Visit to the AGF divisions in the Caribbean

Article written in collaboration with Gabriel Bonin, Vice President, International. 

I have the opportunity to occasionally visit the different AGF divisions around the world, thanks to my corporate role. During each visit, I am amazed by the cultural differences and the unique character of each division.

A Rich and Warm Culture

Recently, I had the chance to be hosted by Armapress and Stab, located in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Beyond the warm welcome we received, I was struck by the human values that drive the team. When I asked about the atmosphere, they spontaneously spoke of “joy of life,” “collaboration,” and “family.” The team also emphasized the desire to continue perfecting their skills, even aiming to become the best on the islands!

We had the privilege of touring the shops and visiting a few job sites. Everywhere, the facilities were clean, and the safety corridors were clearly marked.

Technical Perspective

In Martinique as in Guadeloupe, seismic activity and tropical storms are significant factors. And with fewer than 400,000 inhabitants per island, the majority of projects are social housing, with a predominance of buildings under 4 stories.

On the job sites, we see rebar ranging from 6 mm to 32 mm, but in reality, the average diameter is slightly under 9 mm. The standard spacing is 100 mm. This means there are more bars, placed closer together, and with a smaller average diameter than the 10M rebar commonly used in Canada!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mathieu Ory, General Manager for the Caribbean, Gabriel Bonin, VP International, and the teams at Armapress and Stab, whose unforgettable hospitality makes us eager to return soon.