BID Canada is pleased to announce that Taher Saify has been appointed President of the company, effective immediately.
Taher will assume this position in addition to his existing responsibilities within the organization. Since joining BID Canada, he has become an important part of the company’s leadership and continued growth.
Throughout his time with BID Canada, Taher has demonstrated a strong commitment to our employees, customers and operations. His practical approach, industry knowledge and focus on operational excellence have helped the company strengthen its capabilities and pursue opportunities across the industries we serve.
Taher has also played an important role in bringing our teams and resources together. With our Canadian manufacturing operations now consolidated in Woodstock, New Brunswick, BID Canada is well positioned to take on projects of varying sizes and complexity while continuing to provide the dependable service our customers expect.
As President, Taher will help guide the company’s direction, support our team and build on the experience and expertise that have shaped BID Canada over the years.
Please join us in congratulating Taher on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to his continued leadership and to everything our team can accomplish together in this next chapter!
Mining might not get top billing in Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Star Wars or the Marvel universe, but take a closer look and some of pop culture’s biggest stories depend on what can be found beneath the surface.
Westeros has dragonglass. Superman has kryptonite. Starfleet needs dilithium. Mandalorians value beskar. Wakanda was transformed by vibranium. On Pandora, humans are willing to travel across space for unobtanium.
None of these materials exist quite as they’re portrayed on screen, but the idea behind them is surprisingly familiar.
Throughout human history, access to minerals and other natural resources has shaped technology, infrastructure, economies and entire communities. The materials may be different in the real world, but finding a valuable resource is still only the beginning.
Dragonglass: When Fantasy Meets Geology
In fiction: In Game of Thrones, dragonglass is a rare material capable of killing White Walkers.
In reality: This one isn’t entirely fictional. Dragonglass is essentially obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when certain types of lava cool rapidly.
Obsidian has been used by humans for thousands of years, particularly for cutting tools and weapons because it can fracture into extremely sharp edges.
It is a good reminder that people have been identifying, extracting and finding uses for naturally occurring materials long before modern mining existed.
Kryptonite: When a Mineral’s Properties Matter
In fiction: Kryptonite comes from Superman’s home planet of Krypton and is famous for having one particularly unusual property: it weakens Superman.
In reality: We haven’t discovered anything with quite that effect, but the concept of a mineral being valuable because of its unique properties is very real.
Hardness, density, conductivity, magnetism, heat resistance and chemical composition can all influence how a mineral or metal is used. Copper’s conductivity makes it invaluable to electrical systems. Iron is fundamental to steel production. Lithium has become increasingly important for rechargeable batteries. Nickel contributes strength and corrosion resistance to many alloys.
The value isn’t simply in finding something underground, it comes from understanding what that material can do.
Dilithium: Resources Behind New Technology
In fiction:Star Trek uses dilithium crystals to help regulate the matter-antimatter reactions that make warp travel possible.
In reality: Actual lithium isn’t getting us to another galaxy anytime soon, but it does play an important role in technologies we increasingly rely on here on Earth.
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in phones, laptops, electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The connection is an interesting one because technological advancement frequently changes which natural resources are most important. As technologies evolve, demand for particular minerals can evolve with them. Starfleet has dilithium. We have a growing list of critical minerals.
Beskar: Strength Has Value
In fiction: In the Star Wars universe, beskar is a rare metal associated with Mandalore. Its incredible strength and resistance to damage make it one of the galaxy’s most valuable materials.
In reality: The same principle applies to many real metals.
Different metals and alloys are selected because they offer particular combinations of strength, weight, durability, corrosion resistance, conductivity or temperature tolerance. From bridges and buildings to aircraft, machinery and industrial equipment, material selection matters.
We may not be trying to manufacture armour that can withstand a lightsaber, but engineers make decisions based on material properties every day.
Vibranium: The Power of a Strategic Resource
In fiction: Wakanda’s enormous vibranium deposit helps drive the technological development we see in Black Panther.
In reality: One mineral deposit isn’t likely to produce Wakanda, but the idea that natural resources can have significant economic and strategic importance is very real.
Iron ore, copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt, potash, rare earth elements and many other resources support industries and technologies around the world.
Their importance also changes over time. Materials that once had relatively specialized applications can become strategically important as new technologies emerge. A mineral deposit can create opportunity, but realizing that opportunity requires far more than simply knowing the resource is there.
Unobtanium: Finding It Is Only the Beginning
In fiction: In Avatar, humans travel to Pandora to extract unobtanium, an extremely valuable mineral found in a place that is anything but easy to access.
