Maple Reinders – Defence Infrastructure, is Helping Build Canada’s Defence Infrastructure, One Project at a Time
Armed with Blueprints
BY JAMES CARELESS
Today’s defence facilities need to be secure, safe, and robust. They also need to be as sustainable and environmentally responsible as possible, without compromising the functions they were built to support.
With its headquarters in Mississauga and offices across Canada, Maple Reinders is the contractor with the know-how and skill to build such facilities. Founded by Fred J. Reinders over 55 years ago in the basement of his Etobicoke, Ontario home, Maple Reinders has always been guided by his vision: to apply sound engineering principles to the design and construction of every project the company undertook and manage the process with scrutiny of every possible detail. “By doing so, we could offer value — real value — for money,” Reinders said. “And we could create things of lasting value.” (The ‘Maple’ in the name was his nod to being a Canadian company.)
Today, Maple Reinders has grown far beyond Fred J. Reinders’ basement to become an award-winning construction services company that offers creative solutions in ICI (Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional) buildings and environmental construction. It has successfully completed over 2,900 projects to date, with more on the drawing board.
RECENT WORK
Maple Reinders has extensive experience in the modernization of Canadian Armed Forces bases and facilities. Its portfolio of completed projects includes essential infrastructure like hangars, advanced training centers, and crucial logistics hubs.
Among Maple Reinders’ most recent projects for Defence Construction Canada (DCC) are an RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) facility for the RCAF’s 19 Wing in Comox, BC, and the FWSAR (Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue) training center in the same location. The company has also built CAE’s Flight Training Centre Expansion in Mississauga, the Prince George (BC) RCMP Municipal Facility, and the Edmonton Maximum Security Unit for the Correctional Service of Canada.
“Maple Reinders brings proven expertise to the Canadian defence sector,” said Ken Kamminga, the company’s Senior Account Manager. “We have significant experience in the design and construction of high-security buildings that are compliant with federal standards, including military installations, training centres, and sensitive operational facilities under the design-build format.” In fact, Maple Reinders meets or exceeds DCC security requirements in their designs, and projects it has completed for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Infrastructure Canada, and Environment Canada.
Given the Canadian government’s recent decision to meet its 2% GDP NATO spending commitment this year and the 5% GDP NATO commitment in years to come, Maple Reinders is standing by to help with new DCC construction contracts. “There’s certainly a flurry of activity in various bases across Canada that are looking for new infrastructure,” said Alan Goodhoofd, Maple Reinders’ Design Manager of Major Projects. “From Maple Reinders’ perspective, we absolutely would be thrilled to join with DCC to deliver quality projects for them.”
DESIGN-BUILD SOLUTIONS
FOR NATIONAL DEFENCE
Even before the Canadian government decided to increase defence spending, Maple Reinders has been seeking methods to deliver projects to DCC and other clients in a faster yet reliable way. This is why the company has adopted progressive approaches such as Design-Build to improve delivery timelines, reduce risk, and optimize operational readiness for defence infrastructure.
According to the Maple Reinders’ website (maple.ca), “Design-Build is one of the most common procurement models used in construction today. At its core is the requirement that a single source — or ‘design builder’ — be placed in charge of both the design and construction of a project. This requirement positively impacts the time required for these two phases as project scheduling can begin before the design is finalized. Design and construction done concurrently also allows for earlier establishment of project costs. The owner additionally benefits with an increased level of collaboration between themselves, the designer and the contractor, as design changes can be made while receiving real-time understanding of resulting cost and schedule implications.”
“In the Design-Build approach, Maple Reinders oversees the whole design and construction process, including hiring subcontractors, arranging supplies, and getting the job done,” Goodhoofd told CDR. “This is where our expertise comes in, because we understand every aspect of a project’s requirements, ensuring a quality product from start to finish.”
GREEN MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE
Maple Reinders is committed to building sustainable, energy-efficient military and government facilities. This is why the company has deep capabilities in LEED-certified and energy-efficient construction, which align with the Canadian government’s goals for sustainability and long-term operational efficiency.
As well, Maple Reinders employs the BIM (Building Information Modeling) approach to building design and construction. BIM uses 3D digital models of building projects to enable real-time team-wide collaboration and management, from the early design phase through construction and project completion. “Historically, it could take weeks of studying drawings and schedules before a true project understanding was created,” said the Maple Reinders’ website. “BIM can create a similar understanding with a five-minute 4D animation.”
HIGH STANDARDS
Over the years, Maple Reinders has earned a reputation for reliability and integrity. The company is focused on upholding its robust safety record through ISO-certified quality management systems and secure site operations. Maple Reinders’ key personnel also have appropriate security clearances for all federal and defence-related projects. So stringent are its standards, “that Maple Reinders’ in-house Safety Procurement document is being used by other construction companies,” Kamminga said. “So safety is number one, because safety starts with each of us.”
GIVING BACK TO CANADA
Maple Reinders donates 10 percent of its profits to worthy causes through the Reinders Family Foundation. These causes include civic and environmental initiatives that help sustain and support deserving communities throughout Canada, plus Indigenous partnerships and local workforce development nationwide. The company also invests in technology that turns organic waste into usable energy, plus innovations such as green roofs, smart glass, and energy-efficient buildings.
“Our goal is to make Canada a better place,” concluded Goodhoofd. “This is why Maple Reinders is dedicated to following Fred Reinders’ vision from so many years ago: offer value — real value — for the money that our clients entrust to us, and create things of lasting value that will stand the test of time.”
James Careless is CDR’s Ottawa Bureau Chief
