Britco proves it's a model of efficiency
It was late 2007, when Britco Structures of Langley, BC, first approached Terasen Gas about conducting energy audits of their manufacturing facilities. The company, founded 30 years ago by Rick McClymont and David Taft, is one of Canada’s leading suppliers of workforce accommodations.
With over 300 employees, and manufacturing facilities in Agassiz and Penticton, Britco is 
the largest modular design/build manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Britco also has the largest lease fleet of temporary buildings, office complexes and storage containers in the province. Chances are you have seen Britco trailers at construction sites across BC. However, you may not have noticed that certain luxurious homes, including the 2008 PNE Prize Home, are also designed and built by Britco.
the largest modular design/build manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Britco also has the largest lease fleet of temporary buildings, office complexes and storage containers in the province. Chances are you have seen Britco trailers at construction sites across BC. However, you may not have noticed that certain luxurious homes, including the 2008 PNE Prize Home, are also designed and built by Britco.In discussions with Terasen Gas, Britco’s motivation for an energy audit turned out to be rather unique. Britco had been speaking to the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) about becoming an official sponsor for the 2010 Winter Olympics. In addition, the company was bidding to construct accommodation for the Whistler Athletes Village. Rather than build the athletes’ accommodation on site, Britco’s proposal was to build all the accommodations piece by piece in their factory. In their submission to VANOC officials, Britco argued that modular construction has several environmental and sustainable characteristics:
- it reduces the amount of input energy required during manufacturing
- it produces less material waste because of the way buildings are designed and assembled in the factory
- it makes it easier to incorporate new technologies and improved methodologies within a factory environmentIn the spirit of VANOC’s pledge to make the 2010 games the most sustainable ever, the VANOC panel awarded Britco the coveted contract.
Immediately after winning the bid, Britco wanted to make sure they were truly living up to their 2010 corporate mandate to be as sustainable as possible. That’s when they contacted Terasen Gas to conduct a series of energy efficiency audits at their head offices in Langley, as well as their plants in Penticton and Agassiz.
Terasen performed separate gas audits at the three locations, and enlisted the help of sister company FortisBC for the electricity audits. Overall the combined Terasen Gas/ FortisBC audit found many areas where Britco could improve efficiency such as:
- building envelope repair and insulation
- upgrading to high efficiency heating units
- changing the heating requirements for individual areas of the factories
- replacing lighting fixtures
Achieving measurable improvements
As with most thorough energy assessments, Britco now has a before and after scenario to consider. The “after” offers a holistic solution for all the key elements that contribute to energy consumption or energy loss. And it allows Britco to make an accurate forecast of efficiency gains and savings.
When Britco has completed the equipment upgrades and structural improvements, they will increase their energy efficiency by 20-25% at the two plants, and 5-10% at the head office in Langley.
In the quest for greater energy efficiency and long-term economies, Britco sets a fine example. On the one hand they’re already pioneering energy efficient, modular construction techniques in the building industry. On the other, they’re finding new ways to reduce operating costs at each of their locations.
Are you comfortable with your annual energy use?
Terasen Gas conducts over 100 energy audits for commercial customers every year. To be eligible for an energy audit, your business must use $20,000, approximately 2000 GJ of gas or more in a calendar year. If you qualify, Terasen Gas will visit your business premises and conduct a high level audit to determine if there are any opportunities to increase the energy efficiency of your appliances and ultimately use less gas.
To find out more about a free energy assessment for your business, call 1-888-477-0777 to discuss in person or visit www.terasengas.com
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