Category: Technology

Key Takeaways:

• B.C. is investing $2 million to establish a state-of-the-art battery innovation centre at UBC Okanagan, aimed at advancing battery technology and enhancing the province’s battery supply chain.
• The centre will be the first in Western Canada dedicated to testing and scaling up next-generation battery technologies, which promise improved energy density, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• The centre will boost regional economic development by supporting a circular battery supply chain, utilizing locally available materials to reduce reliance on overseas minerals, and contributing to the clean-energy transition through the production of commercial-scale pouch cells.

The Whole Story:

B.C. is contributing $2 million through its Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund to establish a battery innovation centre at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO).

This cutting-edge facility will focus on research and development of new battery technologies, advancing B.C.’s battery supply-chain sector and growing the Okanagan region’s role as a battery and critical-mineral hub.

“The battery innovation centre is a monumental step forward for British Columbia’s clean-energy transition, demonstrating the quality, leading-edge work emerging from the sector,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “People and industry are increasingly relying on battery-powered devices for cellphones, electric vehicles, medical equipment and more. This project will see multiple benefits, opening up new research and development opportunities and creating quality jobs for British Columbians.”

The battery innovation centre will be the first of its kind in Western Canada, serving as a critical hub for testing and scaling up next-generation battery technologies that have the potential to offer increased energy density, higher safety, and lower-cost alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.

In addition, the centre will support regional economic development through the battery sector’s circular supply chain, incorporating battery recycling and metal processing in the Kootenay region, battery manufacturing in the Lower Mainland, and critical mineral mining throughout B.C. Locally available materials, such as sulphur from mining and oil refineries, and tellurium recycled from smelting wastes, will be used to reduce the reliance on overseas critical minerals and support domestic production.

“We are grateful to the government of B.C. for this significant investment in the Battery Innovation Centre,” said Lesley Cormack, principal, UBC Okanagan. “Effective energy storage is a critical element of a low-carbon energy future and the work of our research team has already improved Canada’s battery supply chain. This investment will elevate that work even further by providing the necessary space to create and test battery prototypes on a larger scale.”

B.C.’s $2-million investment will go toward construction and equipment costs for a 2,000-square-foot pilot pouch cell facility within the battery innovation centre. The facility will produce commercial-scale pouch cells for use in medical devices and other applications.

Technology is moving at a blistering pace. 

Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digitization and smart devices have exploded and tech companies that serve the industrial sector are popping up left and right.

Sorting through the hype to find something that suits your needs is nearly an impossible task.  

For the past year, full-service technology consulting firm SiteTechnology has been helping industrial businesses keep up by making sure they don’t have to go on that journey alone.  

While it’s easy for large, multi-billion dollar enterprises with deep pockets and lots of staff, medium operations looking to modernize and scale up face a daunting task. With limited time and resources, they can’t afford to waste it on efforts that don’t work. 

SiteTechnology aims to fill that need and guide businesses to success. The full-service technology consulting firm is focused on building long-term partnerships with clients, helping them identify and implement technology solutions that make a real difference to their bottom-line.

Each engagement is tailored to an individual client’s needs, but generally it falls into one of five categories:

1. Digital Advisory: helping to understand, assess and recommend technology solutions to your challenges.

2. Business Applications: implementing software (CRM, ERP, PMIS, and other acronyms), and developing custom applications.

3. Automation & AI: developing automated solutions for repetitive business processes.

4. Data & Analytics: making data more accessible and relevant to help you make better decisions.

5. Managed IT Services: protecting your business, and helping make your team more productive.

We caught up with Brandon Peterson, President of SiteTechnology, to learn about the challenges companies face when looking to digitize their business and his team’s unique approach. 

SiteNews: Tell me about your background and how you got into tech and the industrial sector. 

Peterson: I’ve always been an entrepreneur, running my own businesses since I was a teenager. While I was running those businesses I had to solve my own tech problems—learning customer relationship management (CRM) software, doing software development, running accounting systems. Eventually I began doing that for other businesses with similar problems. I’ve worked in internal positions as well as an outside consultant and was always involved in a whole variety of platforms related to CRMs, custom software, IT management, infrastructure, basically anything that a business needs to scale to the next level and solve a problem. That’s where I like to get my hands dirty and what really led to SiteTechnology. And there is a huge impact that can be made in the industrial sector. Manufacturing, mining, oil, gas, and construction alone accounted for more than 25% of Canada’s GDP in 2020. And there is a huge digital gap there so this work can make a big difference. 

What unique challenges do lower and mid-market companies face when trying to modernize their operations?

One of the biggest challenges is just how many digital products there are in the market and it’s only going to keep growing. And artificial intelligence, everyone’s hot topic right now, makes it more complicated. Does a solution integrate with AI? Will your business see cost savings? Will it make things more efficient? You don’t know who to listen to and that creates a need for a trusted advisor to tell you what parts of the market you can ignore, to bring that experience from working with other clients and help you implement something that is going to pay off. We come from a place of understanding your business. We slow down and take the time to know who your customers are. It is impossible to sift through it all on your own and do the research from scratch. 

Why is having a trusted advisor important and what does SiteTechnology do to earn that trust? 

We do it by being very long-term oriented with the customer. We will work with you and your team for years. Most of our clients we have had since the beginning and there are many years to go. The journey of technology transition is never done and we would never want to think short term and just quickly sell a solution that won’t be beneficial in the long term. That’s what being a trusted advisor is. It’s about approaching each client uniquely and making sure we are solving their specific problem and not imposing the same solution to everyone. At the end of the day, it’s all about trust. You are taking claims made by providers on trust. Just like other professional services, like a law firm or an accounting firm, we are there to help you navigate things. 

What are the most common questions or concerns you get from clients around digital adoption? 

Some clients haven’t identified exactly what they are looking to do but they know pain points. We are often trying to understand their needs, evaluate them and then give our opinion. We help them go to the market and implement something. A lot of times, clients don’t even know what’s possible out there so it’s hard for them to articulate their needs. Sometimes it is just getting an honest assessment of what their team looks like and what they have. If you are a CEO you might be frustrated with your software solutions, IT team or other partners, but you don’t necessarily know if this is what you should expect. We can be a great sounding board for determining what is or is not the problem and what you can do to improve. 

What is the importance of long term technology strategy

Technology is changing so rapidly and everywhere you turn there’s a new solution someone has heard of, or you have seen someone else with great results. The temptation is to chase all these new solutions and implement them and get moving with them, but that can be as prone to error as resisting all technology.

Technology needs to have a level of investment associated with it, KPIs, people in charge of it, ROI tracking and more so that you can evaluate if those investments are working and if it’s driving value for your business, changing customer experience, and improving efficiency. Because if it’s not and it’s just a bunch of software, you might as well go back to paper. Technology can make things simpler, but it often is a lot more complicated, especially if you are a large, growing, complex company. That’s why it’s important to evaluate it objectively and actually hold technology accountable to see if it’s delivering the results that you need. And if not, you can change your approach.

At the end of the day, you can’t tackle it all at once; it will be a journey, especially if you are a larger business. You might be in the process of transitioning from a software business run in the 90s or earlier 2000s and bringing it into the modern area. You need to have a concrete plan, a concrete level of investment, and a method to hold that to account.

Tell me about the growth of SiteTechnology over the past year

We started off with a goal: to be a full-service technology provider. We knew that would mean taking on a smaller number of clients and larger engagements. That’s exactly how things have panned out. For some of our current clients we handle everything, including managed IT services, CIO services, strategic planning, ERP and we sometimes even sit in on executive team meetings to help navigate the path forward. That growth has led to large, all-in, heavy efforts with each new engagement. We have grown significantly when it comes to the size of engagements so we are very selective of who we work with now and we want to find that right partnership. We want clients looking to partner with us in an integrated way across our service offerings. 

