Nigel Blair, president and owner of Paul Davis South Western Nova Scotia, has announced the opening of his franchise office to serve residential and commercial property owners throughout South Western Nova Scotia. Blair has vast experience in the construction, steel and welding industry, and expertise in environmental, occupational and safety interests, among others. The new Paul Davis office is located at 46 Taxiway Court in Cambridge, Nova Scotia.
Paul Davis South Western Nova Scotia provides a restoration services to restore damage to buildings and contents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a full-service insurance restoration firm, and part of the Paul Davis network across Canada and the U.S. The franchise is constructing a state-of-the-art contents and cleaning facility to restore damaged goods including electronics, soft contents, carpets and textiles.
According to Blair, after researching several business opportunities, he purchased the new territory with Paul Davis due to the company’s level of sophistication in training and operations. He will support and expand the capabilities of his longstanding business, BD Welding and Steel Erection, Ltd. in Vaughan, Nova Scotia with Paul Davis capabilities. Blair recognized Paul Davis’ momentum in the marketplace and strength in opportunities serving customers throughout the region.
Blair runs the business and operations. His staff of full-time restoration professionals hold certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), Xactimate estimating software, Matterport, and visual job review technologies. Lead technicians, estimators, associates and project managers are highly trained while maintaining continuing education in the latest restoration and emergency services technologies, pack out, inventory, contents cleaning and storage methods.
Blair was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and attended Saint Mary’s University while studying biology, chemistry and psychology. He began working in the construction industry at the age of 14 to fund his college career. He decided in 1993 to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as a third-generation steel and concrete worker. His early milestones included running work crews on the Confederation Bridge while fabricating and hoisting the largest prefabricated rebar lifts in the world at that time.
Later, he traveled to the U.S. Midwest to work in the steel industry, and at robotics and auto manufacturing plants with structural steel installation, welding and pre-cast concrete installation. During this time, he established his first business with mentor and steel industry expert Jerry Griffith. An early career milestone included working in Bermuda to construct multiple steel high rises, including Bermuda’s tallest building. He also trained local Bermudian residents to become certified steel installers and welders.
In 2006, Blair moved back to Nova Scotia to open and operate a local certified steel and welding business in a competitive market with numerous installations including bridges, wind towers and tower cranes. One of his company’s largest projects included the construction of a $120 million ethanol plant in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, where he employed 69 team members during the project from various trades.
With Blair’s extensive background in both commercial and residential construction, the Paul Davis mission, vision, truth and serving basics attracted him to the idea of franchise ownership. Joining Blair’s team are Justin Ehler, job cost accountant; Keaton Mapplebeck, junior project manager; Laura Thompson, contents manager; and Paul Rae, business development manager.
Recently, Blair’s commitment to the local community was demonstrated with putting smiles on the faces of hundreds of residents and visitors. He provided funding and helped to bring back a Nova Scotian Christmas icon that was a huge presence since the 1970s at what used to be the largest shopping mall in Halifax. Known as Woody the Talking Christmas Tree, the 38-foot interactive structure had not been seen since 2006. When Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was purchased by developer Joe Ramia in September 2021, the team made a promise to the public that they would bring back the Christmas icon.
“We were presented with what seemed like an impossible mission, to bring Woody back in time for Christmas 2021. In less than four weeks, the unimaginable was completed, and with our crew along with local vendors and contractors, Woody the Talking Christmas Tree was unveiled on November 19,” said Nigel.
Nigel aided in the design and building of the steel structure and decorative design, plus installation of the holiday icon all while launching the Paul Davis office.
About Paul Davis Restoration
For more than 55 years, Paul Davis Restoration Inc. has restored residential and commercial properties damaged by fire, water, mold, storms, biohazards like COVID-19 and other disasters. Paul Davis Restoration has more than 300 independently owned franchises in the United States and Canada. The professionals at Paul Davis are certified in emergency restoration, reconstruction and remodeling.
