By 1972, Joe Ord had left to pursue engineering and detailing, and Jack Wilson left to pursue fabrication. Susan Dobbie now bought into the company, and Susan and Hugh Dobie became (and remain today) fifty-fifty partners in Dowco Consultants. This is a monumental moment for Dowco as the shift in leadership reflects the decisions over the next 49 years that lead to massive growth and innovation.

“In 1981, as the recession got underway, we invested in CAD (Computer Aided Drafting). The Canadian government was at the time trying to encourage companies to be involved in high tech. We managed to obtain a government-sponsored loan at half prime plus 2%. With prime at the time a whopping 22# our load was 13% - a far cry from today’s rates. (This makes it difficult for me to understand, with rates so low today and many companies allegedly sitting on surplus cash, why they don’t invest in new projects.) But I am not an economist, just an entrepreneur.

We have worked our way through five CAD software packages - Ceads Cadd, MountainTop, Somel-Punch and Champagne, Advenco’s PADs (our own development), and latterly Xsteel, which became Tekla Structures, our current detailing software.” - Hugh Dobbie, CEO

In 1982, Dowco formed a join venture partnership with CADDEV system Consultants. The new company was called Advencco Consultants Ltd., and was established primarily to develop computer programmes to detail more than 2500 shop drawings for the Vancouver Advanced Light Rapid Transit (ALRT). This project was a resounding success, but because of the lack of similar projects, the partnership was later dissolved and Dowco transformed Advenco into its research and development division.

January 1984 saw Dowco commencing public CAD training, as a licensed private trade school registered by the Ministry of Labour for B.C. This paved the way for other detailers to learn new technology, which advanced the industry as a whole. Dowco was not worried about competition, rather they wanted to contribute to mankind's evolution of building complex structures.

In March 1985, Dowco was approved by the Canada Employment & Immigration centres who sponsor upgrading for engineers and draftsmen in CAD. Dowco was one of only two CAD training Centres approved by the C.E.I.C.

January 1987 saw the formation of Dowco Computer System Division. This Division under the direction of President Hugh Dobbie Jr., handles hardware and software sales, networking, CAD drafting services and other computer related consulting services.

February 1988, capabilities expanded with a new HP 1000 A-Series computer with more memory and faster processor.

In February 1988, CAD was introduced into Langley’s office with the installation of an HP1000 F-Series computer with 7 workstations and a plotter.

December 1988 saw Dowco purchase, at auction, used computer equipment from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The acquisition, comprising 3-HP1000 A-Series computers, 3 colour and 24 monochrome graphic terminals and a variety of storage devices and other peripherals, propelled Dowco into the position of being the largest structural steel detailing company using CAD in North America.

Hesco Holdings Ltd. sold the Coquitlam and Langley office buildings in 1989, but Dowco retained 3-year rental leases on both properties. In September 1989, Hugh Dobbie Jr. worked his way through the preliminary rounds of Accugraph Corporation’s annual Fast Draw contest, and eventually won their shootout in El Paso to be declared the “Fastest Daw in the World”. After beating competitors from all over the world, he returned to Dowco with the prize of $25,0000 (U.S.) in software licenses, which enabled Dowco to purchase Accugraph’s new Mountain Top software. In December 1989 Dowco implemented Mountain Top in a training environment, with attention geared towards integrating this powerful tool into Dowco’s production of shop detail drawings.

By February 1991, Dowco became part of Accuraph’s Authorized Service Agent Program (ASAP). One of only three centres in North America, Dowco’s alliance with Accuraph would assist in providing expanded training and implementation of services for users of Accugraph’s CAD & Information Management Systems.

August 1991 was the time to consolidate Dowco’s Coquitlam and Langley offices into one location. This move was advisable to consolidate the computer environment, and to reduce overheads. Hesco Holdings Ltd. purchased the 30,000 square foot building in Coquitlam in which Dowco now occupies approximately 9,000 square feet.

In 1991 Dowco Computer Systems concluded negotiations and became a Value Added Business Partner with Hewlett packard, and is now authorized to assist the marketing and distribution of HP Series 700 line of workstations. Dowco also became an authorized Ingram Micro dealer, a national distributor for HP products.

August 1992 was Dowco’s “great leap forward”, when the office became totally computerized with all shop drawings and erection diagrams completed 100% by CAD. Dowco is currently using ADC 400, PADs and Mountain Top softwares, all linked together on hP 1000 mini computers, HP 300, 400 and 700 HP-UX systems, an IBM RS / 6000 AIX server and numerous X-terminals and PCs running on a network.

