By Jessica Kirby
When TIAC met in Toronto, ON in 2017, the idea of an Innovators Group was in its infancy. Shaun Ekert, TIAC’s director of Saskatchewan and current president, put the idea forward with the objective of breathing new life into the association’s direction and objectives as a way to promote the mechanical insulation industry.
Comprising four to seven TIAC members with an eye on the future and a passion for helping the association evolve to meet changing technologies, the group’s development wouldn’t be about age or experience, said Ekert, in the summer 2018 issue of TIAC Times, but would revolve instead around innovation.
“Whether people are changing some existing aspect of the industry, bringing technology to the forefront, building something new, or interpreting specs or best practices in a new an interesting way, the Innovators Group will reflect a fresh perspective and the most current voices in the industry,” he said.
Today the group is seven strong, with members representing multiple facets of the industry across the country. Wayne Siffledeen is project manager for Stuart Olson. He’s always felt the pull to participate in enhancing the value and visibility of the insulation industry and felt joining the Innovators Group was a good way to create real change.
“I was mostly excited and enticed by the initiatives that were tasked to this committee,” says Siffledeen. “Two years ago at the TIAC conference I raised concerns about the Denis Formula and when next to expect an update. Now this is one of the Innovators Group’s key objectives and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Siffledeen and the rest of the group will have to start from scratch, as little information is available about Denis Formula’s history or chronological development. However, revising it to include current standards set out in TIAC’s Best Practices Manual will be an important step forward for the group and the association.
“The Denis Formula will be my focus within the group,” says Siffledeen. “I have used this system over the past several years and have a good understanding of the areas that require some attention. This work, in collaboration with the collective group, will deliver the enhancements required to improve the overall program.”
The group’s second main objective is updating TIAC’s Best Practices Guide, with the eventual goal of putting it into an app. The Guide is used consistently in the commercial sector and provides a valuable resources for contractors, specifiers, and owners looking to achieve high mechanical insulation standards in their projects.
Joey Fabing, TIAC’s director of Ontario and co-overseer (along with Ekert and second vice-president Mike Goyette) of the Innovators Group, will be offering support to members of the group updating the Best Practices Guide.
“Not only are we helping the industry by updating this information (Best Practices Guide, Denis Formula); I also have a chance to help the younger guys by leading and teaching from what I was taught,” says Fabing. “I am hoping this leads them in the right way with our industry and with future endeavours, whatever those may be.”
Fabing brings experience and knowledge to the group, along with overall leadership skills he picked up over the years as he progressed from broom-pusher to mechanics card holder, project manager, supervisor, vice-president, and eventually, business owner.
“With all the connections made through the years, I usually can get the right answer,” he says. “Along with any new task there are always challenges, but we have some great young people who are very knowledgeable in all their own aspects. Plus, they have the entire TIAC board to use for resources, if need be.”
The Innovators Group’s modus operandi is to deliver on the new ideas that will have the greatest positive impact; however, the biggest challenge will be ensuring it sets goals achievable within the milestone dates.
“There are many things we would like to do, but everything will be a progression and will develop over the first few years,” says Siffledeen. “The benefit of the work completed by the Innovators will only be as successful as the input provided by all TIAC members.
“The Innovators will build the foundation for this committee so it can continue to be developed, and with the help from all members we will ensure that we stay at the forefront of innovation for our industry.”
Watch for updates about the Innovators Group’s key objectives and projects at the 2019 annual conference in Montreal, Quebec August 24-27. For more information and to register to attend the conference, please visit www.tiac.ca or see pages 28-29 of this issue. •
