< Previousstructural mesh welder, capable of service infrastructure commercial/industrial, and residential construction sectors. This has expanded the company’s capabilities to enter new markets and provide innovative solutions. This initiative reflects the company's commitment to staying at the fore- front of industry advancements. Education and ongoing initiatives for the next generation underscore Laurel Steel's dedication to sharing knowledge. Lunch and learn sessions, webinars, and collaboration with trade associations demonstrate a commitment to educa- tion architects, engineers, and other industry professionals. “We spend a lot of time trying to get in front of people to talk and educate, not even trying to get a sale, just trying to educate people on the different construction methods,” says Will Klages. As Laurel Steel envisions the next three years, the focus remains on continual growth and support for the construc- tion and mining sectors. With an eye on expanding further into the engineered structural mesh market, the company remains agile in responding to industry trends and chal- lenges. Laurel Steel's journey from its inception in 1967 to its current position as a leading supplier in the construction Today, the main challenges Laurel Steel faces can be attributed to an accelerated demand for construction, thanks to exponential population growth and the subsequent infrastructure needs that come along with that. The team overcomes these challenges by aligning with the changing construction landscape and actively addressing issues like labor shortages and sustainability concerns, ensuring it remains well-equipped to succeed on its mission to deliver the greatest value for its clients. This includes constant, stra- tegic recruitment to staff up its teams. Reflecting on Laurel Steel's early days, Josh Renneboog acknowledges the company's roots in supporting Harris Steel, which ultimately spurred the rapid growth the com- pany continues to see today. The move to Burlington in 1972 marked a pivotal moment, and cold-finish operations became the primary focus. For Laurel Steel, the only other constant (besides consistent, warp-speed growth) is change. “In the next three years, we're looking to experience continual growth in not only the construction and mining industries but in the engineered structural mesh markets,” says J.D. Russo. Laurel Steel continues to future-proof its business model and in 2023, the company even commissioned a new engineered BrandonBurkPhotography.com 20Complete precast and rebar technology ˛Highly automated carousel plants ˛Flexible reinforcement machinery ˛Integrated software solutions www.americanprogressgroup.com The American Progress Group offers innovative solutions in the precast concrete and rebar industry. Customers can rely on consulting for ongoing projects, on-site service and after sales support. The technology is developed and realized with the technical know-how and decades of experience of PROGRESS GROUP. industry reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Anchored by Nucor's strength and guided by a dedicated team, Laurel Steel is poised to continue shaping the future of construction solutions in North America and beyond. The secret behind nearly six decades in business? The answer, for Josh Renneboog, is simple. “Our company’s suc- cess is very easily defined by our success our people, our team. There's no question about it, the group of people that work here at Laurel and Nucor make all the difference. It’s why our company, our corporation is successful.” J.D. Russo adds, “We live each day with gratitude for the families, customers, staff and partners that make our work possible.” If you are in need of a new supplier of cold-finish bar, drawn wire, and/or weld wire reinforcing mesh products and would like to connect with a Laurel Steel team member to see how they can support your upcoming projects, please visit the Lau- rel Steel website, or email them at sales@laurelsteel.com BrandonBurkPhotography.com22WRITTEN BY ERIC O’CALLAGHAN T urning forty is a pivotal point in life for majority of peo- ple. It allows us time to reflect on where we came from and focus on where we’re going. In business, this is no different. In 1984, IECS Group was known as West Lorna Precast, the company established by two individuals, one of whom was Louis Arvai. Over this time, the company has expe- rienced massive growth and has managed to remain at the pinnacle of a profoundly volatile industry. As it approaches the big four-zero, it’s nice to take a moment to stop and smell the proverbial roses. The company has experienced a number of significant suc- cesses during its time in business and at its peak, has had close to 140 employees. Ever the innovator, IECS invented the precast headwall in 1997, a first for the industry. Specializing in articulated concrete block or articulated concrete mat, the company has used these skills and desire to push the industry forward to expand across both local and international markets. 2008 saw the company develop its operations significantly. IECS acquired a new property, built a new precast facility in Rodney, and also built a new office space. While in 2012, IECS acquired another property adjacent to its existing structure, essentially doubling its space. However, the expansion didn’t stop there and IECS continued to grow in both 2019 and 2021. Cable Concrete is an engineered solution and IECS manu- facture the moulds to cast the product in Canada. The engi- neering aspect of this was developed by IECS, which allowed the business to enter global markets and manufacture the product locally, utilizing local labor and materials by shipping its molds there. In addition to this, it also offers products such as precast box colour, bridge elements, girders, deck slabs, footings, wing walls, and more. This type of specialised custom precast solution has allowed the company to grow its business in Ontario. To add to its list of industry firsts, the company poured Cable Concrete in Mexico as far back as 2006 and manufactured it in Nigeria in 2010. “Ever the innovator, IECS invented the precast headwall in 1997, a first for the industry.” 