In reality: This might actually be one of the more relatable mining concepts on the list.
Many mineral deposits are located in remote or challenging environments. Developing them can require roads, power, processing facilities, transportation infrastructure and enormous amounts of engineering before meaningful production can begin. Once ore is extracted, it may need to be crushed, screened, sorted, processed, stored and transported through multiple stages before becoming a usable product.
Finding a resource is a major accomplishment, but oving and processing millions of tonnes of material safely and efficiently is another challenge entirely.
The Real Story Behind the Fiction
Pop culture exaggerates what minerals can do, but it gets one fundamental idea right: materials matter. Civilizations in these fictional worlds depend on access to resources because those resources make other things possible, and so do we.
Modern transportation, communications, construction, energy infrastructure, manufacturing and technology all begin somewhere with raw materials. The mining industry has also become increasingly sophisticated in how those materials are extracted and processed. Modern operations use automation, advanced sensing, ore sorting, improved processing technologies and highly engineered material handling systems to improve efficiency and make better use of the resources being recovered.
For companies like BID Canada, this is where mining becomes a material handling challenge. Conveyors, chutes, feeders, bins, hoppers and other bulk material handling equipment help move material through the different stages of an operation. Every project brings different material characteristics, capacities, layouts, environments and operating requirements, which means the equipment moving the material has to be designed around the application.
We haven’t been asked to design a conveyor for vibranium, beskar or unobtanium yet, but if someone finds a deposit, we’d certainly like to hear about it!
Until then, we’ll stick with the materials being mined here on Earth.
Meet Max Berube, a fitter in our Woodstock shop who has been part of the BID Canada team for the past year.
Max was born in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, where he lived until he was 15 before moving to Woodstock. He has called the area home for the past eight years and stayed close to home when it came time to continue his education. Max attended NBCC Woodstock, where he studied Welding and Fabrication, building the skills that he now puts to work every day at BID.
As a fitter, Max plays an important role in taking a project from the drawings to the shop floor. His work involves fitting and assembling components so everything is properly positioned and ready for welding. With the variety and size of the projects that move through our facility, it’s a job that requires a good understanding of drawings, attention to detail and plenty of hands-on skill.
After a year with BID, Max has become a great addition to our Woodstock team and another example of the skilled tradespeople we’re fortunate to have working right here in New Brunswick.
Outside of work, Max enjoys travelling, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family.
We’re glad to have Max as part of the BID team and to put the Employee Spotlight on him!
When we think about mining, we tend to focus on what comes out of the ground. Extraction, however, is only the beginning. Once a mine extracts material, the operation needs to move it through several stages. These can include crushing, screening, conveying, stockpiling, mineral processing and loadout. This makes mining material handling an important part of the overall operation. Each stage needs to connect efficiently with the next to keep material moving.
What Happens After Extraction?
The process varies depending on the mine and the material being handled. In many operations, material moves through several pieces of equipment before it reaches its final destination. A crusher may reduce the material to a more manageable size. Conveyors can then move it to another crusher, a screen, a stockpile or a mill. Each step depends on the one before it. If material does not move consistently between stages, it can affect other parts of the operation.
Every Transfer Point Matters
Moving bulk material involves more than getting it from Point A to Point B. Every time material changes direction or moves between equipment, it passes through a transfer point. Each of these points presents its own considerations. Material size, moisture content and abrasiveness can influence how it flows. The required capacity also affects the design of the transfer.
A poorly planned transfer can contribute to spillage, buildup and uneven loading. It can also increase wear on equipment. Looking at these transfer points as part of the complete system can help identify potential issues before they affect other processes.
Layout Plays an Important Role
Mine sites rarely offer a simple, flat route for moving material. Conveyor systems may need to navigate elevation changes and existing infrastructure. They also need to connect crushers, screens, ore sorters, stockpile, and mills. The shortest route does not always provide the best solution. System layout can affect how many times an operation handles material. It can also influence the number of transfer points required and the distance material needs to travel.
For this reason, planning a bulk material handling system requires a broader view of the operation. Engineers need to consider how material will travel reliably through the entire process.
Stockpiles Do More Than Store Material
Stockpiles provide an important buffer between different stages of a mining operation. One process may operate at a different rate than the next. A stockpile can hold material between those stages and help maintain a consistent supply downstream. The way an operation builds and reclaims a stockpile also matters. These decisions can influence how consistently material moves into the next stage of processing or to a terminal or related infrastructure for transporting product.
