BUILDING INSPIRATION INTO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Luizzi Companies WRITTEN IN CONCRETE – 140 YEARS OF SUCCESS Bryan Materials Group ALL TOGETHER NOW – WHERE CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES FEEL LIKE FAMILY Delta Industries, Inc. CONSTRUCTIONINFOCUS.COM DEC 2023 - JAN 2024EDITOR’S CORNER 3 S trong, highly effective, and fundamentally simple, concrete as a building material has a history stretching back to 6500BCE. Today, it forms “the foundation of modern development,” writes Karen Hawthorne. Concrete can be used to provide housing, infra- structure, and buildings of all sorts with efficiency and speed. It’s no wonder, then, that, “after water, concrete is the most used substance on the planet, with twice as much concrete used in construction as all other building materials combined.” Concrete does have its downsides, largely environmental: its production is a massive CO 2 emitter and a significant drain on water resources, and its final form a contributor to the urban heat island effect and water runoff issues—not ideal in an increasingly chaotic climate. But concrete can be flexible, in its way. Researchers concerned with the sustainability of the built environment are developing ways to make the material more ecologically friendly at every point in its life-cycle, looking at additives to turn concrete into a carbon sink, production methods that use less water and put out less CO 2 , and building in permeability to manage water runoff. With continuous improvement and innovation, the future of concrete is looking far greener. Karen tells us more in A Concrete Foundation – Innovations for Greening Construction . Jaime McKee Editor Suite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | Canada P: 1-647-479-2163 | E: info@fmgpublishing.com constructioninfocus.com EDITOR Jaime McKee DEPUTY EDITOR Tim Hocken COPY EDITORS Thora Smith | Allister Havercroft CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Dempsey | Claire Suttles | Grace McGrenere Karen Hawthorne | Margaret Eaton | Nate Hendley Pauline Müller | Robert Hoshowsky | William Young DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS James Corbett OPERATIONS MANAGER Severina Gachparova OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Marc Arsenault CONTENT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Scott Forbes SENIOR CONTENT DEVELOPER Wendy Hood-Morris CONTENT DEVELOPERS Erin Grant | Erin McWhinney Faye Hiscock | Lily Mitchell | Steve Finn SALES TEAM LEAD Pamela Taylor SALES TEAM Morgan Culpepper | Dean Lucas GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM LEAD Laura Pratt GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ashley Dowling | Ebic Tristary Isaac McWhinnie | Yoana Ilcheva SENIOR STAFF ACCOUNTANT Christi Lingard OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Julia MacQueen BUSINESS COORDINATOR Abigail Potter IT ADMINISTRATOR Rebecca Sanford PUBLISHER Jeff Hocken “Researchers concerned with the sustainability of the built environment are developing ways to make concrete more ecologically friendly at every point in its life-cycle.”INSIDE DEC - JAN FOCUS ON: CONCRETE 03 EDITOR’S CORNER06 INDUSTRY EVENTS07 INDUSTRY NEWS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 10 A CONCRETE FOUNDATION Innovations for Greening Construction 16 ROMANCING THE STONES The Bare Beauty of Brutalist Architecture 20 SUPPLYING QUALITY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND SERVICES FOR 60 YEARS Guaranteed Supply Company 26 DOING IT DIFFERENTLY… AND BETTER Ernest Maier, Inc. 30 ALL TOGETHER NOW – WHERE CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES FEEL LIKE FAMILY Delta Industries 38 HOW TOTAL TEAMWORK TAKES YOU TO #1 Concrete Frame Associates 96 FORMING A LEGACY RES Group of Companies 104 PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION: BUILDING ON A FIRM FOUNDATION Campbell & Company 110 ROOFING STANDARDS THAT SET STANDARDS Ohio and Indiana Roofing 44 FOUNDED ON FAMILY VALUES Bloomsdale Excavating 50 BUILDING INSPIRATION INTO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Luizzi Companies 58 SIMPLY BETTER CONCRETE MACHINERY BW Manufacturing 62 WRITTEN IN CONCRETE – 140 YEARS OF SUCCESS Bryan Materials Group 68 QUALITY CONCRETE TREATMENT ChemMasters 74 LEADERS IN UNDERGROUND STORMWATER SYSTEMS Environmental Containment Corp 80 THE PRECAST ADVANTAGE Atlantic TNG 84 EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR A BETTER INDUSTRY American Concrete Institute 88 INNOVATION YOU CAN COUNT ON Easi-Set Worldwide 92 70 YEARS OF SUCCESS CROM 116 BUILDING DREAMS – AND RELATIONSHIPS Pattillo Construction Corporation 122 MAKING SMART MOVES TO STAY ON TOP OF THE INDUSTRY Conquest Equipment 126 SMALLER COMPANY, BIGGER PROJECTS – A COMPANY FINDS ITS SWEET SPOT Pro-Can Construction Group 132 VANCOUVER ISLAND GETS THE HOMES IT DESERVES Step One Design 138 PACIFIC NORTHWEST PAINTING FIRM PLANS FOR THE FUTURE Long Painting Company 146 PRODUCTS FOR BEAUTIFYING PROPERTIES Rock Hard Landscape Supply 410 COVER STORY A CONCRETE FOUNDATION Innovations for Greening Construction There is no question that concrete is a strong and enduring cornerstone of the construction industry. Just consider the Pantheon and Colosseum in Rome, testaments to the durability of one of man’s most widely used materials. ATLANTIC MOMENTUM ENGINEERING & DESIGN 152 FAMILY TIES Weir’s Construction 156 POMERLEAU CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN ATLANTIC CANADA Pomerleau 162 MAKING BETTER SPACES Fathom Studios 168 DRIVEN BY PASSION, PRIDE, AND PROTECTING THE PLANET Bailey Edward 174 EMBRACING CHANGE WithersRavenel 180 DESIGN, PLAY, LOVE Design Collaborative 5 CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS WORLD OF CONCRETE 23 – 25 January, Las Vegas, NV WOC 2024 is the industry’s only annual international tradeshow dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. WOC has served the global concrete and masonry construction industries for 50 years, connecting and educating buyers and sellers through live and digital events throughout the year. Make connections and enjoy opportunities for growth. For more information visit: www.worldofconcrete.com THE INTERNATIONAL SURFACE EVENT (TISE) – SURFACES | STONEXPO | TILEEXPO 23 – 26 January, Las Vegas, NV The International Surface Event (TISE) is the megalopolis of all things floor covering, stone, and tile. The umbrella for three mega events, SURFACES, StonExpo, and TileExpo, TISE is the annual resource for sourcing and purchasing the newest products, networking with industry leaders and game changers, and discovering new trends. Whether you’re after the newest products, looking to connect with vendors, or seeking further training and certifications, TISE has the journey for you! For more information visit: www.intlsurfaceevent.com INTERNATIONAL ROOFING EXPO 6 – 8 February, Las Vegas, NV The International Roofing Expo (IRE) is the largest roofing and exteriors event in North America. With more than 65 years of success, IRE has become the industry’s annual hub for products, equipment, hands-on education, and networking. With unparalleled product insights, cutting- edge equipment, immersive hands-on education, and unrivaled networking opportunities, IRE is your destination for success. For more information visit: www.theroofingexpo.com ABSDA BUILDING SUPPLY EXPO 2024 6 – 7 March, Halifax, NS The Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association (ABSDA) is the collective voice and liaison for the independent building supply and home improvement industry, focusing on dealer and supplier needs by providing and delivering quality services and benefits. Expo 2024 is booked at the beautiful Halifax Convention Center and, in addition to the Expo, will host the Expo Gala Awards. For more information visit: absda.ca/absda-building-supply-expo WORLD OF MODULAR 2024 18 – 21 March, Orlando, FL Join modular construction professionals around the globe for 2024’s World of Modular. For 41 years, the Modular Building Institute (MBI) has provided professionals in the commercial modular building industry a place to network, exchange ideas, learn from experts, discuss issues, promote new products, and receive well-deserved awards and industry recognition. Enjoy high-profile speakers, top-notch educational sessions, exhibits, the latest trends in commercial modular construction, entertainment, and more. For more information visit: www.worldofmodular.org INDUSTRY EVENTS 6 Are 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 info@fmgpublishing.com or call 1-647-479-2163INDUSTRY NEWS AECOM TO PAY $11.8M IN KATRINA SETTLEMENT Dallas-based contractor AECOM will pay $11.8 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act during recovery work that took place in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Allegations by the Justice