_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Main interview
and innovation . As a member of the PDCA ’ s Associate Member Council , Pollyanna is instrumental in creating a new , handson educational academy for the driven pile industry . She calls it the Contractors Foundation Institute ( CFI ). As of today , this niche institute works with the PDCA in the creation of the Driven Pile Academy and covers set-up , stand-up and safety of driven pile projects . The pilot program was held in 2022 and proved to be a huge success with continuing education and professional development credits distributed to attendees . CFI ’ s Driven Pile Academy was unique as it provided onsite training with an ideal instructor-to-student ratio , enabling an individualized and enjoyable learning experience . This 3.5-day academy included both in-classroom and outdoor interactive experience with real world application taught by the industry ’ s leading equipment professionals . “ The academy was such a resounding success ,” Pollyanna enthuses , “ that it was agreed it should be rerun over the coming years .” The next Driven Pile Academy will run in 2025 and include even more innovation on driven pile methods .
Improving processes
Owned and operated by two families , ICE ® is a US manufacturer with longevity and extensive knowledge that has helped to push the business forward . “ We have been through transitional times ,” Pollyanna explains , “ and have experienced many retirements over the past five or six years . That said , our new team members are instrumental to our growth , and we ’ ve continued to manufacture and set ourselves apart from the competition which mainly comprises resellers . We own branches across North America that house our own rental equipment , and the ICE ® family has worked hard to ensure that we can service , as well as provide rental and new equipment . Our service teams and locations are extensive and have really helped our clients be successful . We care about the sector . We work in it , donate to it , and are all about being right at the forefront of it .”
In terms of how far the sector has come and strategies for the future , Pollyanna believes it ’ s important to take time to understand all implications when moving to the next steps and particularly , when it comes to sustainability transitions . “ Leaders need to evaluate the pros and cons of potential initiatives and then take the appropriate steps to reach a resolution rather than rushing into proposals and potentially , enforcing the wrong reform . As a manufacturer , we don ’ t want to get left behind and we won ’ t get left behind , because we ’ re always working on more sustainable innovation . I do feel there needs to be a deeper appreciation for where all manufacturers and advancements are right now . Honestly , I wonder what the solution is for dealing with used solar panels , for example , as most can ’ t be recycled . Equally , how do we deal with batteries that have reached the end of their life cycle ? I don ’ t have the answers , but I do think conversations and taking the time to plan the next steps would help everyone move forward with sustainability initiatives .
“ For obvious reasons , I believe more support of US manufacturing should be at the top of the agenda for the driven pile and drilling industry . Safety also needs to be an interactive conversation and I don ’ t think there ’ s anybody better in the industry to lead that conversation than the folks who are manufacturing the equipment and those who are using it . Therefore ,” she concludes , “ education surrounding techniques and how the equipment is used is crucial . Hence , my vision for not only the Driven Pile Academy , but also wanting CFI to encompass more . Just because things have been done a certain way before , doesn ’ t mean we can ’ t improve on it today .” ■
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