Author: Russell Hixson

Key Takeaways:

• A string of successful biotech companies, support from the province and a pipeline of skilled workers is creating more and more demand for life science facilities in Metro Vancouver.
• Low Tide Properties has been gaining experience managing the asset class and is now proposing to build one from scratch.
• Their proposed facility, Lab 29, incorporates lessons they have learned and work could begin as early as this year.

The Whole Story:

Low Tide Properties is brewing up something special with its Lab 29 development. 

The Vancouver project aims to establish an innovative life sciences and office building development that will neighbour the city’s leading hospitals and research facilities.

Named after the 29th element, copper, Lab 29 pays homage to the metal manufacturing facilities that inhabited the site in the past and the scientific research and development that will take place in the future. In addition to the name, the completed building will feature a striking copper colour intertwined throughout the property’s architecture. 

Finding areas of growth

Why a life science building?

Adam Mitchell, vice president of asset management and development, explained that this is what Low Tide does: zooming in on specific cities and neighbourhoods to identify opportunities for growth. 

“On a high level, this is what we do. We look for specific areas to invest in as we are not a broad market investor,” said Mitchell. “These areas are usually on the fringes of downtown. They are areas that might be slightly overlooked and there is a compelling growth story for specific real estate.”

Using this approach, Low Tide has zeroed in on asset classes like creative offices, flex industrial, flex urban industrial, multi-family rental and life science. The company cut its teeth by acquiring a series of properties in Vancouver’s False Creek Flats area. Some were originally built as life science facilities but had been turned into traditional office spaces.  

“When we started managing these buildings we found the demand for life science space was outpacing office space so we started converting space back from office to laboratory,” said Mitchell. “Through this process we developed expertise in managing these buildings. We understand what tenants want and need out of the building and so we have made it a core part of our strategy.” 

Building from scratch

With Lab 29, Low Tide is hoping to push the envelope with a modern, purpose-built life science facility. 

Mitchel explained that he believes there are several factors driving demand for life science space. The overall sector is growing in Vancouver and B.C. as a whole. You have local success stories like AbCellera, a biotechnology company that researches and develops human antibodies. The company is best known for its leading role in the Pandemic Prevention Platform, a project for the U.S. government. In 2021, it reported more than US $375 million in revenue. 

“These are really good success stories and they have continued to grow, making them strong employers in the region,” said Mitchell. “So more people are getting those science degrees, creating a strong pipeline of talent coming from the schools.”

The province has also done its part to create fertile conditions for science businesses, making it a key part of its economic strategy for the region. While all this makes for a good base to start a company, the lack of life science facilities creates a challenge. 

Mitchell explained that many companies start in an incubator at a university, receive government funding to jump start their business, show results or a viable product to get investors, leave academia in search of space but then hit a wall at 20,000 square feet when they need to grow. 

“Because of limited availability of space, they usually get acquired and rolled into existing spaces, or in the worst-case scenario, they get acquired by a U.S. company and are consolidated into a U.S. location” he said. “Part of that is just not having the option of available space.”

Work could begin this year

This story of growth potential attracted Low Tide and they have learned the intricacies of managing life science buildings. 

“It’s not easy,” he said. “You need an experienced team that knows how the technological components of the buildings work,” he said. 

The 230,000 square-foot facility’s design features large floor plates, high ceilings and full backup power so sensitive experiments or instruments aren’t impacted during an outage. 

“Redundant backup power isn’t something you typically see in buildings,” said Mitchell. “But it’s one of the lessons we have taken from our existing portfolio.” 

Low Tide also wants to help tenants compete for talent by including a large rooftop conference patio, fitness centre and end-of-trip facilities. The project currently awaiting its development permit which Low Tide expects to receive this summer. Shovels could be in the ground before the end of the year. The project team is currently marketing the building for lease.

More renderings of Lab 29:

Canada is facing a housing crisis. The construction industry is struggling to find enough materials and labour to get projects done. Remote or harsh environments, like the Arctic, make traditional construction far more challenging.

What’s the solution for these challenges? Many believe it lies in modular construction.

According to the Modular Building Institute, modular construction is a process the involves constructing a building off-site under controlled plant conditions. Projects use the same materials and are designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities – but in about half the time. Buildings are produced in “modules” that when put together on site, reflect the identical design intent and specifications of the most sophisticated site-built facility – without compromise.

Here are some of the most innovative companies in Canada leveraging the advantages of modular construction:

15. NRB Modular Solutions 

Affordable housing in Hawaii, seniors housing in Kamloops, large homes for Montana – NRB is building communities all over North America. NRB Modular Solutions says it’s the largest modular builder in Canada with over 45 years of modular construction experience. Their work is turning heads. Just last year, the Modular Building Institute recognized three NRB projects during its annual awards.

14. CHOU Consulting and Development

Extreme conditions are where modular techniques can really shine. The company was formed after Amanda Doiron and Stuart Rostant found the supply of homes in the Arctic to be lacking. The harsh winter conditions, lack of local skilled labour and extremely short construction season made modular a smart choice for rapid home building. Everything – the size of the furniture, the foam/steel panels used and the weight of the units – is carefully designed and chosen for Nunavut. 

13. ATCO Structures

ATCO Structures has been in business for 75 years and the experience shows. They have manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Chile and Australia where they build housing, hotels, medical facilities, schools, multi-family housing and more. Recently, they acquired Triple M Modular Housing, the largest modular housing provider in Western Canada as part of its North American business strategy. ATCO has big plans to rapidly build homes in Canada and will certainly be a company to watch in the coming years.

12. 720 Solutions

The 720 team have used their experiences living in subsidized provincial housing, sleeping in tents while tree planting in Canada’s North and providing emergency shelter for First Nations to build a successful company. Late last year they put up a 28-unit building for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Charlottetown, P.E.I. It took them 13 months, catching the attention of government officials who believe it could be a model for addressing the the island’s housing supply.

11. ED Modular

The largest general contractors in the country also see the potential of modular construction and are working to create their own solutions. ED Modular is a vertically integrated division of EllisDon. Here’s how ED Modular’s senior vice president, Tom Howell put it: “Modular construction is not just a trend, it’s always been a part of the process, but it’s currently happening on a whole new scale. With the skills to provide guidance and leadership on modular/prefabrication projects of any size, ED Modular is determined to make prefabrication and volumetric modular construction in the factory and off-site assembly of building components mainstream.”

10. Due North Housing

Due North is harnessing modular technology to help solve the unique housing challenges faced by Indigenous people, particularly students and elders. The company is currently collaborating with Iroquois Falls in Northern Ontario to build a modular home facility. Its first phase could produce 300 units each year, said Alexander Bimman, Due North’s president and CEO.

9. SRI Homes

The first SRI factory (Shelter Home Systems), located in Estevan, Sask. began building homes in back in 1978.  In 1985, the second SRI factory (SRI Regent), in Lethbridge, Alberta was acquired.  Rounding out the Western Canadian factories (SRI Kelowna), the Kelowna factory began producing homes in 1992. To date, over 45,000 homes have been built between the three factories. SRI also has a sister company called Gibraltar Building Systems which handles larger, multi-unit projects like hotels, worker accommodations and facilities for seniors.

8. Nomodic Modular

Nomodic noted that its value lies in establishing a synergy between partners, suppliers, contractors and other stakeholders to maximize productivity and efficiency.  Their work includes affordable and Indigenous housing, resorts and hotels, seniors and student accommodations, commercial and industrial buildings, and more. The company was launched in 2012 by Kevin Read who was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction in 2018.

7. RCM Group

Founded and managed by construction specialists, RCM Group designs and manufactures every type of modular building with three objectives in mind: comfort, durability, and superior quality. They also stepped up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. To address a bed shortages in Quebec, RCM and Pomerleau Construction built a 96-bed facility only five months after landing the contract.

