Apeiron Construction

22/09/2023

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𝐂𝐚𝐧 ５𝐆 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭-𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨?

Advances across internet services has been the single biggest global development in the past century, perhaps ever. The changes that this technology has brought to how we live our lives is unquantifiable. Shopping, travel, education, business, right down to the smart devices we carry with us everywhere and that monitor our home heating and energy. It is no exaggeration whatsoever to suggest that there is no facet of our lives that remains untouched by the internet. The merits, or otherwise, of this situation is something that divides many. Generally speaking, we have never been safer, we have never had better health outcomes, and we have never taken shelter in such high-quality living environments. However, the negative effects of a perma-online world are all too easily identified. Potential risks such as fraud, abuse and hacking offer a window into the darker aspects of the internet. It seems that as the benefits grow, so too do the challenges.

Through the use of smart grids, sustainable transport, precision agriculture and smart factories, the use of 5G will have a huge impact on the overall levels of energy consumption globally.

21/09/2023

Every day, products are transported all over the globe from warehouse to shipping container to delivery van, and then carried around the country in pursuit of their final destination. More often than not, they arrive at their endpoint in the same perfect condition they left the warehouse in. This is not a result of the product’s own ability to endure these journeys unscathed, but rather of the packaging that protects it at every twist and turn along the way. Protective is a key word in Alleguard’s story and one that extends beyond its high-quality protective packaging solutions. “We’re protecting products, we’re protecting people, and we’re protecting the earth through sustainability,” says Laura Catalan, Alleguard’s Director of Marketing.

NexKemia Petrochemicals Inc.

Alleguard covers three major product categories for North America: Construction, Protective Packaging, and Cold-Chain.

18/09/2023

For over 80 years and across three generations, Nowland Associates, Inc. has built a reputation as a leading design-build construction firm in the Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania regions. Founded in 1942 and still family-owned today, the company, led by brothers Jim Nowland, Gifford Nowland, AIA, and Jeff Nowland, takes immense pride in its tradition of quality workmanship and lasting personal relationships.

The Nowland brothers, part of the third generation guiding the company, grew up immersed in the family business. As Jim explains, “When you grow up in it and it’s in your blood and you drive by job sites, it’s hard for it not to be part of your DNA.” Despite witnessing the challenges that go along with operating a family owned construction company, the allure of carrying on the family name proved too tempting. Each brother found his own niche, with skills spanning architecture, structural engineering, and construction management.

Berry Refrigeration
Master Interiors

For over 80 years and across three generations, Nowland Associates has built a reputation as a leading design-build construction firm...

15/09/2023

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𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 – 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲

The pathway of design has had many turns. While it can be seen as a fickle element of building, subjects to the transient flow of fashion and trends, it is much more complex and necessary than that. However, given its obvious links to all things contemporary, it is a facet of construction that is always subject to change. Processes and design features have always straddled the difficult areas that sits between aesthetics and function and modern considerations are no different. In fact, it is safe to say that the design field has never experienced greater challenges than the ones it faces in the modern landscape. As we attempt to migrate our built environment to a position that better reflects the multifaceted challenges facing society, design is now playing a key role. When we consider how design impacts the ability of buildings to assess, manage, and regulate itself, we can see the true picture. With technological advances becoming ever more embedded in design features, heat, light and power needs can be incorporated into the design process, thereby leading to Smart buildings of the future.

The role of design touches many other elements of the industry. One in particular that can be often overlooked is the need for equity...

14/09/2023

For over three decades, Hickory Dickory Decks has been helping homeowners across Canada build beautiful outdoor living spaces to enhance their homes. Starting out as the ambitious dream of founder and CEO Tom Jacques, the company has grown into the leading deck builder in Canada with 87 franchisees nationwide. From these humble beginnings to international success, his story is an inspirational one.

Back in 1987 when Jacques started the business, the concept of being a deck specialist was still new. As he recalls, “There was no specialist company in the deck-building business. Back in the 1980s, it was mainly general contractors and landscapers who were building the odd deck.” But Jacques saw an opportunity to create something focused and unique. As he puts it, “One, it was about working outside; two, it was quite creative; and three, nobody was doing it.”

From the start, franchising was always part of Jacques’s vision. “Many people told me it couldn’t be done, that you couldn’t franchise a custom-made, highly skilled product,” he says. Nonetheless, with a firm belief that a network of deck builders under one trusted brand would be a winning formula, Jacques persisted.

Fiberon Decking

For over 3 decades, Hickory Dickory Decks has been helping homeowners across Canada build beautiful outdoor living spaces to enhance their homes.

13/09/2023

Almost fifty years of experience, over seven thousand specialist products, more than fifty awards won, and six offices and warehouses throughout Ontario. These impressive figures are only a small part of what Form and Build Supply Inc. contributes to the Ontarian construction industry. The real value that this concrete products supplier brings to its customers is the consistent ability to be a reliable and timely ally. This stems from its owners, management, and staff –a group of people who take great pride in going above and beyond. A second-generation owner, William Ross believes that trustworthy relationships with staff and customers are the core of his company’s steady growth. “We’ve been very fortunate to have a very good team who help the company and our customers mitigate any challenges.”

ABT Drains
W. R. MEADOWS, INC.

Form and Build Supply specializes in concrete product such as admixtures, concrete forming systems, reinforcements, sealers, crack repairs, and insulation products.

11/09/2023

The phrase “pushing the envelope” may be a familiar, ubiquitous one, but its meaning may come as a surprise. The term itself is not a reference to the stationary letter everyone is familiar with. Instead, pushing the envelope refers to science and the attributes associated with aeronautics. Surpassing standards, breaking barriers, and going beyond the regular limits to exceed expectations is what pushing the envelope truly means, which is why this term is so fitting for Bass Installation.

With a team of professionally skilled trades-people from both the Ironworkers and Glaziers unions, Bass Installation provides professional curtainwall and glazing installation services to the commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial sector within the Greater Toronto Area. Focusing mainly on the building envelope — a term given to the exterior of a building which includes all the building components that separate the indoors from the outdoors — Bass Installation specializes in curtain wall systems, cable wall systems, skylights, canopies and more.

Bercon Rentals Inc.
Scafom-Rux North America

Bass Installation provides professional curtainwall and glazing installation services to the commercial, residential, institutional & industrial sectors within the GTA.

08/09/2023

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𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 – 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞

The global system of interconnected computer networks dates back to the 1960s. While the internet was developed and funded through research by a number of US governmental departments, its prominence since the mid-90s has been nothing short of unimaginable. The web was growing by 100 percent per year in its early commercialized days and by 2007, it was carrying around 97% of all telecommunicated information. In modern society, it is a native consideration that impacts every conceivable facet of human life with no signs of abating. So, the question that people can obviously answer is, what is the internet? Well, according to a large-scale survey that was conducted in 2019, around 86% of Americans knew what the internet was and, more importantly, how it worked. However, further research discovered that only half of the respondents knew this information. What these mistaken respondents failed to realize is that every click, mail, and message is stored on a hard drive somewhere. In enormous warehouses, thousands of computers are running on a near constant basis, storing and holding the data that we send every second. The warehouses, called data centers, are spread around the globe but they all have a number of things in common. They consume incredible amounts of energy, and they give off a serious amount of heat.

Data centers are spread around the globe, but they all consume incredible amounts of energy and they give off a serious amount of heat.

07/09/2023

Success is often the reward for those intrepid enough to venture beyond the familiar. While there can be many avenues to the top of an industry, those who dare to showcase their skills, and consistently deliver excellent results, are the ones that triumph. In dynamic industries such as construction, this level of courage is paramount along with a readiness to embrace risk and tackle challenges head-on. With skill and dedication being a prerequisite to survival in this industry, something else is needed for those that want to truly stand out. As those at the top of the construction industry can attest to, a willingness to use instinct, experience, and industry knowledge can sometimes present game-changing opportunities. For seasoned construction company Gordon Barr Limited, an adventurous spirit has been the driving force behind its growth and continued success. Its ability to take informed risks on complex projects, often dismissed or viewed as overly challenging by others, has paved the way for new and exciting opportunities. By embracing this strategy wholeheartedly, Gordon Barr Ltd can not only exhibit confidence in its capabilities, but crucially, it also garners trust from its clients.

Blastek Engineering Group
Bob's Portable Toilet Rental
G. Williams Paving Ltd.
KD Construction
Keyes Sand & Stone
Sharpe Lawn & Garden Service

For seasoned construction company Gordon Barr Ltd, an adventurous spirit has been the driving force behind its growth and continued success.

06/09/2023

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!

As we meet the end of summer, it is vital that we take stock and recognize the successes and challenges of 2023. Despite a less than positive outlook in some quarters, projects are breaking ground all around us and positive developments are happening all the time. While the seasons may be changing, the construction industry remains the same. Innovation and hard work are a guarantee, and the construction world remains a key aspect of global development and growth.

In this issue, we are delighted to share some of the exciting and positive projects taking place around the construction world. From the innovative skills within the steel industry, to the dedication of family run businesses that started out as dream to make positive change. We have stories on futuristic transport networks and building materials that not only sustain but grow. In our September issue, we report on it all to share the best of the industry with our readers.

Read the full article in our Emag:
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Gordon Barr Limited
Bristol Steel & Conveyor Corp.
Western Pacific Enterprises LTD
Form and Build Supply Inc.
Alleguard
Hickory Dickory Decks
Roberts Onsite Inc.
Nowland Associates, Inc.
Bass Installation
ABC Delaware

05/09/2023

Kudzu was first brought to America in 1876 for the Philadelphia Centennial Expo. An ornamental plant with sweet smelling flowers, it grew popular as both a forage crop and a solution to soil erosion. However, things didn’t continue so positively. Finding a home in the Southeast region of the U.S., the leafy vines have thrived in the hot and humid environment. In an area where warm summer temperatures regularly hit 80 degrees Fahrenheit, Kudzu has spread wildly. Having subsequently been declared a pest w**d in 1953 due to its invasive nature, it is safe to say that the growing didn’t stop in Philly. Rather alarmingly, Kudzu grows around a foot per day and can cover around 150,000 acres annually which, for the people of Tennessee and its surrounding states, is a significant problem. In 2020, results from a survey conducted by Oklahoma State University and Paulina Hannon, showed that the vine could result in a loss of $167.9 million and impact almost 800 jobs in Oklahoma alone. Harron, an environmental scientist at engineering firm AECOM, explained the level of threat it poses. “I think these economic impacts definitely serve as an incentive for governments, at different levels, to look into control strategies.” At last count, the plant covers almost 8 million acres of land in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

Read full article in our Emag:
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01/09/2023

The NREL asked the question, how can we turn this problem into a potential solution? The answer was PV Glazing, an innovative technology that harnesses thermochromic materials and transforms windows into electricity generators. By placing a film of a solar-cell called perovskites over the glass, the window reacts in fascinating ways. What’s more is that, when PV glazing was installed the ratio of window to energy usage was directly inverted. Wheeler went on to explain that, while PV windows may not be the answer long-term, the potential for energy generation in high-rise and large scale building work is phenomenal. “I don’t want to sit here and say we should be building highly glazed buildings. We should be building highly efficient buildings. But if we if we choose to keep making these buildings, we’ve got to reconcile their lower performance somehow, and PV windows are one way to do that.” Furthermore, according to Wheeler and his colleagues, the research demonstrates how significant a breakthrough this is in terms of further use of perovskites and energy consumption. “The work demonstrates the extraordinary promise of perovskites to reduce building energy consumption and mitigate climate change without sacrificing the architectural freedom of glazing.” He believes that, be incorporating these technologies in high-rise buildings, skyscrapers can take a significant step towards becoming net-zero. “Picture a skyline in, like, New York City where there are these high-rise buildings that are entirely glass. They’re fully glazed. The Freedom Tower has millions of square feet of glass. It could be a power plant in itself.”

