Putting People First
From recruitment to leadership, human resources management will help your business
Tough Performer
Burnaby-based Traxxon Rock Drills has earned an excellent reputation for building tough and innovative equipment, and for selling and supporting quality products from other manufacturers By Kelly Gray When you build and support equipment for use in the wilds of British Columbia, you make it strong and you build in innovation and performance. This is what the founder of Traxxon, Mike Horvat, did in the early 1960s. Today, Traxxon has carried on this tradition with a full line of drilling equipment, components and accessories that are among the best in the industry. The early days saw the company solely focused on the coastal forest industry. This is when they converted WW2 Sherman army tanks into mobile drilling equipment called tank drills, allowing mobility in the rugged coastal mountain terrain. It's also where they came up with their innovative 360-degree positioner allowing drilling at virtually any angle. The tradition of building rugged and innovative equipment for Traxxon's expanding customer base carried on with Steve Cross taking over the business from Horvat in the 90s. Cross, who had started working with Horvat early in his career, was able to take the company to the next level of innovation with his team, designing an excavator mounted drill attachment - the TR-EX. Highly successful in Western Canada, the TR-EX has proven itself in both forestry and construction, and it has also been sold to customers around the world.
Rolling in the Deep
The Roll Form Group continues its success in North America
Deep Roots
ECA Canada builds on its history to provide specialized foundation equipment By J. Lynn Fraser ECA Canada's specialization in foundation construction equipment rentals has deep, dual roots in the North American construction industry. In 1953, the company's Canadian roots took hold when Special Construction Machines Ltd. (SCM) was established. SCM distinguished itself in the industry when it became the first Delmag diesel pile hammer dealer in North America. SCM's product range now includes vibratory hammers, hydraulic drill rigs and tieback anchor/micropile rigs. In late 1999, the company was purchased by Equipment Corporation of America (ECA) and was renamed ECA Canada. ECA's roots reach back to 1918 when three Chicago-based companies amalgamated. The Chicago Builders Specialty Company, French & Allen and Marsh-Capron manufacturing became ECA, specializing in equipment rentals. Today, ECA's operations are based in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Toronto, with sales offices in New Jersey, North Carolina and Indiana.
Keller Canada
Stepping Into the Global Arena By Margaret Anne Fehr For the piling division of the North American Construction Group (NACG), 2013 proved to be a year of re-invention as the 30-year-old Canadian company became Keller Canada, a division of Keller Group Plc. (KGP), the world's largest ground engineering company, headquartered in L`ondon, England. “In July 2013, the deal was officially sealed as we were acquired by KGP,” said Bernie Robert, president of Keller Canada. “As a leader in piling, our team has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of climates and soil conditions across Canada, and we have a full range of piling technologies. Now we are connected internationally, and will continue to be at the forefront of the industry.”
Building Bridges
[ VIEW PHOTO GALLERY ] The Sir Ambrose Shea lift bridge replacement is one of dozens of bridge projects on "The Rock" By Heather Hudson To everything there is a season, including bridges. Many of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's 1,134 bridge and culvert structures are at the end of their service life, having aged upwards of 50 years in some cases. As a result, Newfoundland is in the midst of an infrastructure makeover. The province's 2013 budget allotted $866 million on infrastructure projects, including more than $32 million on bridge repair, rehabilitation and replacements. “Not unlike the rest of the country, we face the challenge of aging infrastructure,” said Department of Transportation and Works Minister Nick McGrath. “Through investments such as these, we will ensure that the bridge infrastructure is maintained at an acceptable standard in terms of safety and comfort for the people who use them.” In the past four years, the province has awarded contracts valued at $107 million for bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects. Eighteen bridge repair and replacement projects are being tendered in 2013-14, but none are more extensive than the $40.6-million contract to replace the Sir Ambrose Shea lift bridge in Placentia, N.F. The project also received $8 million in federal funding. The project combines the expertise and labour of designers and pile drivers from across the country. Designed by engineering, planning, management and technology firm Delcan, the construction was awarded to H.J. O'Connell Construction Ltd., which is completing the project jointly with Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. Work began in May 2013 and is expected to be complete in the spring of 2016. A bridge well travelledThe Sir