On-Site Magazine December

DECEMBER 2012

E< > INSID E

RET CONC E

2013

T OONC -PSREIVIEW W

pg.42

Global challenges impact Canadian growth pg.24

Getting

PAID pg.54

2013 TRUCK REPORT

SMARTER PICKUPS pg.18

+

ATTACHED

TO TELEHANDLERS

pg.30

www.on-sitemag.com

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18

VOLUME 56, NO.7 / DECEMBER 2012

cover story 24 2013 Construction Forecast Global realities, such as the Eurozone debt crisis and political turmoil in the U.S., have led economists to trim their forecasts in Canada.

Departments 5 Comment Twenty-year plan

8

News Industry News

16 Construction Statistics The latest news on building permits and construction employment

30

52 Funny Photo Funny photo contest

COLUMNS 48 Software

50

Cloud from the ground up

50 Risk Suicide bid season is open for business

54 Contractors and the Law Getting paid

51

Index of Advertisers

features 18

Smarter pickups More toys and technologies are being introduced to the work truck market in 2013 models.

30

Getting attached to telehandlers The wide array of attachments for telehandlers make it one of the most versatile machines on the job site.

35

Generating results

IN THIS ISSUE 37 Concrete On-Site

Key trends that are making mobile generators more efficient and costly.

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Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. ©2012 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. Case is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC. www.casece.com

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COMMENT

Twenty-year plan

R

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oad construction has weighed heavily on my mind of late. Whether that’s the result of recent conversations with roadbuilders, or the fact that I’ve spent a lot of time in construction-related traffic delays this month, I can’t say for sure.

I do know one thing for certain: road construction, and Canada’s aging infrastructure in general, cannot afford to be caught up in anymore delays.

Back in September, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and three industry partner organizations released the inaugural Canadian Infrastructure Report Card. According to that report, more than half of municipal roads currently require significant repairs, and one in four wastewater treatment plants need to be upgraded or replaced.

That’s a lot of work. And it’s not going to come cheap!

Unless the federal government sinks an estimated $171.8 billion into repairing or replacing aging roads and water systems, Canada’s leaky municipal infrastructure faces an increasingly grim future.

You need look no further than Toronto’s crumbling Gardiner Expressway to realize the need for a timely response to the infrastructure challenge.

So, how long will it take to fix Canada’s current infrastructure?

According to the FCM, a 20-year plan that includes “predictable funding” is what’s needed to fix the country’s infrastructure woes.

“A long-term federal funding commitment that reflects the life-cycles of the infrastructure it is meant to fix is needed to allow municipalities to invest wisely and strategically in priority areas

over decades, not just years,” said FCM president, Coun. Karen Leibovici. “It also means breaking away from budgets built on application forms and providing a predictable funding envelope for all municipalities.”

She makes a good point.

The current application-based programs are inefficient and create too much uncertainty, especially for smaller and rural communities that lack the resources of larger municipalities.

Infrastructure Canada has reportedly been meeting with industry partners and stakeholders since the summer in an attempt to assist in the directions of a new long-term infrastructure plan.

A long-term plan is exactly what we need.

Throwing a pile of money at the current problems would help in the short term, but it’s not a sustainable solution.

The FCM’s recent request for a $2.5-billion increase in annual federal investment dedicated to municipal infrastructure makes a lot of sense.

This increase would bring it in line with historical levels from the 1950s and mid-1970s, which allowed for proper infrastructure maintenance and growth.

It is about time we got our infrastructure spending back on track. After all, aging infrastructure is hardly a new phenomenon.

Corinne Lynds / Editor CLynds@on-sitemag.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Nova Scotia Community College’s Centre for the Building Environment was one of six EllisDon projects to recently receive LEED certification.

Bridge and shoreline construction law changes proposed The Government of Canada introduced amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act designed to reduce “red tape” for bridge work.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) stated that the amendments would streamline processes and increase predictability and certainty for the construction industry.

Project delays and halts often result in significant increases in operating costs for construction com-

EllisDon receives slew of LEED certifications EllisDon celebrated six LEED certifications over the past few months. The projects contained a few firsts for EllisDon, including the first LEED Platinum project for the company in Eastern Canada. All projects were certified under CaGBC’s LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations, bringing the total number of LEED-certified projects EllisDon is directly involved in to 106.

Last month, Woodstock General Hospital project earned LEED Silver.

EllisDon self-performed the LEED facilitation role, and was obligated to deliver a LEED-certified project within 24 months of substantial completion, but through the efforts of the company’s Sustainable Building Services group, along with the consultants and owner, the project was awarded LEED Silver nine months early.

The contractor was also notified last month that the Algonquin College Centre for Construction Excellence was awarded LEED Platinum certification. This is EllisDon’s second LEED Platinum building, and the first in Eastern Canada. This facility is considered a leader in LEED building design due in part to features such as: a green roof with native vegeta-

panies in Canada. The CCA stated

tion and a five storey bio-wall that helps clean indoor air and control humidity levels in the atrium of the building.

Other noteworthy EllisDon projects that achieved LEED certification are: • West Orillia Sports Centre – LEED Silver • Connaught School Modernization in Calgary - LEED Silver • Nova Scotia Community College, Centre for the Building Environment – LEED Gold • Trillium Health Centre Administration Building in Toronto - LEED Gold

that these delays create challenges for construction firms to predict costs and mobilize appropriate workforces for projects.

The Navigable Waters Protection Act was enacted in 1882 and was created to ensure safe and efficient movement of marine traffic, by regulating the extent to which bridge and shoreline construction can interfere with that traffic.

The proposed amendments to the law include: • Changing the name of the law to the Navigation Protection Act.

CCA announces new guide for cost predictability The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) created a new guide designed to improve cost predictability of construction projects. It is available on the CCA’s website as a free download.

The document, titled Guide to Cost Predictability in Construction: An Analysis of Issues Affecting the Accuracy of Construction Cost Estimates, was developed through a joint taskforce comprised of senior representatives from the construction industry and the federal government. page 10

• Listing major waterways that require regulatory approval prior to the placement or construction of a work.

• Allow proponents of works in unlisted waters to opt-in and seek approval of their proposed work to give them additional legal certainty by allowing them to choose.

• Expanding the list of low-risk works that can be pre-approved because they pose very little impact on safe navigation.

8 / December 2012

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INDUSTRY NEWS

from page 8 The guide was created to assist owners and contractors in submitting bids; and offers eight recommendations for before, during and after the bids, as well as a list of suggested design and development documents for different classes of estimates.

The taskforce stated that although inaccurate or insufficient estimating processes account for some of the variance, owners’ estimating processes are also rarely properly completed up to a reasonable Class A level.

The taskforce created a cost estimate variance matrix designed to provide “a range of estimate variance based on the level of construction documents completion in combination with an evaluation of the level of complexity of the project.” The matrix suggests the previously accepted degree of accuracy, (+/- five per cent) for Class A estimates should be expanded.

“Given the increasing variety and complexity of construction projects, the degree of accuracy for Class A estimates should be expanded to +/- 10 per cent,” said John Westeinde, taskforce chairman and president of Westeinde Construction Ltd. The taskforce stated that to create a realistic Class A estimate: professional, experienced estimators must be employed, project design documentation must be complete and enough time must be allocated for the estimate. To download the new guide, visit: www.cca-acc.com.

EllisDon wins first managed services contract EllisDon recently entered new territory, when the company was awarded its first managed services contract for work being completed at PwC Tower in Toronto.

The 650,000-sq.-ft. office building is owned by the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and is located in the city’s Southcore Financial District at 18 York St. The office building was built by EllisDon and completed in August 2011. The tower is one of Canada’s most advanced IP networked commercial buildings, with a unified base building network, that includes: security, power metering and lighting, all using the unified IP Network. EllisDon’s managed services group, which was created in January 2012, will provide comprehensive maintenance and monitoring of the IP network to ensure seamless operation, including 24/7 monitoring and support, as well as a single point of accountability for customer requests and incident management.

WSIB premiums to increase in 2013 The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will increase premiums by 2.5 per cent across the board in 2013 to help the organization manage $14.2 billion in unfunded liability.

According to the WSIB website, the 2013 premium rate increase will assist in the creation of “stable and competitive premium rates for the future and ensure a sustainable workplace safety and insurance system for workers and employers.”

Jason Ottey, chair of the Construction

Employers Coalition (CEC), said the CEC understand the need for the increase, but hopes it will be a one-time increase in page 11 premiums.

Membership fees set for College of Trades The Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) has set its membership fees for 2013.

The annual membership fees are broken down as follows: Apprenticeship Class – $60, Journeyperson Candidates Class – $60, Tradespersons Class – $60, Journeypersons Class – $120, Employers/Sponsors Class – $120 (for optional membership applications) All apprentices and tradespersons and journeypersons working in compulsory trades will be required to pay annual fees to the

OCOT. The college is expected to open its doors in the spring of 2013.

Any skilled tradesperson that holds more than one certificate of qualification, or statement of membership, will pay only one annual fee. The OCOT has stated that failure to pay membership fees could result in the suspension of a member’s certificate of qualification or statement of membership.

The OCOT have also set up the following transactional fees: Certificate of Qualification Examination – $150, Reinstatement (due to non-payment) – $60/$120, (same as membership class fee) Replacement of Membership Credentials – $25.

10 / December 2012

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Innovative Mobile Apps HCSS “We appreciate the UFL is a tremendous threat to the long-term sustainability of WSIB and as such puts workers at risk in this province,” said Ottey.

The CEC applauded the work done to date but stated that more efficiencies need to be found.

“We do think that there are other policy levers that are at the board’s disposal that can address the unfunded liability without solely relying on employer premium increases,” said Ottey. “We’re not talking about reducing benefits from workers, we’re looking at the administration of the board, its practices and its interpretation of policies… the good thing with this announcement is that this is just for 2013. I know that the board originally wanted to try and lock in premium increases for more than one year.”

For more information on the WSIB premium increase for 2013, visit: www.wsib.on.ca.

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RCCAO offers alternatives to landfilling soil According to the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), between 20 and 25 million cubic metres of excess soil are being excavated annually from construction sites across Ontario.

A recent RCCAO study stated that landfilling excavated soil increases costs upwards of 15 per cent for road, sewer and water, public transit and other infrastructure projects, or up to $1.7 billion annually. To help counter the landfilling of soils, the RCCAO has proposed a few alternatives, including an online soil matching service. The soil matching service would assist in connecting generators and receivers of excess construction soils and facilitate transfers between them. The service would be modeled after an initiative between the private sector and the government in the United Kingdom, where it is recognized that some soils can be re-used or remediated.

The RCCAO stated that the majority of excavated soils in Ontario are currently treated as brownfield sites and page 12

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INDUSTRY NEWS from page 10 considered unsuitable for re-use.

Brownfield sites are the only soils currently regulated in the province.

Liability concerns have led some municipalities to apply the Ministry of Enivronment’s regulations regarding brownfield sites to all excavated soils, which has resulted in the restricting or banning of excavated soils from outside their jurisdiction.

The RCCAO also proposed the further development of soil recycling centres and “a transparent process that produces a Materials Management Plan (MMP) for the handling of non-waste excess soils tied to the remediation and/or development plans for the site involved.”

The RCCAO stated it plans to field test its proposals and to further refine its best management practices.

