< PreviousThis initial crew set out with a single-minded aim, to provid- ing the highest-quality products and services. For Yilmaz, the goal was to build a successful company based on its developing reputation as a respected name in the industry. However, these early years brought with them considerable challenges. Navigating a sector as changeable as fabrication is difficult at the best of times. As a start-up, even more so. “There were definitely a number of challenges in the early days. Finding work, managing cash flow, hiring new guys, and getting more jobs were all a challenge in those early days.” It was the circular economy that stems from doing a quality job that gave United Steel the momentum to grow and thrive. “Our first clients helped us to overcome these issues. Their response to the job we have completed was so positive and they were so pleased with how we performed that they rec- ommended us to other people in the industry. We started get- ting more contracts because of the quality of our work, and it eliminated the need to advertise. When it came to hiring staff, again, the way we operate was key to overcoming this. We have always treated our employees well and we value them highly. Once they experienced that, they brought new members to our team with them.” Your Construction Solutions Partner grahambuilds.com As the company overcame these early challenges and started to achieve a greater level of success, the range of products and services it provided to its customers also broadened. As Yilmaz and his two-man crew expanded into a team of over sixty, the company began offering full-service treatment to its customers. Today, United Steel provides solutions to clients across multiple industries in Complex Structural Steel, O.W.S.J and trusses Design and Build, Custom Staircase & Railing Design and Miscellaneous Metal Work. With a wealth of resources at its disposal from overhead cranes to welding machines, it is not hard to see why the company has achieved so much in such a relatively short period. For Yilmaz, the ability to maintain and control its production capabilities is a core aspect of what sets United Steel apart in the industry. Through a carefully coordinated growth plan that maximized the company’s ability both in terms of skilled staff and equipment, United Steel is now in a position of being able to plan, promise and deliver, regardless of the complexity of a customer’s needs. “We basically weld 85% of our products in-house instead of outsourcing these jobs. This allows us to better control the schedule for our clients while also main- taining a consistent level of quality at all times. We achieve this through our team of quality craftsmen who can provide solutions to the most complex of projects.” In addition to that, the company’s wealth of experience and industry knowledge means that no challenge is insurmountable. This is exempli- fied by its ability to adapt and respond to change when neces- sary. “We have a really strong supplier network, and we work very closely with them. This gives us the security to know that if the materials are available, we will have them when we need “It is no surprise that United Steel has an ever-growing portfolio of successful projects under its belt.” | 20 AUGUST 2023them, and it ensures that there are no surprises in the middle of a project.” In a post-COVID environment where lead times and availability can be problematic, it is not enough to rely on supply chains. As Yilmaz explains, United Steel goes one step further by providing a proactive and flexible approach. “If any steel is not available in the market, or if a material is going to take too long to source, our engineers can either replace it with an alternative, or build it in our own facility from scratch.” With this in mind, it is no surprise that United Steel has an ever-growing portfolio of successful projects under its belt. The company worked on a large-scale project for Altea Active, for example. The job itself featured 91-wide curved stairs without stringers which, as Yilmaz shares, was par- ticularly challenging. “This was a challenging stair due to its size and curve preference. It was also very costly to get the HSS stringers, so we had our design team and engineers work together to come up with solutions to achieve the curve with built-up risers. These innovative solutions helped our clients save money while still staying on schedule.” Another project of note was the Heritage Building Retention System. Unlike new builds, working on a heritage building can be very complicated due to limited options and the need to retain the spirit and character of the existing building. For United Steel, this was a challenging yet ultimately rewarding project. “On this heritage building retention system, there were a lot of discrepancies between drawings and actual site conditions. Our engineering team and foremen resolved these issues in the most practical ways, making sure they were according to structural steel codes. Also on the fabrication site, our team did an amazing job fabricating a 12’ x 12’ x 30’ tower in only 8 weeks. The client was highly impressed.” Ten years growing and with no sign of slowing down, United Steel has established a reputation for providing high-quality products and services, based on attention to detail and a