Department claim that the contractor violated the act when it served as a techni- cal assistance contractor supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster recovery efforts between 2007 and 2013. The Justice Department alleged that AECOM knowingly sub- mitted false claims to FEMA to replace educational facilities damaged by the hurricane. FEMA paid AECOM more than $300 million to provide damage assessments and estimates to the institutions impacted by Katrina as part of the process to qualify for federal public assistance grants. AECOM is being accused of knowingly misrepresenting the cost of repairs versus replacement, as the funding was desig- nated for the repair of damages unless the cost exceeded half of the replacement costs. A 2016 lawsuit claimed that the contractor systematically inflated estimates and falsified other information to increase the payouts received by claimants, even if it exceeded entitle- ments. These claims were made public by former AECOM project manager Robert Romero under the False Claims Act’s whistleblower provisions. The allegations include claims that AECOM supervisors did not correct disaster assistance applications that included these fal- sities, upon review. AECOM has denied the allegations and reaf- firms its pride in its contributions to the recovery work that took place to rebuild Louisiana. The contractor’s decision to settle is not an admission of guilt, but rather an effort to avoid the expense of litigation for a fraction of the damages sought. Settlements have also been reached with Xavier University of Louisiana and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, regarding their alleged participation in false claims that AECOM has allegedly orchestrated. RIOCAN REIT HIT BY HIGH INTEREST RATES High interest rates have started to impact real estate investment trusts (REIT) like RioCan, which has had to pause new construc- tion starts due to increased rates and higher costs. The decision is expected to be short-term and will allow it to focus on debt repayment in the meantime, which is around $7.3 billion. While new construction projects have been halted, existing builds will continue. RioCan will continue with the 1.7 million square feet already under construction, but 1.5 million square feet of shovel-ready projects will have to wait for stronger market conditions. The halt should not impact projects that are in the development and permitting stages. The decision comes amid a net loss of $73.5 million in the latest quarter. The loss is being attributed to fair value losses of $199.5 million on its investment properties. The compa- ny’s retail portfolio remains strong, while the office segment is down. 7INDUSTRY NEWS QUEBEC LAUNCHES PAID CONSTRUCTION TRAINING WORK HALTED ON ROCHESTER BATTERY PLANT Nearly 3,000 people have signed up for Quebec’s accelerated paid construction training program that was announced by Premier François Legault. The program is an attempt to solve the labour shortage that continues to threaten the viability of future projects, including major infrastructure projects like schools, roads, and Hydro-Quebec structures. In total, the province has committed $300 million in invest- ments to get thousands more workers ready for the jobsite by the summer of 2024, which it hopes will reduce the shortage of approximately 6,500 construction workers estimated to be needed to support upcoming and ongoing projects. The goal is to recruit between 4,000 and 5,000 new workers by next year. Fast-track paid training courses will be offered starting in January and will offer people training in five trades: carpentry, mechanical excavator operators, heavy equipment operators, tinsmith workers, and refrigeration technicians. Anyone who is interested has until December 15 to register for an Attestation of Vocational Studies (AEP) that will last from four to six months or 500 to 700 hours. Those who register will receive $750 per week in support. Further, those who enrol in comparable programs to attain a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) could receive a bursary valued anywhere between $9,000 and $15,000 upon graduat- ing. For example, the government has increased the capacity of the electricity, plumbing, and heating DEP programs to reduce the wait lists that have amassed. Work has unexpectedly come to a halt at a $500 million battery plant in Rochester, New York, which has had far reaching