June 1, 2024
Episode Summary
Michael Suljak, Vice President of Strategic Development at Eastern Construction, discusses his journey into the mass timber sector and the benefits and challenges of building with mass timber. He highlights the beauty and satisfaction of working with mass timber, the need for coordination and collaboration among trades, and the importance of early involvement of fabricators and constructors in the design process. This includes the involvement of mass timber and in the notable T3 Bayside project located near Toronto’s waterfront. Michael also discusses the speed and cleanliness of mass timber construction, the premium cost associated with it, and the motivations of owners in choosing mass timber. He concludes by mentioning the potential for hybrid solutions in the future of mass timber. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of using mass timber in construction. It discusses the need for sustainable practices, the high costs of insurance during construction, the importance of early collaboration with mass timber suppliers, and the shortage of experienced professionals in the industry. Craig and Michael also touch on the economic benefits of mass timber, its impact on urban living, and the potential for hybrid structures combining mass timber with steel and concrete.
In This Episode
The office of Strategic Development consolidates three work groups at Eastern Construction, namely, Estimating, Procurement, and Business Development. Michael defines and executes corporate strategy, guiding a team of individuals to ensure the smooth execution of day-to-day operations and overall adherence with corporate goals.
As a seasoned construction professional with over 32 years of experience, Michael has been involved in Field Operations although his focus has been in Pursuit Management and Estimating. Most of his time have been spent honing his skills in this particular segment of the industry. Michael has led well over 500 pursuits comprising of various types of contract methods including: Lump Sum, Construction Management, Design Build, Modified Design Build, Integrated Project Delivery and Alternative Financing projects valued in excess of $250 million.
Michael’s academic qualifications as a Professional Quantity Surveyor coupled with his track record in the field, has provided a solid foundation on which to manage relationships with existing and potential clients.
Michael Suljak
“We need more mass timber fabricators with that engineering expertise. It’s still a pretty small exclusive group and it’s going to take some time.”
“Many trades out there have never worked with mass timber before, and there are definitely some things you need to know before doing so”
Connect with Michael
Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.