MARCH 2019
TAKING A BREATHER INDUSTRY STEPS OFF THE JOB SITE FOR SHOW SEASON
IN THIS ISSUE: 25 World of Concrete marks 10-year high | 33 Canadian industry looks to Toronto
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WORLD OF CONCRETE
Still going
STRONG Construction industry keeps its momentum as 2019 World of Concrete marks 10-year high
Ontario man edges out the competition to win ‘Super Bowl’ of masonry A 30-year-old mason from Hamilton, Ont. spent 60 tense minutes Jan. 23 locked in a battle of speed, skill and stamina with more than two dozen rivals from across the U.S., Canada and Australia. Dexterously throwing down brick to build up his eight-metre-long (26-foot-long) wall as high as possible over the single hour, Mario Alves emerged from the 2019 Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 World Championship as the first Canadian to win what’s known as the “Super Bowl” of masonry. Mario Alves, along with mason tender Michael Alves, both of Hamilton’s A&M Masonry, topped 22 teams from across the U.S., three from other Canadian provinces and a single Australian squad to claim victory. The duo had placed 760 bricks when time expired on the cool Las Vegas afternoon, edging out the closest competitors by just 11 bricks. The 2019 event at World of Concrete was the 17th iteration of the bricklaying competition, which up until now had seen only Americans carry off the championship trophy. Along with working quickly, masons must stay within a series of strict workmanship guidelines, as judges will adjust a team’s final brick count if they deem certain aspects of the wall unsatisfactory. Mario Alves followed his father into the bricklaying trade and has Mario Alves and mason tender Michael Alves competed in regional competitions during the tense competition in Las Vegas Jan. 23. for about seven years. He’s made a pair of previous trips to the national competition, but failed to place. Ahead of this year’s championship, he said the previous experience and a bit more maturity had taught him more about what he had to do to “get the job done.” on-sitemag.com / 25
PHOTO: STU MULLENBERG/SPEC MIX INC.
A
few cool January days in Las Vegas did little to discourage an ebullient crowd of some 60,500 from stepping through the doors at this year’s World of Concrete. The 2019 show was the annual event’s largest in a decade – marking a high point after the 2008 recession dented industry sentiment more than 10 years ago. Spread across three full halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center, plus a pair of outdoor lots, the event covered 72,000 sq. m (776,000 sq. ft.) and included more than 1,500 exhibitors, 259 of which were first-timers. Attendance also outpaced last year’s count by several thousand. Jackie James, the group director for World of Concrete, said this year’s event was another hit for attendees from the U.S. and around the world. “Our largest event in 10 years proves that the construction sector is strong globally,” he said, adding that seminar attendance ticked up five per cent from last year. As usual, On-Site was in on the action. Along with some serious new hardware and tech solutions from a range of manufacturers and service providers to watch for, a Hamilton, Ont. native, who put on an inspiring performance, made a name for himself at this year’s event. Meanwhile, compulsive planners can mark their calendars for World of Concrete 2020. Next year’s show will take place in Las Vegas from Feb. 4 to Feb. 7.
WORLD OF CONCRETE
PRODUCTS MAKING A SPLASH A roundup of the new equipment and technology showcased at World of Concrete 2019
AQUAJET SYSTEMS
BASF
A more versatile lance system for hydrodemolition robots was shown off by Aquajet at this year’s event. The Super Lance 3000 allows contractors to use a single lance for any pressure up to 43,500 psi (3,000 bar). The system is able to remove deteriorated concrete to a pre-determined depth without damaging underlying rebar.
Taking advantage of its BIM portfolio, BASF launched a new Virtual Design and Construction resource center at World of Concrete 2019. The construction chemical supplier aims to provide builders with a wealth of knowledge to help them find the right product for their exact scenario as the industry embraces more nuanced building.
BOBCAT
CATERPILLAR
From Bobcat, a new mounting system is designed to allow operators to change their hydraulic attachments without stepping out of their cab. To connect an attachment using the new Bob-Dock system, an operator lines up the loader with the attachment’s adapter plate and flips a switch inside the cab that automatically connects the attachment.
Among a long list of more conventional construction products, Cat showed off its newly-expanded line of utility vehicles at this year’s World of Concrete. With two variants, one diesel and one gas, Cat’s CUV85 and CUV105 D seat five. Built for shuttling crew around job sites, as well as work, each offer 454-kilogram rear cargo capacity and 907-kilogram towing capacity.
BROKK Remote-controlled demolition machine maker Brokk brought a new lineup of hydraulic breakers to this year’s show. The Brokk Hydraulic Breaker series includes eight models, ranging from the 50-kilogram BHB 55 to the 700-kilogram BHB 705. With bodies machined from a solid casting, each model is designed to deliver a high power-to-weight ratio.
BOSCH For heavy-duty concrete drilling, Bosch has introduced its GBH18V-36C SDS-max 18V 1-3/8 in. Rotary Hammer. Strong enough to take of tough jobs, the hammer weighs less than 15 pounds and delivers 5.5-ft.-lb. of impact energy. The hammer includes an interface that displays the tool’s status and features a reverse mode to help free a jammed bit.
CHICAGO PNEUMATIC Aiming to provide two machines in one, Chicago Pneumatic introduced the CPS 250, a single-stage, oil-injected, rotary screw portable compressor in January. The compressor includes a new controller that allows operators to toggle between two predefined set points, while its pressure adjusted through a cognitive electronics system matches air flow to desired operating pressure.
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WORLD OF CONCRETE
DEERE
DOOSAN PORTABLE POWER
After countless development hours, John Deere introduced its L-Series utility wheel loaders at World of Concrete. It showed off the 544L on the show floor, pointing to major improvements in the cab design. Roomier and more comfortable, the loader has improved HVAC performance, more power ports and a heavy-duty air suspension seat.
Job site solutions firm Doosan Portable Power showed off its P185 portable air compressor at the January event, among several of products. The compressor meets a wide range of applications with a Tier 4 Final engine, all while running quieter and cleaner than the last generation. The P185 is perfect for jobs such as powering tools, sandblasting, cable laying and pipeline testing.
DOOSAN Designed to provide a bit of extra help in tight spaces, Doosan displayed its DX140LCR-5 crawler excavator in Las Vegas. The shorter tail swing gives operators greater flexibility, while the extra sturdy frame and reinforced superstructure are designed for long life. In the cab, a 7-inch LCD screen lets operators monitor a wide range of parameters and camera angles.
GOMACO
HUSQVARNA
Displayed on a show floor for the first time, Gomaco’s new Xtreme GT-3600 curb and gutter machine builds on the success of its predecessor, the GT-3600. The Xtreme package improves tight radius paving, adds G+ radius software with slew drives and smart-sensored hydraulics, among other features. The control system can make steering adjustments to all three tracks for greater accuracy.
Injecting some lithium-ion into a new power cutter at this year’s show, Husqvarna gave attendees a look at its new K 535i. With low vibration, user-friendly ergonomics and side-placed battery, the lightweight cutter requires little maintenance. It can be used for both wet and dry cutting and weighs in at just 3.5-kilograms.
LIGCHINE INTERNATIONAL Introducing a compact, lightweight and manoeuvrable screeding machine at World of Concrete, Ligchine is looking to take high-rise upper deck work to the next level. The drive-in SpiderScreed offers an industry-best power to weight ratio of 25-kilograms per horsepower and incorporates the company’s machine levelling system to ensure flatter floors and greater compaction.
MACK TRUCKS The mDRIVE is coming to cabover pumpers. Following the World of Concrete announcement, Mack’s versatile 13- and 14-speed automated manual transmission will be available in the company’s TerraPro concrete pumper models. The AMT delivers improved performance and durability to maximize uptime. Eliminating traditional shifting also improves safety by letting drivers focus elsewhere.
