MARCH 2019CONSTRUCTIONINFOCUS.COMFIVE GENERATIONS OF EXCELLENCE STRENGTHENING THE COMMERCIAL FLOORING INDUSTRY FROM THE GROUND UP TIMELESS ALUMINUM, TIMELESS SERVICEOur history:Prodraft was established in 1997 with a specic plan in mind. The goal was to offer competitive pricing while providing U.S. based fabricators with support from a project management staff that is knowledgeable and experienced in steel detailing standards, norms and codes. Fabricators work together with our project managers in Virginia reviewing preferences and resolving conicts, while insuring the project schedule is maintained. Over the years the detailing and management staff has grown, and we are proud that many of our employees from the early years are still with the company after all this time.It’s all in the details• Established in 1997• Full Service Structural Steel Detailing• Knowledgeable project managers in our Chesapeake, Virginia of ce • High quality, on time, complete and accurate drawings• Successfully detailed projects up to 20,000 tons• Accomplished in highly complex structures• Experienced in trade and BIM Coordination Our history:Prodraft was established in 1997 with a specic plan in mind. The goal was to offer competitive pricing while providing U.S. based fabricators with support from a project management staff that is knowledgeable and experienced in steel detailing standards, norms and codes. Fabricators work together with our project managers in Virginia reviewing preferences and resolving conicts, while insuring the project schedule is maintained. Over the years the detailing and management staff has grown, and we are proud that many of our employees from the early years are still with the company after all this time.It’s all in the details• Established in 1997• Full Service Structural Steel Detailing• Knowledgeable project managers in our Chesapeake, Virginia of ce • High quality, on time, complete and accurate drawings• Successfully detailed projects up to 20,000 tons• Accomplished in highly complex structures• Experienced in trade and BIM Coordination EDITOR’S CORNER“Despite the boom in building across much of the U.S. and Canada and the offer of well-paying jobs, the construction industry con-tinues to face a shortage of workers.” It’s a line from Robert Hoshowksy in this issue’s Addressing the Ongoing Labour Shortage – Workforce Development in Construction, but, as many of us know, it’s one that could have been uttered every month for the past several years. The construction industry – alongside manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors – continues to fall short of the workforce it needs to meet present demand.“Reasons behind the employee shortage… are numerous,” writes Robert, “and are reflected in the numbers of both older, seasoned workers who are departing the industry and fewer younger people who are entering it.” It is this twin problem that makes the shortage so drastic. As baby boomers retire en masse, the ideal situation would be one in which young workers take their place. Yet this is not what’s happening, the consequence of the messages many of us received to avoid the trades and enter a white-collar field instead.Smart companies know the situation isn’t sustainable, and are taking the initiative to effect change. Some are reaching out at job fairs, expanding and focusing their online presence, or offering internship and educational opportunities to youth. Others are ensuring that they remain innovative and forward-thinking to attract young workers and remain competitive. Some are focused on changing people’s perceptions of con-struction, getting the word out that health and safety, work-place culture, and environmental considerations have evolved and improved dramatically over the past couple of decades – sound strategies that will hopefully pay dividends in building the workforce of the future.Jaime McKee EditorEDITORJaime McKeeDEPUTY EDITORTim Hocken COPY EDITORThora SmithCONTRIBUTING WRITERSPauline Müller | Mark Golombek | Jen HockenNate Hendley | David Caldwell | William YoungSamita Sarkar | Ryan Cartner | Robert HoshowskyJessica Ferlaino | Margaret EatonJosh Carmody | Jesse Doehler-KnoxREGIONAL MANAGER OF RESEARCHNate Selig | Ciaran DunneSENIOR CONTENT MANAGERSBrad Mike | Tom England | Peter SwaleCONTENT MANAGERSMehul Jagawat | Brian Maponga | Louis Susara | Peter EganChristian Cooke | Melissa McIsaac | Scott ForbesAaron Conway | Rodolfo del Aguila | Alan KeoghAnthony Blazevic | Mark Gormley | Darragh GilliganSALES & MARKETING MANAGERLuke SimmsSALES TEAMPamela Taylor | Dean Lucas | Kayla Brown Evan Broussard | Joshuwa Amero | Sam DesjardinsPRODUCTION COORDINATORClaire ChambersGRAPHIC DESIGNERSEbic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva | Gavin