COMPANY
HISTORY
Established in 1973, Protec Dental Laboratories Ltd. has grown to become one of Canada’s leading full service dental laboratories. Starting with Severs Orthodontic Laboratories and just two employees, they offered premium orthodontic appliances to dentists in Vancouver. Severs was a successful orthodontic lab that grew considerably and eventually changed their name to Protec. In 1996, Protec Orthodontic Laboratory acquired Shaw Laboratories, broadening their product range to include fixed and removable prosthetics. This full service dental lab, under the new name Protec Dental Laboratories Ltd. employed 36 employees and moved into their current headquarters at 38 East 1st Avenue. Protec quickly outgrew this location and expanded into another building at nearby 4th Avenue to house Procad Manufacturing, the CAD/CAM Digital Dentistry Division. Currently Protec employs over a hundred highly qualified individuals and has recently completed building a new laboratory at 34 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
The company is operated by Neal Russell, President and General Manager, and three partners: Jeff Player - Orthodontics Manager, Gerrit Van Schalkwyk - Crown & Bridge/Implants Manager, and Neil Appelbaum - Removable Prosthetics/Implants Manager. Each departmental manager oversees the management, training and quality control of their respective departments.
Other key staff members include:
Dawn Goodby – Accounting and Finance Manager
Arnold Rennert – Customer Service Manager
Hilary Currie - Human Resources
Mike Malone – Technical Representative
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Protec plays an active role in both the dental and local community, recognizing that corporate responsibility enriches the community and the company. During recent years, Protec has sponsored various events including the “Save a Smile” program to provide care to underprivileged children and youth with urgent dental needs. Protec has held golf tournaments to raise money for the United Way and the Vancouver Children’s Hospital. Protec also provides a scholarship for the top Dental Technicians student at Vancouver Community College. In 2008, Protec made a considerable contribution to the Study Club Alliance of British Columbia for their new clinic and lecture centre. Every year, Protec participates in events with the Chinese Canadian, the Vancouver and District, and Fraser Valley Dental Societies.
