville's development and growth led his company into a secure future. Silvio took up residency and permanent shop in Oakville...and the rest is history. Present day... I sit across from one of the founder's sons, president Roy Bot. The office is modern, but the richly grained conference table and photos speak of a deep sense of tradition. Roy's demeanor is professional and reserved ...and then I mention Silvio. His face lights up and he becomes animated telling the story of his dad and Bot Construction. Roy's passion speaks volumes and it is clear he is his father's son. "After dad's passing in 1995 we wanted to keep his name alive," he tells me with a sense of pride, "so we established the Silvio Bot Charitable Foundation and we have dedicated February 9th, his birthday, as Founder's Day." "Across the street was the original shop," Roy says pointing north to its replacement. "It was farm and fields and a ditch cut off Speers Road." Silvio wanted that specific location. To fix the access problem, he built a throughway at his own expense so that the town could grant the permit. "He had a `solution' focus!" Bot Construction is in the blood of this family owned business. Roy and his brother Steve and sister Nancy carry on the name and reputation. "We breathe this industry. From our early involvement we have seen the transition from the older generation into the new." Today Bot is one of the largest privately owned providers of heavy civil engineering and construction services. It has the in-house engineering and construction expertise, equipment support and project management capability to take on complex highway and public infrastructue projects. Bot takes pride in its 400 dedicated employees, a number of whom have been with them for over 20 years...not to forget Gino Zorzit with Silvio from day one. Residents and travelers throughout the GTA would be familiar with the many segments of Ontario's 400 series highways built by Bot. "We are a general construction company in the truest respect on civil projects," says Roy. "The 410/401 highway interchange boasts the highest and longest post tension structure built in North America. It Silvio Bot, founder of Bot Construction, in his office at the original shop located at 1225 Speers Road, early 1970s. Excavating and grading for the widening of Dundas Street at Mississauga Road, early 1960s. The company logo displayed on the bulldozer was already a recognizable trademark in the road construction industry. has been very important for us and its' famed design is now a postage stamp." Speers Road hosts numerous Bot buildings from head office to the safety training centre, warehouses, truck shop and of course, the main shop. In 1993, when the original shop was demolished, the last piece of the front wall bearing the original wooden Bot Construction sign that had been there since 1957, tumbled down; to be replaced with a modern back-lit bright colored sign on the new building. It marked the changing times. `Out with the old-In with the new.' Two years later Silvio passed, paving the way for the next generation. Today Roy and Steve hold fort `across the street' in the architecturally striking main building. In keeping with tradition, the sons' offices overlook Silvio's beloved main shop, as did his. Oakville is home to the Bot family and their company. "Our roots are here. The company name and the town ... are one," gleams Roy. "When we travel Ontario with business we sell the Oakville name to outside communities. We let people know we brought construction to Oakville and Oakville brought con- Bot Construction's first fleet of new Mack dump trucks, parked in front of the original shop on Speers Road, mid-60s. struction." And for that, Oakville is grateful. Next time you pass Bot's main office you will note, flying boldly - like the man himself -the 50th commemorative flag. Take a moment and remember this story. Here's to Bot Construction on this milestone achievement. And to you, Silvio...thanks for the memories. Salute!