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M A R C H 2 0 2 3 | 39 Structural Steel P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y WA LT ER S G RO U P Structural steel continues to prove it is one of the most versatile products available today by ROBIN BRUNET B usy, and with a good chance of withstanding the impact of infla- tion and high interest rates: that, in a nutshell, is how structural steel specialists describe their standing in the 2023. However, labour shortages continue to be a major issue, and while materials prices will eventually abate, there's no clear sign when the influx of newcomers to the industry will eventually match the volume of work currently underway or coming down the turnpike. Sam Barrett, VP of pre-construction at Walters Group (which is known for complex steel design, fabrication, and construction of commercial and indus- trial projects across North America), says, "Business is good and as we speak we have a solid backlog of projects, particularly in the industrial sector. It's quite the pivot from previous years where we are now securing more industrial projects instead of commercial office towers." Barrett reflected on his industry as Walters was putting the finishing touches (namely, a uniquely shaped crown) on 160 Front Street West, TD's new office/ headquarters in Toronto. This 46-storey structural steel-framed commercial office tower is a distinct addition to the Toronto skyline and boasts curved RISING Continually cladding that wraps all four exterior walls and integrates the heritage masonry of the 70-year-old, six-storey building previously located on the site. Barrett credits Two Manhattan West in New York, the largest project in Walters' history, for helping carry his company through the pandemic. "The 63-floor southeast tower had a steel core instead of a concrete core," he says. As with Walters' work on Two Manhattan West, the company deployed a 700-foot self-climbing cocoon for the project that attached to the perimeter of the building, provid- ing a safe enclosure for the site teams and the public below. As erection progressed, the cocoon effortlessly climbed up the perimeter, while all loads imposed were resolved through the complex network of steel. Barrett goes on to note that, "We like to say we're a small company doing big things, and we place strong emphasis on planning. If we haven't already prepared for the job before we appear on site, then we haven't done it right. This approach means we get to push the boundaries on some of the developments and prepare for any possible challenges." This year holds plenty of opportuni- ties for Walters, and Barrett cites new battery plants, hospitals, plus Algoma's new Electric Arc Furnace facility in Sault Ste. Marie on the books, but he adds that "some people in the industry are getting cold feet due to the rapid rise in interest rates and cost of borrowing. Also, steel prices are killing some projects. That said, we need to keep in mind that there is still loads of potential in this industry, despite some projects possibly being shelved or temporarily postponed." Andrew Sly, president at George Third & Son, says, "There's lots of work for all of us after a tough couple of years, capped in 2022 by Amazon building so many distribution facilities that mills were booked for months on end. Nobody else could get steel because Amazon was paying premiums for even small items such as deck screws." Still, Sly says in 2023 the projects range from high-rises ("which is what we chase") to unique undertakings such as The Butterfly condominium develop- ment in Vancouver from Westbank Corp., which includes one-of-a-kind steel features such as four massive arches of elliptical tubing, one of them standing 17-storeys tall, and architectural instead of standard beams. "B.C. is a good market for this kind of specialized work," Sly says. George Third & Son is also proving adept at tackling the labour issue that continues to plague the steel sector across Canada. "In B.C., for example, we're losing labour to other jurisdictions because of the ridiculously high cost of living in Metro Vancouver, but a few years ago we started reaching out to trade schools and high schools to offer apprenticeships," Sly says. "The strategy is working in that of the 10 new apprentices we brought on, eight have stayed. But we still need a new generation of fabricators and welders, and hope to include more women and other groups that have traditionally been underrepresented." Sly notes that by having automated some of his company's processes (CNC machines, automated plate welders) they have a competitive advantage and can produce more output with less people. "Plus, when we recruit we're able Two Manhattan West, NY

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