Over fifty years ago, Yves Harel made a choice that would shape not only his professional life but influence the future of the building industry in Quebec and beyond: he chose to pursue an education at Sir George Williams University, the institution that would eventually merge with Loyola College to become Concordia University. Having studied electromechanics in college, Yves Harel began his professional career as a technician in 1956. At the same time, he received further training at Sir George. Twelve years later, Harel became a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and set his sights on founding his own company while gaining experience by holding several important positions in industry. In 1974, he realized his dream, drawing on his technical, sales and managerial experience to found Régulvar. Harel initially managed the company alone, laying the necessary groundwork for the company's development and future growth. As Régulvar expanded, Harel had the insight to appoint individuals who proved to be instrumental in the success of the company, many of whom remain with Régulvar today (including Harel's sons Michel, André, and Jocelyn). Indeed, Régulvar if is now recognized as a leader in its field, it is in large part due to a team of managers who truly believe in the company's progress and in the importance of adopting a thorough approach. Chief among them is Yves Harel. As the company's current Chief Executive Officer, he remains deeply implicated in Régulvar's day-to-day operations as he focuses on defining dynamic strategies and implementing important policies.
Harel has never lost his connection to Concordia and still harbours fond memories of his time at Sir George in the late 1950s, when he was lucky enough to be there at the same time as Jack Bordan, professor and founding dean of the Faculty of Engineering. What's more, Harel's company has been awarded various building automation projects at Concordia University such as the Communications and Journalism Building at the Loyola Campus, and more recently the John Molson School of Business at the Sir George Williams campus.
As a company that promotes environmental responsibility, Régulvar has partnered with NSERC's new Smart Net-Zero Energy Buildings Research Network, housed within Concordia University's Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science. Through the dedicated participation of Marc Dugré, Régulvar's president, the company has become an active supporter of the network's activities as well as the research projects of its scientific director, Andreas Athienitis and his graduate students here at Concordia University in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering (see cover story).
Régulvar is now a leader in the business of building automation. With over 400 employees in several branches located throughout Quebec and Ontario this thriving private company is dedicated to designing solutions that integrate heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, access, video surveillance and elevator systems. The goal is to simplify building management and maintenance by centralizing and optimizing system operations, thereby generating labour and energy savings and improving productivity by enhancing workplace safety and comfort.
Because building automation offers many advantages and is increasingly cost-effective and ecological, the future looks bright for both Yves Harel and Régulvar. Indeed, Régulvar now has an impressive list of projects from various fields, including education, health, manufacturing, the hotel industry, real estate and business. Régulvar is an ideal partner for clients who care about the environment or who want to obtain the credits they need to receive a sustainable building certification. The company is proud to have participated in designing innovative green buildings, for instance the Alstonvale Net Zero House, and sustainable communities such as "Cité Verte" in Quebec City.
For more on the company, visit www.regulvar.com.