Looking at Material Handling as a Complete System
Conveyors, chutes, feeders, crushers, screens and storage systems each perform a specific job. However, they also need to work together. A change in one area can affect equipment further downstream. Material characteristics can also change how the system performs. That is why effective mining material handling infrastructure requires more than selecting individual pieces of equipment. It requires an understanding of the material, the site and the complete path between extraction and loadout.
Getting material out of the ground is one challenge. Moving it through everything that comes next is an important part of the process too.her challenge entirely.
Earlier this year, Mike celebrated 25 years with BID and McDonough, which gave us a pretty good reason to give him a shout out!
Mike was born and raised in Kilburn, New Brunswick, a small village just outside Perth-Andover, and it’s still where he calls home today. After high school, Mike headed to NBCC Moncton to study Civil Engineering. The choice was a natural one for him as he had always enjoyed drawing and thought engineering would be a good way to turn that interest into a career.
After graduating, Mike spent close to two years working at B.W.S. in Centreville before he was asked to come work at BID/McDonough Twenty-five years later, it’s safe to say the move worked out pretty well!
A lot has changed during Mike’s time here. He has been around for countless projects and has watched the company, the equipment and the technology we use continue to evolve. Twenty-five years also comes with a lot of knowledge that can’t necessarily be taught in a classroom, and Mike has become one of those people who simply knows our equipment and understands how we do things.
When he’s not at work, Mike likes to keep busy outdoors. Landscaping, hiking and camping are all on the list, along with traveling and spending time with his family. He also gives a lot of his time back to his local community. For the past 14 years, Mike has been a member of the Carleton County Toy Run, which raises money for local children dealing with illness and other charities in the area.
From growing up in Kilburn to building a 25-year career with BID/McDonough, Mike has stayed pretty close to his New Brunswick roots along the way.
Congratulations to Mike on 25 years, and thanks for everything you’ve brought to the team over those years. We’re glad you’re still here!
When planning a bulk material handling system, knowing how much material needs to move from Point A to Point B is only part of the equation. You also need to understand exactly what you’re moving.
Two operations may require similar capacities and distances, but that doesn’t mean they need the same equipment. The characteristics of the material can influence everything from conveyor type and belt selection to chute design, horsepower requirements, wear protection, dust control, and maintenance access.
That’s why one of the first conversations in any material handling project should be about the material itself.
What Are You Actually Moving? It sounds like a simple question, but there’s a lot behind the answer.
Material density is important because it directly affects the loads the equipment will be expected to handle. Particle or lump size matters as well, particularly when considering loading, transfers, and potential impact on equipment.
Moisture content can also significantly change how a material behaves. A product that flows freely when dry may become sticky or difficult to handle when wet. In some applications, seasonal conditions can mean the material you’re designing for in January behaves very differently in July. Other characteristics worth considering include abrasiveness, temperature, consistency, and whether the material creates significant dust.
Understanding these factors early allows the system to be designed for the actual operating conditions rather than an ideal set of circumstances.
Don’t Design Around the Average Another important consideration is variation.
It’s easy to design around an average production rate or typical material condition, but operations don’t always run at the average.
What happens during peak production? Can there be sudden surges of material? Does the density or moisture content vary? What happens upstream if a piece of equipment stops?
A system needs to account for the conditions it will realistically encounter, including the less-than-ideal ones.
That doesn’t necessarily mean designing everything for the most extreme scenario imaginable. It means understanding where variation exists and making informed decisions about how the system should respond.
Look at Where the Material Changes Direction Transfer points deserve particular attention because this is where many material handling challenges become apparent.
Whenever material leaves one piece of equipment and enters another, its speed, direction, and trajectory need to be considered.
Poorly planned transfers can contribute to spillage, dust, accelerated wear, belt mistracking, plugging, and unnecessary maintenance. A conveyor may be well designed, but if the material isn’t introduced to it properly, the entire system can suffer.
This is one reason material characteristics need to be understood before equipment and layouts are finalized.
Think Beyond Day One The material you’re handling today may not be exactly what you’re handling five or ten years from now.
Production requirements can increase. Feed sources can change. Different products may be introduced. An operation may eventually need to accommodate a wider range of material sizes or conditions.
No one can predict every future requirement, but discussing what could reasonably change helps determine where flexibility should be built into the design.
In some cases, planning for those possibilities early can be much easier and less expensive than modifying a system after it has been installed.
The More You Know Up Front, the Better There are a lot of decisions involved in a significant material handling project, and many of them are interconnected.
