< PreviousWRITTEN BY MEGHAN BARTON H ow does an established, leading US-based concrete manufacturer bolster its position in the Canadian market? By acquiring a large and successful North American pipe and precast company with an esteemed reputation in Canada, Rinker Materials strategically tapped into new markets, expanded its product portfolio, and enhanced its geographical reach, positioning itself for sustained growth and reinforced longevity. Rinker Materials Canada, newer but broadly acclaimed in the construction industry, epitomizes durability, innovation, and customer-centricity. Now a part of The Quikrete Companies, Rinker has been a leading manufacturer in the US for 60 years. The acquisition and incorporation of Forterra Pipe & Precast for $2.3 billion in March 2022 marked a significant milestone, amplifying Rinker’s North American presence, product diversity, and commit- ment to long-term solutions for customers. | 20 APRIL 2024| 21 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONAt the helm of Rinker Materials Canada is Vice President Shane Egan, leading a dynamic team of professionals. The technical resource team, sales team, and manufacturing workforce collaborate seamlessly to ensure operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. With four plants in Cambridge, one in Ottawa, and one is St. Eustache, PQ, Rink- er’s team is strategically positioned to serve customers in Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. “Rinker made a strategic deci- sion in acquiring Forterra,” says Egan. “With the support of The Quikrete Companies, Rinker has significantly expanded its presence in Canada.” Many advantages contribute to Rinker Materials’ growth, including its extensive geographical footprint, offering a diverse range of precast and wet cast products including bridge spans, lining systems, pressure pipe, vertical struc- tures, gravity flow pipe, box culverts, and more. The com- pany’s technical expertise and commitment to customer service also set it apart from competitors. With a focus on shipping processes and customer support, Rinker delivers a seamless experience for customers. While primarily serving Eastern Canada, Rinker Materials has undertaken projects in Western Canada and overseas, Imbrium Systems has been protecting Canada’s waterways from pollutants found in stormwater for 30 years. Our innovative, underground systems help you meet stormwater management permitting requirements in a small footprint while maximizing land area for development. Our experienced team can provide you with guidance on stormwater regulatory issues and engineer the most cost effective solution. All of our technologies have been rigorously tested & have been verified through Canada IOS 14034 Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. Visit our website to design & size your own system using our suite of Online Design Tools, including PCSWMM for Stormceptor. imbriumsystems.com P: 800-565-4801 | E: info@imbriumsystems.com “With the support of The Quikrete Companies, Rinker has significantly expanded its presence in Canada.” | 22 APRIL 2024Building Smarter and Greener Lafarge Canada proudly celebrates Rinker Materials' 60-year milestone! With Lafarge, construction isn't just about building; it's about building smarter, stronger, and more sustainably. Our cement products have empowered projects to achieve more with less, reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality and performance. Here's to many more years of partnership and progress as we continue our journey together. lafarge.com Building Progress for People and the Planet showcasing the versatility and quality of its products. The company’s ability to cater to diverse project needs with an excellent TRE (technical resource engineers) team, strategic plant locations, and exceptional service, has underpinned its reputation for an excellent customer experience among contractors and project managers. Rinker Materials’ recent investment in a new wet cast facility demonstrates its ongoing commitment to innovation and growth. Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, this project faced its own set of challenges with issues stemming from supply-chain interruptions and permitting snafus, but this facility has not only filled a gap in Rinker’s portfolio but has also created jobs and enhanced its product offerings. “We invested millions of dollars in the new wet cast facility,” says Egan. “But the benefit to our customers is immense. We can now deliver excellent products like CON/SPAN bridge systems saving our clients time, money. Rinker Materials played a crucial role in the Ashbridges Bay Outfall Tunnel project, a pivotal initiative in Toronto’s efforts to improve water management and treatment. As one of the oldest and largest sewage treatment plants in Toronto, the facility faced challenges with insufficient capacity, leading to wastewater discharge into Lake Ontario. The City of Toronto initiated a $3 billion project to address these issues, select- ing Rinker through a joint venture with CSI Tunnel Systems Canada LTD (“CSITS”). The choice was influenced by Rink- er’s proximity to the project location in Whitby and CSITS’ expertise in producing specialized tunnel segments. Rinker’s contribution included supplying tunnel liners, through the joint venture, and manhole sections, ensuring the protection of the risers and contributing to the cleanup of Toronto’s waterways. This project marked a significant milestone in Toronto’s stormwater management program, underscoring Rinker’s commitment to infrastructure solutions. | 23 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONAnother recently completed project is the McTavish pump- ing station initiative. Constructed between 1928 and 1949, the McTavish Reservoir is a critical component of the water infrastructure system in the City of Montreal and a histor- ically significant building. This facility provides drinking water to over 1.25 million residents and has been slated for a major rehabilitation project that is expected to last nearly 10 years. The current efforts focus on modernizing all equipment through the replacement of multiple pipe from 900-1500mm diameter, while preserving the historical integrity of the building. “We were able to value engineer the project in suggesting the use of Testable joints on all the pipe allowing for immediate confirmation of water tightness of the pipeline. The project highlights the sophisticated level of engineering and quality products Rinker concrete pressure pipe offers. Together while providing engineering support as well as quality field service, the contractor and the city are very satisfied with the outcome.” Rinker’s par- ticipation in these consequential