Ambrose Shea lift bridge is the only one of its kind in Newfoundland and Labrador. A well-travelled thorough-fare, it connects the amalgamated town of Placentia, which is comprised of the communities of Placentia, Jerseyside, Freshwater and Dunville. The bridge is raised for vessels approximately 2,500 times a year, mostly to allow commercial fishing vessels to enter the sheltered harbour and dock. [ VIEW PHOTO GALLERY ] {fastsocialshare} It was built in 1961 to replace a ferry service and had an anticipated 45-year life span. According to Delcan senior structural engineer Jack Ajrab, who worked on the design of the new bridge, the original three-span has held up well, but 50 years of harsh conditions have taken a toll. “It reached the point where maintaining it would cost as much as replacing it. In the 1950s and '60s, bridges were designed for a lifespan of 50 years. Today, we design for 75 or 100 years, so we're looking at more durability.” When designing the replacement, Delcan considered the basic functionality of the bridge. The three-span, steel girder bridge featured two towers, each with a visible machine room that housed all mechanical and electrical equipment at full height. Four counterweights in each of the towers were activated using mechanical components to lift the bridge when the counter weights went down. The basic mechanics and overall look of the new bridge will remain the same. “The new bridge is functionally similar to the original, in that the centre span lifts vertically. However, the new bridge shape with the four-tower design terminating with tubular member resembles the masts of the fishing boats, which will blend into the local fishing community,” said Ajrab. The superstructure's tubular design is also expected to be easier to maintain, more durable and, with a good coating, will be impervious to rust for many years. ConstructionOnce the design was finalized, crews from a joint venture between H.J. O'Connell Ltd. and Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. went to work mobilizing the site and demolishing existing boat buildings and houses. Two temporary trestles - one north, one south - were erected to access the centre piers and allow workers to maneuver a 150-ton crane to do the piling, concrete work and install the structural steel. The piling component is a huge part of the job and, with semidiurnal tides (two highs and two lows at the same height every day) to work around, it's not without its challenges. “The tide goes out at a rate of up to eight knots, stays slack for about 30 minutes and then comes back at eight knots,” explained Clancy Lannon, project manager for Vancouver Pile Ltd. “We do certain things on the slack tide, like placing riprap when the tide stops going out and before it comes in. And we stage work, such as sheet pile installation around the tides. When the tide is going out, you work in that direction and vice versa. It's very challenging, but that's how marine construction is.” A bigger - and less anticipated - issue has been high winds. The construction is crane-dependent for virtually everything done on the site. “We have to boom down if winds are above 70 kph, which has happened quite a few times,” said Lannon. “In fact, this has been one of the worst winters for wind in memory.” [ VIEW PHOTO GALLERY ] {fastsocialshare} The abutments and piers are founded on pipe piles driven to a depth of about 30 metres. Lannon explains the process: “Steel sheet pile cofferdams are installed at each location. Pipe piles are driven inside the cofferdam to the design depth. We then place concrete under water using the tremie method. The thickness of the tremied concrete seal varies from 3.9 metres on the South Pier to 6.9 metres on the North Pier. Then the cofferdams are dewatered, pilings are cut off and filled with concrete, the footing is poured and the bridge shafts installed, at which point it's ready for structural steel.” In the tender, Delcan offered two design choices when it came to driving piles: a shallow foundation system with massive concrete footing on the ocean floor, which would include excavation and putting piers on competent soils, or driving piles to reach the competent layer and getting supported there. Lannon says there was no question that the latter option would be more practical and economically feasible despite the soil that featured less than ideal piling conditions. “I grew up in this area and they don't call it the Rock for nothing. However, on this site, the Department of Transportation and Works drilled down 70 metres and the soil got looser with depth, so driving the piles upwards of 20 to 30 metres worked. Pile driving analysis is done on selected piles to make sure they have the capacity to support the design loads.” Another Delcan design choice concerned the structure: a conventional steel girder design or concrete precast boxes beside girders. Lannon says that one came down to a commercial decision: the steel girder design was considerably cheaper to build. On taskWith a crew of about 15 working on the piling, as of February 2014 the south abutment cofferdam and piles were in place and the south pier and abutment was expected to be complete before spring. The north side construction is under way. Once the civil