Once you read this, you’ll likely notice the Iron Dog logo stamped on transit vans and Ford F150 trucks around Halifax, Nova Scotia with greater frequency. When you see it, you’ll understand there’s more than mechanical work going on, there’s also a strengthening of communities in the region.
Iron Dog has undergone plenty of changes through time. However, President Gord Gamble still sees the 40 years of a proud Maritime-made heating company when he walks through company headquarters, in the Dartmouth community of Burnside. Originally named Metro Burner Services (MBS), the company's roots stem from the type of family-owned business that people appreciate. While Gamble is not from the original ownership, he has been a vital part of the company’s rich evolution.
In 2017, Gamble joined his friend Darren Nantes to create a bold new vision when the MBS was acquired by Nantes and together they rebranded to Iron Dog Mechanical Services Inc. The company was originally part of a more significant investment that Nantes had acquired as part of the Guildfords Group of Companies. Having known Gord for some time, playing beer league hockey together, Darren understood the fearless ambition and business adaptability that he could bring to the table.
"My wife Kim often laughs because, beyond using a thermostat, at that point I didn’t know much about heating" - Gord Gamble.
"My wife Kim often laughs because, beyond using a thermostat, at that point I didn’t know much about heating," Gord jokes. "But over the past 20 years, this is the fourth or fifth different business I've been involved in. The key has always been working with great people and finding a way to contribute to the community."
While the path to co-ownership within Iron Dog wasn't traditional, Gamble certainly fit with an entrepreneurial approach likely to increase as baby boomers increasingly look for succession plans. Coming from an array of ownership experiences, in commercial printing, graphic design, and welding sales, his focus has consistently been identifying business opportunities and surrounding himself with knowledgeable people to build a strong team.
At the time of acquisition, Metro Burner Services had a team of 14 employees, solid local relationships, and a steady presence in the industry. The brand change signified more than just a new name and sleek logo. It marked the company's expansion into plumbing, air conditioning, refrigeration, and electrical services. What started as a heating-focused business quickly expanded into a full mechanical service for the most populated area of Atlantic Canada.
Today, Iron Dog has an approximate staff of 70 employees, 50 of whom are technicians serving clients primarily across the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). Select projects extend into Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. While expansion efforts remain focused on HRM, the company closely examines opportunities in new markets like Moncton, New Brunswick.
Over time, Iron Dog has developed a reliable service position in the region's multi-residential sector, with key clients such as VIDA. The next step is expanding into commercial office spaces, particularly buildings with rooftop heating and cooling systems. With an established air-conditioning and refrigeration division, Iron Dog is well-positioned to take the next step.
Beyond business growth, Iron Dog remains deeply committed to community engagement. And a long-standing partnership with VIDA highlights the company's dedication to improving local living spaces. This was exemplified in a recent project, where Iron Dog built a new fence traversing two VIDA properties in the Halifax community of Spryfield. The installation serves as a gesture of appreciation for the relationship, and vision, VIDA fosters in their platform that creates greater access to affordability throughout communities.
"I have a ton of respect for what VIDA is doing, not only trying to offer affordable rental properties but also instilling pride in the community," -Gord Gamble
"I have a ton of respect for what VIDA is doing, not only trying to offer affordable rental properties but also instilling pride in the community," says Gamble. "Through our business discussions, we became more aware of the partnership programming they were developing, and it made sense for us to be a part of that vision, particularly in Spryfield community. We've done a lot of work for VIDA at their locations there. The company has put a lot of money into those properties over the last couple of years to improve the efficiency of the heating systems. We saw the placement of a new fence as a thank you for VIDA’s business and to show respect for the company’s objective of supporting those that need affordability in these challenging times."
Iron Dog also actively supports other community initiatives annually, including Habitat for Humanity, where their plumbing team volunteered time to help build a home in Spryfield. In 2023, the company supported a local initiative sending 300 Nova Scotia children to Disney. And the company logo can also be found patched as a sponsor towards youth sports, including minor hockey and the Young Performers Collective in Dartmouth.
As one of Halifax's largest employers in the trades and apprenticeships sector, Iron Dog plays a key role in addressing the skilled trades gap in the area. The company continues to partner with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), helping more students complete their Red Seal certification.
Despite significant educational investments built around the trades, approximately 43% of students who enter apprenticeship programs reach Red Seal certification in the local Nova Scotia market. Iron Dog is actively working to improve this success rate, by offering hands-on training, mentorship, and scholarships. Since 2018, the company has funded the Iron Dog NSCC Scholarship, renamed the Jason Wambolt Memorial Scholarship in 2023, in honour of a beloved team member. The scholarship awards two $2,000 scholarships annually to students in gas fitting, AC, and refrigeration programs.
The company also partners with high schools through the Options & Opportunities (O2) Program, allowing students to job shadow Red Seal tradespeople. This hands-on experience helps youth explore potential plumbing, gas fitting, and air conditioning careers.
Iron Dog Mechanical Services is built on more than expertise; it's built on a deep commitment to community and workforce development. That’s what’s really behind the company’s strong, sleek and distinguished logo.