Alexandre Franco - ANO: LXXV – EDIÇÃO Nº 3906 - Post Milenio

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II 13 a 19 de Outubro de 2006 Construction News TCA who? During my brief tenure at TCA, I have frequently been asked by neophytes what it is exactly that we do. Most politely endure my lengthy monologue and gratefully nod their heads, probably secretly wishing 20 minutes later that they hadn't asked. Unfortunately for me, it is typically prospective members asking the question, and the consequence of a long-winded answer is almost always an opportunity lost. The neophytes think with 2200 member companies comprising some 300,000 construction industry practitioners, that the sheer volume of participation speaks for itself. That, and the fact our constitution predates Canada's, is certainly enough to impress my small brain. But the story is a little different when it costs you money to be impressed. It also occurs to me that membership revenue pays the bills, mine included. And so, for purely subjective reasons, this President's Report is dedicated to rationalizing what it is that we do, and why, in as tangible terms as possible, membership pays dividends. Let's begin with the facts. TCA, to the best of my knowledge, is the largest association of its kind in North America, and unlike many of its counterparts in the association business, TCA serves the "entire" ICI sector, i.e. professional constructors (all disciplines including specialty contractors), owners, architects, consulting engineers, lawyers, brokers, cost consultants, insurers, manufacturers, suppliers and industry service providers. And because we serve the industry at large, the scope of our services is diverse and traditionally aligns with the often very different agendas of our membership. There are elements of common ground, of course, so it is perhaps prudent to touch on them first. The single most significant of them, in our view, is networking. We do believe in the notion of "members supporting members" and play host at a variety of social events, seminars and committee meetings. We publish newspapers, magazines and books, post project and employment opportunities online, and commonly act as the "voice of the industry." Because there is strength in numbers, we are also in the enviable position of being able to offer our members discount programs that would only otherwise be available to corporations with literally hundreds of thousands of employees. In the past, relatively few have capitalized on this unique opportunity despite the fact that our benefits program oft en far exceeds conventional employee benefits. Our home and auto insurance program, for example, can generate sufficient savings on its own to pay for the cost of TCA membership, and assuming members pass on the benefits to staff, the return on investment annually is potentially many fold. Add to that our travel, gas, business and communication, entertainment and retail savings programs, and the membership dividends become significant. Surprisingly, not all of our members choose to capitalize on our discount program, and most, in my experience,under utilize the networking opportunity. Fortunately for them, however, opportunities for membership benefits abound. Some of the highlights include: In early 2003, TCA formally entered the education business when it founded The Construction Institute, which provides accreditation/certification and continuing professional development for industry executives in a self-regulated, membership-based, chartered institute. In excess of 400 TCA/MCA members enjoy the benefits of our plans room. Our electronic plans room, which will be provincial by early September, is extraordinarily user friendly (Wade-Tech platform) and available at a nominal cost to members only. Senior TCA staff offer advice and counseling on matters relating to contract law, the Lien Act, and payment processing guidelines among other things. Moreover, TCA is in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) business and frequently hosts mediation and/or arbitration hearings to members seeking to avoid the prohibitive cost of arbitration. TCA/MCA members are typically also members of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), which compounds the benefi ts of local association membership. CCA and COCA act for the common good of the industry in matters of federal and provincial jurisdiction including using their best efforts to influence favorable legislation. TCA lends support on behalf of its local members and interacts municipally through a home-grown Political Action Lobby (PAL). Despite the fact that our industry accounted for an estimated $160 billion in real gross economic output in 2005, and has since 1999 led all other sectors of the economy in job creation, Ontario continues to be plagued by a massive labor shortage. Accordingly, TCA's Speaker's Bureau and Future Building Show volunteers have made attracting qualifi ed new talent to the industry a full time job. Association members are entitled to free access to our in-house Notary Public and/or Commissioner of Oaths for such things as the execution of statutory declarations, which can otherwise become very expensive. Members also have free access to our facilities, including workstations, boardrooms, meeting rooms and classrooms. For our mainstream mixed trade contractor members, the cost of membership is still less than $800 annually. For Allied members that already belong to other service specific associations, the cost is even more affordable. At TCA, we are committed to ensuring that the benefits of membership far exceed the cost, now and always. I'm convinced! Having said that, we always welcome new ideas and would be delighted to hear from you. Toward that end, my door is always open. John G. Mollenhauer Ontario Housing Starts Moderate 2006 Housing Starts Down 7% Ontario Preliminary Housing Starts for August 2006 were down slightly from August 2005 according to numbers released by CMHC this morning. The first eight months of 2006 have recorded a 7% decline in housing starts. The Ontario Home Builders' Association has forecasted a healthy 75,000 housing starts for 2006, which is a small decrease from the 78,795 new homes started in 2005. OHBA President Victor Fiume stated, "The Ontario housing market has been very robust this year, however we are forecasting a soft landing from the cyclical highs that we experienced a couple of years ago." Fiume explained, "A number of factors such as the Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt, higher interest rates and the increasing costs of materials and labour have eroded housing affordability over the last year, which have contributed to the moderation in residential construction activity across Ontario." The Ontario Home Builders' Association is the voice of the residential construction industry in Ontario representing 4,000 member companies organized into 31 local associations across the province. The industry contributes over $25 billion dollars to Ontario's economy, employing over 360,000 people across the province. Our members build 80% of the new housing in Ontario.
Construction News The Ontario Home Builders' Association honoured Terry Kaufman of Josh Construction in Toronto as 2006 OHBA Member of the Year at the Association's Annual Conference at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls. Kaufman was recognized for his exceptional commitment to the organization, particularly as a member of OHBA's Executive Committee and as Chair of the Builders' Council. Ontario Home Builders' Association President Brian Johnston said, "Terry exemplifies what it means to be a volunteer and give back to this industry," and added, "He has generously shared his time and considerable expertise and wisdom whenever the association has called for help and is truly deserving of this honour." Ian Rawlings, of Waterloo was presented with OHBA's Lifetime Achievement Award. Rawlings, a consultant with IBI Group, an international firm specializing in the physical development of cities, was honoured for his long-standing contribution to the new housing industry throughout Ontario. With more than two decades experience in the industry, Rawlings served as President of the Ottawa-Carleton HBA in 1987, President of the OHBA in 1993 and President of the Waterloo Region HBA in 2000. "Ian has a wealth of outstanding qualities," noted Johnston, who added, "He has enjoyed a stellar career and has never waned in his efforts to contribute positively to our industry." In other awards, the Greater Windsor Home Builders' Association was named 2006 OHBA. Local Association of the Year. Most notable among a list of outstanding achievements was the "Build for the MRI" project it organized to support the Windsor and Essex County Cancer Care Centre Foundation. With the help of 162 companies and 400 volunteers, members of the association built a new 'dream home' in just three days which was ultimately sold and raised $265,000 for the community cause. Ontario Home BuildersAnnounce Awards of Distinction Winners for 2006 Mattamy Homes of Toronto, captured top honours when it was named 2006 Ontario Home Builder of the Year by the Ontario Home Builders' Association. The award highlights the home building company that sets the standard for the rest of the industry through its leadership in improving the overall image of the industry. Since its founding in 1978, Mattamy Homes has built over 25,000 homes in 76 communities primarily in the Greater Toronto area. It was awarded the coveted honour this year based on surveys from home buyers along with stringent judging criteria in the areas of sales and marketing excellence, unique floor design, community service, support of the industry and its ability to adapt to changing needs. ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ANNUAL AWARDS The prestigious award is among 27 categories in the Awards of Distinction program which honours innovation and excellence in the areas of design and sales and marketing. A record number 440 entries were submitted this year from some of the finest builders, renovators and marketers in Ontario. The following companies took home first place awards in 2006: Most Outstanding Production Built Home - 1 storey up to 1900 sqft.: Doug Tarry Limited, Lake Margaret - the Waterford Cottage, St. Thomas Most Outstanding Production Built Home- 1 storey 1900 sqft. and over: Metric Homes, Arbourbrook Estates - The Arbourbrook III, Ottawa Most Outstanding Production Built Home - two storey up to 2500 sqft.: Losani Homes, Country Estates - The Hamlet, Binbrook Most Outstanding Production Built Home - two storey 2500 sqft. and over: Tribute Communities, Village of Brooklin West -The Lamberton, Brooklin-Whitby Most Outstanding Custom Home - under 2500 sqft.: J. Corsi Developments Inc., The Kinsmen Club of Sudbury 23rd Showcase Home, Sudbury Most Outstanding Custom Home - 2500 - 5000 sqft.: Christopher Simmonds Architect, The Escarpment House, Halton Hills Most Outstanding Custom Home - 5000 sqft. and over: Windemere Custom Homes, Hillside Manor, Ashburn Most Outstanding Attached Multi Unit Home - semi/town home/stacked: Marz Homes, Bal Harbour, Stoney Creek Most Outstanding High Rise Condo Suite: Monarch Corporation, Explorer - Penthouse Suite, Etobicoke Most Outstanding Home Renovation: Zavarella Construction, The Leschuk Residence, Brantford Most Outstanding Kitchen: Reid's Heritage Homes Ltd., Talbot Village - The Pelc Residence, London Most Outstanding Bathroom: Losani Homes, Rock Chapel Residence, Grimsby Best Internet Web-Site: Heron Homes, Lora Bay - (www.heronatlorabay.com), Thornbury Best TV or On-site Video/Digital Presentation: Freed Developments Ltd., 550 Wellington West, Toronto Best High Rise Ad Campaign: Lanterra Developments, Maple Leaf Square, Toronto Best Low Rise Ad Campaign: Riverstone Builders (Cachet Estate Homes Inc., Rosehaven Homes, TownWood Homes Inc., Sequoia Grove Homes Inc.), Riverstone Golf and Country Club - Country Club Etiquette, Brampton Best Project Logo Design & Signage: Davies Smith Developments, The Rowe, Whitby Best New Home Sales Office under 1500 sqft.: Concord Pacific Group, Concord City Place - Luna, Toronto Best New Home Sales Office 1500 sqft. and over: Aspen Ridge Homes, vü, Toronto Best Interior Decorating Model Home/Suite under 2000 sqft.: Mattamy Homes, Wheler's Mill - The Laketon, Stouffville Best Interior Decorating Model Home/Suite 2000 sqft. and over: Mattamy Homes , Wheler's Mill - The Farnham, Stouffville Best Project Sales Brochure - low rise: 13 a 19 de Outubro de 2006 III Heron Homes, Lora Bay, Thornbury Best Project Sales Brochure - high rise: Freed Developments Ltd., 550 Wellington West, Toronto Project of the Year - low rise: Heron Homes, Lora Bay, Thornbury Project of the Year - high rise: Davies Smith Developments, The Rowe, Whitby 2006 Ontario Home Builder of the Year: Mattamy Homes., Toronto In addition, Pat Brennan, a veteran journalist and former long-time Toronto Star Real Estate Editor was presented with the 2006 SAMMY Award recognizing his contribution to the field of sales and marketing of new homes.
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Alexandre Franco - ANO: LXXV – EDIÇÃO Nº 3906 - Post Milenio

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