work is complete in the spring, the structural steel will be put into place and the mechanical and electrical portions of the bridge will begin. A concrete control house will also be erected for bridge operators to use in daily operations. “The landscape will look much like it is right now. There will be some scour protection in place around the abutments and the north side will have a steel sheet pile sea wall replacing the wooden crib wall, but otherwise there won't be much difference. However, I think the new bridge will be more aesthetically pleasing.” Lannon says the new bridge will be complete in 2015 and the old bridge tear down will be finished in 2016. With multiple other bridge projects happening across the province, one thing is for sure: getting around is going to be a lot smoother in the years ahead. [ VIEW PHOTO GALLERY ] {fastsocialshare}
State of the Art
[ VIEW PHOTO GALLERY ] Bermingham contributes to the construction of a culture-boosting art gallery in Saskatchewan By Vanessa Kunderman Saskatoon has always been a can-do city. In the 70s, when Saskatoon wanted to host the Canada Winter Games, the flat prairie province didn't even shudder at the thought of building a mountain for skiing. When the idea for an agrarian-inspired world-class art gallery came across the desks of city council, the Remai Art Gallery was an unquestionable new project. Saskatoon has always had strong cultural interest; the orchestra, theatre and street festivals are just small blades in this province's massive crop of culture, and according to www.remai.ca, “74 per cent say Saskatoon's growing city needs a cultural facility.” Thanks to the Energy Boom from recent years, Saskatchewan's population has tipped over the one million mark, with most of the inhabitants flocking to Saskatchewan's largest city, Saskatoon. The booming population has further increased the province's lust for the arts, even more so than its colourful history. Named for Saskatchewan philanthropist, Ellen Remai, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified Gallery is a piece of architectural art, itself. With high-performance, eco-friendliness and sustainability at its core, the gallery has already accumulated architectural awards.
Where are the Workers?
Worker mobility and retirements will affect construction industries for Canada's East Coast Submitted by BuildForce Canada As opportunities arise in other locations and the Baby Boomer generation inches closer to retirement, many industries are facing an impending labour shortage in the coming years. In February 2014, BuildForce Canada released the 2014-2023 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast, and shared findings about the construction industries in our East Coast provinces - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador - with Piling Canada. As a skilled labour shortage looms on the horizon, now is the time for Canadians in the construction industry to implement plans to recruit, train and retain workers. For more information, turn to the HR Department column starting on page 71 of this issue of Piling Canada, and read Barbara Bowes' advice on how to help your business pull through by making sure you put your people first.
Oh, Canada!
Deep foundation construction in our great nation By Lisa Kopochinski Although the piling industry in Canada is relatively young, the history of piling as a technique can actually be traced back to the fourth century B.C., when Herodotus, the Greek writer and traveler, recorded how the Paeonians lived in dwellings erected on lofty piles driven into a lake bed. Other references to ancient piling include lake dwellers in Switzerland, who approximately 6,000 years ago were thought to have built structures on piled foundations to elevate dwellings to protect the occupants against attack. Not to be outdone, Greek and Roman engineers used piles along the Mediterranean coast. Early records show that piles were formed by using timber branches that were trimmed down with a small diameter at the bottom. They were driven into the soil as deep as the ground would allow. The industry has come a long way. And while piling today is largely steel and concrete, the one thing that remains constant is that piles continue to be used as deep foundations to support many types of structures and in many types of ground conditions.
BLUE Piling Technology
The future of offshore piling: bigger, deeper, quieter
New Staff Member at Jeffrey Machine, Inc.
Mary Pohlman has recently joined Jeffrey Machine, Inc. as the company's new international sales representative. She brings 13-plus years' experience in the foundation drilling and construction industry. Pohlman has been previously successful at building solid relationships with contractors and is expected to continue that success in her new position. Her extensive marketplace knowledge has helped to accurately identify customers' needs. It also helps the manufacturing team to develop the right drilling tool solution for their job sites. Her broad understanding of the foundation tooling industry will help to extend Jeffrey Machine's excellent customer service into the international marketplace. For more information about Jeffrey Machine, Inc., visit their website at www.jeffreymachine.com.