6. Kent Homes

The Kent story goes back to 1881 with a sawmill in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. In the mid-1900s K.C. Irving visited his logging camps was unhappy with the workers’ living conditions. He had the idea to prebuild better homes offsite, and transport them to the logging camps. He found this increased the morale and productivity of the workers. Many decades later, the company has evolved into a homebuilder that has embraced the modular method.

5. ANC Modular

ANC Modular is the brainchild of construction pioneer and 2022 Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction winner Andrew Neill. He made the move to modular homes after a newspaper article inspired him to begin work on a prototype. After achieving CSA A277 certification for the modular units, ANC Modular Inc. has gone on to manufacture design-build projects for municipalities and government-funded affordable housing projects, mostly as part of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative. Most recently, Neill has developed an international patent pending design incorporating a modular volumetric and concrete superstructure. The Modular Building Institute called Neill’s innovation an “ingenious” system that can build multi-unit housing in mere weeks.

4. Prestige Homes

From mini-homes to multi-unit, Prestige does it all. The New Brunswick company has been manufacturing modular homes since 1973 from its manufacturing facility in Sussex. Its reputation brought it into the Shaw Group of companies in 1999. They don’t even offer ready-to-buy models as they are confident in their ability to customize designs to customer needs.

3. Fort Modular

Fort is doing it big out West. They boast the largest manufacturing capacity in Southern B.C. with operations in Metro Vancouver and the Okanagan. They are the province’s largest, locally and privately-owned supplier of new, used, and renovated site office trailers, affordable housing, steel office containers, camp accommodations, portable classrooms, and other temporary or permanent modular buildings. They also are harnessing the business to help others. Last year the unveiled Movember-themed units to help raise money for men’s health issues.

2. Supreme Homes

Modular building is nothing new for Supreme Homes. Established in 1983, the family owned business has 160 dedicated employees in Tracadie, New Brunswick and around twenty independent retailers across the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. Over the years, they have worked on more than 5,000 projects at their 80,000 square-foot factory.

1. Stack Modular/Bird Construction

In 2017, Bird Construction acquired a 50 per cent ownership of Stack. The partnership provides structural steel modular systems for multi-family residential, hospitality, senior and student housing, and resource clients. According to Bird, Stack Modular is the only North American-owned company with a wholly-owned China-based modular facility certified to build for North America. The modular systems are local code-compliant while still offering international manufacturing and supply chain economies of scale.

Recruitment agency Randstad Canada unveiled its list of top 15 trending jobs for 2023, which included several related to the construction sector: mechanical engineer, welder and construction project manager.

According to Ranstad, despite an economic slowdown, employers are still in hiring mode, reflecting the talent scarcity.

While some occupations seeing the most demand in Canada for 2023 include the technology, healthcare, and professional services sectors, the agency also sees many roles that require relatively little formal training and provide good compensation ranges.

“With the baby boomer generation retiring, Canadian employers see an important gap for skilled trades and blue-collar positions,” said Nick Montesano, executive vice president of central region at Randstad Canada. “Since the 1970s, high schools have not encouraged the trades as a career path, resulting in decades of shortages of skilled young people in the trades. It’s interesting to see that a degree isn’t the only path to steady employment and a secure income.”

The agency noted that Canadians embraced electronic commerce in 2022, which is anticipated to last well into 2023 and significantly impact trending jobs. Companies seek digital marketing coordinators, customer service representatives and business analysts to help them implement a solid digital strategy and provide their clients with an exceptional experience. E-Commerce habits also have a substantial impact on the supply chain. 

“With the vast increase in demand for online deliveries, reduced delivery cycle, never-before competitive market, and ever-increasing customer demand, we also see a strong need for supply chain positions such as production supervisors, warehouse workers and drivers,” said Montesano.

Randstad Canada’s business analysts reviewed data from clients and analyzed the roles posted in the previous 12 months to identify patterns and trends to develop the list. For all roles, salary ranges represent entry level, 1 – 3 years of experience, to senior level, 5+ years.

Here are Randstad Canada’s 15 top jobs for 2023:

1. Developer

The pandemic accelerated many digital projects for businesses, making the need to recruit tech talent far more pressing. Plus, developers now work at various organizations, from small and medium-sized businesses to large corporations and governments.

Salary range: $68K to $155K based on the position’s level.

2. HR Manager

In the post-pandemic world, businesses face many challenges, such as budget constraints, looming skills gaps, and worker expectation shifts. HR managers help enterprises face those challenges and adopt new workplace practices that include remote and hybrid work options.

Salary range: $75K to $156K based on the position’s level.

3. Mechanical Engineer

With a growing renewable energy sector, there is a significant demand for talent with these skills but also in all STEM industries, including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and biomedical.

Salary range: $66K to $131K based on the position’s level.

4. Welder

Good welders are in demand across Canada because the country’s blue-collar workforce is retiring. Since the 1970s, high schools did not encourage skilled trades as a career path, resulting in decades of shortages of skilled young people in this sector.

Salary range: $40K – $74K based on the position’s level.

5. Accounting Technician/Bookkeeper

Despite an influx of new workers in the accounting sector, there is still a significant need for accountants. Accounting is so in demand that it is a part of the Canadian immigration Express Entry System.

Salary range: $61K – $114K based on the position’s level.

6. Registered Nurse

Registered nurses make the list of in-demand healthcare jobs every year, as there is a massive shortage of nurses.

Salary range: $68K – $94K based on the position’s level.

7. Warehouse Worker

There is a demand for goods, which means there is a demand for talent across the supply chain, with the most significant gap being warehouse workers. With the high demand, many job opportunities are available for both skilled and unskilled workers.

Salary range: $17 – $29/hour based on the position’s level.

8. Customer Service Representative

Today’s customer service professionals must be able to work from home, be tech-savvy enough to use the company software platforms (including communication and CRM systems), and be flexible enough to provide each customer with a personalized experience.

Salary range: $43K – $74K based on the position’s level.

9. Driver

A labour shortage of truckers and drivers is a complex problem. Still, there is a crucial need to fill the position of commercial drivers, especially with the increases in online shopping in Canada and the current supply chain challenges.

Salary range: $42K – $65K based on the position’s level.

10. Sales Associate

A good sales associate can make a business successful. During the pandemic, when many retail and hospitality locations were closed, many former associates found new jobs, and now stores and hospitality are back up and running with a new increase in demand.

Salary range: $46K – $84K based on the position’s level.

11. Administrative Assistant

The administrative position has seen many shifts in the workplace over the last several years, leading to them being in high demand.

Salary range: $47K – $99K based on the position’s level.

12. Business Analyst

The digitization of offices and companies has contributed significantly to this need, along with many organizations relying on big data to inform their most important growth strategies.

Salary range: 62K – 142K based on the position’s level.

13. Production Supervisor

With the vast increase in demand for online deliveries, reduced delivery cycle, never-before competitive market, and reduced margins with ever-increasing customer demand, it’s no wonder why production supervisors are in demand.

Salary range: 53K – 114K based on the position’s level.

14. Digital Marketing Coordinator

Digital marketing coordinators no longer only work in marketing agencies. With the rise of e-commerce, almost every company now requires a digital marketing coordinator on their team to help with critical projects.

Salary range: $62K – $122K based on the position’s level.

15. Construction Project Manager

According to Randstad, construction project managers are required for the construction sector primarily to help facilitate the massive housing boom that continues to take place across Canada.

Salary range: $61K – $150K based on the position’s level.

Key Takeaways:

• An international team of researchers has been investigating why Roman concrete is so durable.
• They discovered that lime clasts and hot mixing methods gave the material super durable properties.
• They are using their research to create more durable concrete formulations.

