Calgary builder national finalist

Calgary Herald Archive Brian Mack of Jaymack CustomHomes Inc.

MARTY HOPE
CALGARY HERALD

For the second year in arow,a Calgary company is vying to be named the top house builder in Canada.
High-end custom builder JayMack Custom Homes Inc. has been named a finalist in six categories in the annual national SAM Awards (Sales and Marketing) competition,which is hosted by the Canadian Home Builders' Association and presented by American Standard Brands and Trane Canada.
Winners in 23 categories will be announced on Feb. 28 at the association's 66th annual conference inQuebec City.
Ayear a go at the CHBA conference in Whistler,B.C.,Homes by Avi was named the top builder.
"I guess we did something right,"says JayMack president Brian Mack. "We had a good year with some good projects."
Two years ago, Jaymack won a national SAM for its Versaille home, inthe 2,500- to 4,000-square-foot category
This year, in addition to reaching the final in voting for Builder of the Year, JayMack also got to the final forbest single-attached home for a home in Montgomery, best detached home under 2,500 square feet, best detached home between 2,500 and 4,000 square feet, best detached home over 4,000 square feet, and best website.
"I don't know what it is about the nationals, but we seem to have good luck there,"says Mack. "This is our best year yet."
Another Calgary company, Arcus Developments Inc., also scored six nominations—all of them in various marketing categories.
The CHBA's national SAM Awards celebrate excellence in newhomes as well as renovation design, innovative technology and construction techniques, outstanding presentation, and marketing activities across Canada, says association president John Hrynkow.
"Ourmembers are truly accomplished in terms of their design, use of innovative technology and distinctive community development," said Hrynkow in a news release.
"These finalists are shining examples of how the housing industry has soared to new heights. The record number of entries this year also shows how important these awards are, and Iam proud of the successes of all the finalists this year."
Awards are presented in the following categories (number of awards in category): New homes (eight), home renovation (five), marketing (six), a marketing excellence award, a community developmentaward, and the American Standard Grand SAM Award.
The Grand SAM Award will be presented to the new home builder member who best combines excellence in both the building and marketing of new homes.
New for 2008 is the Green Home Award.

This award will be presented to a new home builder or developer member for the outstanding environmental performance of a new single detached home.

Jaymack Custom Homes Inc. gets nod in housing awards

National
WINNERS

Courtesy, Albi Homes The Bristol 7 model by Albi Homes, which has won a national SAMAward.

Calgary builders judged among best in the country

MARTY HOPE
CALGARY HERALD

Two of the best new homes in Canada were born right here in Calgary.
And Albi Homes and JayMack Custom Homes have definite plans to use the national recognition to attract potential buyers at a time when the housing industry is seeing some respite fromthe decline in consumer interest due to the recession.
The two builders are now finding shelf space for national SAM(Sales and Marketing) Awards, which were recently presented at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association conference in Quebec City.
For Brian Mack, president of Jay-Mack, it was a return to the national spotlight.

For Albi Homes, which is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, it received national recognition for its Bristol7model located in the Carma Developers’ community of Auburn Bay.
The home was named best in show in the production category for homes between 1,500 and 2,200 square feet.
This time around, the companywas named builder of the best customhome under 2,500 square feet for its showhome model in Aspen Estates.

Two years ago, JayMack took national honours for best custom home in the 2,500- to 4,000-square-foot category.
Albi Homes also had a second home make it to the final in the same category— its Capri model in Aspen Hills.
Allan Klassen, president and managing partner with Albi Homes, says it’s always good to win awards because of the marketing importance.
"We are going to use this award as an example of the quality and innovation we put into our homes," he says.

WINNER:'Help the cause'

"It will also be used to generate traffic into all of our show homes."
Klassen says he has seen improvement in traffic and a rebound in interest from consumers in the past few weeks.

This award will give added encouragement... that Albi cares about innovation Allan Klassen, Albi Homes

"We've had a very good February and this award will give added encouragement to our people—and reaffirm to buyers, and those considering buying—that Albi cares about innovation, design, value and reputation," he says.

The award winning Bristol 7 is the latest in a string of Bristol models that goes back 15 years, says Klassen, who was unable to make the Quebec City conference because of company commitments.
"We decided not to attend because we're busy trying to make things happen with our market right here at home," he says.
Measuring 1,707 square feet and completed at its Auburn Bay site last September, the Bristol 7 can be built for $380,500, not including lot. Klassen, knee-deep in helping move the company into new offices, found out via e-mail that Albi had won the award.
Brian Mack "We're excited by the win—a national award can only help the cause," he says regarding company efforts to work through this downturn.
Over at JayMack, the company's president has every intention of making good use of the national spotlight to generate renewed interest in his homes.

"We're seeing signs of things loosening some out there," says Mack.

"Last weekend, we had 30 couples go through the show home and a national award can only help things along."
JayMack's show home, located in Aspen Estates by QuinnCorp Holdings, is a walk-out bungalow with 2,460 square feet on the main level and another 2,200 on the fully-developed lower level.
"Being named home of the year in our category is a big feather in our cap," says Mack. "It just lets people know we've got a good product and good people."
In all, JayMack had eight finalist nominations, including Builder of the Year, which was won by Adera Development Corp of Vancouver.
Arcus Developments Inc., the developer of Astoria on Tenth in Calgary's downtown, was named winner of the Marketing Excellence Award.

In all, Calgary and Alberta builders gained 27 finalist nominations.
The CHBA's national SAM Awards celebrate excellence in new homes as well as renovation design, innovative technology and construction techniques, outstanding presentation, and marketing activities across Canada, says outgoing association president John Hrynkow.
"Our members are truly accomplished in terms of their design, use of innovative technology and distinctive community development," he said leading up to the announcement of the winners.
"These finalists are shining examples of how the housing industry has soared to new heights.
"The record number of entries this year also shows how important these awards are, and I am proud of the successes of all the finalists this year."