con- sequences, particularly for the contractors selected for the project, as construction was underway. MasTec, the country’s third-largest commercial contrac- tor by revenue from Coral Gables, Florida, has been forced to shut down its Rochester operation following the work stoppage, which will see all its 102 Rochester employees laid off. Engineering and procurement activities were already in the advanced stages and construction was already underway. The project, which is owned by Li-Cycle Holdings, a Toronto- based battery material recovery firm, has been paused because of escalating construction costs. The company is currently reviewing its plans for the future, and has given no timeline for the review process, but it will likely come after the company’s third quarter earnings call on November 13. The battery plant was funded in part by the Department of Energy through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, from which it received a $375 million loan commitment that could now be in jeopardy. Li-Cycle Holdings has committed to working closely with the govern- ment regarding the funding promises. 8INDUSTRY NEWS DOMINION ENERGY ONE STEP CLOSER TO BREAKING GROUND ON $9.8B OFFSHORE WIND FARM MZOS BENEFITTED FRIENDS OF THE PREMIER As the saying goes, it pays to have friends in high places, and this is certainly the case in Ontario, where the Premier is being questioned by the New Democrats (NDP) on why 18 ministerial zoning orders (MZOs) were given to developers who attended the wedding of Premier Ford’s daughter last summer. The orders in question enable development on farmland in the Toronto area, which adds another layer of concern amid the Greenbelt scandal. MZOs are a land-planning tool that can be used by the province to regulate the use of land in Ontario, fast-tracking development by overriding municipal zoning bylaws, and the Ford government has been criticized for the number of times it has used this tool compared with previous governments. For instance, the previous Liberal government issues 18 MZOs over a 15-year period. According to the NDP, a longtime friend of the Ford family, Shakir Rehmatullah, owner of Flato Developments, was awarded half of the orders. Former minister Kaleed Rasheed and former housing policy director Jay Trusdell resigned after they were discovered to have visited Las Vegas with Rehmatullah, as well as Ford’s former principal secretary. A review of MZOs is being conducted by Housing Minister Paul Calandra, with a focus on changing the process for using MZOs, as they are a useful tool that will continue to be used to build housing faster. An MZO that was issued for the Lakeview Village develop- ment in Mississauga will double the size of the project to 16,000 residential units, which has been cause for concern amongst municipal leaders and residents alike that the already congested Lakeshore communities of Lakeview and Port Credit will not be able to sustain the growth taking place in the area. A decade after securing its lease, Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project is one step closer to construction after receiving a favourable Record of Decision from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). All that remains is BOEM’s approval of the project construction and operations plan. In the meantime, this approval means onshore activities can commence. The first eight monopile foundations have arrived at staging area at Portsmouth Marine Terminal for the $9.8 billion project plan which includes the construction of 176 wind turbines 23 miles from the coast of Virginia Beach. The project is expected to generate 2.6 gigawatts of electricity, the equivalent of powering 660,000 homes. While other offshore wind developments are being paused or cancelled due to rising costs, Dominion has secured fixed- cost contracts for much of the project, meaning it is likely to go ahead as planned. If final approvals are granted, construction is set to begin in 2024 with completion slated for 2026, at which point it will be the largest offshore wind farm of its kind in the United States. What stands in the way is the potential for the project to impact the endangered North Atlantic right whale species. To mitigate this impact, Dominion is required to take measures to protect whales from loud underwater noises and vessel strikes. If this is undertaken by the company, the BOEM expects minor impacts to the species overall. 9Next >