PCL Construction is a general contracting organization operating across Canada, the United States, Australia and the Caribbean, founded in 1906 by Ernie Poole in Edmonton, Alberta.[1][2] The company’s visual identity centers on a green and yellow oval emblem containing the letters “PCL,” a mark that has been in continuous use for decades.
Design and History
The PCL logo consists of the letters “PCL” in yellow surrounded by a green oval with a yellow border.[3] The mark is registered as a trademark owned by PCL Construction Holdings Ltd., with a registration date of January 29, 1991.[4] A related trademark for “PCL CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES INC.” describes the design as featuring two ovals, with the mark lined for the colors green and yellow.[5]
PCL’s official brand guidelines specify a three-color logo and state that no other color combinations are permitted. The guidelines direct users to use corporately approved artwork or EPS files rather than attempting to recreate the logo, and note that for commercial printing on uncoated stocks, the PMS colors 109U and 108U should be used.[6]
Meaning and Symbolism
PCL’s founder, Ernie Poole, was dedicated to instilling principles of honesty, integrity and fairness in all areas of business, including the company’s brand.[1] The company’s mascot, Bidwell, a beaver, was chosen because the beaver is the national animal of Canada, where PCL started, and is known as “nature’s engineer” for its building skills.[1] The mascot’s name derives from the construction practice of bidding well on projects.[1]
Typography and Design
The PCL logo uses a clean, straightforward letterform for the “PCL” initials, set within the oval emblem. The official brand guidelines emphasize using only corporately approved artwork files rather than recreating the logo, indicating that the design is intended to be reproduced consistently from official sources.[6]
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