dedication to customer service. For Yilmaz, the future is one that will undoubtedly have greater challenges. However, he believes that at every point, United Steel has risen to the task and evolved as a result. While some might see problems, Yilmaz and his crew see opportunities to kickstart the next ten years. “One of the main challenges for any company is staying up to date with the evolving demands of our market. As technologies and customer preferences change, it is cru- cial for United Steel to continue adapting and be able to offer our clients innovative solutions to meet these demands. We conduct market research to understand evolving customer needs. Additionally, it helps us to stay ahead of industry trends. These factors, combined with hard work, dedication, and a focus on delivering value to customers have been key contributors to United Steel’s success and longevity over the past ten years.”| 22 AUGUST 2023WRITTEN BY CAROLINE EBBS I n business, change is inevitable. Navigating a fluctuating industry while staying ahead of trends and techniques is not an easy job. Sometimes this change can prove to be a strug- gle, as a company cannot adapt to the environment it finds itself in. However, sometimes change –and the recalibrating that comes from it—can lead to exciting new beginnings. Multi-disciplinary piping company Stainless Piping Systems is the leading high purity systems provider in Canada and its decades long journey is testament to the positive power that change can bring. SPS was formed in Toronto almost 35 years ago. The acquisition, and potential relocation of their employer to Wisconsin was the impetus for a team of highly talented employees to go out on their own. The group of seven, consisting of welders, engineers, and fabricators turned the turbulence of a take-over into Stainless Piping Systems. Now, thirty-four years of dedication and hard work later, SPS has firmly established itself as a reliable and successful company, all thanks to the leap of faith taken by the original team. | 23 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONThe company’s success is built on providing excellence across three main pillars: design, fabrication, and installation. The reason for this is a simple one. In a sector such as piping, accuracy and excellence is essential. By ensuring the details are adhered to, things move well from there. At SPS it is no different and for the company, the design element is a key component. Every other aspect of a quality project flows from it. In fact, design is the backbone of what it does. The company’s engineering team work collaboratively to produce accurate and detailed mechanical designs that incorporate fabrication and installation considerations. For Dave Damen, President and Senior Project Manager of Stainless Piping Systems, design is the aspect of the business that has adapted and developed most since the company’s inception in the late eighties. State of the art computer software has allowed SPS the ability to fully harness the power of design. With a strong design in place, fabrication can be executed in confidence. “The art of modern fabrication means that there is virtually no need for rework and no need for trim allowances either.” So, when it comes to installing the piping, Damen feels that the company is in a very good place. He believes that this comes down to the time, energy, and skill that SPS puts in up to that point. “With open communication and a well-integrated team, we can install successfully. This is because we have been working with the same game plan, the same information, and the same accuracy of fabrication.” For Stainless Piping Systems, meeting the highest standards across these three pillars are non-negotiable. In meeting the design, fabrication and installation needs of a client, the company is ensuring that its processes are maintained. Not only are they an essential part of the company’s promise to deliver an excellent service, but they also help to ensure that as a full-service pipe system provider, the company does not run into unnecessary delays or hitches. SPS can guarantee and trust the accuracy of its design, fabrication and installa- tion and provide full-service pipe systems on every job, every time. As Damen explains, what benefits the current client also benefits future clients. “By ensuring that our systems run smoothly, we can maintain a seamless, headache-free transition from process to process. No rework is needed, and things just get done right the first time.” Working across a number of sectors such as pharmaceuti- cal, medical, automotive, and the food and beverage industry can bring challenges. Due to the variables and uniqueness of each industry, it is imperative that the company maintains strict and efficient internal processes. For SPS, adherence to the three pillars of its process give it the ability to adapt and serve all customers, regardless of the project. “Our business model remains consistent. Our work in design, fabrication, and installation, always contains pinpoint accuracy and that “Our work in design, fabrication, and installation, always contains pinpoint accuracy and that allows us to meet the needs of any project.”allows us to meet the needs of any project.” As Damen goes on to explain, the company has invested much time and effort