What is the SiteTechnology process like for assessing and guiding clients? 

We try to start off with discrete, individualized engagements where someone has a particular need and wants a trusted advisor. The scope is slimmed down but they often come with larger questions. Either way, we start with an on-site discussion before closing anything. We want to see their job sites, factories or facilities. We want to meet with their executive team, understand their business model, understand historically what they have tried, what’s worked, what hasn’t, who the key stakeholders are. We spend as much time on site as possible throughout an engagement. The vast majority of strategic work and relationship building is done in person. I think that this approach makes us different. We are oriented for the long term. We align resources to get those quick wins and then build that longer-term relationship.  

What sort of impact can digital adoption have on a business? 

Put simply, it’s about system integration. For example, in the construction sector we partner with agave to help companies connect their ERP and accounting systems with their project management systems. This ensures cost information is not duplicated and your project costs are the same no matter who is looking at it. Lots of construction companies have multiple accounting staff whose only job is duplicating costs so everyone has the same information. Integrating these systems are notoriously tricky and many just assume it’s easier to do on paper. But this is often the first step to greater integration. You also have integration of timekeeping data so timecards on projects are synced and labour costs are associated with the correct job. You can analyze your costs, improve efficiency and find areas of inefficiency. You also have cybersecurity and making sure your business is safe. Because staff have access to so many things through cloud computing, they are one of the most common attack vectors. And then you have AI and finding out which use cases are meaningful and how to leverage it to save time and improve the customer experience. 

What does a successful engagement look like for SiteTechnology?

One of our biggest success stories was working with a distributor in the agricultural space. We took over from another tech firm and had a very tight timeline. We put together a small team to work alongside them to hit a go-live for new ERP systems in eight weeks. It involved inventory and procurement and financial accounting and multiple team members on their side. We have continued to improve the functionality. That spoke to our ability to be nimble and agile when needed and work in collaboration with a client. 

If someone is interested to learn more about SiteTechnology and starting their digital journey what should they do?

If you are interested to learn more about SiteTechnology and how to start your digital journey reach out to me (Brandon@sitetechnology.com) or visit SiteTechnology.com

Key Takeaways:

• Umicore has paused the $2.8 billion project for a battery-materials manufacturing plant in Ontario and is reviewing its North American expansion plans.
• This decision is influenced by declining revenues, including the loss of an anticipated contract with a Chinese manufacturer and faster-than-expected conclusion of current contracts. The review results will be announced in the first quarter of next year.
• The Canadian and Ontario governments had pledged substantial financial support for the project, with contributions of up to $551.3 million and $424.6 million, respectively. The project was expected to generate around 1,000 construction jobs and several hundred highly skilled operational positions.

The Whole Story:

Belgian company Umicore announced on Friday that it is pausing its $2.8-billion battery-materials manufacturing plant project in Ontario.

The company, which operates in Europe and Asia, has delayed construction spending on the Loyalist, Ontario plant and initiated a review of its North American expansion plans. The results of this review will be made public in the first quarter of next year.

This decision comes as the company faces declining revenues. Last month, Umicore disclosed that an anticipated contract with a Chinese manufacturer would not come to fruition, and that current contracts were “tailing off faster than anticipated.”

Umicore officials explained that a a sharp slowdown in the growth of demand for EVs is impacting the entire supply chain and customers’ demand projections for Umicore’s battery materials have steeply declined. They expect that 2024 volumes for battery materials could be equal or slightly lower than last year.

“In recent months, short- and medium-term growth projections for the electric vehicles market have been scaled back substantially, significantly affecting Umicore’s Battery Materials business,” said Bart Sap, Umicore CEO. “Today, we share the elements of how we are adjusting to this new reality. The large impairment of our battery materials assets is painful and reflects the changed situation as we see it today. In the coming months, we will continue to thoroughly reassess our battery materials activities, with energy and an open mind, always in close alignment with our customers and partners.”

The updated guidance reflects a reduction in cathode materials sales which is driven by:

• Volumes from legacy contracts coming to an end faster than anticipated;
• A delay in the anticipated volume ramp-up of new contracts in Europe as customers are scaling back their electrification ramp-up plans. The take-or-pay mechanisms of these contracts come in gradually during ramp-up;
• The volumes for a Chinese battery OEM not materializing in 2024.

Crews broke ground on the project in October last year. Umicore stated that the facility would combine the production of precursor (pCAM) and CAM, the most critical components for a rechargeable battery’s performance. By doing this, the production facility will complete the “missing link” in North America’s EV battery value chain, from natural resources to EVs. The plant will be fully equipped to produce advanced high-nickel technologies and is prepared for future battery chemistries, including manganese-rich HLM and solid-state batteries.

The project received substantial support from the government. Based on the full scope of the envisioned project, the Government of Canada is contributing up to $551.3 million, while Ontario is supporting the project with up to $424.6 million.

During the construction phase, the plant was expected to generate approximately 1,000 employment opportunities, while several hundred highly skilled positions would be created in operations. 

According to report this summer by Goldman Sachs, the global sales momentum for EVs is slowing, with hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) becoming more competitive. Key factors contributing to this slowdown include rising concerns about EV capital costs, uncertainty around government policies, and a shortage of rapid-charging stations.

Key Takeaways:

• British Columbia Institute of Technology is incorporating collaborative robots (cobots) into their welding and metal fabrication programs.
• Students will learn to use cobots for simple tasks like pipe and structural joint welding, but critical hand skills remain essential for certification.
• Cobots can free up welders for complex tasks, potentially making BC’s manufacturing sector more competitive and creating new jobs through onshoring opportunities.

The Whole Story:

The largest trades training provider in Western Canada is introducing collaborative robots into its welding and metal fabrication programs.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology is incorporating “cobots” into the Welding and Metal Fabrication programs. A collaborative robot, or cobot, is a type of lightweight robot arm that can safely share workspaces with humans, while performing automated tasks without the use of complex programming codes. 

Mathew Smith, Director of the Centre for Welding Technologies and Metallurgy, says the cobot shows students how easy it is to implement welding automation in their everyday work. 

“Students don’t need to know anything about computer programming to be able to set the system up. Learning how to use this technology will allow them to go out into the work environment and know where and how a collaborative robot could be used,” Mathew explains. 

Cobots are commonly used to support manufacturing and assembly tasks. The lower cost, smaller size, and ease of use without specialized programming expertise make the cobot more favourable than traditional robots. The main difference between a traditional robot and a cobot is that the latter can detect human presence and adjust its behaviour accordingly.   

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 “If you’re working around a cobot, it will detect you and stop if you get on its way – making it safer to work around, whereas traditional robots don’t work that way because they have already been programmed to perform a specific task regardless of the circumstance,” explains Mathew.  

Students will be able to automate common tasks including the welding of pipe and structural joints, including groove and fillet welds. A camera has also been mounted on the robot arm to allow students to monitor the welding in real time. 

The cobot will be used to supplement the training already provided in these programs and will not replace the learning of critical hand skills required to become a certified welder in British Columbia. For example, faculty in metal trades programs are looking to introduce a project where students will build a lifting lug using as much automation as possible. The components of the lug will be cut from steel using an automated plasma table that the students will program. The lug will then be welded together using the cobot. 

“Currently, only a minimal amount of the welding work carried out in BC incorporates the use of automation,” explains Mathew. “Access and knowledge in using cobots to support the work of welders has the potential to make BC’s manufacturing environment more competitive.”  

He adds, “Workers will be able to use cobots to perform simple and repetitive welding tasks, freeing up time to work on more complex welding problems. This will allow BC to expand its manufacturing base, which will ultimately create more jobs as we become able to onshore manufacturing that is currently completed outside of the country.” 