Read the full article in our Emag!
https://bitly.ws/TGw2

30/08/2023

While we may prefer things to remain as they always have, particularly in cases of negative global change, the statistics are clear. Climate change is resulting in an increase of extreme weather conditions. According to Kai Kornhuber, a lecturer and research scientist at Columbia University, these weather conditions are worsening in a number of key metrics. Heat extremes are getting more frequent, more severe; precipitation extremes are getting more frequent, more severe. Fire weather, which is linked to wildfires, is getting more frequent, more severe, more areas that didn’t see these conditions before.” In this context, we gain an understanding of the potential that science and data can bring to the conversation. With a growing acceptance that adverse weather conditions have increased in recent decades, the need to proactively protect homes and structures is clear. So, what is it that science can offer in supporting —and preparing— the construction industry? It seems that in addition to the careful monitoring of data, technology can also play an incredibly useful role.

Read the full article in our EMag!
https://rb.gy/a7wrg

28/08/2023

"We all know the numbers. And we know that four primary hazards account for about 60 percent of construction fatalities every year. We need to continue to focus these well-known hazards to drive down the number of construction workers who are injured or killed on the job. The fact is that we all can and need to do more.”

These were the words of Doug Parker of Labor for OSHA. He was speaking at a meeting of the ACCSH - Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) in June of last year. The committee is a statutory body that is charged with providing advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary in relation to construction standards and policy matters. What that means in real terms is that ACCSH holds meetings and public workgroups that engage in research, hold open discussions, produce materials, and deliberate on industry matters with a view to making recommendations.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has worked since 1970 to decrease workplace injuries and fatalities across all industries.

25/08/2023

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𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Across the construction industry, viable solutions to concrete and steel –the most carbon heavy materials—are at various stages of development. Solutions that can potentially reduce the emissions generated by building and construction are either being trialed, tested or implemented on a small scale. While there are a number of promising developments, many are prohibitive due to their cost or the intricate processes needed to produce them. One material is different, however. Wood has been an integral part of the construction landscape for millennia. It is an aesthetically pleasing, sustainable low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel. Furthermore, the benefits of the material are well-known which means that is already enjoys the trust of industry professionals. As we search for solutions, many are turning to mass-produced timber as a viable and accessible option.

For many years, people have looked to Scandinavian countries for examples of innovative thinking and creative ideas. From automotive industries to the education sector, new models of design and practice have come from this part of Northern Europe. As Sweden, like every other country, experiences huge challenges in relation to meeting its emissions targets, it seems that it will need to come up with a solution that ensures a combination of growth and sustainability for its residents. Its plan, scheduled to begin in 2025, aims to redefine urban living through “sustainability, innovation and aesthetic excellence.” The way this will be achieved? By creating a wooden city.

Urban development company Atrium Ljungberg aims to produce the largest wood city, with the first buildings due to be installed by 2027.

25/08/2023

In the world of construction, there are probably as many different ways to put up a building as there are buildings themselves. But creating a pioneering, forward-thinking, and above all, sustainable construction industry requires a lot more than just bricks and mortar. Building relationships, connecting a community with a shared purpose, and laying the foundation for future generations of industry professionals to carry the torch of innovation further are all paramount. It’s this kind of inclusive, future-oriented attitude that forms the ethos behind PCI Mountain States, a division of the Precast Concrete Institute headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Since its inception in 2015 (following the pioneering work done in precast concrete by its predecessor company Colorado Prestressors), PCI Mountain States has expanded its mission of taking precast concrete solutions to the mass construction market in leaps and bounds, supporting producers and promoting localized marketing in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as online.

The man leading this mission is Executive Director Jim Schneider, LEED AP, who came on board in 2019, having previously served as Manager of Industry Communications at PCI’s national office. As Schneider neatly puts it, “our primary product is education.” He stresses the need to break through the current preconceptions in the construction industry about what this modern material is or can be, and the kinds of buildings in which it has significant practical applications. These are far-ranging, from schools to hospitals, office blocks to bridges, with precast concrete offering substantial advantages in terms of sustainability, energy efficiency, and architectural expression. Until now, however, it seems that a significant number of architects and engineers have had a somewhat outdated view of the material, often seeing it as being only fit for utilitarian structures like parking garages.

