Nexstar Lighting is a Canadian-owned company that provides turnkey energy efficient lighting systems for a variety of building typologies, including multi-residential, commercial, industrial, and retail facilities. Since forming more than 20 years ago, they have dedicated themselves to reducing electricity consumption and promoting sustainable energy solutions in order to both contribute to a greener future and meet the needs of their clients. “Our mission is simple: minimize your electricity load; maximize your financial incentive; thereby saving you fifty percent or more on your utility bills,” says Bob McKellar, founder and owner of the company. Bob first started Nexstar Lighting in 2004, after working in energy management with Ontario Hydro for 25 years. “I was doing a similar job helping people become more energy efficient and productive,” he recalls. When he first started Nexstar, they were a sales and marketing organization with no inhouse electricians. “Back then the company had problems with scheduling and the work not being done exactly the way we wanted,” he says. “Things would work OK, but not exactly as intended.” That’s why they introduced an in-house electrical team, to give them direct control over the quality and timing of their work. Bob says that has proven very effective – and though they still use external labour when working outside Ontario, “we’re managing things much better now.” Beyond adding in-house electrical contracting capabilities, Nexstar has grown and evolved in other ways, as well. For example, over time they have taken on a progressively wider range of contracts. They now do “all kinds of lighting” Bob says, everything from retail stores to multiJULY 2024
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