How Silver Fern Stainless is building opportunity on Vancouver Island, one custom project at a time

For nearly two decades, Silver Fern Stainless has helped shape the spaces where people on Vancouver Island work, gather and connect. Based in Saanichton, B.C., the company creates custom stainless-steel solutions for restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, correctional facilities and commercial spaces across the region.

What began in 2006 as a three-person business has grown into a trusted local company known for craftsmanship, reliability and a strong commitment to its community.

For co-owner Adam Kerrigan, the work has always been about more than metal. After discovering sheet metal at Camosun College, he was drawn to the custom side of the trade: creating pieces that are practical, memorable and often become focal points in the spaces they serve.

“Most sheet metal work is ventilation and siding, but I loved creating custom pieces,” says Kerrigan. “Projects that are memorable, artistic and become focal points for people. That’s what really excites me today.”

Silver Fern Stainless was founded by a small group of tradespeople with deep experience in food and beverage spaces. As the business grew, the team expanded into grocery stores, millwork contractors, hospitals and other commercial projects, creating more steady work while staying close to local customers.

“We saw a need in the community,” says Kerrigan. “In our industry there are highs and lows, and when a big project wraps up, keeping staff working full-time becomes top of mind.”

The company’s success has been built on a simple but powerful combination: bring humour and personality to the job site, while delivering high-quality work on time. That approach has helped Silver Fern earn the trust of clients across industries where reliability matters.

As Silver Fern Stainless has grown, Kerrigan says the company’s banking needs have remained grounded in two priorities: simplicity for everyday transactions and access to real advice when more complex decisions arise.

“We’re a very busy organization, so banking needs to be quick, fluid and easy,” he says. “When there’s something more involved, it’s nice to have someone you can sit down with and talk it through.”

That relationship has been especially important with Scotiabank Business advisor Francis Loftus, who has supported the business through account setup, day-to-day questions and larger financial decisions.

“Having that relationship means we can pick up the phone, have a quick conversation, get reassurance and know there’s confidence behind the decisions we’re making,” says Kerrigan.

When Silver Fern Stainless was considering the purchase of a building, that access to advice helped the team move forward with greater confidence. More recently, Francis has also helped Kerrigan think more intentionally about where the business holds its savings and how it can create more value from those funds.

With strong craftsmanship, local roots and support from Scotiabank, Silver Fern Stainless continues to create opportunity for its team, clients and community.

Succession planning has also played an important role in the company’s story. Founder Rob Rose believed in giving strong employees the opportunity to grow into leadership, a philosophy that helped shape Silver Fern’s ownership transition and continues to guide the business today.

In 2023, Kerrigan and co-owner Casey Wilson became equal partners. Now, they are already looking ahead, gradually introducing another employee into ownership and creating a path for the next generation of tradespeople and business leaders.

“We’ve seen how valuable succession planning can be,” says Kerrigan. “We want to create those same opportunities for others.”