Q1 2022

30 BUILD Q1 2022 Sep21716 Most Innovative New Exterior Barrier Product 2021 GRIPBlock is a Canadian company based in Toronto and is part of the NUCAP family of technology companies that includes NRS Brakes, NUCAP Energy and GRIPMetal. We find out more about the firm’s innovative offering as we speak to Global Sales Director, Mark Lavelle. RIPBlock™ is a new Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) block that boasts all the benefits of traditional CLT – lightweight, strong, renewable – enhanced with GRIPMetal’s patented mechanical attachment technology that makes it faster and easier to build structures than ever before. Similar to CLT and concrete, GRIPBlock™ is a single block that can be placed precisely like a children’s building brick. These innovative, affordable wooden bricks are light and durable, so they can be delivered and assembled quickly. GRIPBlock uses an innovative mechanical attachment technology in place of industrial adhesives to create an equally strong, lightweight and durable building material; it is comprised of layers of cross-laminated timber that are pressed into modules, which can be used for a variety of building purposes. Similar to LEGO blocks that hook together, the GRIP Timber Cross Laminated Block makes it easy to construct strong, lightweight living and working structures without requiring skilled labour. The blocks, which are similar in size but distinctly lighter than concrete block, include internal cavities for electrical and mechanical needs. They can integrate with GRIPMetal flooring which provides in-floor heating and durability in building projects. “Affordability and environmental impact are two key concerns for home and commercial builders today, and GRIP delivers on both fronts,” said Mark Lavelle, Global Sales Director for GRIPMetal. “With its strength and versatility, the GRIPBlock is the perfect solution for smaller homes, hospitals, shelters, and more. It takes LEGO to the next level.” Unlike most temporary structures, GRIPBlock walls block the wind and retain warmth, helping bars and restaurants stay open – and in business – longer, and well into the winter season. And while the walls are structurally sound, with sheer strength that makes them impossible to knock over, at the end of the season they’ll be easy to disassemble and take down. Based in Canada, and serving a range of clients across the country, GRIPBlock is perfect for restaurants, schools, military, and leisure facilities, however it also lends itself to other industries, such as the transport industry with GRIPBlock being able to create instant roads over any terrain that drivers can pass over immediately. G “We have used GRIPBlock for skating rinks, restaurants and bars, art installations, and benches, and now we are sharing how easy and effective it is to create a road with these amazing building blocks,” Mark adds. “In a matter of hours you can have a drivable road – no matter what the climate or terrain and no matter where you live.” Instant roads can be built with GRIPBlock’s building blocks, designed for strength, adaptability and ease of use. The structurally sound blocks can withstand the weight of cars and trucks alike. In addition, GRIPBlock’s service includes delivery, installation and removal, and roads can be rented on a temporary basis or created as a permanent structure. As part of its commitment to Build Back Better, GRIPBlock has constructed dozens of social distancing structures for schools, outdoor rinks for communities, and over 150 outdoor patios as part of Toronto’s COVID-safe outdoor dining program, CaféTO. GRIPBlock offers a white-glove service that includes set up, maintenance and removal for organizations interested in creating customized indoor and outdoor structures. Recently, GRIPBlock was recognised in the BUILD Awards for its pioneering product and bestowed with the title of Most Innovative New Exterior Barrier Product 2021. We look forward to seeing what it does next as the year progresses. Contact: Mark Lavelle Company: GripBlock Web Address: www.gripblock.com