INFORMING, ADVOCATING, & EDUCATING BUILDING THE FUTURE CHANGING SKYLINES WITH LANDMARK BUILDINGSCONSTRUCTIONINFOCUS.COMDEC 2019 - JAN 2020EDITOR’S CORNER3Snow may be falling through-out much of the con-tinent, but construction is an industry that never sleeps. In Paul Hutchings’ Seeing Red – Cutting through the Red Tape of Civic Projects, the author examines a number of current projects underway in Halifax, Nova Scotia – and the challenges associated with getting them off the ground in a timely fashion. When it comes to civic red tape, Paul writes, Halifax is hardly unique. Municipalities all across North America often put up roadblocks – some quite reasonable, others puzzling – to devel-opment, frustrating builders in the process. For those in construc-tion, it’s not the public consultation process or the environmental impact assessments that get them down; it’s the endless minutiae, the paperwork, the redundancies, and simply, the waiting game. It’s not necessarily getting a “no” on a project that is most discour-aging; it’s the length of time it can take to get any response at all. Plans languish, situations change, and development stagnates.Red tape is by no means a new issue, and many towns, cities, counties, even entire provinces are making moves to cut through it faster. In Robert Hoshowsky’s interview with Joe Vaccaro, CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, Joe talks about the need for reducing the red tape and speeding up the process for approving housing. As described in this issue’s Informing, Advocating, and Educating, he strongly supports Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choices Act, 2019, and the Housing Supply Action Plan that aims to increase the number of affordable homes by reducing the level of red tape facing the industry.Certainly, it is a careful balance that must be struck between identifying and appreciating stakeholder concerns and enabling development to move forward. Surely, though, it is one that can be struck more efficiently than in the past; after all, thoughtful, safe, progressive, and timely development is some-thing that benefits us all.Jaime McKee EditorEDITORJaime McKeeDEPUTY EDITORTim Hocken COPY EDITORSThora Smith | Allister HavercroftCONTRIBUTING WRITERSRyan Cartner | Pauline MüllerMargaret Eaton | Anne Lindert-WentzellRobert Hoshowsky | Jesse Doehler-KnoxDavid Caldwell | Paul HutchingsKaren Hawthorne | Stacey McCarthyMark Golombek | Allison DempseyNate Hendley | Jen HockenREGIONAL MANAGER OF RESEARCHCiaran DunneSENIOR CONTENT MANAGERSBrad Mike | Tom England | Peter Swale | Mark PetersCONTENT MANAGERSMehul Jagawat | Wendy Hood-MorrisLouis Susara | Dale ConnollyErin Wells | Rose Scoville | Scott ForbesHolly Inglis | Jesse George RendellAlan Keogh | Josephine McCaffreySALES & MARKETING MANAGERLuke SimmsSALES TEAMPamela Taylor | Kayla Brown | Evan BroussardJason Merriott | Morgan CulpepperPRODUCTION COORDINATORChantal De BrouwerGRAPHIC DESIGNERSEbic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva | Gavin Billings Lindsay Bailey | Victoria Lane | Severina GachparovaDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRobert ChambersTALENT ACQUISITION MANAGERMelissa PikeDIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONSColin O’NeillREGIONAL DIRECTOR, NORTH AMERICAAdam CameronOPERATIONS MANAGERJonathan FisherCONTROLLERJen HamiltonPUBLISHERJeff HockenSuite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | CanadaP: 1-647-479-2163 | E: INSIDE DEC - JANFOCUS ON: ONTARIO HOME BUILDERSFOCUS ON: COLORADO HEAVY CIVIL & INDUSTRIALMECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, HVAC & PLUMBINGGENERAL CONSTRUCTION 4CONTINUING FOCUS: USGBC In 2018, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released several of the worst examples of so-called “Red Tape” that businesses and developers need to complete before getting projects off the ground. The list reads almost as a cautionary tale for anyone hoping to get a development, whether a condominium or a warehouse, completed quickly and on time.EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY & PRODUCTS LANDSCAPINGARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & ENGINEERING 5CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS CONEXPO-CON/AGG 202010 – 14 March, Las Vegas, NVThis show is not one to be missed! CONEXPO-CON/AGG is North America’s largest construction trade show, representing asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining, utilities and more – and it only happens once every three years. With over 2,800 exhibitors, 2,500,000 square feet of exhibition space, and more than 150 educational