Episode 22: Keegan Burke - From Shoveling Mud to COO: How GFI is Polishing the Future of Construction

In this episode of Built on Blues, host Graeme Bryks sits down with Keegan Burke, the VP and COO of Ground Floor Industries (GFI Inc.). Keegan didn't start his career in the corner office; he earned his respect in the trenches, digging foundations and working 14-hour days in the grueling waterproofing industry before transitioning to concrete. We discuss what it actually takes to scale a family business from small-scale jobs to massive commercial projects like Amazon fulfillment centers, high-rises, and automated warehouses.Keegan pulls back the curtain on the science behind super-flat floors, explaining how laser-guided equipment and cementitious self-leveling toppings are used to meet razor-thin, micro-millimeter tolerances. We also dive into the daily chaos of dispatching, where concrete doesn't wait for anyone, and how his team navigates unpredictable weather and strict 11 PM noise bylaws in Toronto.Looking toward 2026 and 2027, Keegan shares his insights on market trends. With a noticeable slowdown in the Canadian high-rise sector due to build costs and foreign investment taxes, GFI is doubling down on the booming architectural polished concrete market, currently tackling a massive 600,000-square-foot project. Finally, we tackle the reality of AI in the trades. While Keegan uses tools like ChatGPT for meeting notes, he explains why the physical nature of construction means GFI is waiting for the perfect fit before overhauling their logistics. Whether you're pouring a driveway or managing a massive commercial crew, this episode is packed with gritty, real-world leadership advice.Spotify Chapters00:00 Introduction to Keegan Burke and GFI Inc. 01:09 Earning respect: From shoveling mud in waterproofing to 14-hour concrete pours. 03:29 Scaling up: Taking small-business quality to massive commercial jobs. 05:09 The science of super-flat floors: Lasers, self-leveling toppings, and micro-millimeter tolerances. 07:22 Managing the chaos: Unpredictable weather, late deliveries, and Toronto noise bylaws. 10:16 AI in construction: Why GFI is waiting for the right logistical tools. 13:19 Using AI personally for meeting notes and summaries. 14:58 Market trends: The explosion of polished concrete and the Canadian high-rise slowdown. 16:59 Forecasting the economy through 12 to 14-month project pre-planning. 18:48 The Magic Wand: Why crew motivation is the biggest bottleneck in a people business. 21:38 Advice for young tradesmen: Mastering your trade and finding efficiencies to stand out. 22:52 How to connect with GFI Inc.Connect with Keegan Burke & GFI Inc.To connect with Keegan Burke and his team for your next commercial flooring project, you can search for Ground Floor Industries Inc. on Google. You can reach out directly via email at [email protected], or check out their extensive portfolio and follow their work on Instagram at @groundfloorindustries.