» 1980
A 58.1% controlling interest in Canadian Utilities Limited was acquired from IU International of Philadelphia. The $323 million transaction was completed in June, 1980 resulting in the company's assets totaling $1 billion dollars.

» 1981
The Federal Government's National Energy Program was put in place which greatly affected the interests of the ATCO Group over the next several years.

ATCO purchased the assets of Atlas Housing Group, ATCO's major competitor in Australia.

ATCO-APM Drilling Pty Ltd. was formed as a joint venture contract drilling company in Australia.

» 1983
To fend off the worst recession since the 1930's, ATCO cut staff by 35% and continued with the freezing of salaries commenced in 1981. As a result, strong earnings of $40 million were maintained.

The 17 storey Canadian Western Centre office building in Calgary was completed and held in ATCO's real estate portfolio.

R.D. and S.D. Southern received the first annual Alberta Export Achievement Award.

AT&S Exploration Ltd., a joint venture exploration company , owned by ATCO and two partners, was formed in late 1983 to explore for oil and gas on Canadian lands in the Northwest Territories and off Canada's east coast.

» 1984
In a difficult economic environment, ATCO profits plummeted. However, despite a continuing slump in resource development, ATCO's energy operations, through ATCOR Resources, continued to expand in assets, earnings and cash flow.

ATCO/Equtak Drilling Ltd. was formed as a joint venture of ATCO Drilling Ltd. and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation of Inuvik.

Canadian Utilities Centre, a 20 storey office building in Edmonton, was completed in September as the largest holding in ATCO's real estate portfolio.

» 1985
The construction management division of ATCO Development handled one of the city's largest buildings projects, a hangar expansion at Calgary International Airport.

ATCO manufactured modular wall and roof panels for exhibitors' panels for Expo 86 in Vancouver.

» 1986
Unit 1 of Sheerness Thermal Electrical Power Generation Station opened in southeastern Alberta. The project is jointly owned, with Alberta Power Limited as the managing partner.

A significant oil discovery in the Beaufort Sea, Amauligak, was estimated to tap 70 million barrels or more of oil. ATCO owned a percentage of the discovery.

» 1987
Frontec Logistics was formed to spearhead efforts to become a major supplier of electrical services, related technical expertise and logistical support in northern Canada.

ATCO supplied several major shelter contracts for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary.

The Australian subsidiary and two major office towers in Alberta were sold along with other smaller asset sales.

» 1988
Major projects for the XV Olympic Winter Games included: the dramatic flare on top of the Calgary Tower, installed by Canadian Western Natural Gas; accommodation for 2,300 visiting international media; the Canmore Athletes' village, including chalet-style house for 600 and attached kitchen; site offices of ticket booths, concessions; the ABC TV Network Broadcast Centre and two VIP hosting facilities at Canada Olympic Park and Canmore.

Frontec was awarded a five year contract worth $114.2 million to operate and maintain Canada's North Warning System.

» 1989
ATCO supplied modular residential housing manufactured in Calgary, Canada to China.