23fisherprofessionalcorporationFishercorp.cainfo@fishercorp.ca519 679 2080 Bookkeeping Financial Planning & Advice Financial Reporting & Assurance Tax preparation Dedicated professionals with a mission to help your business meet and exceed your financial goals Vice President of IECS, Greg Arvai, has worked at IECS for more than 20 years, and views the company as leaders in custom design build precast. “We've made a name for our company over the years. A lot of our products head all over Ontario, and to the GTA, which is one of the best construction markets in the world. We've worked with big contractors to smaller ones, and basically everything at our facility is built on a per project basis. We have a full turnkey oper- ation from estimating to engineering and design work, to the quality engineering of the work and also delivery of the material to the customer. But the specialty precast has been an area that contracting compa- nies relevant to our market reach out to us for solutions. We definitely don't like to say no. We like to take on unique challenging projects that require engineered solutions and that is where we excel.” Reflecting on their almost 40 years in business, Arvai dis- cussed some standout moments for IECS, which included its first international project based in Malaysia in 1999. Today, IECS has offices in Nigeria, Chile, Uganda, Zambia, and the United States. To manage this successfully, IECS Group has territory man- agers in each location that work directly for the company and report to head office. However, a certain amount of trust has been placed on each manger to manage their region as their own business. With this in mind, the IECS business philoso- phy is not to micromanage its people. Instead, the company chose to surround itself with creative people; people it can rely on. With IECS being a family business, this family run approach is extended to all offices worldwide, covering every- one from personnel to senior management. 24This style of business has allowed IECS to work on multiple projects and complete them not only successfully, but to an enviably high standard. One of these projects was a Metrolinx project, Davenport Diamond Grade Separation in Toronto. The Cougar Creek flood mitigation projects in Canmore, Alberta, was another big project for IECS, and also opened the door for it to expand into Western Canada. While there have been many projects IECS has worked on, one it is currently excited about is the work it has completed as part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project. This is a major infrastructure project and is especially excit- ing for Arvai, who is happy to be associated with Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe. Hockey is a major part of the Arvai family and being part of a project such as this engrains the family in the fabric of Canadian culture. 251-800-263-7110rebarsales@salitsteel.com salitsteel.com YOUR TRUSTED REBAR PARTNER FOR OVER 100 YEARS! With SEVEN FABRICATION FACILITIES across ONTARIO, we’ll get you what you need, when you need it! Estimating • Detailing • Installation Fabrication • Stock Length Sales SERVICES Rebar • Wire Mesh • Couplers Accessories • Fiberglass Rebar PRODUCTS Another exciting opportunity for IECS is its partnership with Reinforced Earth Company (RECo), a civil engineering com- pany in Canada providing national leadership in designing and supplying components for innovative civil engineering projects. As Arvai explains, this relationship is built on a shared vision. “They specialize in providing engineered precast solutions similar to ourselves. We also sell cable concrete as a solution to design engineers in a similar way Reinforced Earth would visit design engineers and owners to sell their solutions upstream and help with design assistance. So, when we first started the conversation about potential partnership, we got very excited that our approach was very similar. They were excited to add cable concrete to their prod- uct offerings in the western provinces. So, entering into 2024, RECo Canada will be representing Cable Concrete in Western Canada. IECS is also very excited even though we've been in the West since 2013. We're excited to be associated with a company with as much knowledge and experience as RECo and add additional boots on the ground in the West.” “They were excited to add cable concrete to their product offerings in the western provinces.” 26With many celebrations to be had in 2024, IECS is remaining focused on its future. It is a company that is always looking for the next challenge. While growing and expanding its business will definitely be a priority, the relationship with RECo in the West opens the door to many upcoming projects. Other excit- ing opportunities for IECS include expanding cable concrete overseas. IECS is confident it can bring a great engineering solution to many countries outside of Canada. However, no matter how much IECS continues to grow, the one part of the business that will never change is the family culture. “Within our business, the one thing we're very proud of is that, as we've grown, we've stayed true to our values. We hope to continue to do that and work with companies and customers that hold the same vision and morals and values as us. We feel blessed at the opportunity that that we have had as a family business over the last 40 years, and we really want to work with people we consider friends and family. As we take on the next chal- lenge, this is something that definitely matters to us. We feel like we're a great partner and we're just looking to continue providing the industry with unique solutions.” 27WRITTEN BY RAQUEL FARRINGTON H eidelberg Materials is building a better world for its people, customers, communi- ties, and shareholders from the [under]ground up. With its headquarters in Texas and a regional office on the West Coast of Canada, Heidelberg Materials North America is a leading supplier of cement, aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt with more than 450 locations and approximately 9,000 employees in the U.S. and Can- ada. Globally, Heidelberg Materials is represented in more than 50 countries with around 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 locations. Most companies expand for two reasons: to extend its reach so it can serve more customers, and to extend its product line so it can create new options. Over the years Heidelberg Materials North America has done both, expanding and acquiring different companies, which has allowed the organization to take on a wide range of projects, delivering a volume and variety of products and solutions that most competitors simply cannot match. Over the years, the company has grown through a series of acquisitions and partnerships, acquiring strategic assets across North America that have helped it expand its geographic reach. Today, Heidelberg Materials provides a broad spectrum of products and possibilities to the markets it serves. In addition to aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt, Heidelberg Materials offers a variety of other products and services in select markets throughout North America. These products include concrete pipe and precast concrete drainage products such as box culverts, catch basins and manholes. Heidelberg Materials also offers construction services in parts of the northern United States. 2829Next >