As St. John’s-based LadderSpike looks to start delivering on its pre-orders this spring, the company has won a pitch competition at the Canadian Construction Association’s annual conference, bagging the top prize with its footing system for ladders.

The LadderSpike, which can be fitted to nearly any ladder, won Innovation of the Year for its ability to drive metal spikes into the ground for improved stability. The business was one of three finalists selected to pitch at the industry group's annual conference in Punta Cana, Mexico.

“This victory is not just for LadderSpike; it’s a win for safer work environments everywhere,” said the company in a social media statement. “March is (National Ladder Safety Month) and we couldn’t be happier to contribute!”

CEO Jordan Spencer founded the company in 2021 after working on oil and gas projects, where he witnessed the hazard ladders can pose in the workplace.

“In the trades, I worked right across North America,” said Spencer in December. “I worked in oil fields, I did some iron working and pipe fitting, and I was always forced to wait while five or six guys built a scaffold for me to do a simple job that I could do with a ladder.

“When COVID happened, the whole world shut down, so I lost my job. I went down to the shed, took my idea, and made a few first-iteration prototypes out of cardboard.”

Co-founder Dale Kean joined the company first as an investor, before later coming on board as chief operating officer.

Ladderspike is also in talks with several major North American ladder companies for licensing deals, as well as distributors, with a basic system costing $249.99 to pre-order through the company’s website. Spencer and Kean hired their first employee last year and plan to add another six or seven staff by next summer.