Timescapes is a merger of hardware and software that gives users visibility on site. Their solution is able to capture high-resplution images and then deliver critical intelligence about the jobsite. Timescapes has developed its own machine learning models to identify and classify objects in each image, including personnel, protective safety equipment and heavy equipment machinery on site. This is why large builders like EllisDon have begun implementing their solution.
25 Innovators Year: 2024
RJC rarely misses an opportunity to be involved with cutting edge work. Recently, they were part of the UBC Gateway Project, the first in North America to utilize the CREE panel system. They also have developed their own RJC Revit Quantities tools which are used to quickly and accurately obtain high-quality data for projects. If that wasn’t enough, they also built RJC Aspire, an internal carbon calculator to encourage carbon-conscious building design.
Spend two decades honing your skills at one of the most sophisticated electrical contracts in the country. Then start your own operation and build in all of those lessons. That’s Fettback & Heesterman. Andrew Fettback and Chris Heesterman have introduced a myriad of innovative practices right out of the gate to avoid common pitfalls. This includes developing a project progress tracking system that leverages intuitive color coding, graphs, and projections to monitor the health of every ongoing project. They also created a customized, in-house timesheet application and a system to automatically track the expiries of all employees’ certifications and training.
Maxan is not content to do construction the same way it’s always been done. Their team has introduced Lidar point cloud scanning technology to digitally measure all of its projects for more precise measurements. Similarly they have introduced point cloud scanning technology & digital layout. These high tech methods put them on a whole other level when it comes to interior work.
CarbonCure Technologies is on the frontlines of battling one of construction’s biggest producers of emissions: concrete. Their team has pioneered innovations in carbon utilization, transforming how concrete is produced by injecting captured CO2 into fresh concrete. Their efforts are stacking up. CarbonCure recently hit a milestone of 500,000 metric tons of CO2 savings. That’s a half million metric tons of CO2 across 7.5 million loads of CarbonCure concrete.
HammerTech has hit the nail on the head with its entrance into the Canadian market. In October the safety intelligence software company signed a deal with PCL to make its job sites safer and boost efficiencies across global operations. Their robust solution provides comprehensive safety management with deep insights that help companies as large as PCL have visibility around the globe. The platform is used on over 20,000 live construction projects worldwide, with more than 3.6 million workers having completed orientations via the platform to date.
The team at NuFrame doesn’t just have a vision for the future of construction; they are making it a reality right now. They are using advanced construction methods, including prefabrication, to ensure the critical construction path is not interrupted. They offer complete full-scope material and labour packages for wood frame construction and concrete formworks. They believe their approach could help address Canada’s critical labour shortages and housing deficits.
Rather than just talk about the need for innovation in construction, EllisDon is directly boosting it. Their team just wrapped up the second edition of its ConTech Accelerator Program, an open innovation initiative dedicated to the future of construction. The program aims to accelerate startups and their technology deployment on construction jobsites in Canada. EllisDon and Impulse Partners continue working with the winning startups to refine their products and integrate them into the construction field, leveraging their industry expertise to help these technologies make a lasting
After leading one of Canada’s largest and most progressive contractors, Tim Coldwell embarked on a plan to use his skills in business for good. The result is Énska Advisors, Canada’s first Indigenous real estate advisory and project governance practice. Launched with legendary entrepreneur and “dragon” investor Wes Hall. Énska reduces development costs while simultaneously delivering third-party verified social and environmental outcomes at zero premium cost. This allows the firm’s clients to confidently report project benefits.
When it comes to timber engineering, few are pushing the sector as far as StructureCraft. The firm’s work on the Nancy Pauw Bridge project in Banff, Alta. is one of the most beautiful and sustainable bridges of its kind, garnering many awards. If you see a striking mass timber structure in Canada, there’s a good chance their team was involved.
Emil Anderson Construction (EAC), one of British Columbia’s legacy construction companies, has been in business for 87 years operating an integrated group of infrastructure construction, development, and maintenance companies. Its 600 employees are located in the Fraser Valley, Okanagan, Skeena and Robson areas of B.C. They have been instrumental in keeping B.C.’s transportation networks up and running. This includes some of the most challenging and complex road projects in region.
The team at Fast + Epp are collaborators at their core. They look for innovative solutions to tackle carbon emissions and meet the unique challenges of each project. Utilizing a wide toolkit of services, materialities and expertise – including developing their own Embodied Carbon Calculator, introducing in house research and development space through Concept Lab, leading the charge in mass timber construction, prefabrication, and designing for seismically resilient low-damage systems – they create structurally efficient, sustainably sourced, and architecturally striking structures.
Some people are generalists. Others are specialists. Engineering firm Glotman Simpson doesn’t believe you have to choose between the two and has structured their business to create professionals that have both capabilities. In addition to helping create some of Western Canada’s most iconic structures, the firm has spent 17 years organizing the Cypress Challenge, a cancer charity that has raised millions for research, patient care and early screening programs.
It’s no secret that the construction sector is facing a massive worker shortage. The BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association hit the pavement to do something about it. After kitting out a trailer with advanced heavy machinery simulators, they embarked on an epic, multi-year journey to introduce communities in B.C. to the benefits and excitement of road building careers. Chances are, the Road Show is on its way to a city near you.
Ledcor builds massive projects and their list of innovations is long. Did you know they own and operate 26 barges and multiple tugboats, serving natural resources and industrial customers? They developed an innovative system to safely and quickly remove injured people from deep excavation sites. They were also recently recognized for their pioneering use of raise bore methodology on the Coastal GasLink project.
Pomerleau stands at the forefront of construction innovation. The company has excelled in BIM processes, being among the first in North America to earn ISO 19650 certification. Their dedication to technological progress is reflected in the fact that 70% of their projects utilize cutting-edge solutions. Pomerleau is also at the forefront of developing AI applications aimed at enhancing efficiency and productivity. This year, they introduced Almanac, an innovative app set to transform the estimating process. In addition to their technological pursuits, Pomerleau is committed to creating a positive and engaging workplace, making a career in construction an appealing choice.
Multiplex is a champion of sustainable construction. They became the first construction company in Canada to have its GHG emission reduction target approved by the globally recognized Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). They are also the first global contractor to sign the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment. Multiplex also follows a Decarbonization Roadmap that includes alternative fuels, embodied carbon assessments, and low-carbon solutions.
Most walk past construction site hoarding without a second thought. The father and son team behind EZee saw an opportunity to reduce waste and innovate. The result was reusable, sustainable and environmentally friendly hoarding systems. Over the last year, they helped eliminate approximately 200,000 pounds of waste from landfills. It’s also faster. What would take days worth of work with steel stud and drywall, can be finished within hours with the EZee Hoarding system.
Phil is an app created to solve a dirty problem few knew even existed. Their team has created a free excess soil marketplace that matches construction sites with each other to find people closer receiving and source sites. This eliminates paper processes and encourages competitors to collaborate for the greater good. Their users are creating hauls that are more than 60% shorter than the provincial average, creating massive CO2 reductions.
Hall is an example of excellence and they have the data to prove it. Eager to improve their operations, Hall has implemented a proprietary robust eTicketing system. The platform has delivered substantial time and cost savings, freeing up over 1,000 admin hours annually among many other benefits. They’ve also established the Hall Constructors’ Competency-Based Training Program which has resulted in 40.8% reduction in equipment damage and 71.4% decrease in property damage.