Navigating the North American Construction Landscape in 2024 Meeting Challenges Head-On CCPPA Building the Future OMNI PRECAST apeiron-construction.com | FEBRUARY 2024We create boundless opportunity With a wealth of experience in reporting, content creation and publishing, Apeiron Media, Inc – publisher of Apeiron Construction – was set up with a clear vision to shine a light on pioneering organizations and professionals throughout the construction industry. We take a nuanced approach to storytelling and our clients benefit from a comprehensive integrated marketing opportunity through our detailed suite of online media. Apeiron Construction delivers stories from across the industry to offer high-end, thought provoking content to our readers. Conducting fascinating in-depth interviews with industry leading Executives, Managers, Presidents and CEOs allows us to gain insight and perspective while having the privilege of telling impactful stories. Our unique approach to content creation allows us to gain expert commentary on an ever-changing industry, from the people that know it best. As a media platform, we believe that our world is boundless. We want to share this world with our clients. W elcome to the February edition of Apeiron Construc- tion. As the year kicks off in earnest, the outlook across the industry is one of tentative positivity. Spring is on its way and a brightness is permeating jobsites and projects across North America. It is the season for looking forward, planning for the months ahead and laying the foundations for this year’s successes. The construction industry is no different in this regard. Jobsites are buzzing with excitement, projects are gathering momentum and businesses are readying themselves for the year ahead. In this issue, we share some of the most forward thinking and impressive projects happening throughout the sector. We speak to industry leaders to gather the state of play and we focus on companies, projects and associations that are operating at the top of their game. We look at some of the ways that businesses are striving to meet the ever-growing demands of a global economy through techniques, processes and professionalism. We take a look across the construction landscape and bring some of the stories that may not have reached the audience they deserve. From giant projects to groundbreaking inventions, we have it all. As always, we are delighted to bring you these stories. | 3 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION A note from our Chief Editor APEIRON-CONSTRUCTION.COM APEIRONMEDIAINC.COM CHIEF EDITOR SENIOR CONTENT DEVELOPERS CONTENT DEVELOPERS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DIRECTOR OF SALES CREATIVE DIRECTOR DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER DAVID O’NEILL COLIN O’NEILL | PETER SWALE | MARK PETERS DARAGH KIERNAN | MARCO GUANNUE | PRINCE ANTHONY BARBARA GOMES | AARON HORGAN MEGHAN BARTON | ERIC O’CALLAGHAN | AOIFE CHANEY RAQUEL FARRINGTON | EMMA KILCAWLEY HEMANI KAYLA BROWN LINDSAY BAILEY ALEX MULVEYIn 2023, the construction industry emerged from a challenging period with the resilience and determination that has long been its hallmark. Coming off the back of the pandemic, a situation which brought enormous difficulties to supply chains, site work and labor shortages, the industry found itself adapting in ways that have opened new possibilities for the future. The balancing effect that increased federal investment has brought may offer a positive spin, but the truth is that the industry has needed to dig into its deep wells of innovation and perseverance to maintain forward momentum. Despite this, the outlook is very much a mixed one and 2024 promises to be one laden with both challenges and potential. 8 Navigating the North American Construction Landscape in 20246 3 Positive News Stories 7 Industry Events 12 Meeting Challenges Head-On CCPPA 16 Building the Future OMNI PRECAST 24 High-Quality Steel Producer Made Strong by its People LAUREL STEEL, A NUCOR COMPANY 30 Building Relationships for 4 Decades IECS 36 A Sustainable Future for Underground Infrastructure HEIDELBERG MATERIALS 40 Putting the Customer First TRI-KON PRECAST 44 Adaptive Reuse48 Building for a Sustainable Future MENARD CANADA 54 Serving Customers the Right Way CENTRAL PAINTING 58 Your Steady Hand DBI PROJECTS 64 Digging Deeper H & H GENERAL EXCAVATING 72 Light-Emitting Cement 76 Precast Concrete and The Next Generation PCI WEST 82 Concrete Innovation PRECAST UNLIMITED 86 The Opportunity For Success STRUCTURECAST 92 Zero Energy Homes 5 | APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWith all that is happening around us, it can be easy to miss some of the advancements that are being made in the construction industry. Let’s shine a light on some positive news stories that are making our world a little better. Bringing the Forest Home The construction industry is committed to developing and harnessing more sustainable and renewable materials. This is evident in the hunt for lower carbon concrete, repurposed buildings and wind energy. However, one material which has been used in the process of construction for millenia is slowly emerging as a viable alternative to concrete and steel. Wooden structures are experiencing somewhat of a comeback. High-rise wooden buildings have sprung up in recent years and technological advances is enabling building contractors to make higher quality wooden structures that are safer from fire, earthquakes and strong enough to meet modern requirements. Grown in a sustainable forest less than 300 miles away, Portland International Airport is the first major airport in the United States to have a mass timer roof. The project has been designed by ZGF Architects and is being unveiled this year. The company has worked in collaboration with Portland Airport for over six decades and this is just the latest in