Daryl Heppner, operations manager for Polycrete Restorations, is celebrating 30 years with BM Group. Balraj Mann, CEO of Polycrete and BM Group chairman, said that “it is not an understatement to say Polycrete nor the BM Group would not be where it is today” without Heppner.
Steve Van Hoffen has been appointed chief financial officer of Maple Reinders after serving the company in increasingly senior finance roles for over 17 years. Van Hoffen stated that he looks forward to supporting the business units to excel, contributing to the company’s strategic growth, and continuing his career at a company that aligns with his values.
Mark Wessel, is celebrating 20 years at Beedie where he works as director of IT.
Working at Beedie has been an amazing experience, mainly due to the opportunity to work with so many talented people, forming great friendships, and, best of all, falling in love and marrying a coworker over 14 years ago. Beedie has proven to be more than just a career for me; it has provided the foundation for a family, complete with a loving wife and kids!
– Wessel
Carla Parsons has been named director of business development – B.C. & Alberta at FINEX INC. Parsons stated that FINEX is a Canadian based, high-density fiber cement that’s about to change the dynamic in Western Canada. Prior to the role, she worked as director of communications for Canadian Construction Women (CCW).
Frano Cavar will be expanding his role at the Calgary Construction Association to director of public affairs and external relations. He has spent more than two years at the association as director of government relations.
Grant Grenier is starting a new position as construction & asphalt manager at Lafarge Canada. Prior to this, Grenier spent more than 20 years at Graham as a construction superintendent and a business development manager.
For those of you that know me, I previously worked at Stuart Olson in the Vancouver office and it was one of my favourite jobs based on the type of projects we built, the fantastic people and the office culture, so I’m thrilled to be working with the merged Bird and Stuart Olson team and getting to connect with former colleagues and new ones.
Pomerleau reached a major milestone this month. The company, along with its subsidiaries Borea Construction and ITC Construction, announced it now employs 5,000 people across the country.
Shawn Gray has joined The Net Effect team as its newest digital advisor and project manager. Recognized as one of Canada’s Top-40-under-40 in construction, Shawn brings over 15 years of cross-market experience in engineering, construction, and technology leadership, having successfully delivered construction projects exceeding $5 billion in value.
Christian Dover has been appointed president of Limen. Dover has more than 20 years of experience in the Canadian and U.S. construction industry.
I am excited and honoured to join the executive team at Limen and for the opportunity to continue to build on Limen’s reputation of delivering safe and successful projects to their strong, growing and loyal customer base. I look forward to working with the existing Limen management team to meet our growth and diversification goals.
– Dover
Emma Grimsrud of Saskatoon has won PCL Construction’s National Student Scholarship. Grimsrud was selected from 670 other students. She will receive a $5,000.
Matthew Rinfret has been appointed Inflector Environmental Services‘ new chief operating officer. His extensive background includes a 17-year tenure with a PCL where he oversaw operations and large-scale projects in the Ottawa and Montreal regions.
As I join Inflector, I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to Inflector’s continued growth and future success. Together with the existing dedicated team, I look forward to continuing to raise the bar on operational excellence and delivering high quality results for all of our trusted clients and partners.
Tanzila Rubayat has joined Infrastructure BC as a senior associate. Rubayat brings over ten years of infrastructure experience in a range of services such as capital municipal project management, planning, engineering design and construction management.
Anton Pojasok is PCL‘s new sustainability director. With more than 27 years experience, Pojasok will drive PCL’s strategic sustainability plan and road map including goal tracking, value added expertise and a range of services provided to clients and project teams related to sustainable design and construction. Prior to joining PCL, Pojasok was vice president of environmental management at Ontario Realty Corporation – Infrastructure Ontario.
‘Less is more’ is the essence of sustainability, from early planning through construction and building operations, there are cost-effective ways to reduce a structure’s impact on the environment with enhanced returns on investment.
– Pojasok
Dallas Hesse is celebrating 15 years with Westridge Construction where he works as a superintendent. He is currently managing the Moosomin Dam Spillway Improvements project in Saskatchewan.
Westridge crews work on the Moosomin Dam Spillway. – Westridge
Steve Schmalz is celebrating 25 years with PCL construction where he works as an operations manager in Ottawa. Following in his father’s footsteps, he first joined PCL’s Winnipeg office in 1999 as a field engineer. PCL’s team stated that Schmalz is a patient mentor with a wealth of knowledge.
Arsalan Zargar has been promoted to executive vice president of project delivery at Infrastructure Ontario. Officials noted that over the course of the past 4 years working as senior vice president, rail delivery, Arsalan has demonstrated exceptional leadership, extensive experience and formed strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, making him an invaluable asset to the organization.
RJC Engineers has announced five new principals and and eight new associates. They stated that with these new additions, RJC is poised to strengthen its position as an industry leader, capable of complex and challenging projects. The enhanced leadership team will further enable the firm to offer comprehensive engineering services, meeting the evolving needs of clients in various sectors.
Some of the new faces joining RJC Engineers. – RJC
Mike Woodroff has joined Kerkhoff as its new vice president of construction. Woodroff has nearly 40 years of experience in the industry and has successfully overseen a multitude of projects, differing in scale and complexity.
Tim Laronde has been appointed to Kindred Works‘ board of directors. Laronde serves as Chandos Construction’s director of Indigenous strategies. Prior to joining Chandos Construction, Tim spent over 15 years in the financial services industry where he led business development and capacity building through meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities.
I’m a big advocate of housing and am inspired by the Kindred Works approach to creating much needed rental housing across the country. I believe there’s a strong values alignment, with their social and environmental impact objectives.