Key Takeaways:

• Digital twins are virtual models that can help identify and solve problems before construction begins on critical infrastructure projects like hospitals, highways, and transit.
• By using digital twins to map underground utilities, the province hopes to reduce delays, cost overruns, and accidents during construction.
• Ontario is partnering with various organizations like universities and municipalities to learn from their experience with digital twins and explore wider applications of this technology.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government plans to spend $5 million testing the application and benefits of digital modelling technology, known as digital twins, to help deliver key infrastructure projects such as hospitals, highways and transit. 

“Our government is exploring innovative new technologies to help build critical infrastructure faster and more cost-effectively,” said Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure. “From start to finish, digital twins will help ensure that project partners involved in the building process have access to timely, accurate and state-of-the-art data to advance the delivery of Ontario’s infrastructure for our growing communities.”

Digital twins are virtual models of existing and planned assets that when mapped for construction projects, can be used to help identify and resolve problems before work begins. Using a digital twin for underground utilities, for example, can help reduce the risk of delays and cost overruns on projects.

The province has selected the Trillium Health Partners’ Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital redevelopment, the Ontario Place rebuild and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension to test the digital modelling technology. 

Officials noted that these projects were chosen because of their complex utility systems such as existing and planned electrical, water, gas and wastewater services. By identifying and mapping the location of these underground utilities in a virtual model, the province can help avoid costly and dangerous utility conflicts, which will help improve worker safety, save money and ensure projects are completed on time.

They aren’t the only ones: 

• Infrastructure Ontario is partnering with local and global organizations, including Toronto Metropolitan University and the United Kingdom’s Geospatial Commission, to leverage their experience with digital twins and explore solutions.
• The City of Toronto and York Region are using digital twins to monitor wear and tear on water infrastructure in real-time to support better decision-making and allocation of public resources.
• The City of Ottawa is leveraging aerial data collection and 3D mapping technology which could be used in digital modelling to enhance its urban planning and asset management programs.

Digital twins have seen some adoption outside the province. Last year, SNC Lavalin (now AtkinsRéalis) announced it had built a digital twin of Vancouver’s Canada Line transit system. They use it determine what future work needs to be done and to avoid future issues. This is particularly important as the track runs 21 hours a day and repairs can only be done during a brief window.

Key Takeaways:

• Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR) is partnering with Nucor, a major rebar installer, to integrate ACR’s robotic rebar tying solution, TyBOT, into Nucor’s operations.
• The collaboration aims to enhance job site safety by reducing physical strain on workers. It also suggests that TyBOT can increase productivity and improve overall efficiency in rebar installation.
• The agreement highlights a growing industry interest in using advanced technologies to improve construction processes.

The Whole Story:

Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR), announced it has entered into an agreement with Nucor Rebar Fabrication, Inc. (Nucor), North America’s largest fabricator and installer of rebar. This partnership will introduce cutting-edge technologies into Nucor’s operations.

Nucor Rebar Fabrication will be integrating TyBOT, ACR’s robotic rebar tying solution, with its crew for rebar installation projects, with the first unit being delivered to Washington State. Officials say the partnership will augment Nucor’s crews by increasing productivity, reducing physical strain on workers, and improving job site safety in a seamless integration of innovation and efficiency.

Danielle Proctor, President and CEO of Advanced Construction Robotics, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are excited to partner with Nucor, a company that shares our vision for innovation and excellence in the construction industry. This partnership not only demonstrates Nucor’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies but also sets a new standard for efficiency and safety in rebar installation.”

Stephen Muck, Founder and Executive Chairman of ACR, added, “Through this partnership, we are not just integrating TyBOT into Nucor’s operations; we are also setting the stage for a broader adoption of construction robotics across the industry. Our mission has always been to enhance the capabilities of construction crews with advanced technology, and this collaboration with Nucor is a testament to the industry’s readiness for change. We are proud to be at the forefront of this evolution.”

This partnership between ACR and Nucor Rebar Fabrication not only highlights a shared commitment to safety and advancing construction technology, but also marks a significant milestone in the commercialization and distribution of robotic solutions. 

“As a leader in the industry, partnering with ACR allows us to enhance job site safety for our team and brings much needed innovation to the industry,” said Chad Beard, president Nucor Rebar Fabrication.

Key Takeaways:

• Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is investing in NUQO Modular, a company building affordable housing and childcare facilities specifically for Indigenous communities in Canada.
• NUQO will use the investment to not only accelerate affordable housing construction but also launch modular childcare and education facilities.
• NUQO prioritizes cultural sensitivity in their designs, offers a welcoming work environment for women in construction, and uses sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact.

The Whole Story:

NUQO Modular and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners have announced an investment partnership they believe could revolutionize the landscape of affordable housing and child-care solutions across Canada.

“Raven is thrilled to support the next phase of NUQO’s growth and development as it expands its offerings of innovative, sustainable, and culturally grounded modular spaces in the housing, child-care and education sectors,” said Stephen Nairne, chief investment officer of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners.

NUQO Modular, woman-led, Indigenous-owned company specializing in modular construction, has received a multi-million-dollar investment from Raven Indigenous Capital, a leading investor in Indigenous and Native American entrepreneurs. NUQO will use the funds to accelerate the construction of affordable housing and launch modular solutions in the child-care and education sectors.

“As a values-led company, NUQO has a high bar for partnership criteria.  Raven met those expectations. Their investment strengthens our ability to expand to meet community demands for quality housing and childcare. We are honoured by this partnership,” said NUQO founder and CEO, Rory Richards.

NUQO is creating a lasting impact in Indigenous communities, having recently completed two award-winning affordable housing buildings, including 82 units of housing, in partnership with the Squamish Nation. Cultural integrity and safety are at the heart of NUQO’s designs. In Canada’s construction industry, where women comprise a mere 12% of the sector, NUQO is committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace for women. A certified B Corp, NUQO’s innovative approach to modular building significantly reduces construction timelines and minimizes waste and disposal costs.

Key Takeaways:

• Procore is integrating its AI assistant, Procore Copilot, further into the platform and with Microsoft Teams. This will allow users to ask questions about projects in natural language and get answers directly within Teams.
• New features like AI Locations will automatically generate project location lists and Procore Maps will offer better visualization of project progress through photos.
• Procore will leverage AI to surface key information on responses to requests for information (RFIs) and submittals, providing context on project requirements and industry benchmarks.

The Whole Story:

Construction management software provider Procore Technologies is deepening its integration with artificial intelligence. 

Among the many solutions announced at Innovation Summit 2024, newly announced product updates give Procore customers deepened access to AI, improve field productivity, and drive efficient cost management:

Procore Copilot AI will further integrate into the Procore platform via Microsoft Teams. This upcoming integration will bring important project data and context directly from Procore into Microsoft 365. Procore Copilot AI users will then be able to simply ask questions about Procore projects in Teams, in normal, conversational language, and receive a complete summary of the pertinent information along with links to related information sources. Users will be able to search for, view, and attach Procore project information (such as requests for information (RFIs), Specifications, and Submittals) in work on calls, meetings, and chats.

AI Locations will allow users to scan project drawings and automatically build out project location lists. This will unlock the ability to organize project items by location as they’re created in the field later on. Procore will also utilize AI to surface key information on RFIs and submittal response time, alongside context on project requirements and industry benchmarks.

Procore Maps will enable viewability of photos on a map to understand work status across all areas of a project to help optimize workflows and reduce delays. Procore Maps will be able to filter photos on a map by date to pinpoint specific milestones or events captured during a project timeline.

Procore says this will streamline visual data and support smart decisions on the go. Users will also be able to navigate to where photos are captured directly from the map interface, providing context and clarity to team members regardless of their location.

Canada’s cement sector is a major force in the construction industry, driving economic growth and job creation. 

