In 1977, Harry and Nancy Balcome, while raising a young family in Blockhouse, Nova Scotia, created a business in a small 30’ x 30’ building that would in time grow to be a major employer and community supporter on the South Shore. This achievement was born from hard work, sacrifice and the ongoing company motto “a satisfied customer will be a repeat customer”.

Over the next four years, both Harry and Nancy became employed full time at the business and with a staff of one provided Machine and Welding services to an array of clients producing and repairing trailer hitches, commercial/utility trailers, snow plows, specialty farm equipment and industry specific products. In 1982, the company took new direction with the release of its first fire truck. For the next twenty years, fire trucks would prove to be one of the major parts of the business, manufacturing a total of fifty-six trucks throughout Atlantic Canada. Many of these trucks are still in service today.

The buildings, offices and staff continued to grow with the business. By 1987, with a staff of ten, the manufacturing space of 4,500 square feet in Blockhouse was proving to be too small. In 1988, BMI Ltd. would move to its current location in Oakhill. The Oakhill location was on a partially developed 4.5 acres of land with a modern 13,500 square foot manufacturing building. The new location provided the necessary floor and yard space for the growth and expansion of fire/rescue vehicles, environmental equipment, custom production machinery and all commercial and industrial related fabrication and repair that would carry the company into the new century. In 2007, the 4.5 acre lot was fully developed with the addition of a new 9,000 square foot building.

In 1999, Harry and Nancy were joined by their two sons Martin and Bradley. With guidance from the 1st generation over the next few years, they would learn the lessons necessary to operate and grow the business in new directions and heights.

BMI Ltd. has changed and diversified over the years in order to stay current, remain competitive and continue to grow. Each family and staff member has contributed to make this persistent success happen on daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and now, generational basis. It now offers Staffing Solutions, Recycling and Waste Management, Metal Fabrication and Repair, as well as Wood Pallet, Container and Crating services.

Today, the company continues to move forward under the guidance and leadership of Martin Balcome, President and CEO, who always remembers “a satisfied customer will be a repeat customer”.