– Laronde
Colleen Federchuk and Eithar Naman have been promoted to vice president of people and culture, and vice president of digital construction at Fitzrovia, respectively.
Andrew Clarke is celebrating 30 years with Beedie development. He first joined the company as an apprentice carpenter. He currently works as its senior director of construction operations.
There are so many great people that I have worked with over my career that make the projects memorable. I might not remember how we put together something on the project, but I remember the people who were involved and the good times that we had along the way.
Being Métis, the opportunity to work with an Indigenous business is very meaningful, and I am honoured to be joining TNDC. I have followed TNDC’s progress with admiration in recent years and am excited to apply my experience to growing TNDC’s reputation as a Tier 1 mining service provider, Indigenous Partner of Choice, and Employer of Choice.
Derick Fluker, senior vice president of acquisitions and asset management at Wesgroup properties, has been appointed to the NAIOP Vancouver’s 2024 board of directors.
Joshua Gaglardi, president of Orion Construction, has also joined NAIOP Vancouver’s 2024 board of directors.
Nathan Levinson is the president and founder of Royal York, a massive property management company based in Toronto. They manage tens of thousands of units and more than $10 billion in assets. We caught up with Levinson to chat housing predictions, technology and what his sector can do to address the country’s affordable housing crisis.
SiteNews: With 22,000 properties under management and $10.1 billion in assets, what sort of trends are you and Royal York seeing right now in the Canadian housing market?
Nathan Levinson: Managing over 22,000 properties and $10.1 billion in assets at Royal York Property Management, we’re observing a critical trend: growing tenants struggling to pay rent due to economic pressures. This, coupled with rising mortgage rates, is creating a challenging scenario for landlords. We’re bracing for what I call a ‘real estate bloodbath,’ where both sides of the rental equation are under immense pressure. It’s a situation that demands innovative solutions and proactive management, which is where Royal York steps in.
Can property management firms like Royal York play a role in addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis?
Property management firms like Royal York Property Management have a vital role in this climate of financial strain. We’re not just managing properties; we’re also navigating complex situations where tenants can’t afford rent, and property owners are facing increased mortgage rates. Our role extends to advocating for sustainable solutions and providing practical support to tenants and property owners in these trying times.
What helps create a stable and reliable housing market?
The current market’s volatility highlights the need for stability and reliability. This is achieved through empathetic tenant management, proactive property maintenance, and strategic financial planning for property owners. Our approach at Royal York is centered around understanding and mitigating the challenges tenants and landlords face.
What role do technology and data play in Royal York’ Property Management’s operations?
Technology and data are the lifeblood of Royal York. In this rapidly changing market, they are more crucial than ever. We employ advanced AI and machine learning algorithms for tenant screening, ensuring a low default rate. Our use of AI for tenant screening and market analysis helps us anticipate and navigate the challenges ahead. Our proprietary software allows for efficient property management, from maintenance to legal services. We’re not just a property management firm but a tech company revolutionizing the real estate sector.
Is there any technology that is currently on your radar or that has you excited?
Our upcoming platform, Mateem.io, is what excites us the most. Envisioned as the Airbnb of long-term rentals, it’s set to revolutionize the property rental market. Amidst these challenges, Mateem.io is a beacon of innovation designed to streamline the rental process, making it seamless for property owners and tenants. This platform will be pivotal in managing the current crisis, offering seamless, efficient solutions in a more turbulent market than ever, and providing critical support to tenants and landlords.
What are some of the biggest challenges the property management industry faces today?
The industry is currently facing unprecedented challenges. The impending ‘bloodbath’ due to non-payment of rent and rising mortgage rates is a prime concern. Our challenge is not just in managing properties but in navigating these financial complexities and providing viable solutions to both tenants and landlords.
What are your predictions for the 2024 housing market?
Heading into 2024, I’m calling it as I see it – we’re on the cusp of a major shift in the Canadian housing market, GTA included. We’re already feeling the squeeze from climbing mortgage rates and the economic climate. This isn’t just a Toronto story; it’s unfolding across Canada.
We’re likely to see a readjustment in various regions’ property values. Sure, areas with high demand might stand their ground, but many others will see a dip in property prices. It’s not just a simple downturn; it’s a recalibration of the market.
Tell me about dropping out of University to running Canada’s largest property management company with 10.1 billions assets under management. What have been some of your keys to success?
Starting Royal York Property Management from the backseat of my car after dropping out of university was a leap of faith, driven by a vision to reform the inefficiencies in the rental market and the mistreatment of tenants by landlords. My early years working with my high school principal, handling maintenance, rent collection, advertising, and property showings, were eye-opening. They highlighted the critical need for positive landlord-tenant relationships and revealed the significant gaps in the market. This experience was the cornerstone of Royal York, a name inspired by a street sign sighting during a cold call, symbolizing our humble beginnings.
The keys to our success at Royal York have been multifaceted. Embracing technology and innovation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed us not only to survive but to thrive and expand, improving our services for both tenants and landlords. Our approach was not just to offer rental guarantees for landlords, but to create a balanced ecosystem benefiting all parties. This philosophy, stemming from my personal experiences as a mistreated tenant, led to the cultivation of an extensive database of over 200,000 pre-qualified tenant contacts, enabling efficient property rentals. The journey has taught me the importance of resilience, a structured approach, and the power of a vision shared with a growing network. These elements have been instrumental in transforming Royal York into the industry leader it is today.
Key Takeaways:
Construction roles represented a one-quarter of all job vacancies (30,500) in the city in Q3 of 2023.
The shortage spans a spectrum of positions, including skilled trades, project management, and various specialized roles crucial to construction projects of all sizes.
The Calgary Construction Association stated that addressing the shortage of workers requires a coordinated effort from government stakeholders, the K-12 education system, post-secondary institutions, industry and broader society.
The Whole Story:
According to data analyzed by Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade, there were 7,560 construction trades and management job vacancies in the Calgary economic region in Q3 2023, representing a one-quarter of all job vacancies (30,500) in the city.
The Calgary Construction Association stated that the data, compiled by Statistics Canada, underscores a critical challenge faced by the construction industry, which plays a pivotal role in fueling economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation within Calgary.
“The construction industry is the backbone of Calgary’s development, and the current job vacancies present a significant impediment to the projects that drive our city forward,” said Bill Black, President and COO of the Calgary Construction Association.
The shortage spans a spectrum of positions, including skilled trades, project management, and various specialized roles crucial to construction projects of all sizes.
“This shortage not only impacts the pace of ongoing projects but also poses a potential threat to the timely construction of new infrastructure on the horizon. It’s a multifaceted challenge that requires immediate attention and collaborative solutions,” said Black. “What happens when you struggle to find the workers needed to build the housing and civic infrastructure required for a growing City? Costs increase, projects are delayed, and affordability tanks.”
The Calgary Construction Association is calling on stakeholders, including government bodies, educational institutions, and industry partners, to work together in addressing the root causes of the labour shortage.
“Addressing this labour shortage is not just the responsibility of the construction industry. It requires a coordinated effort from government stakeholders, the K-12 education system, post-secondary institutions, industry and broader society to ensure a sustainable and skilled workforce for the future,” stated Black.
The CCA remains committed to fostering dialogue and collaboration to find effective, long-term solutions that will strengthen Calgary’s construction industry and support constructing the Calgary of the future.
A growing group of construction professionals has been hitting the trails every week in Metro Vancouver.
Organizers say it has been a great way to encourage non-traditional networking.
It also encourages healthy ways to destress after work and get advice from other professionals.
The Whole Story:
Every Sunday morning, a group gathers in North Vancouver, B.C. to trek through the mountains, discuss the industry’s biggest topics and connect with others in the construction sector. The group is growing fast, now with more than 120 active members that form a rotating crew of 15-20 hikers each weekend.
The origins go back 20 years when engineering school pals Jesse Unke and Shervin Teymouri began doing the Grouse Grind on Wednesday nights or Sunday mornings.
“It was just me and Shervin and it got me into doing the Grouse Grind. We had been doing that consistently for years,” said Unke.
A lot has changed since then. Shervin went into the mining sector and is now president and CEO of Red Paramount Iron as well as the founder and principal mining engineer for Mineit Consulting. Unke has lent his talents to the construction sector, working at several major firms before becoming the president and CEO of Maven Consulting.
Unke also recently added the role of “father” to his list of responsibilities, which has changed his schedule and priorities. Rather than being able to go out for a beer in the evenings to network with colleagues and clients, Unke began inviting people to join him on the trails.
Hike Club members brave the snow on some B.C. trails. – Jesse Unke
“Now that I have a baby at home, things have changed,” said Unke. “I want to be home for dinner time, story time, bath time, so I started saying ‘come get a workout with me’. People started joining me and we made a LinkedIn group.”
The hikes start with a group photo at the bottom as well as a topic of discussion for the journey up.
“It’s a great way to build your network. At the bottom we go around so people can say what organization they are with, how they got tied to the hike club, and then we have a topic of discussion that is figured out ahead of time. It can be how to deal with risk management, your approach to retaining staff,” said Unke.
The group then can chat about the topic on the way up and share ideas.
“It has been great because it has allowed me to stay in touch with folks, meet new people and get a workout at the same time,” said Unke. “I have nothing against getting a beer, but with a young baby, I want to be home in the evenings.”
Unke noted that regular exercise has been a critical part of maintaining his physical and mental health in a stressful industry.
“It’s just as much physical as it is mental. You get some fresh air, clear your head. I do some of my best thinking while hiking and since it’s a Sunday, I am thinking about the coming week. It’s an energizing way to end one week and begin another,” said Unke. “It’s an outlet to get rid of stress, clear the head, challenge myself to reach certain milestones in fitness as well as with pursuing a project or client in my professional goals.”
Unke added that the social distancing required during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic showed him how important face-to-face networking is.
“Trying to network over Teams and Zoom was awkward and painful,” he said. “When doing in person, this can be more informal, you read body language, things are more organic. Networking in engineering and construction is important because the construction is about relationships. You want to work with people you can trust and rely on.”
Unke stressed that while the group is mostly made up of construction and engineering professionals, all are welcome and encouraged to join the LinkedIn group.
Key Takeaways:
Employers want diverse spaces with added functional amenities that create a “home away from home” for workers.
Biophilic designs have become increasingly crucial for promoting mental health.
Hootsuite has successfully drawn employees back to the office by investing in recording studios, cozy pods, inviting lounges, and well-stocked kitchens.
Rather than being homogenous, spaces are now designed with flexibility as a cornerstone, featuring collaborative workspaces, hot desking options, and functional areas.
The Whole Story:
What does the modern office look like?
Real estate and design experts gathered in Vancouver, B.C. to tackle that question at a roundtable discussion on the workplace of the future and current trends in office design.
Lee shared that gone are the days of traditional office spaces. To cater to Vancouver’s changing workforce, especially as more employees return to the office, employers are now looking at diverse spaces with added functional amenities, like pods, to accommodate various work and collaboration needs.
The event featured a special look at Marco Polo, a state-of-the-art lifestyle business hub featuring AAA strata office units. – Gryphon
She noted that dynamic and adaptable workspaces are also being favoured over offices with static walls. Offices that emphasize modular furniture and walls foster a more versatile and responsive environment, which resonates with a wide variety of potential tenants.