News Briefs

>> John Deere (Deere & Company) was recently named a 2012 inductee for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame. >> B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure reached agreements with the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association (BCRB) and the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) for a five-year extension of 27 of the 28 provincial service area highway maintenance agreements. The deal extends the agreement between the ministry, BCRB and the BCGEU through to 2018-19. Labour agreements were reached in all 27 service areas with the BCRB and with 25 service areas with the BCGEU. The agreements account for more than 2,000 workers across the province. The estimated annual value of the service contracts is $370 million. >> Algonquin College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the $52-million Robert C. Gillett Student Commons on Oct. 18 at its Woodroffe campus in Ottawa. The 110,000-sq.-ft. facility was constructed by PCL Constructors Canada and is designed as a non-academic space for students. Its features include: a 700seat auditorium; and space for various student services, including: counselling services, the Centre for Students with Disabilities and the Mamidosewin Aboriginal Student Centre. The building was built to LEED Gold certification for New Buildings. >> The Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria, Ill. officially opened on Oct. 20 and offers guests a chance to learn about the company’s history, dating back to the 1905 Holt steam track-type tractor, as well as an opportunity to check out a restored, antique Caterpillar Model Twenty Tractor—the first tractor model created after the formation of Caterpillar in 1925. The centre cost more than $10 million to construct and is equipped with a variety of interactive exhibits, including: a theatre inside a two-storey Cat 797 truck that offers a virtual ride into a mine site; equipment simulators; a design/ engineering area for designing Cat machines; various types of equipment on display and an on-site Cat Merchandise Center.

Visitors also get a chance to learn about the hundreds of career options available at Caterpillar and the latest Cat technology.

12 / December 2012

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40 YEARS OF INNOVATION

IT CHANGED THE INDUSTRY 40 YEARS AGO. IT’S STILL LEADING THE WAY. Since 1972, New Holland has set the standard for skid steer productivity, raising it higher with each new model and innovation.

Then and now, it sets the standard for rock-solid stability with the longest wheelbase in the industry. The patented Super Boom® vertical lift linkage with increased dump height and reach helps you get more done. By being able to load the center of the truck, it allows you to be more efficient in your day-to-day activities. In addition to making your work easier, we provide more head and shoulder room in the industry’s widest cab.

After forty years, six generations and over 250,000 units, the New Holland skid steer loader is still the productivity leader worldwide. Visit www.newholland.com/200series

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© 2012 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark of CNH America LLC.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Keeping employees

EllisDon employees at a Tree Planting Day in Mississauga, Ont.

engaged

By Andrew Snook

A

on Hewitt’s Top 50 Best Employers in Canada for 2013 lists several construction companies among the finest places to work in the country.

The main requirement for being recognized on this prestigious list is creating and sustaining a highly engaged workforce. Consulting firm Aon Hewitt surveyed more than 280 Canadian employers in its study, representing an estimated 400,000 employees. The focus was to help organizations accurately assess engagement in the workplace and identify strategies to improve engagement using increased information and insight.

Cruickshank senior staff at a Roadkill Barbecue.

The study’s Top 50 companies include firms such as: EllisDon Corp., which took the No. 2 spot, PCL Constructors (No. 17), Clark Builders (No. 32), Cruickshank Group (No. 38), Aecon Group Inc. (No. 40) and Graham Group Ltd. (No. 48).

Mark Goldenberg, senior director of human resources and professional development at PCL, says it’s not surprising that

so many construction companies rank highly when it comes to their levels of employee engagement.

“There’s a tremendous satisfaction [that comes with] building something and it’s there forever,” says Goldenberg.

But what do these companies do to be listed above their competitors within the construction sector? How do they engage their employees?

Make connections across the board A common tip echoed by senior management at all the companies is to listen to employees from top to bottom.

“Make sure you are making every effort to connect with people at all levels,” says Janine Szczepanowski, vice-president of leadership and entrepreneurial development at EllisDon. Szczepanowski says her company encourages leaders to connect with their employees. When they are engaged this way, they feel valuable and are more likely to offer ideas, as well as put in extra effort.

Keeping employees engaged is deeply rooted into the culture of EllisDon. A diligent effort is made to hire employees that reflect the company’s culture.

Gerald Clark, senior human resources manager at Clark, agrees that connections between senior management and its employees are a vital part of keeping employees engaged.

When apprentices are sent off to technical training for eight weeks at Clark, management will take them out for a night of socializing and networking.

“We’ll take them out for Boston Pizza

to meet other people going to technical training and show them appreciation,” says Clark. “It is another opportunity to pass along information about what’s going on in the business.”

PCL holds “Fireside Chats” for its employees every six months, where the company’s top executives from each district inform employees about the latest company-related news, as well as employee-related events, such as which employees have recently had children, personal achievements, etc.

“It’s a little about information and a lot about celebration,” says Goldenberg.

Offer employees a stake Money talks, no doubt about it. So having employees directly invested in the health of a company is a great strategy for ensuring they care about the work they perform.

Several construction companies are employee-owned, including PCL, EllisDon, Clark Builders and Graham Group.

“There’s no question that’s a significant driver of employee engagement,” says Kim Johnson, Graham’s chief strategy officer and senior vice-president, shared services.

“You have employees that also feel like owners and it absolutely influences their behavior. When you have somebody who feels like their contributions to the company impact their standing as an owner, as well as an employee, you get a lot more discretionary involvement. People tend to go above and beyond.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Make their voices heard Many companies cannot offer their workers employee ownership opportunities; however, that doesn’t mean those companies’ employees aren’t equally engaged in their work.

At the Kingston-Ont.-based Cruickshank Group, employees have plenty of opportunities to speak their minds and help shape the direction of corporate policies.

Lisa Anderson, vice-president of human resources at Cruickshank, says open communication and employee feedback are essential elements to keeping employees engaged. For that reason, her company implemented a program called “The WIN” (Workers Input Network), attended by a group of employees at varying levels, including Anderson and the company’s chief operating officer.

Barbecues, which they hold approximately 14 times a year. Senior management take a trailer with a barbecue to all the Cruickshank job sites and cook up a steak dinner for every employee.

“When the company was small you got to see the employees on a regular basis, and as the company grows you don’t get to see those employees, so this is a way of getting out and talking to them and reaching out to them,” explains Anderson.

Honesty is the best policy

Work hard, play hard

One thing all of the companies’ senior management agree upon is that honesty and trust are the best policies in regards to keeping employees engaged.

Anderson says in addition to having open, honest communication between the workers and management, construction firms should try and recognize employees for their efforts whenever possible.

Both Clark and Cruickshank have longterm service awards celebrating various milestones.

Goldenberg says honesty in regards to how a person is performing, and letting them know where they can grow within the organization is also extremely important.

At EllisDon, establishing a culture of trust with employees is vital. One program implemented there that shows trust in its employees is unlimited vacation time.

“We trust people aren’t going to abuse it,” says Szczepanowski. “We trust that people aren’t going to try and take advantage of the company.”

She explains that vacation time is tracked, but only so the company knows which of its employees are at specific job sites and to ensure they can meet their clients’ needs.

“We always have to make sure we’re getting the work done,” says Szczepanowski.

Johnson says having an open relationship is probably the single, best thing that companies can do.

“Not everything can be spoken to all of the time, but wherever possible make sure people understand what the company is doing over the short-term and long-term.”

Many construction companies also like to host activity days for employees and their families.

Alberta-based Clark hosts an annual hockey tournament between its Calgary and Edmonton offices, while Cruickshank

For more information on the study, or to view the complete list for Aon Hewitt’s Top 50 Best Employers in Canada for 2013, visit: http://aon.mediaroom.com.

Giving back Companies have a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and projects they implement to help employees build a stronger relationship with their employers and the communities they work in.

PCL is heavily involved in giving back to Clark Bulders employees at the site for> Edmonton’s new Police Services Station during a company barbecue.

“We meet [quarterly] and go over policies and practices, benefits questions, anything to do with workplace issues and employee relations,” says Anderson. “It’s just a way to get a direct line of communication between the workers and management.”

Another engagement tool Cruickshank uses is suggestion boxes, where employees can make suggestions through voicemail and email. The suggestions are brought up at the WIN meeting.

“Sometimes they get implemented right there,” she says. “Sometimes they have to go on to management, then at the end of the year the workers vote on the top three suggestions.”

Another way Cruickshank keeps its employee engagement up, is its Roadkill

hosts a four-on-four hockey tournament in the winter and the Cruickshank Summer Olympics.

the communities where it builds, regularly working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the United Way. Clark also encourages its employees to have involvement within their communities and participate in charity work. The company has done water-related projects in Africa and allows employees to select a charity of their choice for the company to donate to during the Christmas season.

on-sitemag.com / 15

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CONSTRUCTION STATS A selection of data reflecting trends in the Canadian construction industry

Total value of permits

Permit values down in September Total building permit values dropped 13.2 per cent to $6.5 billion in September, after experiencing a 9.5-per-cent increase in August.

Non-residential sector building permit values fell 30.8 per cent to $2.2 billion in September, following a 27.7-per-cent increase in construction intentions in the previous month.

Year-over-year change in average weekly earnings in the 10 largest sectors, August 2011 to August 2012

$ billions 7.4 7.0 6.6 6.2 5.8 5.4 5.0 4.6 4.2 3.8 3.4 3.0 J

Professional, scientific & technical services

2009

J

2010

J

2011

J

A

2012

Accommodation & food services Construction

Earnings up in August

All sectors Manufacturing

Average weekly earnings in the construction sector were up 0.8 per cent in August to $1,144.43, when compared to the previous month ($1,135.26 in July 2012). Average weekly earnings in the sector were up 4.4 per cent over the 12-month period from August 2011 to August 2012.

Public administration Retail trade Health care & social assistance Educational services Wholesale trade Administrative & support services -4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

%

Non-residential building construction up in Q3 Investment in non-residential building construction increased 0.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2012 (Q3 2012) to $12.1 billion, when compared to the previous quarter. This marked the third consecutive quarterly increase. Overall investment was up in six provinces in Q3 2012, with Quebec and B.C. experiencing the largest gains.

Investment in non-residential building construction $ billions 13.0

seasonally adjusted

12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0

Source: Statistics Canada

7.0

III IV I II III IV I II III IV

2007

2008

2009

I II III IV

2010

I II III IV I II III

2011

2012

16 / December 2012

16-17_Stats.indd 16

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12-11-27 6:07 PM

PickuP TRuck REPORT

get

e z i s l Ful kups pic

smarter

BY BILL ROEBUCK

More toys and technologies are being introduced to the work truck market in 2013 models.

t

he full-size pickup truck business is extremely competitive, so frequent mid-cycle updates are common, as are major engineering improvements with each new model cycle. For 2013, the Ram Heavy Duty line is likely to raise the most eyebrows regarding its changes and improvements, with Ford’s F series a close second, although for different reasons. Meanwhile, General Motors, Nissan and Toyota offer more subtle changes for the latest model year.

ForD The Ford F-150 has seen its focus on driver convenience and connectivity technologies increased for 2013, with standard features such as SYNC with MyFord Touch, navigation with SiriusXM Travel Link, rain-sensing windshield wipers and high-intensity discharge headlamps.

Design-wise, all new 150s received a refreshed front-end styling.

The new model year also sees the introduction of a new luxury pickup, the F-150 Limited.

“The F-150 Limited reflects a growing trend—more and more customers today have high expectations for luxury and convenience,

yet their needs call for a truly capable truck,” says Ford group vicepresident for product development, Raj Nair.

More than 30 per cent of F-150 sales are from these high-end trims.

The Limited is available exclusively with a SuperCrew four-door cab configuration. Power comes from Ford’s 3.5-litre Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine, which uses regular fuel to produce 365 hp at 5,000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm. Up to 90 per cent of the peak torque is available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm.

Several other engines are available in the F-150 lineup. Ford claims its standard 3.7-litre V6 engine has the highest towing capacity among competitive models and can tow a 6,700-lb. trailer.

Both the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 and 6.2-litre V8 are rated to tow up to 11,300 lb.

In all, Ford offers 10 versions of the F-150, from the base XL to the fully-loaded Limited, as well as 15 versions of the Super Duty F-250, F-350 and F-450 models. The Super Duty models now offer a Platinum trim for 2013. It’s Ford’s “most premium model ever,” says Brian Rathsburg, Super Duty marketing manager. It includes flashy design elements inside and out, more connectivity

18 / December 2012

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Photo: © General Motors

2013 Ford F-150 Limited

technologies, improved seats, a remote start system, power-telescoping mirrors and power-adjustable pedals.

2013 bi-fuel Chevrolet Silverado HD

General Motors GM’s two full-size pickup nameplates, the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra, offer slightly different trim designs and options, but are basically identical from a mechanical point of view. A key focus with these models for 2013 has been the fuel system. Both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended cab pickup trucks are now available as bi-fuel models.

These vehicles include a specially designed compressed natural gas (CNG) capable Vortec 6.0-litre V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between CNG and gasoline fuel systems. The fuel system is installed by a GM tier-one supplier and the completed vehicle is delivered directly to the customer. The trucks offer a range of more than 1,000 kilometres. They are available in standard- and longbox versions, with either two- or four-wheel drive.

For 2013, the Silverado/Sierra HD models also get the option of a Duramax 6.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel with 397 hp and 765 lb.-ft. of torque on 3500HD chassis cabs and pickup-box-delete versions.

This fall, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was crowned Canada’s Truck King for 2013 in a head-to-head comparison with the Ford F-350 and Ram Heavy Duty 3500.

For 2013, in addition to some new exterior colours, the whole Silverado/Sierra lineup gets powertrain grade braking with all six-speed automatic transmissions. This feature reduced brake rotor temperatures 100 degrees C on downhill grade tests by downshifting transmission gears, thereby reducing brake applications.

GM also offers the industry’s only hybrid full-size trucks in the Silverado/Sierra 1500 Hybrids, which offers fuel efficiency of 10.1 L/100 km city and 8.4 L/100 km highway. The maximum towing capacity is 6,100 lb.

Silverado/Sierra 1500 models are available in three cab styles— regular, extended and crew cab—as well as three cargo box lengths: 5 ft. 8 in., 6 ft. 6 in. and 8 ft. They can be configured for a maximum trailer weight rating of 10,700 lb.

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PickuP TRuck REPORT nIssan Nissan is basically staying the course with its Titan full-size pickup for 2013, adding a few more standard features to its existing trim lines. The most significant change is a new tailgate design that incorporates an aerodynamic rear spoiler with an integrated rear-view camera. The camera is standard on SV, PRO-4 and SL trims.

Mechanically, the Titan has remained unchanged since 2011. It comes in four models—S, SV, PRO-4X and SL; two cab styles—king cab and crew cab; three bed lengths—5 ft. 6 in. and 7 ft. for the crew cab, and 6 ft. 6 in. for the king cab; as well as 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. The 4x4 models have an advanced shift-on-the-fly system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes.

The engine is a 5.6-litre DOHC V8 rated at 317 hp and 385 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a standard five-speed automatic that includes tow/haul modes. The towing capacity is up to 9,500 lb. for the King Cab and 9,400 lb. for the Crew Cab. The PRO-4X trim gets a refreshed appearance this year, with revised graphics, satin chrome grille, dark wheel finish, and a dark finish on the lower radiator skid plate. The interior is embellished with white stitching accents, a new logo design and Titan embroidery for cloth seats (leather seats maintain PRO-4X embroidery).

Aside from a few more design upgrades and seven new exterior colours, on the practical side, the Titan sees a 120-volt outlet in the truck bed as standard on SV, PRO-4X and SL models, along with a centre console 120-volt outlet, and rear reading lamps on the Crew Cab models.

2013 Nissan Titan

raM What do an underwater kiss, ears on a dog and Ram trucks have in common? They are all now featured under the Longest World Records category in the Guinness Book of World Records. The Ram specifically is listed as Canada’s longest-lasting line of pickups.

For the 2013 model year, the first retail Ram 2500 Compressed Natural Gas pickup trucks began rolling off Chrysler’s assembly line at the end of October, as the formerly fleet-only vehicle is now available to retail customers. The company says the Ram 2500 CNG is the only OEM-built compressed natural gas-powered pickup truck in North America (GM’s similar CNG offering is installed at a third-party facility).

The CNG model uses compressed natural gas as its primary fuel source, but automatically switches to gasoline when the CNG tanks are emptied.

2013 Ram Heavy Duty

20 / December 2012

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2212-611_OnSite.indd 18-23_Trucks.indd 21 1

12-07-30 12-11-2810:13 4:34 AM PM

Pickup TRUCK REPORT

For 2013, the Ram 1500 offers improved fuel efficiency, technology and features, including an eight-speed TorqueFlite 8 transmission, stop-start engine, and active aerodynamics—including grille shutters and air suspension.

There were many other changes made to the Ram’s mechanicals, from a re-designed frame to new engines and transmissions.

Its updated interior features a Uconnect connectivity system.

There is even bigger news in the heavy-duty lineup. Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks have also seen the addition of many features, including an all-new interior, Uconnect, Powernet, remodelled frames and a 2012 Toyota Tundra new suspension.

The Ram 3500 features a factory-installed trailer tow connector in the truck bed, included with the optional fifth wheel or gooseneck tow prep package. New structural support is designed into the body to handle the payload increase and improve durability and performance.

For operators that need to tie into the electrical system, a vehicle system interface module (VSIM) is capable of communicating between aftermarket modules and various factory control modules. The VSIM upfitter interface module features a total of 72 inputs and outputs, including lighting controls, door position and throttle and transmission position. The module acts as a secure gateway to the vehicle’s electrical system.

The Powernet electrical architecture system allows data networks to be equipped with as many as 40 individual modules, all designed to improve vehicle performance and enhance the comfort and safety of the driver and passengers.

Production of the Heavy Duty models begins in the first quarter of 2013.

Toyota Several of the 11 models in Toyota’s Tundra full-size pickup line— three 4x2s and eight 4x4s—received enhanced option packages for 2013, including a backup camera with its display integrated into the rear-view mirror.

The Tundra is available with a choice of two drive trains, two engine sizes, three cab styles and three cargo bed lengths. Two Tundra models are available with 4.6-litre iForce V8 engines developing 310 peak hp and 327 lb.-ft. of torque. The others have a 5.7-litre iForce V8 that delivers up to 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque.

Dual variable valve timing with intelligence, sequential multiport electronic fuel injection, electronic throttle control with intelligence

and other engine management systems ensure maximum power and efficiency, says Toyota.

All Tundra models feature a six-speed Super ECT automatic transmission with overdrive, sequential shift mode, tow/haul settings, lock-up torque converter, transmission cooler and automatic transmission fluid warmer. They also include an auto-limited-slip rear differential. Models with 4x4 drivetrains are equipped with one-touch four-wheel-drive and are equipped with underbody plates to protect the engine and transfer case from off-road hazards.

Double wishbone front suspensions are enhanced with stabilizer bars, while rear suspensions feature heavy-duty multi-leaf springs and bias-mounted gas shock absorbers.

Each Tundra has eight airbags and is also equipped with the six active safety technologies of the company’s star safety system: antilock brake system, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability control, Active Traction Control and Smart Stop Technology.

Standard-equipment comfort, convenience and utility features include: an audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack; air conditioning; cruise control; a 12-volt accessory power outlet; rear step bumper; removable, locking tailgate with easy lift and lower operation; a tow package with heavy-duty tow hitch receiver and pre-wiring for a trailer brake controller.

Sometimes the choice between engineering prowess and driver conveniences in pickup trucks is difficult to make, but manufacturers are making the decision less challenging by combining the best of both into their latest models for 2013.

Freelance editor and writer Bill Roebuck is a voting member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

22 / December 2012

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18-23_Trucks.indd 23

9.1L/100 km highway and 13.7 L/100 km city ratings. 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, equipped with available VortecTM 5.3L V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, fuel consumption ratings based on GM testing in accordance with approved Transport Canada test methods. Competitive fuel consumption ratings based on WardsAuto.com 2011 Large Pickup segment and Natural Resources Canada’s 2011 Fuel Consumption Guide. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. Excludes hybrids and other GM models. 2Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. See your Chevrolet dealer for additional details. 3Based on WardsAuto.com 2012 Large Pickup segment. Excludes other GM models.

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2013

Global challenges impact Canadian growth CONSTRUCTION MOVES AHEAD DESPITE DISCOURAGING NEWS FROM GLOBAL PARTNERS

BY JIM BARNES

24 / December 2012

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O

ur country is not immune to global forces,” said Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in November. “Nor can we control the economic shocks that ripple outwards from other nations.”

Global realities have led economists to trim their forecasts in Canada lately. Many set the growth in real GDP at about 2.1 per cent for 2012. The Eurozone debt crisis, political turmoil in the U.S., a sputtering Chinese economy, weakening commodities markets and a strong loonie are major causes.

Domestically, fiscal restraint and slackening spending are also problems. In its Provincial Economic Update in October, TD Economics noted the household debt-to-income ratio in Canada reached a record 152 per cent in the first half of 2012. “Households are going to have to cool borrowing further and increase savings, both of which will imply a modest pace of consumer spending over the long term,” noted the report.

An economic update on March’s federal budget delivered in mid-November by Flaherty revealed that Canada’s deficit would reach $26 billion, $5 billion higher than expected in March. The government may not be able to balance the books before 2016-17, a year later than earlier predicted.

As well, only two per cent real GDP growth is predicted for 2013, instead of the 2.4 per cent forecast before.

Leading the pack Even so, other countries are envious. “Canada seems to have got it a bit more right,” says Toby Mack, president & CEO, Associated Equipment Distributors, Oak Brook, Ill. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, agrees. It expects Canada to lead the G7 economies in growth for the next 50 years, with growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) averaging 2.2 per cent per year over that period.

Canada is a great construction market, notes Michael Atkinson, president, Canadian Construction Association, Ottawa. “The situation must be good, because the Europeans are here like never before. They see their own market drying up, and they see Canada as a huge potential market.”

The biggest risk is south of the border. Canada’s

economy is joined at the hip to that in the U.S., and American legislators are locked in intense negotiations on a budget to save the country from the so-called “fiscal cliff” in January. If not averted, default tax increases and spending cuts could trigger another recession. The upshot of those negotiations is anyone’s guess.

“The key word that keeps ringing in my ears is ‘uncertainty’—there’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty,” says Mack. “I think [the industry] is very cautious. The things that drive the industry—residential construction, commercial construction—are not going to become robust until we get more economic growth.”

“The wounds created during the recession to the construction industry were deep. It will take time before these wounds are fully healed,” notes Edward Sullivan, vice-president and chief economist, Portland Cement Association, Skokie Ill. “Recent reports suggest the economy has entered a new stage of stronger job creation. If this new pace of job creation can be sustained—and the PCA believes it will—then the construction industry could witness a new speed in the recovery process.”

The big spend Austerity is a byword in most Western industrial economies, but so far has had less effect in Canada. “We have not seen any real signs of austerity affecting Canadian construction investments in 2013, yet,” says Atkinson. “The reason I am reluctant to say that we are going to see less public investment based on some of the larger projects that are already planned. When you look at overall numbers, public sector spending might be down in some regions, in some provinces, but overall, we might not see a big decline.”

Atkinson suggests a total investment of $300 billion next year. “That’s significant, when you consider that $300 billion is almost exactly double what our total volume was in 2004.”

“In fact, while we might see a bit of a slowdown over the next two years or so, it’s only because investment was so much higher in 2011 and 2012,” says Atkinson. “It’s more of a leveling-off, before all hell breaks loose again, depending on the timing of some of these larger projects coming on stream in the resource sector.”

on-sitemag.com / 25

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2013

Lucky geography Canada is a country of regions, and opportunities depend on the specific market. Here is a quick breakdown: B.C.: Investment in two new projects next year will contribute to an expected acceleration of growth in real GDP to 2.7 per cent next year, according to Provincial Outlook published by RBC Economics (RBC), Toronto, in September. The federal government’s $8-billion deal with Seaspan Marine in Vancouver for seven ships and the $3.3 billion to be spent on Rio Tinto Alcan’s aluminum smelter in Kitimat, B.C. are key developments. The economy has been somewhat hindered by weak commodity prices, apart from lumber, which is getting a lift as U.S. housing demand improves.

ALBERTA: Real GDP growth will reach 3.6 per cent, according to RBC. Massive oil sands projects are driving capital investment spending in the province. However, notes RBC, volatile energy prices in global markets are starting to introduce a note of caution. Nevetheless, the province maintains its position as a powerhouse of the Canadian economy and the construction industry.

PRAIRIES: Saskatchewan is forecast to achieve 4.0 per cent real GDP growth in 2013, while Manitoba reaches 3.2 per cent. In both cases, resources are front and centre.

“Manitoba has the strongest expansion of construction activity among all the provinces across the forecast scenario to 2020,” noted the Construction Sector Council (CSC), Ottawa, in its 2012 Construction Looking Forward report. Manitoba should see strength in residential and non-residential building and electrical utility construction. However, “the major gains in highways, roads and bridges were between 2006 and 2009,” according to CSC. ONTARIO: RBC pegs real GDP growth in 2013 at 2.3 per cent.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, has announced a $3.3-billion investment in a chromite mine, transportation corridor and processing facility in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire program.

Preliminary work is underway and the project should be complete by 2016. It is the first piece of the program–other resources in the same region include nickel, copper and platinum.

Motor vehicle production is close to pre-recession levels and major investments are being made in electrical infrastructure, transportation and hospitals. About a billion dollars will be spent on the Pan-American Games in 2015, with another billion allocated to the Toronto-York Region Spadina Subway Extension.

On the downside, decreases in public sector spending are anticipated.

QUEBEC: Real GDP growth will accelerate next year to 1.7 per cent, predicts RBC. Plan Nord is an ambitious plan to develop mining, hydroelectric and other resources in northern Quebec. Some $1.625 billion is budgeted for the period 2011-2016. A priority is transportation infrastructure, to improve access to targeted sites.

In Quebec, too, deficit reduction will be a growing priority, with a negative impact on construction volumes in the public sector.

ATLANTIC CANADA: RBC predicts 1.8 per cent real GDP growth in 2013 for New Brunswick. Potash production, electricity exports and forestry should help stabilize the economy.

Real GDP growth in Nova Scotia is forecast at 2.3 per cent in 2013. Slowing the economy down in 2013 are potential delays in the $25-billion Irving shipyard contract, declines in natural gas and paper production and slow growth in U.S. export markets.

In Prince Edward Island, RBC expects real GDP growth to be 1.9 per cent in 2013. A 21-per-cent reduction in provincial capital spending in 2013 will cause a chill. Manufacturing, especially in the machinery industry, has been strong, partly offsetting weakness in the agricultural sector.

About a billion dollars will be spent on the Pan-American Games in 2015.

Increases in oil production in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2013 and continued growth in metal mining and machinery exports lead to projections of real GDP of 3.3 per cent in 2013.

Major project spending is healthy. It will include construction at the Hebron oil field and pre-development work at the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.

TERRITORIES: Climate change could soon be driving construction in Canada’s north, notes Atkinson. As the weather becomes milder, new infrastructure will be needed and old infrastructure will require rehabilitation as the permafrost melts. Access to resources will increase, necessitating new infrastructure. Canada’s northern ports could become ice-free year-round, demanding yet more construction.

Residential Canada’s housing market has defied predictions of decline thus far. However, the party may be winding down. According to the TD Economics report, “The housing market correction appears to be underway. Given the low interest-rate environment, home prices are likely to unwind their roughly 10 per cent over valuation over the next two to three years.”

A quarterly outlook released in November by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), Ottawa, said between 177,300 and 209,900 housing units will be started in 2013—significantly less than 2012.

“For next year, we had been talking about 193,600 starts, a decrease of about 9.4 per cent compared to this year, says Mathieu Laberge, CMHC’s deputy chief economist. “We have expected some moderation for late 2012 in early 2013 for some time now.”

He notes 2012 sales were supported by pre-sales that occurred when the economy was recovering between late 2010 and mid-2011

26 / December 2012

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2013

as consumers gained confidence. “Those pre-sales are mostly related to the multiple-unit component of the market,” he notes.

Mortgage rates were another enticement. “Interest rates are expected to remain relatively low, though they will go up at some point. They’re at a 50-year low right now,” says Laberge.

“A lot of factors are at play here. In some regions, for example in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, you had net immigration. That is a strong demographic fundamental. At the same time, you had low vacancy rates,” says Laberge.

Non-residential Building permit data published by Statistics Canada has shown dramatic swings in intentions for non-residential building this year.

Will the data level out?

“The prognosis is very, very good for the non-residential side of the industry,” says Atkinson.

Industrial construction is on the upswing, especially in light of shipbuilding, with the awarding of a $33-billion program for naval vessels to Seaspan Marine Corp., North Vancouver, B.C. and Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Halifax, N.S. There will be significant spinoff in ancillary infrastructure.

Commercial construction generally reflects consumer confidence, and Canadian households are heavily leveraged. “I think the commercial is going to continue to ride the coattails of what’s going to happen in the other sectors. However, the growing population doesn’t hurt,” says Atkinson.

Institutional spending, too, will be affected by fiscal restraint in both provincial and federal governments. Again, that depends on your specific part of the business and region. “There’s a move now more toward public transit and sewer and water, particularly wastewater treatment, given the new federal regulations,” notes Atkinson.

Engineering construction is on the rise, according to Atkinson.

“There’s no question that a lot of our projects in the engineering construction area are becoming much bigger and more complex.”

Recently, the federal government indicated some 600 resourcedevelopment projects worth $650 billion would be planned or underway over the next decade.

“Five years ago, if you had asked for a list of billion-dollar projects in Canada, you could easily have counted them on the fingers of one hand,” says Atkinson. Now, there are at least 30 that are $1 billion or more.

While energy megaprojects continue to drive the economies in Canada’s west, the situation may face challenges.

One might be declining demand in the U.S. The U.S. is developing domestic energy sources with new extraction technologies such as hydraulic fracturing—so much so that it could become the biggest oil producer in the world by 2020, according to a report by the International Energy Agency, Paris.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said the report shows Canada’s need for new export markets. Even as the debate on the Keystone XL Pipeline to Nebraska rages on, it could turn out that the Northern Gateway Pipeline to Kitimat, B.C. for exports to Asian customers is as important, if not more so.

“Change and diversity should be the keys for 2013,” says Atkinson. “More and more, owners in the public sector are going to be looking to the contractor for solutions,” says Atkinson.

Design-Build-Maintain-Operate is no longer the exception. It is already a reality, says Atkinson.

“I’m seeing firms that would never have thought of co-venturing or joint-venturing in the past doing it now. More and more, I am seeing firms going into areas of construction that they have never been in before.

Jim Barnes is On-Site’s contributing editor.

28 / December 2012

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24-29_ForecastUsethis.indd 29

12-11-27 5:59 PM

TELEHANDLERS

Getting

attached to telehandlers Caterpillar TH407

BY ANDREW SNOOK

BY ANDREW SNOOK

Caterpillarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TH407 Telehandler comes standard with a Cat C4.4 Mechanical DITAAC, Tier 3, 101 hp (74.5 kW) engine with a max torque of 410 Nm at 1,400 rpm. It has an operating weight of 16,980 lb., a top travel speed of 40 km/h, a rated load capacity of 8,150 lb., maximum height capacity of 4,000 lb. and a max reach capacity of 3,300 lb. and the hydraulic system has a maximum system pressure of 3625 psi. It has a boom breakout force of 9,442 lb. and a bucket breakout force of 12,364 lb. The telescopic boom is equipped with non-metallic wear pads, lock valve on hydraulic cylinders, a boom angle indicator and single auxiliary to the boom head. Attachments include: general purpose, grapple, light material, material handling and multi-purpose buckets, block and pallet forks and push brooms. www.cat.com

30 / December 2012

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12-11-27 10:53 AM

TELEHANDLERS

Bobcat V417 Versahandler Bobcat’s V417 Versahandler has a Tier 3, 75 hp, turbocharged diesel engine, an operating weight of 10,648 lb., a top travel speed of 25 km/h, a rated lift capacity of 4,400 lb., a maximum height capacity of 4,400 lb., a max load at max reach capacity of 1,850 lb. and the hydraulic system has auxillary pressure of 3,626 psi. This machine has more than 20 different available attachments to choose from, including: various buckets and forks, angle brooms, grapples, trenchers, snow removal equipment and more. www.bobcat.com

I Genie GTH-5519 Genie’s GTH-5519 compact telehandler features a Perkins 804D-33 4-cylinder, 63 hp (47 kW) diesel engine, a maximum lift height of 19 ft. (5.79 m) and max forward reach of 11 ft.

(3.35 m). The telehandler has a maximum lift capacity of 5,500 lb. with a lift capacity at max height of 4,400 lb., and a lift capacity at max reach of 1,900 lb. It weighs 9,820 lb., has a breakout force of 8,100 lb., auxiliary hydraulic flow of 70 L/m and auxiliary hydraulic pressure of 3,918 psi. Attachments include: standard carriages (in pin on or quick attach configurations); pallet forks; rotate, swing and sideshift carriages; truss booms; heavy duty multi-purpose, industrial grapple and rubbish buckets; lift hooks, spreader bars and more. www.genielift.com

f there is any one word that describes a telehandler, its “versatile.” These machines are used in a wide variety of applications, from moving palletized loads, to lifting pipes and concrete blocks, to cleaning up job sites. With the right attachments, these machines have the potential to significantly increase a contractor’s productivity and efficiency.

“A telehandler is the Swiss Army knife of a contractor’s job site,” says Scott Krieger, senior product manager for Terex Aerial Work Platforms (AWP).

Due to the increased popularity of these multi-use machines on job sites, Krieger says contractors and rental houses are keeping a wide variety of attachments on hand, including various types of carriages and buckets, truss booms, lift-hooks, spreader bars, lift-andtow type products and more. The most common attachments his company sees being used these days are forks, lift hooks and truss booms, but the use of buckets is becoming increasingly popular. He says customers who require a wheel loader, but do not have enough work to justify the expense, will sometimes purchase or rent a bucket attachment for their telehandler instead, and use it as a light-duty wheel loader, for job site cleanup and other light-duty applications.

Taking advantage of a telehandler’s versatility has the potential to increase productivity on the job site, so contractors should take the time to carefully consider which attachments will help them get the most for their money.

“We like to let the project define what type of tool and machine is needed,” says Wayne Goodall, telehandler product specialist for Caterpillar. “That said, our TH407 utilizes almost all of the tools available due to its standard joystick, reinforced boom head, Z-Bar linkage and low-profile boom.”

Goodall says the TH407 telehandler is one of the company’s most versatile machines. It features attachments such as: block forks, general purpose buckets, grapple buckets, light material buckets, material handling buckets, pallet forks and even a push broom to help with job site cleanup. Another helpful upgrade now available for the TH407 telehandler is ride control.

“This assists greatly with material retention when using a bucket, and load stability when using forks,” says Goodall.

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TELEHANDLERS

Manitou MHT 10180 Manitou’s MHT 10180 heavy capacity telescopic handler weighs approximately 53,087 lb. and features a Mercedes 175 hp (129 kW) turbo-diesel engine with a max torque of 675 Nm and a hydraulic flow at 43.6 gpm (165L/min). They have a maximum lift capacity of 36,684 lb. and a maximum lift height of 31 ft. 10 in. (9.7 m). The MHT Series come with a hydrostatic transmission, TELMA brakes and have an oscillating rear axle and frame levelling to allow the chassis to remain level on uneven surfaces. Attachments include: various buckets and forks, concrete skips, extra lift mast, sweepers, clamps, hydraulic winch grabs, jibs and more. www.manitou.co.za

Manitou telescopic handler product specialist John Rau says knowing the kinds of loads you’re handling and what you intend to do with the telehandler are vital aspects to consider when choosing attachments.

“Are you doing all pallet work? Then you want to go with the pallet forks. Are you doing more lumber where you’re going to need the more tapered forks? Then you go with the tapered forks. How deep are the loads you have? Are you only picking up 48-in. or 42-in.

loads or are you going to need a 60-in. fork? You have to choose the right forks to meet your needs,” explains Rau. Switching between various attachments at a job site doesn’t have to be time consuming, according to Rau. He says almost all telehandlers on the market are equipped with a quick-attach system for easy changing of attachments on the fly.

“In less than five minutes you can change any attachment, that’s un-hook and hook into the next one,” says Rau. He recommends that contractors have the auxiliary attachment on the front of the machine for powered attachments, to increase the machine’s versatility.

GIVE YOURSELF OPTIONS

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London (Lambeth) 800-265-4762

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www.strongco.com

Judith Lefebvre, marketing and communications coordinator for Manulift EMI Ltée, says choosing the right attachments for a job sometimes requires some unorthodox thinking.

“Most people are surprised to realize how many attachments there are on the market,” she says.

Lefebvre says buying or renting additional attachments for telehandlers offers contractors significant savings.

Manulift offers contractors a remote-controlled telehandler option, designed to reduce the amount of manpower needed at a job site. Lefebvre says a worker might want to operate a vehicle remotely to have better visibility when moving the machine or a load.

“A radio-controlled remote, designed and built by Merlo, allows all functions to be controlled easily and with precision,” says Lefebvre. “Jobs are done quickly, economically and in complete safety.”

Regular day-to-day job site operations aren’t the only place telehandlers come in handy. Manulift offers contractors a choice of dozens of different attachments for its machines, manufactured

by Merlo Group. In addition to a wide variety of attachments for construction and agriculture-related applications, Manulift has boat handlers, snow plows and glass and window installation attachments complete with suction cups.

Snow removal attachments are popular with Bobcat’s V417 VersaHandler, which offers contractors a choice of approximately 20 different attachments, including: pallet forks, angle brooms, snow

32 / December 2012

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12-11-27 10:53 AM

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30-35_Telehandlers.indd 33

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TELEHANDLERS

blowers, trenchers, tillers, sweeper buckets, seeders and more.

Bobcat product specialist Tom Connor says the V417’s snow removal attachment is particularly popular with contractors because of its reach. He says the machine works well in parking garages and parking ramps, where machine height is critical.

“If you get into parking lot situations where you don’t have the luxury of getting the snow loaded and out of there right away, then

your desire is to stack it as high as you can to consume fewer parking spots,” he explains.

Krieger says the biggest tip he can give contractors when they are buying or renting telehandlers is not to skimp on the optional attachments.

“It’s all about reducing costs and increasing productivity and efficiency,” he says. “It’s amazing how if you have it on hand you’re going to use it. You’re going to see its value and its benefit to job site efficiency… it’s a highly productive, highly efficient tool.”

Manulift Manulift’s Panoramic P 25.6 telescopic handler from Merlo is often used for underground and restricted area job sites, and landscaping due to its compact size. It is only 1.8 m wide and less than two metres tall, but has a maximum load capacity of 5,511 lb. and a maximum lift height of more than 19 ft. The cab is just under a metre wide (0.995 m) and has several storage compartments.

This machine is equipped with a 75 hp (55 kW) Tier 3 turbo engine and a max speed of 36 km/h. Manulift offer dozens of attachments from Merlo, ranging from forks, buckets, AWPs, jibs, snow removal, agriculture, boat handling and more. www.manulift.ca

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34 / December 2012

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GENERATORS

Generating efficiency Emissions reduction is top priority for 2013 generator designs

F

or most of us, discussing the finer details of generator advancements does not make for the most titillating of conversations. There are, however, a few key points that all contractors need to stay abreast of.

The biggest difference you’ll notice the next time you’re out shopping for a generator is cost! The price tag on these jobsite staples could go up by as much as 35 to 45 per cent next year.

That massive increase is the result of Tier 4 standards that came into effect on January 16, 2012 and apply to engines manufactured on and after that date. As in the U.S., these new engine emissions requirements have necessitated dramatic changes in the overall design of generators.

As such, manufacturers are hard at work updating older models.

This is no small challenge. Not only do the engines need to change, but so does piping for the intake and the exhaust. The engine

By Corinne Lynds

dimensions change too, a DPF (diesel particulate filter) needs to be added, and both affect the outer frame.

“Everything gets affected,” says Mike Marion, product and business development manager at Atlas Copco. “If I had 10 engineers in our department working on generators, I bet you six or seven of them are working on engine emissions.”

John Garcia, generator development manager at Doosan Portable Power agrees, emission reductions have significantly impacted overall design. “Mobile generator compartments or boxes have to be able to handle the high heat rejection from new engines, as well as provide room for new diesel oxy catalyst and diesel particulate filters used for final cleaning of the new engines.”

Additionally, manufacturers are trying to ensure those new designs include maximum fuel capacity and quiet operation, as well as ease of operator control. page 36

The Atlas Copco QAS 150 incorporates fluid containment in the frame design.

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GENERATORS

from age 35

Fluid containment

The Doosan G150 is designed for rugged jobsites.

It’s no surprise that emissions reduction is the primary focus for generator manufacturers, but according to Marion, operators are also concerned about another environmental aspect. “Customers are starting to ask us: ‘Do your machines have 110 per cent fluid containment?’”

It’s a good question. It’s not at all unusual to have environmentalists poking around jobsites these days, and construction equipment dripping engine fluids is the express route to bad press. and alternator pitch. Another flexible approach to backing up your To address concerns of punctured fuel tanks or fluid leaks in power requirements is to have two or more generators of variable the engine, manufacturers are building fluid containment into the output. In either scenario, these can be connected in parallel with frame. It is essentially a fluid tub, so anything that is inside the paralleling switchgear to achieve maximum output during peak frame—engine fluents, coolant, engine oil—would actually come requirement or the desired minimal output during other times. down and land in that containment tub.

Until recently, many contractors both large and small have Marion explains there are plugs in the tub to drain out fluids, refrained from parallel operation of generator sets because it was and the system is designed to manage oil changes as well. “What perceived as too dangerous and complicated. With the introduction we do is remote mount. Basically, at the bottom of the oil pan we of sophisticated integrated digital control technologies, it has now run a tube to a drain point, then if it’s coolant or engine fluid, bring become much easier to operate systems in parallel and benefit all of that to a central fluid point, so you just have to unscrew the from the additional advantages they provide. pipe plug and then open a valve on the engine plug to drain the oil out. It’s the same if there’s a fuel failure Before you buy for some reason and it drains into the tub.”

New engine emissions There are several key questions that a conDual-wall tanks are another strategy for requirements have necessitated tractor should ask before forking over the fuel containment that has been around for dramatic changes in the overall cash for a new generator—big or small. years. Doosan Portable Power offers rugHowever, before asking any questions of the ged units with this feature. Essentially it’s design of generators. dealer or manufacturer, it’s a good idea to two layers of steel, so if the outer wall is start by clearly defining what your requirements are. What applipunctured, the inner wall still safely contains the fluids. This same cations are you going to use the generator for? In what climate? strategy is used for massive liquid storage containers.

Under what conditions? How much power do you need? Would parIn control alleling make sense for your applications?

Beyond environmental considerations, contractors want generators Once you have nailed down these basic details, Garcia recomwith efficient and simple controls. Ease of use is especially impormends asking the dealer or manufacturer: “Does the unit have an tant in the rental industry, where contractors are not specifically AC alternator (the part that makes electricity) that can provide SKVA trained on the equipment. (or motor starting capability) and still maintain high overload ca“They just want to walk up to it, push a button and know that pabilities to protect the generator and whatever load it’s running?” they have power at the plug,” says Marion. “That’s all they care Work out the numbers and specs, but also keep the environabout, they don’t care if the DPF is going into regeneration mode.” ment in mind. Make sure the machine you buy meets emissions For most average construction jobs, plug and go is perfect, but regulations in the countries that you plan to operate it in. This is for some of the larger projects by big companies such as Aecon or especially important for contractors that work on projects north and PCL, more complex controls may be required. south of the border. Marion warns: “Make sure whichever manufacOn a big jobsite, generators are often used for a multitude of apturer you go with has a good parts distribution network and serviceplications large and small. Sometimes the output power capacity ability in the area where you will be using the machine.” of standard generator units available in the market may greatly exWhether you buy or lease this equipment, being aware of changceed your minimum requirement, or at the other end of the scale, ing technology and industry regulations will enable you to choose fall short of your maximum requirement. It is in these situations the most cost effective and safe equipment for your future jobs. where paralleling generators might be the ideal solution.

The easiest way to setup a parallel system is to use generaSend comments to editor@on-sitemag.com. tors that are exactly alike, or at least have the same output rating

36 / December 2012

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DECEMBER 2012

In this issue:

www.on-sitemag.com

37-38-ConCov.indd 37

Ontario Concrete Awards | CRMCA 12-12-04 10:50 AM

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12-11-27 5:57 PM

Market challenges for concrete technologies

C

oncrete is generally thought of as a commodity, but it’s slowly gaining acceptance in a number of new and revived applications: Roads – Concrete paving for roads in Canada is

a good example of one area that is making a resurgence. The techniques to design and construct concrete roads are much more advanced now then they were in the past. These techniques vastly improve rideability and long-term performance of a pavement. The first and whole lifecycle cost comparison of concrete design versus flexible pavement design has made concrete the material of choice in a competitive environment.

The challenge remains in convincing engineers and designers that they have a choice beyond asphalt.

Self-consolidating concrete – New concrete formulas have also been slow to catch on. Pervious pavement (allows water

High-rise applications of ICFs.

through) provides a solution to storm water management, which becomes a whole new way for designers and engineers to improve the end performance of their systems. This new approach for storm water management challenges the normal

to develop and implement a national marketing strategy that

“remove and store” principles applied by many municipalities.

could extend to all of North America. During these discus-

Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) – A simple concrete form-

sions, marketing in the three-storey-and-up buildings seem

ing system that stays in place after the concrete is cast and

to be prime targets. One unique region identified during the

insulates the concrete wall, ICFs sound simple, right? Appar-

meeting, where ICF commercial construction has seen over 70

ently there are still “old thinking” barriers and challenges

multi-unit residential buildings constructed is in Kitchener-

preventing the systems from gaining significant market share.

Waterloo. The largest building recently under development in

The Canadian Ready Mixed Concrete Associations’ members have decided that ICFs need a substantial boost in the marketplace from our industry. Technical challenges have

the area will reach 22 storeys. The ICF group looked at this market and decided there was a success story to build on.

By closely examining success stories in the Kitchener-

been fought from an industry perspective and have resulted

Waterloo region, the group hopes to identify operations

in the development of a national standard, CAN/ULC-S717.1-12

and energy efficiency savings, constructability issues and

Standard for flat wall insulating concrete form (ICF) units.

efficiencies all the way back to the initial design decisions.

Many technical challenges still remain and as a result, the

The goal is to produce generic marketing materials based

Part Nine Standing Committee of the National Building Code

on this investigation that will confirm the short and long-

is in the process of establishing a task group on ICF.

term benefits and efficiencies of ICF construction.

Technical issues aside, the CRMCA has long recognized that

The concrete and ICF industries recognize that now is the

there needs to be a national strategy to market ICF’s in order

time to act together to grow this market based on environ-

to increase their market share.

mental and energy savings.

The CRMCA and two of its members, Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO) and British Columbia Ready Mixed Concrete Association (BCRMCA), invited nine of the top ICF companies to a one-on-one meeting to see if there was agreement and synergy between both industries

Provided by the Canadian Ready-Mixed Concrete Association.

Contact editor@on-sitemag.com.

on-sitemag.com / 39

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CONCRETE AWARDS

Concrete champions Award winners Architectural Merit – Rotman School of Management Expansion Location: Toronto General contractor: Eastern Construction Co. Ltd. Engineer of record: Yolles, A CH2M HILL Co. Architect of record: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects Owner: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto This project is LEED Silver certified and used 9,000 cu. m. of concrete. Features include: cantilever feature stairs, architecturally exposed concrete (AEC), circular AEC columns and the central core extends the full height of the building.

Architectural Hardscape – Scholars’ Green Park Location: Mississauga General contractor: Aldershot Landscape Contractors LP Architects of record: gh3, Terraplan Landscape Architects Ltd. Owner: City of Missisauga This public park brings together Sheridan College and the surrounding community. It was built incorporating sustainable materials and green technologies into many of its features.

Mid to High Rise Residential – Toronto International Film Festival Location: Toronto General contractor: The Daniels Corp.

Construction manager: PCL Constructors Canada Inc. Forming contractor: C.I.P. Group Engineer of record: Jablonsky, Ast and Partners Architect of record: Kirkor Architects & Planners Design Architect: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects Owner: King and John Festival Corporation This building has 42-above ground storeys, six underground parking levels and 458 suites. Its features include The Bell Lightbox, a five-storey podium building equipped with five cinemas,

The Ontario Concrete Awards took place on Nov. 28, 2012 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre during Concrete Canada and honoured innovative concreterelated design and construction across the province.

two galleries, two restaurants, exhibition space and festival staff office space for more than 200 TIFF employees.

Specialty Concrete Applications – Maple Leaf Gardens Remodernization Location: Toronto General contractor: Buttcon Ltd. Forming contractor: Hardrock Forming Co. Engineer of record: exp Services Inc. Architects of record: Turner Fleischer Architects Inc., BBB Architects Owners: Loblaw Properties Limited, Ryerson University Dufferin Concrete supplied 17,000 cu. m. of ready mix concrete for this project, including 37 different mixes for the various required applications. The concrete had to be supplied in small quantities throughout multiple levels on the north side of the building.

Specialty Concrete Products – Courtney Park & Kennedy Road Lane Improvement Location: Mississauga General contractor: Royal Ready Construction Ltd. Material testing engineers: Coffey Geotechnics, Davroc Testing Laboratories Inc. Owner: City of Mississauga – Transportation & Works Department This project was an innovative example of concrete pavements being used to address significant pavement performance issues in a short period of time. Macro-synthetic fibres were used in the concrete mix design, which has the potential to reduce the cross-section thickness of the pavement.

40 / December 2012

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Institutional Building – CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory Location: Hamilton General contractor: EllisDon Corp.

Forming contractor: RES 2000 Structures Inc. Engineer of record: Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Architect of record: Diamond Schmitt Architects Owner: McMaster Innovation Park This project is LEED Platinum registered and 11,375 cu. m. of concrete were used during its construction. Features include: machine shop facilities, teaching space, labs, classrooms, tutorial study area, secure storage space, materials testing facility, administrative space, and lounges and meeting space.

Material Development & Innovation – Whole Foods Market, Square One Location: Mississauga General contractor: B.M.I. Construction Co. Ltd. Engineer of record: exp Services Inc. Architect of record: Petroff Partnership Architects Owner: Whole Foods Market This 45,000-sq.-ft.grocery store features approximately 25,000 sq. ft. of retail area, which includes a polished, low shrinkage architectural concrete showcasing exposed, decorative specialty aggregate at the surface.

Structural Design Innovation — Whitemans Creek Bridge Location: Brantford General contractor: Dufferin Construction Co., A division of Holcim (Canada) Inc. Engineer of record: Delcan Corp.

Owner: Ministry of Transportation Ontario – West Region This bridge is a 40-m, single span steel plate girder structure with 225-mm thick concrete deck. The project’s combination of accelerated bridge construction, ultra high performance concrete and fibre reinforced polymer reinforcing allowed for a durable and quick construction.

Sustainable Concrete Construction – New Carlisle Street Parking Facility

Infrastructure – West Don Lands Storm Water Conveyance System Location: Toronto General contractor: Eastern Construction Co. Ltd. Tunneling contractor: C & M McNally Engineering Corp.

Engineer of record: R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. Owners: Waterfront Toronto and Toronto Water – City of Toronto This massive $167-million infrastructure project showcases a variety of concrete construction techniques, including: pre-cast, cast-in-place, post tensioned, reinforced and un-reinforced concrete.

Location: St. Catharines General contractor: Bondfield Construction Co. Ltd. Engineer of record: Halsall Associates Architect of record: Macdonald Zuberec Ensslen Architects Inc. Owner: City of St. Catharines This LEED Silver targeted, seven-storey, 600-vehicle parking structure has 30,000 sq. m. of parking space and 1,200 sq. m. of leasable space. There was 11,759 cu. m. of concrete used on the project. Features include: rainwater harvesting, a bicycle parkade, a pedestrian skywalk connection, passive ventilation and motion activated LED lighting.

To read the full project description for each award winner, visit: www.ontarioconcreteawards.ca.

Images courtesy of the Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario.

on-sitemag.com / 41

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12-12-04 12:10 PM

WOC

is a solid bet for building on your business The World of Concrete returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center February 4-8, 2013 and offers Canadians a great opportunity to network with tens of thousands of professionals in the concrete and masonry industries from around the globe while checking out the latest products and technologies.

This year’s show expects to draw 50,000 registered concrete and masonry professionals and promises to be bigger than WOC 2012. It will be packed full of events and activities, including more than 1,200 exhibiting companies; 100 educational sessions, including more than 50 per cent brand-new sessions; hands-on product demonstrations; spectator events and competitions; as well as various luncheons and forums.

The WOC 2013 show, organized by Hanley Wood, will feature a variety of events hosted by industry associations, including: > 2013 International Buyers Program > Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA) Safety Boot Camp > NEW! Power Troweling Aid Research Project, monitored by MIddle Tennessee State University > NEW! Let’s Build with Concrete for Habitat (Items built are sent to Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas ReStore) > 2013 CIM Auction (Concrete Industry Management)

Competitions > John Deere Operator Challenge > Western Star Serious Trucks Challenge > SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 National bricklaying championship > International Masonry Skills Challenge > Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition > Most Innovative Products contest

Special events > > > > > > > >

MCAA Annual Convention NEW! Concrete anchoring LIVE! Pervious Concrete LIVE! Concrete Surfaces Decorative Pavilion Awards Concrete Construction Artistry in Decorative Concrete Masonry Veneer LIVE! Hoover Dam Bypass Tours CREWS THAT ROCK reception

For detailed information, visit www.worldofconcrete.com

2013 World of Concrete Site Map SOUTH HALL, LEVEL 1

• Badged Entrance Only

World of Masonry

LOBBY

Drop Off & Pick Up

tion

• Meeting Rooms S219-S233 • Exhibitor Meeting Rooms • Luncheons & Forums

& De C

TFC

SOUTH HALL MEETING ROOMS, LEVEL 2

moli

Deco

rete Conc

Surfa

World of Concrete

ces &

• Walkway Between Central and South Halls

Escalator

World of Concrete

• Walkway Between LVH & North Hall

• Aisles C4000-C7000 • Material Handling

rative

• Meeting Rooms N101-N120, N201-N251 • World of Concrete Seminars • Press Room • Press Conference Room • Show Office • MCAA Office (N215) & Sessions (N208-N212)

• Aisles N100-N3200 • The Producer Center • World of Masonry • Masonry Veneer LIVE!

CENTRAL HALL Hoover Dam Door 9 Pick-Up

epair

• WOC Bookstore • Restaurant

MAIN & UPPER LEVEL MEETING ROOMS

NORTH HALL

• Aisles S10100-13000 • Information • Concrete Repair and Demolition • Concrete Surfaces & Decorative

GRAND CONCOURSE

ete R oncr

February 5-8; Seminars: February 4-8 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada www.worldofconcrete.com

Registration

• Product Showcase • Sales Office • International Business Center

Escalator Drop Off ONLY

Restaurant LVH Hotel & Casino

The Producer Center

GOLD LOT

• Competitions & Challenges • Parking • WOC Certification/Training Area

CONCRETE SURFACES DECORATIVE PAVILION • Artistry in Decorative Concrete • Aisles O40500-O41000 • Outdoor Exhibits

OUTDOOR EXHIBITS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Aisles O30100-O32200 • Beer Garden

Monorail Station

• Skywalk between Gold Lot and North Hall

NORTH MEETING ROOMS UPPER LEVEL

• Outdoor Competitions & Challenges

Renaissance Hotel

• World of Concrete Seminars • Hilton Walkway • Meeting Rooms N252-N264 • CIM Auction, N262

42 / December 2012

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12-11-28 12:37 PM

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8:00 AM - 11:00 AM TU03 Concrete Basics III: Curing, Effects of Weather & Sustainability Terry Holland

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

NEW! NEW! TU14 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Advanced Structural Repair: Strengthening Solutions Pete Popovic, Jay Thomas

MO38 Managing and Motivating Your People by Personality Jeff Stokes

TU40 Eight Ways to Increase Job Profits and Prosper in Construction Jim Adrian

NEW! NEW! TU39 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Win More Contracts & Find New Customers— Strategies to Overcome the Low Bid Process George Hedley

TU31 Troubleshooting Masonry Part I: Cracks and Movement Michael Schuller

For more information on WOC seminars, certifications and exams MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 visit: www.worldofconcrete.com 8:00 AM -12:00 PM 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CERTIFICATIONSCERTIFICATIONS MO45& EXAMS MO47 & EXAMS CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS ACI Specialty Commercial/Industrial Concrete & EXAMS & EXAMS & EXAMS &CFA EXAMS &Certified EXAMSFoundation Contractor Certification Review Flatwork Review

TU49 ACPA Concrete Pump Operator Safety Training Les Ainsworth

8:00 AM -12:00 PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

TH10 Concrete Mix Design I: Evaluation of Mixtures Ken Hover

TH05 Handling Environmental Factors—Placing Concrete In Adverse Conditions Kim Basham

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7

WE51 ICRI Slab Moisture Testing Technician Educational Review

8:00 AM -12:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

TH53 TCA/ACI Tilt-Up Technician/Supervisor Review Shawn Hickey

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7

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TH36 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Resilient Concrete Homes: Providing Safer Sustainable Communities Donn Thompson

WE35 Waterproofing Product Types and Systems Brent Anderson

FR29 Polishing Retail and Industrial Slabs—Design and Construction Best Practices Rick Smith TH33 Building Reinforced Masonry: The Basics See HANDS-ON See HANDS-ON Event. TRAINING Event.

Michael Schuller TRAINING See HANDS-ON See See HANDS-ON See HANDS-ON TRAINING HANDS-ON SeeTRAINING HANDS-ON TRAINING Event.

TRAINING Event.

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NEW! NEW!

NEW! NEW! TH28 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Proper Use of Slab Reinforcement Systems: Avoiding Myths & Misconceptions Jerry Holland

NEW! NEW! FR24 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Understanding, Selecting and Troubleshooting Sealers and Coatings for Decorative Concrete Chris Sullivan

FR11 Concrete Mix Design II: Adjusting with Aggregates and Admixtures Ken Hover

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

WE32 Troubleshooting Masonry Part II: Leaky Walls Rashod Johnson

WE22 Concrete Polishing: The Final Finish Clif Rawlings, Derek MacKenzie

NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! TH16 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! WE15 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Concrete Repair Fundamentals II: Concrete Repair Fundamentals I: Surface Waterproofing and Corrosion Protection Preparation, Reinforcement Repair, Peter Emmons, Jorge Costa Material Selection and Placement See HANDS-ON TRAINING See HANDS-ON Event.

TRAINING Event.

Peter Emmons, James McDonald See HANDS-ON TRAINING Event.

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NEW! NEW! WE09 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Effective Use of Chemical Admixtures in Concrete Construction Charles Nmai

WE04 Concrete Basics IV: Hardened Properties and Durability Terry Holland, Jeff Groom

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

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MO30 Masonry Repair and Restoration Techniques Rashod Johnson

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Todd Scharich TRAINING NEW! NEW! See HANDS-ON TRAINING Event.

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TRAINING Event.

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TU20 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! Polished Overlay Systems and Best Practices: Evaluate, Prepare, Maintain Clark Branum, Frank Benish NEW! NEW! TU27 NEW! NEW!NEW! MO26 NEW!NEW! FIX Floor Moisture Problems: Building Design Concrete Shrinkage—Solutions to a Growing Problem and Construction Materials Scott Tarr Howard Kanare

Kim Basham

NEW!MOLBC Monday, NEW! 8:00 am - 5:00 pm NEW!NEW! Construction Boot Camp for Field Leaders NEW! NEW!NEW! Brad Humphrey

BUSINESS BUSINESS MO37 &BUSINESS PROJECT & PROJECT BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS Construction Field & Project Management MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT & PROJECT & PROJECT & PROJECT & PROJECT & PROJECT Systems That Work!

MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT George Hedley

Value-Added Construction with ICF Modules (Insulating Concrete Forms) Brent Anderson

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AVOID Floor Moisture Problems: Testing, Evaluation and Remediation Systems Howard Kanare

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Federico Jasso

NEW! NEW! DECORATIVE DECORATIVE MO17 NEW!NEW! NEW! NEW!NEW! CONCRETE CONCRETE DECORATIVE DECORATIVE DECORATIVE DECORATIVE DECORATIVE Acid-Staining Problems: What to Do When CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE Things Go Wrong

Kim Basham

CONCRETE CONCRETE MO13 MO12 REPAIR REPAIR CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE Troubleshooting Concrete Cracks: Understand Repairing Concrete Cracks: Evaluation and REPAIR REPAIR REPAIR REPAIR REPAIR Selection of Repair Methods and Minimize Cracking

MO07 MO06 Surveying Basics: Using Automatic and Surveying Basics: Using Digital Total Stations See TRAINING See HANDS-ON Event. TRAINING Digital Event. Levels Rod HANDS-ON Skaggs See HANDS-ON TRAINING See HANDS-ON Event. TRAINING Event.

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Calvin McCall

Terry Holland, Jeff Groom

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM MO02 Concrete Basics II: Ordering, Making, Placing & Finishing Concrete Terry Holland, Jeff Groom

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4

3-HOUR SEMINARS 3-HOUR SEMINARS 3-HOUR 3-HOUR 3-HOUR SEMINARS 3-HOUR SEMINARS 3-HOUR SEMINARS SEMINARS SEMINARS

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WORLD WORLD OF CONCRETE OF CONCRETE 2013 2013 EDUCATION EDUCATION PROGRAM PROGRAM WORLD WORLD WORLD WORLD WORLD OF OF OF OF CONCRETE OF CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION PROGRAM PROGRAM PROGRAM PROGRAM PROGRAM

CONCRETE CONCRETE MO01 FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE CONCRETE Concrete Basics I: Concrete Mixtures, FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS Materials & Fresh Properties

44 / December 2012

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Western Star’s customized truck solutions offering a range of power ratings for dump, loader, haul applications and more.

Each truck comes equipped with a sturdy, corrosion-resistant frame, standard safety features and a roomy, comfortable cab. www.WesternStar.com BOOTH: Silver Four 1, Silver Lot

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Hilti’s SCM 18-A Metal Cutting Circular Saw provides fast, smooth cuts for most metal cutting applications. The cordless saw runs on Hilti’s 18V CPC battery platform and features an optimized blade for increased tool life and cold cutting technology. www.hilti.ca BOOTHS: O30600, C4788, O30600a, O30600b, O30800, O30800a NEW!NEW!NEW! NEW!

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AlsoAlso seeAlso see Additional Also see Additional see Additional Additional Industry Industry Industry Training Industry Training Training Training at the at bottom the at the bottom at the bottom of the bottom of schedule. the of the schedule. of the schedule. schedule.

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Schwing’s S 43 SX concrete pump uses the RZ boom design with five-section versatility and 918-degrees of total articulation. The pump combines two boom types – Roll and Fold and Z – by putting the 270-degree Z-fold at the tip section, operators have good boom maneuverability while placing concrete up to 138-ft. vertically and 125-ft. horizontally. The pump incorporates Schwing’s Super X Outriggers and is designed for stability. www.schwing.com BOOTH: C5216 NEW!NEW!NEW! NEW!

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Multiquip Inc.’s MLT25 modular light tower (MLT) model uses WhisperWatt technology and consists of a MQPower DCA25SSIU3C three-phase generator mounted on a TRLR75XFH (DOT certified) trailer, and a light tower mast assembly designed with six 1,000W metal halide lamps. The unit offers single- or threephase power while operating as a six-lamp light tower. www.multiquip.com BOOTHS: O31840, O31846, C4803.

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Weather Guard’s Protect-A-Rail Cab Protectors are designed to protect pickup truck cabs from shifting loads in the cargo area. www.weatherguard.ca BOOTH: N3137

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Three-position drill Minnich Manufacturing Co. Inc.’s A-2C is capable of horizontal, vertical or 35-degree stitch drilling. The A-2C fits into a 48-degree opening and will drill up to 18-in. deep. Operators can adjust the drill height, depth and hole centres.

Unit comes with flat-proof tires and a large capacity oiler. Picture shown with optional dust collection system. www.minnich-mfg.com BOOTH: C5287

Rotating telescopic handler

Excavator with improved fuel efficiency

Manitou’s MRT Easy rotating telescopic handlers offer 360 degrees of high-lifting, rough-terrain performance and a wide array of attachments to handle more material and a variety of tasks. They are equipped with a 101 hp (74.5kW) Perkins diesel engines. The MRT 1640 lifts loads up to 15.8 m, while the MRT 1840 lifts loads up to 17.9 m. These machines offer a lift capacity of 8,818 lb.

(4,000 kg), an oscillating rear axle, optimal ground clearance and frame levelling, as well as a high-strength, four-section chain boom built from alloy steel. www.ca.manitou.com/cms BOOTHS: C5948, C5650

Yanmar’s Vi035-6 uses 20 per cent less fuel than previous mini excavators and features an electronically-controlled Tier 4 engine with an evolved hydraulic system and standard ECO and Auto-Deceleration modes for improved overall operational efficiency. It features advanced operation control and hydraulic quick-coupler system and up to three months of operational and maintenance support information can be monitored using the unit’s digital Smart Assist control system. www.us.yanmar.com BOOTH: C5887

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WOC PREVIEW

Trucks with CNG technology The Freightliner 114SD with compressed natural gas (CNG) technology features a Cummins Westport ISL G natural gas engine and is designed for severe duty segments such as construction, as well as dump, refuse, sewer vac and more. Equipped with a McNeilus mixer body in a set-back axle configuration, this lightweight vehicle features tough components like a heavy-duty frame and a steel-reinforced aluminum cab. www.FreightlinerTrucks.com BOOTH: C6527

CAN-based network for precise setup and paving G+ Connect is a new, proprietary CANbased (controller area network) network for GOMACO products that allows fast, two-way communication between all accessories and the controller for precise setup and paving. It is a closed-loop control system for both the electronics and hydraulics on GOMACO pavers. www.gomaco.com BOOTH: C5144

Control system for poured-in-place, offset concrete profiles Wirtgen America’s AutoPilot stringless control system is designed for poured-in-place, offset concrete profiles, such as curbs or safety barriers. The AutoPilot system for SP 15 and SP 25 slipform pavers use a computer integrated in the machine, as well as a control panel that allows intuitive operation. For course control, two machine-mounted GPS receivers communicate with an additional GPS reference station positioned on-site. The system is designed to bypass the need to establish a digital terrain model. Programming is completed by using a rover pole to capture coordinates or by using the jobsite plans. www.wirtgenamerica.com BOOTH: O30974, C6561

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COmpaCt tRaCK LOaDeRS faCe Off See whO wiNS gOiNg heaD-tO- heaD. Do you want to see how compact track loaders perform in head-to-head competitions or watch side-by-side comparisons relating to performance, serviceability and durability?