HYUNDAI Equipment manufacturer Hyundai showed off its HX130LCR hydraulic excavator for the first time at World of Concrete 2019. The 13.5-ton machine is powered by a 73.6-horsepower Perkins diesel engine and is capable of reaching a maximum dig depth of 5.57-metres. The compact-swing machine is designed to give contractors added versatility when working in a confined space.
MANITOU Throwing back the curtain on its most compact track loader under its Gehl brand, Manitou rolled out its RT105 track loader in Las Vegas this year. Capable of working on the tightest job sites, the machine delivers an operating capacity of 475 kilograms. It’s powered by a 35-horsepower Yanmar engine with 80 ft.-lb. of torque. on-sitemag.com / 29
WORLD OF CONCRETE
MINNICH MANUFACTURING Bringing its latest concrete vibration technology to Las Vegas, Minnich showed off its Stringer electric flex shaft concrete vibrator at this year’s show. Driven by a 14.5-pound double-insulated universal motor, the 15-amp (115volt) version of the vibrator has a speed range of 11,000 to 13,000 vibrations per minute designed to meet current concrete placement challenges.
PETTIBONE Entering the market for 12,000-pound telehandlers, Pettibone introduced its Traverse T1258X at World of Concrete. The new telehandler has a specified lift height of 58 feet, 6 inches, with identical landing height. The T1258X also provides up to 70 inches of boom transfer, allowing operators to place loads at full lift height without needing to coordinate multiple boom functions.
TOPCON Shining the spotlight on technology, Topcon introduced a new workflow bundle this January. Designed to reduce costs by modernizing concrete floor flatness and levelness applications, operators can find mistakes in near real-time, while project teams can easily visualize different elevations and deviation through heat and contour maps.
PUTZMEISTER Concrete pump maker Putzmeister introduced a new series of pickup-mounted pumps. It showed off the VSP 70 – a Thom-Katt TK 70 mounted on a Dodge Ram 5500 chassis – that features a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,845 kilograms and 3.45-metre side decks with folding side panels. It’s designed to give customers more flexibility, particularly in congested areas.
VOLVO Premiering a pair of new mini excavators in Vegas, Volvo Construction Equipment introduced its E-Series to North America. The ultra-short swing radius ECR18E is designed to cover a range of smaller job with a low cost of ownership. It features a rear overhang of just half an inch when the tracks are fully extended and has large tie-down points for easy transport.
VACUWORX Material handling firm Vacuworx premiered the next generation of its SL 2 Subcompact Vacuum Lifting System this January. Building on the previous version that “revolutionized” the way cut concrete can be handled, the new system features a base unit and modular pad options for accessing a range of areas. The SL 2 comes with as a redesigned hydraulic system capable of lifting up to 1.25 tonnes.
30 / MARCH 2019
WIRTGEN GROUP
WACKER NEUSON Putting the latest in enhanced cab design and accessibility on display at this year’s show, Wacker Neuson displayed its Series II Skid Steer/Compact Track Loaders at this year’s event. The “big brother” to the company’s medium frame line, the series offers a proven design in a larger frame, as well as a forward tip cab for daily maintenance and service access.
Among a range of new products, Wirtgen introduced a new 3D control system at the Las Vegas show that makes setting up string lines unnecessary. Designed for slipform pavers, AutoPilot 2.0 can produce any kind of offset and inset profiles also creating a digital data model on-site. Applications include making concrete safety barriers, curbs and traffic islands.
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, Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.
