25 Innovators: SiteNews hosts construction leaders at SiteHQ
Our second annual 25 Innovators in Construction celebration brought cutting edge ideas to a sold-out crowd.
Construction leaders descended upon SiteHQ in Abbotsford to celebrate the construction sector’s most innovative construction companies.
The event, which drew more than 130 leaders from some of the nation’s biggest industry firms, was the final part of this year’s 25 Innovators in Construction awards program.
Now in its second year, the program recognized a diverse array of leading organizations, from the nation’s largest general contractors to pioneering tech startups, materials manufacturers, homebuilders, and environmental advocates.
“It was the first time we have ever hosted an even in our offices and we felt it was a smashing success,” said Russell Hixson, SiteNews Editor. “Even with a recent snowstorm and frigid temperatures, we had to cut off ticket sales because we simply ran out of room. I think this shows there is immense demand in this industry for new ideas and bold strategy.”
Expert panels
The evening featured in-depth discussions with leaders from some of the winning companies. First, SiteNews Co-Founder Andrew Hansen moderated a panel featured leading subtrades NuFrame, Fettback & Heesterman and Maxan Interior Systems.
On the panel were Fettback & Heesterman Co-Founder and Principal Andrew Fettback, NuFrame Founder and CEO Lorne Derksen and Maxan’s Vice President of Construction Doug Villeneuve.
Villeneuve explained how Maxan has being using robotics and technology to push the industry forward, a point that was highlighted by Little D, a layout robot the brought to the event to demonstrate some of their techniques. Derksen spoke about how a contractor’s true value lies in delivering a project on time and ensuring the critical construction path continues to flow. Fettback took the audience behind the scene’s of his electrical contracting company’s explosive growth.
“I don’t care about your resume,” said Andrew Fettback, explaining how professionals from outside the industry often bring valuable, untapped approaches to problem-solving.
Next, attendees heard from larger firms about how they impelement innovation at the enterprise level. Hixson moderated a panel that included Kinetic President and COO Mike Walz, Fast + Epp Partner Tobias Fast and RJC Engineers Associate Mohammad Fakoor.
If you fail, I take responsibility, but if you succeed, the glory is yours.
Mohammad Fakoor, RJC Engineers, Associate
Fast spoke about his firm’s Concept Lab, a research and development space focused on advancing structural design, discovering new ways to build, and propelling architectural imagination. Walz explained his firms approach to caring for employees, how to manage large projects and the importance of succession planning. Fakoor, highlighted the importance of sustainability and the need to create a safe environment for growth.
“If you fail, I take responsibility, but if you succeed, the glory is yours,” said Fakoor.
Tech Demonstrations
Hours before guests showed up, Road Show Tour Lead Ken Barwich expertly backed a 34-foot trailer directly inside of SiteHQ. The trailer was with simulators and virtual reality technology so anyone can experience first-hand what it’s like to work in the industry. For nearly a year Ken has been driving the trailer across the province, showcasing road building careers as part of the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association’s Road Show initiative.
Attendees heard from the association’s Board Chair Vanessa Werden, who stressed that initiatives like this are critical to women, Indigenous people and other underrepresented groups in the construction sector.
Maxan Interior Systems brought “Little D”, a layout robot that autonomously prints layout instructions on site. The robot printed a special SiteNews pattern design specifically for the event right in the middle of our board room.
Our friends at SitePartners were onhand to capture the entire evening. Check out some more photos:
