The deal to have Gordon Smith of Smithrite take over Owen Carney’s Squamish-based waste management company had been bandied about between the two friends for years, according to Smith.
As of March 1, Smith is the owner of Carney's Waste Systems, but the idea was hatched many years ago, Smith told The Chief.
“Owen and I have been friends forever,” he said. “There’s been a long family relationship between my parents and Owen prior to me taking over the business.
“A number of years ago, before Linda’s accident, Owen and I were talking about partnering up.”
In May of 2000, Carney’s then wife, Linda, died tragically on a golf course in Kamloops when a tree hit the golf cart she was driving.
“Out of respect to the friendship, I backed off,” Smith said.
The idea of a take over of Carney’s was shelved until the two men were on a fishing trip together last summer when the subject came up again, according to Smith. “We went forward and made a deal.”
Customers won’t see a change, Smith noted.
He added his intention is to keep everyone who is currently working with Carney’s in place, though there will be some internal changes.
He wants to reinvigorate the employees and the company’s culture, he added.
“We just need to kick start it, that’s all.”
The District of Squamish released a comment on the sale on April 6.
“The District of Squamish has enjoyed working with Owen Carney and the company he built,” read the statement.
“We wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement and look forward to working with Gordie Smith, the new owner. We’re encouraged by Gordie’s deep history with the industry and ties to the Sea to Sky Corridor.”
Smith said he is going to spend the next six months getting to know the staff and protocols better at Carney’s and learning the different aspects of the Sea to Sky operation that aren’t replicated at Smithrite, such as the transfer station operation in Whistler and maintaining the Squamish Landfill.
“There’s many, many synergies, but there’s lots to learn as well,” he told The Chief.
“It has been a pretty respected company and Owen is a pretty well-respected guy and I think they have a very good reputation in that market so it is not my plan to upset the apple cart or to change anything.”
