Hatch Mott MacDonald.

Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) is a big company with a small-company approach to business.

HMM is a marriage of two companies: Hatch, Canadian-owned engineering firm focused on heavy industrial, mining development, power stations, tailings dams and ponds, and Mott MacDonald, a U.K.-based firm with expertise in building infrastructure.

With 70 offices across Canada and the U.S., HMM has worked on some big projects: the Niagara Falls tunnel, the Toronto subway, Pearson International Airport's de-icing pads, and Northern Ontario rail projects for Canadian Pacific Railway.

The Thunder Bay office is one of the larger locations in North America; it focuses on infrastructure, sewer and water mains, highways, and bridges.

Despite its size, the company recognizes its success comes because of its people, and puts emphasis on creating a welcoming environment for staff.

"They're like any other big company: they have a business to run, and they're very focused on making it productive," said Gerry Bucknell, principal project manager with the Thunder Bay office. "But they also recognize that staff are important, and they try to look after them to the best of their ability"

Training and education

Heavy emphasis is placed on health and safety training, which are governed by the firm's policies and code of conduct.

There are also plenty of opportunities for training, through the web and conference calls, for staff to continually upgrade their knowledge.

"They recognize that's an important component of the business, that if people are going to do good work, they have to be trained well, so they put in the effort to make sure that happens," Bucknell said.

Staff can tap into the firm's large base of expertise, which is especially good for junior staff looking for build their careers, he said.

HMM will provide reimbursement for educational assistance and professional development for full-time personnel who have completed six months or more of service. The company also reimburses the initial examination and registration costs, along with annual registration fees for professional registration.

Community involvement

Last year, HMM donated more than $100.000 to charitable organizations.

Individual offices get to decide where they put their efforts. In Thunder Bay, staff participate in golf tournaments that raise money for a variety of charities and also participate in the Big Bike ride for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

"It's whatever the local office feels is...