January 23, 2013

CISC studies near home stretch

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) is nearing the home stretch on production of three landmark steel construction research studies.

Being conducted in partnership with the University of Alberta and external consultants, the studies are intended to generate insight into the industry’s size, value and contribution to the economy.

All three studies are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of this year.

“The aim is to obtain a solid, credible base of data that will allow us to demonstrate the strength, capacity, competitiveness and commitment of the Canadian steel industry as well as its impact on the Canadian economy,” said marketing manager Tareq Ali.

The national steel fabrication capacity study will gather data on such items as annual total tonnage, facility size and capacity utilization.

The CISC cost comparison study will analyze and compare the total cost of projects constructed using domestically procured steel versus steel procured offshore.

A study on the economic impact of the steel construction industry will quantify the industry’s impact in terms of employment, Gross Domestic Product output and taxation as well as both the direct and induced impact from investment in the industry.

When completed, the studies will be made available to the institute’s members, steel fabricators, detailers, Canadian steel mills and steel service centres, as well as associate members, erectors and suppliers.

The institute said the data will be “a key resource” for firms to utilize in drafting both business development and growth planning strategies.

The CISC is the national industry organization representing the structural steel, open-web steel joist and steel platework fabricating industries.

Follow Patricia Williams on Twittter @Patricia_DCN.

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