sessions, there is something for every construction industry professional. As a Gold Level Media Partner, Focus Media Group is proud to highlight this comprehensive event showcasing the latest in equipment and technology.For more information INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW16 – 19 January, Toronto, ONIDS brings together more than 53,000 of the world’s leading products, companies and change-makers to inspire and transform the future of design. IDS celebrates and promotes design in Canada and around the world through a compelling showcase of new products, features, instal-lations, prototypes and big ideas. From emerging local designers to international legacy brands, the Interior Design Show brings together the best in design and the thought leaders of both today and tomorrow. For more information THE INTERNATIONAL SURFACE EVENT27 – 30 January, Las Vegas, NVComprising three world-class tradeshows – SURFACES, StonExpo/Marmomac and TileExpo – The International Surface Event (TISE) is the largest North American floor covering, stone, and tile industry event and the industry marketplace for buyers, specifiers, and influencers to source products, gain design inspiration and develop their businesses. Brands will present their newest product launches, expanded product lines, equipment innovations, tools, technology, installation techniques, and much more.For more information visit: intlsurfaceevent.com/en/home.htmlWORLD OF CONCRETE3 – 7 February, Las Vegas, NVAt World of Concrete, find all the products, resources and valuable information needed to strengthen your business. This is the commercial construction industry’s first, largest and most important annual international event for concrete and masonry professionals across the globe. Enjoy exhibits from OEMs from around the world and exclusive U.S. distributors of equipment, tools, products and services for the commercial construction, concrete and masonry industries. For more information INTERNATIONAL ROOFING EXPO4 – 6 February, Dallas, TXJoin over 14,000 roofing professionals for the industry’s largest event – the International Roofing Expo®. At the IRE, make connections with resi-dential and commercial contractors, remodelers, distributors, estimators, specifiers, architects, engineers, builders, and manufacturers. Explore thousands of products from over 500 brands, select from over 40 educational sessions, participate in the 11th annual Community Service Day, take part in NRCA events, attend networking receptions and more.For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS6Are you planning an event relating to North America’s growing Construction Industry?To get your event listed in Construction in Focus, please contact us at least six to eight weeks before the event takes place at or call 1-647-479-2163INDUSTRY NEWSSAINT GOBAIN TO BOOST U.S. PROFILE WITH ACQUISITION CANADA’S FIRST MULTI-LEVEL INDUSTRIAL BUILDING UNDERWAYBritish Columbia will be home to the first multi-level industrial building in Canada, according to an announcement made by Oxford Properties Group. The building will be constructed in Burnaby at its 65-acre Riverbend Business Park which is already home to five existing industrial buildings. Construction is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2020 and completion is expected by 2022. The building will offer 707,000 square feet of total space over two levels, with 437,000 square feet being offered on the ground floor, in addition to 32-foot clear heights. The second level will feature 270,000 square feet with 28-foot clear heights. The building will include a 130-foot truck court and the second floor will be accessible by full-sized transport trailers thanks to a heated ramp. Saint Gobain, a French construction material producer, will grow its presence in North America through the purchase of Continental Building Products, a U.S.-based operation, for the sale price of $1.4 billion, which is expected to boost the com-pany’s earnings to position it as a leader in the plasterboard and construction solutions markets. The deal is valued at $37 per share, which represents a premium of 3.5 percent on the closing price of Continental Building Products’ shares on the date of announcement. Some analysts were quick to note that the deal could be considered pricey, given the state of the U.S. construction market.The deal has received approval from both companies’ boards and upon approval by regulators, Continental Building Products will be merged into a newly formed unit of Saint Gobain. The takeover has been financed via the proceeds of sales of other non-core parts of the French company’s business. 