Send us a text Discover the inner workings of a sector on the cusp of a digital revolution as Shawn Naidu from Matra Construction shares his insights on the monumental shift from age-old practices to cutting-edge technology. We promise an enlightening journey where Shawn peels back the layers of tradition to expose the glimmering potential of tools like SiteMax. Together, we discuss the delicate dance of blending the reliability of Excel with innovative software, and how sub-trades each carve th...
Mar 11, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 119
Send us a text Discover the intricate dance between law and construction as Stephanie Streat from Synthesis Legal steps into our podcast spotlight, bringing with her a treasure trove of insights from the Canadian construction legal scene. Her journey is one of bold entrepreneurship, transitioning from a large international firm to founding a practice that champions the personal touch in client relationships. Together, we navigate the turbulent waters of construction claims, from the all-too-comm...
Mar 08, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 118
Send us a text Discover the innovative trifecta that's transforming the Vancouver housing landscape, as we sit down with Mike Dias from Spire Development Corporation to dissect their integrated approach to construction, development, and investment. We navigate through the complexities of the market, from the inception of Spire Capital to the strategic decisions impacting their latest 112-unit rental venture. Mike's candid revelations on balancing construction cost inflation with project viabilit...
Mar 07, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 117
Send us a text Ever found that perfect piece of clothing that makes you feel like you can conquer the world? That's how we get the ball rolling with Mr. Hamm, as he joins us to chat about the comforts of personal style with a Lululemon, and swiftly gears into the latest leaps in his career at Caliber Projects. Delving into the company's strategic expansion into Metro Vancouver's high-rise market, we uncover the nuances of construction leadership and the pivotal role of foundational relationships...
Mar 05, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 116
Send us a text Discover the blueprint for construction safety excellence as we sit down with Gabe Guetta from SALUS to discuss the strides his company is making in the industry. Safety isn't a buzzword here—it's the foundation on which every project stands. Our conversation is about innovation in construction safety. We delve into the importance of nurturing customer relationships and fostering collaboration with tech giants for a safer, more efficient future in construction. Venture into the ne...
Mar 01, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 115
Send us a text Embark on a journey through the cutting-edge intersection of construction technology with our esteemed guests, Laura Flamm and Blair Shellenberg from Motorola Solutions. Prepare to be captivated as we uncover how product technology partnerships are revolutionizing the integration of video and access control software within the construction industry's complex tech ecosystems. Blair brings an infectious enthusiasm for cloud-based video surveillance solutions, offering a glimpse into...
Mar 01, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 114
Send us a text Prepare to be enlightened as Shawn, a visionary shaking up the construction industry, joins James Faulkner at BuildEx Vancouver to share his trailblazing journey. This episode promises a deep dive into how The Net Effect, is guiding small and medium-sized construction businesses toward digital transformation. With the aid of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program, budget worries are becoming a thing of the past, and companies are stepping into a tech-savvy, environmentally-consciou...
Feb 28, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 113
Send us a text Discover the dynamic fusion of leadership, vision, and industry evolution with Tanner Uzzell, COO-Regional at Horizon Contracting Group. Recorded amidst the buzz of BuildEx Vancouver 2024, our conversation uncovers the secrets behind Horizon's remarkable growth. Tanner shares the frameworks of a company culture that thrives on autonomy, celebrating the individual's power to shape the organization's trajectory. As we navigate the complexities of staff turnover and HR management, Ta...
Feb 28, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 112
Send us a text Prepare to be captivated as we sit down with Andrew Hansen, the visionary force behind SitePartners' rise. This episode promises an enlightening exploration into how the company is not just building structures but constructing a resilient legacy through strategic industry selection and the cultivation of robust client relationships. Andrew sheds light on the thrill of rallying a dedicated team, the transformative power of digital innovation in the boardroom, and the bold strides S...
Feb 26, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 111
Send us a text Transform your construction company's brand from invisible to invincible with insights from Olivia Olczak Day from Day Media Consulting, straight from the BuildEx Vancouver 2024 event. This episode is a goldmine for anyone eager to nail strategic marketing with a blend of storytelling, long-term vision, and a suite of services that are changing the game. Olivia elucidates on the often-overlooked issues plaguing the sector, such as the pitfalls of poor communication and a reactive ...
