Press releases

Canadian Disaster Restoration Group: Looking to the Future from its Beginnings

February 27th 2008 Ottawa, ON

Simon Frigon is a very goal-oriented individual.   First he set out to realize his brainchild, the Canadian Disaster Restoration Group (CDRG) and secondly, with the inception of CDRG he set out to change the disaster restoration industry in Canada. Understandably, not an easy task for a start-up venture based out of Ottawa. But the president and founder of CDRG sees objectives and goals where others might see hindrances and obstacles. 

Given the changing state of the Insurance industry in Canada, CDRG was born out of a desire to catch up to the future.  The community of adjustors as a whole was, and is, undergoing a shift towards the “big box” phenomenon reminiscent of Home Depot and Walmart.  Insurance services are being housed under one roof, offering customers a one-stop solution, and gone are the days of “who-you-know” luncheons and handshakes.  Mom-and-pop shops servicing the insurance industry are more inclined to sink rather than swim in this highly competitive market.  Simon saw this trend developing as he grew up surrounded by family in the restoration industry.  It helped him keep his eye on the future.

He recounts the days where his father would know most of the adjusters in the industry back in the late seventies and eighties, relationships which were key to their company’s success.  Times changed, and the business was handed from father to son.  Simon was determined to maintain the success that his family had spent 35 year building.   And so he conceived CDRG; originally created to respond to CAT’s (catastrophes) across Canada it became a secret weapon which ensured their survival in their Ottawa market as well.  CDRG also gave Eastern BCS leverage for insurance related losses locally.  Recognizing the potential power in the organization, Simon started building his member-base and offering the CDRG solution to other independent contractors.  

It became clear that insurance companies preferred to deal with national vendors or franchises instead of local independents.  CDRG was the natural answer to this trend.  By going national, Simon has gained increasing leverage with the insurance companies while continuing to appeal to the independently owned and operated restoration companies.  “We set ourselves apart from other groups because we are not run by a corporate head office, we do not charge any royalty fees, and we are not franchise-based”.  CDRG has built a national network of specialists that work regionally across Canada.  “We support Canadian business and Canadian workers,” states Simon.

Competition in the industry has increased significantly in recent years throughout Canada.  Most of the franchises are foreign companies from the US or Europe.  As Simon Frigon explains, “CDRG’s marketing strategy is based on a simple formula: Canadians working for Canadians”.  He adds, “The restoration industry is in need of reliable Canadian, independent, restoration specialists. We ensure that all our members are certified, experienced, and up-to-par, by industry standards.  We can assure our clients that our members are the best in their respective fields.”

Four years after its beginnings, CDRG has over 90 certified and associate members across Canada.  By 2009, Simon estimates that figure will be in excess of one hundred.  CDRG’s consistent growth can be explained in part due to its unique approach.  “We’ve taken seasoned professionals with 30-40 years of experience under their belts and added the enthusiasm of the younger generation.  Being a young entrepreneur, I’ve put together a team with the best of both worlds, experienced businessmen combined with young visionaries”. 

Some of what CDRG has decided to focus on is a national strategic-plan to develop technologies and software in order to keep up with the increasing demands of the industry. Alliances are also vital to the group’s success; partnerships with Munters (a world leader in dehumidification and document restoration) and other global leaders keep CDRG abreast of the latest advances in the disaster restoration industry.

During their short four year evolution, CDRG’s management committee noticed there was a considerable gap for the provision of property loss. “We are just beginning to answer this need with our recently launched Red Team (National East and West Catastrophe Team). This new concept will help alleviate the stresses on local members who may be overwhelmed with claims during medium to large, localized disasters. The Red Team will operate on a two-tier system which will include CDRG top specialists.  Simply put, if the member cannot handle the situation, and the surrounding members are also overwhelmed, the Red Team will come in and help with the catastrophes at hand.”

Looking into, and planning for, the future is a vital part of Simon Frigon’s job description; it is something he takes to heart. “In the short time since I’ve started the Canadian Disaster Restoration Group, we have established and worked with a plan that has brought the group to its current position as a leading disaster restoration network.  We are known for our roster of top-quality contractors. Counting the years of experience between founding members, CDRG is 120-plus years of experience in the restoration industry.  CDRG handpicks their members based on references and ground-level knowledge from various sources.   I see the results of our achievements every day, and I see where we are going to be in the near future. Seeing our vision become a reality is all I need to continue this amazing adventure.”  When asked where he sees the disaster restoration industry going he answers, “we will witness a more streamlined, or standardized if you like, approach to the line of disaster restoration services available, with a web-based coordination strategy becoming indispensable.”   A man who sees opportunities and options…and very few obstacles.