Lee also shared that biophilic designs have become increasingly crucial for promoting mental health, as exemplified in the design philosophy of Marco Polo, such as speakers that mimic natural sounds.
Moving into 2024, Emily stated that “hotelification” of office spaces, turning offices into a luxurious “home away from home”, will be a key trend with a wide array of wellness offerings that will continue to be popular.
Bringing softer vibes into the office with the utilization of strategically chosen materials and finishes plays an integral role in employees wanting to stay and work in the office. Lee explained that these well-rounded spaces give the end-users the flexibility to customize their experience based on their individual preferences, making it more enticing to come back to work.
Waldmann shared Hootsuite’s strategic emphasis on providing employees the autonomy to choose their work environment, be it from the comfort of their homes or within the office premises.
She stated that Hootsuite has successfully drawn employees back to the office by investing in enticing amenities, including recording studios, cozy pods, inviting lounges, and well-stocked kitchens brimming with a variety of snacks.
These amenities, thoughtfully tailored to individual preferences, coupled with initiatives fostering human connection, address the inherent longing for interpersonal relationships among employees who have been working remotely. Coming out of the pandemic, Hootsuite consolidated three Vancouver offices into a singular, innovative workspace. Departing from traditional desk configurations, the company has introduced flexible workspaces, incorporating lounges, pods, and dedicated focus areas. This approach affords employees a diverse range of workspaces to choose from, enhancing both productivity and well-being.
Waldmann also shared that incorporating forward-thinking trends such as individual stall washrooms, Braille signage, and mobility amenities will be critical, cultivating a work environment that prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
Burgar shared that for the tech industry, individuals want environments that foster creativity; thus, having dedicated spaces tailored to their innovative needs is hugely important. He also shared that the surge in Vancouver’s tech market necessitates the development of spaces not only to accommodate the growing influx but also to retain talent by offering amenities like gyms and food courts that contribute to a vibrant city lifestyle.
Dan is currently working on creating a 150,000-square-foot innovation hub to bring entrepreneurs, creators, and start-ups together to turn Vancouver into one of the world leaders in technology and share optimism about the future of the tech industry in Vancouver. Dan explained that it is essential for office spaces to be intentional, cultivating specific “vibes,” bringing souls into the spaces where they work, and building small neighbourhoods and communities within larger areas to enhance the overall work and living experience.
Ollek highlighted a notable surge in employees returning to the office, emphasizing the growing necessity for adaptable work environments. Recognizing that a company’s functionality is intricately tied to the spaces they inhabit, businesses are strategically opting for a diverse range of office setups. This includes the incorporation of private offices catering to executive teams and open-layout workspaces fostering collaborative efforts among employees. Ollek underlined the pivotal role played by amenities in the workspace, which has been a driving force in enticing employees back to the office.
According to Ollek, this trend gained momentum in the latter half of 2023 and is anticipated to persist throughout 2024. Notably, spaces are now designed with flexibility as a cornerstone, featuring collaborative workspaces, hot desking options, and functional areas that align with the evolving needs of tenants. A palpable shift is observed as tenants actively seek changes in how they utilize their spaces, prompting intentional and tailored designs for workspaces.
2023 was a busy year for B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon as he helped get several major pieces of housing legislation passed and he has his eyes on more reforms. With so much movement on speeding up construction, SiteNews caught up with the minister to talk construction barriers, prompt payment, his own experiences in the trades and much more.
SiteNews: B.C. has been on a massive run of legislative reforms to speed up the development and construction of homes. What sort of effort did it take to get these reforms across the finish line?
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon: These changes are a reflection of the basic concept that we can’t do the same thing and expect different results. We know the system needs reform and we started engaging in that better path back in 2018. Premier Eby made it clear that we need change because things are not working for too many people. Our staff worked around the clock and stakeholders worked with us aggressively to ensure that we land on the right policies.
What do you feel is the biggest barrier to home construction in the province and what are the next major ones B.C. is looking to address in the coming years?
There are process barriers that we are reforming through legislation. This means getting to decisions quicker. One of the biggest frustrations is we develop these community plans and then require projects to go through an extensive process again. That is why we are reforming the process, including CACs and ACCS. We have also moved to allow housing as-of-right to ensure we get housing faster. Then there is the actual construction. We have to find ways to build differently. We are looking at allowing single-egress stairs. We are looking at mass timber to allow housing to be built much quicker because we know it can be built with less people, as we will have a labour shortage for the next few years. So there is the process side and the construction side and we are working on both at the same time.
Tell me about the role data and modeling played in crafting some of B.C.’s policies. I understand you looked at Washington State and New Zealand. The province also worked with economic and planning experts to analyze potential impacts.
The policies that were brought into place, we believe, are best practices across North America. Our BC Housing advisory group recommended many of the things that we have done. We also looked at Ontario’s housing reports and incorporated things from both reports. We also brought in economists to quantify the economic impacts, but that analysis didn’t drive the changes. It was nearly there to ensure that what we were doing aligned with the targets we want.
Many in B.C.’s construction sector are frustrated that prompt payment legislation has yet to be passed in the province. Is this something that is on the ministry’s radar and do you have any updates on this?
The attorney general is actually leading this and they started just now on engagement, getting the scope of the problem and a possible path for us here in B.C. but that is being led by the AG and not the Ministry of Housing.
I read that your father worked at a sawmill. How did this impact your view on people who work blue collar jobs in construction, manufacturing etc.?