Billings Lindsay Bailey | Sarah Leeson | Victoria LaneDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRobert ChambersPROJECT MANAGERJaimie FoxDIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONSColin O’NeillREGIONAL DIRECTOR, NORTH AMERICAAdam CameronOPERATIONS MANAGERJonathan FisherCONTROLLERJen HamiltonPUBLISHERJeff HockenOur history:Prodraft was established in 1997 with a specic plan in mind. The goal was to offer competitive pricing while providing U.S. based fabricators with support from a project management staff that is knowledgeable and experienced in steel detailing standards, norms and codes. Fabricators work together with our project managers in Virginia reviewing preferences and resolving conicts, while insuring the project schedule is maintained. Over the years the detailing and management staff has grown, and we are proud that many of our employees from the early years are still with the company after all this time.It’s all in the details• Established in 1997• Full Service Structural Steel Detailing• Knowledgeable project managers in our Chesapeake, Virginia of ce • High quality, on time, complete and accurate drawings• Successfully detailed projects up to 20,000 tons• Accomplished in highly complex structures• Experienced in trade and BIM Coordination Suite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | CanadaP: 1-647-479-2163 | E: info@fmgpublishing.comOur history:Prodraft was established in 1997 with a specic plan in mind. The goal was to offer competitive pricing while providing U.S. based fabricators with support from a project management staff that is knowledgeable and experienced in steel detailing standards, norms and codes. Fabricators work together with our project managers in Virginia reviewing preferences and resolving conicts, while insuring the project schedule is maintained. Over the years the detailing and management staff has grown, and we are proud that many of our employees from the early years are still with the company after all this time.It’s all in the details• Established in 1997• Full Service Structural Steel Detailing• Knowledgeable project managers in our Chesapeake, Virginia of ce • High quality, on time, complete and accurate drawings• Successfully detailed projects up to 20,000 tons• Accomplished in highly complex structures• Experienced in trade and BIM Coordination 3INSIDE MARCH GENERAL CONTRACTING FOCUS ON: FLOORING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATIONEQUIPMENT, MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 4FOCUS ON: AMERICAN CONCRETE PUMPING ASSOCIATION (ACPA) For years, the construction industry across North America has seen fewer skilled trades-people enter the workforce, creating challenges in getting projects completed on time and within budget. While the labour shortage is not new, it is reaching a breaking point.CONCRETE & STEELCONSTRUCTION SERVICES 5CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS 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 or call 1-647-479-2163JLC LIVE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SHOW, NEW ENGLAND27 – 30 March, Providence, RIThis event attracts thousands of builders, remodelers and crews from across New England who are looking to perfect their skills and build their businesses by networking with exhibiting companies, getting up-to-date practical information in conference sessions and attending live building clinics. This event showcases almost 300 building product manufacturers, including eight manufacturer-led building clinics, along with 11 building clinics and over 40 conference sessions led by nationally recognized experts.For more information VANCOUVER REAL ESTATE FORUM4 April, Vancouver, BCSince its inception in 1994, the Vancouver Real Estate Forum has evolved into the largest annual conference on investment, development, leasing and financing in the region. This year, join 1100 executives for informative discussions and quality networking. Once again, the Forum will provide an insightful program focusing on key issues, challenges and opportunities of interest to real estate investors, developers, asset managers, brokers and other professionals.For more information GREEN HOMES SUMMIT5 April, Red Deer, ABThe Green Homes Summit is a one-day, regionally-focused education session focusing on residential construction, covering both single-family homes (including townhomes and various attached styles) and multifamily projects up to the midrise level (up to 12 stories), and will include sessions on LEED Canada for Homes, and many regional energy and green building standards.For more information ROOFTECH 2019 – THE CANADIAN ROOFING EXPOSITION16 – 17 April, Montreal, QCThe 14th biannual ROOFTech has been planned by the roofing industry to provide a hands-on educational experience on all aspects of roofing for architects, building inspectors, contractors, engineers, property managers, roofing consultants and specifiers. Much more than just a typical trade show, ROOFTech 2019 will be an informational forum that will provide considerable benefits for anyone who needs to stay apprised about the latest in roofing technologies.For more information ADVANCED STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT25 – 26 April, Chicago, ILInfluencing, convincing and persuading internal and external stakeholders are essential and critical skills for a successful business. Managing and navigating the complex relationships between stakeholders is extremely important for any organization. This course covers the essen-tial frameworks and principles associated with effective stakeholder management and engagement. Learn to collaborate with stakeholders, enhance trust and cooperation, gain buy-in, manage expectations and influence techniques, and dynamically adjust your approach to different situations.For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS6 INDUSTRY NEWSCALGARY PLANNERS RECOMMEND MOVING AHEAD WITH SOLAR PROJECTCalgary’s planning commission has recommended that city council approve a massive solar array within the city’s limits when the decision comes before them in March. The proposed 156-acre energy production facility, a project of Irish renewable energy company, DP Energy, would be the largest of its kind in Western Canada. In order for the 1,576 solar panel project to move forward, it will require an amendment be made to a land-use bylaw for the area and will require a public hearing. If approved, the facility will be located in southeast Calgary’s Shepard Industrial Park.If approved, the project could begin as early as April and would take full advantage of Alberta’s ideal sun conditions to generate 25 megawatts of electricity, the equivalent of powering up to 4000 homes. The proposed site is owned by Viterra and will be leased to DP Energy. The site is also home to a capped tailing pond which would require remediative action to resolve the creosote contamina-tion. This would be a problem for most projects but because of the fixed angle of the solar panels, construction of them is not expected to disturb the contaminated land underneath. NEW POLYPROPYLENE PLANT JV ANNOUNCEDA new joint venture between Pembina Pipeline Ltd. and Kuwaiti firm, Petrochemical Industries Co., has been announced and plans for a $4.5 billion polypropylene plant in Alberta that would turn propane into polypropylene plastic to help deliver world prices to land-locked oil producers in Western Canada are underway. The proposed integrated propane dehydrogenation plant and polypropylene upgrading facility will be located northeast of Edmonton next to Pembina’s Red Water Fractionation Complex and will consume about 23,000 barrels of propane a day and have a capacity of 550, 000 tonnes of polypropylene a year. Pembina was awarded $300 million in royalty credits in 2016 as an Alberta incentive for the project, which will allow for reduced royalty payments to the government, as they cannot otherwise be claimed by the company. Pembina has made agreements with producers to monetize 80 percent of the credits over the first several years of the facility’s operation, which is expected to be in service mid-2023. The plant’s plastic pellets will be shipped by rail and shipping containers to manufacturers around the world and will be used in the production of recyclable products for the auto-motive, medical device, food packaging and home electrical appliance markets. Pembina’s share of the project’s capital costs will be $2.5 billion and include a 50 percent interest in the JV, which will own the plants in addition to a full stake in the supporting facilities. 7INDUSTRY NEWSMARKHAM, ONTARIO SET TO BECOME LIVING LAB FOR SMART CITY RESEARCHMarkham, Ontario, a city of 355,000 residents, is set to become a living laboratory for Bell Canada and IBM Canada Ltd. to test a new generation of systems for monitoring city infrastructure and detecting problems such as storm flooding. The smart city research project will run for a six-month duration and will begin in April. The project will combine Bell’s broadband networks with IBM’s data analytics, in addition to data from sensors placed in various parts of the city. The project will focus on the back-end processes that are designed to detect storm-related flooding and leaks in city water pipes and conduct remote tracking of equipment in order to improve the operational life of, and better manage, assets. This is one of many similar trials taking place around the world to promote the smart city concept and the various advantages