The industry employs over 166,000 people and contributes $76 billion annually to the economy. Concrete itself is the backbone of countless construction projects, valued for its durability and versatility. 

It also has a role to play in decarbonizing the construction sector. In November 2022, the Cement Association of Canada partnered with the government to launch the “Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050”. This ambitious plan outlines a path for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 15 million tonnes cumulatively by 2030, followed by ongoing annual reductions exceeding 4 million tonnes.

Lafarge Canada

Lafarge Canada, a member of the LafargeHolcim group, is the largest provider of construction materials in Canada with over 6,000 employees and 350 sites. They offer a variety of building solutions including aggregates, asphalt, cement, and precast concrete. Their recent focus is on sustainability, with a pilot project achieving 100% circular production of clinker in Nova Scotia and their ECOPact and ECOPlanet lines offering green concrete and cement options.

• Cement plants in Bath, Ontario; Richmond, British Columbia; Exshaw, Alberta; Brookfield, Nova Scotia
• Ready-mix concrete plants across Canada, including major locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal

CRH Canada Group

CRH Canada Group, a subsidiary of the global building materials giant CRH plc, is one of Canada’s leading players in the construction industry. They employ over 4,300 people across 110 locations in seven provinces. CRH Canada offers a wide range of building materials including cement, aggregates, and ready-mix concrete through their network of companies.They also manufacture architectural products and have a strong presence in the precast and infrastructure sectors. In recent news, CRH Canada has been expanding its footprint through acquisitions, but has also sold off some assets in eastern North America to Béton Provincial.

• Cement plants in Mississauga, Ontario; Joliette, Quebec
• Ready-mix concrete plants across Canada

Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials, formerly known as HeidelbergCement, is a major supplier of construction materials in Canada.Acquired in 1993, their Canadian operations boast 3 modern cement plants, extensive aggregate deposits, and numerous ready-mixed concrete facilities. They strategically distribute cement throughout the country and are a leading supplier of aggregates in western Canada. Additionally, they operate pipe companies across several provinces. Their 2016 acquisition of Italcementi further strengthened their presence with the addition of Essroc, a historic Canadian cement producer.

• Cement plant in Redcliff, Alberta
• Ready-mix concrete plants across western Canada

Ciment Quebec

Ciment Québec, boasting one of the most modern cement plants in North America, is a key player in Quebec’s construction industry. Their offerings include cement, concrete, construction materials, and aggregates. Founded in 1952,the Saint-Basile-based company celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Looking towards the future, Ciment Quebec is committed to sustainability efforts, with a recent multi-million dollar project aiming to develop less polluting cement.

• Cement plant in Saint-Basile, Quebec

Votorantim Cimentos North America (VCNA)

Votorantim Cimentos North America (VCNA) is a leading cement producer in North America, with a strong presence in the United States and Canada. They are a subsidiary of Votorantim Cimentos, the seventh largest cement producer in the world. VCNA operates six cement plants, 198 aggregate production units, and concrete centers across North America, with a total capacity of 31.8 million tons/year of cement, 7.8 million m³/year of concrete, and 23.0 million tons/year of aggregates. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, they have 134 locations in North America, operating as St Marys Cement, Canada Building Materials (CBM), Prairie Materials, Superior Materials, and United Materials. Together, these companies provide jobs to more than 2,600 building materials employees.

• Cement plants in Bowmanville, Ontario; Dixon, Illinois; Charlevoix, Michigan

Federal White Cement

A Canadian manufacturer operating since 1979, Federal White Cement, based in Woodstock, Ontario, specializes in white Portland and masonry cement for the construction industry. This family-owned company prioritizes innovation, offering traditional and eco-friendly white Portland cement options alongside white masonry cement. While specific recent updates aren’t readily available, their website provides details on their commitment to high-quality and sustainable white cement solutions.

• White cement plant in Woodstock, Ontario

Béton Provincial Ltée

Béton Provincial Ltée, a Quebec-based family-owned company established in 1960, stands out in Eastern Canada for its diverse, high-quality concrete and paving products. They focus on a personalized customer approach and boast a wide distribution network, supplying construction projects across the region. In recent news, Béton Provincial made headlines by acquiring assets from CRH Canada, further solidifying their position in the market.

• Major ready-mix concrete plants in Quebec

When you’re trying to buy a house or apartment, most people use a local realtor, and when handling their investment portfolio, they use an investment manager. But what are your options if you have a property that may have further development potential or is currently underdeveloped? Where do you turn and how do you even know what the development potential of your property is?

“I know from experience, I grew up in the construction and real estate industry, but when I was first starting out in development, I didn’t know who could really help,” explained engineer and entrepreneur Geoff Krahn. “There are tons of great developers, professionals, architects, engineers, contractors out there, but there was no service and platform that really pulled everything together into a simplified process with full transparency,” noted Krahn. “I struggled through my first projects, and I thought about how hard it would be for a person who was not in the industry, day-in and day-out.”

Krahn decided that if this was an issue for him, it must be for others. He searched for a better and easier way to  help people who wanted to develop, but there was nothing that truly filled this gap. He decided to step in and fill that gap himself.

“I started to create the company, process and technology that became Reveloper,” explained Krahn. “Why could you check the status of your investments online, but not for a development project? The experience and technology was there, but putting it all together in a simple and repeatable process that was not yet done. I wanted to simplify the entire process and make it accessible for more people. Whether they owned a single property or many properties.”

Benefits to property owners

Krahn wanted a typical property owner to not just have the same  access and advantages of a typical large-scale developer, but more.

“Most property owners aren’t large scale real estate developers,” explained Krahn. “Real estate development is tough. Many developers have in-house specialists, project managers, legal counsel and resources that just are not available to the average property owner.”

But he knew that there was huge financial potential to the property owner, if done right. 

“It doesn’t need to be so hard, time consuming and stressful,” he said. “From feasibility and financial analysis, through permitting, construction and sales or leasing. Reveloper gets you access to the best local architects, engineers, contractors and realtors, which you would typically not, if trying to do this on your own.”

Understanding that he wanted to leverage the existing expertise of those in the construction and real estate industry, Krahn did not try to integrate all those involved in construction or development  into an existing company.  

“Our job is to be the single point of contact and  facilitate the development process,” said Krahn. “We wanted both the property owners and all those involved in the development process to benefit. The owners get a much more valuable developed property and the architects, engineers, brokers and contractors get a simplified process in which they don’t need to focus so much on the coordination/administration items that eat up their time and focus on utilizing their expertise to deliver the best possible service and end-product.”

It’s a win-win for all parties involved. For the property owners, the value that it can create is huge. Some property owners are wary of selling or developing  property, as  property has increased in value so much over the years they have held it. The properties are income producing and cash flow positive with little debt on them.

“They don’t ever want to sell the property and are holding the property because it has increased so much in value,” Noted Krahn. “But what’s better: a 10% increase on a $2-million dollar ($200,000 ) undeveloped property or a 10% increase on a $10-million dollar ($1 million) developed property?”

Providing more options with a focused approach

Krahn states that typically there were limited options for these owners – leave the property as is, sell the property or do it yourself.

“Often option one and two are selected and properties are left underutilized or sold off,” explained Krahn. “Leaving the owner to potentially forego a huge amount of value. We are providing a simpler option which allows you to reap the benefit of development while minimizing the risk and resources required. And doing it with more efficiency and transparency.” 

Wanting to keep a singular focus to deliver the best possible service and platform, Reveloper has kept its focus on industrial and commercial development.

“We wanted to create the best possible service and access for our clients, the property owners,” said Krahn. “Our specialized development dashboard allows you to always know what is going on and gives you more control — which is completely unique to the current way of doing things.  From live updates and financials to construction photos and video — it’s as easy as checking your online bank account.”

