Hatch joins Aboriginal company on structures for remote communities

Hatch has signed a joint venture agreement with First Pac West, a Canadian Aboriginal company, to jointly provide affordable living accommodation and facilities for workforces around the world. The structures might be for workers in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors. They may also be for communities that require recreational, educational, and disaster relief.
The five-year agreement grew through discussions between First Pac West and Hatch’s site deployment group, a team of ex–Canadian Forces members that specialize in site deployment strategies.
First Pac West was established in 2010 and makes a patented “Solace System” engineered structure. It has an outer, climate-controlled biosphere contained within a tension fabric membrane, accompanied by interior cross-laminated timber modules used for living quarters, offices, etc. The structures can be scaled up or down depending on the needs of the project. The system is approximately 25% more energy efficient than traditional site accommodation buildings.
First Pac West has an exclusivity agreement with Sprung Structures who provide the tension fabric membrane for the Solar System. The membranes have proven to last over 25 years or the life-span of most projects.
Peter Molander, chief executive officer of First Pac West, said: “With Hatch’s proven abilities in engineering, procurement, and construction management, and First Pac West’s innovative site accommodation solution, the Solace System, we have great expectations for the differentiated products and services we can now offer together.”
The agreement between the two companies is supported by The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). First Pac West has offices in Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.
Hatch is Canada’s largest privately owned engineering and construction management firm. Its head office is in Mississauga, Ontario.
To read the press release, click here