a long list of innovative and exciting projects it has in the works. “In 2024, ZGF will bring PDX into the future, with the main terminal expansion that doubles the airport's footprint. The new wood structure features an undulating mass timber roof and biophilic elements throughout—sustainable and resilient, the new terminal more than lives up to PDX’s reputation as ‘America’s Best Airport’.” zgf.com/work/5593-port-of-portland-portland-interna- tional-airport Portland International Airport Editorial credit: quiggyt4 / Shutterstock.com | 6 FEBRUARY 2024The Precast Show FEB 8-10, 2024 DENVER, CO precast.org/theprecastshow International Builders Show FEB 27-29, 2024 LAS VEGAS, NV buildersshow.com Turning Buildings Into Batteries Until now, the pathway for more sustainable practices within the construction sector has been to reduce or eliminate emis- sions. This is achieved through a combination of sustainable practices, environmentally minded materials and the use of renewable energy sources. More recently, science has been stepping into the conversation, producing innovative tech- niques such as embodied and captured carbon. It seems that the sector has no plans to stop there either. Imagine a building that can retain and deliver electricity through the process of conduction; quite literally, a battery building. Scientists at Lancaster University have been working with formulas to create a cement mixture that is capable of conducting electricity. Incredibly, this mixture, which uses an alkaline solution and the waste material flyash is even cheaper to produce than Portland cement. According to project leader Professor Mohamed Saafi, from Lancaster University’s Engineering Department, the mixture conducts electricity via potassium ions that hop through the crystalline structure. “To make cement you have to mix the flyash with an alkaline solution, in this case we use potassium hydroxide and potassium silicate. When you mix them together, they form a cement material, containing potassium ions that act as the electrolyte.” lancaster.ac.uk/news/new-smart-cement-mixtures- could-turn-buildings-into-batteries Autonomous Infrastructure Repair The U.S. Infrastructure Bill is a positive thing. There is no doubt about it. However, if we delve into the figures, we find that an incredible amount of money is needed just to repair and maintain the infrastructure we currently enjoy. In the context of an aging network badly in need of complete overhaul, we find ourselves asking if there is an alternative that could redirect all-important funds to the most needed projects. Every new lane-mile of road costs around $24,000 to maintain in good repair. Nationally, this equates to $231.3 billion per year. A UK start-up company has developed technology which could significantly reduce the costs of road and highway maintenance. Robotiz3d is located at the Science and Tech- nology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Daresbury Laboratory uses AI to identify and autonomously repair potholes and cracks in a safer, faster and cheaper way. Lisa Layzell, CEO and co-founder at Robotiz3d, said: “This is the first autonomous technology of this kind developed specifically to tackle the pothole crisis which plagues many parts of the country, and which is estimated to have cost more than £1bn to repair over the last decade.” robotiz3d.com | 7 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY DAVID O’NEILL I n 2023, the construction industry emerged from a challenging period with the resilience and determination that has long been its hallmark. Coming off the back of the pandemic, a situation which brought enormous difficulties to supply chains, site work and labor shortages, the indus- try found itself adapting in ways that have opened new possibilities for the future. The balancing effect that increased federal investment has brought may offer a positive spin, but the truth is that the industry has needed to dig into its deep wells of innovation and perseverance to maintain forward momentum. Despite this, the outlook is very much a mixed one and 2024 promises to be one laden with both challenges and potential. Construction in North America finds itself at the crossroads of innovation, sustainability, and resilience. With an ever-evolving landscape marked by technological advancements, changing regulations, and global uncertainties, the construction sector is gearing up for a transformative journey. But what are the key factors that will dictate the outcome over the next 12 months? Technological Advancements and Digital Transformation The construction industry, traditionally known for its conservative approach, is now embracing technology at an unprecedented pace. From Building Information Modeling (BIM) to AI and robot learning, construction companies are incorporating digital tools to both enhance project efficiency and reduce costs. According to a report by Dodge Data & Analytics, spending on information tech- nology in the construction industry is projected to grow by 14% in 2024. “One of the key construc- tion storylines is the return of enthusiasm and optimism in prospects for nonresidential growth,” stated Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network. “Increased demand for some building types like data centers, labs, and healthcare buildings will provide a solid floor for the construction sector.” Meanwhile, this increased demand will be met with an increased level of precision thanks to the development of higher performing techniques and strategies. The report goes on to explain the benefits: "The integration of technologies like BIM not only streamlines project management but also enhances collaboration among stakeholders. This not only reduces the risk of errors but also significantly improves overall project outcomes." | 8 FEBRUARY 2024| 9 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >