Jul 28, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Financing a project in the oil and gas, power, construction, renewable energy or even the drilling industry is costly. As a project manager, you will often find that your budget is spent extensively on high-quality, expensive access mats or on replacing inexpensive access mats that offer lower quality. Unfortunately, sacrificing the quality of your mats for better cost can dangerously damage heavy equipment and create a hazardous work environment.
This dilemma often leaves project managers wondering whether they should buy more affordable mats but sacrifice the quality? Or purchase higher-quality mats at a price above your matting budget? What if we told you that you could have top-notch access mats at an affordable price?
GFI Solutions is proud to present you with industry-leading worksite access solutions, including the sale and rental of access mats. GFI Solutions is your source for high-quality and affordable matting solutions with an extensive inventory of access mats, rig mats, and temporary access bridges. Read on to learn more about our used and new access mats suitable for all heavy machinery.
Affordable Access Mats For Heavy Equipment
When partnering with GFI, you partner with Canada’s sole source for TerraLam products manufactured by Sterling Solutions. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have dramatically improved the standards set by traditional bolted mats at a better price. Manufactured from Southern Yellow Pine wood, CLT mats are 40% lighter than traditional mats, saving up to 60% in transportation costs and 40% on installation and removal. Whether you decide to buy or rent GFI’s access mats, you will definitely cut down on your matting costs.
Don’t Buy, Rent!
Renting used heavy equipment mats will not only help you cut your matting expenses in half, but it will also save you the hassle of washing, transporting, installing and storing your mats. As per Canada’s matting standards, used access mats must be cleaned upon the completion of each project to help keep the environment, the crew and the equipment safe. Cross-contamination is a very high risk when reusing access mats, which is why washing and bleaching the mats are crucial in every worksite. Rather than managing the cleaning process yourself and risk compromising your project due to cross-contamination, renting used access mats manages the cleaning process from A-Z, ensuring that all rented mats are ready for use.
When renting used mats from GFI Solutions, our team can transport, install and remove the mats from your worksite and eliminate the search for a storage space to store mats for the next project. We can seamlessly take that responsibility off your hands.
Don’t Settle For Less.
Renting used heavy equipment mats offer you access mats at a lower price without sacrificing quality. GFI Solutions’ used access mats help ensure a safe worksite for workers, equipment and the environment. Contact us today to learn more about our TerraLam mats!
Jul 28, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Oil rig mats or access mats are crucial for many heavy-duty industries, especially in the oil and gas sector. If you’re on the search for oil rig matting that protects your equipment and workers from unstable soil, dirt, rocky surfaces, bogs or even swamps and is within your budget, then GFI Solutions’ oil rig mats are the ideal solution for your project.
GFI solutions are proud to offer clients across Western Canada access to leading oil rig mats that are durable and dependable for your heavy-duty jobs. Learn more about our oil rig mats on job sites below!
Traditional Bolted Mats Vs. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)
Stronger
Traditional bolted mats are often incorrectly perceived to be more robust than CLT mats; however, CLT mats are actually 30% stronger than traditional bolted mats. Many project managers are unaware that CLT mats are manufactured from Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre instead of Douglas Fir, which is found in traditional bolted mats. Southern Yellow Pine Wood is not only stronger than Douglas Fir, but it is also more sustainable to grow and harvest.
Safer
For those looking to protect the environment and minimize the disturbance to the land during their project, CLT oil rig mats are a valuable asset. Traditional rig mats are essentially used to reduce the damage caused to the earth by trucks and machinery and reduce your footprint to stay within the recommended guidelines, but CLT rig mats are more environmentally friendly. Unlike Douglas Fir fibre, Southern Yellow Pine wood is harvested with sustainable forest practices and ecologically friendly adhesive to bond the planks together.
Longer Lifespan
The glue lamination used in CLT mats also increases the longevity of our oil rig mats. The adhesion bonds the planks together and are then sealed with wax on all four edges to repel moisture and rot. Unlike traditional bolted mats, CLT mats leave very little space between the wooden planks for water or fluids to seep through.
More Secure
Bonding the mats together instead of bolting them allows our CLT mats to have a solid top, which significantly reduces hazards throughout the worksite. The solid top ensures that your workers can easily walk around without tripping over the gaps and ensures that your vehicles won’t be damaged due to a loose bolt.
Partner With The Best
GFI Solutions is proud to offer our partners exceptional customer service in addition to our extensive matting inventory. The following matting solutions are designed to keep your project on schedule and maintain the safety of your crew and workers:
- Inventory Management
- Manufacturing
- Mat Washing
- Delivery & Installation
- Turn-Key Services
- Planning and Consultation
GFI Solutions for All Your Matting Needs
Request a quote today for your upcoming projects and ask about our mat rental program!
Jul 21, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Projects in the drilling, oil and gas and refinery industries require more caution to protect the environment and reduce the damage caused by the equipment and the process. Site access solutions make safe transportation of fluids possible on your worksite as it ensures little to no damage to the landscape.
GFI Solutions is proud to introduce safe-site access mats that protect both your equipment and the landscape during your project. Read on to learn more about the benefits our mats have to offer you.
Prevent Contamination
Transporting fluids on a worksite can cause significant damage to the landscape. Heavy construction equipment as well can sometimes damage the environment due to its weight. Tire tracks, rust and chemicals from the worksite are left behind as you drive the equipment, contaminating the soft ground. The heavy equipment carrying heavier loads alters the landscape’s natural appearance as unstable soil can sink into the ground. Installing access mats at your worksite will help support the weight of your equipment, creating a wooden shield between the chemicals used and the ground protecting the environment from possible damage.
Prevent Delays
Uneven terrain can cause your equipment to sink when the soil is pitted, wet or muddy. Access mats prevent you from having to go through the long process of digging or pulling out your heavy equipment. You can rest assured that your equipment and crew have a safe road/bridge to cross over without risking lengthy delays with access mats.
Prevent Damage
Access mats not only prevent damage to the landscape it also prevents damage to your equipment. The tires on heavy equipment require solid, smooth grounds that can withstand the heavyweight in order to avoid fast wear and tear or tripping hazards. Access mats provide your equipment and crew with the rigid foundation needed to support the weight and protect the tires from any possible damage.
Why GFI Solutions?
GFI Solutions is Canada’s exclusive source for Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam products. Our CLT products include:
We also provide a variety of sizes of bolted access mats for rent and sale. As a manufacturer, our team of experts can provide you with customized matting solutions for your upcoming project. GFI Solutions is your all-in-one matting expertise as we provide several services such as inventory management, delivery & installation, mat washing and more!
Contact our team today to learn more about the perfect matting solution for your needs and request a quote for your upcoming project.
Jul 15, 2022 | Access Mats, News
One of the most common questions project managers ask when considering used rig mats is whether or not they are safe to use at a worksite. A popular misconception about used access mats is that they are unreliable, easily damaged and hazardous to install; however, GFI Solutions implements strict inspection with all used mats to ensure optimal quality before delivering used access mats to the client. Our quality control checklist includes:
- Mat Washing
Cross-contamination can cause harm to the surrounding terrain or create a hazardous working environment that could put your project at risk. Cross-contamination is your number one concern if you’re working in an industry that involves the transport or use of fuel, chemicals or other toxic materials. At GFI Solutions, we understand that the risk of cross-contamination and how it can cause conflict on both Provincial and Federal levels, which is why our team dedicated an entire service to mat washing. All our used mats are rigorously washed and bleached to ensure that proper sterilization is met before delivery.
- Inspection for Repairs or Damages
Even though GFI’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are significantly more robust than traditional bolted mats and offer better support, some mats will naturally experience regular wear and tear. Our thorough inspection at GFI ensures that any mats that require repairs are professionally addressed, and if some mats are heavily damaged, we will instantly get rid of them. Since our TerraLam products are made of solid blocks of wood, repairs can be done much easier than repairs on bolted access mats. At GFI, we pride ourselves on offering our clients the best quality possible, and by ensuring that all our used mats are thoroughly inspected and repaired, we can consistently provide our customers with high-quality used mats.
- Delivery and Installation
We advise all our clients, whether they are purchasing new or used mats, to take advantage of our delivery and installation service as it increases the longevity of your access mats. Our experts will properly deliver and install your mats, ensuring that no damage is inflicted on the mats due to transport and that the mats are carefully installed for optimal performance.
- 24/7 Support
GFI Solutions is proud to provide customers throughout Western Canada with a 24/7 support line where customers can easily request help, inquire about our services or products and access our extensive matting inventory. No matter the location or the problem, you can quickly and easily reach GFI Solutions’ customer support.
Reliable Matting Solutions
Safety is our primary concern at GFI Solutions, which is why players in some of theH biggest industries, such as oil and gas, mining and construction, have entrusted us to be their sole supplier of used and brand new matting solutions. For more information about used worksite mats and used access mats, contact us today!
Jul 7, 2022 | Access Mats, News
When it comes to trusting a supplier that provides top-the-line access matting solutions, the ideal contractor will offer you a combination of high-quality, reliable and cost-effective matting options. At GFI Solutions, we are proud to offer our partners industry-leading access matting solutions that perform as needed regardless of weather, terrain or weight challenges. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are manufactured using a novel approach that engineers reliable and long-lasting access mats. The cross lamination process provides clients with high-quality access and rig mats to withstand the heaviest of loads, keep your worksite safe, maintain your workflow’s efficiency, and keep it on track. Learn more about the benefits of our CLT rig mats below!
Revolutionary Technology
Some might say that CLT mats are an exceptionally engineered product that revolutionizes the access matting industry. Companies in the oil and gas, construction, infrastructure and chemical industries rely greatly on CLT mats as they allow for more efficient workflow at a cost-effective budget. The beauty of CLT mats lies in their production as they are manufactured using Southern Yellow Pine wood, which is 30% stronger than Douglas Fir fibre found in traditional bolted mats. Southern Yellow Pine wood is also 40% lighter than Douglas Fir, which allows for the transportation of 25% more units per load, saving you valuable money and time. CLT rig mats, in particular, can withstand heavier loads than regular CLT worksite mats as they are steel-framed to provide support for equipment such as cranes, excavators, rigs, etc.
CLT Mats In; Traditional Bolted Mats Out
CLT mats are uniquely designed using eco-friendly adhesion to offer stronger on-site performance. Instead of using bolts to bond the wooden planks together, CLT mats are adhered together using non-toxic glue. This process allows the CLT mats more flexibility and strength as the weight is evenly distributed throughout the mat, leading to unrivalled performance even in the toughest conditions. CLT mats are not only more robust than traditional mats but they also:
- Repel Moisture and Rot
- Have High Impact Resistance
- Withstand Extreme Heat and Cold
- Reduce Tripping Hazards
- Minimize Tire Damage
…and more!
GFI Solutions for All Your Matting Needs
Whether you’re looking to buy or rent new or used CLT rig mats, GFI Solutions’ strong customer service team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer turn-key services, delivery and installation, planning and consultation and mat washing services that you can request through our support line. If you’re unsure whether you need worksite mats, rig mats or access bridges for your job site, a GFI expert can review your project and work with you to determine the best matting solutions for your business.
Learn more about our CLT mats by contacting our team today!
