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A PDF version of this summary is HERE

240 SIMSA members met with 30-Nutrien persons – for an entire day – at SIMSA’s Roundtable event with Nutrien on September 25, 2024!

SIMSA’s growth is largely attributable to the cooperation they receive in events such as this – as they provide outstanding value to the membership.

The event was sponsored by Graham Construction and Westlund.

BHP’s Jamie Brecht and Eric Anderson

As with all SIMSA Roundtable events, attendees from the producer company (BHP) are assigned seating individually at a banquet table of 6-persons for the day.  Upon entry, SIMSA members can choose with whom they sit.

However, over half of the event time was spent in free-flow networking around the room, giving SIMSA members ample access to key BHP persons, and an opportunity to connect with fellow members.  The event also featured 4 tables staffed by Tier-1 contractors and 2 by BHP, to enable additional information flow – especially to subcontractors.

In the opening remarks segment, SIMSA’s Executive Director – Eric Anderson – presented the recent SIMSA member survey results on shop capacity and market opportunities.

Following Eric, there was a short presentation by the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology – or SIIT – which is a sister organization to the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resources Centre of Excellence. During the presentation, Marc Ochichitaw – Director of the SIIT’s JobConnections Centres – gave an overview on who they are, and then be available to talk during the various break and networking sessions.

Marc Ochichitaw

The core event began with Graham Reynolds, General Manager Operations Jansen presenting an “Update Jansen Project and Transition to Operations.”

Graham Reynolds

Following Graham’s presentation, the event shifted to SIMSA’s view of things. Attendees heard some questions from a SIMSA to a couple of key BHP persons. The questions were submitted by members, and are ones not answered in BHP’s previous presentation.

Asking the questions was Ritu Malhotra – CEO of March Consulting and SIMSA’s Board Chair. The BHP participants were:

• Jamie Brecht – Head of Projects Commercial
• Graham Renolds – General Manager Operations Jansen

SIMSA BHP Q&A

Following the questions session, a large networking session was held.  Additionally, there were 4 tables have been set-up by BHP’s tier 1 Contractors, and 2 by BHP representatives, for SIMSA members to discuss indirect subcontracting for projects, and operational/procurement topics for BHP Operations.

After the networking session, the “Gallery Walks” session or break-out rooms began. There were 5-rooms set-up along the sides of the main speaking hall.

• Room 1:   Working with BHP: Source to Contract Process
• Room 2:   Overview Business Opportunities in Operations: On-site
• Room 3:   Overview Business Opportunities in Operations: Off-site
• Room 4:   HSS Management
• Room 5:   Material Risk Management

Each room will saw a 30-minute presentation, that was then repeated. Members picked their first room, listen, then went to their second and third of the 5 available.

Following the Gallery Walk, there was lunch and then another general networking session.

A Gallery Walk Room

SIMSA’s Executive Director – Eric Anderson – stated that, “The event saw SIMSA fulfill its role as a communications bridge, building understanding between the supply chain and BHP.  It also represents SIMSA’s simple focus – helping its member sell more stuff.”

SIMSA is a non-profit organization representing 357 Saskatchewan-based supplier-members, who provide goods and services to the industrial, mining, and energy sectors. SIMSA is currently the only organization that represents suppliers that have a physical presence in Saskatchewan, with most also having their global headquarters in the province.  SIMSA’s membership represents 34,200 employees in Saskatchewan and over $17-billlion in annual sales.

The events Agenda was:

7:30 am: Pre-event

Registration and breakfast

8:00 am:  Opening Comments

8:30 am:  Opening BHP Presentation

Keynote speaker: Graham Reynolds, General Manager Operations Jansen on “Update Jansen Project and Transition to Operations”

9:15 am:  SIMSA Panel

SIMSA Panel

9:45 am: Networking and Booths

Booths:          4 booths to be used by BHP’s tier 1 Contractors and 2 by BHP representatives, so they can engage with attendants regarding indirect subcontracting for projects, and operational/procurement topics for BHP Operation.

Networking:     BHP persons to stay near/at their assigned table

11:00 am:  Gallery Walks

Room 1:   Working with BHP: Source to Contract Process

Room 2:   Overview Business Opportunities in Operations: On-site

Room 3:   Overview Business Opportunities in Operations: Off-site

Room 4:   HSS Management

Room 5:   Material Risk Management

Duration: 90 minutes (each room will run 3 sessions of 30 mins each one)

12:30 pm:  Lunch

BHP persons return to assigned tables

1:00 pm: Networking and Booths

3:00 pm:  Close

BHP persons who attended for the entire day included: