< PreviousCANADA/USA TOLL FREE: 1-888-STEPCON (738-7266) F: (905)897-6001 T: (905)897-6000 E: sales@stepcon.com 2364 Haines Rd., Unit 20-21, Mississauga, ON L4Y 1Y6 Manhole Steps Safety Grates Service & Pumping Station Platforms Reticuline H-20 Ditch Inlet Grating Railings Sub-drain Couplers Headwall Gratings Aluminum Access Doors Bolt-on Ladders Orifice Plates Plastic Rebar Spacers Frost Straps FRP Ladders & Platforms Congratulations OMNI PRECAST on 20 years of success! Manufacturing for Infrastructure As part of this change, OMNI PRECAST makes clear that it is business as usual. The only difference is that clients can now enjoy a clear understanding of the pillars that drive the company. Quality, Innovation, Reliability, and Community are the foundation of OMNI PRECAST. These are not, however, aspirational targets. Rather, they are qualities that have carried this company for two decades to the summit of the precast industry. Cristina believes that these four pillars of the com- pany operate in partnership with each other. However, quality is something that permeates every aspect of OMNI PRECAST, from relationship building to the finished product. “We are providing infrastructure for the developing communities all around us. People rely on our products to be safe, and to be sustainable, to stand the test of time. We take that responsi- bility very seriously.” One way that OMNI PRECAST ensures the highest levels of quality is by managing its production environment to an exacting standard. As Cristina explains, “It is an absolute priority for us in our manufacturing practices. We have really invested to make sure that every aspect of our operation caters to that quality. From our manufacturing facility, to our experienced team, , and the quality assurance practices that are in place, everything has to align with the fact that our customers expect a premium quality product.” | 20 FEBRUARY 2024cement St MarysCement & OMNI PRECAST Partners in building a sustainable future Sustainability is a core value at St MarysCement and OMNI PRECAST. We are both committed to collaborating on innovative ways to build a sustainable world. As OMNI PRECAST celebrates its 20 th anniversary, we extend our congratulations and are proud to have been their trusted supplier for all these years. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we strive towards a sustainable future together. From Quality and Innovation to Reliability and Community, these pillars work in tandem. As Cristina points out, in order to succeed they must all be in place. This is no more evident than in the way OMNI PRECAST relates to its community. After 20 years in business, it is no surprise that the company has developed and nurtured strong partnerships in the indus- try. It prides itself on a comprehensive family of clients who return to OMNI PRECAST for its skill and professionalism but, as Cristina shares, community is not just about cus- tomers. From professional partnerships and associations, to the company’s own internal community, it is something that extends to all of OMNI PRECAST’s stakeholders. When we speak about community, I think that extends to several facets of the company. Obviously, one is our client relation- ships. We have an amazing group of customers that we work in collaboration with to make sure that they're successful in their projects. We have also developed strong product part- nerships with Stone Strong, Storm Trap, Devine & Associates, and Echelon Environmental, as well as industry partnerships, such as the CCPPA and other groups across the Ontario con- struction market. Beyond that, our internal community – the OMNI PRECAST team – is at the heart of what we do and the successes we’ve achieved. We are all working towards the same goal —creating sustainable, value-added infrastructure solutions. We want to be a contributing member of that and help build communities.” While the name may be new, it is clear that the attributes that have sustained the company up to this point are still very much present. With a track record of providing continuously innova- tive solutions, OMNI PRECAST is a leader in the sector. For Cristina, “Innovation has always been a big part of who we are at our core, and it is present in all aspects of our operation, from the office through to the manufacturing facility. For instance, we were the first in North America to install the PRIMA and Smart Cast robot system from AFFINITAS, which really kind of changed the way that maintenance hole structures were produced. By doing that, we were able to address a number of challenges in the traditional manufacturing process.” As a company that prides itself on developing and growing with the times, it is no surprise to learn that OMNI PRECAST is fully embracing digital technology to bring top-tier service to clients. “More recently, we have moved towards becom- ing a fully integrated, fully online manufacturing facility. We worked with a number of partners to have full visibility of our operation from the time that we get an estimate in, through to design, and order execution. This includes real-time trans- parency of our processes and every aspect of a product’s life cycle..” Innovation is not limited to the technology the company uses, however. As Cristina shares, every client has individual needs and an innovative approach to both product development and problem solving are a core tenet of the company. “On the product side, we are always looking at new, innovative products that address changing needs, and allow us to provide truly unique solutions for our customers.” | 22 FEBRUARY 2024 35 Lingard Rd, Unit 3, Cambridge, ON (519) 621-2970 granval@granval.ca granval.ca Design Build & General Contracting Solutions Since 1979 OMNI Precast has experience and expertise across all facets of the precast sector. Having built a reputation for quality and innovation, it is now looking to the future with a new brand that best represents the qualities that have brought two decades of success. For Cristina, it all comes down to one simple thing. What this company does really matters. While precast concrete can be hidden in the back- ground of a project, it is the foundation upon which all other successes can be built. “We are the groundwork for growing communities. We understand the importance of the prod- ucts that we supply and that they will stand the test of time. We look at the communities around us, and we understand that we were a foundational part of that. That really helps drive us forward.” “OMNI Precast has experience and expertise across all facets of the precast sector.” | 23 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY RAQUEL FARRINGTON L aurel Steel produces the tough stuff, but it’s the company’s people who provide the foundation for its nearly 60-years of booming business. To last so long in business, it is vital to have a foundation built on innovation, excellence and have a knack for cultivating ongoing relation- ships with clients. Unsurprisingly, Laurel Steel possess the lot. If you’re looking for a high-quality, low-cost steel producer, Laurel Steel has likely come up in your research. Quickly, they have become the industry’s North American go-to, offering a full range of shapes, sizes and grades for today’s most demanding applications. From cold finished bar, to wire products and welded wire reinforcing mesh, Laurel Steel offers customers access to the most comprehensive steel solutions. Established in 1967, Laurel Steel has emerged as North America's premier supplier of cold-finish bar, cold-drawn wire, and welded wire reinforcing mesh. With a rich history spanning decades, the company has continuously refined its safety and quality standards, constantly exceeding industry requirements and prioritizing customer satisfaction. BrandonBurkPhotography.com | 25 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION Located in a state-of-the-art, 350,000-square-foot facility in Burlington, Ontario, Laurel Steel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nucor Corporation – North America's most diversified producer of steel and steel products. As a proud member of Nucor's Family of Brands, Laurel Steel is part of a legacy committed to delivering the highest value products, services, experiences, and relationships to ensure long-term success for its customers. Laurel Steel customers are kept involved to ensure that prod- uct development remains on track and ultimately achieves the client’s pre-defined objectives. From the moment an order is placed, Laurel Steel ensures quality at every step via a customer-specific inventory program. Its products are manufactured to both industry and customer specific speci- fications and packaged to meet client needs. Laurel Steel boasts an automated, high-density system for storage of cold finished bar, as well as a humidity-controlled storage system for drawn wire coils. All this done to ensure the highest level of surface quality and integrity of the prod- ucts while offering sufficient storage levels of various prod- uct sizes to handle both small and large orders with little to no lead-time (J.I.T.). Laurel Steel’s commitment to quality is far reaching. Certified to ISO 9001, ISO14001, TS16949, amongst other standards. Laurel also offers extensive metallurgical capabilities and services providing the high level of quality assurance pos- sible. These services include online testing, offline testing, state-of-the-art lab equipment, failure analysis and on-site metallurgical testing. Laurel Steel is effectively a one-stop shop for steel products and QA, ensuring quality product, every step of the way. For the company, this quality always goes hand in hand with safety. By ensuring the highest standards of safety are “Laurel Steel is part of a legacy committed to delivering the highest value products, services, experiences, and relationships to ensure long-term success for its customers.” BrandonBurkPhotography.com | 26 FEBRUARY 2024EVG - worldwide leading producer of automated wire mesh equipment with various wide-range, flexible models for the concrete precast industry retained, Laurel Steel produces products that excel right across the board. As JD Russo explains, ensuring staff and customers are in good hands is a vital aspect of the busi- ness. “Safety is a core value for Nucor, and there is nothing more important to us than the well-being of our teammates. We are coming off of our third straight safest year and will continue to set safety records in the future.” Laurel Steel’s team of leaders attribute its success to its Nucor affiliation, providing its subsidiary with a broad range of products and solutions, further positioning Laurel Steel as a vital component in the construction ecosystem. As Will Klages mentions, "Our ideal customers want to grow into the future, not remain stuck in the rigidity of the past." This is par- ticularly true as it relates to environmental and sustainability goals. Laurel Steel is committed to adopting a more sustain- ability-focused business model, paving the way for a roster of like-minded clients who share the same values. “Sustainabil- ity is definitely a focus; we are committed to reducing our car- bon footprint. Our Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) supplied steel, consumes and recycles scrap steel in a process that greatly reduces greenhouse emissions. Steel can be infinitely recy- cled without quality loss. Our steel products are made with over 96% recycled content.” Last year alone, Nucor turned 20 million tons of scrap into new steel products and in addition to these measures, the company is currently exploring the feasibility of capturing and storing its GHG emissions. BrandonBurkPhotography.comstructural 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 | 28 FEBRUARY 2024Complete 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.comNext >