The Whole Story:

Ancient Roman construction techniques could help create more resilient concrete for modern builders. 

An international team of researchers has spent decades working to unravel the secrets that made ancient Roman concrete structures so durable that many remain standing. 

The Pantheon, which has the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome and was dedicated in A.D. 128, is still intact. Some ancient Roman aqueducts still deliver water to Rome today. Meanwhile, many modern concrete structures have crumbled after a few decades.

The investigation focused on structures that endured harsh conditions, such as docks, sewers, and seawalls, or those constructed in seismically active locations.

A team of investigators from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and laboratories in Italy and Switzerland, announced it has discovered ancient concrete-manufacturing strategies that incorporated several key self-healing functionalities. The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

For many years, researchers assumed that the key to the ancient concrete’s durability was based on one ingredient: pozzolanic material such as volcanic ash from the area of Pozzuoli, on the Bay of Naples. This specific kind of ash was even shipped all across the vast Roman empire to be used in construction, and was described as a key ingredient for concrete in accounts by architects and historians at the time.

Concrete with a hint of lime

Under closer examination, researchers found that ancient samples also contain small, distinctive, millimeter-scale bright white mineral features, which have been long recognized as a ubiquitous component of Roman concretes. These white chunks, often referred to as “lime clasts,” originate from lime, another key component of the ancient concrete mix. 

“Ever since I first began working with ancient Roman concrete, I’ve always been fascinated by these features,” says Admir Masic, an MIT professor and one of the authors of the research paper. “These are not found in modern concrete formulations, so why are they present in these ancient materials?”

Previously disregarded as merely evidence of sloppy mixing practices, or poor-quality raw materials, the new study suggests that these tiny lime clasts gave the concrete a previously unrecognized self-healing capability. 

“The idea that the presence of these lime clasts was simply attributed to low quality control always bothered me,” said Masic. “If the Romans put so much effort into making an outstanding construction material, following all of the detailed recipes that had been optimized over the course of many centuries, why would they put so little effort into ensuring the production of a well-mixed final product? There has to be more to this story.”

Evidence of self-healing

Upon further characterization of these lime clasts, using high-resolution multiscale imaging and chemical mapping techniques pioneered in Masic’s research lab, the researchers gained new insights into the potential functionality of these lime clasts.

Historically, it had been assumed that when lime was incorporated into Roman concrete, it was first combined with water to form a highly reactive paste-like material, in a process known as slaking. 

But this process alone could not account for the presence of the lime clasts. Masic wondered if it possible that the Romans might have actually directly used lime in its more reactive form, known as quicklime.

Studying samples of this ancient concrete, he and his team determined that the white inclusions were, indeed, made out of various forms of calcium carbonate. And spectroscopic examination provided clues that these had been formed at extreme temperatures, as would be expected from the exothermic reaction produced by using quicklime instead of, or in addition to, the slaked lime in the mixture. Hot mixing, the team has now concluded, was actually the key to the super-durable nature.

“The benefits of hot mixing are twofold,” Masic says. “First, when the overall concrete is heated to high temperatures, it allows chemistries that are not possible if you only used slaked lime, producing high-temperature-associated compounds that would not otherwise form. Second, this increased temperature significantly reduces curing and setting times since all the reactions are accelerated, allowing for much faster construction.”

During the hot mixing process, the lime clasts develop a characteristically brittle nanoparticulate architecture, creating an easily fractured and reactive calcium source, which, as the team proposed, could provide a critical self-healing functionality. As soon as tiny cracks start to form within the concrete, they can preferentially travel through the high-surface-area lime clasts.

This material can then react with water, creating a calcium-saturated solution, which can recrystallize as calcium carbonate and quickly fill the crack, or react with pozzolanic materials to further strengthen the composite material. These reactions take place spontaneously and therefore automatically heal the cracks before they spread. Previous support for this hypothesis was found through the examination of other Roman concrete samples that exhibited calcite-filled cracks.

Modern applications possible 

To prove that this was indeed the mechanism responsible for the durability of the Roman concrete, the team produced samples of hot-mixed concrete that incorporated both ancient and modern formulations, deliberately cracked them, and then ran water through the cracks. 

Within two weeks the cracks had completely healed and the water could no longer flow. An identical chunk of concrete made without quicklime never healed, and the water just kept flowing through the sample. As a result of these successful tests, the team is working to commercialize this modified cement material.

“It’s exciting to think about how these more durable concrete formulations could expand not only the service life of these materials, but also how it could improve the durability of 3D-printed concrete formulations,” said Masic.

Through the extended functional lifespan and the development of lighter-weight concrete forms, he hopes that these efforts could help reduce the environmental impact of cement production, which currently accounts for about 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Along with other new formulations, such as concrete that can actually absorb carbon dioxide from the air, another current research focus of the Masic lab, these improvements could help to reduce concrete’s global climate impact.

The research team included Janille Maragh at MIT, Paolo Sabatini at DMAT in Italy, Michel Di Tommaso at the Instituto Meccanica dei Materiali in Switzerland, and James Weaver at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. The work was carried out with the assistance of the Archeological Museum of Priverno in Italy.

Key Takeaways:

• The short term forecast, particularly for public and civil work, looks strong.
• Inflation and long lead times on materials are expected to continue but might ease a bit.
• Labour shortages are here to stay as expected.
• Sustainability efforts, like electrification and the shift to greener energy sources are fueling projects.
• Inflation and recession concerns are likely to impact some parts of the residential sector.
• The demand for digitization and data continues to rise.

The Whole Story:

Few could have predicted that Russia would invade Ukraine, Elon Musk would buy Twitter and that inflation would soar in 2022.

While there’s no crystal ball to peer into for hints at how 2023 will go, we did the next best thing and asked as many construction leaders as we could about how they felt going into the new year. Generally, the industry is confident that despite some familiar challenges, the short-term forecast is looking rosy.

Orion Construction – (general contractor)

“We are cautiously optimistic,” said Josh Gaglardi, president of Orion Construction. “We are really hopeful to see some normalization and reduction in construction costs in the next 6-12 months as supply chains normalize a bit and demand for materials comes off a bit.” 

He added that regardless of what’s going on in the private market, there is still extremely strong demand for labour and materials in public work. 

“Demand will remain high this year so I am not too concerned about having work,” he said. “We have a firm footing to know where we are at and we can put together a strong gameplan.” 

In 2022, Gaglardi saw the stickiness of ESG and believes in the coming year and years after that, the industry could see those trickle down effects from investors. 

“In 2023 we have a handful of net-zero projects that we wouldn’t have had in years prior,” said Gaglardi. “We will see more solar panels, more sustainable initiatives, more consultation with First Nations groups for sure.” 

Alltrade Industrial Contractors – (industrial)

Electrification is here and it’s poised to create shockwaves. 

Kevin Ritzmann, senior director for Alltrade Industrial Contractors, said grid electrification will continue to increase both for new power generation with increased demand and for electric vehicle mandates across the country. He believes this will drive new investment in renewables across Canada and increase investment in provinces that are currently building renewables heavily – like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Ontario. This could also be bolstered by federal incentives which could slice the cost of renewable energy projects down. 

“What’s interesting is we thought in Ontario that we had enough power but it looks like there is more demand and with Pickering Nuclear coming down, we need more investment in power generation,” said Ritzmann.

He added that major car manufacturers are anticipating EV regulations and investing big in new or renovated facilities. 

2023 will also see continued investment in major transit infrastructure projects across Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.  And as new projects enter into design phases there will be a pipeline of future work across Canada (Ontario Line, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, GO Regional Express Rail, Calgary Green Line LRT).

