PCL Construction has created a new Manufacturing Center of Excellence, capitalizing on the growing investment in reshoring production to the U.S. and Canada. The Center of Excellence amasses a group of manufacturing experts within PCL, centralizing talent from across geographies under one fully integrated team ready to build across North America. The group will greatly streamline new plant facility planning, engineering, construction, and production start-up. Andrew Ahrendt, a PCL veteran with three decades of experience overseeing manufacturing projects, will lead the Center of Excellence.
“Andrew is a proven leader both within PCL and externally in the community,” says Deron Brown, PCL president and chief operating officer, U.S. operations. “No doubt in his new position he will drive innovation in smart factories, while delivering an exceptional level of quality to our manufacturing clients.”
The global supply chain remains vulnerable even five years after initial disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing international conflicts and security concerns have underscored the need for North American production of critical goods. Last year saw an investment of $189 billion in constructing new manufacturing facilities in the U.S. alone and the industry contributes 10.2% and 9.5% to the total GDP for the U.S. and Canada, respectively.
“Rapid advancements in AI and M4.0 technology and shifting global demands are reshaping the manufacturing landscape,” says Ahrendt. “I’m excited to take the lead of Manufacturing for PCL during such a pivotal time in the industry.”
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