The response was overwhelmingly positive, as many people, even those in the industry, were frustrated with the shortcomings and standard ways of doing things. 

A leader in technology

Krahn believes in using technology to aid in this process, but by only using it strategically as an enhancement to those involved and not as a replacement. 

“Real estate is full of what I call the three ‘R’s: Relationships, Reputation and Referrals,” Krahn noted. “In the end, it’s a people-based industry. We greatly understand and appreciate this. We are simply using our technology and platform to amplify the abilities of these talented professionals, making them able to better scale their abilities, by removing tedious tasks and confusion from lack of clarity.”

This focus on improvement, simplification and enhancement of the entire process, can be seen in every part of the development process. 

“We have worked hard to improve all areas of the development process,” stated Krahn. “From using GIS data and AI to greatly improve the feasibility analysis for properties all the way to easier ways to collect and store the data for the tenants and end user.”

Krahn is proud of the full end-to-end development management service they have created and believe that it is unmatched in the development industry.

“Our development managers and software make the entire process simpler and more efficient. Combine all this with an online dashboard, document storage, and everyone involved is able to rest assured, knowing that they are getting the best experience and outcome possible.”

If you’re interested in the development potential of your property, explore the development feasibility possibilities that Reveloper can provide today. They’re your partner in developing industrial and commercial properties.

Key Takeaways:

• B.C. officials want the hub to be a one-stop shop for applications and aims to reduce delays and costs.
• They believe the hub will address challenges of incomplete applications, inconsistent requirements, and varying interpretations of the building code.
•  It will automatically check for completeness and compliance with key parts of the BC Building Code.
• The Building Permit Hub is being piloted with twelve local governments and two First Nations, with further development and features planned for this summer.

The Whole Story:

B.C. is launching new digital Building Permit Hub to help streamline and standardize local permitting processes.

“The permitting process can be slow and complicated, delaying the construction of homes we urgently need,” said Premier David Eby. “Together, we’ve made progress cutting provincial and municipal permitting times, but we have to keep going. This new one-stop shop for local building permits will reduce red tape for homebuilders, local governments and First Nations, and ultimately save money, speed up construction and help people get into homes faster.”

The province is digitizing local permit processes to make it easier and faster for homeowners and industry professionals to submit applications to local governments and First Nations.

“We are exploring new ways to speed up the delivery of homes for people in B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “The Building Permit Hub will make the permitting process smoother for builders and local and First Nations governments, ensuring homes are built quicker without unnecessary delays. This is one of many actions we are taking in our Homes for People action plan.”

Officials say their work to cut provincial permitting times is showing results. Provincial permits are being processed faster and backlogs are being cleared with permits being processed faster than they are coming in.

The province said it has heard from industry, local governments and First Nations that some of the biggest challenges with the local building-permit submission process are incomplete applications, inconsistent submission requirements from one community to another and different interpretations of compliance with BC Building Code requirements. These problems contribute to costly delays to building new homes.

The Building Permit Hub aims to address these challenges by offering a one-stop, simplified process. Builders will submit their permit applications online in the hub, which will:

• standardize building-permit submission requirements across jurisdictions in B.C.;
• automatically check that the permit application is complete; and
• automatically check compliance with key parts of the BC Building Code.

A provincewide system that addresses the different permit requirements in each community will result in complete and consistent applications that are straightforward for local governments and First Nations to approve.

“This permitting tool will evolve, incorporating user feedback to deliver a seamless experience for those building the homes people need throughout the province,” said George Chow, minister of citizens’ services. “Government is working to unlock the full potential of digital innovation and technology, as we tackle the housing crisis together.”

The province worked closely with communities and industry experts to develop the hub.

Twelve local governments and two First Nations will pilot the first version of the hub. The hub is now live to allow communities to update the tool for their local requirements and permitting capability is expected to come online this summer. The hub will be further developed in summer with additional features added, such as permit applications for secondary suites and accessory

Key Takeaways:

• EllisDon, a Canadian construction company, is partnering with J2 Innovations, a Californian tech company, to develop smarter buildings.
• The general contractor will leverage J2 Innovations’ FIN Framework to create a new digital twin application called EKO, which will optimize building environments and user experiences.
• This partnership will allow EllisDon to integrate technology and enterprise management systems into EKO, making it suitable for various markets.

The Whole Story:

One of Canada’s largest general contractors is teaming up with a California tech company to make construction smarter. 

EllisDon’s Infrastructure Services & Technology (IST) Division and J2 Innovations—a leading platform provider for smart buildings, smart equipment and the Internet of Things (IoT)—have announced a new partnership. The collaboration will see EllisDon utilize J2 Innovations’ FIN Framework, a flexible open software framework, enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create automation and IoT applications quickly and efficiently. 

This partnership will enable EllisDon’s IST Division to further develop their digital twin application, EKO, which is focused on integrating all data points within a facility to optimize the built environment and enhance the end user’s experience. 

Launched last December, EKO leverages intelligent infrastructure data through advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional systems such as SCADA, EKO provides a holistic analysis of system performance for a diverse range of systems and assets.

This announcement comes after EllisDon implemented a range of projects using J2 Innovations’ FIN Stack software, a comprehensive suite of ready-to-use apps, enabling integrated building management solutions to be engineered quickly and easily.

Motivated by its efficiency and adaptability, EllisDon IST says it will use the FIN Framework, on which FIN Stack is developed, to create and customize its new OEM product suite for EKO.

“We are excited to collaborate and enhance industry standards by utilizing J2 Innovations’ expertise in FIN Framework, as it will be an important component of our digital twin application, EKO,” says Robert Barnes, senior vice president, energy & digital services at EllisDon. “This partnership will leverage the strengths of both companies by exploring new opportunities, strengthening product offerings, and providing cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of the market.”

As a major player in the integration of primary building systems (i.e. building automation, lighting control, electronic security, elevators, etc.), EllisDon is now expanding into the integration of technology and enterprise management systems with EKO. Through this collaboration, EllisDon and J2 Innovations will extend the use of FIN and utilize it as an enabling platform for EKO, allowing it to support multiple market segments and end users.

“Our partnership with EllisDon underpins the effectiveness of their products in a range of commercial environments, and will exploit the potential for a significant advancement in hospital building automation and beyond,” Jeremy Wolfe, vice president of sales Americas at J2 Innovations, said. “Together we can harness our next-generation software framework to EllisDon’s vision to push the limit of data and efficiency-driven construction management.”

Canada’s next great construction tech boom is in full swing.

But not every construction company is ready for it.

With the rise of technology like artificial intelligence, many companies are ramping up their efforts to digitize their processes and modernize their operations. This has positioned industry software leaders like SiteMax for major growth as they stand ready to assist. 

The company offers field management software designed to meet the needs of a general contractor or subcontractor on a commercial, multi-family residential, hi-rise or light industrial project. The complete jobsite management platform has generated millions of daily logs, safety reports, photo records, time entries and more worldwide.

Keeping pace with industry needs

Braden Barwich, SiteMax’s vice president of sales, has seen significant expansion in the past few years and the platform has grown and evolved to keep pace. 

“We’ve seen a lot of growth both on the product side as well as on the customer side,” said Barwich. “Over the last couple years a big kind of jump that we’ve made is moving into the project management and document management process side of the software. So we’ve added RFI tracking, change order tracking, submittals and purchase orders into our mix of tools.”

This connects all external stakeholders, like consultants, engineers, architects and sub trades to the general contractor so documents can flow amongst the entire project team. 

“That’s been a big step and brought us into a different domain,” he said. “Especially since COVID, we saw a huge uptick in companies switching to technology. I think it just sped up what was inevitable.”

