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Toronto Redimix is awarded Concrete Ontario’s 2020 Infrastructure Award
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Toronto Redimix is honored to receive Concrete Ontario’s 2020 Infrastructure Award for outstanding work on the Viva Streetscape Redevelopment.
reloj rolex replica mercadolibre mens diamond rolex replica rolex look alikeLocated in Vaughan, Ontario, the project was completed on September 2020 as part of a redevelopment of the Viva streetscape. The project involved creating areas that support the community and allow for pedestrians to walk more freely. It united pedestrians, motorists, transit and cyclists in the safest way. Toronto Redimix was proud to be a material supplier for the construction of the transit center media, concrete walls, curbs, paving and reconstruction of the pedestrian boulevard including concrete walkways and curbs all on cupolex soil cells.
Over the last several decades, Toronto Redimix has established a reputation for providing exceptional concrete and ready mix concrete products and superior customer service. Continuing to expand to meet the growing needs of the construction industry, Toronto Redimix has built a solid foundation in providing concrete solutions for commercial and residential clients across Ontario.
The Concrete Ontario Awards recognize the talent and effort of the best designers, contractors, suppliers and owners in Ontario. Concrete is one of the most used and innovative construct materials that can be utilized in Ontario construction projects. Concrete Ontario receives hundreds of entries that exemplify the talent, dedication, and innovation of individuals and teams across Ontario.
You can find out more about the 2020 Concrete Ontario Awards and view the rest of the winners at https://www.concreteawards.ca/
New Regulations for SPIF Vehicles
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Image of Brock Aggregates tri-axe truck
From 2000 to 2011, Ontario introduced a four-phased overhaul of the vehicle weights and dimensions regulations.
The reforms resulted in Highway Traffic Act Regulation 413/05, Vehicle Weights and dimensions (VWD) for Safe, Productive and Infrastructure-Friendly (SPIF) vehicles.
The last phase of the regulatory reforms ended on December 31, 2020.
For non-SPIF vehicles, there are three possible outcomes as follows:
1. If the vehicle is less than 15 years of age, extended grandfathering permits will be issued by the MTO upon request to continue operating in the pre-regulatory reforms’ regime as set out in the Highway Traffic Act until the vehicle reaches 15 years of age
2. The vehicle can be upfitted to become SPIF compliant, and operate at SPIF weight allowance
best replica rolex website best copy watches site brietling replica replica fake watches3. If the vehicle exceeds above age, or no permit is acquired, it may continue to operate at non-compliant weights as set-out in O.Reg. 413/05, Table 32.
Chart of new regulations
Brock Aggregates locations will require all operators to have their Allowable Gross Weight sheet showing SPIF compliance and/or a copy of the grandfathering permit prior to being loaded.
See the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association’s (OSSGA) website for more information: https://www.ossga.com/news_archive/article.go?article_id=347.
You can also find more information on oversize/overweight permits issued by the Ministry of Transportation here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/oversize-overweight-permits.shtml.
G&L – News – Joe Lamanna Announces winner of Mt. Tremblant trip!
Friday, February 19, 2021
G&L was proud to be the presenting partner for Landscape Ontario’s 48th annual Awards of Excellence on February 4, 2021. This is an annual juried competition that recognizes the breathtaking design and master craftsmanship in the landscape construction, maintenance, design, lighting, and irrigation projects created by members! The COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted an in-person celebration, but we are grateful for the Landscape Ontario team taking the awards celebration virtual (their very first virtual awards!) to showcase all the amazing work done in the industry.
Once again, G&L donated the coveted prize of a one-week stay in a luxurious 3-bedroom condominium in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. In honour of G&L’s 50th anniversary, we were excited to have our founder, Joe Lamanna, announce the winner for the annual giveaway! The winner’s name was randomly drawn from a list of registrants for the President’s Reception.
Check out the Mont Tremblant Trip Giveaway Winner here: https://youtu.be/FC1Bp8xclOU
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Landscape Ontario Awards. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
You can watch the awards ceremony here: https://loawards.com/
Staffers tell it like it is!
Thursday, September 26, 2019
G&L is a great place to work! Our team is on top of their game which is why we were recently awarded Deloitte’s Gold Status, Canada’s Best Managed Companies. Many of our employees have been with us for decades;. Clearly, they love what they do. We’re constantly growing and always looking for talented people to join our team.
What’s it like to work at G&L? Watch our latest video and hear what our employees have to say.
Draglam Salt Manages Strong Bulk Salt Supply to Support Private Contractors
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Draglam Salt is proud to provide the salt you need to keep roads clear and people safe. Despite consistent precipitation in January, back-to-back winter storms in February, and an industry-wide salt shortage, Draglam Salt’s supply has remained plentiful. We are steadfast in our ability to supply bulk and bagged rock salt to our valued customers. As a result of diligent planning, we have been able to maintain a consistent pick-up list price for the past several months.
After more than 27 years in business, we continue to be humbled by the power of mother nature. While these winter weather patterns are natural, the immense liability placed on snowplow and landscape contractors is not. Salt is the most widely used tool for managing snow and ice on roads, parking lots and sidewalks; the expectation of “black top” in recent years has substantially increased demand for rock salt, quickly depleting local supply. This increased demand could only be met by careful supply management and a dedication to support our customers with the deicing product they need, when they need it. At Draglam Salt, our focus remains clear: to provide quality deicing products and reliable service to the private contracting industry. As a leading distributer of bulk salt, we do not compete with our landscaping and snowplowing customers, but rather support their product requirements so they can fulfill their contracts as efficiently and economically as possible.
We strive to be Southern Ontario’s most reliable source for bulk salt, at the most competitive price. By carefully monitoring inventory levels and strategically allocating salt supply, Draglam Salt was able to fulfill its customer commitments. This inventory management also ensures that in the event of an unexpected spring ice storm, we’re ready to serve.
This winter has reinforced the importance of thoughtful planning and preparation in order to maintain our reliability as your trusted salt supplier. We are thankful to our customers for putting their trust in us to fulfill their salt and deicing needs, and look forward to another exciting season.
Ontario Government Announces Support of Aggregate Industry
Tuesday, March 05, 2019
We’re pleased to announce that Ontario’s Government for the People has recently introduced plans to support the province’s aggregate industry. Announced by John Yakobuski, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, these plans aim at “creating conditions that will help unleash the resource sector’s potential.”
The aggregate industry is responsible for providing over 20,000 jobs as well as contributing $1.4 billion to Ontario’s economy yearly. With this recent announcement, the Ontario Government has committed itself to ensuring the continued health of this essential economic driver.
As a part of this announcement, the Summit of Aggregate Reform will be held on March 29th as a forum encouraging dialogue and greater cooperation between industry stakeholders and government officials. A new permit has also been granted for Brock Aggregates to build a structure in King City, another step toward ensuring economic stability through growth and job creation.
We are proud of both our contribution to Ontario’s economy as well as our role as a leading provider of the raw materials essential to building schools, hospitals and bridges. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our province’s economy and infrastructure while working alongside the Ontario Government.
G&L Was Proud to be Back as the 2019 Presenting Sponsor at the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
G&L was proud to be back again as the 2019 Presenting Sponsor at the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence. This is an annual juried competition that recognizes breathtaking design and master craftsmanship in the landscape construction and maintenance industry.
