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, Canada, 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!

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.

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.

Realized Projects…

• Basketball hoop installations
• Municipal Park structures
• Mosaiculture sculptures
• Tiny home or cabin restoration
• Clotheslines
• Fencing
• Helical piles under a concrete foundation
• Metal frame artwork
• Modular homes
• Signs

…and the list goes on. If you would like more of an in-depth look, you can also visit our Types of Projects & Achievements page.

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.

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!

A warm welcome to Collin Byrne and Matthew Hill who are now our dealers for 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. 

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! 

We're happy to introduce Ben Zenner with Techno Metal Post Midwest Minnesota LLC. Ben, who's originally from central Minnesota, is happily married and has a great love for the outdoors. He lives surrounded by lakes, and over the years he's developed a real interest in water skiing and spends much time on the water. During the cold winter months, he enjoys snowmobiling and hitting the local ski slopes for downhill skiing.

Ben's professional career began after he studied carpentry at a technical college. He owned a business specializing in home improvements and touched on many areas including decks, siding, windows, and additions for residential homes. He said he dealt mostly with concrete if the project called for it. After several years as a carpenter, he transitioned to work for a local lumber yard, where he now focuses on estimation and sales.

One day, while browsing the web, Ben came across an ad for helical piles. Curious about the engineering behind the product, he began looking into its benefits and reached out for more details. He explains, “I like the clean look of helical piles, as well as the minimal disruption they cause to the surrounding area. Compared to heavy equipment such as skid loaders or working with concrete, as I've done in the past, the piles seem to offer a better solution.” Ben enjoys what the pile industry offers and considers Techno Metal Post’s helical piles a complementary addition to his projects.

He believes our innovative products are a valuable addition to the construction industry, offering many advantages to professionals and customers alike.

In this informative article, we've compiled our most frequently asked questions and provided summarized answers to better assist you. We feel these concise Q&A’s will help to clarify and address your key questions, while offering some insight into Techno Metal Post's services. Essentially, before starting any project, it’s important to consult your local installer in order to discuss your needs and obtain more information.

Let’s dive in…

 

Q1. Why use a helical pile foundation instead of concrete?

Using helical piles will save you time and money, since they don’t require any excavation, concrete pouring and curing time or site repairs. Also, ensuring the stability of your project will help prevent future expenses that may result from probable soil movement.

More details can be found in the following article: Helical Piles vs. Concrete Piers

 

Q2. Is it possible to install helical piles in rocky soil conditions?

Our installation equipment can screw piles through soil containing small to moderate sized rocks. In the case of shallow bedrock, the installer will propose a specialized anchoring system.

The following article provides the details: Solutions for Dealing with Rocks During Installation.

 

Q3. How much do helical piles cost?

It is important to know the type of project the piles will be used for. For example, the cost of piles for a deck foundation will be different from those used in a house extension or for supporting the structure of a cottage.

Several criteria determine the cost, and we have listed a few below:

• Types of loads needing support
• Length of the piles
• Helix dimensions

 

Q4. How many helical piles are required for a deck?

This depends on the size of the deck- the rule of thumb in any project is to maintain a spacing of 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) between the piles.

Also, if the deck were attached to a house, it would require fewer piles since the existing structure would take on a portion of the load.

 

We hope these brief explanations provided you with a good starting point and clearer understanding of our products. For more in-depth information, we invite you to explore our complete FAQ and Articles page.

Techno Metal Post proudly welcomes Barry Charest and Kaden Keene, who have joined forces to serve the Southwest New Hampshire region.

Barry, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, also served as a police officer for nine years. Throughout his career, he achieved major milestones, including earning military medals and others for his bravery as a police officer, such as rushing into burning buildings to save people. On a personal level, Barry is a culinary arts graduate, a football coach, and a proud father of four children aged 19, 17, and 16-year-old twin daughters. In his well-deserved downtime, he enjoys hunting and lobster fishing. While he was working as an officer (which he is still to this day part-time), he started his company “Uncle Barry's Carpentry LLC”.

He came across Techno Metal Post when the N.H. carpentry industry began its boom. He met and collaborated closely with Alex (now the former owner) who was installing piles for Barry’s deck-building projects. Alex eventually decided to move on from TMP and Barry reached out to us requesting installers for his area. Eventually, these conversations led to Barry expanding his existing business and acquiring the New Hampshire dealership. We believe that Barry's experience as a TMP customer will provide him with a unique perspective as a new dealer.

Kaden is a longtime friend of Barry’s and has worked at his Carpentry shop for a long while. Because of their trusted relationship with one another, Barry invited Kaden to join him as one of his installers for TMP S.W. New Hampshire. Kaden eagerly accepted the opportunity and has already become comfortable and skilled with our installation equipment.

We are thrilled to welcome both Barry and Kaden to the TMP family and are excited to see the growth of their dealership in New Hampshire. We’ve got an amazing dealership in the making!