Why Choose GFI Solutions for Access Mats in Calgary

Why Choose GFI Solutions for Access Mats in Calgary

Apr 17, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Are you looking for an access matting distributor in Calgary with industry expertise and a wide inventory of access solutions? Your search is over! GFI Solutions is pleased to have decades of combined experience working in the safe access solutions industry, assisting companies and projects with their access product needs. As Western Canada’s premier manufacturer and distributor of access mats, GFI Solutions’ team of experts is here to help you find the proper access matting for your next project. Next, we’ll cover more about our comprehensive access matting inventory and our range of support services that can make organizing your project significantly easier. Continue reading to learn why you should partner with GFI Solutions for all your access mat needs!

Comprehensive Access Mat Inventory

Depending on your application, access mats provide your crew and equipment with a temporary roadway or work surface. Often access mats are used in remote or sensitive environments where rugged terrain complicates the ability of your team or equipment to work on your project site easily. For these reasons, you can find access mats being used by various industries. As they reduce the risk of environmental cross-contamination, worker injury, and equipment becoming stuck. At GFI Solutions, we proudly offer a range of access matting products, including the Site Safe Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats.

GFI Solutions proudly carries a comprehensive inventory of access solutions. GFI Solutions will surely have the access products you need, from new and used access mats and Site Safe CLT access mats to rig mats, access bridges and more! Each access mat is quality tested to ensure safety, performance, and longevity. So when you need A, B, or C-grade access mats or are looking to rent access mats for your next project, GFI Solutions is here to help.

Supportive Services and More!

Aside from our inventory of access mats, GFI Solutions is pleased to offer various support services to bring greater value to your project’s bottom line. You’ll receive outstanding customer service and support when you partner with GFI Solutions. Our team is here to ensure your project has the access mats and products it needs to be completed safely and efficiently. The turn-key solutions we offer at GFI Solutions include the following:

  • Inventory Management
  • Turn-Key Services
  • Mat Manufacturing
  • Delivery and Installation
  • Mat Washing
  • Planning and Consultation

GFI Solutions is here to help you through every phase of your project in Calgary. Our goal is to support your project so that it operates smoothly without any delays due to your access matting. With decades of combined experience under our belts, GFI Solutions is available 24/7 to provide expert access solution guidance and support. So plan ahead and plan better with GFI Solutions!

GFI Solutions, Your Access Mat Experts in Calgary

At GFI Solutions, our focus is on your project’s safety. That’s why we proudly offer innovative access solutions and exceptional customer service. With a comprehensive range of access matting and other products, GFI Solutions is your source for industry-leading access solutions.

Ready to learn more about our inventory of access mats or our various support solutions? Contact GFI Solutions today!

Lightweight and Cost-Effective Swamp Mats

Lightweight and Cost-Effective Swamp Mats

Apr 10, 2023 | Access Mats, News

For those working in the oil & gas, forestry, mining, civil and renewable energy industry, you have definitely experienced the challenges posed by Canada’s difficult landscapes. Working in a remote location and navigating heavy machinery and heavy loads across unstable terrain can be extremely dangerous, which is why you need robust and long-lasting matting solutions that can withstand the demands of your project.

If you’re a project manager searching for a lightweight, cost-effective and site-safe access solution for your next project, GFI Solutions has the perfect product for you. As Canada’s leading supplier of access matting solutions, GFI solutions is proud to offer a range of swamp mats. Our cost-effective and lightweight swamp mats offer you a durable solution that can meet the requirements of your project. Learn more about the benefits of our CLT swamp mats below!

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Mats

Generally, traditional bolted mats are the primary choice for site-safe access solutions; however, there are better options available on the market. CLT swamp mats are much more suited for heavy industries than traditional bolted mats. Instead of using traditional Douglas Fir to manufacture access mats, CLT mats are manufactured from Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine wood fiber, which is 33% stronger than Douglas Fir. Compared to traditional bolted mats, CLT swamp mats are a safer and longer-lasting access solution for heavy equipment and heavy loads.

Safer For the Environment

Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine wood is not only 33% stronger than Douglas Fir, but it’s also much more sustainable as it grows to harvestable maturity in approximately 20 years, whereas Douglas Fir takes up to 80 years. At GFI Solutions, we believe that it’s our responsibility to ensure the safety of your machinery, crew and environment, which is why we offer sustainable access matting solutions that can meet the needs of your project without causing harm to the environment.

Solid Foundation

The adhesion used to bond the fiber in our CLT swamp mats create a smooth and solid top surface that eliminates many hazards on the job site. Unlike traditional bolted mats, CLT mats don’t rely on bolts which removes the risk of puncture injuries or vehicle damage from loose bolts or gaps between the boards. GFI solutions Site Safe CLT access mats also have a wax sealer on all four edges of our swamp mats to reduce moisture absorption and increase the longevity of the mats.