This year’s awards took place on January 8th with this year’s theme of Legacy. Recognizing great work and serving to inspire, the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence also stir the competitive spirit and stimulate advancement, achievement and improvement, raising the bar for the industry.
In keeping with the night’s theme, G&L returned to tried and true and gave away a one-week stay at a luxury condo in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec. Congratulations to the lucky winner, Josh, of Twenty Creek Landscaping.
Current Supply Status
Friday, November 23, 2018
Last year’s demanding winter, combined with mine repairs, labour shortages, and an ice storm in late spring, resulted in a shortage of bulk salt. As predicted, the mines’ obligations to municipalities have posed a challenge by reducing or eliminating salt allocations to private contractors.
For over 25 years, Draglam Salt has been working tirelessly to supply contractors with the bulk salt and deicers they need to keep people safe. Despite this season’s unique challenges, we currently have the most bulk salt supply in the private contractor market at the most competitive pick up price.
As we continue to bring in deicing salt from alternative sources, logistics and transportation costs continue to rise. We encourage you to pick up and store as much bulk salt as your facilities allow. This will ensure you are well supplied if the price increases and/or supply diminishes.
We are committed to navigating this challenging season ahead and look forward to being your supplier of choice for bulk salt, bagged salt and environmentally-friendly deicers.
TORONTO REDIMIX GETS A FRESH LOOK
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
We’re excited to share that Toronto Redimix has undergone an entirely new look. Following the rebranding of our parent company, G&L, updating of the logo created almost 15 years has given Toronto Redimix a fresh new look.
Each of G&L’s sub-brands was assigned its own key brand colour, drawing upon the natural elements that inspire the products. Toronto Redimix is red, to ensure consistency and recognition. These colours help to easily identify the brand at a glance, and carve out a more distinct brand presence.
Furthering this was the creation of each sub-brand’s individual icon, based upon G&L’s legacy round logo, but modernized to convey each brand’s unique product offering. Toronto Redimix’s icon is made of oblong, ovulary circles representing the exposed aggregate found in concrete. The icons serve as another method to unify all brands under the G&L umbrella while creating a unique pattern distinct to each sub-brand. Our goal with this rebranding was to create something enduring that would appear contemporary today, yet be timeless enough to last throughout the next decade. We’re extremely happy with the result and look forward to rolling out our new look.
DRAGLAM SALT GETS A FRESH LOOK
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
We’re excited to share that Draglam Salt has undergone an entirely new look. Following the rebranding of our parent company, G&L, updating of the logo created almost 15 years has given Draglam Salt a fresh new look.
Each of G&L’s sub-brands was assigned its own key brand colour, drawing upon the natural elements that inspire the products. Draglam Salt is light blue, representing winter. These colours help to easily identify the brand at a glance, and carve out a more distinct brand presence.
Furthering this was the creation of each sub-brand’s individual icon, based upon G&L’s legacy round logo, but modernized to convey each brand’s unique product offering. Draglam Salt’s icon is made of small squares to convey the cube structure of rock salt when seen under a microscope. The icons serve as another method to unify all brands under the G&L umbrella while creating a unique pattern distinct to each sub-brand. Our goal with this rebranding was to create something enduring that would appear contemporary today, yet be timeless enough to last throughout the next decade. We’re extremely happy with the result and look forward to rolling out our new look.
EARTHCO SOIL MIXTURES GETS A FRESH LOOK
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
We’re excited to share that Earthco Soil Mixtures has undergone an entirely new look. Following the rebranding of our parent company, G&L, updating of the logo created almost 15 years has given Earthco Soil Mixtures a fresh new look.
Each of G&L’s sub-brands was assigned its own key brand colour, drawing upon the natural elements that inspire the products. Earthco Soil Mixtures is green, representing plants and trees. These colours help to easily identify the brand at a glance, and carve out a more distinct brand presence.
Furthering this was the creation of each sub-brand’s individual icon, based upon G&L’s legacy round logo, but modernized to convey each brand’s unique product offering. Earthco Soil Mixtures’ icon is made of circular shapes reminiscent of soil particles. The icons serve as another method to unify all brands under the G&L umbrella while creating a unique pattern distinct to each sub-brand. Our goal with this rebranding was to create something enduring that would appear contemporary today, yet be timeless enough to last throughout the next decade. We’re extremely happy with the result and look forward to rolling out our new look.
BROCK AGGREGATES GETS A FRESH LOOK
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
We’re excited to share that Brock Aggregates has undergone an entirely new look. Following the rebranding of our parent company, G&L, updating of the logo created almost 15 years has given Brock Aggregates a fresh new look.
Each of G&L’s sub-brands was assigned its own key brand colour, drawing upon the natural elements that inspire the products. Brock Aggregates is grey, representing stone and gravel. These colours help to easily identify the brand at a glance, and carve out a more distinct brand presence.
Furthering this was the creation of each sub-brand’s individual icon, based upon G&L’s legacy round logo, but modernized to convey each brand’s unique product offering. Brock Aggregates’ icon is made of sharp, geometric shapes reminiscent of crushed stone. The icons serve as another method to unify all brands under the G&L umbrella while creating a unique pattern distinct to each sub-brand. Our goal with this rebranding was to create something enduring that would appear contemporary today, yet be timeless enough to last throughout the next decade. We’re extremely happy with the result and look forward to rolling out our new look.
G&L GETS A FRESH LOOK
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
We’re pleased to share that G&L has undergone an entirely new look. Rebranding both G&L – no longer called G&L Group – in addition to its sub-brands, this clean, modern style places a greater focus on the sub-brands, tying them back to the parent brand with the line “A G&L Company.”
Updating the logo created almost 15 years ago and bringing it into the modern day, the wordmark was refined, making it more contemporary while preserving elements of the brand’s legacy. Choosing navy blue as the primary G&L colour, brand traits like confidence, strength and stability are conveyed, and its combination with pristine white makes marketing material appear simple, crisp, and clear.
Using “Driven” as the powerful new brand campaign message, this notion drives (pun intended) all the creative, from the visual choices made to the headlines. Headlines specific to the sub-brand, such as “Driven to Keep Roads Clear and People Safe”, and “Driven to Build a Solid Foundation” – boldly state the mission of the sub-brand while maintaining the unified G&L message.
Key photography used throughout marketing material is centered around motion. Showcasing movement in both vehicles and people, speed, power, and forward momentum are visually conveyed. These striking images combined with arresting colours and powerful headlines form a compelling new direction for G&L – one that makes the brand stand apart.
DRAGLAM WASTE & RECYCLING GETS A FRESH LOOK
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
We’re excited to share that Draglam Waste & Recycling has undergone an entirely new look. Following the rebranding of our parent company, G&L, updating of the logo created almost 15 years has given Draglam Waste & Recycling a fresh new look.
Each of G&L’s sub-brands was assigned its own key brand colour, drawing upon the natural elements that inspire the products. Draglam Waste & Recycling is navy – a key colour in the former Draglam logo. These colours help to easily identify the brand at a glance, and carve out a more distinct brand presence.
Furthering this was the creation of each sub-brand’s individual icon, based upon G&L’s legacy round logo, but modernized to convey each brand’s unique product offering. Draglam Waste & Recycling’s icon is made of triangles, the international recycling symbol. The icons serve as another method to unify all brands under the G&L umbrella while creating a unique pattern distinct to each sub-brand. Our goal with this rebranding was to create something enduring that would appear contemporary today, yet be timeless enough to last throughout the next decade. We’re extremely happy with the result and look forward to rolling out our new look.
Be Prepared.
Monday, November 05, 2018
The salt supply shortage has persisted and we are continuing to source bulk salt from alternative suppliers. We anticipate this season to be busier than normal, so we’re taking extra steps to speed up wait times at our scale houses. New for the 2018/2019 season, it will be mandatory for all pick-up customers to present their Salt Card™ at the scale house in order to pick up salt. To ensure that we prioritize our loyal customers this upcoming season, only customers who present a Salt Card™ will be served.
To secure supply and mitigate this industry-wide shortage, Draglam Salt has sourced bulk salt from unconventional sources all over the world. We have performed thorough testing on all variations of rock salt, but all the product testing we’ve done can’t replace common sense. It’s important to take extra precautions to protect your equipment:
- Never leave salt in your salter.
- Wash your salter more often throughout the winter to keep the salt from building up.
If you need a Salt Card™ or have questions about your salt supply this season, contact your Account Manager or call 416.798.7050.
NEW LOCATION
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
We are excited to announce our newest location in Orangeville! Located just south of Hockley Road and 5th Side Road at 673271 Hurontario Street, this newly acquired pit will produce A Gravel, B Gravel, Concrete Sand and ¾ Round Gravel. We look forward to servicing your projects throughout the GTA with this close-to-market aggregate source.
Salt Supply Challenge
Friday, September 07, 2018
This upcoming season is shaping up to be one of the most challenging winters yet. A multitude of factors are leading to a supply shortfall. Here’s what we know today:
• Last season was a demanding winter. Precipitation was consistent throughout the winter and an unexpected ice storm in April spanned several days which depleted most stockpiles throughout North America.
• A labour dispute at one salt mine led to a 3-month strike. This labour shortage has undoubtedly affected the amount of salt allocated to the landscape and commercial markets.
• Another mine is undergoing significant repairs, leading to production delays which affect the supply available to our commercial market.
• The US market is contributing to Canadian supply issues due to the strong American dollar which is directing supply away from the Southern Ontario market.
What does this mean for you?
• Draglam Salt has taken every effort to secure salt for this coming season. However, salt from unconventional sources inevitably comes at a higher cost. We are doing our best to find efficiencies and have been working throughout the summer to secure supply.
For another perspective on the salt shortage, visit https://horttrades.com/salt-inventory-shortage-prepare-yourself-and-your-customers.
At Draglam Salt, we know that salt is essential to ensure safety, and we take our responsibility seriously. We encourage you to pass on this update to your customers and communicate with them regularly to ensure they are aware of the situation.
We are committed to navigating this challenging season ahead with the support of our suppliers and customers. In the coming weeks, you’ll find out more about the status of the market supply, the look and feel of rock salt from all over the world, and the prices you need to secure contracts.
We look forward to partnering with you to conquer Winter 2019.
Sincerely,
The Draglam Salt Team
G&L Group Donates $15,000 for Construction & Engineering Technologies Scholarships
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
On February 14th, G&L Group proudly presented George Brown College with a cheque for $15,000 in support of Construction & Engineering Technologies. Faculty and staff of George Brown joined with members of G&L Group to celebrate this donation made in honour of Joe Lamanna, G&L Group's Founder and President of Aggregates.
At the cheque presentation event, Pat Lamanna, President of Salt, Soil and Waste, and son of Joe Lamanna, President of Aggregates, noted the importance of supporting dedicated and passionate workers in the construction sector. "For the last 47 years, I have seen my mom and dad work tirelessly to create and build G&L Group. My dad would start at 5 a.m. and work until 10 p.m., six days a week. His dedication to my family, our customers and over 250 employees is evident in all of the work he does. We want to recognize students who share similar values as my dad. We hope to encourage students to continue working hard so that they can give back to our community in the same way, one day."
The G&L Group Scholarship Award in Honour of Joe Lamanna will be awarded to two full-time students each year for the next three years. Each student will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
The 45th Annual Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence
Friday, February 09, 2018
G&L Group was proud to be the 2018 Presenting Sponsor at the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence, an annual juried competition that celebrates achievement in construction, maintenance, and design in the landscape industry.
This year’s awards took place on January 9th with a Miami beach nightlife theme dubbed “The Heat Is On”. Recognizing great work and serving to inspire, the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence also stir the competitive spirit and stimulate advancement, achievement and improvement, raising the bar for the industry.
With Frank “Frankie Flowers” Ferragine as master of ceremonies, it was a fun-filled evening. G&L Group held a social media contest at the event, giving away a trip for two to Miami. Congratulations to the winner, Evan Kalentzis of Royal Stone Group!
The 58th Concrete Ontario Annual General Meeting & Convention
Saturday, September 16, 2017
- Eco-certified, environmentally-friendly concrete plants
- Development of EPD program (Environmental Product Declaration)
- Addressing the challenges associated with 6 & 12 storey wood structures
- Tackling the significant issue of seasonal load restrictions
- Working with Ministry of the Environment to formally recognize our ECO Certification
For more information on Concrete Ontario, please visit: www.rmcao.org
Earthco Soil Mixtures celebrates its 20th Season
Monday, May 01, 2017
This year, Earthco Soil Mixtures celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founded in 1997, Earthco Soil Mixtures began with one screening plant and a single dump truck.
As the years passed, the business grew, supplying notable projects along the way, from the Toronto Airport Expansion, Pan Am Athletes Village and Aquatic Centre, to West Don Lands and Ontario Place.
Today we have 13 screening plants, make over 250 soil mixes, and are continually adding the latest equipment and technology to our fleet. The soil industry has evolved over the past 20 years, and environmental regulations and stringent soil specifications from Landscape Architects have become the norm.
Earthco Soil Mixtures has adapted to provide the support and consultation our customers need to navigate these complicated regulations. Today, we are proudly leading the soil industry in Southern Ontario as the experts in custom soil blends, amendments, and consultation.
superreplica.watch review best rolex replica watch forum replica oyster perpetual rolexG&L Group Creates Scholarship Fund at George Brown’s School of Construction & Engineering
Friday, April 21, 2017
G&L Group has successfully awarded the inaugural scholarships in the name of its founder, Joe Lamanna, to two deserving students of George Brown’s School of Construction & Engineering Technologies. The $5,000 scholarship was split equally between one student of the Residential Construction Management Program and one student of the Civil Engineering Technology Program. Eligible students were required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and exhibit a passion for their field of study.
The first of two $2,500 awards was presented to Eghosa Igiehon in November 2016. Eghosa’s interest in construction began in Nigeria where he delivered building materials to construction sites. After arriving in Canada, Eghosa joined the carpenter union (Local 27) and later decided to go attend College – a first in his family.
On Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Artscape Wychwood Barns, Pat Lamanna, President-Salt, Soil, Waste, awarded G&L Group’s second scholarship of $2,500 to Temiloluwa “Mufasa” Fashina. Mufasa recently completed his advanced three-year diploma and looks forward to a career in construction both in Canada and abroad.
G&L Group was proud to attend the Student Awards Ceremony to give back to the community and foster the same love of the construction industry that has driven the company’s success to date.
Presto Disposal Services joins Draglam Waste
Saturday, April 01, 2017
We are pleased to announce that Presto Disposal Services is joining one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies to provide you with the service and customer care that you deserve. Effective April 1, 2017, Presto Disposal Services has joined the G&L Group under the Draglam Waste & Recycling banner.
Presto, like Draglam Waste, was built on strong family values in delivering committed and reliable customer service. We’re excited to welcome Presto’s drivers to the Draglam Waste team, who will provide the same courteous service and experience that you’ve come to know.
We are grateful for the trust that Presto established by providing timely delivery of services and personalized, experienced removal of waste and recycling. As part of the G&L family, we can build on that trust. Draglam Waste & Recycling fulfills your waste collection, waste transfer and recycling services needs in the Greater Toronto Area.
G&L Group Presents Landscape Ontario's Paint-the-Town-Green-themed Awards of Excellence
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
The G&L Group is honoured to have been presenting sponsor of Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Congratulations to all the winners.
This year the theme of the event was “Paint the Town Green.” To reinforce the theme, art students from OCAD University were on site painting green landscapes, and more than 600 attendees were greeted by a glowing green ice sculpture custom created for The G&L Group.
As the presenting sponsor, the G&L Group encouraged landscape suppliers and contractors to look to G&L Group, not just for salt and soil, but for all their supply needs.
The Awards of Excellence event was hosted by Breakfast Television’s Frankie “Flowers” Ferragine. Popular Gardening expert Mark Cullen, a spokesperson for Home Hardware and a Toronto Star columnist, received an honorary lifetime membership to Landscape Ontario for his dedication in promoting the green professions.
A social media contest encouraged attendees to enter for a chance to win one week at a three-bedroom condo in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. In order to enter, guests were asked to post event photos to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #LOawards and tag G&L Group.
The social media contest was a big success, with the winning photo — “The Green Alternative” receiving more than 1,000 likes. The winners were happy for the “much needed vacation for our family” and were “grateful for this wonderful gift. A special thank you to everyone from the G&L Group.”
Follow G&L Group on Instagram (@GandLgroup) and Twitter (@GandLgroup) to join the conversation and search #LOawards to see all the fantastic entries from our contest.
Celebrating 25 Winters in Business
Friday, October 21, 2016
This season Draglam Salt is celebrating 25 years as a leader in the bulk salt and deicing industry.
When we opened our first location in Toronto in 1991 on Bowes Road, we were the only company offering 24/7 deicing service at the time. Though we did not yet offer delivery service, customers could pick up the bulk salt and deicers they needed, anytime. In fact, the bulk salt was not stored in the quality assured facilities we have today. One single pile of rock salt was situated in the middle of the yard, tarped. Each time a customer arrived at the yard, the Draglam Salt employee would have to pull back the tarp, load up the customer’s truck, and re-tarp the pile. With our limited resources, we were able to service about one customer per hour.
Since then, we’ve grown the business through our commitment to supplying the best possible products and services. We now deliver across Ontario and can service an average of 30+ customers per hour, per yard. We have 14 convenient locations servicing the entire GTA and all surrounding cities. We now have permanent structures: covered, weather-proof domes piled high with salt.
So how did we get here? For one thing, Draglam Salt has always been an innovative leader in the industry. Through strategic partnerships, we strive to always be in the know about new products and industry news.
Over the past quarter century, we’ve been introducing new bulk salt, ice melters and deicing salt products and services while ensuring our customers receive the supply they need, even in the most severe weather. We’re also proud to provide environmentally friendly alternatives in addition to more traditional forms of snow and ice melting products.
Most importantly, it’s our commitment to service excellence and continual improvement that have enabled us to reach our 25th anniversary, still leading the industry. We look forward to servicing your needs for another 25 winters.
G&L GROUP NAMED ONE OF CANADA'S BEST MANAGED COMPANIES
Wednesday, March 09, 2016
Source: The National Post
One night in March, 2009, sometime around midnight, G&L’s phone rang. It wasn’t surprising that someone was calling so late, because it was still winter and one of G&L’s companies, Draglam Salt, which specializes in bulk salt, is open 24/7. What was surprising was that the caller was from Canada Blooms, the country’s largest flower and garden festival, hosted in Toronto.
Due to an unexpected glitch, they were in desperate need of 300 tonnes of quality sand or they would not be able to put together a display for the show. The G&L employee who answered the call quickly came up with a solution: Toronto Redi-Mix, a G&L Group company and one of Ontario’s largest independent ready-mix producers, had sand. “Around 3 a.m., I got a call from someone at Landscape Ontario asking if I could help them out,” says Pat Lamanna, G&L’s senior vice-president. “But our staff had already taken care of it and arranged for a driver to get them the sand.”
When Lamanna says his company’s greatest strength is that everyone in it, from the owners to the frontline workers, is passionate about what they do and go the extra mile, he is not exaggerating. “We do all kinds of incentive-type things and try to foster the culture, but it’s not about that. It’s just genuine,” he says. “I think what has developed this culture is that we’re grounded in who we are, naturally. If we screw up, we own it and we seriously try to help each other fix it.”
Since 1970, when Joe Lamanna and his wife Lucy, Pat Lamanna’s parents, started G&L with only one truck to deliver concrete and stone, the company has grown into multiple companies with more than 20 locations across Ontario. These include Brock Aggregates, Earthco Soil Mixtures and Draglam Waste & Recycling, which provides waste management and waste removal services in the GTA.
Together, the G&L Group of Companies has served a wide array of customers in the landscape and construction sector. In 2013, the company was signed on by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to supply shotcrete for the Toronto-York Subway extension project.
“Our quality-control team developed a customized concrete mix for the tunnel,” says Lamanna. “We’re very proud of that.”
The company also supplied all the soil for Toronto’s waterfront renewal project. “Soil is not so simple these days,” says Lamanna. “Everything has to be tested and meet specifications. The waterfront wasn’t easy because we had three different levels of government to satisfy, and each level has their own specifications. So we worked with them all and designed soil mixes to meet their requirements.”
Despite a thriving construction sector in the province, “We’re very careful with everything we do, whether it’s extending credit to customers or purchasing assets and equipment, but we’re not afraid to make investments because we have the confidence in our vision,” Lamanna says. “We’re in a good market in Canada and it allows us to grow — so long as you have the right people. We could not have done what we’ve done without our people.”
G&L Group Named as One of Canada’s Best Managed Companies
Wednesday, March 09, 2016
Concord, ON – March 9, 2016 – G&L Group was named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2015 for excellence in business performance. The Best Managed program recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth.
"Best Managed companies embrace innovation, seize opportunities and inspire talent. They really set the bar high," said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte and Co-Leader, Canada's Best Managed Companies program.
As GTA's major construction material supplier of over 45 years, G&L Group holds true to its corporate vision to serve clients with a passion for excellence and a commitment to customer satisfaction. The family-owned and operated firm relies on a solid industry network to deliver ready mix concrete, aggregates, soil, salt, and waste services to their clients across the construction, contracting and landscaping sectors. A forward-thinking approach of acquiring strategically located manufacturing sites, depots and receiving docks throughout Southern Ontario, together with a passion for innovation, have been pivotal in positioning G&L Group as an industry leader.
Established in 1993, Canada's Best Managed Companies is one of the country's leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applicants are evaluated by an independent judging panel on overall business performance, including leadership, strategy, core competencies, cross-functional collaboration throughout organization, and talent.
G&L Group is especially grateful to its employees for this achievement. Pat Lamanna, Senior Vice President, notes, "We're in a good market in Canada and it allows us to grow – so long as you have the right people. We're so thrilled to be recognized as a winner of this prestigious award. We could not have done what we've done without our people."
"CIBC congratulates G&L Group on being named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies – a reflection of its strong leadership, sound business planning and focus on growth," said Jon Hountalas, Executive Vice-President, Business and Corporate Banking, CIBC. "We're proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and applaud the entire team for their contributions to the Canadian marketplace."
2015 winners of the Canada's Best Managed Companies award, along with Requalified, Gold Standard, Gold Requalified winners and Platinum Club members will be honoured at the annual Canada's Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto on April 12, 2016. On the same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues that are key to the success of today's business leaders.
The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Smith School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums.
About Canada's Best Managed Companies
Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 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. The awards are granted on five levels:
1) Best Managed winner (one of the new winners selected each year);
2) Requalified winner (award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review);
3) Gold Standard winner (After three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for their 4th consecutive year);
4) Gold Standard requalified winner (Award recipients that have applied and successfully retained their Gold Standard designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review);
5) Platinum Club member (Winners have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more).
Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Smith School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.
About G&L Group
For over 40 years, G&L Group has proudly provided quality products and services to the construction, landscaping and contracting industries that build communities from the ground up. Through its Group of Companies, including Toronto Redi-Mix, Brock Aggregates, Earthco Soil Mixtures, Draglam Salt, and Draglam Waste & Recycling, G&L is proud to be a part of the roads that take you to work, the playgrounds your children love and the places you call home. Together, these companies form the GTA's premiere source for quality products, innovative solutions and exceptional service.
Today, with over 250 employees and growing, G&L Group's head office and central dispatch is located on Bowes Rd., Concord, with several depots and manufacturing facilities across southern Ontario.
G&L Group Presents Landscape Ontario's Disco-themed Awards of Excellence
Monday, January 18, 2016
The G&L Group is proud to have been presenting sponsor of Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Draglam Salt and Earthco Soil Mixtures had co-sponsored the event in past years but a refreshed one-stop-shop campaign encouraged landscape suppliers and contractors to look to G&L Group, not just for salt and soil, but for all their supply needs. A new corporate video highlighting G&L Group’s offering of soil, salt, waste bin services, ready-mix concrete and aggregates was well received by the crowd of over 650 attendees.
A custom hashtag was created to encourage social posts for a chance to win one week at a three-bedroom condo in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. In order to enter, guests were asked to post event photos to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #GandLOdisco.
The overwhelming response to the social media contest was better than anticipated and G&L Group will continue the social media dialogue for weeks to come. Follow us on Instagram (@GandLgroup) and Twitter (@GandLgroup) to join the conversation and search #GandLOdisco to see all the fantastic entries from our contest.
Congratulations to all of the Awards of Excellence winners.
Click here to view the corporate video and on-stage appearance at the 2016 Awards of Excellence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZirjA5Qm1ds&feature=youtu.be
Toy Mountain Success
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Thank you for helping us drive the holiday cheer this season. Over 300 toys were collected for CTV’s Toy Mountain in support of Salvation Army, providing children across Ontario with their own little Christmas miracle. We are happy to give back to our communities and were excited to donate our toys live on CTV.
We would like to extend a special thanks to the G&L Group employees, our customers and suppliers for their generous donations. Sincerest thanks to our partners who collected toys on our behalf, including Landscape Ontario, Progressive Waste Solutions, LafargeHolcim and The Brand Factory.
To view us on CTV’s Toy Mountain Finale, click on the link below:
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toy-mountain
(The video appears on the right side column named “2015 Toy Mountain Finale” and G&L Group’s donation appears at 7:07.)
Wishing you all the best in 2016.
G&L and CTV's Toy Mountain Toy Drive
Thursday, December 10, 2015
The G&L Group has partnered with Santa and CTV’s Toy Mountain to drive the holiday cheer this season, collecting unwrapped and unused toys in an effort to make this Christmas a special one for girls and boys in need.
Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the G&L Group Head Office located at 401 Bowes Road in Concord, Ontario, or any G&L location across the GTA. G&L Group has also reached out to various business partners and friends, providing them with Less Mess bags to fill with toys in an effort to spread the Toy Drive’s reach. Toys can also be delivered to the following locations:
Landscape Ontario
7856 Fifth Line South
Milton, ON L9T 2X8
landscapeontario.com
Progressive Waste Solutions
650 Creditstone Road
Concord, ON L4K 5C8
Progressive Waste Solutions
375 Clements Rd W
Ajax, ON L1S 7R2
progressivewaste.com
LafargeHolcim
6509 Airport Rd
Mississauga, ON L4V 1S7
lafarge.com
The Brand Factory
144 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M5S 1M4
thebrandfactory.com
The deadline for donations is Wednesday, December 18th. To set up a drop off bin and drive holiday cheer in your own office, please call G&L Group at 416.798.7050.
New Earthco Location in Milton
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Click here to find the most up-to-date information about all of our Earthco locations.
On the Outside Looking In: What do they think about us?
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
In the last newsletter we highlighted Walker employees’ first-hand accounts of how we live out the company values we’re so proud of. Those perspectives were insightful, honest, and uplifting; truly affirming that our culture is very special!
But what would others say about us? Do the people we do business with think the Walker experience is as special as we do?
With a roll of the dice, we turned the conversation outward, curious to see what some of our most valued partners would say about working with Walker Industries. We invited customers, collaborators, and suppliers to have a conversation about our working relationship, and had an overwhelming response from people eager to participate. It’s easy to pick out the things that Walker has in common with these businesses: many started as family companies, they are committed to service excellence, company employees are valued for their contributions and many are devoted to putting the community & environment first. The similarities revealed a pattern of trusting us and enjoying productive, respectful, and caring relationships. As refreshing as it is inspiring, many of the Walker partners we spoke to were keen to discuss what it’s like to do business with us, highlight the values they see our team carry out, praise our people and elaborate on what keeps our working relationship strong.
The Walker Experience
Most of the people we spoke with had little difficulty describing how they would define the ‘Walker Experience’ to someone else; there was an astounding consistency to the responses. From the people and products, to service and innovation, there was no shortage of appreciation for the Walker Way.
“Walker has been there for us for the last 20 years now, and we’ve always had good results with their products,” says Gordon Adams - Technical Director/Environmental Coordinator, ARAUCO - North America. He suggests that innovation, quality of service and integrity are highlights of the professional relationship his company has with Walker and cites several occasions where the two companies have come together to solve an issue through testing, critical thinking and commitment to excellence. For example, when there was an opportunity to improve the wax that was used in the final ARAUCO wood board products, Walker Emulsions did some testing and was able to improve the wax to withstand higher temperatures, ultimately solving a lot of production issues. “I’m not sure if we were instrumental in that innovation, but Walker Emulsions provides great alternatives and solutions, like the high temperature wax. We’ve been with Walker since day one, starting in trials,” Gordon remembers from his initial days working in the lab and describes the longstanding relationship like a partnership. Especially in terms of testing and innovation, he feels like their collaborative efforts have been instrumental to development and automation of their products. Gordon shares that, “[Walker] has gone above and beyond to do a lot of extra testing for us which has helped us with costs and resulted in a lot of good things.”
Gordon also gives a nod to the level of service that the Walker team provides saying, “Their people are responsive and a pleasure to work with… We don’t have that much contact - but that’s a good thing,” noting that when needed, Walker is there, but otherwise he’s happy everything runs seamlessly! Gordon insists Walker people - from the sales team to the professionals in the lab, and all those working in the field, senior management and everyone in between - have got great insights, advice, and can be trusted to team-up and deliver solutions. “We offer each other a lot of advice, and it’s paid off.”
The G&L Group, another valued associate, shared similar thoughts on what it’s like to do business with Walker calling the relationship, “fantastic!” With ties that span nearly more than two decades, Senior Vice President, Pat Lamanna, says doing business with Walker is a pleasant professional experience where there’s a reciprocal exchange, and shared appreciation for the way they both do business. Marketing Manager, Stephanie Moore explains, “The G&L Group started as family company. We’re a full service organization with five companies that deal in sectors like aggregate, soil, and waste,” pointing out similarities between The G&L Group and Walker. They say that their dealings with Walker grew as The G&L Group expanded their lines of business, and Pat celebrates the strength of their bond, revealing, “Between our companies, related businesses exist. But it’s a trusting relationship with no competition, or we don’t feel the friction of competing against each other. There’s an underlying loyalty that we’re proud of.” And who wouldn’t be proud of that? Loyalty is a strong trait that develops over time, generally reserved for the most special partnerships.
And it seemed easy for Pat and Stephanie to describe what makes their partnership with Walker special. Stephanie acknowledges the feeling that the two companies share a similar approach and seem aligned in values. “Without knowing exactly how their values are written, Walker runs a trusted business, upholds the best interest of the customer, employs impressive people, and makes everyone feel special,” Pat added. Both recall meeting members of the Walker family and team leaders from the organization and emphasize their commendable experience and commitment to service; they feel that Walker people instill confidence in the relationship. They even highlight the impressive longevity employees have with the company, but quickly pointed out - AS DID EVERYONE ELSE WE SPOKE WITH! - how flawless the transition is when someone new joins the Walker team. “I’m not sure how they do it, but it’s impressive when people can come and go, yet never have it interfere with business or valued relationships.”
To further emphasize the success they’ve had in carving out a valued collaborative partnership, Pat eloquently sums up what keeps The G&L Group working with Walker: “Walker always treats us like we’re special… and we’re very inclined to do business with them. Walker keeps us competitive in the market, and we’re grateful for that. Our tagline is, ‘Partners in your performance,’ and we feel that Walker is our strategic partner in our performance.”
Living the Values
There’s a saying, “How can you form your tribe if you don’t show people your vibe? (D. LaPorte)” That feels so relevant to the way Walker has fostered long-standing, mutually beneficial, and trusted partnerships. As simple as the old, like-attracts-like, theory, let’s assume the Walker “tribe” is our network of professional relationships, and the Walker “vibe” is the way in which we live out our values. How have we established a vibe that resonates with the tribe we’ve created?
From his almost 20 years of doing business with Walker Industries, Brent Clarkson, Partner & President of MHBC Planning, says that Walker is a collective of great people to work for that treat people with respect, “They just have a genuine way about them.” He says, “They’re demanding, but very fair, and understanding when challenges arise.” Brent is very well aware of the ever-present ‘Walker Experience’ citing that he’ll ask his team, “Would that be consistent with the Walker Way?” to evaluate whether their decisions are consistent with the company’s guiding principles.
Brent’s company offers expertise as land use planning consultants and works through sensitive situations with Walker where core values can greatly impact the outcome of a project. He says, “Trust is key in our relationship. We work in challenging fields and a lot of the projects deal with ‘sorting things out’ with neighbours and problem solving. These things require a mutual confidence.” To further illustrate his point, Brent adds, “Walker is committed to their values and excellence. They’re not a quick-andcheap kind of company which is very important considering the work we do, and the impact it can have on the community.” Brent says of the many collaborations with Walker, “Walker has always insisted on making a site better than it was before we arrive. Community always comes first and anything that impacts that objective is addressed up front.”
A shared respect for the community and the environment creates a mutual respect between these two companies, and Brent speaks earnestly about the back-to-basics approach that makes the relationship more like a friendship, “It’s best described as a feeling. Instead of being acquaintances, we’re friends. Walker invites you in as a partner. You’re invited into their culture to collaborate and participate in their initiatives. Whether it’s charitable drives or a waste reduction challenge, it creates a ripple effect…. As time has gone by, the trust in each other has soared and we’ve been able to get results while achieving their corporate objectives in doing so. Hopefully they see it as a positive relationship and we certainly do as well.”
Above and Beyond
Like most of the people we spoke to, Brent was generous with his people-focused acclaim asserting that, “Walker must have the most perceptive HR people… they are ALL generously talented and committed individuals.” This tidbit of popular opinion couldn’t be a more perfect segue into the insights from the experienced full-service HR support consultants at ThorSight Solutions. In fact the owner, Brad Thorman, could probably identify with Brent’s notion about Walker’s back-to-basics approach. Brad describes the level of trust he’s cultivated working with Walker, and proudly affirms, “It just feels like a family company… A handshake is sufficient.” Lori Stephenson Wilson, Management & Training Consultant with ThorSight Solutions adds, “It’s not a typical supplier relationship. Walker treats us like a partner. It is a collaboration where they make us feel like we’re walking side-by-side.”
Brad and Lori work with Walker in a capacity that has them acting as an extension of our HR team. In order for their work to be successful, they’ve had to really get to know Walker on a deep level that includes operations, people, values, and service. In supporting Walker with hiring, training, career development, and facilitation, Lori and Brad have had up-close-and-personal exposure to Walker people living the values, and going above and beyond. Brad energetically boasts, “The company cares about the employees, their families, and the community. The team also extends that care to partners, suppliers, and customers.” While Brad describes this as the ‘legacy’ of the company, Lori suggests it’s also the benchmark that Walker sets to achieve exceptional results. She offers, “The way Walker does business is extraordinary. They set their standards beyond what is necessary - their safety culture is a great example of that - and people live up to it!” Lori also thinks that, “regardless of their position, all Walker employees act in a manner that is always in alignment with the company values,” citing professionalism, respect, and “going the extra mile” for others as examples.
Both Brad and Lori feel it’s a privilege and delight to participate in the various Walker projects that come their way. With a passion for developing businesses and their people, they appreciate Walker’s commitment to growing careers and fostering a sense of community inside and out of the organization.
And while commitment to community was something Dan Romano, Senior Service Contract Manager with Loblaws Companies Limited, also called out as an attribute that keeps partners like him engaged and doing business with Walker, he listed several others that describe a depth to their trusted relationship. Right off the top Dan begins, “The people are amazing! The account, finance, and billing teams are flawless; there’s seamless transitions between old and new talent; I think senior leadership is tremendous as well as the board members I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with.” He energetically expresses Walker’s commitment to excellence and appreciates how the team directly contributes to the success of his business. “Organic Resource & Walker are wonderful supports to Loblaws. They provide onsite training and support for their products and are committed to a collaborative relationship.” And collaboration is important, especially when both companies are committed to the environment and share the same mindset to divert as much waste as possible. Nearing close to a 30 year relationship, Dan says, “Walker continues to bring us new ideas, they are budget friendly, and we are confident in the expertise they offer. With their help we’ve met our waste objectives. They’re the best there is in the business… they’re forever improving as a company and our ROI is secured.” And with that, the most tried and true, by-the-book measure of a successful partnership: the bottom line! Clearly a great balance has been found here where objectives are met, and creativity is encouraged.
Whether it’s an emotionally driven response speaking to Walker’s people and values, or a dollars-andcents perspective about profits, savings, products and service, these conversations suggest that our partners find value in doing business with us. And the consistencies that continue to come up create a meaningful testament to the Walker Experience being special, indeed. We should feel proud and humbled at the great things our partners had to say - the feeling of respect, gratitude, commitment and privilege are echoed back to these individuals and their organizations. Walker proudly conducts business with many other companies, and there are additional stories we’d like to tell. Because of the overwhelming initial response to participate, we are fortunate to be able to feature more of these insights from different businesses in upcoming newsletters. The hope is that these stories and glimpses into what makes our relationships special will remind us what we do best, and inspire us to continue going Above and Beyond for others.
We thank our suppliers who took the time to talk about their Walker experience. Their insights are helpful to us in understanding how successful we’ve been at living out our values. As a family company, Walker is proud of the affiliations that have been established over the years. It’s clear that we’ve created a tribe that matches our vibe - we are stronger because of the relationships with our ‘extended family'
Draglam Salt and Earthco collaborate on new video
Friday, January 23, 2015
Sean Yong, Senior Sales Manager, explains how Draglam Salt became the largest de-icing distributor in Ontario: "There was a need in that area for a 24/7 operation, and they were the first in the industry to do so."
"We grew from one location to over ten locations across southern Ontario," said Pat Lamanna, Senior Vice President. "[We are] providing the same reliable, convenient service to snowplough contractors and property maintenance companies."
In the video, Lamanna takes the viewer to one of the several Earthco locations throughout the GTA.
"We provide Southern Ontario's landscaping and construction industries with amazing soil products," said Lamanna. "Our customers get the best uniformly blended products for their projects [and] we always ensure prompt delivery of superb products that meet all environmental standards."
Watch the video below for a better understanding of what makes The G&L Group the best in the business.
The Awards Of Excellence 2015 Was A Hit!
Monday, January 12, 2015
The late-night talk show theme led the awards show, from an opening monologue by Frankie Flowers to a round of Landscape Ontario’s own “Plant Password”. For a memorable end to the evening, Jay Leno joked about all things cold and assisted in a draw for the prize of the evening: a one week stay at a 3-bedroom, luxury condo in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec. Congratulations to the lucky winner, Kimberly from Parklane Nurseries!
We extend our sincere congratulations to all of the Award of Excellence winners and thank you for bringing to light the wonderful accomplishments and hard work of Landscape Ontario’s industry members.
To view a clip of G&L at the Awards of Excellence CLICK HERE
To view the entire Awards of Excellence CLICK HERE
Early forecasts continue to promise a repeat of last year's winter for Ontario
Thursday, November 27, 2014
While we should expect below-average temperatures and near-normal precipitation for most of the region in January and February, “December is going to be a very tumultuous month. A lot of roller-coaster weather patterns, ups and downs in temperatures,” said Scott.
Ensure you are ready for the season by choosing Draglam Salt as your Partner in Performance this season. Call 416.798.7050 or contact your Account Manager today!
To read the full article, click here.
Earthco contributes to award-winning sustainable park
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Every year, Popular Science highlights innovation around the world in their "Best of What's New" list. Corktown Common, as a park that recycles rainwater, received a nod in the Green category.
"[We] look for things that are truly innovative--creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Corktown Common fit both of those criteria, while also turning an industrial area into a green space that benefits both people and wildlife," said Jennifer Bogo, Executive Editor at Popular Science.
G&L Group has always been a champion of sustainability in all our businesses, and is proud to be a part of this award-winning environmental marvel. Earthco looks forward to continuing our work with Corktown Common and the entire West Don Lands revitalization project.
Earthco Donates To June Callwood Park
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Earthco Soil Mixtures is proud to have donated soils to the new June Callwood Park, which opened on Saturday, October 4, 2014.
The 0.4-hectare park, located at 656 Fleet Street in the Bathurst/Lakeshore area, fills a narrow strip of space between condominium towers in the Fort York community.
Earthco got involved when Landscape Ontario approached the company to donate soils for the gardens, planted by the Garden Club of Toronto.
Earthco is happy to support this park in honour of the late June Callwood, a celebrated Canadian journalist, author, and activist who died in 2007 after making major contributions to the cultural scene in Toronto.
Salt at the source: A day in a Lake Huron mine
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Read More ...
Spread too Thin?
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Laura Zilke takes a look at how the snow is affecting businesses across Toronto.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Additional Services to Serve You Better.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Dump a tri-axle load of snow for $50 per load.
Contact Rob at 416-891-7263 for dump tickets.
Did You Know?
G&L Group offers Truck Rental Service. Arrange tri-axle truck rentals with our Dispatch Department for $90 per hour with a 4 hour minimum. Call 416-798-7050 for details.
Salt tough to access for some industry members
Friday, February 07, 2014
"It's created a system-wide shortage," says Fred Persia, director of sales and marketing at Innovative Surface Solutions in Ajax.
Pat Lamanna, owner of Draglam Salt in Concord, says, “There is an unprecedented demand for both bulk and bagged salt and all de-icers, after Toronto experienced the biggest ice storm in history.”
Lamanna went on to say that salt mines are running at capacity and cannot keep up with demand. “They are putting restrictions on orders and some have cut customers off completely.”
Suppliers are currently serving regular customers first, with priority given to prepaid customers who secured their allocation in pre-season. Municipalities are on top of the list, with small contractors the first to feel negative influences on supply.
Persia says the problem is short-term, and doesn’t expect it to last much longer. He added that he was pleased to see that nobody in the industry is ‘gouging’ and taking advantage of the situation.
The last salt supply issue came in 2008, when supplies drastically declined. Issues back then prompted Landscape Ontario to create a Standard Form Snow and Ice Maintenance Contract that offered some defense against slip-and-fall liability during a salt shortage.
The contract states, “The contractor will not be responsible to apply ice melting products unless the ice melting products are commercially and reasonably available to the contractor.”
Toronto attorney Robert Kennaley, who drew up the contract, says “The reason why we say commercially available is that sometimes the client says ‘what do you mean you can’t get salt? I can walk down to the corner store and buy it in a half kilogram bag for five bucks. So pull your truck up to the door and buy all the little bags of salt that they have and come back.’ That’s NOT commercially available.”
With regard to reasonable price, Kennaley adds, “We didn’t get more detailed about that [because] the price of salt is a delicate issue. The owner or property manager might want the contractor to assume the risk of a price escalation. But any contractor concerned that the price of salt might go through the roof may want to consider a more specific or detailed price escalation clause that says if the price exceeds X dollar amount per tonne, then our cost per application or per tonne or per pass will be increased by a certain percentage.”
