Yellowknife (Oct 06/04) - A new business in Yellowknife will definitely have its ups and downs.

Sterling Elevator Services Corporation opened its northernmost office on Monday, expanding to four offices in Western Canada.

The elevator repair and servicing company has been in operation for 14 years, with offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

"Our goal is to do more than the big companies," said Wade Steele, customer service representative with the company.

With only one elevator company operating in Yellowknife prior to Sterling's arrival, Steele said businesses were "over a barrel."

Building owners are regularly charged twice what is charged under elevator service contracts in Edmonton, said Steele.

He expects that will change.

"Now, building owners will have a choice at a fair and competitive price. Competition will bring the price down and it's going to be good for everybody," he said.

The Yellowknife representative for the company is Rick Bullock, an elevator man with six years experience. Bullock has been trained and certified through the Alberta Apprenticeship Board.

"It takes four to five years to become certified. It's highly specialized," said Bullock.

The company presently has close to 20 employees working for it throughout Western Canada.

With Bullock on staff, the company has now become eligible to benefit from the territorial government's business incentive plan, said Steele.

Steele said the company is hoping to eventually expand throughout the territories, but for now the focus will be on Yellowknife, and finding its first contract.