Inside Alaska Business
NSTI
North Slope Telecom, Inc. is streamlining its branding. “We have always referred to ourselves as NSTI (versus North Slope Telecom, Inc.),” says NSTI President Sharon Kazem. “Recognizing that—and just how far we have come as a company and the technologies we work with—has been so exciting with this rebranding effort.” NSTI has operated telecommunications systems in remote areas since 1980. As part of the rebranding, NSTI is launching a new website, helping customers get started on projects where communications infrastructure is in need.
UIC Commercial Services
Two subsidiaries of UIC Commercial Services form the core of a new division. HC Contractors and Qayaq Construction are now components of Alaska Civil Construction. UIC Commercial Services is a holding line for several businesses owned by Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC), the village corporation for Utqiaġvik. In 2022, UIC acquired North Pole-based HC Contractors, founded in 1993 by Bill Hoople, who remains chairman of HC Construction Holdings. Alaska Civil Construction is led by Vice President Kodi Long, general manager for Qayaq Construction.
Brice Civil Constructors
The construction contract for the Barrow Coastal Erosion Project in Utqiaġvik goes to Brice Civil Constructors. The US Army Corps of Engineers–Alaska District awarded the first segment of the contract valued at approximately $60 million to the component company of Calista Corporation. Anchorage-based Brice Civil Constructors will begin building a revetment by downtown Utqiaġvik aimed at reducing erosion and storm damage along 5 miles of coastline. Funded by the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, the federal government is covering 90 percent of the project’s cost, and the North Slope Borough is responsible for 10 percent. Work is scheduled for completion in 2031.
ASCI
The first US company in support of federal contracts, and the first company in Alaska, to receive a Workplace Inclusion Certification from the Human Resource Standards Institute (HRSI) is Anchorage-based Advanced Supply Chain International (ASCI) and its family of companies. “Securing the HRSI certification underscores our dedication to embedding diversity and inclusion at the core of what we do,” says ASCI President and CEO Christine Hopkins. For example, ASCI participates in the SkillBridge program, transitioning military veterans to civilian careers.
Polyseal/MCGA
Polyseal Insulation recently purchased Mobile Concrete and Grout of Alaska (MCGA) and renamed the company Polyseal/MCGA. The purchase has been in the works since October of 2023, and papers were signed at the end of January 2024. Terry Waschke, the previous owner of MCGA, continues as a consultant for MCGA. The company plans to focus on being the best spray foam and structural geo foam company in Alaska, and the purchase adds new tools to Polyseal’s existing kit. Services now include slip-line grouting, batching, superbag mixes, remote concrete work, void filling or abandonments, compaction grouting, full-service spray foam, deep injection, foundation lifting, helical piers, slab lifting, and attic restoration.
Contango ORE
Avidian Gold is selling its Alaska subsidiary to Contango ORE, the company involved in developing the Manh Choh mine near Tok. The $2.4 million deal covers two Interior properties: Golden Zone between Anchorage and Fairbanks and Amanita NE, near Fort Knox, the mine north of Fairbanks operated by Manh Choh partner Kinross Gold. Contango ORE also has the option to take full ownership of Avidian’s Amanita property, also near Fort Knox. Dino Titaro, chairman of Toronto-based Avidian, says Contango is in a better position to advance exploration.
Systemcenter
Office furniture dealer Systemcenter opened a new showroom in Anchorage, becoming the exclusive dealer in Alaska of Haworth seating, tables, cabinets, and storage solutions. The showroom at 4401 Business Park Boulevard, N-42, operates by appointment, Monday to Friday. Systemcenter is a commercial furniture and storage dealership headquartered in Honolulu and previously serviced military customers in Alaska. The new showroom expands its reach to wider commercial markets. The exclusive Haworth dealership for Alaska was formerly managed by AAK Business Environments.
Export Council of Alaska
At the Alaskan Export Leadership Luncheon in May, the Export Council of Alaska honored Triverus as the Exporter of the Year. The company manufactures aircraft carrier deck washing machines at its factory in Palmer and is expanding sales into Italy and Spain while also exploring municipal stormwater management applications. Triverus was also named Small Business of the Year 2024. Ramper Innovations was named the New Exporter of the Year. The maker of folding conveyor belts for loading cargo aircraft has distributors in Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Norway, and sales agents in Canada, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, and India. Lynden Logistics was named Export Services Provider of 2024, and the Alaska Travel Industry Association was awarded Service Exporter of the Year.