Jun 8, 2020 | Access Mats, News
When it comes to managing the progress of your projects, there’s no shortage of elements that can cause unfortunate delays and headaches. For remote worksites in particular, difficult terrain can serve as a major hurdle for crews to overcome, especially when factoring in the responsibility to uphold sustainability measures. Western Canada’s landscape is notoriously unforgiving, and with unpredictable weather all year round, failure to procure the right assets can leave your team stranded, as well as pose a risk to your equipment and the area itself.
Built to overcome even the harshest of terrains, CLT access mats are a vital tool for any worksite, giving your hauling crew a reliable path forward while also ensuring you abide by environmental stewardship standards. Below, we’ll explore a few of the ways access mats can help keep your job site environmentally friendly, while also alleviating many of the common issues faced by operators.
A Path You Can Count On
As we mentioned above, one of the most significant challenges faced by projector managers in remote regions is facilitating the safe and dependable transport of materials to and from the site. Uneven terrain, as well as well as weather aggravated conditions such as mud, ice, slush, and other inconvenience can cause major delays when it comes to hauling without the proper solution in place. Access mats create a more stable path for trucks and machinery to navigate, reducing slowdowns, as well as the wear and tear on your equipment without the need to create a permanent road.
Preserve The Ground Beneath and Surrounding Your Site
As access mats act in place of more permanent measures like creating a roadway, they also help to shield the surrounding area from aggressive disturbances throughout the course of your project. Access bridges can be used in addition to mats to help cross ditches, creek beds, and other hazards that may pose difficulty to your crew, all without the need to significantly alter the landscape itself.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is a significant concern for any major job site, the risks for which, can be greatly reduced with the appropriate use of matting. As an additional barrier between any chemicals for foreign contaminants and the ground, access mats act as a valuable line of defence that can help keep the local eco-system thriving.
Did you know? GFI Solutions offers thorough mat washing services to help further reduce any safety hazards posed by cross-contamination.
Minimize Recovery Time
Finally, having a plan in place not only expedites your project while it is in action but helps the area itself return to normal much faster upon your completion and removal. Since access mats serve as a temporary measure, they can easily be removed and transported to the next job after being washed down all with reduced damage to the environment itself.
TerraLam® CLT Access Mats: Your Environmentally Sustainable Solution
As Western Canada’s leading source for access mat solutions, GFI is proud to feature Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® CLT Access Mats. TerraLam® mats are crafted with the environment in mind and provide exceptional results under the toughest of conditions. Made from the highest quality Yellow Southern Pine wood fibres, which can be grown much faster than Douglas fir trees, TerraLam® CLT mats are bonded together with an environmentally friendly adhesive and distribute weight through the entire mat for superior strength, no matter the application.
With 24/7 sales and rental support, along with a wide variety of other services, GFI Solutions is here to help your team find the best access matting products available. Contact us today to learn more about our environmentally sustainable products from Sterling Solutions.
May 27, 2020 | Access Mats, News
In need of fast access to access matting solutions you can count on? Whether you need access to heavy-duty problem solvers like rig and crane mats or need standard mats to help pave the way across unforgiving terrain, GFI Solutions is here to help. As Western Canada’s top source for access mat rentals and sales throughout regional hot spots like Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, and more, our team is proud to be an authorized distributor of Sterling Solution’s range of TerraLam® access mats. With a product line that features the latest innovations in CLT matting, TerraLam® solutions are able to stand up to even the heaviest of tasks. Learn more about TerraLam® mats, as well as GFI’s rental solutions, below.
Introducing CLT Mats: A New Solution To Common Problems
As a relatively new, but increasingly preferred option in the matting field, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats have established themselves a strong competitor to traditional bolted options. Weighing up to 40% less than standard bolted mats and offering a life cycle that is 3-5 times the length, CLT mats give investors superior value regardless of whether you choose to rent or buy. With the heavier duty models capable of tackling traditional jobs held by rig and crane mats while still offering a lighter profile that allows for more mats to be shipped per load (up to 25% more), all while granting twice the strength of other options, it’s no surprised that CLT mats are becoming the go-to standard for heavy industry job sites.
How It Works
Cross Laminated Timber mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive to as opposed to the traditional bolted methods. Part of what makes CLT mats stand apart from competitors is their ability to evenly distribute weight throughout the entire mat, which leads to superior durability and performance, even for the heaviest of loads.
TerraLam® CLT Access Mats are among the best available and are made with Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre, which is 30% harder than Douglas Fir. This makes them ideal for standing up to the toughest of jobs over long periods of time.
GFI: There When It Matters Most
With decades of combined experience in the industry under our belts, GFI Solutions understands just how important it is to have access to reliable, cost-effective solutions when it matters most. Our commitment to our customers extends well beyond offering superior products to exceptional round the clock service. From 24/7 rental and sales support to inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation and more, GFI Solutions is here to ensure that your project has everything you need to continue on schedule. Whether you’re looking to test out the durability of CLT mats before buying or need to replace failing mats, we’re here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.
