By: John Trainor, TIAC President
Welcome to 2016! I hope everyone returned from the holiday with recharged batteries, ready to face the opportunities and challenges of the upcoming year. This will be another busy year for TIAC, as we continue to promote the use and value of mechanical insulation. As previously reported in this space, our message is getting heard in the construction and specification communities. We are presented with even greater opportunities as the media spotlight is currently focused on environmental sustainability. As I write this message, the eyes of the world are on the global leaders assembled in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Here at home, the media is saturated with stories about the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There has never been a better opportunity for all of us in this industry to proudly promote the fact that our products and services reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase operating efficiency, and save money. Our time is now.
Now is the time to remind our customers how much value we provide. Our products and services represent a very small portion of the overall cost of a project, yet they deliver an excellent return on investment by reducing energy consumption. Reducing energy consumption reduces energy costs. It also reduces the use of fossil fuels burned to produce energy, which reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emitted into the environment. Mechanical insulation also improves process productivity and improves safety by protecting people from contact with hot or cold surfaces. Mechanical insulation provides both short-term and long-term benefits.
This is the message we have been working to deliver to code officials, property owners, government agencies, and specifying bodies for the last seven years. I’m happy to report that this message is being heard, as mechanical insulation is increasingly included or upgraded in building codes, specifications, and maintenance programs across Canada. In light of all this progress, we need to remain vigilant in ensuring the value of mechanical insulation is recognized throughout the entire cycle of a project. We need to protect the integrity and intention of all specifications by resisting the request to offer “cost savings” on a project during the bid phase through reduced insulation thickness, reduced density, or alternative or lower priced than those specified. Rather than participate in the devaluation of our scope of work, we should reinforce the long-term performance and economic benefits of properly selected and installed mechanical insulation. We should be confident and proud in educating our customers that mechanical insulation is an excellent investment that will pay for itself quickly and improve the lifecycle cost of the project.
As we usher in a new year, I’d like to update our membership on a few recent changes to the board of directors that occurred since our last conference. Walter Keating has resigned his position as Director of Ontario and Joey Fabing of Custom Insulation will now represent the contractors of Ontario. Walter has served TIAC for many years and I’m happy to report he will remain on the board in his role as past-president. Joey has been a strong supporter of TIAC and we welcome his energy and fresh ideas.
Jim Flower has announced his upcoming retirement from Pro Insul Limited and will be stepping down as Director at Large. Jim’s career has spanned 50 years and covered all regions of Canada, and his experience and wisdom have been a tremendous resource to the board of directors. Jim served as president of TIAC in 1989-90 and has been a strong advocate and supporter of our Association throughout his career. While we will miss his counsel, we are happy for him and thank him for his service to our industry. I’m sure that Jim will remain busy as he manages his wife Cathy’s growing portfolio of art, and now has time to see even more of North America in hisAirstream. On behalf of the board of directors and the entire membership, thank you, Jim, for your contributions. Enjoy your retirement!
Our industry recently lost one of its strongest advocates and largest personalities. Don Bell passed away on October 30, 2015. Don served TIAC passionately over the course of his career. He was president in 1982-83 and 1983-84, chaired several conferences, was an Honorary Life Member, served as an advisor to the Board of Directors, and was a mainstay at our annual conferences. He was a passionate advocate of the insulation trade and of TIAC, and a tireless promoter of his beloved province of Saskatchewan. I was honored to attend the recent Celebration of Don’s Life in Regina that was attended by friends and colleagues of Don’s from across Canada. Amid their grief, Don’s wife Laurette and family hosted a heartwarming tribute that captured the essence of their husband and father. There were plenty of photographs, words of remembrance, music, good food, and even a rum bar! As I met up with people I hadn’t seen in years, I realized that Don was still bringing people together, just as he had his entire life. I was lucky to have enjoyed his company at numerous industry events, and have so many memories of his one-of-a-kind sense of humor. Please be sure to check out the story in this issue that reflects on Don’s life and contributions to our industry.
It is perhaps fitting that this year’s annual TIAC conference will be held in Don Bell’s beloved province of Saskatchewan. Please consider joining us in “The Bridge City” Saskatoon this September 17-20. The organizing committee is putting the finishing touches on a conference that promises to deliver outstanding professional development along with TIAC’s famous hospitality, delivered with prairie enthusiasm. I hope to see you there!