Alltrade continues to see shortages of tradespeople and long lead times on materials, making one’s planning and partners more important than ever. He doesn’t expect these challenges to ease significantly in the coming year. He noted that the U.S. is experiencing similar project booms and is also competing for talent and materials. 

“We were seeing power transformers go from ten months to a year and half to as high as two years,” he said. “That’s a huge lead time.” 

Naikoon Contracting – (homebuilding)

Josef Geluch, president of Naikoon Contracting, believes there may be some sunny skies before the storm.  

“We are confident in our construction market and I feel that we are starting to see some indicators of settling for some of those supply chain issues,” he said. “It’s going to be very interesting and I will be on the edge of my seat to see how the year unfolds.”

However the later part of the year and going into 2024 could be rough for some parts of the sector, like low density housing. He said watching leading indicators like architectural work and build permit application volumes will be key to see into the future. 

“2024 looks a bit concerning, but we are lucky to be in Vancouver as we have a bit of insulation here compared to the rest of North America,” said Geluch. “Everything is still firing on all cylinders for active construction. We are still building out a backlog from two, three, four years ago.” 

He also highlighted the issue of municipal processing times as something that should be addressed. 

“Bottlenecks and bureaucracy cause problems and it takes years and years to get a project off the ground,” he said. “There have been ambitious statements made by cities and the province to fix this. If that is possible, I don’t know, but it would be timely to do so. It might save us in subsequent years where the market might be soft.” 

On the tech side, Geluch believes the industry is in the midst of its most exciting decade ever as digitization tools like BIM and VDC are becoming more widely adopted. 

“It can allow you to see into the future more tangibly,” he said. “Leveraging digital assets into value propositions is gonna grow and be huge. It will change the way projects are managed. It’s nothing new but people have begun to figure out its true implementation.” 

COWI Canada – (consulting)

Jesse Unke, vice president of COWI in Canada, believes that finding and retaining people will be the biggest issue.

“Going into 2023, I think a lot of my concern on the engineering side is finding and retaining people,” he said. “I think it is still a big concern for myself and my colleagues and people in the industry. If you are in consulting, law, contracting or anything that touches construction, retaining and attracting new staff is going to continue to be a challenge.” 

He added that it’s no longer just a simple formula of compensation or opportunity that people are looking for. Company culture, and approaches to EDI, sustainability, remote working and technology are some factors that are retaining and attracting staff.

“Also, in the back of my mind is if we are really through COVID. Is there going to be another wave?” he said, noting that getting back to in-person, face-to-face meetings has been great for the industry in terms of building relationships and trust. “I would hate to see that taken away from us, but if that happens, we obviously have to do our due diligence to keep our staff safe.”

Unke said supply chains and material costs continue to be a big issue, especially on infrastructure projects. The long lead times and unseen costs negatively impact schedule and costs. 

“Whether it’s vertical or linear construction, it can really hold things up,” he said. “A good example would be climate resiliency work. You can put all the infrastructure in place, but without a critical piece of the project like a pump, you’re out of luck. These are similar things we were concerned about in 2022 and it’s carrying over.” 

He noted that inflation could cause some projects to get shelved or cut back as borrowing power for private clients isn’t as strong. 

On the tech side, increased innovation in technology and digitalization – especially in engineering – such as the transition to and utilization of BIM from traditional CAD, is changing the way business is done.

Gensler – (design)

Steven Paynter, principal at Gensler’s Toronto office, explained that following a pandemic-fueled course correction, the real estate industry continues to face transformational shifts in how buildings will be designed and used. 

“Amid high uncertainty, many of our clients are now focusing on strategic, asset-level decision-making,” he said. “We’ve seen the conversation about office to residential conversions move from the fringes to the mainstream in 2022, and I’m confident that will continue to be a hot topic into 2023.” 

 According to Paynter, in times of uncertainty, quality really reigns supreme.

“We’ll see winners and losers in the different sectors as well as a heightened bifurcation between high quality and low quality assets,” he said. “This trend continues to drive the demand for architects to come to the table as strategic partners to help their clients reposition stranded assets and create places that really lead with experience.”

Pitt Meadows Plumbing and Mechanical Systems – (mechanical)

Steve Robinson, owner of Pitt Meadows Plumbing and Mechanical, is feeling optimistic about the months ahead. 

“We’re probably suffering through all the current industry-wide problems that everybody has been verbalizing,” he said, listing supply chains, pricing challenges and finding adequate labour as the usual suspects. 

“Looking forward, we think the coming year will be significantly better for us from a revenue perspective,” he said. “We have a significant amount of work booked already and we will continue to leverage benefits of off-site construction to ensure that the labour challenges as well as supply challenges don’t affect our productivity or ability to turn your project over to you in the timeframe we told you we would.”

Robinson noted that the company has used unique strategies in the past year that allowed it to continue to optimize its jump into industrialized construction including the purchase of WQC Mechanical.

“We will continue to do synergies similar to that in the future,” said Robinson.

He added that they will also continue to leverage extreme planning and moving as much labour off a job site into their shop environment.

“If you’d talked to us four or five months ago, we saw significant evidence and the traditional pointers for a significant or minimal slowdown,” he said. “But you can’t really have a recession without significant unemployment. It’s as simple as that. And until we start to see significant unemployment, I don’t believe you will see any significant recession of any kind.”

He noted that there are significant initiatives from the province and federal government to build large amounts of homes and improve infrastructure, and immigration targets are set to expand.  

“The slowdown in construction is probably over-reported and may never actually come to fruition anytime in the short term,” he said. “For sophisticated construction service purchasers who understand the value of time and money and whose expectations are high, we will continue to be their provider of choice.”

Procore – (technology)

“Looking ahead to 2023, I expect a year of challenge and change as the Canadian construction industry grapples with ongoing problems such as the labour shortage while continuing to move toward integrated project delivery to achieve greater efficiency,” said Jas Saraw, Procore’s vice president in Canada. “At Procore, we are watching adoption of on-site technologies such as drones and augmented reality with interest, while we also expect further developments in project tools that improve the connection from the field to the back office, and offer predictive insights in order to further drive project efficiency.”

Saraw added that as labour, supply chain and financial constraints put pressure on the industry, there will be accelerated adoption of integrated project delivery to improve efficiency, streamline collaboration between stakeholders and minimize waste.

As the industry continues to digitize, Saraw believes data will become more and more powerful.

“With more contractors moving project information from paper to the cloud, it will be increasingly possible to draw insights from historical data to inform decisions about budgets, scheduling and other aspects of construction,” they said. “AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning), will take the complex data and voluminous data that is collected on jobsites and start to make sense of the data in order to drive predictive insights that will allow all project stakeholders to make more effective decisions earlier in the design and build process and ultimately shield themselves from downstream risk as the project schedule progresses.”

505-Junk – (waste/recycling)

Builders want more data – that includes tracking their waste and where it goes.

Barry Hartman, CEO and founder of 505-Junk, said he is seeing an increase in requirements for diversion and an increase in accountability data requested from clients. In the past, data on waste diversion had usually been requested for LEED requirements. 

“Those clients can actually view those metrics and know their waste is being kept out of a landfill and they have evidence,” said Hartman. 

He attributed this shift partly to the rise of online storytelling through social media. 

“What story do construction companies want to tell? Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s a good marketing play as well,” he said. 

505 is following this trend by testing out incentives where they will plant trees on their client’s behalf if more waste is diverted from landfills. 

505 has also found the density of Metro Vancouver and the number of projects have made it challenging to place bins on site. Hartman is finding the demand for live loading is increasing to a point where using cranes to empty self-dumping bins is becoming common.

Ritchie Bros. has acquired a controlling stake in VeriTread, a leading transportation technology and services company. 

