Edmonton Exchanger: 50 Years of Family, Innovation, and Industry Leadership
In 2025, Edmonton Exchanger proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary—a milestone that reflects five decades of family dedication, technical innovation, and enduring contributions to Western Canada’s industrial sector.
The Beginning: A Vision Takes Shape (1975)
Edmonton Exchanger was founded in 1975 by Henry Gusse, a visionary entrepreneur with a background in both farming and steel fabrication. After moving to Edmonton from the family farm, Henry combined his mechanical aptitude and work ethic to create a company that would become a cornerstone of Alberta’s steel fabrication and shutdown/turnaround maintenance industries.
Using proceeds from the sale of a quarter section of farmland gifted by his father, Henry purchased a small shop at 8539 Argyll Road. Initially, the company operated primarily as a field services provider, renting out part of the shop space to cover costs. By 1979–1980, Henry had purchased land at 5545–89 Street, where the company’s main shop still operates today.
Building a Legacy of Fabrication Excellence (1980s)
By the early 1980s, Edmonton Exchanger began expanding its fabrication capabilities. Henry’s mechanical curiosity led him to purchase a used press from Eastern Canada to begin forming pressure vessel heads. Around 1981, the company completed construction of its first furnace, marking the start of in-house heat treatment.
In 1982–1983, the first head pressing operations began, and by 1983–1984, Edmonton Exchanger had acquired its first large rolling machine, the Pullmax ER001, allowing the company to roll thicker plate for larger shells and vessels. Operations were modest but growing rapidly, with one cutting table, dirt yards, and improvised setups that required ingenuity and teamwork.
During this period, Larry Gusse—Henry’s son—joined the business. Initially assisting with shipping and documentation, Larry transitioned into prefab sales and later became Sales Manager, playing a key role in the development of the Prefab Components Division. His focus on customer satisfaction and process improvements helped shape the division into a reliable, customer-driven operation.
Expansion and Technical Growth (Late 1980s–1990s)
The late 1980s and 1990s marked a period of significant facility expansion and equipment investment.
- 1989–1990: The East Shop was constructed to accommodate the newly acquired head spinner and bumper, purchased from a shop in Eastern Canada. Skilled employees like Dave Lorenz were instrumental in dismantling, relocating, and commissioning the machinery.
- 1991–1992: The company purchased the Machine Shop building, enabling in-house die manufacturing and precision machining. This addition positioned Edmonton Exchanger as a competitive force in the large-scale machining industry.
- 1992–1994: The company constructed its own 3,000-ton press, enabling the hot forming of heads up to 16 feet in diameter and one-piece hemispherical heads up to 144 inches in ID.
- 1997–1998: Another expansion to the East Shop allowed installation of the Froriep Mega Roll, significantly increasing rolling capacity to 7 inches thick.
During this time, the company continued to refine its Prefab, Machining, and Head Forming divisions, developing a strong reputation for reliability, precision, and technical excellence.
Ownership also evolved during this period. In the late 1990s, Henry bought out his partner and transitioned ownership to include his children, Larry and Barb Zerbin, solidifying Edmonton Exchanger as a family-run enterprise.
New Millennium: Modernization and Expansion (2000s)
By the early 2000s, Edmonton Exchanger continued to innovate:
- 2001–2002: Construction of the Stainless Building and installation of the first ESAB cutting station, introducing automated plasma cutting to the facility.
- 2008–2009: Another expansion added space for a new Davi roll capable of rolling up to 12-inch-thick material and the installation of the East Furnace—a 55-foot-long heat treatment furnace for hot rolling and stress relieving large components.
During this time, Henry retired from the business, and both he and Barb sold their shares to Larry and Adelle Gusse, who became the sole owners of Edmonton Exchanger and carried forward the family’s commitment to quality and innovation.
Continuing Growth and Next Generation Leadership (2010s–2020s)
Expansion continued into the 2010s:
- 2013: Edmonton Exchanger purchased property north of the Osman yard to establish a Pipe Shop.
- 2017–2018: A new, larger facility was acquired at 5325–93 Street, which became home to the pipefitters under Tim Gusse’s supervision. The original pipe shop was repurposed into a Custom Fabrication division, managed by Stan Semeniuk.
In 2018, Larry and Adelle welcomed the third generation of the Gusse family into company ownership. Their son Tim Gusse assumed the role of President, while their daughter Natalie Ruhl became a director. Both of their spouses, Angela Gusse and Neil Ruhl, remain actively involved in operations, ensuring the business continues to thrive as a family-owned enterprise.
Today, Edmonton Exchanger operates state-of-the-art facilities that include advanced CNC drilling, orbital GTAW welding, and specialized heat exchanger fabrication led by Irvin Godina, who carries forward the expertise passed down from his father, Mike Godina.
A Legacy Built by People
Throughout its 50-year history, Edmonton Exchanger’s success has been powered by the dedication and craftsmanship of its employees. From the early field crews and shop floor pioneers to today’s skilled technicians and engineers, every milestone has been achieved through teamwork, innovation, and pride in workmanship.
Larry Gusse credits the company’s longevity to its people: “This wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of so many great employees—past and present. From fabrication to machining, shipping to leadership, each person has helped make Edmonton Exchanger what it is today.”
Looking Ahead
Now in its third generation of family ownership, Edmonton Exchanger continues to grow while honoring the values on which it was built: quality, safety, innovation, and integrity. What began as one man’s vision in 1975 has become one of Western Canada’s most respected names in industrial manufacturing and field services—an enduring testament to the Gusse family’s leadership and the strength of its people.
This article was adapted from speeches by Larry Gusse and Ivan Gellert, delivered at Edmonton Exchanger’s 50th Anniversary Company BBQ in August 2025.