Honoring a Career and Looking Ahead: A Message from Rick Benoit

As I prepare to retire from my role as Vice President at McWane Canada, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has shaped not only my career, but who I am as a person.

I joined the company at the age of 28 and recently marked 30 years with McWane.
Having spent more than half of my life here, this organization has become deeply ingrained in me. The values, the people, and the way we do business have shaped how I think, how I lead, and how I show up every day. This role has been more than a job. It has truly been part of my identity.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside hundreds of dedicated colleagues and partners. I have also been fortunate to collaborate with many community groups. These relationships, built on trust, respect, and shared purpose, are what I value most and what I will carry with me long after my last day.

Beyond the professional knowledge I have gained, the most important lessons I take away are the importance of people, trust, and giving back to the communities where we live and work. Financial results matter, but they are only achievable when you have strong teams working together with respect and trust across all areas of the business.

The McWane Way program has played a meaningful role in my own growth. It reinforced the importance of understanding perspectives beyond your own and reminded me that true teamwork requires openness, curiosity, and humility. Learning to appreciate how others see challenges and opportunities is a powerful step toward becoming a stronger and more connected organization.

For those building their careers at McWane Canada, my advice is simple. Take the time to truly know the company and understand its goals. Align your own professional ambitions with the broader objectives of the business. Be curious about what happens beyond your immediate role. Ask questions. Learn how each function contributes to the whole. That curiosity will help you grow alongside the organization and uncover opportunities you may not have imagined.

One of the most impactful lessons I have taken from The McWane Way is the importance of self awareness. How you interact, react, and respond to others can change outcomes more than you realize. You must be willing to have difficult conversations across all parts of the business to ensure we are aligned toward our shared goal of being best in class in EHS, people and culture, sales, and production.

Closely tied to self awareness is humility. I have said this many times and I will say it again. If you approach any situation with humility and honesty, you will achieve the best outcome for everyone involved. True humility comes only after you understand yourself. When you reach that point, the impact is powerful. The lessons from The McWane Way extend well beyond the workplace and are genuinely life changing if you are willing to embrace them.

As I begin this next chapter, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our employees, partners, and communities. Thank you for the trust you placed in me, for the challenges that helped me grow, and for the relationships that made this journey so meaningful. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and confident in the future of McWane Canada.

Thank you for being part of my journey. I wish you continued success and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Rick Benoit
Vice President
McWane Canada

A Special Note from the McWane Canada’s Team

As Rick begins this next chapter, we thank him for his leadership, integrity, and service to McWane Canada and to the communities we serve. His influence will endure in the people he has mentored, the teams he has built, and the culture he has helped strengthen.

Congratulations, Rick, and thank you for everything you have given to McWane Canada. We wish you fulfillment, health, and joy in your retirement.