MAPEI: Your single-source provider from restoration to protection System solutions for bridge restoration
Overhead Repair Solutions 1 2 3
4
Reinforcing steel Anticorrosion galvanic anode Hand-applied repair mortar or low-pressure spray mortar Protective and decorative coating
Column Repair Solutions 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Corrosion inhibitor Self-consolidating concrete mix with silica fume and corrosion inhibitor, or hand-applied repair mortar, or low-pressure spray mortar Saturant Epoxy smoothing putty Epoxy saturant Carbon fiber fabric Epoxy saturant Sand broadcast Protective and decorative coating
Bridge Deck Solutions 1 2
3 4
Anticorrosion coating Rapid-hardening repair mortar or very rapid-hardening repair mortar Crack healer/sealer Fast-setting epoxy overlay for bridge decks
MAPEI offers a full spectrum of products for concrete restoration, below-grade waterproofing and structural strengthening. Globally, MAPEI’s system solutions have been utilized for bridges, highways, parking garages, stadiums, buildings and other structures. Visit www.mapei.com for details on all MAPEI products.
MAPEI Americas
CANADIAN CONCRETE EXPO
Concrete trumps the elements The construction industry converged on Toronto in February for the second Canadian Concrete Expo
F
rom snow, sleet and freezing rain, the Canadian winter did everything it could to keep attendees from stepping through the doors at the 2019 Canadian Concrete Expo – to no avail. Thousands from the concrete and general construction industries walked the floor at the two-day Toronto-area event this February. Attendance at the second edition of the annual expo climbed 35 per cent from a year ago as hundreds of exhibitors set up shop on the approximately 20,500 sq. m (220,000 sq. ft.) of floor space. With glowing feedback from exhibitors, the show was “terrific,” according to Rod Mahler, the director of marketing and business development at 20/20 Show Productions Inc., the event’s organizer. “Registration more than doubled from the previous year,” Mahler said, adding that the challenging winter weather on the
event’s first day drove the attendance down a little bit. “People just had a difficult time trying to get in. The second day was terrific as the weather subsided.” Along with more than 300 exhibitors lining the halls of the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., the Canadian Concrete Expo included more than two-dozen presentations, six live equipment demos and the Canadian finals of The Fastest Trowel on the Block competition. Mahler pointed to the strong growth from last year and similar expectations for 2020 as proof of the Canadian concrete industry’s appetite for the event. “They’ve really wanted something like this to come to Canada for a long time,” he said. Among the show’s big selling points are its Canadian focus and its cost-effectiveness compared to its U.S. counterparts, he added. “The cost of attending say, World of Concrete, for a Canadian company is quite high. Attending our show in Toronto, just as far as
Lafarge Canada put on a full-scale demo on the first day of the event. The cement, concrete and aggregates firm showed off its FiberPlus Poly line, as well as its Artevia decorative brand to a full audience of onlookers.
On-Site gave away a Husqvarna power cutter to one lucky attendee. Mike Corless of Beneff Concrete in Delhi, Ont. took home the saw designed for a range of applications.
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CANADIAN CONCRETE EXPO a cost-benefit, is tremendous to the Canadian industry.” Looking ahead to next year, 20/20 has its sights trained on further growth. With 100 additional exhibitors already expected, the show organizer has secured a further 9,300 sq. m (100,000 sq. ft.) of floor space. Meanwhile, it forecasts upwards of 8,000 attendees at the 2020 edition. Next year’s event will run Jan. 22 and 23 at the International Centre. And though all participants will hope for more accommodating weather, it’s clear the snow tire-equipped industry will show up regardless.
A dozen masonry teams from across the country converged at the expo Feb. 7 in hopes of wielding the ‘Fastest Trowel on the Block.’ Journeyman mason Dakota Beze-
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mer and mason tender John Ferraro, both of Hamilton, Ont.-based Artistik Masonry, were crowned the Canadian champions of the MCAA competition. Bezemer laid 108 blocks over the course of the 20-minute competition – the equivalent of a typical halfday’s work, according to judges. The team will represent Canada at the World Championships, to be held at the MCAA Convention during World of Concrete 2020 in Las Vegas. Bezemer said it felt “amazing” to win at the competition on home turf. He’s already looking ahead to the Las Vegas showdown. “I don’t know what to say. I’m stoked,” he said. “Gotta
vacuworx.com
34 / MARCH 2019
bring the cup back to Canada.”