Apr 25, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Winter is on the way out, and with the snow finally starting to melt, it’s time to make sure that you have everything you need for the upcoming construction and development season. Whether you’re in the construction, oil & gas, mining, forestry, petrochemical, or related heavy industrial sectors, you already know just how important it is to have the right tools for the job in place before breaking ground. At GFI Solutions, we’re proud to be one of Canada’s top choices for site access solutions, including a wide range of heavy-duty site-safe CLT access mats. Designed to tackle the toughest jobs on-site while saving you time, money, and avoiding plenty of headaches along the way, CLT rig and crane mats offer plenty of benefits to every job site, and GFI is here to ensure you have the products you need when it matters most. Learn more about the benefits of CLT crane mats and partnering with GFI below!
Leave the Past Behind
There’s been a large pain point in the safe access industry for decades, but until fairly recently, there hadn’t been a vetted solution for the frustration caused by traditional bolted matting. Despite being the go-to solution in the past, bolted mats have a reputation for sudden failures and heavy shipping fees, neither of which are ideal for procurement managers. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have stepped up to fill the void and performance demands left by bolted mats and give you plenty of benefits to enjoy on the job site including weighing 40% less than oak mats, a life cycle that lasts 3-5 times longer, and 500 and 700 series that can easily outperform traditional crane and rig matting. Best of all, the lower weight of CLT mats means you’ll save significantly when shipping your mats, with each load being capable of carrying up to 60% more than standard bolted mats.
How it Works
CLT crane and access mats are set apart from competitors thanks to their unique manufacturing process. While bolted mats are created by bolting materials together (hence the name), Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. Bonding the planks together allows them to flex and focus weight on ALL aspects of the mat, rather than straining on bolt points and risking sudden failures. The flexibility of the mats allows for superior durability and performance, even under heavy loads, project after project. Our 500 series is a 5 ply CLT mat, available in multiple sizes, and for extra heavy lifting, we’re pleased to offer a 700 series for the toughest jobs you face.
Crane Mats at GFI
With decades of industry experience on our side, the team at GFI knows how important it is to have the right solutions available with minimal wait times or ordering hassle. Our commitment to you 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. Contact our team today to learn more.
Apr 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Are you aware of just how versatile crane mats can be when it comes to protecting your job site and ensuring everyone has the right resources to proceed safely and efficiently? If you’re gearing up for a busy spring and summer season, GFI Solutions is here to make sure you have everything you need to succeed when it comes to site safe access solutions. As one of Canada’s leading suppliers of CLT access mats, GFI Solutions is proud to carry some of the highest quality crane and rig mats available on the market. Below, we’ll talk about the many applications of crane mats that you can use to benefit your sites in 2022. Read on to learn more!
Heavy Weight Champions
As many in the industrial sectors will already be aware, sometimes base-level equipment and solutions simply won’t meet the needs of your job. Those who have tried traditional bolted mats are likely already familiar with the frustration (and expense) that comes with constant breakages, and you’re no doubt wondering how you can find an access mat that can actually stand up to the needs of heavy equipment like rigs, cranes, excavators, and more.
Fear not; Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have you covered! Designed to be stronger, more flexible (and therefore less prone to sudden failures), and able to stand up to the heaviest jobs with minimal strain, CLT mats are your cost-effective perfect solutions. 500 level models are an ideal fit for crane and rig applications and are specifically designed to deal with intense loads, such as equipment and heavy transport.
Versatile Applications
CLT crane mats are one of the most versatile solutions available on the market, offering you a wide range of benefits like reducing cost thanks to the ability to ship more mats per load, a superior life cycle, and more. One of the best aspects of choosing CLT matting, in general, is that the high-level performance allows you to use them for a wide range of applications including:
Temporary Roadways
Canada’s landscape can be tough for heavy machinery to navigate, especially when you factor in constantly changing weather that constantly affects the terrain. Rig mats can be used to form makeshift roadways for your convoys, giving them safe and easy access to your job site when it matters most.