Taking the time to understand the material before making those decisions gives engineers, equipment suppliers, and operators a much better foundation to work from. Capacity matters, distance and equipment selection matters. But before any of those decisions are finalized, make sure you know what you’re asking the system to handle.
About Derek Lawrence Derek Lawrence has more than 25 years of experience in bulk material handling, with experience in belt conveyors, screw conveyors, and drag chain conveyors. Throughout his career, he has helped customers plan and develop material handling systems for a variety of applications. Derek lives in Woodstock, New Brunswick, with his wife, Darlene. Outside of work, he enjoys Star Trek, road trips, and cheering on his nieces and nephews at their sporting events.
Originally from Las Piñas, Philippines, Jan Mondero brings a unique combination of technical knowledge and hands-on experience to the BID Canada team.
Jan studied both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, giving him a strong technical background and understanding of systems, problem-solving and precision. After moving to Canada, he continued building on that experience by completing a welding program through NBCC. His studies, combined with his welding training, give Jan a well-rounded skill set that complements the hands-on work he does every day in our shop.
For the past year and a half, Jan has been part of the BID Canada team as a welder in Woodstock, contributing his skills and experience to the wide variety of fabrication work that moves through our facility.
Outside of work, Jan enjoys cars, camping and spending time with his family.
We’re fortunate to have people like Jan on our team, bringing different areas of knowledge and experience together and putting them to work right here at BID Canada!
When planning a significant material handling project, it’s natural to focus on the equipment first. What type of conveyor do we need? How wide should the belt be? How much horsepower is required? Those are all important questions, but they’re rarely the place to start.
The most successful projects begin by identifying the problem you’re trying to solve, not the equipment you think you need.
Is your goal to increase production? Reduce maintenance? Improve safety? Eliminate a bottleneck? Replace aging infrastructure? Every project has a different objective, and understanding that objective early influences every design decision that follows.
One of the most common mistakes is simply replacing existing equipment with something similar without asking whether the original design still meets the operation’s needs. Production rates change. Materials change. Facilities expand. A system that worked 20 years ago may no longer be the right solution today.
Before discussing equipment specifications, take the time to answer a few key questions:
What material are you moving?
What capacity do you need today?
Where do you expect production to be in five or ten years?
What maintenance challenges are you experiencing?
Are there safety concerns with your current system?
Where is unplanned downtime occurring?
These answers create the foundation for a system that’s designed around your operation instead of simply replacing what already exists.
Good planning also helps identify opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. Sometimes a small change to the layout or conveyor arrangement can improve efficiency, reduce maintenance, or simplify future expansion without significantly increasing project costs. The earlier these conversations happen, the more options are available.
At BID Canada, we’ve found that the strongest material handling projects begin long before fabrication starts. They begin with understanding the operation, defining the objective, and developing a solution that supports the business for years to come.
About Derek Lawrence
Derek Lawrence has more than 25 years of experience in bulk material handling, with expertise in belt conveyors, screw conveyors, and drag chain conveyors. Throughout his career, he has helped customers plan and develop material handling systems that improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term performance. Through Before You Build, Derek shares practical advice based on real-world experience to help companies make informed decisions before their next project begins.
Derek lives in Woodstock, New Brunswick, with his wife Darlene. Outside of work, he enjoys Star Trek, road trips, and spending time with his nieces and nephew.
When it comes to conveyors, sawmills, and the equipment that keeps them running, James has spent nearly his entire career working hands-on with the machines that power these industries.
Growing up in the small settlement of Magaguadavic, James developed a love for the outdoors at an early age. Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and gardening have always been a big part of his life, and that appreciation for hands-on work has stayed with him ever since. After graduating from Harvey High School, he earned his Red Seal certification as an Industrial Millwright and began building a career that’s now spanned nearly three decades.
James spent 20 years working at a gypsum plant in McAdam before heading west, where he spent more than eight years in millwright construction. Throughout his career, he’s gained extensive experience working on conveyor systems and sawmill equipment, building the knowledge and troubleshooting skills that come from years in the field. Those experiences have shaped the practical, solutions-focused approach he brings to BID today.
What James enjoys most about his work is the opportunity to solve problems with his hands. Whether it’s repairing equipment, improving machines around the shop, or finding better ways to keep things running smoothly, he takes pride in seeing the results of his work every day.
Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife have two daughters and are proud grandparents to a grandson and a granddaughter, who help keep life fun and busy.
