J-AAR was thrilled to participate in this year’s Canstruction event — a one-of-a-kind design-build competition that challenges teams to create massive, imaginative structures entirely out of canned goods, all in support of local food banks. This year, our team brought some fun to the construction site with our playful and creative build: two Minions constructing a giant banana, fittingly titled "Building a Better Banan-A-Hood." The design celebrated teamwork, community, and a little bit of silliness — all with a serious purpose: helping fight hunger in our community. Using thousands of cans, our team carefully crafted every detail to bring the Minions’ quirky charm to life. And our hard work didn’t go unnoticed — we were proud to take home the award for Most Cans Used , a testament to both the scale of our build and the impact we were able to make. Beyond the impressive visuals and well-earned recognition, every can used in our structure is being donated to local food banks to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. Canstruction gave us an opportunity to blend what we do best — construction, creativity, and collaboration — with our commitment to giving back. We’re incredibly proud of the effort, enthusiasm, and heart our team poured into this project. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this happen — from the design and logistics team to those who supported through donations, assembly, and teardown. And of course, to our fellow Canstruction participants who continue to make this event such a powerful and inspiring experience.

J-AAR is proud to officially open the doors to our new asphalt plant, marking a major milestone in our commitment to vertical integration, innovation, and delivering high-performance infrastructure solutions across Southwestern Ontario. The grand opening ceremony, held on May 24, brought together industry partners, public officials, and members of our team to celebrate this exciting expansion of J-AAR’s capabilities. With this new facility, we are better positioned to support municipalities, developers, and contractors with reliable, high-quality asphalt for a wide range of projects. We were honoured to welcome several special guests, including: – Mayor Sharon McMillan, Thames Centre – Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Councillor Peter Cuddy, Ward 3 Their presence and support highlight the importance of infrastructure development and the role local businesses like J-AAR play in building stronger, more connected communities. “Seeing this investment is unbelievable—and let me tell you something: as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the one thing we need before we can build houses or businesses is infrastructure. Billions of dollars are needed, and these are the kinds of investments we need in this province, today and now.” — Rob Flack, MPP Elgin-Middlesex, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing The state-of-the-art asphalt plant will allow us to self-perform more paving work, reduce material delivery delays, and improve project timelines and outcomes for our customers. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone, and to our team who made this vision a reality. We’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more as we roll forward—building better, faster, and stronger with every layer.

J-AAR is proud to officially break ground on Phase 5 of Innovation Park—a project that not only represents physical development but also progress, partnership, and possibility. On May 15, our team gathered with industry partners, and community leaders to commemorate the start of construction on the next chapter of Innovation Park. The ground-breaking ceremony marked more than just the turning of soil—it marked a shared commitment to shaping the future of business and industry in this growing hub. In attendance were key community leaders and partners, including: – Chris McIntosh, Engineer, City of London – Councillor Steven Hillier, Ward 14 – Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, Councillor, Ward 2 – Jarend VanRooyen – Mike Vanderzee, VanRooyen Phase 5 will continue to build on the success of the Innovation Park development, designed to support economic growth and accommodate a variety of commercial and industrial tenants. With shovels in the ground and equipment already mobilizing, our crews are focused on delivering a high-quality, efficient build that meets the unique needs of this phase’s future occupants. Thank you to our partners, customers, and team members who continue to drive progress forward. We’re proud to be part of a project that reflects what J-AAR is all about—reliability, innovation, and building with purpose. Stay tuned for updates as Phase 5 of Innovation Park takes shape.

On Saturday, J-AAR team members went for a dip—literally—by braving icy waters at the annual Childcan Polar Bear Dip. The event, held to support families facing childhood cancer, saw incredible participation from the community, raising an impressive $100,000 for the cause. J-AAR’s team made a significant impact, contributing $8,000 toward the total fundraising efforts. Team members suited up in their gear before taking a freezing dive to show their support, demonstrating both courage and commitment to giving back. Childcan provides essential support services to families dealing with childhood cancer, including financial assistance, counseling, and programming to help ease the burden during incredibly difficult times. The funds raised from the Polar Bear Dip will go directly toward these initiatives. J-AAR extends its gratitude to all participants, donors, and organizers who made this event a success. Community involvement remains a core value for the company, and they look forward to continuing their support for meaningful causes like Childcan in the future. For more information on Childcan and how to support their mission, visit their website.

At J-AAR, we take pride in fostering continuous learning and industry collaboration. That’s why we recently hosted the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Grade 1 Certification, bringing together professionals from across the construction sector to enhance their skills, stay up to date with industry standards, and ensure the highest level of quality in concrete construction. A Hands-On Learning Experience The ACI Grade 1 Certification provided participants with the opportunity to undergo practical training and certification exams for concrete field testing. This event is crucial for ensuring that industry professionals are well-versed in proper testing procedures, which play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and durability of concrete structures. Under the guidance of certified ACI examiners and experienced J-AAR Structural Group team members, attendees were able to perform essential tests, including slump tests, air content tests, unit weight measurements, and cylinder preparation for compressive strength testing. These hands-on experiences help reinforce best practices and ensure compliance with industry standards. Strengthening Industry Standards ACI certifications are widely recognized in the construction industry as a benchmark for excellence in concrete testing. By hosting this event, J-AAR Structural Group and Dutch Brothers Ready Mix contributed to the ongoing professional development of industry personnel, reinforcing the importance of quality control and precision in every project. We understand that accurate concrete testing is the foundation of safe and long-lasting structures. Events like these provide an opportunity for contractors, engineers, and technicians to validate their expertise and build confidence in their testing abilities. Commitment to Excellence At J-AAR, we are committed to advancing construction standards and supporting professional development within our industry. Hosting ACI Grade 1 Certification aligns with our mission to promote education, ensure best practices, and elevate the quality of work across all our projects. We extend our thanks to all participants, examiners, and organizers who made this event a success. We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for training and certification, helping to shape the future of the construction industry.

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