Strong Enterprises: A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation and a New Chapter
Strong Enterprises began as a small family-owned business. Today it announces the rebrand of its construction division, Strong Bros General Contracting. The Strong family name and group of companies has a rich history rooted in hard work, dedication, and family values. After 35 years in business, deciding to change your logo and identity is a big move. In this post learn about the company’s history and why now is the time for a rebrand.
History
It all started with Kevin Strong, a man born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. He began his journey by moving to Toronto with his family, and leaving school at 15 to support them financially. His diverse career path led him to the heating and air conditioning industry, where he met his future wife, Sophia. Together, they purchased Regional Combustion, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit.
In 1989, the couple founded Strong Bros. Heating and Air Conditioning in Belleville. They incorporated it in 1992 to honour their family bond and commitment to excellence in construction services.
In 2009, Strong Bros. Heating and Air Conditioning became Strong Bros. General Contracting Limited. This transition allowed the company to expand its portfolio and reach across Ontario.
Today, under the leadership of Kevin’s children, Justin and Natalie Strong, the company enters a new era of innovation and growth.
Justin Strong, CEO of Strong Enterprises says, “Establishing Strong Enterprises as our parent company marks a significant milestone in our journey. It allows us to streamline operations and better showcase the diverse expertise of our subsidiaries under one cohesive umbrella. This strategic enhances our market presence, and strengthens our ability to deliver solutions tailored to our clients’ evolving needs.”
The Power of Rebranding
Rebranding is more than just a change of name or logo; it’s a comprehensive transformation that significantly impacts a company’s success. Rebranding involves updating or changing a company’s name, logo, design, or other brand elements to create a new, distinct identity. It often reflects the company’s evolution, modernization, or shift in strategic direction to better align with its goals and values.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing market, investing in branding is essential for any company aiming for long-term success and relevance. Here are some examples of rebrands in history and their impact. They illustrate how strategic changes can elevate a brand’s presence and drive growth.
TURNER CONSTRUCTION
Turner Construction Company rebranded in the early 2000s to reflect its transition from a U.S. centric firm to a global leader with operations in over 20 countries. Their rebrand involved modernizing the logo and visual identity to present a more dynamic image. The new logo, emphasized Turner’s capabilities in various sectors like healthcare, commercial, and green building. The strategic transformation enhanced Turner’s market presence in several ways. It attracted high-profile projects such as the EV battery plant for Panasonic and net-zero energy buildings for Chico State University. This repositioning also contributed to Turner’s financial growth, with the company managing $15 billion in construction projects annually.
Similarly, Starbucks underwent a significant rebranding in 2011, removing the word “coffee” from its logo to reflect its diverse product range. This rebranding helped Starbucks strengthen its global appeal and position itself as a premium lifestyle brand, not just a coffee company.
Coca-Cola’s branding success over more than 50 years can be attributed to its historical consistency and emotional engagement with consumers. The iconic red and white logo have remained largely unchanged, fostering nostalgia and trust.
Coca-Cola’s branding strategy focus brand rather than the product. The company promotes the lifestyle and emotions associated with Coca-Cola—family, friendship, and happiness—rather than just the soda itself. This approach makes the brand universally relatable and timeless, enabling it to connect with a wide audience across different cultures and generations.
Coca-Cola’s marketing campaigns, such as “Share a Coke” and “Open Happiness,” emphasize themes of togetherness, happiness, and celebration, creating an emotional bond with consumers. The brand’s ability to innovate and adapt, introducing new flavours and sustainable practices, has kept it relevant and appealing to modern consumers.
A strong brand not only attracts new customers but also retains existing ones by consistently delivering on its promises and maintaining a positive reputation. Branding efforts such as rebranding, as seen with Turner Construction, or maintaining brand consistency, as demonstrated by Coca-Cola, showcase how strategic branding can drive significant business growth, enhance market presence, and strengthen a company’s position in the industry.
The Importance of a Full Rebranding for a 35-Year-Old Company
For a company with a 35-year legacy, rebranding is crucial to stay relevant in the ever-evolving construction industry. It allows the company to adapt to market changes, embrace new technologies, and meet the growing demands of its clients. Rebranding also re-energizes the brand identity, helping to attract top talent and forge stronger relationships with stakeholders.
Natalie Strong, COO of Strong Enterprises says, “Rebranding is a strategic decision to unify our diverse services under one cohesive identity. It allows us to better showcase our capabilities, adaptability, and commitment to excellence across all facets of our operations. This transformation reflects our dedication to innovation and our vision for a more integrated, client-focused approach in the construction industry.”
New Website
As part of the rebranding, Strong Enterprises is excited to unveil its new website, designed to reflect the rebranding and enhanced service offerings. The website features a modern, user-friendly interface that provides detailed information about projects, services, and company values.
For Strong Enterprises, the rebranding represents more than a new name; it signifies a dedication to growth, innovation, and maintaining the strong family values that have been the foundation since the beginning. The company is excited about this new chapter and looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence in the construction industry.