into developing effective communication strategies between its departments. “We use cloud-based software to communicate designs, from concept right down to final install.” This involves the collaborating and sharing of fabrica- tion drawings which eliminates the need for large hard copy drawings. “With the cloud-based software, every member of every team has access to the most up to date specifications and drawings, while also having previous revisions on file.” With that in mind, it is no surprise to learn that the company has been involved in many high-profile projects, delivering some hugely impressive results along the way. One such project was a 150,000 sq ft vaccine production facility in Toronto, Ontario. The facility’s budget was half a billion dol- lars and involved an astonishing 27 kilometers of high purity piping. All piping on the project, which began in 2017 and finished in 2020 just as the COVID pandemic was beginning, was prefabricated, and held in storage until needed. At its peak, the piping was installed at the phenomenal rate of 650 ft per day. Damen believes that this speed and accuracy truly sets the company apart from its competitors. “It was virtu- ally unheard of in the industry and the project stands as the benchmark of Canadian pharmaceutical construction proj- ects. When executed properly at blistering rates, you can still maintain quality, timeliness, and efficiency.” Additionally for Damen, the company’s involvement in these structures felt hugely important and, while the success of the project was hugely positive in itself, the significance of the work being done was not lost on anyone. “This was at a moment when the call for vaccines became critical to protect the health of Canadian citizens. We eagerly did as much as we could to aid the implementation of vaccination infrastructure.” Due to the timing of the project’s completion, and its track record of working successfully in the pharmaceutical sector, Stainless Piping System has subsequently worked in a num- ber of new geolocations on similar projects. The company installed high purity systems in Nova Scotia and Saskatch- ewan among other provinces. Currently, it is working with a leading pharmaceutical company in Toronto. The major expansion project will ultimately provide flu vaccines, not just for Canadians, but the entire world. While word of mouth and maintaining a stellar reputation are clearly an effective method of generating business for the company, Stainless Piping Systems ensures that its future is one that is built on its past successes. This is a company that develops lasting relationships with its clients and credits much of its ongoing success to repeat business. As Damen explains, it is vital that the clients it works with develop and enjoy a sense of trust. Without this, he says, customers simply wouldn’t return. “Quality, cost, and time are all equally important to our clients. By ensuring we stick to our rigorous processes, we can deliver the best possible quality in the most efficient manner, thus meeting timelines and budgets. By consistently delivering on this, we build trust. Our custom- ers know that we can handle their project efficiently without fear of failure.” | 25 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY MANUELA ARMINI I n Ontario's bustling construction industry, it is not an easy task to stand out from the crowd. It takes determination, skill, and professionalism; traits that tend to come with years of experience. With this in mind, it is surprising when a relatively new company builds a reputation for its commitment to excellence in restoration work. Toronto-based Maxcon Inc., which was founded by Pavel Portelles Rivas and Arash Mota- medi in 2018, is one such company. Having worked on some of the most important buildings in the Greater Toronto Area, the company has already made its mark as a trusted general contractor specializing in heritage restoration. With a passion- ate team and a customer-centric approach, Maxcon Inc. has been steadily expanding its services and is well on the way to becoming one of the largest restoration companies in Canada. | 26 AUGUST 2023| 27 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONFor Pavel, this journey began in 2008. Working at Clifford, one of the country's leading restoration companies, he honed his skills in historical procedures and immersed himself in the restoration of churches and heritage buildings. As he explains, these experiences were hugely formative. "By 2011, I was already pretty good with my hands. At the same time, I started to develop leadership skills. When I first came here, I didn’t want to work toward somebody else's dreams. I wanted to work on my own." A firm believer in personal and professional development, he decided to pursue this dream by establishing his own company, Safe Unlimited Masonry. The move proved to be a shrewd one. While working on a TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) transportation project in 2017, Pavel met Arash. Recognizing their shared values and the professional and leadership skills each brought to the table, they joined forces and founded Maxcon Inc. in 2018. While the company's focus has been on heritage restoration since that time, it has expanded its offerings and now provides general contracting services to its clients such as concrete work, demolition, and miscellaneous metal services. A desire to grow and meet the customer’s needs lies at the heart of Maxcon Inc.’s success. However, while doing this, the company also strives to create a healthy and trustworthy environment. As Arash explains, financial success is not the core value of the company. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that it has been a welcome by-product of creating a company that places huge value on its people and its rela- tionships. "In Toronto, there is a huge amount of work. How- ever, there is a limited workforce and an even more limited competent workforce. So, we try to bring that understanding to the table. Our aim is to build an organization which is not just good on the job sites and operation phases but also has a healthy, respectful, and more humanistic approach." With the support of 25 full-time staff members, project work- ers, and sub-contractors, Maxcon Inc. seems to be doing just that. Its skilled staff can solve its customers' problems through a proactive and intelligent approach. The company goes the extra mile by striking a balance between competitive pricing, superior quality, and exceptional customer service. In addition to providing this high-quality service, the company’s goal is to provide a positive experience for its customers. For Pavel, it is the people behind that product that has the most worth. "A product isn't delivered properly if the people that are standing behind the product don't have good values. We study our com- petitors and what they are lacking so we can bring that value to the table. We do this, not only in price, but in quality and service and safety: the four main things a client will wish for." “Its skilled staff can solve its customers’ problems through a proactive and intelligent approach.” | 28 AUGUST 2023Unsurprisingly for a company that has built its reputation on the careful restoration of historical buildings, those at Maxcon Inc. have an innate love for restoring the past and giving old buildings a new lease of life. This love stems from years of experience in the field but also, as Arash explains, from a desire to contribute positively to the well-being of the local community. "When we look at a project, we consider a number of factors. If there is any chance that we can leave a footprint with our notions of life, or the way we see the industry, we prefer to take on those types of jobs. If there is an opportunity to serve our community, we prefer to do so." For Pavel and Arash, these are not just words, either. In fact, much of the work Maxcon Inc. has carried out in Toronto has improved the safety and appearance of shared spaces where the community gathers to carry out everyday activities. Some examples of this are the restoration of the church of St. Aidan, the Toronto District School Board schools, and 197 King Mixed use. It goes without saying that this philosophy also applies to the company’s non-restoration work. Maxcon Inc. has provided its masonry, concrete, and demolition services to the wastewater treatment plant in Branford, and a number of police stations, fire stations, and schools throughout the Toronto area. One project in particular that stands out is the new masonry work Maxcon Inc. provided for a six-story build- ing on McNicoll St. The search for excellent service and healthy values is also at the core of Maxcon Inc.'s recruitment process and staff culture. The company places great importance on selecting team members and subcontractors who align with its val- ues, exhibit results-oriented behaviors, and strive for excel- lence. Pavel emphasizes how, despite an increasingly busy schedule, he will always sit with candidates, employees, and potential partners for in-person interviews and meetings. "We get a better feeling when we interview the person. We have regular meetings among ourselves, and we also try to invest time in our managers and employees." It is these ‘intangibles’ that helps to create an environment of respect and dedica- tion. Recognizing the power of personal growth, Maxcon Inc. encourages its staff to invest time in themselves, which ulti- mately pays off in both their professional and personal lives. Looking ahead, Pavel and Arash aim to achieve further growth by maximizing efficiency, securing healthy contracts, and maintaining a good profit margin. For them, the future is about ensuring the company's long-term sustainability and success. "We have the energy, the knowledge, motivation, and the ability to continue growing the company organically," says Pavel. Additionally, Maxcon Inc. aims to expand its heritage restoration and general contractor services beyond the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Canada. "We would like to expand at some point and have different groups all over Canada. As one of the founders of the company, I would like my staff to have some participation and involvement in this expansion process," concludes Portelles Rivas. These words, once again, emphasize his belief in a customer-cen- tric approach with a strong focus on employee development. With huge success and a highly enviable reputation for qual- ity and honesty, it seems as though things are on the right track for Maxcon Inc. | 29 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >