On the personal front, Mike and his wife Jessica welcomed a baby girl this past January to their growing family!
Professionally, Mike has a diverse background. For the past five years, he’s worked as a certified installer for Jason Lafantaisie, the owner of TMP Kitchener-Waterloo, who he’s known since high school. Their time working together has played an important role in Mike's career decisions. Prior to working with Jason, Mike was a CNC operator, a skilled professional responsible for operating special machines, and before that he gained valuable experience as a retail manager.
Mike told us he didn’t previously have a construction background but has always wanted to be his own boss. Needless to say, he jumped on the opportunity to start a dealership for the Peterborough region when it presented itself. With this launch, that dream is now a reality.
As the owner of TMP Peterborough, Mike is officially part of the Techno Metal Post family. We are thrilled to have him on board and wish him much success!
Our network in France welcomes Techno Pieux Maine - Le Mans
Welcoming Erwan de Sonis to our TMP family! Erwan spent his childhood in the region of Sarthe in France, tying him to the Le Mans area from a young age. His impressive educational journey began at the military school Prytanée National de la Flèche, followed by the Naval High School of Brest in CPES (Prep Classes for Higher Studies). Here, he learned the essential skills of discipline and rigor which proved invaluable as he completed his second year of CPGE (Prep Classes for Grandes Écoles) at Lycée Montesquieu in Le Mans.
Erwan later attended ENSTIB earning an engineering degree specializing in construction. After graduating, he joined ‘Aux Charpentiers De France’ as a team manager for carpenters but eventually shifted his focus from wood to metal construction, while acquiring new skills in production and project management. He gained valuable experience through internships at a marine carpentry company in Sorrento, Australia, and later as an assistant engineer at Naval Group in Cherbourg. His final internship took place at Ateliers Perrault's study office near Angers.
He was introduced to Techno Metal Post through his wife's family at which point he explored the world of foundation solutions. Owning strong entrepreneurial skills, he decided to open a dealership in his childhood region of Sarthe and Mayenne and join the TMP family. We wish Erwan much success ahead!
Techno Metal Post Fraser Valley is in New Hands
Techno Metal Post Fraser Valley is now in new hands, with longtime Kamloops dealers Michael Pelletier & Simon Lafond. Both originally from the province of Quebec, Michael and Simon first acquired TMP Kamloops several years back and have recently seized the opportunity to expand their business.
While you can also read the original dealership article HERE, below is a brief overview of their background.
Michael’s background…
Michael has been working in the construction industry in Western Canada since 2009, gaining valuable jobsite experience and also as a project manager. His interest in becoming a dealer was sparked by Steve Langlois of TMP Calgary, leading him to apprentice under Christian Rousseau, the president and general manager for TMP Alberta. Shortly after, Michael acquired the dealership for Kamloops, B.C.
Simon’s background…
Simon Lafond discovered his passion for carpentry in 2006 when he enrolled in a trade school for skills training. In 2009, he moved to Calgary and worked for his father, installing siding for residential and commercial properties.
Not long after, he met Michael at a mutual friend's Christmas dinner, where the two immediately connected. Simon says he was ready for a career change when Mike approached him in 2019 about joining Techno Metal Post Kamloops with him. He says, “Like most people discovering this technology for the first time, I found it fascinating and innovative. We started small and over the last 7 years with TMP Kamloops, we’ve built a solid foundation and feel confident in our expansion with Fraser Valley.”
Committed to quality and service…
Michael and Simon wanted to point out that they remain committed to their customers and will continue to provide the same reliable quality and service. We’re happy for these two talented gentlemen as they continue this exciting venture, and we wish them much success ahead!
Guidelines & Recommendations After a Helical Pile Installation
We’d like to touch base on some important points to follow after a helical pile installation. Proper care is essential to ensure the longevity of any structure, whether you're building a deck, modular home, shed, or any other type of construct. To help you avoid common issues, we’ve listed key guidelines and recommendations to follow.
Here’s what you need to know:
Construction & Maintenance Phase
It’s imperative to maintain a minimum clearance of 6 inches between the ground and all structures, keeping in mind that the top plate bracket should never be buried. This provides proper spacing between building elements and the ground, while also allowing for ground expansion during different weather conditions.
Ex: frozen ground and/or soil moisture
Note:
A minimum clearance of 6 inches between the ground and all construction features, such as skirting, beams, joists, or columns, is also necessary.
Once the structure is in place, refrain from backfilling the area and burying the piles and space with objects, pavers, earth, or other materials. The 6” clearance must be maintained at all times.
Staircase Installation
If a staircase is connected to your structure, we also highly recommend installing TMP’s helical piles under the last step, again keeping a minimum clearance of 6 inches (to the ground) to ensure proper stability and support. If that option isn’t feasible, consider using a hinge system directly on the staircase to provide a mobile joint. Either of these methods will accommodate potential movement and prevent any shifting or uneven settling.
Storage
When storing items underneath your structure, it’s also important to reserve a minimum of 6 inches of space between your stored items and the structure itself. The reason is, that in regions where you have freeze/thaw cycles or swelling clay, ground movement can potentially push the objects upwards against the structure. Important to note: the piles themselves won’t be displaced, but the structure itself might be affected if the space distance isn’t respected.
The most important takeaway from this article is your attention to detail and taking the precautionary steps from the guidelines above. These key suggestions will contribute to the longevity of your project, avoid common issues, and provide adequate storage space without causing overall damage.
Our Unique Polyethylene Green Sleeve
Let’s look at one feature that makes Techno Metal Post stand out from our competitors: Our high-density polyethylene green sleeve. It offers a unique benefit because of its design to reduce friction between the surrounding soil and the helical pile.
For over 30 years now, Techno Metal Post has promoted using the green sleeve during the installation of helical piles, particularly for those installed through a layer of soil subject to freeze/thaw cycles. When the ground freezes, it causes the soil to expand and push the ground surface upwards, resulting in frost heave. Expansive soil can also alternate between shrinking and swelling with seasonal changes in its moisture content.
Over time, we observed that using the green sleeve reduces the risk of piles lifting/heaving in winter and thus promotes their stability throughout the seasons.
During 2020, TMP undertook a process to characterize and quantify the positive effects related to the use of the green sleeve. A field load test campaign was completed in March 2022 by TMP and witnessed by a third-party laboratory. The objective was to validate the effectiveness of the green sleeve on our helical piles, models P1 to P5, for two different types of soil (granular and cohesive).
The test consisted of conducting pull-out load testing on pile shafts installed with and without a green sleeve. Based on the analysis of different results, the conclusion showed that friction can be reduced on average by 67% between the pile with a green sleeve and the frozen ground.
Important to note: Normally, helical piles are designed to be anchored in a stable layer of soil and installed below the frost line or zone of potentially swelling soil. Helices in a deeper soil layer resist uplift forces caused by frost or expansive soil. Adding insulation, especially when piles are installed under a concrete foundation, can also provide protection. That explains why some structures built with Techno Metal Posts have no sleeve.
However, for shallow applications of light loads, such as deck foundations, patios, or other residential structures, we recommend our high-density polyethylene green sleeve to reduce the effects of soil friction and expansive soil.
For those familiar with the installation of helical piles, the helix goes into the ground with ease until the minimum torque is reached. However, in some cases, the installer has to contend with some obstacles, making for a more challenging installation requiring some soil disturbance around the helix and pile itself.
Often observed with rocky soils, this shuffling, however minimal, can create a water infiltration point which reduces the helix's ability to regain vertical uplift force resistance. By winter, accumulated water has frozen, causing potential soil movement which increases the vertical friction force along the pile.
For such situations, Techno Metal Post's green sleeve plays an essential role: it acts as a barrier between the soil and the pile. The sleeve slides along the pile without compromising the stability of the pile.
The soil eventually and naturally reconsolidates with the seasons. This reduces infiltration while increasing the pile's capacity to withstand the vertical forces caused by the freeze. The need for a green sleeve is therefore essential for the first 2 to 3 years following installation.
Eventually over the years, the sleeve might gradually move upwards. Cutting off the excess with a utility knife will prevent excessive build-up on top of the pile as well as improving the aesthetic appearance.
In some cases, after several years, the sleeve may completely come off. By then, it won't be necessary. The soil will have completely reconsolidated around the pile, allowing it to absorb the vertical forces of the freezing conditions without it shifting.
Overall, adding the polyethylene green sleeve during a pile installation greatly reduces the risk of piles lifting/heaving in winter and allows the stability of your structure on a long-term basis.
Call your local dealer if you have questions, they will be happy to chat with you and take the time to explain the benefits of our technology. Click here to contact a dealer.
A Foundation Solution for All Your Projects
When it comes to starting any construction project, a solid and durable foundation is essential for ensuring long-lasting stability. In this article, you’ll discover how Techno Metal Post's helical piles are the perfect foundation solution for a wide variety of undertakings. Thanks to their exceptional versatility and adaptability, helical piles are ideal for various construction projects, including unique and innovative applications.
Unique & Original Applications
As a result of their versatility, they’ve become increasingly popular as a foundation solution for ‘out of the ordinary’ structures and unique art pieces. These somewhat rare designs require a simple yet solid foundation without the obstacles that traditional concrete foundations bring. Another advantage they bring to the table is that they can be unscrewed and uninstalled if your project calls for a temporary foundation.
To help you better understand their versatility and practicality, further down we've showcased various projects demonstrating how helical piles adapt to different terrain types and support a variety of structures.
What’s more, this foundation system allows you to install in…
Different soil types (including rocky soils or waterlogged areas)
Sloped terrain or hillsides
Winter conditions
Difficult to access areas
Environmentally sensitive areas
One of the best things about using Techno Metal Post's helical piles is their efficiency and cost-benefit. With our foundation system, there's no need for excavation, concrete pouring, cure time, or site inspection. What this means for the customer is significant savings in time, resources, and costs, making our piles an optimal choice for builders and contractors alike.
Whatever your project, remember, it is only as strong and durable as the foundation it is built on. If you’re not sure where to begin, reach out to your local installer with your project ideas, and they will be happy to answer your questions.