7INDUSTRY NEWSNORTH AMERICA GETS FIRST LANDSCAPE HOTELSitework and construction is underway at Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel located in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Developed, owned and managed by Two Sister Bosses, it will be North America’s first landscape hotel and will bring sustain-able tourism and design to the fore. The hotel will feature 40 rooms designed as cube-shaped atria that are elevated above the ground by steel piers and encased in floor-to-ceiling bronze glass, walls which will comprise a total of 70 percent of its construction. The hotel features both luxury and minimalism, with a deep respect for nature, the environ-ment and sustainable design. The atria appear as if they are floating above the ground, designed to reduce damage to vegetation and topography on site. The prefabricated steel frames sit on holes in the ground, which reduces the need to grade the site.The proprietary building system being used is the work of ASUL Architects, who have worked closely with landscape architect Krizan Associates, Inc. to ensure that the natural environment is preserved and that they create a natural ecosystem. Sustainable methods, organic materials, and modern architecture all play into the design of the hotel. No cars will be permitted on site. Valet parking will be offered to guests and electric shuttles will transport guests once there to further reinforce the sustainable nature of the design and operation of the hotel, ensuring it respects the natural environment. Of the 40 rooms, 15 will feature rooftop decks. All atria are deli-cately hand-placed, with special effort being taken to install the underground utilities to ensure that the orientation of the structures is ideal for privacy and natural views. The use of indirect lighting is designed in compliance with the City of Sedona’s Dark Sky ordinances. ENGIE’S LARGEST SOLAR PROJECT BREAKS GROUND IN TEXASEngie North America has broken ground on a 225-megawatt solar project in Borden County, Texas. The Long Draw Solar Project will consist of over 800,000 solar panels, making it the largest of its kind in Engie’s portfolio. The project is expected to be completed and opera-tional in the summer of 2020. At peak construction, the project will employ 150 people and will generate over $10 million in tax payments for the county and school district. Once complete, the output will supply renewable energy to four municipalities and electric utilities in the state, doing so in accordance with a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Under the agreement, New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) will purchase 100 mega-watts, Denton Municipal Electric (DME) will guarantee 75 megawatts and Garland Power and Light (GP&L) and Kerrville Public Utility Board are slated for 25 mega-watts each. 8INDUSTRY NEWSBRENNTAG NORTH AMERICA OPENS TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CENTERBrenntag North America Inc., part of the Brenntag Group, which is a global leader in the chemical and ingredients distribution markets, has celebrated the grand opening of its new Coatings and Construction Technology and Innovation Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the latest addition to its Technology and Innovation Hub. The move from its previous location in North Wales will provide more space and state-of-the-art equipment in its efforts to support its customers in Canada and the U.S. with coating and construction formulation challenges. From this new space it can better offer technical solutions and support innovation. The center is run by industry experts and chemists who can provide technical exper-tise on a variety of subjects including adhesives, coatings, construction, elastomers and sealants. Services offered include raw material evaluation and product perfor-mance testing, in addition to physical, subjective and visual testing. TINBIN AVAILABLE IN CANADAThe German-made Tinbin TC2 is now available in Canada. The attachment allows operators to use their excavators like a hydro vac truck, by adding suction to excavators (minimum weight 16 tonnes) using the excavator’s hydraulics to reach depths of up to 3.5 metres. The product was introduced to the market earlier this year and the first sales took place in August, with products slated for use in the rail industry. The product weights 1,300 kilograms and offers 0.75 metres of storage. Its use supports dry excavation which means materials can be dumped and returned, whereas with hydro vacs, the process creates a slurry that requires special treatment and disposal. 99Next >