Through good times and bad times the Tutthill family company has been a major part of the community in so many aspects. Recently, the company celebrated its 70th anniversary with family, friends, past and present employees at the Elkhorn Elks Hall, decorated with the company colors of black and orange.
The afternoon event featured a come and go tea with a display of photo books showing Tutthill Construction’s history and growth. The company was started by the late Bernard Tutthill, with one truck and one shovel. In later years he would become well-known for his work and efforts as a trustee, and later, Chairman of the Fort La Bosse School Division.
Shortly after Bernard began in business, he was joined by his book -keeper Etta, who would soon become his wife; and over the years, as the business grew, so did the family with four boys and one girl. To celebrate the milestone 70 years, Etta attended the tea and events to visit and share in the celebrations. During the afternoon and evening events, family members gave a brief history of the company; of the good and bad times related to provincial and national economic developments.
A main point of interest to the family was the various pieces of equipment they purchased over the years - equipment that improved the service they could offer and helped the company grow. In fact, out in front of the Elks Hall was the latest piece of their construction machinery alongside one of the company’s earliest machines.
As the company grew, it was joined by the younger family members, and now Tutthill Construction has third generation members as part of the staff, with the outlook of a fourth generation up and coming.
Over the years, the company has been a major employer in the community, which has seen it keep several young people in the area who have started their own families and built homes in Elkhorn.
Over the past 70 years the company has had a few different locations, and now has a major shop and compound west of the village. At one time they were a major supplier of cement to projects in the area, going up against bigger competition in Moosomin and Virden.
During their history, Tutthill Construction has been involved with all types of projects, both far and wide, in commercial and residential construction, agricultural and road construction, being very involved in the oil patch over the last several years after they moved away from the cement side of the business.
However if one event stands out over the past 70 years, it was the leadership the company took along with some other village construction groups in the flood of 2014. Their combined efforts prevented massive flood damage in Elkhorn, working almost around the clock for a two-day period which saved countless properties and millions of dollars in property loses.
For the evening celebration there was a supper held at the Elks Hall followed by presentations from local and provincial government representatives and more memories of the company and its employees. The management of the company then took time to give out a number of gift presentations to long-time employees.
Ken Tutthill, one of the company owners, thanked all their wonderful employees over the years - many of the workers being father and son teams. He also went on to add that a great part of the company’s success was due to the great opportunities this country of Canada has provided.
A company employee spoke of the 70th anniversary celebration saying, “What a great day! The Tutthill family is so proud of what Dad started 70 years ago and where the company is today, with the second and third generations in the business. We have been so very lucky to have so many great employees and great support from our surrounding communities. No business could have lived and prospered this many years without the support of both!”