Join Us in Welcoming Techno Metal Post Evergreen to Our Dealership Network
It is with great pleasure that we introduce Christopher Hebert, an accomplished Naval Officer and one of our most recent dealers to join the TMP family. Christopher's new dealership, Techno Metal Post Evergreen, spans the territory from the Kitsap Peninsula to Mount Rainier in Washington state and is ideally located to make an impact in his region. With an impressive background and a wealth of experience, there is much to discuss below.
After spending his last year of high school as an exchange student in Germany, he enlisted in the army as a Chinese Mandarin linguist and later completed an Associate of Arts in Chinese Mandarin. After leaving the army, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and then went on to study architecture at the University of Hawaii before eventually switching to civil engineering. He ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering and later completed a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington. Christopher is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds various other certifications and professional memberships.
Christopher boasts over 15 years of experience in the Naval Civil Engineers Corps, having held various leadership positions. Most recently the Director of the Engineering and Acquisition Division for the US Naval Base Kitsap Bangor where he led a team that oversaw $500M in construction and services. His interest in helical piles began when he did a research project on modular construction while completing his Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Washington. He said, “I saw helical piles as a compatible adjacent technology for modular construction and recognized the growth potential and need for efficient foundation solutions.” His deep interest and research eventually led him to Techno Metal Post.
As a father to four children, a husband, and a professional, Christopher was looking for a different career that would offer him a better work-life harmony as well as the challenge and satisfaction of entrepreneurship. It was then that he decided to dive deeper and look into becoming a dealer with TMP. Christopher mentioned that although still young, his second son has already taken a keen interest in helical piles. He appreciates that his son has an excited viewpoint for his latest work and says this reminds him to remain focused on simplicity and the essentials.
He wants to provide an efficient foundation solution for modular construction within the fast-growing housing industry and knows as an engineer that helical piles are an ideal solution for many applications. He also mentioned that he appreciated TMP because we are a tight-knit company, that is supportive of one another and small business development. He told us, “As a professional engineer, I feel I’m well positioned to handle challenging jobs in my new role as a TMP dealer.”
Techno Metal Post is happy to have Christopher on board and wishes him great success ahead in his new venture!
TMP Expands in New York with Techno Metal Post of Rochester LLC.
Collin lives in Walworth, N.Y., with his wife and their two young daughters. Growing up, he gained construction experience working for his father's home remodeling company, which specialized in decks, additions, kitchens, and bathrooms. Later, he spent a few years working for a real estate development company, where he was exposed to larger-scale projects. He’s been a firefighter for many years and is now looking to slowly transition to a new career when he retires from the fire department. Collin first met Matt at the fire academy and says he learned about TMP’s products through his friendship with Matt.
Matt, originally from the Albany area, is a dad to two daughters, one in college and the other in grade school. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from SUNY ESF in Syracuse and a minor in Business Management. His background in construction began in 2001, when he first started working in residential framing, then went on to start his first business in snow removal and general construction in 2006. Five years later, he met Collin while they were both training to become firefighters at Utica.
Matt told us he first learned about TMP’s helical piles through his good friend Will Reagan of TMP Albany. He started using our piles in 2009 for his construction projects and said, “I quickly became a huge fan because of the benefits they offered.” With a desire to start a business in his 40s, Matt saw an opportunity to work with Collin and bring a new TMP dealership to Rochester. The two joined forces after realizing there was a need in the area, and the rest is history!
Techno Metal Post would like to congratulate them on their new journey together, which combines their professional experiences and strong friendship to create a successful dealership in Rochester, N.Y.
Welcoming Techno Metal Post Mohawk Valley to Our Dealer Network
We’re happy to introduce Kraig Roche, as the owner of Techno Metal Post Mohawk Valley, a dealership located in Amsterdam, N.Y. Kraig is a dedicated family man, with a wife, Kati, and his first-born son, Trevor, who is now 7 months old. Kraig's drive for TMP Mohawk Valley comes from his desire to have a flexible career that allows him to be a more involved parent, which is extremely important to him. He tells us, “I was looking for something that was going to grow and benefit everyone, including my family. This is a huge motivation for me and I'm pretty excited”.
He brings 13 years of experience as a sales rep in the auto parts industry to his new role as a TMP dealer. His experience in building relationships and getting to know people in the field has inspired him to bring Techno Metal Posts to his community. Although Kraig doesn't have a broad construction background, he considers himself a handy man and technical person wrapped in one. He believes that his technical skills blend well with the machinery aspect of TMP.
Kraig first discovered Techno Metal Post while watching an episode of "Maine Cabin Masters" during his paternity leave. While he also travels extensively for his job, Kraig came across TMP Hudson Valley's post display in Highland, N.Y., which further piqued his interest. Curious about our helical piles, he decided to look further into it. When he realized that there were no dealerships in his area, he saw the potential for growth and with many signs pointing in the same direction, Kraig knew he had to move forward and so he reached out to us. Fast forward to October, and Kraig is now proudly representing TMP Mohawk Valley!
Kraig demonstrates real motivation and is truly excited to bring TMP Mohawk Valley to his region. We’re truly happy to have Kraig with us and we wish him much success ahead!
