CCPPA introduces
new Environmental
Product Declaration
CDCR staff writer
The Canadian Concrete Pipe & Precast Association
(CCPPA) has developed a new Environmental Product Dec-
laration (EPD).
“Committing to sustainable development and environ-
mental transparency, the CCPPA and its members devel-
oped, published, and third-party verified, this declaration
that reveals the potential environmental impact of its con-
crete-based infrastructure products,” the association said
in a news release.
“Transparency is key,” says CCPPA chair Andy Dutfield.
“It really is a type of nutrition label for our customers and
the general public who need to know the environmental im-
pact of concrete pipe and related products made and avail-
able in Canada. It’s our goal as an association to further
develop environmentally compatible and sustainable con-
struction products for now and for future generations.”
The association presented, at its fall membership meet-
ing in Kitchener in October, its Canadian industry-average
business-to-business Type III EPD covering three product
categories: Concrete pipe; concrete box structures; and
manholes/catch basins.
The EPD takes a “cradle-to-gate” approach, covering the
potential environmental impact of standardized life cycle
processes from raw material supply, methods of trans-
portation for all materials in each stage of production, and
the manufacturing process to the point the product leaves
the “gate”.
merk@merx.com 14 – Winter 2018 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
CCPPA says the declaration also supports transparency
for sustainable construction certification programs, such
as LEEDv4, Envision, and other green purchasing programs
that are currently under development.
CCPPA represents 14 member companies operating 23
precast manufacturing facilities in British Columbia, Al-
berta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Data was
based on 14 surveys of member facilities and took regional
production, plant size and product type into consideration.
The association worked with Andrea Boddy Consulting and
the team at Athena Institute to complete and verify the dec-
laration. For specific information on the
CCPPA EPD, please visit
https://www.astm.org/CERTIFICATION/DOCS/ 370.EPD_for_CCPPA_EPD_2017-08-15.pdf.
www.merx.com www.merx.com/events
TOP 10 CONCRETE FLOOR CONTRACTORS
Apollo Concrete Contracting,
industry experts for 25 years
The CDCR Special Feature
Apollo Concrete Contracting has
been serving the needs of the greater
Hamilton area (GHA)for 25 years now,
while providing its expertise in green-
house and specialty flooring to cus-
tomers across North America.
President Jim Woods says the
company works on a diversity of GHA
industrial, commercial and institu-
tional (ICI) projects enhanced by spe-
cialized knowledge of greenhouses.
This niche expertise is based on
knowledge learned in Holland.
“Our greenhouse work has become a niche specialty
that has taken us all across Canada and the U.S.,” he said.
“We’ve installed more than five million sq. ft. of green-
house flooring, and are currently working on 2 million sq.
ft. of greenhouse including one million sq. ft. intended to
support the growth of legal marijuana.”
He says greenhouse work can be challenging, both for
technical and site requirements and because of working
conditions. In the summer, for instance, he says tempera-
tures can reach upwards of 45 degrees. That can mean
working in the early morning hours before the heat gets
too bad, or working at night so the sun isn’t compounding
the problem.
Apollo works closely with Tradewind Construction.
which specializes in greenhouses, but also applies its own
expertise and know how to help guide other greenhouse
projects. The company co-ordinates other ICI work including
manufacturing and condominium projects, freezer build-
ings and self-storage facilities. “We worked on Casino Ni-
agara and have done condos for New Horizon in Burlington
and Stony Creek. Our industrial projects have included Do-
fasco and General Motors. Our team is experienced with
slab on development, iSpan systems, and super flat floor-
ing among other capabilities.”
The company’s team of 25 includes family members
and multiple generations of families in some cases. Woods
says the company typically hires two or three new people
annually, then trains them internally. The strategy seems
to work as most stay on, he says.
“We’ve also brought in staff from other companies. We
look for people who want to work, who are reliable, and
who are open to working the hours and shifts that are
sometimes required.”
Apollo employs LiUNA Local
837 members and belongs to the
Concrete Floor Contractors Associ-
ation. Woods says this member-
ship helps the business stay up to
date on the latest news, trends,
technologies and safety require-
ments. The combination of experience,
knowledgeable staff, and the abil-
ity to be current to industry stan-
dards means Apollo has a solid
base of customers, Woods says.
Though he tries to keep his crews
within an hour or so of Hamilton, he says sometimes proj-
ects or specific clients will take his team much further.
“It’s our clients, our team, and our reputation that have
gotten us through the last 25 years. We look forward to
the next 25.”
APOLLO CONCRETE CONTRACTING
183 Grace Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario L8H 3X1
Tel: (905) 548-0576 Fax: (905) 548-9622
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Winter 2018 – 15