Behlen plays key role in building largest AI data centre in Canada

A Brandon-based steel building manufacturer is playing a key role in the construction of Bell Canada’s artificial intelligence data centre near Regina.

Behlen Industries is manufacturing four pre-engineered buildings for the $1.7-billion AI data centre, which is expected to be the largest in Canada with a capacity of 300 megawatts.

Clint Swain, Behlen’s regional sales manager for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, said each of the buildings being supplied by the company is more than 100,000 square feet.

“Behlen is proud to be manufacturing the four buildings for this project,” Swain told the Sun on Monday. “Not only is this significant for our manufacturing plant in Brandon, but has also enabled us to ramp up production at our facility in Clavet, Sask.”

Bell announced last week that construction work has officially begun at the future data centre site near Regina. Early work began April 21, one day after the Rural Municipality of Sherwood approved the development.

The facility is projected to generate up to $12 billion in long-term economic value, according to Bell, with the first portion, known as a “data hall,” expected to come online in the first half of 2027.

All components for the four structures are being manufactured at Behlen’s Brandon or Clavet facilities before being delivered to the construction site, Swain said.

He said the process from receiving an order to delivering the completed components to the site takes approximately 12 weeks.

The work is also boosting Behlen’s workforce.

“We have not hired any new (workers) specifically,” he said. “However, in our Clavet shop, due to the agricultural sector being slow, we have been able to shift our skilled labourers from our sister company to the Clavet location instead of possible layoffs.”

In Brandon, more than 100 Behlen employees could be directly involved with the project at any given time, with months of direct labour tied to the work.

The project is also expected to benefit companies that supply materials to Behlen.

“While we won’t disclose the amount, this project is substantial for Behlen and is one of the single largest projects in recent memory,” Swain said.

“Not only is this good for Behlen, but also our suppliers who supply materials. So when we are busy, they are busy, and it creates a ripple effect in the industry.”

Bell has identified several Prairie companies involved in the early stages of construction, including Hipperson Construction, Soletanche Bachy Canada, Ardel Steel, Amrize, Watermark Consulting, Maxie’s Excavating and Red Pelican.

Swain said the project does not require Behlen to fundamentally change how it manufactures its pre-engineered steel buildings.

Instead, he said the company’s investment in advanced manufacturing technology allows it to handle projects ranging from smaller buildings to structures of the scale required for the data centre.

“Behlen is on the forefront of technology when it comes to manufacturing pre-engineered steel buildings,” Swain said.

He credited Behlen owner Russ Edwards with continuing to reinvest in the company and its manufacturing facilities.

“Whether it’s a 5,000-square-foot building or 100,000-square-foot building, we treat each building the same,” Swain said.

The Bell project also comes as Behlen is making its own major investment in its Brandon operation.

The company recently installed a new beamline machine at its Brandon facility, an investment of more than $6 million.

“The beamline project is separate from the Bell data centre contract, but it’s because of projects like this that allow us to reinvest back into the company,” Swain said.

The new equipment represents an important investment in the Brandon facility and the continued growth of the company as a Canadian manufacturer, the company said in a statement on social media.

The company recently welcomed representatives from Prairies Economic Development Canada to its Brandon facility to see the progress on the beamline project and meet employees involved in the installation.

Behlen said federal funding support is helping the company invest in advanced manufacturing, strengthen its capabilities and prepare for future growth.

The Bell project could also open the door to additional opportunities as demand for AI infrastructure grows across Canada, Swain said.

“Behlen is and will continue to be the building of choice when it comes to these centres,” he said.

“We are proud to be building a strong relationship with both Bell Media and Hipperson Construction and will continue to build on this to be the building manufacturer of choice when it comes to their future endeavours.”

Bell’s Regina-area project is being positioned as more than an investment in digital infrastructure. The company has said it is also working with Indigenous partners and its Workforce Steering Committee, including George Gordon Developments Ltd., on procurement, workforce development and education opportunities.

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