May 27, 2020 | Access Mats, News, TerraCross Bridges
Are you in need of heavy-duty rig mats to maintain safety and productivity on your job site? As a staple for those in the oil & gas, petrochemical, construction, and infrastructure industries, the right mats can help to mitigate the challenges of uneven terrain as well as reduce major safety hazards associated with heavy equipment and machinery. As an increasingly popular alternative to traditional bolted mats, masonry, and concrete, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats are one of the most effective solutions available on the market. Crafted using an innovative, industry-leading technique, CLT mats offer superior strength and durability as well as increased transport loads and more. Learn more about the benefits of heavy-duty CLT mats, as well as the solutions offered by GFI below.
What Are CLT Mats?
Cross Laminated Timber is the result of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe structural adhesive to create the finished product as opposed to the traditional bolted structure. Where bolted mats are only capable of transferring the load across the location of the mechanical fasteners, CLT mats are designed to allow for the even distribution of weight across the entirety of the mat, allowing for superior durability and performance.
TerraLam® CLT Access Mats as offered by GFI solutions are crafted from Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre, which is 30% harder than Douglas Fir, the most common wood fibre used in the construction of bolted mats. This makes them ideal for standing up to even the toughest of jobs without the fear of sudden breakages.
What Are The Benefits?
CLT access and rig mats offer multiple benefits to your job site, regardless of whether you choose to rent or own. In addition to the basic function of creating a reliable path and a stable foundation for heavy equipment, direct benefits of choosing CLT mats include:
- Lighter weight (up to 50%) compared to conventional rig mats, allowing for a single transport load to carry up to 25% more mats per trip.
- Versatile in application and able to withstand the demands of fluctuating climates
- High impact resistance
- A lifespan that lasts 3-5 times longer than bolted mats.
- Glue lamination and wax sealed on all 4 edges makes it easier to repel moisture and rot.
- Solid matting top reduces tripping hazards, as well as the tired damage to vehicles, and more.
TerraLam® CLT Access and Rig Mats
When it comes to finding the best CLT mats on the market, there’s no doubt that Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® products lead the pack. Crafted using the finest quality Southern Yellow Pine planks, each mat is meticulously tested to ensure optimal performance and longevity, allowing you to keep your project on time, and on budget, with ease.
GFI Solutions is proud to be an authorized distributor of TerraLam® products, including access and rig mats, TerraCross® bridges, and more. With 24/7 access to our leading inventory, qualified team members and more. GFI is Western Canada’s foremost choice when it comes to heavy-duty rig mat solutions and everything in between. Contact us today to learn more.
May 21, 2020 | Access Mats, News
When it comes to jobs that require heavy-duty resources as typically found in the oil & gas, construction, petrochemical, and related industries finding viable solutions that allow for the safe transport and operation of your machinery is paramount. Rig mats play a key role in helping to keep your operations safe and on schedule. GFI is proud to supply clients across Western Canada access to leading access mat solutions, including Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® CLT access mats. As one of the most durable and dependable options on the market, TerraLam® Mats stand up to the toughest jobs and fulfil many of the needs met by traditional rig mats. Learn more about the role of rig and crane mats on job sites, as wells as Sterling’s heavy-duty solutions, below!
Protect Your Assets
One of the main arguments for using rig mats centres around their ability to help mitigate any dangers that your job site may pose to valuable assets such as machinery and heavy trucks hauling material to and from your location. Environmental factors like heavy rain, mud, sleet, and other such conditions can cause significant damage to equipment without the proper safeguards in place. Rig mats not only offer a safe road to transport heavy materials over, but can act as a sturdy foundation for cranes and other machinery as needed.
Protect Your Crew
Just as rig mats step in to prevent your equipment from becoming stuck or damaged as a result of uneven terrain, they also help to prevent significant workplace hazards caused by such factors. When used properly, rig mats can help increase your overall safety on the job site, giving your crew peace of mind and helping to avoid costly accidents.
Environmentally Conscious
For companies wishing to do their part to protect the environment and minimize disturbance to the land during the course of their project, rig mats are a valuable asset. By helping to reduce the strain caused to the earth by trucks and machinery, rig mats can help reduce your footprint and ensure that you stay within recommended guidelines relevant to your specific sector.
TerraLam® CLT access mats are created using an environmentally friendly adhesive, using raw materials that are farmed in approximately 20 years, versus the standard 80-100 years, it takes to regrow the hardwood species used for bolted mats. This means, in addition to being lighter weight and more cost-effective, TerraLam® mats go above and beyond when it comes to sustainability. Whether you’re renting or purchasing mats for longterm use, they’ll go a long way to reducing the strain on the environment.
Built To Perform
As with any asset designed to handle heavy-duty requirements, top-performing rig mats need to last as long as possible. The unique cross-grain design of CLT mats gives them a leading edge over traditional mats by equally distributing the weight of each load evenly to reduce the strain and guarantee an unbeatable lifecycle.
GFI Solutions: Your Source For Rig Mats And More
At GFI Solutions we understand how vital reliable access to your job site is for our customers. We proudly offer mat rentals and sales throughout Western Canada, including Red Deer and the Central Alberta Region. Learn more about our available solutions by contacting our team today.
May 21, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Is your job site facing complications when it comes to accessibility for transport vehicles and heavy machinery? As leading provider of matting solutions across the Western Canadian provinces, including BC & Alberta, GFI Solutions offers our customers access to the top products on the market, including Sterling’s Solutions’ line of TerraLam® CLT access mats. With clients spanning a multitude of industries, including oil & gas, construction, energy, mining, and related sectors, our team knows how important it is to have access to the resources you need without facing further delays. With a robust inventory and 24/7 service across Alberta and Western Canada, you can always count on GFI to help you keep your project moving.
Learn more about the benefits of TerraLam® mats and partnering with GFI below!
TerraLam® Mats: Tough, Dependable, Built To Last
When it comes to finding the best solutions for job site access, quality is just as important as availability. GFI Solutions is dedicated to stocking the most dependable and innovative products on the market to ensure that you never have to deal with the frustrations caused by mats failing on the job. TerraLam® CLT access mats are made with high end materials and engineered to be stronger and more durable than traditional bolted mats offering you a safer alternative that drastically reduces damage, replacement, and transportation costs.
Innovation In Action
TerraLam® mats use a unique manufacturing approach to produce their Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. This method binds planks together using environmentally safe, structural adhesive instead of bolts. The end result is an incredibly strong but lighter weight product that can tackle even the toughest of jobs. In addition to superior durability where loads are concerned, the adhesive also protects the mat from rot and decay, meaning your lifecycle is much longer and maximizing your investment.
Partner With GFI Solutions
At GFI Solutions, customer satisfaction and success is always front of mind. With a long history in the industry, our team understands the many challenges caused by sudden delays, shipment issues, and more. We offer round the clock service and sales to keep you moving, and are proud to stand by our products. In addition to mat sales and rentals, our solutions include:
- Turnkey services
- Inventory management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery& Installation
- Mat washing
- Planning & consultation, and more.
For more information on leading access mat products throughout Alberta and Western Canada, contact GFI today.
May 13, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Does your job site pose significant challenges when it comes to facilitating the transport of goods and equipment? Western Canada’s landscape can be harsh and unforgiving for trucks and machinery to navigate, often leading to costly delays and dangerous situations. Often sought out as a valuable solution, access mats serve as a makeshift road in the tough condition, allowing you to keep your project on track and your work crew safe. As an innovative and increasingly relied upon option, CLT mats have become the go-to choice for those in the construction, oil and gas, infrastructure, mining and related heavy industries. Learn more about the benefits of CLT mats below!
What Are CLT Mats?
Cross Laminated Timber mats are created via the process of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with a special adhesive to create the finished product as opposed to the previously common bolted structure. TerraLam® CLT access mats allow even distribution of weight throughout the entire mat, leading to less chance of breakage, even under the heaviest of loads. Attributes of CLT mats include:
Strength and Flexibility
Despite being 40% lighter than bolted mats, CLT mats offer exceptional strength, with select models being able to assist with heavy machinery like cranes, and more. The unique composition of CLT mats allows them to flex under pressure, equally distributing loads in such a way that helps to prevent breakage and keep your operation running smoothly.
Stands Up To Tough Conditions
TerraLam® access mats have been tested successfully in temperatures as low as -70°F and as high as 150°F. While all wooden mats may be slippery in wet, muddy, and icy conditions, the solid top of TerraLam® mats makes clearing mud, snow, or ice much easier. Once TerraLam mats are travelled on, they become well-seasoned, which provides relief in challenging conditions down the line.
Multiple Sizes
When it comes to access mats, one size doesn’t fit all. TerraLam® Mats are available in 3 or 5-ply construction, with multiple sizes available.
Environmentally Friendly
If sustainability and adopting an eco-responsible approach are of high importance to your operation, CLT mats are a solid choice. TerraLam® mats, in particular, are made with an adhesive that becomes chemical inactive once it leaves Sterling’s facility, meaning that it presents no potential to harm the environment.
Durable
Finally, one of the standout features of CLT mats is their superior durability compared to other solutions. TerraLam® CLT mats are constructed with rapid-growth southern yellow pine #2-grade kiln-dried lumber, along with a moisture-activated polyurethane adhesive. Multiple laboratories, including the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, San Diego State University, and Henkel Adhesives, have validated the strength and durability of TerraLam® products.
Find CLT Mats At GFI Today
As Western Canada’s leading source for access mat solutions, GFI is proud to be a distributor of Sterling Solutions‘ range of TerraLam® products, including their 300 and 500 model access mats, access bridges, and more. Designed with the utmost of quality in mind, TerraLam® solutions embody the many benefits of CLT mats, right down to the superior performance and longevity. Learn more by contacting our team today.