projects is, in large part, a result of strong and robust industry relationships, notable technical expertise, a track record of delivering innovative and effective concrete products, and a convenient foothold within the project area. These projects, characterized by their complexity and scale, showcase Rinker’s ability to deliver high-quality solutions for critical infrastructure needs. As Rinker celebrates its 60th anniversary, its longevity can be attributed to its unwavering commitment to quality, trust, and innovation. Being a part of the Quikrete organization has also contributed to Rinker’s success, providing it with the resources and expertise needed to thrive in a competitive industry. Rinker Material’s President, John Finch, recognizes the people at the core of the Rinker organization and the ded- ication they deliver every day. He credits this commitment to | 24 APRIL 2024 Rinker’s resilience and ongoing success. “Our people are the heart and soul of our company, embodying the very essence of our organization. They are the driving force behind our suc- cess, and it is their passion, dedication, and diverse talents that propel us forward. We recognize that it is our people who innovate, collaborate, and work tirelessly to meet our goals and exceed our customers’ expectations, and that is some- thing I am proud of. We firmly believe that our people are not just employees; they are the lifeblood of Rinker.” Rinker Materials Canada is positioned for a future marked by sustained growth and innovation, driven by a clear strategic vision. The company’s recent acquisitions and forays into untapped Canadian markets underscore its commitment to expansion and customer-centricity. By prioritizing these initiatives, Rinker Materials aims to not only broaden its reach but also enhance its service offerings to better meet the evolving needs of its clientele. The foundation of Rinker’s success lies in its unwavering commitment to trust, quality, and innovation, values that have cemented its reputation as a leader in the concrete manufacturing industry. As it continues to build on these strengths, Rinker Materials is well equipped to carve out a path of continued excellence and relevance in the years to come. | 25 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION| 26 APRIL 2024WRITTEN BY RAQUEL FARRINGTON S imply put, when it comes to steel, Techno-Weld works on anything cold to the touch. Family owned and operated since 1985, the company is a leader of structural steel and miscellaneous metals, spe- cializing in detailing, fabrication, and installation of structural and miscellaneous steel for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Everything is done in-house at its premises in Mississauga, Ontario —the seventh largest city in Canada. The company services a wide range of local and national clien- tele, handling any and all structural steel and miscellaneous metal needs. Techno-Weld one of the largest fabricators and suppliers of structural steel and miscellaneous metal in the province of Ontario. The team’s certified Canadian Welding Bureau welders and steel fabricators prepare a wide range of structural steel shapes, frames and products. But all this didn’t happen overnight. The team has spent nearly four decades honing its customer service approach and processes. With a focus on qual- ity and by offering tons of value-adds to clients like design support to help guide project plans from the outset, ultimately the client saves both time and money. Despite its success and breadth of service offerings, however, Techno-Weld wasn’t always the household name it is today. “When my dad and the founder, Zeki, came here from Turkey in 2000, finances were tough,” says Mike Gurlek, Project Manager. Having brought the company to Canada from overseas, Zeki found a very different landscape. Effec- tively, the family were forced to start over, building Techno-Weld from the ground up, again. “There was no shop, it was just a small garage with one truck.” | 27 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONFinancing material and equipment to grow the company was the biggest hurdle, but over time volumes increased. This early success ensured that the demand for services outpaced any incurring costs to run the company. Thirty-eight years later, the biggest challenge the company faces is keeping up with demand. Much of this, Mike says, is down to the quality services that clients have come to know and trust from Tech- no-Weld. “We don’t skip any of our quality control methods, even though these steps have in the past delayed projects,” says Mike. To combat delays and streamline processes, the company has implemented some new strategies and pro- cesses, they now operate the fabrication plant 24 hours a day 7 days a week and have 3 shifts of employees, which allows the team to get steel out the door faster without sacrificing quality. Today Techno-Weld services clients across Ontario and into Quebec, working with larger construction and engi- neering firms on large-scale projects – anything from airports to universities, community centres and hotels. Working from solid plans, the team at Techno-Weld converts raw steel into cut, drilled, welded, modified, and painted - ready to deliver. Not only does Techno-Weld deal with struc- tural steel, it also specializes in steel stairs, steel railings, hand railings, metal deck, steel gates, steel fences, rooftop units (RTU) frames and all types of welding and renovation/ restoration projects. Techno-Weld boasts a team of over 40 experts in design builds and fabrication, well-versed in what it takes to facilitate a steel erection process. In addition, the fabrication services include miscellaneous steel products to reflect special proj- ect needs ranging from steel joists to metal decks, handrails, mezzanines, commercial warehouses and more. | 28 APRIL 2024Yilmaz Ozcelik Director 30 Heritage St., Bradford, ON L3Z0X5 T: +1 647 676 2921 E: info@GoldWingElectrical.com www.GoldWingElectrical.com Residential | Commercial | Industrial Maintenance& Services ECRA/ESA 7015001 goldwing_electrical “Our professionalism is your source of power” Est. 2003 With years of experience in miscellaneous and specialized structural steel projects engineered to detail, the company proudly installs: •Steel stairs •Steel railings •Steel framings •Metal deck •Steel gates •Steel fences In addition to providing the materials and fabricating, Tech- no-Weld also provides professional installation services to get the job done right, on time and under budget. Projects include: •High-rise Buildings •Warehouses & Hangars •Stairs & Spiral Staircases •Canopies “Techno-Weld boasts a team of over 40 experts in design builds and fabrication.”Next >