I was raised on jobs that required hard work, rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. After I graduated high school, I thought about maybe taking a year off. My dad said ‘great’ and sent me off to work for a company installing new windows in old homes. I worked for a plumbing company digging ditches in the winter to lay pipes. It gave me a real good understanding of the amount of work it takes to build housing and how hard that work is. I have many family in the trades or homebuilding sector so it is a comfortable space for me to be in. It is critically important for building the housing and important infrastructure in our communities.
Of all the skilled trades in the construction sector, if you had to choose one to learn, which one would it be and why?
There’s something wonderful, beautiful and artistic about being an architect and designing some of these homes. If I took one trade, I’d say it would be frame just because you can see something put up and into a structure. I enjoyed plumbing work but it was a bit to challenging for me. Maybe I’d have to revisit it again so plumbing would be my third.
Priestly crews conduct night work for the Essa Road Interchange/ Highway 400 Overpass Replacement project in Barrie, Ont.
PCL Construction / Mitch MacMaster
Member’s of PCL’s Special Projects team meet with some otters at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. PCL was involved in the facility’s redevelopment, constructing larger, more complex habitats for the bighorn sheep, muskox and river otters.
Henry Foundation Drilling
Henry Foundation superintendent Rick Dalkeith works hard drilling a battered pile as part of a bridge construction project.
Whitemud Ironworks / Mikaul Maygard
Crews make progress on the massive the new Lake City Studios in Burnaby, B.C.
VINCI Construction / Matthieu Longhini
A horse and carriage rolls over the recently completed Calgary Ring Road.
Orion Construction
The sun rises over the recently completed Empire Business Park, constructed by Orion and developed by Cedar Coast.
Lafarge Canada
Lafarge Canada’s cement trucks are getting into the Christmas spirit for holiday parades
PCL / EllisDon
PCL Construction and EllisDon have been mass excavating in front of Centre Block in preparation for the new Parliament Welcome Centre.
The shot of the month goes to …
Province of B.C.
Ministry of Transportation crews prep the Port Mann Bridge in Surrey for winter weather.
Cesar Boccardo, Bird Construction’s senior digital construction coordinator, has received the Digitalization Strategy Award by Building Transformations. Boccardo said the award holds a special place in his heart, and receiving it feels like a dream come true.
Jeffrey Busby has been named TransLink’s new COO. Busby has led the crown corporation’s engineering team for the past few years.
Jeffrey Busby
Kent Ferguson is Suncor Energy’s new senior vice president of strategy, sustainability and corporate development after spending 23 years at RBC.
I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and warm wishes as I embark on a new journey in my professional career. I look forward to working with the UCPG board and the entire UCPG team to build on the success that has been University District and help bring University Innovation Quarter to life.
Novy Cheema, president and CEO, University of Calgary Properties Group
Austin Lee has started a new position as operations manager at Industra Construction. Lee will work closely with the vice president of operations, all project managers and all superintendents on a routine basis, bridging the gap between management and field operations.
Balraj Mann, president of BM Group of Companies, has been named the H.D. Stafford Good Citizen of the Year by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce for his philanthropic efforts.
Balraj Mann, BM Group President, attends a fundraiser for Langley Memorial Hospital. – Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation
This recognition, presented annually by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, is a reflection of your exceptional efforts and the positive influence you’ve had on Langley. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour, and thank you for your continued contributions to the community.
BM Group of Companies
Troy Farmer is celebrating 25 years with Bosa Construction where he works as a finishing carpenter foreman. Bosa used these words to describe him: loyalty. results. mentorship. Grit.
He does things the right way, without cutting corners. He goes above and beyond to ensure the product is installed above quality standards. He truly lives and breathes carpentry and is always willing to teach.
Troy Farmer’s team
Matthew McGee has joined Environ-Ex Contracting as vice president of strategic partnerships and client success. He brings with him a wealth of experience in managing large-scale construction projects. The company says he will be at the forefront of expansion efforts.
Gregg Lintern, Toronto’s chief planner, is leaving city hall this month. His colleagues say he will be remembered as one of the most transformative people in the role, helping champion efforts to increase housing density.
Warren Singh, centre, meets with government officials and other leaders in his first few weeks as executive director of the Alberta Construction Association. – Alberta Construction Association
Doug Porozni has announced he will retire at the end of the year as chairman of Ronmore Developers. Doug thanked his partners at Ronmor for their 25+ years of support and providing the opportunity to participate in a variety of development projects in Western Canada.
During his incredible career with Ronmor, Doug transformed the company as we know it today. His keen understanding of the real estate ‘deal’ and his unwavering work ethic allowed Ronmor to grow in unimaginable areas. He truly became the face of Ronmor. It will be a face we will continue to see, but one that we will miss at Ronmor.
Kim Corea has been promoted to chief financial officer at Ecora.
Congratulations to Kim Corea on her well-deserved promotion to CFO at Ecora! Starting as our Director of Finance, Kim has consistently showcased exceptional talent and dedication, playing a pivotal role in steering our financial strategies.
Kelly Sherman, principal and founder, Ecora Group of Companies
Tim Visscher is celebrating 15 years with Wesgroup Properties. Visscher joined Wesgroup in 2008 as a project manager and now works as construction manager.
As we celebrate this milestone in Tim’s career, we extend our deepest appreciation for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and the positive impact he has had on our organization.
Fort Modular has become one of the largest, most successful modular construction specialists in B.C.
Despite this growth, the owners believe that keeping their family-business culture intact is the key to continued success.
The company also believes strongly that there is no substitute for experience, and their decades in the sector allow them to outperform newcomers to the space.
The Whole Story:
Fort Modular is on a trajectory for major growth as modular construction becomes more accepted as a way to rapidly build homes, student accommodations, remote work camps, indigenous infrastructure, social amenities and other projects.
