The AMBA Winter 2024 Newsletter is now available! Check out our upcoming events and industry news. Announcing a 2024 AMBA 1st Year MBSE Bursary Recipient, Nathan Hutchinson. Also, check out news from our members, , a Project Profile by Behlen Industries & Atkinson Construction (ACL) Ltd., and more!
Hot enough for you? And I don’t just mean the weather. Things seem to be heating up in Alberta as we look forward to our provincial “reopening” on Canada Day. Regardless of our individual feelings on COVID measures, let’s hope for, and work towards a respectful return to regular life. Whether you are in favour of, or opposed to masks and vaccines, let’s respect each other’s personal choices without judgment.
After many years serving as AMBA Chair, John Weran has stepped down. John will continue serving AMBA as a Director. Doug Heinrichs has also resigned in his role as Director. We thank both John and Doug for all their guidance and support over the years – they have been instrumental in improving the quality, integrity and growth of our industry.
What an unprecedented time the world has just gone through! After close to 18 months of battling COVID-19, Canada is starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. On July 1st, Alberta removed the majority of the health restrictions. However, the dark cloud of variants still lurks. The key weapon in the battle is vaccination and thankfully Alberta's vaccination numbers improve daily. Alberta still very much relies on the energy sector. With oil prices breaking $75/barrel there is new optimism in the oilpatch. As the various energy companies return to profitability we will see dollars reinvested, creating jobs and economic growth. At the same time natural gas pricing has recovered. Supply is at low levels and demand has been growing. The hydrogen sector is heating up and attracting both government and private sector investment. Combined they will be a significant economic driver for Alberta. The demand for construction services should start to see some tangible increases.
According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canadians’ savings increased from 1.4% pre-pandemic to 14.8% in 2020. This massive accumulation of savings will result in an economic rebound led by household consumption, with expected economic growth of 6.1% this year and 3.5% in 2022. With higher energy prices and increased manufacturing production, Alberta’s GDP is expected to be higher than the national average at 7.2% for 2021 and 5.6% for 2022.
Clark Builders was contracted to construct a pre-engineered expansion to Mercury Plastics’ Edmonton Warehouse. The facility is a hub for the production of construction products and industrial and consumer packaging.
Nu Edge Construction has built their success on a commitment to quality workmanship. When founder, Wayne Bowman, needed to expand his operation he looked to Butler and local contractor P. Hansen Construction for a building that would reflect the company’s dedication to excellence while providing lower total operating costs. Butler’s hot-box tested roof and wall systems significantly lowered Nu Edge’s monthly operating costs. For more information on how to better control your total cost of ownership visit www.butlermfg.com/why-butler/built-in-lifetime-savings.
For the past 50 years, Scott Builders has been busy building communities throughout Canada.
Formed in 1971 and acquired by Ralph Ward in 1986, Ward led the company to exponential growth. With three branches – Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton – the company is well positioned to provide province wide construction and has strong ties to local suppliers and sub-trades.
Look no further than your local building supply store and you will see what has happened with the cost of construction supplies. In the past year, everything from insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall, wood, and steel had whopping price increases. Some lumber prices have more than doubled, stimulated by strong residential construction, low interest rates and COVID induced mill capacity limits. Hot rolled steel prices are at a 13 year high driven by supply shortages and an increase in steel demand. As COVID-19 vaccines roll out globally, economic optimism and corresponding investment has taken off. Metal building manufacturers are reporting deliveries extended out to the 15-20 week range and open web steel Joist fabricators are booked out to the fall! A strong US housing market is also affecting fiberglass supply – as fiberglass manufactures shift production to residential batt and blown-in insulation, metal building insulation laminators are experiencing fiberglass supply shortages.
