Chris deVos
Chris began his welding journey when he was in high school, demonstrating a natural talent for the craft. By the age of 15 he was working for his mother and father, Case and Janet, who owned the ma and pa shop known as Ayr Welding.
After high school Chris enrolled at Conestoga College and studied to become a welding engineering technician. While at college he worked as a welder/fitter at Gasmac in Guelph, an industrial furnace manufacturer. After graduating from Conestoga in 1998, Chris returned to working at Ayr.
At Ayr, Chris became a high-pressure pipe welder, working in schools, colleges, universities, abattoirs, condos, processing plants, and various industrial facilities. He also spent a lot of time working as a subcontractor to a millwrighting company, where he acquired a new set of skills working on conveyors, water/wastewater systems, automated cooler systems, structural platforms/ ladders and industrial piping. He is well known for his solid craftsmanship and attention to detail. Chris acquired his Red Seal designation in 2010.
In 2009, Chris joined forces with his sister Meghan and Bob and Brian Clemmer to take over Ayr Welding from Chris and Meghan’s parents. Soon thereafter Chris eased his way into project management and estimating, leveraging the experience he had acquired to date. Today, Chris services approximately 60 customers across Ontario.
Chris’ drive and determination, growth mindset and willingness to never give up have been vital to expansion of Ayr’s offerings, which now includes electrical services in Southern Ontario. Chris is thankful for the support of his family, dedicated employees and customers, all of whom contribute to the success of the Ayr Group of companies.
Meghan MacAulay
Like her brother Chris, Meghan started working at Ayr Welding at the age of 15 starting at the entry level and learning the business from the ground up. Meghan worked hard throughout her teenage years and learned from her parents the value of a strong work ethic, how to operate a successful business and the importance of giving back to the community.
After graduating from high school Meghan attended Sheridan College where she studied design and technology and business accounting administration, graduating in 2006. Meghan is an active continuous learner who has taken a range of industry courses/workshops to help support the Ayr Group of companies.
Meghan’s first job after graduating from Sheridan was with JBT Transport, located in Ayr, Ontario, which allowed her to leverage her accounting skill set and further prepare for a leadership role at Ayr Welding.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Meghan is dedicated to opening up opportunities for women in the trades and construction. She has recently become an active member of Grand Valley Constructions – Women in Business.
In the last 14 years, Ayr Welding has continued to increase its employees, operating locations, skill sets, revenues and customer base. Meghan continuously works to achieve the goals she sets as a driver to success. An integral part of the Ayr ownership team, Meghan would like to extend her gratitude to all Ayr employees, who are committed to providing the best quality work for the company’s customer base. She is also thankful for the continued support of her family and friends.
Bob Clemmer
Bob grew up on a dairy farm outside of Milbank, working alongside his brother Brian. Bob developed an interest in fabrication while working on the family farm and learned the value of hard work. After graduating high school he launched his career with a co-op placement at Elmira Sheet Metal, where he gained experience in operating machinery, welding, fitting, and fabrication.
After completing his co-op placement, in 1998 Bob started an apprenticeship in millwrighting with M&G Millwrights, ending his time there as a road foreman. Bob worked on various projects gaining knowledge and experience in industries such as grain and feed mills, fertilizers, food and poultry, farming and manufacturing. While working at M&G, Bob and his brother Brian became interested in running their own business, so when the opportunity to take over the reins at Ayr with Chris and Meghan materialized in 2009, the two of them jumped at the opportunity—and haven’t looked back since.
During the early years of ownership at Ayr, Bob was the onsite lead for many projects throughout Canada. His expertise led him into project management and estimating, leveraging his experience in the construction industry. Bob also took on the management role at Ayr Welding’s sister company, Bale-Tec, which services waste management and recycling operations.
Bob’s wealth of knowledge has helped further the growth and success of the Ayr Group of companies and he is thankful for the support of his family and Ayr employees, who are integral to the success of the companies.
Brian Clemmer
Like Bob, Brian grew up working on the family farm, where hard work was a way of life. Brian started his millwrighting career in 1997 at Advance Millwrights in Elmira, subsequently moving to TS Millwrighting and G-force Custom Fabrication, gaining knowledge and experience in millwrighting, custom fabrication, rigging, hoisting, and welding and working his way up the ladder to a foreman position.
In 2009, Brian took a leap of faith and took over ownership of Ayr Welding with Case and Janet DeVos, their son Chris, daughter Meghan and his brother Bob. Brian wore many hats in the early stages of ownership, including sales, project management and estimating, as well as working onsite as millwright foreman and welder. Brian’s drive and determination have been pivotal to the growth and success of Ayr. His growth mindset, refusal to fail and positive perspective have opened new doors for Ayr. Brian is always up to a challenge and embraces any new and exciting business opportunities that can help the Ayr Group succeed.
Brian is grateful for the customers who have trusted Ayr Group companies over the years, all the employees that help build the group’s strong reputation and extends his thanks to all the families who have been so supportive.