He explained that the development of SiteMax has been led by our customers and their feedback, but also their team’s ultimate goal of SiteMax being the digital hub of a jobsite.

Technology gaps are widening

Not all companies are at the same point in their technology transformation. Barwich noted that he is seeing two camps: Those who are still in the early stages of digitizing their processes and those who have already digitized and are looking to take bigger steps. 

“You have people talking about using AI and then others who would just love to have digital time cards and not use paper every week, so there is a huge gap there,” he said. “I think that gap is just going to widen and the people that know how to use technology and adopt it are going to speed off ahead. I don’t think it’s too late at this point, but it’s really going to accelerate growth on the AI side.”

AI has been on SiteMax’s radar for years and they have been strategizing about the best ways to integrate it into their platform. The technology has already become a boon to site superintendents and project managers, especially for repetitive tasks, like filling out daily or weekly reports. 

“It’s not going to replace these people on site, but it’s going to make their job a lot better because it can do that mundane paperwork,” said Barwich.

SiteMax will grow with you 

While Canada’s large contractors have big budgets to spend on technological advancement, SiteMax’s goal is to assist small and medium-sized contractors who want to advance their journey as well.

“That is our target market and our advice is to just get in the game,” said Barwich. “It’s not too late.”

But when it comes to picking a technology platform, many options are pricey and offer extra features that go unused for smaller contractors. Or there are one-off options that only address one issue a contractor faces.

“There’s enterprise software solutions that are very high end, very all inclusive and expensive and then there’s one-off software that you’ll outgrow very quickly. So you’re kind of caught between these two worlds,” said Barwich. “What we’re trying to provide is right in the middle, for small to medium-sized businesses who are thinking ‘maybe I’m late to the game’. Maybe they aren’t ready to go into the AI world, but they want to be there at some point.”

He explained that getting your foot in the door with a package that you can adopt and that your business is ready for is key as then you can continue to grow and adapt with it. 

“Don’t wait for people to retire, don’t keep waiting for external events to push you, because then it will be too late. This shift is going to happen very quickly so you want to start laying the digital groundwork in your business.”

It’s a missing middle that only SiteMax is stepping up to fill. Their ideal customer is agile, wants something easy to use and is looking for a streamlined solution to fit their processes. 

“There are people using three to four different apps when they could be using one complete system,” said Barwich. “But they aren’t willing to pay an arm and a leg for the big ones and only use 50% of it. That’s where SiteMax comes in. We are empowering these middle-sized companies.”  

Barwich encouraged companies looking to start their transformation journey to reach out to SiteMax for demos, videos and other materials to get a more in-depth understanding of what they can offer. 

“It’s very flexible in terms of our pricing plans,” he said. “So, no matter what stage of the business you’re at, let’s talk.”

*Special offer: Contact SiteMax and mention “SiteNews” when you sign up to to get a 10% discount.

Key Takeaways:

• Honda has begun evaluating the requirements to build a Honda EV plant and a stand-alone Honda EV battery plant in Alliston, Ont.
• The proposed Honda EV value chain will also include a cathode active material and precursor (CAM/pCAM) processing plant through a joint venture partnership with POSCO Future M Co., Ltd. and a separator plant through a joint venture partnership with Asahi Kasei Corporation.
• Honda has set a goal to make battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of vehicle sales by 2040.
• As the first step, Honda has already positioned its existing auto production plants in the state of Ohio in the U.S. as its EV Hub for production. This hub will share its knowledge with the rest of Honda’s North American plants, including future facilities in Ontario.

The Whole Story:

Honda plans to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada with an approximate investment of $15 billion.

The sum includes investment by joint venture partners and will be used to strengthen Honda’s EV supply system and capability to prepare for a future increase in EV demand in North America. 

“Honda is making progress in our global initiatives toward the realization of our 2050 carbon neutrality goal,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of Honda. “In North America, following the initiative to establish our EV production system capability in the U.S., we will now begin formal discussions toward the establishment of a comprehensive EV value chain here in Canada, with the support of the governments of Canada and Ontario. We will strengthen our EV supply system and capability with an eye toward a future increase in EV demand in North America.”

Honda says it has begun evaluating the requirements to build a Honda EV plant and a stand-alone Honda EV battery plant in Alliston, Ont. The proposed Honda EV value chain will also include a cathode active material and precursor (CAM/pCAM) processing plant through a joint venture partnership with POSCO Future M Co., Ltd. and a separator plant through a joint venture partnership with Asahi Kasei Corporation, with announcements to follow in their respective Ontario communities.

Honda expects that electric vehicle production will begin in 2028. Once fully operational, the EV plant will have a production capacity of 240,000 EVs per year and the EV battery plant will have a capacity of 36 GWh per year.

In addition to securing the current employment level of 4,200 associates at its two existing manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Honda estimates it will add a minimum of 1,000 new associates for the EV and EV battery manufacturing facilities. The investment in the new facilities will also create significant spinoff jobs across all sites, including in the construction sector.

Honda says it has begun the process of evaluating the scope of its investment and completing negotiations with its joint venture partners. This work is expected to be finalized during the next six months and more details will be shared at that time.

To support this project, Honda is collaborating with the governments of Canada and Ontario to drive innovation in low-emissions manufacturing by accessing performance-based initiatives available through the federal government’s new Investment Tax Credits and provincial direct and indirect incentives.

North American EV strategy

Striving to realize carbon neutrality for all its products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda has set a goal to make BEVs and FCEVs represent 100% of vehicle sales by 2040.

As the first step, Honda positioned its existing auto production plants in the state of Ohio in the U.S. as its EV Hub for production, including the retooling of existing plants, an investment of USD$700 million, and the construction of a joint venture EV battery plant with LG Energy Solution, with an expected investment of USD$4.4 billion.

According to Honda, the Ohio EV hub will serve as the foundation for future EV and EV battery production, sharing knowledge and expertise with other Honda plants in North America, including the new EV assembly and battery plants in Ontario, Canada. Honda expects EV production to begin at the Marysville Auto Plant in late 2025. 

As a second step in this initiative, Honda plans to establish a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada, from the procurement of raw materials mainly for batteries, to the production of finished EVs.  Honda says it will leverage EV production knowledge learned at the Ohio EV Hub, combined with the abundant resources and clean energy available in Canada, to establish a stable supply system for batteries, the key component of EVs, and increase cost competitiveness of its EVs as a whole.

Key Takeaways:

• Linesight’s latest Construction Market Insight report revealed a number of themes, including a sharp rise in data centre construction.
• Experts say much of this increase is due to the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence technology.
• These data centres are also getting larger, denser and more complex to build, requiring specialized contractors.

The Whole Story:

Artificial intelligence is poised to transform society in an unknown amount of ways at a pace that is blistering. This transformation is creating a massive new demand for construction.

Data centre facilities, which are utilized by AI and cloud service providers, are exploding in the U.S. and beginning to pick up steam in Canada. 

Global construction consultant Linesight, which works with some of the top hyperscale data centre providers in the world,  expects growth is likely to remain strong due to the increasing demand for cloud services and data-intensive applications. This was one of main takeaways from the groups recently released Construction Market Insights report for North America. 

AI is creating more demand

Padraig Leahy, vice president of Linesight in the Americas and Jonathan Scully-Lane, Linesight’s associate director in Canada spoke about the dramatic rise in demand for these centres and why the are far more complex to build than they appear. 

Leahy explained that while data centres aren’t new, the recent explosion of artificial intelligence has been creating much of the new work.

“The introduction of various AI tools has been a turbo boost for data centre requirements. Before that, it was extremely busy. And then it just took a hockey stick trajectory up,” he said. 

He noted that the density and complexity of these facilities is also growing. Clients are wanting to fit more racks into smaller spaces and draw larger amounts of power. There is also lots of overlap because AI is impacting so many parts of the economy, including life sciences operations. 

