SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 – MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group engineering firm, Montreal, specializing in aluminum marine and bridge applications, announces it will partner with the premier scientific and research organizations in the Canadian aluminum industry to present: INALCO 2013, the 12^th International Aluminium Conference to be held in Montreal, Québec, Canada in 2013.

INALCO 2013 will be organized by the Université du Québec, École de technologie supérieure and presented in partnership with MAADI Group and REGAL – Regroupment Aluminium, Aluminum Research Centre. The three-day conference and exhibition, to be held at the Ecole de technologie supérieure, is the premier forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest research and technology in aluminum applications and constructions.

Scientific and practical applications for aluminum will be presented by experts in the fields of design, architecture and construction, automotive, transportation and other industries, as well as developments in light metals technology, surface treatments, recycling, and sustainable development utilizing aluminum.

INALCO will feature keynote speakers, technical presentations, exhibits, and excursions to off-site facilities and structures that exemplify the best of the aluminum corridor in Quebec. Architects Day and Automotive Day will again offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about aluminum’s vital role in building design and in vehicle lightweighting – important key applications that drive aluminum research and technology developments that transform the architecture and automotive industries.

The international conference is co-sponsored by CQRDA (Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium), and the Aluminium Association of Canada. INALCO 2013 is expected to draw renowned researchers, scientists and engineers from international companies and organizations to Montreal for this once-every-three-years gathering that aims to further the applications and benefits of aluminum and light metals across all markets.

For more information on the INALCO 2013 Conference and Exhibition, contact MAADI Group at info@maadigroup.com, Tel: 514.871.0179 or visit www.maadigroup.com.

December 8, 2009—MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group engineering firm, specializing in aluminum bridges and marine applications, has won Quebec’s prestigious regional Canadian Innovation Award for its Make-A-Bridge® (MAB) pedestrian bridge/walkway system.   MAADI Group’s patented MAB technology was chosen from dozens of entries to represent Quebec in the national Innovation Contest in 2010, being held by the Manufacturers and Exporters Canada (CME), in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada.  

The 2009 Regional Award for New Technology recognizes innovative excellence in the development and application of new process manufacturing technologies in Canada.  IRAP’s ITAs work with SMEs across Canada to increase their innovative and technological capacity.  The Innovation Awards showcase engineering and design expertise used to develop and implement new technologies.  The CME’s Innovation Awards honour Canadian companies’ technology ideas that create outstanding breakthrough products and applications in a highly competitive marketplace. 

“It is a great honour for MAADI Group to represent Quebec in such a prestigious competition that recognizes excellence in practical technology implementation,” said MAADI Group president Alexandre de la Chevrotière, “It would be a great validation of our efforts to win this award at the national level for best technology for our structural aluminum Meccano-style system that requires no welding.  The design we have developed allows direct on-site assembly of pedestrian bridges and gateways, and has the potential to revolutionize how such structures are built in Canada and around the world.”

MAADI Group’s Make-A-Bridge® design has also won second prize in the “Industrial, Commercial or Institutional” category in the 2009 Contech competition, which rewards Quebec developers, architects, engineers and contractors who develop product innovation or technology involving the design, construction or management of buildings.

MAADI president de la Chevrotière says, “We are very gratified by the recognition of our peers at Contech, and delighted that our Make-A-Bridge® product, the culmination of four years of intensive research and development, is now considered to be one of the most promising new innovations in the construction field.”

Make-A-Bridge® uses interlocking aluminum extrusion members to build a structurally strong, yet lightweight pedestrian and light vehicle bridge that attaches easily to new or existing structures.  MAADI Group’s MAB was recently installed as a penthouse level fire escape during renovation of the historic Dow Brewery building in Montreal, and is the first of many MAB installations worldwide that will apply this groundbreaking structural technology.   

The MAB aluminum bridge structure significantly reduces delivery delays encountered in the construction industry and transports easily to remote site locations, reducing transportation costs.  The ultra-light MAB is assembled in place with no heavy lifting equipment.  The MAB’s weld-free design optimizes the creative and ecological potential of aluminum extrusions, and highlights their aesthetic potential.  An integrated RGB Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system is optional, built into the MAB’s top chords and ramp.  The LED light system provides users with a safely lit path at night, and accents the footbridge structure with pleasing and energy-efficient illumination. 

Make-A-Bridge®’s winning design uses eco-friendly aluminum extrusions and cast aluminum tripod nodes.  “We are thrilled that our MAB design is garnering industry recognition with these innovation awards,” says de la Chevrotière, “We anticipate that our design will achieve tremendous success in the months ahead.  Make-A-Bridge® has virtually limitless possibilities in a variety of sustainable indoor and outdoor walkway and skyway applications.  We expect increasing demand for Make-A-Bridge® as architects and developers plan and build infrastructure in commercial and recreational settings.”

MAB bundled components save time and fuel by loading/unloading quickly on standard semi-trailers, and are easily assembled and installed without specialized labor.  The pre-engineered walkway system incorporates customized features with speed and accuracy, adding value at reduced overall cost.  Integrated handrails, kick plates, LED lights, non-slip decking, and overhead canopy options are available.  The load-bearing weld-free spans reach 45 feet in length on a single span by six feet clear width, supporting 100 pounds per square foot.  A smaller length or width allows a much higher distributed load, or a longer span may be designed for fewer payloads in pounds per square foot (psf).

May 18, 2008

MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group of Montreal Canada, displayed the hub component of its Make-A-Bridge™ modular bridge system at ET EXPO Showcase, held May 13-15, 2008 at the Ninth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar and Exposition, held at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

The pedestrian bridge hub component assembly was featured in ET EXPO’s Extrusion Showcase, along with other professional and student design entries in the ET Foundation’s 2008 Design Competition, where the Make-A-Bridge entry won the first place prize in the Structural category.

The Make-A-Bridge modular bridge system is highlighted in Design News Magazine. The DN article, published online May 14, 2008 discusses the winning structural design: www.designnews.com.

The Extrusion Showcase is part of ET EXPO, held once every four years, featuring the most innovative design developments and practical applications in the global aluminum extrusion industry. MAADI Group’s winning design was displayed in the company of such Showcase extrusion exhibits as: the Audi TT convertible sports car; the Segway x2 Golf; and Design Competition entries such as the sporty GO Trailer, and the Gorlov Helical Turbine that also won in their categories.

“We are delighted to be featured in the Extrusion Showcase at ET,” said MAADI Group president, Alex de la Chevrotière. “It gives us a great opportunity to show the international aluminum extrusion industry one of our most exciting new sustainable infrastructure designs.”

ET EXPO sponsor, The Aluminum Extruders Council, also added their “Aluminum is Green” designation to the Make-A-Bridge winning entry, representative of aluminum’s inherently green properties, in terms of aluminum’s economic savings and as a renewable resource with eco-friendly attributes and applications.

For more information on the MAADI Group’s Make-A-Bridge product, contact MAADI Group, Alex de la Chevrotière, alex@maadigroup.com, Tel: 514.871.0179 or 866.688.2587. For information on ET ’08 or ET Expo, visit: www.etfoundation.org.

May 14, 2008

MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group, an engineering firm specializing in aluminum bridges and marine applications, received the 2008 ET Foundation’s Design Competition First Place Award in the Structural category for their Make-A-Bridge™ aluminum modular bridge system. The Aluminum Extrusion Technology for Profiles (ET) Foundation, of Wauconda, Illinois, awards design winners in three categories at both the professional and student levels, with professional winners chosen every two years, and student winners every year.

The Make-A-Bridge system was recognized for its innovative use of interlocking extruded aluminum components in a structural product. The modular system was chosen for its patent-pending design that takes advantage of aluminum’s strength and light weight to deliver an economical and easy-to-install pedestrian bridge that offers a better way to meet infrastructure needs in construction, industrial and sustainable development project applications.

A three-judge panel awarded MAADI Group the first-place prize for Make-A-Bridge, and the competition winners were announced at the International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar and Exposition, ET ’08, in Orlando, Florida at an awards ceremony during Wednesday’s General Session on May 14.

“We are very excited to receive the ET Foundation Design Award,” said Alex de la Chevrotière, MAADI Group’s president, “This is a validation of Make-A-Bridge’s unique design, and also of its sustainable benefits in a building industry that is highly environmentally conscious. We have tremendous goals for Make-A-Bridge’s success as the new standard in pedestrian bridges and walkways for many infrastructure and commercial building applications.”

The extensive use of aluminum extrusions is integral to the versatility of the Make-A-Bridge modular design. According to de la Chevrotière, extruded aluminum provides structural strength and light weight, while remaining totally weld-free.