Industrial Parts Depot (IPD), LLC and BU Drive USA, Inc. Announce Joint Venture Turbocharger Supply Company
Industrial Parts Depot (IPD), LLC and BU Drive USA, Inc. are excited to announce the creation of a joint venture (JV) company named IPD Turbocharging SystemsTM. This new organization will focus on sales and service for the distribution of BorgWarner, Holset, IHI and Mitsubishi turbochargers, and will provide IPD Remanufactured Turbos. “Turbochargers are a core component for the servicing requirements of IPD's global distribution network, and are an ideal complement to IPD's growing product portfolio,” said Russell Kneipp, president of IPD. “IPD has been involved for decades in the turbocharging industry, and this new JV with BU Drive USA provides IPD with the opportunity to offer our customers a range of turbochargers with the level of service and quality that they demand.” Jack Lorimer, CEO of BU Drive USA, added, “The combination of BU's turbocharger and remanufacturing technical expertise worldwide, along with IPD's sales, distribution, manufacturing and quality processes, is a recipe for success in the critical and complicated business of turbocharging.” For information on IPD, please visit www.ipdparts.com.
New P3 Bridge Will Reinforce Canada’s “Best-in-Class” Reputation
The announcement by The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, that the new bridge for the St. Lawrence will be built as a public-private partnership (P3) recognizes the critical importance of the Champlain Bridge as a $20-billion annual trade corridor and vital transportation artery for Quebec and Canada. The Government of Canada has released the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) business case confirming that a P3 will provide the most cost-effective method to deliver the project within an accelerated timeline. “The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) strongly endorses the government's decision to move ahead with the project using the P3 model and expediting the process, given the pressing need for a safe, reliable, world-class crossing for residents and businesses in the Montreal area,” said Mark Romoff, president and CEO of CCPPP. “The project will also create thousands of jobs, stimulate the economy and provide long-term value to taxpayers.” Over the last 20 years, jurisdictions across Canada have successfully used the P3 approach in 205 projects, with those in operation or under construction worth more than $60 billion: bridges, roads, urban transit, hospitals, airports, schools, social housing, courthouses, detention centres, water and wastewater. The vast majority of these projects have been delivered on time and on budget, generating significant cost savings for governments at all levels, while creating jobs and growing Canada's economic prosperity and global competitiveness. Governments around the world are looking to replicate the Canadian “gold standard” approach, creating opportunities for Canadian companies with P3 experience and expertise. The new bridge for the St. Lawrence promises to be yet another in Canada's long list of successes. About CCPPPEstablished in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through P3s with all levels of government. CCPPP is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.
Mega-Projects Mean Bigger Labour Demand
Major energy, resource, infrastructure and commercial projects will counterbalance reduced residential activity to deliver stable workloads and escalation in 2014, according to BTY Group's annual Market Intelligence Report on construction costs across Canada. Increased labour demand for skilled trades, due in part to a large number of retiring workers, will vary by region and sector. “We expect fairly healthy levels of activity across Canada despite an anticipated general residential slowdown nation- wide, except [for] Alberta and British Columbia,” said Joe Rekab, managing partner at BTY Group. “Large - and often remote - energy and resource projects, with renewed infra- structure spending, will also spur increased labour demand in some regions.” In Ontario, strong mining investment in the north, renewed horizontal and vertical infrastructure spending and sustained commercial construction in the GTA will keep workloads stable. Still-strong oil sands investment, flood reconstruction, record high in-migration and a commercial building boom will help sustain Alberta's robust construction activity and drive Canada's strongest residential growth. Continuing investment in transportation and healthcare infrastructure and multibillion-dollar mining and energy projects will help Quebec regain momentum. Sustained investment in resource and energy development and continued high levels of in-migration will see Saskatchewan keep its place as a growth leader - with strains on labour supply. Strong shipbuilding and commercial construction, and healthy in-migration that sustains residential activity, will keep B.C. humming as massive LNG and hydro projects get underway and propel the province to solid long-term growth. BTY Group has been publishing its annual industry review of construction cost forecasts across Canada since 2003. Over the years, the Market Intelligence Report has earned a reputation in the development, property and finance communities for crucial insight on factors behind the changing marketplace and reliable unit rate cost projections for the coming year. A full copy of the report can be accessed on BTY Group's website at www.bty.com.