To strengthen the slip-and-fall defense, Kennaley encourages contractors to place the decision squarely on the property owner as to which ice-melting method (if any) to use in the event of a salt shortage. This requires discussion of various alternatives and owner’s written consent. “We want contractors and owners to understand, and make clear in their maintenance contracts, that the contractor is only hired to do what he or she is paid to do. Where the owner ‘makes the call’ and decides to pay for an option that does not best manage the risk of a slip and fall, the responsibility for that decision should lie with the owner,” he explains.
Ontario salt mines are found in Goderich and Windsor. Goderich is the largest salt mine in the world.
To locate salt suppliers, see LO’s Source Book at www.ltsourcebook.com.
GTA road salt supplies dwindling in the face of a harsh winter
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Salt Shortage Update
Friday, January 31, 2014
Firstly, we wanted to thank you for choosing Draglam Salt as your preferred deicing partner during the 2013 – 2014 winter season. Our winter season has been unrelenting following Toronto’s Ice Storm, hailed as one of the city’s most damaging storms. Freezing rain and ice blanketed the city and surrounding areas. As a leader in the deicing industry, we have been on hand to assist our clients with their deicing salt needs.
Due to the unprecedented nature of our winter season, and the amount of bulk and bagged deicing salt needed to effectively combat the weather, Draglam Salt is currently facing a salt shortage. Local supply has been depleted and we are exploring all of our alternatives at this time. Draglam Salt is working diligently with our suppliers located throughout North America to help us meet the needs of our customers, continuing to work tirelessly in order to receive new shipments of salt and deicing products. However, due to the rise in our transportation costs and the ever-growing demand for product, we have been forced to increase our salt prices. We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
During this time of demand, we suggest looking to alternative products to offset the limited supply of bulk rock salt. Consider applying Sand/Salt Mix to roads, parking lots and walkways which works to improve traction. We also have bagged deicers and calcium chloride products stocked and available for sale which are often more effective in these deep freeze temperatures.
We thank you for your patience and sincerely appreciate your business.
Warm Regards,
Your friends at Draglam Salt
Draglam Salt & Earthco represent G&L Group as Presenting Sponsors at Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence
Monday, January 06, 2014
Over the years, the Awards of Excellence have allowed companies to market and set themselves apart from the competition. The awards also allow companies to support and recognize their peers within the industry, working towards better staff retention and employee morale.
The Awards handed out this year included, Best Landscape Construction, Best Landscape Maintenance, Best Landscape Design, Best Landscape Irrigation, Best Interior Plantscaping, Best Garden Centre and Best Growers.
Draglam Salt, Earthco Soil Mixtures and the G&L Group family were honoured to be part of a night celebrating our industry peers, and look forward to next years' awards and festivities.
The Ontario Construction Report Announces TRM’s Thirty Years In The Business
Monday, October 21, 2013
The article showcases TRM over the years, and how they have revolutionized their product lines and performance to meet and exceed the evolving demands of the concrete industry. Robert Zanetti, Senior Vice President at G&L Group, explained how TRM’s work with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) led to the development of a new concrete mix. After intense trials and testing the mix proved successful for the project and the TRM team now hope to put the mix forward for an award.
Zanetti also explained in the article how TRM’s success is directly linked to their long-standing employees. “This year we have 20 employees who will be getting their 15-year award with us, joining the 30 who have already celebrated this milestone.” The company will also celebrate its own 30-year milestone with a client and staff celebration as well as by adding a 30-year logo design to most if its trucks.
For more information, go to www.ontarioconstructionreport.com
Toronto Redi-Mix partners with city to construct TTC Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Toronto Redi-Mix celebrates thirty years in the concrete business
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
TRM would like to thank their loyal customers for continuing to choose Toronto Redi-Mix as their leading concrete supplier. As an enduring partner in your performance, TRM looks forward to working with our current business partners, forging new relationships and creating innovative and value-added products.
Draglam Waste Merges with Alpha Waste
Monday, August 12, 2013
Committed to excellence in all areas of environmental management, Draglam and Alpha Waste will work side by side to fulfill waste collection, waste transfer and recycling services in the Greater Toronto Area.
Introducing a new partnership between Progressive Waste Solutions and Draglam Waste
Thursday, July 11, 2013
In addition to our Bowes and Wentworth transfer stations, you can also use the Freshway Facility for your construction and demolition waste disposal.
Draglam Salt Video Release
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Watch videos on: YouTube
Proud to Support LO Awards
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Watch videos on: YouTube - G&L Group, YouTube - Landscape Ontario
Read stories on: LO Awards of Excellence Website
Draglam Salt New Locations Ready!
Monday, November 05, 2012
Landscape Ontario Magazine Feature
Friday, August 17, 2012
Read stories on: Landscape Ontario Magazine Online
Less Mess Donates to WBCA
Monday, June 04, 2012
Earthco Donates to Mud Run
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Read stories on: The Mud Run Website
Draglam Waste Expands Fleet
Monday, May 28, 2012
Supporting a Community Garden
Friday, May 25, 2012
Read stories on: The Rail Garden Website
Team Canada Brings Home the Gold
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Earthco Announces New Location
Monday, April 02, 2012
Click here for Earthco Location Maps.
Aggregates Are Vital to Life
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Press Release: For Immediate Release January 31, 2012
Honored for Hospital Contributions
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time Lapse Video of St James Park
Friday, December 09, 2011
Watch videos on: YouTube
St James Park Restoration Continues
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Watch videos on: CityTV, CTV News
Earthco donates to St James Park
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Watch videos on: CTV News
Read stories on: CityTV, Newstalk1010, The National Post
Draglam Announces 2 New Locations
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
G&L Supports Evergreen Brickworks
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Read stories on:Evergreen Brickworks, Evergreen Newsroom
Draglam Announces 2 New Products
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Draglam Southern Ontario Expansion
Monday, August 01, 2011
Toronto Redi-Mix Donates to Park
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Brock & Earthco Support Evergreen
Friday, July 01, 2011
Draglam Salt New Location
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Draglam Salt Celebrates 20 Years!
Friday, October 01, 2010
Open House
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A White Christmas on CityTV!
Friday, September 03, 2010
Watch videos on: CityTV
G&L Supports Hospital
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Landscape Supplier of the Year!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Earthco Saves the Day!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Toronto Redi-Mix Milestone
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Earthco Offers CU-Soil
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Draglam Takes over World Waste
Monday, October 01, 2007
Brock Continues to Innovate
Friday, June 01, 2007
Brock/Earthco Help HGTV Green Force
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Sunderland Pit in full Operation
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Earthco Opens New Site
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Brock Innovates
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Draglam Salt New Location
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
DraglamSalt Offers Discount Card
Sunday, October 01, 2006
DraglamSalt.com New Site Launch!
Friday, September 01, 2006
New Transfer Station Opens
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Earthco Announces New Site
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Draglam Offer New Service
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Draglam Announces Toronto Location
Monday, November 01, 2004
Earthco Awarded Airport Contract
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Toronto Redi-Mix Innovates
Sunday, June 01, 2003
draglamsalt.com wins website award!
Sunday, June 01, 2003
draglamsalt.com awarded excellent!
Thursday, May 01, 2003
Draglam Offers Liquid De-Icing
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
G&L TALK
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