Before you buy your next loader, watch our video comparisons of track loaders. Not only do the videos show you which loader is best, they explain the small details that increase your performance and reduce your downtime. You can watch all the videos at BobcatAdvantage.com/CTLfaceoff1 or scan the code and find out who comes out on top.

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12-11-28 12:37 PM

SOFTWARE

By Jacob Stoller

A

Cloud from the ground up

s the phrase “moving to the cloud” suggests, cloud computing usually involves a migration of sorts where organizations incrementally shed elements of their IT infrastructure in favour of offerings from online providers. However, when Dennis Donovan and Steve Moore started Vancouver-based Tercera Construction in 2010, they decided to build their IT environment entirely in the cloud.

Donovan was all too familiar with the headaches of in-house IT. “I came from a company where they had two IT guys and all this hardware, and nothing seemed to work,” says Donovan.

He saw the cloud as an opportunity to avoid similar headaches and avoid tying up money in areas other than his core business. “I didn’t want to be in the hardware business,” says Donovan. “With IT, there’s ‘I need to invest in this’ and ‘I need to invest in that’. What I wanted to invest in was people, because we’re a people business.”

Commercial general contractors, such as Tercera, deal with a relatively diverse mix of transactions, and the opportunities for error are numerous. This means, in order to stay afloat, construction firms need to have robust systems in place. “We wanted to make sure when we started our own business that we kept track of money, because if we didn’t, we’d end up like all those businesses that owe CRA tens of thousands of dollars because they can’t pay their HST,” says Donovan.

The cloud allowed Donovan to start their business on a full-featured business software suite. With an up-front investment of about $20,000 and an annual license and support fee of $2,500, Tercera imple-

mented Sage 300 for Construction and Real Estate. The program runs almost all aspects of the business, including estimating, project management, change orders, procurement and receivables.

“The system protects us from ourselves,” explains Donovan. “If something doesn’t work within a certain variance, the screen will freeze and you need someone else to come in and take a look at it; and you’re able to either bypass it or fix the issue at the time. So it stops you from making the same mistake over and over and over again. It also allows us to catch mistakes early.”

Donovan feels the time it took to learn the new system was well invested. “It hasn’t been an easy process,” he says. “It isn’t something you can just take up in a day. But what the reward has been is that I am able to pay my taxes and sleep at night, because I know what is due, what is payable and when it’s payable. That type of stuff.”

Tercera operates all of its applications, including the Sage system and Microsoft Office, in the cloud through Vancouverbased Imogo Mobile Technologies Corp.

Imogo stores all of Tercera’s data on a dedicated server—a measure that Donovan feels offers an extra margin of protection against data loss.

The overall solution isn’t perfect. In order to make documents accessible to their Apple devices, the company uses a workaround of sorts though an inexpensive cloud service called Evernote. This allows the storage and categorization of various documents on the cloud, making them accessible to a variety of devices. Tercera also

makes wide use of pdf format for secure documents that are not normally edited, such as quotes, estimates and contracts.

WORDS OF CAUTION While the cloud scenario is working well for Tercera, contractors should consider the following precautions: When an organization is 100-per-cent cloud-dependent, an internet outage could cause employees to be stranded without access to their applications and files; and a slow connection causes online applications to perform poorly. This could be a concern in remote regions of Canada.

Some organizations are concerned about cloud hosts that store their data in foreign countries, and some legal experts believe this could create liabilities under privacy legislation. Tercera’s data is stored on Canadian soil.

There are still many applications that are not yet available in the cloud. For example, many specialty applications operate only on desktop machines.

It’s still early days for the cloud, and 100-per-cent adoption has to be planned carefully in order to ensure all requirements are adequately supported. While taking the leap isn’t for everyone, it’s almost certain that more companies will use the cloud to focus less on IT and more on construction in the years to come.

Jacob Stoller is principal of Toronto-based consultancy Stoller Strategies.

Send comments to editor@on-sitemag.com.

48 / December 2012

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12-11-27 11:00 AM

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RISK

By David Bowcott

S

Suicide bid season is open for business

uicide bid season is upon us. This cyclical phenomenon is typically seen when the pipeline of construction projects in the economy start to drop off by a significant level. It is a regional occurrence so far, but even the most prosperous footprints of Canada are beginning to question the future supply of construction projects.

So what is the suicide bid? Well, it’s when the number of bidders going after jobs dramatically increases, and several of the players are bidding at margin levels very close to zero per cent. The idea is that the bidder will gain cash flow from the job, and further hopes there will be opportunity throughout the job to secure a change order that restores profit on the job.

This strategy is often indigenous to the design-bid-build sector, where there can be limited prequalification of bidders by the owner of the project and the high-pressure lump-sum bidding process is used.

Don’t believe me? I recently thumbed through the regional commercial journal that displays the bidders list for jobs in Ontario and there was one job where 39 contractors took out the bid documents. Close to 24 of these ended up bidding the job. This is a good indication that the supply of construction projects is dropping. Several contractors have large overheads to cover (overhead they built up over the very long period of strong growth) and are focused on securing cash flow to pay this overhead, rather than lose it to a competitor.

If this trend continues, contractors will be forced to make some tough decisions. The most obvious, being how to reduce overhead costs. Before making any drastic changes, consider some of the following strategies:

Operational efficiency – Documentation requirements are on the rise with owner RFPs and contracts. This has likely placed a significant strain on your staff. Are there any opportunities within your firm to handle such documentation more efficiently? Procedures, best practices, use of information technology, such as FTP sites or project management software, etc. Investigate whether your firm can more efficiently manage workloads and improve its efficiencies during the bid phase and after a contract is awarded.

Salary reductions – We’ve all been programmed to believe our salary should always go up. The more experience we have the more we should get paid. Over the past several years, several industries have had to adjust their expectations on salary levels based on globalization pressures (ie., the auto industry). Perhaps adjusting your team’s expectations in this regard will ensure you keep your top players during difficult times. Further, any owner of a business realizes their salary needs to be adjusted if the revenue isn’t there, so consider giving your key employees an interest in your company and convert them from employee to owner. They will likely understand the value in that change.

Proactive business development – The design-bid-build marketplace has effectively become a commodity business, especially if owners are not pre-qualifying the capabilities of potential bidders. This is reinforced by the example referenced above where there were 24 bidders on a

single job. Given that the design-bid-build segment of the construction marketplace is getting more competitive, it might be time to get more proactive in your sourcing of new project opportunities. Several owners are desperately seeking project delivery methods that ensure greater certainty. A solid understanding of these delivery models and a plan to engage these desperate owners might create better, more profitable opportunities than those offered by the design-bid-build marketplace. More and more owners are using project delivery models that prioritize certainty of asset delivery and operations above cost of asset development (they are arriving at the same conclusion car buyers came to in the last half of the 20th century— cheap price today, doesn’t mean cheap price over the life of the asset). Consider developing a plan to build relationships with forward thinking owners and engage them on project delivery models like CM at risk, integrated project delivery, and design-build-financeoperate-maintain models. These models have shown to create greater certainty in asset development and asset operations.

Hopefully the suicide bid season doesn’t stick around too long and the global economic outlook improves. If it does not, the above ideas may prove helpful to your company. Even if the potential for a downturn disappears, some of these strategies could leave your company in a stronger position.

David Bowcott is senior vice-president, national director of large/strategic accounts, AON Reed Stenhouse Inc. Send comments to editor@on-sitemag.com.

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FUNNY PHOTO

SEND US YOUR FUNNY PHOTO CAPTIONS and if we think you’re the funniest, you will be the winner of a limited-edition die-cast model of a Mack Truck.

(Comparable alternative model may be awarded.)

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS

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52 / December 2012

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CONTRACTORS & THE LAW

By Matthew Swanson & Blair Rebane

G

Getting paid

etting paid is a constant concern in the construction industry, one that is heightened in tough economic times. However, even in a tough economy, you can manage your credit risk by knowing details about the party who is responsible to pay you, the payment terms of your contract, the status of each project and your legal rights.

WHO PAYS Contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers must understand that they are granting credit when they provide work and materials prior to payment. Even though you may know the individuals who have asked you to provide work or material for a specific project, you must know which of their companies you are granting credit to, since these companies may have little or no assets should a payment issue arise.

There are a number of different searches that can provide significant information about a particular contracting company, including: (i) whether they are a party to outstanding legal proceedings; (ii) if a court judgment has been entered against them; (iii) if they have a poor credit rating; (iv) whether there are secured debts owed by them; (v) whether liens or other charges already exist against the project lands; and (vi) the names of directors and officers.

“paid-when-paid” clause, whereby a contractor is only required to pay its subcontractor when it receives payment from the owner for the subcontractor’s work.

Prior to agreement, you should closely consider all terms in the contract that may affect payment. These terms commonly include: paid-when-paid clauses, requirements to provide an application for payment or invoice, interest provisions for late payment, requirements for total completion prior to a final payment being made, and provisions with respect to retention of deficiency and other holdbacks.

PROJECT STATUS Contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers should closely monitor each project in order to determine whether any steps need to be taken to enforce payment.

One should consider the following: • Has a certificate of completion been issued or is the project substantially complete and, if so, when?

• Has work stopped on the project and, if so, when?

• Are there rumours of the project having difficulty?

• Can you obtain information about the project through the applicable Builders Lien Act?

LEGAL RIGHTS PAYMENT TERMS It is also of fundamental importance that you know the payment terms in your contract. Some contracts provide detailed conditions precedent to payment. For example, contracts between a contractor and a subcontractor may contain a

It’s extremely important to know the legal remedies for obtaining payment, including filing a claim of builders’ lien, claiming against a labour and material payment bond and commencing legal proceedings. Each of these remedies have specific rules and time limits by which they must be advanced, and

You should closely consider all terms in the contract that may affect payment. are only available to particular parties.

The time limits for filing a claim of builders’ lien set out in Builders Lien Acts across Canada are strictly construed by the courts. Even if the limitation period is missed by one day, the claim of lien can be treated as out of time and will not be allowed. As a result, those in the construction industry need to know what the time limits are for filing a claim, and when those time limits start.

With a labour and material payment bond, a third party surety “guarantees” payment to major participants on a project.

A party must have a direct contract with the principal (contractor) to advance a claim under a bond, and a claimant must notify the surety within 120 days after performing or furnishing the last of the work or materials.

Legal proceedings to enforce a claim must be commenced within one year after the general contractor ceased work on the contract.

Parties may also have a right to stop work or terminate their contract if they’re not being paid, but specific legal advice should be obtained before taking this step.

In a tough economy, contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers may be concerned about not getting enough work. While this is always a pressing issue, you must also ensure you will be paid for the work you are performing, and particular attention must be paid to the credit risk on every project on which you become involved.

This article is provided for general information only and may not be relied upon as legal advice.

Blair Rebane is a partner with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG). Matthew G. Swanson is an associate at the firm. Send comments to editor@on-sitemag.com.

54 / December 2012

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