Feb 26, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 110
Send us a text Unlock the secrets to becoming a leader with unshakable integrity and the skill to make decisions that resonate deeply with your core values. That's precisely what Jeannine Martin from VRCA brings to our latest discussion. We revisit the powerful connections from our last interview and delve into the role that trust plays in leadership, particularly within the construction industry. Jeannine opens up about the profound influence that her mentors have had on her journey, offering a...
Feb 21, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 109
Send us a text Step into the future of construction with James Faulkner of Autodesk, as he joins us from the lively BuildX Vancouver 2024. Get ready to traverse the groundbreaking advancements in construction technology and discover how the fusion of human skill and robotic precision is reshaping our industry. We reminisce with James about the seismic shifts since Autodesk's game-changing acquisition of Plangrid and uncover the strategic maneuvers behind their hefty investment in construction te...
Feb 21, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 108
Send us a text Join the conversation as we sit down with Ruairi Spillane, Founder and CEO at Outpost Recruitment to dissect the urgent transformation needed in the construction industry's culture and branding. Ruairi's insights unravel the complexities of attracting a global talent pool and the vital steps to integrate immigrant workers into the Canadian construction sector. As we navigate through the industry's resistance to change and the hesitation of seasoned professionals to pass the torch,...
Feb 20, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 107
Send us a text As we sipped on Bullet Bourbon, chuckling over memories of tequila nights and DJing transitions from vinyl to digital, our conversation took a deeper turn. We tell you about personal growth and industry evolution, with a special focus on the unexpected connections fostered by our podcast journey. From a LinkedIn message leading to a Dallas meeting, to the upcoming 35th anniversary of BuildX in Vancouver, we're toasting the serendipitous paths that guide our professional and person...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 106
Send us a text Brace yourself for an enthralling expedition into the heart of Calgary's construction landscape with Bill Black, President of the Calgary Construction Association. As we shake off the chill of the Canadian winter, Bill shares pearls of wisdom on how pivotal business books can sculpt leadership and spill the 'secret serum' for luring talent into this bustling industry. Our episode unfolds a tapestry of Bill's journey, from a storied lineage in construction to spearheading one of th...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 105
Send us a text What if you could get a front-row seat to a riveting conversation about the construction industry, entrepreneurship, and real estate development? This episode has all that and more, as we sit down with Graham Carter and Jesse Unke from Maven Consulting and Vertex Developments. Join us as we start off with a light-hearted chat about the impact of Black Friday on SD card availability, before delving into the state of the construction industry, sharing tales of securing workers and m...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 104
Send us a text How often do we consider the intersection of technology in our everyday life, or the growing importance of the construction industry in our economy? Our special guest this episode, Jeannine Martin, the new president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), lends her unique insights into these fascinating topics. With her background of transitioning from the construction industry to the helm of VRCA, Jeannine brings a fresh perspective on the importance of busines...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 103
Send us a text Imagine stepping into the world of construction, where the smell of fresh concrete mingles with the optimism of creating something new. Our guest, Amit Patel, Vice President and General Manager for the Vancouver office of Turner Construction, shares this world with us. Growing up under the influence of his father's construction business, Amit understands the heart of the industry. The hustle and bustle of a job site is more than just noise; it's the sound of a thriving work enviro...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 102
Send us a text We are joined by Katy Fairley who took an unusual career path from politics to construction consulting. Our dialogue delves into her experiences, particularly her insight into procurement processes and the necessity for collaboration. Later on, we discuss the potential of technology, notably AI, in contract management. We mention a software called Document Crunch which utilizes AI to analyze contracts - a valuable tool in the industry but not the be-all and end-all. Lastly, we tak...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 101
Send us a text In this episode, the 100th installment of the Site Visit Podcast, James and Christian are joined by Ellisha Mott from Mott Electric. James starts with stories of his family's electrical business in England, emphasizing their determination to elevate the company's success. Similarly, Ellisha reflects on her family's business journey, with its earliest roots in San Francisco, before forging north as an electrical motor repair company and into a prominent union contractor in Vancouve...
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 100
Send us a text In this episode, Episode 99 of the Site Visit Podcast, Christian is joined by two industry veterans, Jeff Block from Modu-Loc Fence Rentals and Jeff Franklin from Sunbelt Rentals. The episode starts with a warm welcome after a summer break, and the Jeffs share stories from their past, including their shared experience with Christian in minor hockey. Jeff Block shares his remarkable journey, from studying business marketing to venturing into professional sports and eventually findi...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 99
Send us a text In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Matt DiBara from DiBara Masonry and the Contractor Consultants. A seasoned construction professional with a rich family legacy, Matt provides captivating insights into his journey within the industry, deeply rooted in his family's heritage of masonry and concrete craftsmanship, carried from Italy to the United States. Matt shares the impact of organizations like SkillsUSA and the significance of investing in high school and post-s...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 98
Send us a text In this episode, Christian is joined by Aviv Leibovici, CPO & Co-Founder at Buildots, from London (UK), making him the podcast's first international and overseas guest. Aviv shares his journey from military service in Israel to his co-founding role in Buildots, where he saw an opportunity to address complex issues in the construction industry. He explains how Buildots utilizes AI and 360-degree cameras to analyze construction progress, providing valuable insights for required ...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 97
Send us a text In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Steven Uecke and Perryn Olson from SuperDroid Robots, makers of the fully autonomous, 360-degree, reality capture robot, the Groundhog. Steven shares his background in structural engineering before founding REX.one (SuperDroids parent company), and Perryn in how he became part of the construction marketing team two and a half years ago. The company's vision traces back to 2001, when it was founded by a husband and wife using royal...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 96
Send us a text In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Gavin MacRae from GJ MacRae Foundation Repair, the leading foundation repair business in the Greater Toronto Area. Gavin's family has a deep-rooted history in the business, dating back to 1975 when his father founded the company in the GTA. The conversation begins with a discussion around a somewhat obvious fact, a basement, if you have one, is a fairly significant part of your home, and with the demand for density increasing, whi...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 95
Send us a text In this episode, James and Christian are joined by George Benson from the Vancouver Economic Commission. George, known as the “Economic Handyman,” brings his expertise in construction adjacent roles and urban planning to this wide-ranging conversation, shedding light on the complexities of the economy and the need to find gray zones in the policy. The discussion shifts to embodied carbon and specifics around refrigerant gases, the production of steel and batteries in electric vehi...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 94
Send us a text In this episode, Christian is joined by Justin Bontkes, Principal at Caliber Projects and Ian Baird, Director of Construction at Caliber Projects. The trio starts off with some banter about the official sport of construction and the current state of construction costs. Justin and Ian quickly jump into the importance of transparency and their commitment to building people and the real “meat” of their conversation, implementing Open-book Management and thoroughly studying The Great ...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 93
Send us a text In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Bryan Reid, President of Kindred Construction. Together, they discuss challenges the current housing market poses, including pricing fluctuations and issues with permit processing. Bryan shares his insights on improving the industry, such as prioritizing employee retention, offering fair compensation, and leveraging the right technology, at the right times, for increased efficiency. All throughout, Bryan uncovers the exciting futu...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 92
Send us a text In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Ryan Steward, Founder and President of RJS Construction. Ryan shares his journey into the construction industry, inspired by his childhood experiences building epic tree forts and his passion for Lego. He discusses the founding of his company and the challenges he faced, highlighting the importance of planning and hiring the right people. The episode explores common contracting mistakes, the construction industry's unique appeal, ...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 91
Send us a text In this Weekly Site Report, Christian (joined by James in New York) digs into current news, topics and trends related to Construction, Culture and the Built Environment. In this episode, THREE hot-button topics are covered from the potential of a recession based on recent economic markers to the fragmentation of contractor requirements around construction tech and the implementation of E-Verify in certain US markets. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems...
Jun 13, 2023•49 min•Season 4Ep. 90