The industrial auction house stated that the acquisition will accelerate its marketplace strategy, which brings services, insights, and transaction solutions together to improve the overall customer experience. VeriTread, founded in 2013, has experience in building heavy haul transportation platforms and solutions for industrial equipment, vehicles, and other assets.

“VeriTread adds to our suite of services supporting the needs of equipment owners throughout the equipment lifecycle.  At the same time, it also helps create a more efficient global marketplace by integrating transportation solutions directly into our new marketplace technology,” said Ann Fandozzi, Ritchie Bros. CEO. “VeriTread, in combination with our satellite yards, will allow us to further scale and accelerate our hybrid marketplace model through increased capacity optimization and seamless customer experiences.”

VeriTread is designed to be an efficient and reliable solution for open deck transport, connecting shippers and service providers with simple yet powerful technology. The company’s products include a marketplace for listing and quoting shipments, an in-house brokerage to handle complex and urgent freight deliveries, detailed equipment specifications and proprietary freight estimator tools, and more.

“VeriTread is thrilled to become a bigger part of the Ritchie Bros. marketplace, helping customers and the company transport equipment more efficiently,” said Jeff Cox, founder, president and CEO of VeriTread. “Together we are focused on delivering an extraordinary customer experience, with trustworthy and reliable transportation for heavy equipment, vehicles, and other industrial assets. We are nimble, flexible, and can’t wait to get started.”

Previously Ritchie Bros. owned 11 per cent of VeriTread. With this acquisition, it has increased its stake to 75 per cent. 

The city of Calgary has announced the winners of the second annual Winter City Design Competition.

Calgary designers, artists and post-secondary students were asked to dream up activations, designs and experiments along Stephen Avenue and in the Beltline that embrace winter and support Calgarians to socialize and interact with our downtown during the winter months.

“Calgary has an amazing design community and we’re excited to provide creative opportunities to help bring their ideas to life,” says Kate Zago, lead of the competition. “We can’t wait to showcase these designs in February and have people enjoy the new experiences to help create vibrancy, better social connections and increase overall social wellness during the winter months.”

The two winners that will receive funding to build and install their designs in February 2023 are:

Illumine

This design is three glowing frames, each containing movable and interactive elements, focused on public interactions and constant creation. The project team includes Paul Miller, Miles Abesdris.

Chinook-ery

This design was inspired by the region’s landscape. its the modular structures include benches, slides, lights and tunnels that can be organized to support various activities and experienced differently with the fluctuating weather conditions. The Project team includes Giovanni Carano, Vince Ellis, Kayla Royce, Marcia Eng, Jenn Comrie, David Kowel, Leighton Ginther, Jon van Heyst, Kim Crews.

Calgarians see thes designs for themselves from Feb. 1 to 26. Illumine will be installed at Stephen Avenue and 1 Street S.W. and Chinook-ery will be built at Barb Scott Park. Each winning project will receive $15,000 to construct and install their design.

“As an architect, the decision to participate in the competition was driven by the desire to contribute to an engaging public realm and the greater community,” says Paul Miller, Illumine team member and principal with Mion Architecture. “I believe even a small, temporary intervention can materially enrich the life of a street and can become a catalyst for greater human connection.”

Team members from Chinook-ery shared a similar thoughts in a city media release.

“We are professional engineers, designers and planners that work in the Beltline (with some of us living there too),” said Kayla Royce, transportation engineer with Urban Systems. “We loved the opportunity to work across professional disciplines, to think creatively about a local park and to celebrate playful designs that enhance the experience of being outside during the winter season for residents, workers and visitors of the Beltline.”

To learn more about the winning designs and to see all the submissions for the Winter City Design Competition, please visit Calgary.ca/WinterCity.

The Winter City Design Competition was established to imagine the possibilities for eye-catching and interactive displays along Stephen Avenue and in the downtown as a whole. The goal of the competition is to explore and push beyond the boundaries of what public spaces look like in the midst of a Calgary winter in the civic heart of our city.

ATCO Ltd. has acquired Triple M Modular Housing, a leading North American manufacturer of factory-built, modular housing based in Lethbridge, Alta. Triple M will now operate as a specialized housing division for ATCO Structures within Canada.  

“This acquisition boosts ATCO’s status as a global leader and innovator in modular construction, offering our customers a diverse range of modular products from residential to commercial to industrial,” said Adam Beattie, president, ATCO Structures. “Triple M’s ability to deliver affordable, high-quality homes within a short construction timeline is a strategic advantage for us in the current housing market.”

Established in 1981, Triple M is the largest manufacturer of modular residential homes in Western Canada. With more than 300 production employees and an experienced management team, Triple M constructs residential homes and associated products from its 230,000 square foot climate-controlled manufacturing facility. The company has an extensive dealer network in Canada that retails Triple M products to the residential housing market.

The founding business line of ATCO group, ATCO Structures has been in business for 75 years. With manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Chile and Australia, ATCO Structures provides global solutions for workforce housing, hotels, medical facilities, schools, multi-family housing and more. ATCO has approximately 6,400 employees and assets of $23 billion.

*Editor’s note: SiteNews is compiling a list of the top modular construction companies for next week. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.

Influencers are on the front lines of culture, advocating for construction by being its face.

For the uninitiated, they showcase what the industry is actually like and highlight what makes it great. For the initiated they offer solidarity by sharing their own struggles and help them improve with their wisdom.

Some of the faces on this list you will know, but many of them are so niche that they may have slipped past your radar or they have just begun to take off. If you want high quality construction content and commentary, these are some of the people to follow.

Jamie McMillian

McMillian is a complete and total kicker of ass. Not only is she the founder and primary spokesperson of KickAss Careers, she is a motivational speaker, journeyman ironworker, apprentice boilermaker, outreach specialist and author. Is there anything she can’t do? McMillian spends roughly 30 weeks a year providing keynote presentations and workshops to more than 50,000 students, parents, educators and employers each year across North America. There isn’t enough space to list all the things she does, but it’s important to note she has a cat named Spud Wrench.

The Essential Craftsman

The Essential Craftsman is like that uncle you never had who always knows the smartest way to solve a problem, has hands like thick leather gloves and always seems to finish work early despite never rushing. Scott will teach you how to properly sharpen your chainsaw, the trick to wrapping extension cords and why nails are better than screws when it comes to resisting shear. This is a man that has the confidence of decades in the industry.

Shannon Tymosko 

Tymosko, aka “Lady Voltz”, is a social media whiz. How many electrical apprentices do you know with a TikTok account? The Hamilton, Ont. tradeswoman is constantly producing content showing the daily life of an electrical apprentice, giving her thoughts on tools and encouraging other women in the industry. She is an ambassador for various brands and offers her services as a motivational speaker. 

Adam Savage

Likely the most famous person on this list – and for good reason. Special effects guru Adam Savage became famous for his long run as a host for “Mythbusters” on the Discovery Channel. But long after the show ended, he’s been a staple of the maker community, teaching aspiring builders how to use a lathe, the benefits of jigs for a table saw and why his hammer is so extensive. What drew me in to his channel wasn’t his Star Wars props or cosplay builds. It was years-long journey to hone his machining accuracy to within a few thousandths of an inch. His entire channel is a love letter to tools and the possibilities they present. Heck, he loves tools so much he even makes his own.

James Behnam 

When it comes to intersection of technology and construction, it’s hard to find someone more passionate than Benham. His company JB Knowledge created SmartBid, SmartCompliance, SmartReality and SmartInsight software and mobile apps for construction and risk management. He also launched The Con Tech Crew podcast, wrote a book about how to grow your business and is a sought after speaker. 

Aaron Witt

This man loves to get dirty. Witt, a self-described “Chief Dirt Nerd”, is completely cuckoo for huge machines and what they can do. In 2018 he quit his job to photograph construction and mining projects across the U.S. 

