Proudly Local Business: Trademark Pumping Ltd.

“We’re a strong little independent company and plan to stay strong here in Camrose.”

It’s true that local businesses lift each other up, partnering with one another to reach their goals and connect with members of the neighbourhood. But it’s rare to find one that literally paves the way for community connection.

That’s where the folks at Trademark Pumping Ltd. stand out. For nearly two decades, they’ve been laying the concrete foundations for community connection among businesses in Camrose.

Like many great ventures, Trademark started modestly. In 2007, owner and operator Mark Suchy took a leap of faith and sold his first house to finance his dream. “I bought my first pump truck from that and started from scratch,” says Mark. “I was self-taught and everything.”

He spent the next year learning the tricks of the trade, venturing into the concrete pumping industry and began building his business in Camrose. “Being from Tofield where there’s nothing, I enjoy being in a bigger city,” he says. “But Camrose really isn’t very big. There’s still that small-town mentality that I enjoy.” 

Over the years, concrete pumping has remained relatively the same, but Mark finds variety and enjoyment in the human connections he makes each day. “Every day we go pump concrete, but we’re always switching sites and meeting new people and dealing with the locals,” he says. “It all goes back to the small-town roots and as a business owner, relationships are important.”

Mark has grown Trademark significantly over the past 17 years, and he’s grateful to the Camrose community for supporting that growth. He says the company takes every opportunity to give back to the community that’s given him so much. “When we donate items or sponsor kids’ hockey, people here recognize our name,” he says. “I’m proud to be part of this community and hire local people who feel the same.” 

In early 2017, Mark was inspired to act against prostate cancer after a fellow Trademark staff member was diagnosed with the disease. “When Jim was diagnosed, I started to learn some of the stats on prostate cancer in men and I knew it was time to do something.”

The team had a new pump truck arriving in the spring. They announced that if they could raise $30,000 for prostate cancer research, they’d paint the pump prostate cancer blue to raise awareness for the disease. After a few months of fundraising, they ended up with $35,000 and the truck became a vehicle for awareness and a symbol of support. “Being in construction, we work with many men, so this meant a lot to us.” 

As for the future of Trademark, Mark plans to keep on keeping on. He’s proud of where the company is today and hopes to inspire others, showing that big things happen for small businesses when your community is behind you. “We’re a strong little independent company and plan to stay strong here in Camrose.”