Cranes and Heavy Equipment
We all know that cranes and rig work can be one of the more challenging applications for traditional matting due to the weaknesses present at the standard bolting points on typical mats. CLT mats are able to flex under heavy equipment, making it easy for them to stay in place and act as a steady platform while you operated your rig. Having an extra layer between the ground and your equipment prevents you from sinking into the earth, and helps protect the surrounding environment as well.
The stability and strength offered by crane mats make them extremely useful when it comes to acting as a foundation for other heavy equipment like excavators, drills, and other vital construction assets that may challenge standard access matting.
Pipelines
Crane mats are also a staple when it comes to pipeline construction thanks to their durability. Heavy-duty mats are a frequent feature on job sites as they make it easy for trucks to navigate and equipment to work as needed with minimal disruptions or risk to the landscape in the long term. Crane mats can also be used as an air bridge over exiting lines to prevent traffic from coming into contact with the pipe itself.
Need Access Matting Solutions You Can Trust?
GFI is here to help. With 24/7 service all year round service and a robust inventory of safe access solutions that includes crane mats and more, our team is here to ensure you have the support you need Canada-wide. Contact us today to learn more!
Feb 25, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Spring is around the corner…are your job sites ready to tackle the challenges of winter thaw? GFI Solutions is here to ensure that you have everything you need to succeed this construction season, including readily available access to site safe access, crane, and rig CLT mats. Designed for unbeatable performance and safety, CLT mats are your first choice for secure and easy-to-navigate construction all year round. Read on to learn more about the benefits of CLT Rig mats, and why you need to partner with GFI today!
Performance You Can Count On
Whether you’re in the oil and gas sector, transportation, or power industries, knowing that you have a safe foundation is key. CLT access mats have quickly become the industry standard for access matting in heavy industries thanks to their ability to stand up to extreme demands and last from project to project. Made from high-quality Southern Yellow Pine lumber, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats outperform competitors in almost every single category including strength, longevity, and overall cost.
What’s the secret to the success of CLT access mats? Their unique design! Unlike bolted mats that use bolted fasteners to hold planks together, unintentionally creating focal points that lead to a higher chance of breakages, CLT mats are bound together using an environmentally safe adhesive. This process of binding mats together instead of bolting allows them to flex under pressure rather than cracking. This enhanced durability makes CLT mats ideal for use with cranes, rigs, and other heavy equipment that require extra strength to perform under pressure. CLT mats also help to increase on-site safety by removing the hazards presented by bolts, which can puncture tires, scratch your equipment, and ultimately present a risk for workers on site.
GFI Solutions maintains a regular stock of site safe CLT rig and crane mats including our CLT 300 and CLT 500 mats, both of which come in various standardizations as follows:
3- or 5-ply Construction
- 300 CLT – 8’ wide x 4’ thru 16’ long
- 500 CLT – 4’ wide x 4’ thru 18’ long
- 500 CLT – 8’ wide x 4’ thru 18’ long
Partner with GFI Today
GFI Solutions is proud to be a Canadian-based supplier of leading right mat solutions, including site safe Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats. No matter where you are in Canada, you can trust GFI to bring you innovation, cost-saving benefits, and the best in quality access matting. With 24/7 support, same-day shipping and even turnkey services designed to get you up to speed, GFI always has you covered. Contact us to get more information about our CLT rig mats and safe access solutions today!
Feb 16, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Spring is just around the corner, and with construction companies gearing up for build season, the time to set up for success is now. From procuring the right equipment to laying the right foundation to operate on, planning ahead is the best way to make sure your project proceeds according to schedule. GFI Solutions is proud to offer clients in the construction, Oil & Gas, and heavy industrial sectors access to leading CLT mat solutions they can count on. Cross Laminated Timber access and crane mats are one of the best ways to get your job site up to speed, comply with environmental protection standards, and avoid hazards that lead to costly delays. Below, we’ll discuss some of the perks of working with crane mats. Read on to learn more.
Taking a Closer Look at Site Safe CLT Access Mats
Access mats are designed to, as their name suggests, facilitate a safer and more efficient worksite. Canadian climate and geography can be rough on equipment and operators, so having a steady base (more on that below) is essential for safety and job site navigation. Access mats are great as temporary roadways, platforms and other needs as the weather changes and can prevent you from getting stuck in the mud—literally. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) has become the trusted industry standard for access matting and are able to stand up to the tasks typically handled by rig and crane mats thanks to their superior strength.
Benefits to using site safe CLT access mats on your job site include:
Easy Set-Up
We’re all on the go, and during construction season, the last thing you need is to face complication installation for your site solutions. GFI is proud to offer same-day shipping, as well as on-site installation to make sure you have everything you need correctly in place; saving time and reducing the margins for error along the way.
Protects the Ground
Environmental sustainability has risen to the forefront of the build process due to the many federal and provincial standards that are in place. Access and rig mats help to protect the landscape from the damage caused by hauling, chemical usage, etc.
Solid Base for Equipment
Heavy equipment like cranes and rigs can pose a significant risk to the environment, as well as to your crew members without the proper foundation in place to prevent them from sinking into the mud or sliding in adverse conditions.
Durable and Long-lasting
Cross Laminated Timber offers a vastly superior life cycle in comparison to traditional bolted mats, lasting roughly 3-5 times longer. This translates into better value for your company and gives you an important resource you can count on job after job.
Versatility
One of the best aspects of CLT mats is the immense versatility they offer on-site. From serving as a rig or crane platform to makeshift roads, safe storage solutions and more, the right fit can be perfectly customized for almost every application!
Need Access Matting Solutions You Can Trust?
GFI is here to help. With 24/7, 365 service, our team is here to ensure you have the support you need Canada-wide. Contact us today to learn more!
Dec 7, 2021 | Access Mats, News
Is your heavy industry team in need of site access solutions that conquer difficult terrain, allow you to uphold environmental standards, and safely transport both equipment and resources to and from site? Site access mats make it easy to tackle Canada’s ever-evolving landscape and protect your equipment from the hazards presented by the terrain. GFI Solutions is proud to offer industry-leading safe site products, including heavy-duty Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats. Constructed using game-changing CLT methods, our mats are built to taking a beating without cracking under pressure. When you need matting that can stand up to the demands of the job without faltering under pressure, GFI has you covered. With access mat rentals and sales for the oil & gas industry and everything in between, we’re your go-to source for solutions you can count on.
CLT Rig Mats: Heavy on Performance
It’s no secret that the heavy industry sector faces unique difficulties when handling its operations, especially when dealing with equipment like cranes and rigs. Designed to handle even the toughest of jobs, crane mats are able to stand up to the demands of extreme applications without the risk of stress fractures or even sudden breakages like bolted mats. Instead, when you partner with a CLT supplier, you gain access to solutions that will stand the test of time and help you get the job done right.
How CLT Mats Work
CLT site safe access mats are specifically designed to improve upon the best features of Unlike their bolted counterparts TerraLam® Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are constructed using alternating perpendicular layers of wood that are bonded with a special adhesive for optimal performance. The adhesive allows mats to flex with each load and distribute weight evenly, resulting in increased strength and longevity.
Key benefits of using site safe CLT mats include:
- High impact resistance and durability.
- Increased life span (3-5 times that of traditional mats).
- Glue lamination and wax sealed on all 4 edges of the mat to make it less vulnerable to moisture and rot.
- Able to withstand the Canadian climate, all year-round.
- Lower shipping costs due to the lightweight nature of the mats (up to 60% more load capacity), and more.
Site Safe Access Mats at GFI
GFI is proud to be a full-scale solutions provider for the site access industry across Canada spanning key locations from Calgary all the way to the Maritimes and in between! Our team offers customers access to 24/7 rental and sales service, as well as mat washing, installation, turnkey services, and more. Learn more about our products, including our extra tough rig mats by contacting our team today!