In 1992, in response to overwhelming demand for low end solutions, Dowco Computer Systems established a retail division called Educan Computers. Educan is an authorized distributor for Commodore pCs and Amigas, Hewlett Packard and Advenco Computers.

1993 was the year that Acugraph’s Mountain Top was fully implemented into Dowco’s production environment, and ADC 400 software was no longer used. When Mountain Top was first implemented at Dowco in December 1989, the target was to phase out ADC 400 by 1995. Due to the unique characteristics and productivity gained from Mountain Top, ADC 400 was phased out two years ahead of schedule, and Mountain Top became the software of choice.

In 1993, Dowco Computer Systems / Educan Computers Support Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) was installed. The graphically oriented BBS was a vast improvement over the traditional ANSI-brased boards, and allows for full mouse support. Dowco can now transmit drawings through its BBS with viewing @ 1023x768 and 256 colours.

May of 1994 saw the formation of Dowco Design Inc. to provide complete architectural design packages inducing intelligent computerized Facilities Management. Dowco Design Inc. under the direction of President Ewen Dobbie, utilizes the most advanced computer aided design and drafting system to facilitate production and transmission of design information. Extensive use of computer generated 3-dimensional models in the process ensures the achievement of the most effective design solutions.

In 1995, Dowco Computer Systems became an Internet provider and installed the latest in sophisticated hardware and software, along with several TI lines. 1995 Dowco Consultants Ltd. President Hugh Dobbie Sr. continued to evaluate steel detailing software from all over the world in an effort to maintain the company’s position as the leader in automated detailing technology. After visiting the United Kingdom in July to investigate new detailing packages, Dowco has now become North American distributor for X-Steel, a leading 3-D modelling package for steel detailing marketed by C.S.C. Ltd of Great Britain. Dowco will be using its research and development expertise to customize this new package for the North American market.

Dowco’s commitment to excellence over the past twenty five years, as well as its vision and realization of the creative possibilities of computer technology, has enabled the company to move ahead and to position itself for unprecedented growth. With access to the most up-to-date computer technology, coupled with a motivated, highly trained technical staff, the Dowco group of companies renews their pledge to be the best.

Dowco Computer Systems Ltd is now Dowco Educational Services Ltd. Over the last couple of years Dowco Computer Systems Ltd. unofficially moved into this arena of online education with the creation of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) approved course Detailing for Steel Construction. Most recently we’ve been working with Dowco Technology Services creating and launching the Tekla Basic training course. Today our focus is almost entirely on creating training material to service the Steel Detailing industry.

Known as the Dowco Online Learning Network, Dowco Educational Services Ltd. will be presenting a series of courses for online detailer training.

As an initiative of the AISC committee on Steel Detailing, the course, Detailing for Steel Construction, was created to address the shortage of structural steel detailing technicians and technologists in the industry. This comprehensive course, developed by Dowco Educational Services and fully endorsed by the AISC, is an invaluable tool for detailing firms, fabricators, and any other firms that employ people to prepare and review structural shop drawings.

Tekla Oy, in Finland also awarded DowcoMax a sales territory in India for Tekla Structures software and related training and services. A new team was established and business development was well underway. DowcoMAX was also established as the FabTrol reseller for India, enabling DowcoMax to be one of the first companies in the world to offer integrated steel solutions technologies to that market.

“DowcoMax was incorporated over 3 years ago with an initial work force of 25. During the first year, DowcoMax’s main job was to edit the drawings produced by Tekla Structures… a mundane job to say the least, especially in a 3D environment, but it is a necessary step to become more proficient with modeling and connecting jobs. DowcoMax now boasts an office of close to 60. The majority of the crew is currently comprised mostly of connectors followed by modelers and drawing editors. This is a complete reversal from where they started.

Over the past 6 months we have seen 2 of our Canadian employees spend time with DowcoMax in Kolkata. Boris Pohoriljakova from our Toronto office spent several weeks working with DMI, passing along his experience as a connector by upgrading the skills of his counterparts in DowcoMax. A few months later, Clayton Andrews from our Burnaby office, spent time working with DowcoMax and passing along his connecting experience and knowledge as well. Both Boris & Clayton came home with valuable knowledge of DowcoMax. Both were amazed and impressed by the talent and experience of the crew in DowcoMax. 'The team here is very friendly and kind but more importantly efficient and professional.'