With decades of experience, a strong work ethic, and a genuine passion for hands-on problem solving, James is an important part of the BID team, and we’re glad to have him on board.
Why the smallest sections often have the biggest impact
A conveyor system is only as reliable as its weakest point.
While attention is often focused on drive systems, motors, and major structural components, many conveyor failures begin in a much smaller area: the transfer point. These locations experience the highest concentration of impact, abrasion, vibration, and material turbulence, making them some of the hardest-working sections of any conveying system.
Whether handling aggregates, wood products, fertilizer, biomass, salt, potash, or mining materials, transfer points deserve regular inspection and thoughtful design. Ignoring them can lead to excessive wear, unplanned downtime, and unnecessary maintenance costs.
What Is a Transfer Point?
A transfer point is any location where material changes direction or moves from one conveyor to another. Although these transitions may only represent a small portion of the overall conveyor system, they are often responsible for a disproportionate amount of maintenance.
At these locations, material is accelerated, redirected, dropped, or funneled into a new flow path. This creates concentrated wear that isn’t typically seen along the remainder of the conveyor.
Why Transfer Points Experience More Wear
Several factors combine to make transfer points one of the highest-risk areas on any conveyor.
Impact Loading – Material often falls onto the receiving conveyor with significant force. Repeated impacts can damage liners, skirt boards, idlers, support structures, and even the belt itself.
Abrasion – High-velocity material sliding across steel surfaces gradually wears away liners, chutes, and wear plates. Even properly designed systems require routine inspection because abrasion is unavoidable.
Material Turbulence – When material flow is uncontrolled, it can bounce, ricochet, or spread unevenly across the belt. This creates additional wear while increasing the likelihood of spillage and belt tracking issues.
Dust Generation – Poorly designed transfer points can create excessive dust as material becomes airborne during transfer. Besides housekeeping concerns, dust can accelerate wear on nearby equipment and create safety concerns for personnel.
Common Warning Signs
Many conveyor failures don’t happen suddenly. They develop gradually, giving maintenance teams opportunities to intervene before a costly shutdown occurs.
Watch for:
Excessive material spillage around transfer points
Visible wear on liners or chute walls
Belt mistracking after a transfer
Damaged or seized idlers near loading zones
Cracking welds or structural fatigue
Increased vibration or unusual noise
Dust escaping from enclosed transfer areas
Frequent cleanup requirements
These symptoms often indicate that the transfer point is no longer controlling material flow as intended.
Other Conveyor Trouble Spots
Although transfer points are among the most common problem areas, they aren’t the only locations that deserve attention.
Loading Zones
Heavy loading can shorten the life of impact beds, idlers, and belt covers if not properly supported.
Pulley Areas
Drive, tail, and bend pulleys should be inspected regularly for lagging wear, alignment issues, and material buildup that can affect tracking.
Belt Tracking Locations
Misalignment often begins gradually. Catching it early helps prevent uneven belt wear and structural damage.
Return Side Components
Return idlers and cleaners are frequently overlooked, yet they play a critical role in preventing carryback and extending belt life.
Structural Supports
Corrosion, fatigue cracks, loose fasteners, and damaged bracing can compromise the entire conveyor system if left unchecked.
A Preventative Approach
The most effective maintenance programs focus on identifying wear before it becomes failure.
Regular inspections should include:
Monitoring wear liners and replaceable components
Checking chute alignment and material flow
Inspecting skirt sealing systems
Verifying idler condition and rotation
Looking for structural movement or cracking
Confirming proper belt tracking through transfer areas
Recording wear trends to predict maintenance intervals
A small repair completed during scheduled maintenance is almost always less costly than an unexpected shutdown.
Designing for Reliability
Well-designed transfer points don’t eliminate wear, but they can dramatically reduce it.
Proper chute geometry, controlled material flow, durable wear materials, accessible maintenance areas, and adequate structural support all contribute to longer equipment life and improved system reliability.
Whether designing a new conveyor or upgrading an existing system, investing attention in transfer points often delivers one of the highest returns in reduced maintenance and improved uptime.
Final Thoughts
Transfer points may occupy only a small section of a conveyor system, but they often determine how reliably that system performs.
By treating these high-wear areas as critical inspection points rather than afterthoughts, operations can reduce downtime, improve safety, extend component life, and keep material moving efficiently.
At BID Canada, we’ve worked with conveyor systems across mining, bulk material handling, forestry, ports, and heavy industry. One lesson remains consistent: the areas where material changes direction are almost always the areas that deserve the closest attention.