“While I didn’t grow up in the dirt world, I’ve been drawn to it like a bear to honey since my sixth birthday party at our local Caterpillar dealership,” he said. 

His company BuildWitt has morphed into people-centric media, services, and software dedicated to making the earth moving sector a better place. 

“By that, I mean inspiring the next generation, modernizing how blue-collar companies invest in their people, and educating society on what it takes to meet their basic needs,” wrote Witt. 

Sherry Holmes

Sherry has not only followed her father, Mike Holmes, into the trades. She also is a TV star and social media personality in her own right, advocating the trades and helping viewers out with common contracting problems. She also mentors young women through Conestoga College’s Jill of All Trades and acts as an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity’s annual Women Build event, a program that calls on women to help build stronger, safer communities.

MattBangsWood

Matt does indeed bang wood. His YouTube channel, which boasts 286,000 subscribers, offers insight into his job sites, tricks for other contractors and highlights how technology performs in the field. One of his recent videos walks aspiring contractors through how start finding, bidding and winning work. His most popular video, with 3 million views, simply teaches the most common framing methods.

Mary-Anne Bowcott

Since 2015 Bowcott has been running her all-female company, Westcom Plumbing and Gas Ltd., on Vancouver Island. She’s a journeyman plumber, class B gasfitter, and certified steep-slope roofer. On Instagram, where she is known as @the_ladyplumber, she opines on tankless water heaters, shows how to adjust a gas range and gushes over her favourite tools. Bowcott is already an icon for the industry. In 2019 she was named Construction Person of the Year by the Canadian Construction Association and is a founding member B.C. Tradeswomen Association. The business owner even finds time to visit Girl Guides’ events to inspire the next generation of tradespeople. 

Mike Rowe

While everyone knows Rowe from his hit TV show “Dirty Jobs” where he highlighted the everyday working people who keep society moving, but following it’s nine season run, he’s become a fierce advocate for trades careers. He started the mikeroweWORKS Foundation which champions blue collar jobs and calls for government to rebuild America’s infrastructure. He is often using his platform to elevate blue collar leaders so they can share their wisdom.

Blacktail Studio

This is one of my guilty pleasures – watching master woodworkers craft massive tables I could never hope to afford. Much of the drama centres around the skill it takes to transform these rare hunks of live edge slabs into the client’s piece. The slabs often costs thousands so the stakes are high. You also get to learn the difference between softwoods and hardwoods, the best tools for prepping a piece and how to prevent common woodworking injuries.

Roger Wakefield

If you like your construction content with a Texas drawl and filtered through a handlebar mustache, Roger Wakefield is your man. Known as “The Expert Plumber”, Wakefield shares plumbing tips and tricks, DIY plumbing, how to become a plumber videos and more to help you grow as a plumber or save some money if you’re a homeowner. He has more than 40 years experience and he wants to help get people into the trades and help them build successful careers.

Colin Furze

Forget “The Lord of the Rings”. One of the greatest epics of all time is Furze’s months-long slog to dig a series of secret tunnels beneath his home. The amount of engineering, problem solving and determination to pull off just that project alone is astounding. ​Furze school at 16 to start his journey to become a plumber – a career he worked at until 2011. That’s when his content making career took off. His goal is simple: inspire the audience to get up and make something.

Metro Vancouver is one step closer to an expanded SkyTrain system now that two teams have been shortlisted for a major project contract. 

B.C. has invited two pre-qualified bidding teams to participate in the request for proposals (RFP) stage to design, build and finance the elevated guideway, roadworks and utilities, as well as active transportation elements of the Surrey Langley SkyTrain.

The request for qualifications (RFQ) was posted through BC Bid and closed on Nov. 1, 2022. After a thorough evaluation of the RFQ submissions, the teams invited to participate in the RFP stage are:  

South Fraser Guideway Connectors

Proponent: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., Pomerleau BC Inc.   

Design-build contractor: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.; Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., Pomerleau BC Inc. 

Design contractor:  Parsons, Inc.

SkyLink Guideway Partners

Proponent: Dragados Canada, Inc., Ledcor Investments Inc  

Design-build contractor: Dragados Canada, Inc., Ledcor Mining Ltd.  

Design contractor:  SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies Inc. 

B.C. officials anticipate the successful proponent will be announced late in the fall.

In October 2022, the province issued a separate RFQ for the construction of eight new SkyTrain stations, including active transportation elements, such as cycling and walking paths around the new stations. A third RFQ was issued in November 2022 for the systems and trackwork contract, including design, installation and integration of electrical systems, such as power, telecommunications and automatic controls, and the supply and installation of the trackwork.

The province stated that it will announce the short-listed proponents for the second and third RFPs in 2023. Contract awards are anticipated in early 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• The project began development in 2017.
• In includes roughly 1.3 million solar panels.
• It’s expected to generate electricity in Alberta for more than 35 years.

The Whole Story:

The largest solar project in Canadian history has reached substantial completion. 

The project team – which includes PCL Construction, Greengate and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners – announced this month that the Travers Solar Project is substantially completed. 

The Alberta project first began development in 2017 and includes approximately 3,330 acres of land located eight kilometres southwest of the Village of Lomond, in Vulcan County. The project is located on privately owned, cultivated and grazing land. It includes approximately 1.3 million solar panels

According to project officials, the site has a strong solar resource, which is characteristic of Alberta’s resource, and the project will generate clean energy over its 35+ year lifetime.

The project is 465 megawatts (MW) in size. Work involved installing solar PV modules, power conversion stations, an electrical collection system, access roads and the construction of the Little Bow Project Substation to connect to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. 

When work began, the project team expected a total capital cost of approximately $700 million. It’s expected to generate enough power for more than 150,000 homes.

SiteNews isn’t even a year old yet but we have been very busy.

To kick off the new year we wanted to give our readers a peek under the hood. We pored over the numbers to share our growth and highlight what stories captured the most attention.

Following our website and newsletter launch on Oct. 19, SiteNews staff wrote 220 articles, garnering 150,000+ page views. Our newsletter, which ships to subscribers for free every Tuesday, achieved an industry-leading open rate of 56.8 per cent.

But what exactly are people reading? Here are the top ten most-read articles of last year:

10. ‘Mechanical contractors merge to increase labour force’

In late October, Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems (PMP) announced it was acquiring WQC Mechanical in an effort to combine labour forces. The company told SiteNews that acquisition would be a growth strategy going forward. 

9. ‘Montreal Holocaust Museum project reveals winning design’

It was announced in September that a design by KPMB Architects + Daoust Lestage Lizotte Stecker Architecture would be used for the $90-million museum. Their vision was guided by the pillars of memory, education and community. Work is expected to begin this year. 

8. ‘7 shining Canadian solar companies to keep an eye on’

The future is looking bright for solar construction. Work was recently completed on Travers Solar, the country’s largest solar project. We put together this list after researching which companies were contributing the most to the sector through projects, technology or development. 

7. ‘The 14 BIGGEST construction projects planned for B.C.’

With its minerals, timber, rivers and access to the Ocean, B.C. is a major epicenter for mega projects. SiteNews went through records of the largest projects in the pipeline, and found that the LNG Canada terminal facility is not only the largest project in B.C. – it’s the biggest project in Canada. 

6. ‘13 HUGE Canadian projects underway from coast to coast’

It’s no secret that the construction industry loves reading about projects so once again a project list made the cut. This time we expanded our scope to the entire country with LNG Canada of course taking the top spot and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion as the runner up. 

5. ‘Celebrating Canada’s female construction leaders’

With the release of the Top 40 Under 40 Construction Leaders winners, SiteNews decided to zero in on the incredible women who made up nearly one quarter of the list. The piece also featured some of their reactions to receiving the honour. 