Junttan Oy Rolls Out Three High-End Additions to its X-Series Pile Driving Rig Family
Junttan Oy is launching three “big brothers” in its modern X-Series pile driving rig family in addition to the smaller range PMx20, PMx22, PMx24 and PMx25 rigs launched a few years ago. The new models - carrying the nickname J-reX - are the PMx26, PMx27 and PMx28, and have maximum leader capacities of 20, 23 and 25 metric tons and maximum pile lengths of 24, 25 and 28 meters respectively. This makes the PMx28 the biggest and strongest complete, purpose-built pile driving machine ever built, with a full-scaled telescopic leader and other well-known Junttan features. The whole basic structure and component layout of the PMx26 through 28 series has been redeveloped according to Junttan's 35 years of experience in the field, which means effortless operation and maintenance, and uncompromising safety, stability, transportability and structural strength. The hydraulic system has also been completely overhauled and Junttan's innovative X-control system for the PMx26 through 28 series has been further developed for the most convenient and productive operation and low fuel consumption. The PMx26 through 28 series utilizes the latest engine technology to conform to the toughest international emission legislation.
Keller Canada Remains Industry Leader in Piling
After six months as part of the largest independent ground engineering company in the world, Keller Canada has broken a record with regards to its safety program, and their leading technologies have given them continued success in projects across the country. Keller Canada (formerly the piling division of North American Construction Group) was bought by U.K.-based Keller Group Plc. (Keller), in July 2013, though the management and operations of the company have remained the same. “We were acquired by the Keller Group because we are a leader in piling,” said Bernie Robert, president of Keller Canada. “Our team has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of climates and soil conditions across Canada, and we have a full range of piling technologies. Now we are connected internationally and will continue to be at the forefront of the industry.” While the company's safety program prior to July 2013 was strong, since being named Keller Canada and adopting the Keller Safety Framework, the ultimate goal is to have zero injuries through the effective management of safety in all operations. In the last six months, the company has had no lost time injuries; in fact, no lost time injuries for more than 800,000 worked hours.
Don’t be too Swift to Rely on Limitation of Liability Clauses
A cautionary tale from Alberta's highest court By Jason E. Roberts, Fillmore Riley LLP Limitation of liability clauses are often found in con- struction contracts. These clauses generally serve to limit the amount payable as damages by a party in the event of faulty design or workmanship on its part. However, the recent decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal in Swift v. Tomecek Roney Little & Associates Ltd. signals that parties to construction contracts should exercise caution when relying on limitation of liability clauses. The facts of the case are reasonably straightforward and, although they involve the construction of a single-family home, there is no reason to suggest that the principles set out by the court would be inapplicable to other types of construction contracts. Mr. and Mrs. Swift owned land on Vancouver Island, on which they planned to build a home. Mr. Swift entered into an agreement with an architectural firm (the “Architects”) to design the home (the “Agreement”). The Agreement contained a limitation of liability clause, which protected the “Architects (referred to in the Agreement as the “Designer”)”:
Positive Reinforcement
An employee rewards and recognition program in your workplace has a positive impact on your bottom line By Barbara Bowes, Legacy Bowes Group For several years, baby boomer retirement issues were identified as the top priority in many human resource surveys. Today, the issue of employee engagement is taking over the primary lead. In fact, one survey reports that 94 per cent of participants identified employee engagement as their most important workforce challenge. Yet, what is employee engagement and why should Piling Canada readers be concerned? Employee engagement refers to whether or not employees have a positive or negative approach to their work and whether or not employees are willing and/or not willing to perform at their best in ways that further benefit their employer. The reason for concern is that employee engagement has a direct impact on business success and profitability.