derived from adopting the approach to better manage costs and improve service delivery. Markham will be tasked with monitoring the city’s equipment and infrastructure assets and the mayor is confident that this will safeguard any security concerns, though the city will be evaluating whether the investment in staff and other related costs will be worth the efforts being made.ACPA AND CPA ANNOUNCE MERGERThe Concrete Pumping Association of Canada (CPA) has announced its plan to merge with the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA), giving ACPA members in Canada a dedicated forum for addressing issues that impact Canadian pumpers. The CPA will operate as an ACPA chapter and will continue to operate under the same name. Current CPA members will benefit greatly from ACPA’s strong safety training and Concrete Pump Operator Certification program, which is the only recognized certification program of its kind for testing concrete pumping practices. By bringing the organizations together, concrete pumpers on both sides of the border who share many of the same issues – including safety, workforce development and training, as well as industry promotion and marketing – can have a stronger unified voice and greater access to shared resources. The merger also represents a solidification of the concrete industry’s presence in the North American marketplace and will improve the viability of the industry as a result. The first meeting of the Canadian chapter will take place at the World of Concrete 2019 trade show in Las Vegas. YOUR FLEET IS YOUR REPUTATION. Get a free Fleet Cost Analysis:BENJAMIN BENNER | (801) 567-5523SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH:PROUD PARTNER OF CUTTING EDGE LANDSCAPELOCAL ACCOUNT MANAGERSPROACTIVE FLEET MONITORINGPOWERFUL TECHNOLOGY AND ANALYTICS8INDUSTRY NEWSNEBRASKA COMMISSION APPROVES KEYSTONE XL ROUTEA major obstacle has been cleared for TransCanada’s hotly contested Keystone XL pipeline, as the Nebraska Public Service Commission approved the 1200-mile route that will deliver oil from Alberta to Nebraska where it could then connect with the existing Keystone network. The project has faced opposition from activists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples, landowners and many others who are concerned about the potential envi-ronmental damage that would result from a defect or failure of the pipeline. The Obama administration had blocked the project, citing inadequate environmental reviews as its reason for doing so, but the decision was later overturned by President Trump. While the project received a three to two vote of approval by the Nebraska Public Service Commission, it is still subject to review and was not the preferred route. Considering that it is not the preferred route that was approved, TransCanada will review the decision and conduct necessary reviews of the ruling to ensure the project is still viable, as the decision could have implications for the project’s timeline and budget. Weak oil prices could also play into the company’s decision. The project is also likely to be subject to additional legal hurdles, as those groups who are opposed to the decision can still appeal it in State District Court, further extending a legal process that has already spanned years. Nebraska landowners fought the project in court and the company withdrew its appli-cation with the State Public Service Commission in 2015 after the State Department blocked the pipeline. The company submitted a new application after President Trump issued the executive memo in February. MERIDIAN ENERGY GROUP ANNOUNCES SECOND REFINERYMeridian Energy Group has entered an agreement with a Winkler Company subsidiary to establish site control in Winkler County, Texas for a new refinery that will process local Permian crude oil into a full slate of refined products for local and regional markets. The facility will have a throughput of approximately 60,000 barrels per day. Once control has been established, the project will move into the design and permitting stages. Meridian’s first facility, Billings County Davis Refinery, is being built in the Bakken region in Billings County, North Dakota, and will serve as the model for the Winkler refinery. Meridian endeavours to have the cleanest refineries on the planet. The Billings County refinery is the first to be permitted for air quality purposes as a synthetic minor source, the first of its kind to demonstrate substantially lower emissions on a per barrel basis when compared with the industry average. With these facilities, Meridian is proving the role advanced technology can play in achieving strict environmental controls in the construction and operation of full-conversion petroleum processing facilities. 9Next >