Articles
Can construction be automated?
September 7, 2017 Jacob StollerAdvances in information systems have been cited as a catalyst for higher productivity in many sectors.
Boehmers uses captured CO2 to make stronger concrete blocks
September 7, 2017 Nate HendleyBoehmers is a concrete block producer in Cambridge, Ont. with a new, carbon-dioxide (CO2) infused product said to be great for the environment and superior to traditional concrete blocks. The company has been selling the Carboclave block, as the product…
On-Site polls leading OEMs to find out which compact machines are most popular with contractors
September 7, 2017 by Corinne LyndsAsk any operator, and they will tell you: everyone has a favourite piece of equipment. There are lots of factors that contribute to one’s fondness for a specific piece of machinery, but its most often related to comfort, familiarity, and…
Government spending on infrastructure is slowly making its way down the pipe
September 6, 2017 Saul ChernosRome wasn’t built in a day. A trite expression, perhaps, but one which might comfort builders and other construction sector service and material providers wondering when infrastructure money the federal Liberal government promised in its two most recent budgets might…
From the editor: 5 ways to modernize skills training
September 6, 2017 Corinne LyndsHow do we prepare the next generation for construction jobs that don’t even exist yet? That’s a tough one. According to a recent report entitled An Apprenticeship Skills Agenda, we had better figure it out soon – 65 per cent…
Contractors and the Law: Breaking up is hard to do
June 20, 2017 Krista JohansonA recent Ontario court decision illustrates the expected – and unexpected – challenges that arise when one party wishes to end a contractual relationship. In Bombardier Transportation Canada Inc. v. Metrolinx, 2017 ONSC 2372, Bombardier had entered into a $770-million contract…
Is the project finance industry digging deep enough?
June 20, 2017 David BowcottEvery project needs money to move forward. Those funds are made up of equity and debt. The equity is contributed by the owner (or the concessionaire of the project) as a first layer of defense against project failure. The remainder…
Propane: The underestimated fuel is being used across the jobsite
June 20, 2017 Jeremy WishartPropane has been a fixture on construction sites for years, most often used for power generation and materials handling. Recently, however, site managers are using propane to power a growing number of applications. More construction firms are beginning to recognize…
The evolution of machine control
June 20, 2017 Nate HendleyA lot has changed in 20 years – operators are faster and more accurate than ever
On-Site announces Top 5 Under 50 Employees
June 20, 2017 by Corinne LyndsOn-Site ranks Top 5 commercial contractors with 50 or under employees by revenue. See infographic for stats on this year’s Top 5.
Rosati Construction Group is a repeat winner of On-Site’s Top 5 Under 50
June 20, 2017 by Corinne LyndsFor the second time in three years, the Rosati Group has earned On-Site’s Top Contractor in the 50 employees or less category. The company’s first win came in 2014, and it should be noted that they didn’t participate last year.…
Top construction firms embrace technology, finally
June 20, 2017 Jacob StollerThe construction industry has
a reputation for being slow to
adopt innovative technology. Many
contractors believe this is about
to change.
On-Site’s Top 40 Contractors have been announced
June 20, 2017 by Corinne Lynds2016 was not an easy year for the construction industry. Infrastructure spending lagged, there were several high-profile job delays, and a slow down in the oil sands impacted many of the top players. Despite these challenges, I’m happy to report…
Future disruption and the race to collective intelligence
April 20, 2017 David BowcottIf ever there were an industry ripe for disruption, it is construction. Mega-trends like globalization, asset management, and new technology are beginning to turn this long unchanged industry inside out. So, how do industry players stay on the winning side…
Tech and innovation front and centre at CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE
April 20, 2017 by Corinne LyndsA forward-looking vision for construction and infrastructure took centre stage at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2017, from the unveiling of the world’s first 3D-printed excavator and the new Tech Experience to the largest show floor in history and a stellar education…
Drones provide new perspective on job sites
April 19, 2017 Jacob StollerWhen PCL Construction needed to assess the condition of an Edmonton rooftop in mid-winter, they chose an alternative approach. “Instead of sending somebody up there to walk on the roof in icy conditions, we flew a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)…
PCL’s upper terminal renovation elevates Banff’s top attraction
April 19, 2017 by Corinne LyndsIt’s not everyday you get to enjoy a breath-taking view of the Rocky Mountains on your commute to work, let alone ride a gondola high above the treetops of Banff National Park. But, that’s exactly what PCL project manager Cole…
CarbonCure’s CO2-infused process strengthens concrete
April 19, 2017 Nate HendleyCarbonCure Technologies of Dartmouth, N.S. is looking to make concrete stronger and greener by infusing it with recycled carbon dioxide (CO2). The concept isn’t new, but CarbonCure’s process is. The company’s patented technology has been used in several recent construction…
Law column: Concurrent delay remains a thorny issue
April 19, 2017 Robin DavisDespite the best intentions of all parties involved on a construction project, it should come as no surprise that delays occur. Where a delay can be clearly attributed to a single party, the appropriate remedy is relatively easy to determine.…
From the editor: More than common sense
April 19, 2017 by Corinne LyndsLean is far from the novel concept it was back in the ‘50s when Toyota first popularized it. Yet, here we are in 2017, and a new lean event, whitepaper, seminar, book, association, or video seems to pop up everyday.…