“The link between AI and life sciences is becoming more important because life sciences operate on drug development,” said Leahy. “So AI is helping with the scaling up of drug development. So they can do a lot more checking and calculations and clinical stuff in the background quicker now because of AI.”

Scully-Lane explained that there hasn’t been the same explosion in demand for AI data centres in Canada yet, but hyperscalers—large cloud service providers—are expanding, particularly out east. He is currently working on seven hyperscale facilities on the east coast with plans for many more. 

“Our schedules are tight, the work is concurrent,” he said. “It’s getting to the point where we are having to protect our general contractors a bit and ask them if they are going to be able to bid on four to six different projects. Canada has a limited number of tier one contractors with data centre experience.”

And even those that do have experience have often only have only worked on smaller, low wattage projects.

Data centre work requires skilled builders

Why is so much experience to build what is essentially a warehouse? Scully-Lane explained that the warehouse shape of the building is easy. The real challenges are the immense mechanical and electrical system requirements to power and cool what goes inside. 

The facilities require robust climate control and builders have large commissioning requirements due to the high extreme reliability needed by clients.

“You have to make sure all the equipment is interconnected and up and running. There can be no overheating,” said Scully-Lane. “Commissioning is probably one of the most onerous activities you can do within a data centre. It’s frequently underestimated.” 

He noted that data centre’s run so long without interruption that downtime is often less than one second each year. They systems must have multiple redundancies built in to ensure nothing stops even if there is an issue. Each hall is a standalone cell that can function independently if others go down. 

“It’s a multitude of huge amounts of mechanical cooling and electrical systems for such a  relatively small building,” he said. “And they’re often completed in a phase development where you have a live section operating and then the contractor is operating fitting out the other sections. You need experience in that how to do it. There’s safety, there’s massive power going in to make sure everything is safe and nobody, God forbid, has an accident.”

There is no room for error while working in a live data centre. Crews must be well versed in the sequencing, safety and design of data centre buildings making it specialized work. 

Equipment supplies are strained

The data centre boom and its equipment requirements could have an impact on supply chains. Scully-Lane and Leahy said lead time for some equipment pieces are already more than a year long and vendors are having difficulty keeping up. This includes air handling units, power distribution units and generators. 

“If you’re thinking about building a data center in two years’ time, you’ll want to start ordering your equipment for it now,” said Leahy.

Many clients have begun buying up equipment years in advance to try and mitigate these lead times, but this has its own risks. 

“Technology is moving so fast that equipment could become redundant before you know it/ YOu cannot have something sitting there for three years because three years could mean it’s redundant and there is something much more efficient.” 

The pair added that this large demand will impact other parts of the construction sector that want labour and equipment. 

Linesight’s report also touched on other key trends happening in construction: 

Macroeconomic overview: The U.S. and Canada demonstrated resilience in 2023, with the US maintaining a strong job market and Canada enjoying growth from job creation and population increase. Both countries look towards 2024 with cautious optimism, hoping for economic growth facilitated by potential interest rate adjustments in response to easing inflation. 

Inflation and interest rates: After peaking in 2022, inflation is moderating, with stable yet elevated interest rates. The construction industry anticipates possible rate reductions later in 2024, aligning with easing inflationary pressures. 

Construction sector overview: Despite challenges from high interest rates and labor shortages, certain sectors like data centers, infrastructure and high-tech industrial remain robust, driven by significant investments. Supply chain and labor issues continue to be pivotal, with the industry focusing on strategic solutions to mitigate these challenges. 

Commodities market adjustment: 2023 saw a general easing in commodities prices, offering relief to the construction industry. This adjustment is particularly beneficial for materials with high energy requirements, providing a positive outlook for future projects.

Key Takeaways:

• Technology adoption in construction will hinge on trust. The best way to boost this is having executives educate themselves on AI, robotics and more.
• Young people want to be part of companies that are on construction’s cutting edge and are technologically sophisticated. However, older workers still have a wealth of experience that they can share before retirement.
• When it comes to sustainability, we are getting better at tracking embodied carbon, reducing waste and being more efficient.
• A crucial part of any company’s tech strategy must be to not get distracted by trendy solutions. Only adopt tools that solve your business’s specific problems.

The Whole Story:

What are construction tech experts thinking about for construction’s near future?

We spoke with Kris Lengieza, Procore’s first global technology evangelist, about the different trends catching his attention as we get deeper into 2024. We reached him while he was attending the BIM World conference in Paris. 

Lengieza spent the last twenty years in construction, with ten years focused on how he could use technology to make construction work easier. To maximize his influence, he made the leap from working for a general contractor in Florida to working for Procore.

“I spent five years focused on improving operational excellence through optimizing tech stacks with more than just Procore,” he said. “Now I’m focusing more on the evolution happening in construction technology, educating the industry and being a guide to our customers on how to do things effectively or efficiently.” 

Technological progress hinges on trust

Lengieza noted that three technology trends have accelerated in 2024. The first being artificial intelligence.

“There are lots of risks and confusion around it and it has a tremendous amount of momentum,” he said. “It’s a global thing. Everyone is wondering how it will impact the industry. There are some great examples of wins now, but also lots of promises that are a lot further away.” 

The second is data. The Internet of Things, reality capture and more is changing how builders collect data and use it on sites. 

“This is incredibly important,” said Lengieza. “The more data we have, the more informed we can be. Our study last year showed that customers believe that if they could gain insight to get to a faster decision from their data, they could save 13% on a project.” 

The third is robotics, which Lengieza was previously not bullish on. 

“I was a naysayer on robotics and thought it was further out, but some of the more simple use cases—layout, some hanger installations, the Hilti Jaibot,” he said. “They are making humans superhuman. They are not going to replace a person on the job.”

He explained that when he first dealt with layout it was robotic total stations speeding things up, but now when they do layout, it’s still one person but they can layout much more and do it better.

“We are starting to get over pricing hurdles and how one can integrate these things into the jobsite. That is really exciting as we have such a labour shortage,” he said. “This will help with a significant portion of that. It’s more efficient.”

What is the key to increasing the adopting of these emerging technologies? Lengieza said it comes down to trust. 

“It’s the biggest barrier,” he explained. “The reason we don’t trust is we don’t understand how it works.” 

Lengieza has spoken to many construction CEOs who say they don’t understand how something like ChatGPT works, what it’s good for or what it is capable of. He believes that the first step one can take is simply educating yourself on new technology. 

Labour requires attraction and retention

Another major theme Procore is tracking is the shortage of workers in construction. Lengieza explained that Canada is not alone. It is a global problem. It’s among the top three things he hears from executives. 

“We need to make construction cool again. We must be advocates for industry in high school programs and university programs. We need to show them that it’s not the industry from 40 or 50 years ago,” he said. “It’s a new, modern industry.” 

He is also hearing about college recruits asking builders about their tech stack and how they are innovating. 

“The new generations coming to the industry want to make a difference, they want to be part of the change,” he said, adding that the outgoing generation’s wealth of experience and the incoming generation’s tech savvy creates a great opportunity to exchange knowledge.

Sustainability tracking has become more sophisticated

A major trend Procore has seen in sustainability is the ability to identify and track carbon emissions in the industry. There are systems like the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) that allows benchmarking, assessment and reductions in embodied carbon, focused on the upfront supply chain emissions of construction materials.

“We can understand the embodied carbon in a building, we can estimate what an unbuilt building’s embodied carbon will be. This allows us to iterate on the design and suggest alternative materials to control the impact,” said Lengieza. 

Another trend is around waste and tracking it. He explained that the better we can track waste and rework, the more we can minimize mistakes and use less sacrificial materials. 

