Walters Group and Bercon Rentals Partner on Tough Jobs in Northern Ontario

Working in Northern Ontario isn’t just another job site. Getting there is half the battle, and once you do, the weather and conditions keep you on your toes.

That’s exactly what’s happening with two Canadian titans, Bercon Rentals and Walters Group, across two separate remote projects in Dubreuilville and Moosonee.

While both projects are quite complex, each requires a different logistics strategy.

What is Walters Group?

Walters Group is a family-owned steel construction company that designs, fabricates, and constructs commercial and industrial projects throughout North America. With a passionate team, Walters Group brings together deep experience with the capacity to deliver projects of all sizes and levels of complexity.

What is Bercon Rentals?

Bercon Rentals is Ontario’s premier supplier of industrial, commercial and construction equipment, providing reliable pricing, the best and most dependable customer service, the highest safety standards and the youngest fleet in the province.

Project Dubreuilville — Remote Access Challenges

Never heard of Dubreuilville? It’s located deep in Northern Ontario, north of Wawa and well beyond the reach of Bercon’s typical day-trip service areas in the GTHA. While road access is available, the distance alone introduces significant planning challenges to get to Alamos Gold.

What is the Alamos Gold Project?

Dubreuilville is also home to Alamos Gold, which is undergoing a major expansion at its Island Gold Mine, focused on increasing production and converting resources into reserves. 

The project includes a new shaft and paste plant, which will double its mining capacity to 2,400 tonnes per day while reducing operating costs by replacing trucking with shaft hoisting.

For Walters Group, which undertakes large-scale structural steel fabrication and installation, dependable equipment is essential to maintaining tight timelines. Bercon Rentals is there for them, ensuring the right equipment is on site and meets Walters’ requirements.

Pre-Planning is Critical in Northern Ontario

In remote builds like this, execution starts long before the equipment leaves Bercon’s yard.

Once timelines are confirmed, Bercon begins preparing weeks in advance by:

• Coordinating internally between dispatch, service, and logistics teams
• Pre-assigning equipment based on project scope and duration
• Aligning delivery windows with Walters’ installation schedule
• Completing all safety documentation required for site access

Each unit is commissioned before departure, including:

• Installation of fire extinguishers and safety kits
• Battery lockout systems and job-specific requirements
• Full inspection and documentation checks

This ensures equipment arrives ready to work without delays and surprises.

Transporting Equipment Takes 13–15 Hours Each Way

Transporting equipment to Dubreuilville is a major operation. With trips taking up to 15 hours one way, Bercon develops detailed logistics plans that account for every variable.

Some of the considerations include:

• Pre-mapped routes to avoid high-risk or low-service highways
• Weather monitoring, especially north of Barrie
• Deliveries scheduled up to a week in advance
• Driver rotation and service hour compliance
• Hotel accommodations and fuel planning

Certain routes (like Highway 129) are avoided, when possible, due to limited emergency access and unreliable cell service.

On-Site Coordination and Control

Once equipment arrives, site logistics remain tightly managed.

• Equipment is staged
• The project site has 24-hour site security controls and access
• All machines are logged in and out for accountability
• Coordination continues daily between the Bercon and Walters teams

This level of organization ensures productivity remains high despite the remote setting.

Project Moosonee — Rail Access Only

Another Northern Ontario project with Bercon Rentals and Walters group is located in Moosonee, presenting a completely different logistical challenge: no road access to the site.

Located in the Hudson Bay Lowlands on the Moose River near the southern edge of James Bay, Moosonee is accessible only by air or rail (or by seasonal ice roads during the coldest months) . For the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Redevelopment Project, Bercon’s equipment must be transported using the Ontario Northland Railway.

What is the WAHA Redevelopment Project?

The WAHA Redevelopment Project includes the construction of a new regional acute care hospital, Elder Care Lodge, visitor hostel, and staff accommodations in Moosonee, along with a new ambulatory care centre on Moose Factory Island.

Once complete, these modern facilities will support  WAHA in  delivering high-quality, culturally reflective  healthcare to communities along the Western James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts. 

Many of the patients and clients served are members of Cree communities, with deep-rooted connections to the land and surrounding waters that have shaped their traditional way of life.

Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads

Without trucking routes, Bercon adapts its approach entirely. Logistics planning shifts from highways to rail schedules, requiring precise coordination well in advance.

Instead of traditional delivery methods, the process includes:

• Loading equipment onto rail cars at designated terminals
• Securing machines for long-distance rail transport
• Scheduling shipments based on train availability
• Coordinating arrival timing with site readiness

Unlike trucking, rail transport offers less flexibility once scheduled, making upfront planning even more important.

Timing and Precision Matter More Than Ever

With fixed train schedules and limited-service windows, there is little room for adjustment.

Bercon ensures success by:

• Finalizing shipment timelines early in the project lifecycle
• Double-checking load configurations and securement
• Coordinating closely with rail operators and site teams
• Building contingency time into project schedules

This level of precision ensures equipment arrives exactly when needed, avoiding costly downtime in a location where replacements or rush deliveries aren’t feasible.

Comparing the Two Northern Ontario Projects

One of the advantages of a telehandler is that various attachments can expand the machine’s capabilities.

Depending on the model and application, attachments may enable a telehandler to handle various materials or perform tasks beyond basic pallet handling.

That’s worth considering when you’re choosing equipment. If your job involves several different tasks, a telehandler may give you more flexibility than a standard forklift.

A Partnership Built for Challenging Environments

Both projects highlight the strength of the working relationship between Bercon Rentals and Walters Group.

Walters relies on Bercon for more than just equipment; they depend on:

• Consistent communication
• Proactive planning
• Reliable execution under pressure

Bercon integrates directly into Walters’ workflow, ensuring that equipment logistics support the construction schedule.

Delivering Results in Remote Ontario

As of spring 2026, both the Dubreuilville and Moosonee projects continue to move forward, each overcoming its own unique challenges.

From 15-hour equipment hauls to rail-only delivery strategies, these projects demonstrate one key idea: with the right planning and the right partner, even the most remote projects in Ontario can run efficiently and successfully.

Expect More With Your Project

As of spring 2026, this project continues to take shape and stands as a strong example of how collaboration and preparation can overcome even the toughest logistical challenges.

If your business would like to “Expect More” with Bercon Rentals, reach out to our client services team for customized support on your next project, whether it’s in Northern Ontario or anywhere else in Ontario. Ask for a free quote right now.