4. ‘6 massive construction projects planned for Alberta’

It’s the energy capital of Canada and while it has weathered some tough economic conditions in the past few years, major work remains on the horizon. This includes a possible high-speed rail project that would link Calgary and Edmonton. 

3. ‘12 mass timber businesses shaking up Canadian Construction’

We couldn’t ignore the mass timber movement and decided to research some of the most innovative and important companies doing work in the sector. These included developers, manufacturers, installers and more. 

2. ‘Fluor wins contract for Imperial diesel facility’

Who knew renewable diesel production was such a hot topic? In late October, Fluor won a reimbursable front-end engineering and detailed design, engineering and procurement services contract for Imperial as the company advances plans to develop a renewable diesel complex at its Strathcona refinery near Edmonton. The announcement earned the second spot on this list. 

1. ‘40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction’

How fitting it is that the most read story is you. The 40 Under 40, organized by SitePartners and On-Site Magazine, highlighted the best and brightest young construction leaders. That was more than enough to cement its place as the most-viewed story of 2022. Will it hold the spot again next year?

*Editors note: Happy New Year! We can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring. Do you have a story or topic that you think needs more attention? Let me know at russell@readsitenews.com.

Key Takeaways:

• The downtown Toronto retrofit is by developer Dream.
• The building is part of a group of 19 Dream properties in Ontario and Saskatchewan which received a $136.6 million investment from the CIB.
• Officials say IREE certification is encouraging a standardized process of developing and financing projects.

The Whole Story:

A redevelopment in Toronto is the first retrofit project financed by the CIB to achieve Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification.

366 Bay St. by developer Dream is situated in Toronto’s financial core. It features a newly renovated modern lobby and suites for office tenants. It has high efficiency HVAC systems, 24/7 indoor air quality monitoring, a state-of-the-art energy management system and a building automation system. 

IREE certification is part of the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) Building Retrofits Initiative and is administered through the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC). Officials say the goal of the certification is to increase investor confidence by providing third-party verification that retrofit projects meet desired energy targets.

Officials noted that as the first certified building financed by one of the CIB’s large-scale decarbonization investments, Dream’s 366 Bay St. redevelopment represents an important milestone and one of many retrofit projects to come that will be IREE certified. The CIB’s initiative finances the capital costs of retrofits, using energy savings and operating cost savings for repayment.

The building is part of a group of 19 Dream properties in Ontario and Saskatchewan which received a $136.6 million investment from the CIB. The building retrofits will see approximately 1,500 jobs created and the decarbonization and modernization of buildings where 15,000 employees work.

CIB officials added that by requiring IREE certification, they are encouraging a standardized process of developing and financing projects and helping to establish energy retrofit investments as a distinct asset class.

“Our green infrastructure investments are expediting the decarbonization of buildings across Canada,” said Ehren Cory, CIB CEO. “By providing attractive financing options and partnering with the private sector, we can serve as the link to ensure meaningful action is taken to enhance energy efficiency of buildings. IREE certification is our standard to finance retrofit projects and build positive outcomes for Canadians.”

Dream is a developer of office and residential assets in Toronto, owns stabilized income generating assets in both Canada and the U.S., and has an established asset management business. They also develop land and residential assets in Western Canada. Dream expects to generate more recurring income in the future as its urban development properties are completed and held for the long term. 

Key Takeaways:

• The global precast concrete market is expected to reach USD $154.89 billion by 2030.
• The major factors driving this growth are urbanization and population growth.
• The Internet of Things and 3D modeling are driving innovation in the sector.

The Whole Story:

Experts are forecasting major growth in the precast concrete market.

The global market reached USD $95.20 billion in revenue in 2021 and is expected to grow to USD $154.89 billion by 2030, according to the latest analysis by Emergen Research. The market is also expected to register a compound annual growth of 5.7 per cent over the forecast period. 

Major companies included in the market report are Larsen & Toubro, Tindall Corporation, Olson Precast Company, STECS, LafargeHolcim, Gulf Precast Concrete Co., Forterra Pipes & Precast, Spancrete, Boral Ltd. and LAING O’Rourke.

Drivers of growth

Emergen noted that the two main factors driving market expansion are rapid urbanization and exponential population growth. 

“Increased demand for non-residential buildings like airports, sports facilities, shopping centers, and commercial spaces will have a significant impact on the supply chain because of the expedited and cost-efficient construction process,” wrote researchers. “Precast concrete will be even more in demand as a result of the growing demand for residential spaces brought on by the expanding population and government programs to build housing for the Economically Weaker Section.”

In addition, the need for improved employment possibilities has increased urbanization efforts, expanding its use in offices and other commercial facilities, stated the report. Residential constructions also employ precast concrete items such as walls, beams, columns, and staircases. Emergen found that these items are in high demand in the building and construction sector because of how simple and quickly they can be constructed. 

“In a variety of weather situations, cast concrete products enable effective and affordable construction,” said the researchers. “These goods are meticulously produced off-site, which raises the level of quality in general. Utilizing pre-casted items dramatically decreases building time, cost, and waste.”

Impacts of COVID-19

The report added that the building and construction sector is expected to be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemic caused the abrupt end of infrastructure development and building activity. The market was hindered by the reduced output of raw materials, interruptions in the supply chain, limitations on the movement of people and goods, and problems with trade movements. 

“The epidemic has resulted in an oversupply of precast materials,” noted researchers. “In addition, precast concrete is fragile like other concrete materials. If in any instance precast concrete is not handled properly, components can be quickly damaged.”

They explained that because of this it’s vital to set up certain tools and procedures to protect the goods. What matters most, in this case, is the transit process. Care should be taken during the lifting and transporting stages to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. Precast concrete is very versatile, but because of its robust and enduring structural behavior, building each piece is rather difficult. In order to maintain everything correctly connected, the connections formed should be continuously monitored and should assure durability. Faulty connections could cause sound insulation to fail or cause water leaks.

Current Trends and Innovations

Internet of Things (IoT) is a hot topic in the sector. The newest technologies already make it possible to identify production bottlenecks and the need for preventative maintenance. IoT is used to process data, such as produced square meters, the speed of the machine and screws, and the quality of the casting, to decide the best time for maintenance. To maximize the length of a maintenance break and reduce production disturbance, these variables can be changed specifically for each facility and machine. Precast concrete 3D models are currently used successfully by designers in many different sectors.

For instance, when their models are available in 3D format, architects and structural designers may more effectively communicate their ideas, explained researchers. Precast plants follow the same rules. Evaluation of the space and safety requirements is made simpler by 3D industrial models. 3D models aid in the analysis of approaches to increase safety and usefulness in machine development. Additionally, it is simpler to identify any particular requirements when engineers have the opportunity to view a product in 3D prior to its manufacturing.

Key Takeaways:

• Construction employment went up in 268 of 358 metro areas in the U.S.
• Officials say the gains would have been higher but demand for new project is outpacing labour availability. 
• Contractors reported this is causing them to pass on projects. 

The Whole Story:

A new report shows labour shortages are suppressing construction in the U.S.

Construction employment increased in 268 of 358 metro areas between November 2021 and November 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said the job gains likely would have been higher but that many contractors report that demand for new projects is outpacing the availability of workers in many parts of the country.

“Contractors report they are passing on projects because they do not have enough people to do the work,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Labor shortages are suppressing job gains in the construction industry in many parts of the country.”

Where the gains are happening

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas added the most construction jobs (18,500 jobs or 9 per cent), followed by Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (13,500 jobs, 9 per cent); Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash. (10,400 jobs, 10 per cent) and Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (9,400 jobs, 7 per cent). 