Lightweight and Cost Effective Solution

There are many factors that determine the budget of your matting needs, including the cost of the product, transport, installation, removal and storage. Our CLT swamp mats are engineered to be two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats! We can fit 72 CLT swamp mats per load, saving you up to 60% in transportation costs! With a lighter CLT swamp mat, you will be able to fit more mats on loaders and shuttle trucks, increasing your savings by up to 40% on installation and removal costs. Save time and money and keep your project on track with GFI Solutions’ CLT swamp mats.

Our inventory of CLT access mats includes the following:

Site Safe 300 CLT Access Mats

  • Sizes: 4′ or 8′ wide x 14′, 16′ or 18′
  • 3-ply construction
  • Manufactured from sustainably sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine

Site Safe 500 CLT Access Mats

  • Sizes: 4′ or 8′ wide x 14′, 16′ or 18′
  • 5-ply construction
  • Manufactured from sustainably sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine

Site Safe 700 CLT Access Mats

  • Sizes: 8′ wide x 14′ or 16′
  • 7-ply construction
  • Manufactured from sustainably sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine

Site Safe Access Services and Products 

Our 24/7 service and support team offers customers access to our access matting products and services, including our rental and sales, mat washing, installation and turnkey services.

Contact us today to learn more about our site-safe access services and products!

Access Mat Rentals in Canada

Access Mat Rentals in Canada

Apr 10, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Access mats are temporary portable solutions designed to help workers and heavy machinery navigate through Canada’s unstable terrain. Generally, access mats can be used in remote locations or on large worksites for temporary roadways, temporary staging yards and drilling pads.

Since access mats can be manufactured using a wide variety of materials and different compositions, the first step in choosing the right access mat is choosing the right material for your needs. Learn more about choosing the right access mat below!

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Access Mats

With the current technological advancements nowadays, GFI Solutions’ access mats are manufactured using our innovative Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) technology. Instead of fastening planks of wood together using bolts, CLT mats use an environmentally safe structural adhesive to bond the planks together.

Sustainable and Long Lasting Access Solution

While traditional mats use Douglas Fir, which grows to harvestable maturity in 80 years, our CLT mats are manufactured using Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine, which only needs about 20 years to grow to maturity. Not only is Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine much more sustainable than Douglas Fir, but it is also 33% stronger! Combined with our environmentally safe adhesive, our CLT access mats are three to five times more robust than our competition, offering you a sustainable and long-lasting access solution.

Lightweight and Cost-Effective Access Solution

Now that we’ve established the strength and durability of CLT access mats, it’s time to uncover their cost. As a project manager, the cost of access mats doesn’t only include the price of the product, but it also incorporates delivery, installation and removal costs. Since CLT access mats are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats, GFI Solutions can transport 72 CLT access mats per load, saving you up to 60% in transportation costs!

As our CLT access mats are lighter in weight, you can fit more mats on loaders and shuttle trucks, increasing your savings by up to 40% on installation and removal costs. When choosing GFI’s CLT access mats, you’re definitely choosing the more cost-effective option.

Bring Down Your Costs with Access Mat Rentals

Other factors that contribute to the cost of your access matting budget are washing, transporting and storing your access mats. As per Canada’s matting standards, used access mats must be properly washed and bleached to avoid cross-contamination. Once you’ve completed your project, why spend unnecessary amounts of time and money on cleaning, transporting and storing your access mats? With GFI Solutions’ access mat rental service, you can eliminate extra costs and only pay for what your project requires! Our access mat rental services allow us to take the responsibility off your hands!

Access Mat Rentals and More at GFI Solutions

As Canada’s leading supplier of access solutions, GFI Solutions offers a variety of access products and services to meet the demands of your project. Contact our 24/7 support and service team today at +1 (833) 434-6287 or fill out our online form with all your needs, and one of our matting experts will reach out to you as soon as possible!

Access Solutions Built To Last!

Access Solutions Built To Last!

Mar 30, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Are you looking for a site-safe access solution, but you’re not entirely sure which product best suits your project requirements? Learn about the most common access mating products.

Let’s Clear Up the Confusion

There are many site access products you can use to create a safe and robust makeshift road or ground protection platform for your heavy machinery and crew. Across all industries, access products are used to safely navigate the rugged Canadian terrain and overcome the challenges posed by unstable regions.

Since all access products technically provide ground protection on uneven terrain, customers often make the mistake of thinking that they’re all the same. However, there are significant differences in sizing, usage, material and pricing of access products. Below are the three most common access products you might come across:

Access Mats

    • Sizes:
      • 8’ Wide x 14’
    • Material:
      • Hemlock and/or Balsam Fir
      • Sustainably Sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine
    • Usage:
      • Temporary access to navigate unstable terrain
      • Temporary right-of-ways
      • Temporary staging yards
      • Portable platform used to support equipment

Rig Mats

    • Sizing:
      • 8’’ Wide x 14’’, 16’’, or 18’’
    • Material:
      • Douglas Fir ( 3 or 4 rail steel beams and wooden inserts )
    • Usage:
      • Temporary stationary platforms to support large and heavy equipment
      • Temporary foundations for large surface area applications
      • Temporary heavy-duty ground protection for large working areas

