Tornado Building Maintenance Corporation commenced operations in Edmonton, Alberta in 1971 where it provided janitorial services, window cleaning, and carpet steam cleaning services to a small group of clients across a variety of service sectors. The company experienced rapid growth and by 1974 had major contracts with federal, provincial, and municipal governments, servicing millions of square feet on a 24/7/365 basis.

Major clients included four of Alberta’s busiest airports – Edmonton International Airport, Edmonton Municipal Airport, Calgary International Airport and Grande Prairie Airport – as well as office towers such as the Sir Alexander McKenzie Building (main post office) and two of the largest oil refinery companies in Fort McMurray – Syncrude Canada and Suncor. Tornado’s employee base grew rapidly to more than 1,600 workers across the five main cities of Alberta.