Capital News

Capital News

Capital's Technology

Jacob Gmeindl grew up around Capital Paving, as his father John has worked for the company for over 35 years. Jacob officially started his role in 2005 and since then has developed into his role as an Autonomous Integration Specialist. Jacob is responsible for overseeing Capital’s new technology and more specifically our GPS.

After growing up around Capital, Jacob has seen Capital recognize the need to adapt to new technology or else be left behind by the industry. Although being the very first to adapt to the new and changing technology comes with risk, Jacob says that Capital is now achieving a good balance between incorporating new technology to boost productivity and minimizing risk.

Incorporating the new technology, including GPS has made many aspects of each individual job much easier. Layouts are now available on site instead of calling in a third party every time, grade checking all day long is now in the past, machines can follow designs with far less guidance and when revisions are made on a job site, Capital can now update the field data instantly.  Jacob says without it, Capital would find it increasingly more difficult to compete with other construction companies and with the speed that technology is improving it is so important to stay current and competitive.

Learning how to use the Topcon GPS equipment was fairly easy to Jacob after years spent as a grademan.  The skills he learned such as reading plans and grade checking flowed very well into the software side. Jacob says he is excited to see Capital continue to grow with the new technology. He says there is always more technology to be added to Capital’s impressive resume including the stringless curb machine, GPS enabled milling and paving operations, automation of pit operations and GPS real time tracking of our brokers.

Jacob says with the advancements of technology, it will be possible one day to not risk peoples' lives in road construction. This will be made possible by automation and robotics. New opportunities are being created for those who are willing and able to pursue them and he is happy to be part of the push towards a better future.

Women in Construction

In the construction industry women form less than 2 percent of the site workforce but seeing a woman on a construction job site is not unusual today. Capital Paving continues to provide a diverse workplace as more women can be seen working on our crews.

Kara Fox, a new member to the crew at Capital this season, became involved in the construction industry as family members are currently employed in the industry. Kara advised that being a woman out on site can come with some challenges such as her physical limitations and having the same rights as the men she works alongside.

Although Capital strives to be an equal opportunity employer, the industry is still very male dominated with only a handful of women employed for onsite construction work.

Kara asserts that Capital does a great job at making women feel as an inclusive member of the team. Project Managers and Forepersons share job task and continue to communicate job specific details with all crew members equally. Capital also does an excellent job with onsite positive reinforcement.

Capital can still do more to support the women on site to make them feel more comfortable and get a better understanding of their needs. Kara commented that having a washroom facility on site for females would be a step in the right direction for Capital.

The best advice Kara can give to women considering employment in the construction industry is to be mentally and physically prepared to work long hours. Another important piece of advice from Kara for   those entering the workforce is that respect has to be earned.

In the upcoming years, Kara would like to see more equal opportunities for women currently in the industry and for those looking to pursue a career in construction.

Capital raises $5000 for Alzheimer's Society 

All the funds are in and Capital Paving surpassed our goal and raised $5000 during our Coffee Break for the Alzheimer’s Society of Waterloo Wellington. Capital is so grateful to all of our employees, brokers and suppliers who donate to a cause very close to home.

This cause is very near and dear to our hearts and for that reason we would like to make the donation in memory of the following employees and their family members:
Geoffrey Stephens, Jim Kelly, Larry Wilson- Father and Father in Law, David L Stephens
Matt Martin- Father in Law, Don Brenneman
Corinne McCready- Grandmother, Betty St. Jacques
Kayla Windover- Grandfather, Jacob Parsons
Chris Dann- Grandfather, Gordon Bell
Rob Smoke- Father, Stanley Smoke
And all the other Capital families who have battled or battling with Alzheimer’s.

New President at Fowler Construction

Larry Wilson is the new President at Fowler Construction. Formally the Vice President at Capital Paving, Larry has over 33 years of experience in all aspects of the Roadbuilding industry. He is looking forward to bringing his knowledge of construction, asphalt operations and production as well as his in-depth knowledge of aggregate operations.

Larry is Past President and an active Board Director and member of the Environment Committee of the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council. Larry is also a member of the Norman W. McLeod Chair, Board of Advisors, (University of Waterloo.) Larry has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Windsor and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario.

