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 honor Canadian companies’ technology ideas that create outstanding breakthrough products and applications in a highly competitive marketplace.
Innovation and Vision Behind MakeABridge®
“It is a great honor 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.”
Previous Recognition at Contech Competition
MAADI Group’s MakeABridge 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 MakeABridge 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.”
MakeABridge 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.
How MakeABridge® Works: Design & Installation Benefits
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The ultra-light MAB aluminum bridge structure reduces delivery delays, transports easily to remote sites, and assembles in place without heavy lifting equipment. Its weld-free design enhances both the aesthetic and ecological potential of aluminum extrusions.
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An optional integrated RGB LED lighting system provides safe nighttime illumination while accenting the footbridge with energy-efficient lighting.
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MakeABridge® uses eco-friendly aluminum extrusions and cast aluminum tripod nodes, offering virtually limitless possibilities for sustainable indoor and outdoor walkways, skyways, and pedestrian infrastructure.
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Bundled components save time and fuel, allow fast loading/unloading on standard semi-trailers, and can be assembled without specialized labor. Optional features include handrails, kick plates, LED lights, non-slip decking, and overhead canopies.
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Load-bearing weld-free spans reach up to 45 feet in length and six feet clear width, supporting 100 pounds per square foot, with flexible designs for varying lengths, widths, and loads.
Why MakeABridge® Stands Out in Pedestrian Bridge Design
MAADI Group’s MakeABridge® pedestrian bridge system demonstrates how innovative design, modular construction, and sustainable materials can transform pedestrian infrastructure. Recognized with Quebec’s regional Canadian Innovation Award and other industry honors, MakeABridge® offers lightweight, durable, and maintenance-free solutions for a wide range of applications—from commercial walkways to outdoor skyways—while providing efficiency, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal for architects, developers, and communities alike.