DowcoMax has become an important factor in the operations of Dowco. It has the talent and experience to carry us through the economic slowdown we are all expecting. It is a company that takes pride in its work and in their workers, a company that helps and is an asset for Dowco Consultants.” - Ken Mussato, VP Operations

Dowco Max. As many of you timeDescLeft, Hugh Sr., Dowco’s founder and President has been active in promoting the. Profession of steel detailing for more than four decades. Currently, we work closely with the Workers’ Compensation Board in re-training programs. We have also worked with Employment Immigration Canada and hired people new to our country. We work closely with local colleges, universities and even high schools by providing Tekla Structures software, in class demonstrations and office tours. We have even merged with another detailing company to boost our staffing. Despite all these efforts, we still are unable to meet global market demands for steel detailing services.

“The past five months have been busy and challenging with the opening of the new Surrey / Langley office and the amalgamation of personnel from the Whonnock and Burnaby offices.

In the midst of the reorganization, Schuff Steel awarded Dowco the Tulsa Event Center Arena project. This undertaking, described as “The project of the century” by the Vision Builders 2025 group. Presented us with a number of unique detailing challenges, all adding to the excitement of being involved with a project designed by the world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli.

During initial discussions and early meetings, it became obvious that the focus of the area would be the Icon Wall. Subsequent modeling and detailing has indicated this to be true, and the Icon Wall is emerging as a complex and unique aspect of the arena project. The Dowco team has risen to the challenges and is doing an outstanding job with every member focused and contributing to the successful completion of the project in the spring of 2007.

In early December, Owens Steel Company awarded us The John Jay College of Criminal Justice project located in New York City. We look forward to working again with the Owens team on another fascinating and challenging venture. This project is a16-storey building with floors hanging off large roof trusses and cantilevering over the core of the building. All floors require camber and will be erected in the camber position supported by temporary jack columns that will be lowered and removed once all the floors of steel have been erected. We have started the modeling and are being assisted by our DowcoMax team to help with the completion.” - Ian Branen, Office Manager, Surrey / Langley

“We have now been selling Tekla Structures software for 11 years in Canada. I am Proud to say that most of North America’s earliest adapters, and many of Tekla’s most sophisticated and experienced users are located in Canada. The Canadian Steel industry was quick to realize the creative capabilities of 3D Modeling and detailing technologies. Companies on the west and east coast alike all cautiously entered into this new golden age of 3D.

For years we have had both a west and east coast office to handle the needs of our customers across the country. We have staffed our Ontario office with some French speaking personnel with the hope that we could offer some support and training services to those requesting or requiring communication “En Francais''. Although this has worked to some degree, I’m not sure we have truly met all the needs of our Quebec customers. We are extremely grateful and appreciative of those Quebec customers who were the early adopters and pioneers with us. We also thank those that have struggled with us over the years who experienced difficulties communicating with us (though I hope there weren’t too many of you).

I am very pleased to announce that effective January 2007 Dowco Consultants Ltd / Dowco Technology Services Ltd will open an office in Montreal. We expect that by the end of the first quarter to be ready to serve all Quebec customers from this new office.” - Ewen Dobbie, Executive VP.

“Looking back over the last year, many changes have been made at FabTrol Systems that have set the stage for growth in the years to come. We have implemented strategies to further satisfy current and future market requirements and to increase the global market presence of our software.

2008 marked several milestones in the history of FabTrol Systems:

Became a proud member of the Dowco Group of Companies

Produced a successful customer event - “Get Connected 2008”

Increased product design and development staffing by 25% including the hiring of Fred Magnotta as Director of Development and Lloyd Madden as Quality Control Manager

Welcomed 62 new customers to be the FabTrol family in addition to existing customer purchasing 102 new modules

Hit record sales in May of 2008 surpassing previous record by 27%

Maintained Annual Support and Maintenance (ASM) retention rate of 99%

Added an Automated Data Capture (ADC) integration partner

Set the groundwork for a new reseller partner in the Middle East with BIM Engineering Solutions

Conducted dozens of interviews with fabricators, including 12 onsite visits, to gather market requirements

Addressed the three top product enhancements requested by customers at the 2008 customer event

Updated the software development process to enhance quality assurance, shorten development schedules, and decrease the time to market for new product offerings

Developed substantial new functionality and product enhancements in the upcoming Version 3.0 General Release of FabTrol MRP to be released at NASCC 2009

We approach the coming year with much excitement as we anticipate another great NASCC show and Get Connected customer event, continued expansion into new global markets, and the release of FabTrol MRP Version 3.0 to name a few.

