Hayward Baker Acquires Geo-Foundations Contractors Sponsored

Acquisition underscores heightened business focus on specialized geotechnical construction activities in Canada. Hayward Baker announces that it has acquired Geo-Foundations Contractors, Inc., a Canadian-based specialty geotechnical construction firm.

Geo-Foundations is now a subsidiary of Hayward Baker Canada, Ltd. The entity retains the Geo-Foundations name. Todd Edmunds, the founder and leader of the business since 2001, will continue his active association with the enterprise as president of the new subsidiary.

Geo-Foundations serves the heavy civil, industrial, commercial, institutional and transportation infrastructure sectors of the Canadian construction industry. It specializes in foundation support, ground improvement and ground treatment projects.

Among Geo-Foundations' wide-ranging offerings are specialty grouting services such as jet grouting, rock pressure grouting, soil permeation grouting and compaction grouting. It is also very active in rock and soil anchors, micropiles, soil nailing and other advanced technologies and techniques.

Geo-Foundations is recognized for its highly effective small-diameter drilling capabilities to create highly effective rock and soil anchors, as well as its sophisticated jet grouting skills.

Reflecting these capabilities, Geo-Foundations has participated in numerous high-visibility Canadian projects employing sophisticated engineering and technical skills. One such project was a grout trial program for a deep geologic repository being considered by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for the long-term storage of radioactive waste at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, near Tiverton in Western Ontario.

Among noteworthy current projects, the West Toronto Diamond mass transit project involves jet grouting, sheet piling and drilled shafts installed by Geo-Foundations.

Another high-visibility project is the Union Station rehabilitation and expansion initiative in Downtown Toronto. Geo-Foundations is providing micropiles for excavation support as part of a project to add retail space on the lower floor of the train station. The floor level is being lowered to accommodate the addition of retail stores.

Prior to establishing Geo-Foundations in 2001 and serving as its president since then, Todd Edmunds was division manager with USL. He has over 30 years of industry experience and is a founding delegate member of the International Society for Micropiles. Edmunds is also a member of the Deep Foundations Institute.

Commenting on the acquisition of Geo-Foundations, Edmunds said, "This is an exciting opportunity for all members of the Geo team. After interacting with Hayward Baker on several JV projects, it became apparent that both companies shared similar values and business focus. The opportunity to become part of an international organization further enhances our abilities to provide superior engineering and technology services to clients and meet the growing demands of our industry."

Eric Drooff, president of Hayward Baker Canada, Ltd., echoed Edmunds' comments. "Our two companies have worked closely on several key projects over the past three years. During this time, we were impressed with the excellence of the company and its people. When the opportunity arose to join forces, it was clear that the team-oriented philosophies of our two firms were well-aligned – as well as our shared goals for expansion in the Canadian market."

Drooff noted that because of the acquisition, new synergies include a wider geographic reach for Hayward Baker across the entire country because Geo-Foundations' strong presence in Ontario and Eastern Canada complements existing Hayward Baker offices in the western region. "We're very excited about expanding our role in Canadian ground improvement projects of all types," Drooff stated.

The Geo-Foundations office is located at 302 Main Street North, Acton, ON, Canada L7J 1W9. For more information on the capabilities and services offered by Geo-Foundations or to inquire about construction project support, contact Todd Edmunds at 519-853-3216 or [email protected].

About Hayward Baker Inc. and Hayward Baker Canada, Ltd.
Hayward Baker is North America's leader in geotechnical construction. Ranked by Engineering News-Record magazine as the #1 Excavation/Foundation Contractor, Hayward Baker is the industry leader in applying ground modification technologies to site improvement and remedial work, with a 60-year record of experience.

A wide range of technologies are employed in providing foundation support and rehabilitation services, as well as settlement control, structural support, site improvement, soil and slope stabilization, underpinning, excavation shoring, earth retention, seismic/liquefaction mitigation, and ground water control. Every service provided by Hayward Baker is designed to be the most effective, cost-efficient solution, based on a proven track record of performance in the field.

Hayward Baker services are provided through a network of more than 20 company-owned offices and equipment yards across the continent, with recent expansion activities adding new offices in Salt Lake City and Toronto.

Hayward Baker Inc. is part of the Keller Group of companies, a multinational organization providing geotechnical construction services throughout the world. Web site address: www.keller.co.uk.

Several joint projects that Hayward Baker and Geo-Foundations have already conducted include a grout trial program for a deepgeologic repository to store radioactive waste at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, located near Tiverton in Western Ontario. Hayward Baker has now acquired Geo-Foundations Contractors.

Source: Hayward Baker