After a decade in business and acquiring assets from several other companies in the modular space, Fort is now the largest locally- and privately-owned modular building supplier in B.C. But as they expand, Fort’s leaders are determined to maintain the family-owned company values that got them there.
Staying small while growing big
Originally established with a focus on renovations and rentals, the company has since expanded operations to include new custom-built structures and permanent solutions to serve a wider array of clients. Fort operates out of a 40,000-square-foot facility located on a five-acre site in Aldergrove and now owns a 17-acre location in Barrière to further cement its reach.
Despite all this growth, brothers and company owners Bryan and Mark DePedrina are adamant that Fort doesn’t become bogged down with corporate complexity and bureaucracy.
The pair have lived and breathed modular work ever since they were kids. Their father got into the modular construction business back in the 1980s and the brothers worked there for a decade, doing projects as far away as Louisiana, Alaska, Russia and Japan.
After their father’s company was bought out, Bryan and Mark decided to go against its new corporate culture and form their own business in 2013. They’ve never looked back. In fact, by coincidence they now work out of the same factory site their father did.
“We are trying to maintain some of those ‘mom and pop’ values while we take the company to the next level,” said Mark. “It can be a challenge, and when all the new people join us, that’s exactly what I tell them. We can’t have it so corporate that everyone feels as if their hands are tied. We empower our employees to do what they were hired to do without micromanaging. These are the things that brought us success in the past and we need to continue with it even through a growth period.”
Bryan explained that this approach allows Fort to move faster than other modular providers by making common sense decisions as our team has direct access to the owners.
“This ‘get it done’ mentality has been a huge reason for our growth on both fronts, custom manufacturing and rentals,” he said.
One of Fort Modular’s units is air lifted into Lytton, B.C. – Fort Modular
Knowing the details
The DePedrinas have been about modular from day one.
“For me, it’s all I’ve done,” said Bryan. “I’ve never had a job outside the industry.”
The brothers believe this in-depth knowledge is another reason for their success.
“Bryan and I did our time in the factory and in the field,” said Mark. “We know. We’ve done this. We’ve seen all aspects of it because we’ve grown up in it. So there’s another level of confidence. We can tell if people’s modular construction project ideas will be successful or not right away. We also educate them about the challenges they may have to face for a successful outcome.”
They noted that many have seen headlines about large, flashy modular projects and tried to enter the space assuming it will be easy.
“We understand what we’re selling, but I feel like there’s a lot of fly-by-nighters right now,” said Bryan. “All the sudden, everyone is a modular provider even though they’re basically acting as brokers and have never been in the industry. You look at these scenarios and you feel bad. Someone is going to learn the tough way about going with an inexperienced group for their large-scale project, which in turn will hurt the industry as a whole.”
Fort also prides itself on being able to provide that expertise to customers without having to go through layers and layers of bureaucracy.
“I think the biggest thing for our clients is our ability to answer questions and make decisions quickly to get things done effectively,” said Bryan. “Fort’s owners are right there in the office. It happens in 30 seconds instead of three months.”
Leadership changes
Diversification has been part of Fort’s strategic strength.
“We have a two-pronged approach to our business with two income streams,” said Bryan. “We have the rental division and the manufacturing division. if you are purely a manufacturer and things slow down you’re taking some punches to the face. It can be very detrimental to the business. Since we have our rental division it can be a bonus. We can build our own inventory during these gaps and breaks. We can avoid the ramping up and down of operations and instead have a steady flow of production.”
The latest part of Fort’s growth strategy has been hiring renowned modular expert Rick Welch as vice president of its permanent modular division and promoting company veteran Greg Tymchyna to vice president, rentals & fleet. Fort believes this will strengthen both parts of its business.
Tymchyna has been with Fort Modular for 5 years, with 15 years experience in rental and fleet management prior.
Welch has over 30 years of experience in modular construction with a versatile background in education, commercial, industrial, housing and hospitality markets. Bryan and Mark said he is one of the most knowledgeable people in the entire country when it comes to modular structures and will bring a wealth of knowledge to Fort’s operations.
They added that during Tymchyna’s years at Fort, he has embraced the company’s culture, making him an excellent person to lead part of the business.
“While we’re experiencing all this growth and pushing the boundaries, we are still holding true to our core values and beliefs, which has been the best thing about Fort Modular,” said Tymchyna. “And it’s just so much fun. The owners are our friends. We are a family. We are living and working a dream job.”
The DePedrinas believe these leadership changes will help set them up for future success as the growth continues.
“The idea behind some of these hires is to alleviate some of the day-to-day operational work so we can do higher-level decision making and take us to the next level,” said Bryan.
Attracting talent
Arguably one of the nation’s foremost experts in the field of modular construction, Welch felt Fort was the best place for him to be.
“Fort Modular is the fastest growing modular company in B.C. and is a good personal fit for me. The company is privately owned by like-minded brothers, Bryan, and Mark DePedrina,” he said. “Both are long-time modular industry professionals with a proven track record for integrity, humility, partnerships, and customer accountability. Fort Modular’s reputation for their positive work culture also makes it easy to attract and empower employees.”
“The modular industry needs to recognize what it does well: deliver the modular buildings. Unfortunately, some have tried to become a developer or a large general contractor,” said Welch. “So you start competing against stick-build general contractors as opposed to partnering with them.”
If you are looking for a modular specialist to help you rent or build, contact Fort’s team of specialists here. And those who are looking to join Fort’s unique company culture, information about careers can be found here.
With the end of 2023 in sight, it’s time to start planning your schedule for 2024. Here are some fast approaching events you want to keep on your radar for the new year.