Our gratitude is extended to all of the staff, partners, and customers who have helped to make this a fantastic year. We look forward to the exploration of additional synergies between Dowco and FabTrol. We wish everyone and their families a happy holiday season and much success in the New Year.” - Rob Forester, National Sales Manager

"We proudly added FabTrol Systems Inc to the Dowco Group of Companies a few months ago and within a few short months have identified several global resellers. BIM Engineering Solutions having two offices in Egypt, and one in Dubai were welcomed as FabTrol’s first reseller under the newly established global reseller model. Existing partners, CSC in the UK, had a very successful year selling into the UK, South Africa, and under special agreement, China. 2009 was a year of additional expansion for FabTrol as staffing levels for the Company increased by 25% in the development team, which reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to ongoing development."

“On June 8, 1970, I incorporated Dowco Consultants Ltd. with two partners. In 1973, Susan bought out the partners’ shares and since then we two have run the company … myself on the front lines, Susan behind the scenes. Our business has very much one of family involvement. On June 15, 2012, we sold our shares to our son Ewen Dobbie, who now acquires full ownership of Dowco Consultants Ltd., Dowco Technology Services Ltd. and FabTrol. As well as running Dowco Technology Services and FabTrol, Ewen has spent much of his time recently being directly involved with Consultants and is eager to transition into full management of the companies. The economic climate will remain a challenge for some time to come, but it is time for young, stronger hands to take the helm.“ - Hugh Dobbie

“Well, I am humbled to be at the helm of ‘Next Generation Dowco’. I’ve been working in and around the family business for most of my life. While my parents vowed their kids would never build careers at the company, somehow all three of us (sister Sarah, and brother, Hugh jr) ended up spending at least some time working in the family business. For myself, I found my rhythm and passion selling and promoting both the Company and the technology we use.

I am also proud that my father’s life’s work has the potential to become my life’s work. The changes in the steel detailing, fabrication, and construction industry over the past 42 years have been dramatic … to say the least: 2D CAD, 3D Modeling and Detailing, the Internet, E-mail, increasing program (& 3D model) interoperability, project collaboration protocols, social media, iPhones, and Tablet PC’s are just a few examples of how technology is shaping our world and the way we work.

Our particular technological journey of discovery began in 1981, when we first entered into the world of CAD. Thirty one years have since passed and we find ourselves again at the cusp of what may be an exciting breakthrough. Yes, technology has advanced, but so too has the attitude in which project teams collaborate. With increasing software interoperability has come an emerging willingness to cooperate. Collaborate and work towards a common project goal.“ - Ewen Dobbie, President, CEO

Dowco Financial Ltd., is a start-up insurance brokerage business providing Group Benefits, & Individual Insurance Risk Products such as life insurance, disability insurance, critical illness, and long-term care insurance to companies working within the Dowco Group Network, and to businesses, partnerships and individuals residing in British Columbia.

DeSimone Consulting Engineering D.P.C., a leading full-service engineering firm with offices worldwide, announced a new agreement to acquire Dowco Group’s global detailing, preconstruction and building information modeling services business.

“Through the acquisition of Dowco’s detailing and BIM services business, DeSimone can now more quickly deliver projects by bringing engineering and detailing into the design phase early,” said Stephen DeSimone, chairman and CEO of DeSimone Consulting Engineering D.P.C.

“We welcome our new Dowco colleagues from around the world,” DeSimone added. “Together, we are building a global digital design and detailing team, which allows us to offer structural solutions for clients inclusive of design, detailing, BIM and virtual construction services.”

Ewen Dobbie, president and CEO of Dowco Group, said: “Today is another important day in the history of our company. Given Dowco’s pioneering role as the first North American user and reseller of Tekla Structures software, we have played a key role in the development of North America’s 3D structural modeling and emerging markets for BIM and digital construction services.”

Dobbie added, “We have witnessed first-hand the value realized when creating accurate digital structural models earlier in the design process. As long-time advocates for engineers and detailers working collaboratively in a connected digital construction environment, we applaud DeSimone for its commitment to reducing project risk and rework and for producing better project outcomes for its clients. We fully believe this transaction will enhance our presence in the U.S. and help us market our services to an expanded client base.