The largest percentage gains were in Provo-Orem, Utah (23 percent, 6,400 jobs); Anchorage, Alaska (15 per cent, 1,400 jobs), Kankakee, Ill. (15 per cent, 200 jobs), Grants Pass, Ore. (15 percent, 200 jobs) and Providence-Warwick, R.I. (15 per cent, 4,000 jobs).

Construction jobs declined over the year in 45 metro areas and were unchanged in 45 areas. The largest loss occurred in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. (-8,500 jobs, -10 per cent), followed by Richmond, Va. (-3,300 jobs, -8 percent); Camden, N.J. (-1,700 jobs, -7 per cent) and Austin-Round Rock, Texas (-1,400 jobs, -2 per cent). The largest percentage declines occurred in Orlando, Richmond and Camden.

Contractors passing on work

Association officials said that demand for construction remained relatively strong in many parts of the country, buoyed by robust public construction and infrastructure investments and strength in certain types of private sector development. They cautioned, however, that contractors in parts of the country report they are not bidding on projects because they do not have enough personnel to perform the work.

The association explained that is taking steps to address labor shortages, including running targeted digital advertising campaigns to recruit new workers. Meanwhile, more than 800 firms have signed up for the association’s Culture of Care program to make workplaces more welcoming and inclusive to retain a higher percentage, and more diverse, workforce.

Immigration reform needed

Association officials urged Congress to pass immigration reform to allow more construction workers to enter the country. They also pushed for greater investments in construction-focused training and education programs.

“We are working hard to recruit and retain a new generation of construction professionals,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Public officials can help put more people into high-paying construction careers by making common sense immigration reforms and investing in domestic construction prep programs as well.”

Get ready to hit the ice. 

Surrey officials approved a contract for the supply and installation of piles for the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex. A $3.1 million contract was awarded to Graham Construction and Engineering LP for the next phase of construction. Once complete, the new arena will increase Surrey’s overall ice capacity, while accommodating the need for an additional ice arena in Cloverdale.

“This next phase of construction of the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex is a milestone for this long-awaited project,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “With foundation work starting, this new destination sport complex is on its way to providing much-needed additional ice in Cloverdale. When completed, the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex will have two NHL-sized sheets available for team play and public use.  This project has also been designed to grow as the community grows by having the option to add a third ice sheet.”

Construction of the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex began in August 2022 and was included in the 2021 Five-Year (2021-2025) Capital Financial Plan. Along with two new ice sheets, the project includes seating for 200 spectators per sheet, multi-purpose and community rooms, change rooms and other supporting amenities. The complex is also designed with the option to add another NHL-sized arena sheet.

When opened, the new ice sheets will offer various programs including ice hockey, figure skating, public lessons, skating sessions, and dry-floor summer use for sports such as a lacrosse and ball hockey. Officials say the new sports and recreation facility has been designed to be energy efficient and meet the highest standards for accessibility.

The Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex will be located at 6336 177B Street and will open in the fall of 2024.

Stony Plain Road Bridge is coming down.

Edmonton officials announced that on Dec. 29, Stony Plain Road from 129 Street to 131 Street and Groat Road from 107 Avenue to River Valley Road, including the shared-use path, will be closed as Marigold Infrastructure Partners (MIP) begin demolishing the Stony Plain Road Bridge. Replacement of the bridge is required for the Valley Line West LRT project.  

Eastbound and westbound vehicle and pedestrian traffic across Stony Plain Road Bridge will be detoured to 102 Avenue or 107 Avenue until fall 2024. 

Construction for Valley Line West includes two new bridges: one crossing Groat Road on Stony Plain Road between 129 Street and Connaught Drive and another crossing Anthony Henday at 87 Avenue.

According to the city, construction of the new bridge will take up to two years. The new bridge will be wider to accommodate one lane of vehicle traffic in either direction, the Valley Line West LRT, a sidewalk and a shared-use path on the south side of the bridge. Once completed, the mixed-use transportation corridor is expected to improve access to and from the west end to downtown.

Alberta officials say 2022 was a major year for infrastructure work, outlining all the progress that was made on significant projects. 

“Throughout 2022, Infrastructure played a major role in proactively rebuilding our economy. Many infrastructure projects around the province provided thousands of construction and related jobs in local communities,” said Nathan Neudorf, deputy premier and minister of infrastructure. “We have worked on accelerating priority projects and cutting red tape in order to get shovels in the ground faster at sites across Alberta. Moving forward into 2023, we will continue to work with the rest of government to ensure our province is focused on the priority infrastructure needs of Albertans.” 

Construction was completed on:

• Nineteen school projects, creating more than 7,300 new and 3,800 modernized student spaces throughout the province. An additional 43 school projects are underway in the planning, design or construction phase.
• Four health projects, including the $1.4-billion 186,000 square metre Calgary Cancer Centre. Last summer, at the peak of construction, more than 1,650 trades and construction workers were on site. 
• Red Deer recovery community facility. Another five facilities located in Lethbridge, Gunn, Calgary, Edmonton and the Blood Tribe First Nation are currently in the planning, design or construction phase. 

Progress was made on:

• Phase I of the new more than $400-million Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood. Currently 350 construction workers are on site daily.
• Redevelopment of the Misericordia Community Hospital Emergency Department. This $85-million project is supporting about 476 construction and related jobs and is anticipated to be complete in March 2023.
• Planning for the expansion and redevelopment of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Design work is anticipated to begin in early 2023 and more information will be shared soon.

In 2022, Alberta’s government continued to announce funding approvals through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for projects in communities around Alberta. Through ICIP, Alberta has been allocated $3.66 billion by the federal government to invest in infrastructure projects that strengthen the economy and build resilient communities. To date, more than 200 projects and project bundles have been approved for ICIP funding in more than 30 Alberta constituencies, allocating about 99 per cent of the provided funding to date.

These federal-provincial-local cost-sharing ICIP projects mean the investment of about $9 billion worth of design and construction work.

B.C. officials are putting the brakes on a coal mining project in the province’s northeast. 

Officials announced that an environmental assessment certificate will not be issued for the proposed Sukunka coal mine project following a joint decision by provincial ministers.

George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy, and Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, stated that they made their decision after carefully considering the environmental assessment of the project conducted by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The assessment of the project proposed by Glencore involved consultation with technical experts, federal and local authorities, First Nations and the public.

According to Glencore, the project would have been a capital investment of $450 million. 

Impact on wildlife

The EAO recommended a certificate not be issued after concluding that the key mitigation measures proposed would be unlikely to reduce the potential negative impacts of the project to an acceptable level.

The assessment found the project would have significant adverse and cumulative effects on the threatened and red-listed Quintette caribou herd, increasing the risk of its extinction. Following substantial discussions between Glencore, federal and provincial caribou experts, Treaty 8 First Nations and the EAO, the EAO concluded that even with proposed mitigation measures and requirements, impacts to caribou would be significant if the project were to proceed.

The EAO’s assessment additionally found that the project would have significant cumulative effects on grizzly bears, by adding to existing impacts from previous development in the region, as well as adverse impacts to First Nations, such as treaty rights to hunt.

No duplicate assessments 

The project also requires a federal environmental assessment and decision. The B.C. EAO carried out the assessment on behalf of the federal government under a “substitution agreement.” This means the one assessment carried out by the EAO is used to support separate decisions by each level of government, eliminating the duplication of two assessments for a single project. The federal decision was also announced Dec. 21, 2022.

The Sukunka project was proposed by Glencore as an open-pit mining operation and coal processing plant about 55 kilometres south of Chetwynd and 40 kilometres west of Tumbler Ridge. The proposal was for production of approximately three megatonnes of metallurgical coal per year for export to overseas steel manufacturers over 22 years.