PCI Mountain States has expanded its mission of taking precast concrete solutions to the mass construction market in leaps and bounds

23/08/2023

While the infrastructure network across North America needs modernization, it is not advancing quickly enough in many cases. While energy sources and underground cable networks all require substantial investment, there is much to be done. One sector in particular stands out, however: the transport network across the U.S. After a series of vehicular fatalities on highly travelled road the Southern State Parkway, this stretch of highway has become better known to locals as “Blood Alley.” As one of the nation’s most dangerous roads, “Blood Alley” has experienced nearly 16,000 vehicle accidents, resulting in 78 deaths in the last seven-year period.

Acting as the voice of Long Island’s Highway and Infrastructure Professionals, LICA - Long Island Contractors Association prides itself on its safety advocacy. Having recently drafted legislation to create a highway safety corridor for the Southern State Parkway, LICA continues to advocate for safety measures to protect future lives from being lost.

Having recently drafted legislation to create a highway safety corridor for the Southern State Parkway, LICA continues to advocate for safety measures.

21/08/2023

Given its relatively recent use as a construction material, the precast, prestressed concrete community is a close-knit one. Consisting of multiple producers that cover specific market segments such as transportation, commercial, municipality, and architectural projects, it also has a strong tendency towards specialization. With this in mind, it is no surprise that for those within the sector, strong representation is essential. The Florida Prestressed Concrete Association (FPCA) was founded in 1957 and came about through a need to advance the knowledge and application of a material that was, at the time, both revolutionary and in its infancy. As the first precast concrete association in the nation, and the driving force behind the foundation of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), it has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge that continues to accelerate the construction industry. Unsurprisingly for an association with such a backstory, its primary goal, “to provide the construction industry in Florida a superior building system that is durable, attractive, and economical,” has never changed.

The Florida Prestressed Concrete Association (FPCA) has provided support and advocacy to its members for decades.

21/08/2023

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𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬

Over the last decade, our focus has undoubtedly shifted. While growth, success, and meeting the needs of clients and the wider population remains at the forefront, it is now coupled with a determination to achieve all this while using more sustainable methods. Historically, the construction industry has a bad reputation in this regard. Some of this may be fair criticism –both production methods and building materials can be emissions heavy. However, the picture is not a simple one and many positive steps are taking place behind the scenes. In fact, industry professionals are working tirelessly to produce viable alternatives to the main offenders in this regard. With anything though, we can become overly concerned with the macro and it is important to take a step back and view the situation on a wider scale. When we do this, we see that building materials is one facet of a much larger challenge. Building may be a large contributor, but when we recognize the negative impact of construction-adjacent sectors, we see that an interlinked response is required. For instance, in haulage, transportation and infrastructure, there is much work to be done.

The prospect of super-highways where hydrogen powered vehicles travel at speeds similar to those of airplanes may seem like the stuff of science fiction.

21/08/2023

Barsplice Products, is a company built on simple but effective values – treat others with respect, never intentionally lie or mislead customers, and maintain a family-feel in both its ownership structure and its approach to doing business. While the company is committed to upholding these values equally, the third is one that comes easy. Barsplice is a family-owned company that has been in business for 40 years. In December 1983, Frank Casella acquired Dayton Barsplice from Dayton Sure Grip & Shore Company. This acquisition saw a team of 10 people operating out of a 20,000 square foot building, introducing new products, one by one, to the Dayton area. Since these formative years, Barsplice has upgraded to a 330,000 square foot building that is considerably better suited to the 150 plus employees it now has on board.

One of the five companies under parent company FC Industries Inc., Barsplice Products is a designer and manufacturer of mechanical splices and anchoring systems for reinforcing steel. It’s a company with a footprint that extends far beyond its headquarters in Dayton Ohio. Barsplice serves customers across all 50 states, as well as internationally. “It’s the true American dream,” says David "Cubby" Casella, Regional Sales Manager of Barsplice Products, and part of the tightly woven fabric that awards the company it’s true, family-owned status. The significant growth Barsplice has experienced over time is what has propelled it forward to 2023, celebrating its 40th year in business.

Barsplice Products Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of mechanical splices and anchoring systems for reinforcing steel.