Capital's Employee Spotlight- Blair Heyden

Capital's Aggregate Foreman, Blair Heyden, has worked at Capital Paving for 26 seasons. Over the years, Blair has worked his way through the company and says he has enjoyed every minute of it. Blair has dedicated his time at Capital to multiple divisions and trained as many people as he could along the way. Blair continues to dedicate his time to the company year after year because he loves what he does every day. He says leaves work at the end of the day feeling accomplished after working with all the moving parts of an operating aggregate pit. Blair says over the years he has been challenged by his bosses but he truly feels this has made him a better worker and got him to where he is today. Blair feels Capital is the right place to be day after day. 

Capital's Employee Spotlight- Ken Roberts

Ken Roberts or better known around the crews as the “Candy Man” has worked for Capital Paving for 11 years as an asphalt roller operator. Ken got his nickname the “Candy Man” by continuously bringing candy to his fellow crew members. He says he drives all the way from London year after year for the family oriented business. Ken has been on our safety committee for two years and during his off time you can find him on the golf course. Thank you Ken for your years of hard work and commitment!

Capital's Employee Spotlight- Lajos Erdelyi

Lajos Erdelyi has worked with Capital for 29 seasons at our crush and wash plant in our aggregate division. He continues to come back year after year because he loves what he does, he knows the position very well and loves the people he works with. His favourite memories while working at Capital are the people he has met throughout his years in at the Pit. We want to thank Lajos for all his hard work and dedication to the Capital team!

Capital's outstanding health and safety becomes COR certified

Capital is proud to announce that we have received the Certificate of Recognition (COR) for our outstanding Health and Safety Management System.  This outstanding achievement makes Capital one of the few contractors in this area to achieve this designation. In late 2017, Capital completed a rigorous internal and external audit and each audit was comprised of 19 elements that make up the Health and Safety Management System (HSMS).

The COR program provides employers with an effective tool to assess their health and safety management system. COR is aimed at driving positive workplace behaviour and practices that lead to improved performance. The program began over 20 years ago in Alberta and while the bulk of COR is used in construction, the standard is used by major business sectors across Western Canada.

COR is often required for contracts with both public and private construction projects in Ontario and some municipalities expect their contractors to be registered with the COR program in order to qualify for bidding. Companies looking to bid on potential Ministry of Transportation (MTO) projects will need to be COR certified.

The process to becoming certified had four main steps, including registering to the COR program from Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). After registration, Capital was required to send Rick Feddema, Health and Safety-Risk and Loss Manager, to multiple training days to qualify him as an Internal Auditor. Once the course was complete, Capital conducted an internal audit using the IHSA tools. The internal audit was reviewed and followed by with an external audit from the IHSA staff. The COR certificate is valid for three years and yearly internal audits by Capital must be completed to achieve a letter of good standing, verifying the training elements are met and maintained each year.

By achieving COR, Capital will be able to demonstrate to buyers that our health and safety management system has been developed, implemented, and evaluated on an annual basis. COR’s audit criteria is recognized by industries throughout Canada and Capital is now part of a nationwide network participating in and promoting health and safety excellence. This designation helps put Capital ahead in qualifying for certain projects, enhances our corporate image within the industry and community and showcases our strong commitment to maintaining our high health and safety management system.

Capital takes home two awards at OSSGA Conference

Capital was proud recipient of the Ontario Sand, Stone and Gravel Association (OSSGA) Community Relations Award as well as the Progressive Rehabilitation Award. Capital was also an honourable mention as Judges’ Choice. Every year OSSGA challenges the industry to raise the bar by highlighting operations that go above and beyond what is required by legislation. The OSSGA Industry Recognition Awards Program recognizes a wide range of activities that contribute to a progressive image by their aggregate producers and aggregate industry as a whole.

Capital was awarded the Community Relations Award for the Wellington Pit for the work at Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre. The Wellington Pit is located in Puslinch Township. The Community Relations Award is designed to recognize community relations efforts and is based on being a good neighbour, community involvement, media relations and community education.

The Progressive Rehabilitation and Judges’ Choice Award recognized our final rehabilitation at our Holman Pit. Capital completed the Holman Pit rehabilitation in the spring of 2017 and it is now returned to an agricultural property. The Holman Pit is located in Guelph- Eramosa Township. This award recognizes the ongoing progressive rehabilitation at sites in accordance to the original site plans and operational designs.

This year’s award winners were announced at the 2018 OSSGA Conference in February.

Capital Awarded 2017 Trillium Award

Capital Paving Inc was awarded the 2017 Trillium Award, given yearly by the Ontario Road Builders Association’s (ORBA) Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council. The award recognizes plants that go above and beyond the already “gold” standard required by the industry regulations. The Trillium award sets the standards by which all others are judged; good plant operators who are also good corporate citizens.