“Tech plays a big role in this because we have a lot more 3D models to more easily understand what’s in a building from a carbon perspective and we have tools to collect data out in the field. This can help mitigate rework and prevent miscommunications,” he said.  

Lengieza’s big overall takeaway and what he has been telling executives is that technology is a piece of the puzzle. Technology just for technology’s sake isn’t necessarily useful. 

“It requires people and process with it, and you need to find technology that’s solving key business problems and that’s really important,” he said. “If you look at AI, robots etc. the question to ask is if it is solving a key problem at your business. Don’t try to implement something because it is cutting edge. Do it because it is solving a real problem, that’s pretty critical.”

Key Takeaways:

• The changes allow mass timber buildings to go to 18 storeys and be utilized in new building types, including schools, libraries, retail, industrial, care facilities and more.
• The BC Building Code changes for mass timber were developed by a national joint task group co-chaired by B.C. and Quebec.
• The changes come just days after Ontario announced their own plans to allow 18-storey mass timber buildings.

The Whole Story:

It’s official. B.C. is going tall with mass timber.

The province has adopted building code changes to permit the use of mass timber in buildings, such as schools, shopping centres and housing. The changes were proposed last December.

“These changes will help reduce carbon pollution, support the forestry sector, create jobs, build more homes and lead to more vibrant communities,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “We know mass timber looks great, and now we can use it in larger buildings and more types of buildings.”

The mass-timber updates to the BC Building Code, now in effect, will:

• enable taller encapsulated mass-timber construction (EMTC) buildings with as many as 18 storeys for residential and office buildings, an increase from the previous 12-storey limit;
• expand EMTC to new building types, such as schools, libraries, retail, light- and medium-industrial occupancies, and care facilities; and
• allow for more exposed mass timber in buildings, based on a building’s height and use, such as residential buildings with as many as eight storeys.

“This is another step forward for British Columbia’s world-class mass-timber sector as we continue to accelerate the adoption of this strong, clean building technology,” said Jagrup Brar, minister of state for trade, and chair of the Mass Timber Advisory Council. “Through our Mass Timber Action Plan, we are diversifying both our forestry and construction industries to build a strong, clean and sustainable economy that works for people.”

The BC Building Code changes for mass timber were developed by a national joint task group co-chaired by B.C. and Quebec. The code changes were reviewed by an expert technical advisory group that included representatives from multiple provinces, the fire services community, fire safety engineers, technical building code experts, regulators and industry.

Other provinces are expected to follow B.C.’s lead and adopt these changes into their building codes. The code changes will be submitted into the national code system for future consideration for the national building codes.

This month Ontario announced its own plans to expand the use of advanced wood construction like mass timber to new heights. Currently, Ontario’s Building Code allows Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction buildings to be up to 12-storeys tall. Officials said they intend to amend the Ontario Building Code in the coming months to permit encapsulated mass timber construction up to 18 storeys.

Advancing mass-timber technology is part of B.C.’s Homes for People action plan, to address the housing crisis through a variety of innovative approaches, including in the construction sector. This means embracing new technologies like digital design, mass timber and prefabrication to cut down on construction times and on-site labour needs to build more housing faster.

The province has also focused on increased density in urban areas through small-scale multi-unit housing and transit-oriented development, creating more mass-timber opportunities to build homes more quickly with a lower carbon footprint.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to turbocharge construction technology. Last week he announced a $600 million package to encourage construction innovation as part of the upcoming federal budget.

“We’re changing the way we build homes in Canada,” said Trudeau. “In Budget 2024, we’re supporting a new approach to construction, with a focus on innovation and technology. This will make it easier and more cost-effective to build more homes, faster. You should be able to live in the community you love, at a price you can afford.”

These measures include:

• Launching a new $50 million Homebuilding Technology and Innovation Fund that will seek to leverage an additional $150 million from the private sector and other orders of government to support the scale-up, commercialization, and adoption of innovative housing technologies and materials, including for modular and prefabricated homes. The Fund will be led by Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, one of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters.
• Delivering $50 million to modernize and expedite home building through the regional development agencies. This builds on the success of dozens of existing innovative projects already funded and underway in communities across the country, including those modernizing building practices through modular housing, mass timber construction, robotics, 3D printing, and automation.
• Delivering $500 million to support rental housing. With low-cost financing through the Apartment Construction Loan Program, this will support new rental housing projects using innovative construction techniques from prefabricated and modular housing manufacturers as well as other homebuilders.
• Launching a modernized Housing Design Catalogue to standardize up to 50 efficient, cost-effective, and liveable home blueprints. With $11.6 million in Budget 2024, this will include frames for modular homes, row housing, and fourplexes – that housing manufacturers, provinces, territories, and municipalities will be able to use to simplify and accelerate their housing approvals and construction timelines.

This is the kind of innovation that’s going to help solve the housing crisis. pic.twitter.com/LZ5lZi0I4O

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 6, 2024

Chrystia Freeland, deputy prime minister and minister of finance, noted that the design catalogue idea is something Canada implemented decades ago with great success.

“After the Second World War, Canada built new homes at a pace and scale never seen before,” said Freeland. “This happened with the help of a housing design catalogue which included cost-effective, simple-to-build designs that meant people could quickly move into a new home. Our new Housing Design Catalogue will make it possible to build more homes faster, and our new support for innovative construction methods means we can even further accelerate timelines so more Canadians can move into new homes even faster.”

Kelowna, B.C.

Kelowna isn’t just breaking new ground in Canada, they are breaking new ground globally. The city has partnered with Microsoft to be one of the first cities in the world to use artificial intelligence to speed up its project development process. The project includes two areas of focus. The first is an information bot and the other is AI assistance for applications. The information bot can receive inquiries and, based on what is written, give answers comparable to what a human would. Rather than having to pore over bylaw documents, users can simply ask the bot. The AI assistance tool shadows applicants as they fill out their forms and tells them in real time if they are compliant or not.

Burlington, Ont.

Following the lead of Kelowna, the City of Burlington became the second municipality to integrate artificial intelligence into its building permit process. They ran a pilot program to accelerate the permitting process for industrial-commercial buildings. But they are the first city in Canada to use the technology specifically for development on employment lands. The AI the platform used in the pilot digitizes the rules in Burlington’s zoning bylaws, relating to industrial-commercial buildings. Once applicants have submitted a proposed design, the platform automatically evaluates the design’s compliance against the relevant rules. The solution checks to ensure requirements are met for things

Edmonton, Alta.

Thanks to a city council vote late last year, property owners in Edmonton will be able to build three-storey apartment buildings, townhouses, rowhouses or duplexes with up to eight units in any residential area citywide. It’s just the latest move that cements Edmonton’s reputation for people wanting to build. They ranked first in a benchmarking list of major Canadian cities for their permitting times and costs. The city’s online portal services have advanced functionality, including the ability to apply for pre-application meetings for rezoning, subdivision and development permits. There are also online services for submitting various actual planning applications, in addition to building permits. They were also the first jurisdiction in Canada to cut minimum parking requirements.

Montreal

Montreal is using technology and data to identify the sore spots in the city and come up with solutions to improve them. Several neighbourhoods have been selected for improvement following an assessment of the area by the Living Environment Equity Index, which is available online for residents to consult in order to determine whether their neighborhood is considered vulnerable or high priority. This includes determine what infrastructure is need most and where. Officials say they want to use the tool to help the city grow and change in ways that benefit residents.

Calgary

Calgary not only ranked third among major cities for their ability to get building permits approved fast and affordably, they have undertaken a plethora of other innovative projects themselves and supported others. Most recently they lent their support to the Emissions-Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX) which brings industry together to advance emissions-neutral buildings in Alberta. And rather than lament their high downtown office vacancy rates, the city rolled up its sleeves to use digital tools that helped identify opportunities for converting those towers into housing.