Crane Mats

    • Sizing:
      • 4’ Wide x 20’ Long x 12’ Thick
    • Material:
      • Douglas Fir
    • Usage:
      • Temporary ground protection for heavy crane equipment
      • Protecting the environment in industrial projects
      • Temporary access to help heavy equipment navigate unstable terrain

CLT Mats: Lightweight Solution

As someone who’s been in the industry for years and managed numerous projects, you’re probably familiar with Douglas Fir traditional bolted mats. For the longest time, everyone relied on Douglas Fir traditional bolted mats to support their heavy machinery and crew in unstable terrain; however, with the introduction of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, project managers have shifted to a more cost-effective and lightweight solution.

Unlike traditional bolted mats, CLT mats are manufactured using sustainably sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine wood that is 33% stronger than Douglas Fir and other wood compositions. Instead of using bolts to fasten the wooden planks together, our CLT mats are bonded together using an environmentally safe adhesive that allows for even distribution of loads across the surface area, rather than fixating the weight only on the bolts. The strength and flexibility of our CLT mats make them 3-5 times stronger than traditional single wood or composite mats and offer maximum durability.

CLT Mats: Cost-Effective Solution

Our CLT mats are not only engineered to offer industries a lightweight and durable matting solution but they’re also designed to cut down unnecessary costs! With a lighter CLT mat, you can fit more mats on loaders and shuttle trucks, increasing your savings by up to 40% in installation and removal costs. We can also fit more CLT mats per load and save up to 60% on transportation costs. GFI’s innovative manufacturing process and sustainably sourced materials are designed to outperform traditional mats and offer you a lightweight and cost-effective solution!

Access Products and More at GFI Solutions! 

As Canada’s leading distributor of access mat solutions, GFI Solutions is proud to offer a wide range of access mat products and solutions for all your matting needs! Our extensive inventory of access mats, rig mats, crane mats, swamp mats and more are available for rent and purchase, suitable for every budget!

Contact our 24/7 support and service team at +1 (833) 434-6287 or fill out our online form with details of your matting needs, and one of our matting experts will reach out to you as soon as possible!

Temporary Access Mats For Canadian Winter

Temporary Access Mats For Canadian Winter

Mar 30, 2023 | Access Mats, News

It’s no secret that Canadian winter is tough, especially throughout Northern and Western Canada. The inconsistent weather patterns can drastically change the topography in a matter of hours. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to predict the weather changes in Canada; therefore, you need to depend on robust and reliable temporary access mats to get you through extreme weather changes during Canadian winter.

While traditional temporary access mats were once the preferred option for projects across Canada, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats have started to increase in popularity. In fact, some of the biggest names in the oil & gas, construction, mining, petrochemical, renewable energy, power and other heavy industries replaced traditional bolted mats with GFI’s innovative and reliable Site Safe (TM) CLT temporary access mats. Learn more about the benefits of our CLT temporary access mats below!

How Are Cross-Laminated Timber Mats Manufactured?

Compared to conventional access mats, where wooden planks are fastened together using bolts, CLT wooden planks are laid perpendicular to each other and bound together face to face using an environmentally friendly adhesive. The process of cross-lamination allows the CLT mats to withstand the heaviest of weights while reducing the chance of breakage! But how?! Well, the adhesive used to bond the CLT mat together turns the mat into a solid piece of wood allowing for even distribution of weight across the mat. Bolted mats on the other hand take and disperse the weight through to the bolt points. Once a single bolt is broken, the mat’s structural integrity is compromised.

Durable Temporary Access Mats

It’s a common misconception that bolted mats are stronger and more robust than CLT mats as they are bolted together using bolts. Is an environmentally safe adhesive more durable than bolts? While bolted mats can, in fact, withstand heavy loads, they are much more likley to break and crack than CLT mats. Instead of evenly distributing the weight across the mat, the weight is only fixated on the bolt points. As the pressure is only focused on the bolts, the mat will crack and break at the bolt holes. CLT mats, on the other hand, are versatile and can safely flex under pressure, even with the weight of industrial machinery and heavy loads.

Long-Lasting Temporary Access Mats

CLT mats are not only more durable than traditional temporary access mats, but they are also longer-lasting! The environmentally safe adhesive combined with Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fiber creates longer-lasting mats that are 5X stiffer and 30% stronger than traditional bolted mats. Our CLT temporary access mats are engineered for maximum durability and will not diamond or deform if dropped or mishandled.

Cost Effective Temporary Access Mats

The lightweight of GFI’s CLT mats allows us to transport 72 mats per load, increasing your transportation and saving you up to 60%. Since CLT mats are 40% lighter than most traditional bolted mats, you will be able to easily fit more mats on shuttle trucks and loaders, saving you up to 40% on installation and removal costs.

Rent or Buy Temporary Access Mats From GFI Solutions

Contact us today to learn more about our wide range of temporary access solutions for your next project!