“Aluminum was chosen for this load-bearing structure for its flexibility, mechanical properties, and ability to be extruded to precise specifications,” says de la Chevrotière, “No fusion welding is required, and components may be disassembled. The A6061 alloy, at 35,000 psi without any welds, has the strength of A36 steel. The aluminum elements may be anodized in architectural colors, and are able to be transported on standard-size trailers and installed on site with minimal labor.”

Make-A-Bridge is designed to further the sustainable benefits required in green building and sustainable development projects for new and renovated structures to enhance quality of life and safety in urban, commercial, and recreational settings.

For more information on the MAADI Group’s Make-A-Bridge product and its applications, contact MAADI Group, Alex de la Chevrotière, alex@maadigroup.com, Tel: 514.871.0179 or 866.688.2587.

July 15, 2008

MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group, Montreal, Canada, an engineering firm specializing in aluminum bridges and marine applications, announces its partnership with Alcoa Innovation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to manufacture its patent-pending Make-A-Bridge™ aluminum modular bridge system. Alcoa will work closely with MAADI Group to develop the extrusion dies, production process, and fabrications required to meet stringent building and bridge code specifications.

The Quebec corridor, where Alcoa Innovation is working with MAADI Group, is known worldwide for technical expertise in the field aluminum. Activities in aluminum research, development, production, and processing are conducted to increase aluminum’s applications and add to its sustainable development momentum. Alain Boucher, Vice-President of Finance and Business Development for Alcoa Canada notes “We want Quebec enterprises in our industry to be better known throughout the world… by pooling our expertise and imagination, we will succeed in procuring a very brilliant future for Quebec.”

Make-A-Bridge product development is supported by the Industrial Research Center of Quebec (Centre quebecois de recherche et de developpement de l’aluminium (CQRDA), and the Centre de recherche industrielle du Quebec (CRIQ), which will lend mechanical and environmental testing labs and production equipment development expertise to the partnership between Alcoa and MAADI Group.

Alcoa Innovation is currently working with MAADI Group to develop the prototype, production process and equipment to manufacture the Make-A-Bridge system for a variety of commercial, industrial, and outdoor infrastructure applications. Alcoa Innovation is headed by Gilles Dufour, Director of Technology and Innovation at Alcoa Canada Primary Metals (ACPM).

For more information on the MAADI Group/Alcoa Innovation partnership on the Make-A-Bridge product, contact MAADI Group, Alex de la Chevrotière, alex@maadigroup.com, Tel: 514.871.0179 or 866.688.2587.

November 20, 2008

MONTREAL, CANADA – The MAADI Group engineering firm, specializing in aluminum bridges and marine applications, is participating in Greenbuild Expo in Boston, displaying information and images of its Make-A-Bridge pedestrian bridge/walkway product in Alcoa’s booth. Alcoa Innovation Canada recently partnered with MAADI Group to develop manufacturing and production of the patent-pending bridge design, mainly comprised of interlocking extruded aluminum members.

MAADI Group president, Alex de la Chevrotière, cites the product line’s sustainable applications and eco-friendly material, transport, and environmental compatibility as reasons why Make-A-Bridge is included in Alcoa’s Greenbuild booth: “We are thrilled to be able to introduce our award-winning infrastructure design to the green building community,” de la Chevrotière states, “Alcoa Innovation is preparing to take Make-A-Bridge into production for a great variety of sustainable indoor and outdoor walkway and skyway applications that are anticipated to be in demand as architects, developers and planners build infrastructure in urban, commercial and recreational settings.”

The Quebec corridor, where Alcoa Innovation is working with MAADI Group, is known worldwide for technical expertise in the field aluminum. Activities in aluminum research, development, production, and processing are conducted to increase aluminum’s applications and add to its sustainable development momentum. Alain Boucher, Vice-President of Finance and Business Development for Alcoa Canada notes “We want Quebec enterprises in our industry to be better known throughout the world… by pooling our expertise and imagination, we will succeed in procuring a very brilliant future for Quebec.”

The Make-A-Bridge modular structure system design and application images are featured in Alcoa’s booth, as well as sample fliers with product information printed on reused aluminum sheet recovered from aircraft interiors, in keeping with the reuse and recycling spirit of Greenbuild. The MAADI Group plans to work closely with Alcoa:Innovation, Canada, to bring the Make-A-Bridge product to market.

For more information on the Make-A-Bridge product, contact MAADI Group’s Alex de la Chevrotière, alex@maadigroup.com, Tel: 514.871.0179 or 866.688.2587.