Capital completed a rigorous assessment process to meet the high standards. Every standard, including appearance, operations, environmental, safety and community relations was met and exceeded by Capital.

Since 2002, 76 plants have earned the Trillium Award and 72 have been recertified yearly.  While other industries are just beginning to introduce environmental certifications and “gold” standards, the hot mix asphalt industry has been ahead of the curve and already meeting the strictest of guidelines. Being recognized as a Trillium Award winner recognizes that Capital is the best of the best.

Capital's first Sewer and Watermain Demonstration Day

Capital held its first Sewer and Watermain Demonstration Day in May. The demonstration showcased a typical Concrete Pressure Pipe (CPP) installation. Three crews from our Capital team were joined by our pipe supplier; Forterra Pressure Pipe Inc. who joined forces to install sections of CPP.  Concrete Pressure Pipe is typically used for water or waste water transmission and distribution pipelines.

The process shown during the demonstration day will be implemented into several of our upcoming projects including the Reconstruction of Ottawa Street where we will install 2.6km of CPP and the Paisley Feedermain Project on the Silvercreek Parkway in Guelph. Both projects are expected to start in mid-June and are expected to be completed on schedule. We would like to thank everyone who came to the event including the Region of Waterloo, Forterra, MTE, the City of Guelph and three of Capital’s crews who helped along with the installation.

Build Your Career with Capital

Capital is known for Quality People and we are looking to add to the team.  We are looking for employees in all areas, including asphalt labourers (rake-men, screed operators, skilled labourers), grading crews (foreman, grade-men, skilled labourers), and concrete crews (cement finishers, form setters, and skilled labourers). Also, looking for employees in our sewer and watermain department. This will include top men, pipe layers, skilled labour, and heavy equipment operators (excavators, dozers, and loaders).

Send in a resume to hr@capitalpaving.on.ca with the subject line containing the ‘position’ to be considered.

You can also look at specific career opportunities on our career page to apply directly for a listed position.

Capital Achieved Platinum Member Status to Canada’s Best Managed Company Award.

With great pride, Geoffrey Stephens, Jim Kelly, Larry Wilson are excited to reveal that Capital Paving Inc. has just been named a Platinum winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2017. For Capital’s story to success go to www.capitalpaving.net/BestManagedPlatinum

Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. Platinum Club members are Winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more.

Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

Thank you to all our great employees and clients that have been with us since our Best Managed Company road to success starting in 2009.  We look forward to many more years of continued growth and success!  Quality Construction by Quality People

Capital Donates 750 lbs of food to local charity

Capital's social committee once again set up our annual food drive to collect non-perishable food items for the Brant Avenue Neighbourhood Group in Guelph, Ontario.  The Brant Avenue Neighbourhood Group is a non-profit organization of community members committed to building and sustaining the community by strengthening individuals and families, and ensuring healthy growth and development for every child.  This charity is important to Capital with Julianna Stephens being an active volunteer for the group.  Capital's employees collected 375 lbs of food at our annual Christmas party and the owners matched the contribution.  This year Capital is proud to have donated 750lbs of food to this great charity.  Congratulations to the social committee for another successful food drive.

Capital Achieves Significant Milestone – 1,000,000 Hours of No Lost Time Injuries

We are very pleased to announce that Capital paving has officially achieved One Million hours of no-lost-time injuries.

It has taken a cooperative and consistent effort from the entire team of managers, supervisors, foremen and workers at Capital during the last four years in order to achieve such a significant milestone.

Capital Paving is proud of this accomplishment for the precise reason that it means our workers returned home to their families at the end of each work day with no serious injuries.

It should be noted that Capital Paving is one of only a few companies, of our size, in the road-building industry that can claim to have reached this lofty goal of One Million hours of “No lost time”.

Congratulations to All Capital Employees!!

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Guelph Lake Memorial Grove Circle

Grand River Conservation Area and Capital partner to develop a new project at Guelph Lake. Capital donates screenings, labour, equipment and gravel to new Memorial Grove Circle. read more..

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Welcome To Our New Website

Capital is excited to launch our new website. The new website highlights Capital`s extensive portfolio of projects, our highly skilled staff, and our involvement in the communities that we serve. For those looking for employment please visit our careers page to find our current opportunities.

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Capital Awarded "Best Managed Company"

On March 9th, 2016 Capital was once again awarded the honour of Canada`s Best Managed Company by Deloitte Canada. This has been the sixth year in a row that Capital has received this award. We wish to thank all our great employees and the team at Capital for all their hard work earning us this award.
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