CCA Annual Conference
The 2024 CCA Annual Conference is taking place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at the Paradisus Palma Real Golf and Resort on March 12-15, 2024. The event will bring together leaders from across the country for incredible content, networking and to celebrate Canadian Construction Association (CCA) member accomplishments through the group’s National Awards program (you can nominate a deserving candidate for one of nine categories here).
Wood Solutions Conference – Ottawa / Calgary
The Canadian Wood Council will host a Wood Solutions conference in Ottawa. It will take place Feb. 1, 2024, at the Shaw Centre. Attendees can learn about the latest in wood innovations from presenters and make industry connections. There will also be a wood design conference and trade show for Alberta which will take place in Calgary and is being hosted by WoodWorks Alberta on January 16, 2024. The specialized design and construction conference is dedicated to showcasing innovative advancements and applications for wood products and building systems in design and construction. It will feature leading-edge experts. The venue is Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre.
Navigating Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects
This conference features two days of workshops, case studies and lectures on managing risk in construction. It will feature talks on negotiation skills, supply chains, liens, payment rights, competitive bidding and more. The event takes place Feb 22-23 at the Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel in Toronto. For those who aren’t out east, there is also a Western Canada version in Edmonton Jan. 24-25.
The Construction Expo
The Construction Expo connects buyers and suppliers; planners and contractors; companies and designers – all in the construction industry. The event will focus on innovation, trends, quality materials, contemporary architecture, green technologies and solutions. In addition to exhibitors, the event will features construction seminars. The event takes place in Surrey, B.C. at the Cloverdale Agriplex Building April 6-7.
BUILDEX Vancouver
This is not one to miss for Western Canada. The event features expert-led programming, continuing education credits, exhibits from leading suppliers and industry networking. But if you can’t attend in person, BUILDEX On Demand allows professionals to watch educational sessions and production demonstrations on demand after the show. The event takes place Feb. 14-15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The Canadian Concrete Expo
This national trade show is jam-packed with all the industry essentials. It will feature more than 350 exhibitors, draws a crowd of more than 8,000 and has 300,000 square feet of show floor. It includes conference sessions, live demos and stage presentations. Organizers say they are expanding for 2024 and are bringing back the large equipment demonstrations. The expo takes place Feb. 14-15 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.
CEGQ Convention
Hosted by the Corporation des Entrepreneurs Généraux du Québec, the conference programming combines both a training component, with conferences and expert panels, and a more interactive component, with discussion sessions following each presentation. Throughout the conference, more than 30 expert speakers will address various issues in the construction industry, both at the technical and legal levels and in project management. The event takes place Feb. 14-16 at the Trois-Rivières Delta in Trois-Rivières, Que.
OCA Construction Symposium & Trade Show
The Ottawa Construction Association, along with its eight supporting associations, is hosting its fourth-annual Construction Symposium and Trade Show event at Ottawa’s E.Y. Centre, April, 27. It features a full-day of topical presentations combined with a trade-show floor of 160 exhibitors. Session topics include construction law, cybersecurity, AI, decarbonization and more.
Regional Oil Sands Operating Alliance (ROA) has announced the launch of its industry focused business portal, ROA Supplier Gateway, that will help connect industry suppliers with leading producers in the Alberta Oil Sands Region.
ROA Supplier Gateway will allow businesses from across Canada to register and gain access to opportunities with its participating partners: Suncor Energy, Cenovus Energy, ConocoPhillips Canada, and Imperial Oil. The ROA Supplier Gateway aims to play a pivotal role in fostering opportunity, valuable collaborations, innovation, and supplier inclusion.
“We are proud to offer a new innovative portal for the business community as a way to connect suppliers to our participating producers and reduce barriers of entry including access to relevant industry information, a list of available opportunities, and direct support through our help centre,” said Mark Morrison, chair Regional Oil Sands Operating Alliance. “ROA Supplier Gateway will focus on collaboration, building capability, and increasing exposure for small and medium businesses.”
ROA Supplier Gateway features include a personalized dashboard for all registered businesses, a resource library, an event listing, a business spotlight section and more. All businesses operating within Canada that are interested in gaining access to new opportunities within the Alberta Oil Sands Region with participating partners are invited to register.
“ROA Supplier Gateway is a key resource that’ll increase the ability of businesses within the Oil Sands industry, like Suncor, to connect with a more diverse set of suppliers,” said Steve Hogan, senior vice president, supply chain & field logistics, Suncor Energy. “I believe the efficiency and transparency inherent to the portal will drive innovation and expansion among our supplier base and will ultimately create a more competitive landscape throughout the Oil Sands.”
SiteNews is proud to announce Construction’s Most Influential People, a new awards program that will honour outstanding individuals who are impacting the construction sector.
The annual program will shine a spotlight on Canadians having a massive positive impact on the built environment and the construction process. They are thought leaders, innovators, wizened veterans, young disruptors, politicians, legal masters, inventors, trades advocates and more.
Why it matters
The SiteNews team noted that they want to cast a wide net to capture exceptional individuals that might be getting missed by other awards.
“Most Influential will be open to all ages, all disciplines and all regions of the country,” said Russell Hixson, SiteNews editor. “We want to leave no stone unturned when it comes to celebrating the men and women who are pushing construction forward.”
The SiteNews team explained that there are so many different roles and responsibilities that go into getting a project built, that there should be a holistic program to recognizing excellence. These roles include tradespeople, supervisors, educators, lawyers, engineers, financial experts, investors, technologists, developers, architects, researchers, politicians and more.
How will winners be chosen
The criteria and process are simple. Winners will be those in any industry, position or discipline whose efforts are generating a positive impact on the construction sector. SiteNews will be soliciting nominations from the industry and winners will be chosen by a panel of SiteNews staff.
This includes SiteNews co-founders Andrew Hansen and Brett Rutledge, and Hixson, who have spent their careers saturated in the construction sector in a wide range of roles. The team noted that they plan to build on the success of SiteNews’ 25 Innovators in Construction awards program, which recognized companies, by zooming in on individuals.
Coming together
Encouraged by their 25 Innovators in Construction awards event that maxed out capacity in Vancouver earlier this year, the SiteNews team is planning to take its in-person events one step further by hosting a celebration for Most Influential winners. More details will be released on this in the coming months.
To nominate someone you think is deserving, fill out this form. Winners will be announced early next year.
Ghella
Ghella crews lift part of a tunnel boring machine at the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project.
Shindico
Asphalt placement has officially begun at 990 Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg, marking a significant milestone in the construction of Shindico‘s flex building at Grant Park Pavilions.
AECOM
AECOM celebrated the start of passenger service on the $1.8 billion Valley Line Southeast Light Rail Transit line. AECOM served as lead of the owner’s engineer team.
JEN COL
The JEN COL crew is hard at work on the initial phases of the new Fort McMurray 468 First Nation’s Nikinan Community Building, making the most of the sunny weather on the site shores of Greoire Lake in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Axiom Builders
Crews celebrate the structural completion of Building 1B at RC at CF Richmond Centre. So far, the Axiom team has excavated a total of 300,000m3 of dirt and installed 16,500 metric tonnes of rebar.
Drew Monnier / Graham
Crews work on the Portage la Prairie Bypass project. Traffic driving is now driving in all directions after 18 months of work. Graham said it worked closely with Meseyton Construction Ltd., many other key trade partners, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) and Dillon Consulting Limited.
Teleo
Eddie Duff, a veteran operator with John Aarts Group in Ontario, loads a concrete plant with Teleo‘s remotely-operated heavy machine technology, a first for the concrete industry.
Emil Anderson Construction
Emil Anderson Construction crews are getting treated to fall colours at the Jaffray Overhead project. The team the midst of installing two new bridges just outside of Jaffray, B.C.
Chandos
Chandos crews have unearthed hundreds of fossils during excavation work for cables and piping in Edmonton, Alta. They include evidence of dinosaurs, prehistoric plants, extinct horses, bison, and elk. Chandos worked with their archaeology partners, Aeon Paleo, to safely remove the remains so its team could continue work.
Apprentice electrician Dee Durant enjoys a sunset from her jobsite in Oakville, Ont.
Jacob Bros
A Jacob Bros worker lifts a piece of pipe for the Gilbert Trunk Sewer – Phase 2 South Project in Richmond B.C.
DSM Excavation and Contracting
Bright lights, big trucks and falling rain make a great combo. DSM Excavation and Contracting announced plans to to expand its trucking division with some epic evening vehicle shots.
The shot of the month goes to…
BC Hydro
Crews use a 550-tonne crane to install three transmission towers on the intakes at the Site C Dam in B.C. Eleven towers and three new transmission lines will send electricity generated inside the powerhouse to the nearby substation. The three-layered background of white sky, grey water and brown earth is beautiful. The orange-clad workers in the foreground pop against it, suspended in the sky. Truly an epic shot!
Key Takeaways:
SiteNews’ newsletter is expanding with another weekly email, Talent Thursdays.
It will feature popular topics around the ‘people’ part of construction, including professional updates, job postings, in-person events, labour data and more.
The SiteNews team believes Talent Thursdays will streamline its existing newsletter and provide valuable insight for subscribers.
The Whole Story:
One year after launch, SiteNews is expanding to better fulfill its mission to equip, educate and elevate the Canadian construction sector.
To serve its thousands of newsletter subscribers and respond to industry trends, the digital publication’s team is launching a second newsletter blast, Talent Thursdays. The weekly email will spotlight everything to do with labour and professional development in construction.
It will feature weekly People Moves, which gives updates on hiring, promotions, retirements and awards. Subscribers will get data, studies and updates on the efforts to recruit, train and retain workers. It will also include Hot Jobs, a regular round-up of high-level construction job postings.
SiteNews stated that their own analytics show there is high demand for stories and content centered around people and their work. This includes job postings, personal achievements, in-person events and information on how to address the industry’s workforce challenges.
With so much news and information coming out about Canadian construction, the team also wanted to make sure content is streamlined, focused and useful for subscribers.
“We’re really inspired by the sense of community we’ve encountered over the last year. The industry genuinely loves celebrating the people who bring these projects to life,” said Brett Rutledge, SiteNews co-founder. “Construction isn’t just about buildings; it’s about the individuals and the relationships they form. This newsletter is a tribute to that human element.”
According to BuildForce Canada, overall hiring requirements in the industry are expected to exceed 299,000 by 2032 due to the retirement of approximately 245,000 workers (20% of the 2022 labour force) and growth in worker demand of more than 54,000. They are predicting a possible retirement-recruitment gap of more than 61,000 workers.
SiteNews editor Russell Hixson explained that getting enough skilled workers to meet construction demand has easily emerged as one of the industry’s biggest challenges.
“It’s a complete misconception that anybody can walk onto a jobsite and do construction work. The complexity, size and performance requirements for the built environment are skyrocketing,” he said. “This requires sophisticated, skilled workers. These people take years and years to create and many workers with these skills are reaching retirement age.”
Hixson noted that as technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, prefabrication and more become adopted, jobsites will require workers with even broader technical skills.
To subscribe to Talent Thursdays and SiteNews’ weekly flagship newsletter for free, visit here.
