Blog posts of '2025' 'November'

Gratitude Beyond Measure: Celebrating the Skilled Hands and Hearts of Albina

As the leaves change and the season of gratitude settles in, we’re reminded that true strength doesn’t come from machines or materials, it comes from people. At Albina Co., our greatest asset has always been our team; the talented, skilled individuals who bring precision, passion, and pride to every project we take on.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship

For generations, Albina has been built by hands that know their craft inside and out. The knowledge our team carries isn’t something you can find in a textbook, it’s earned through experience, mentorship, and a deep respect for the work.
Many of our team members represent multiple generations of the same family, continuing a legacy of craftsmanship that stretches back decades. They’ve grown up around the sound of machines humming, the scent of steel, and the spirit of teamwork that defines our company.

Skill, Dedication, and Heart

In an industry that demands precision, our people deliver excellence day after day. Whether it’s a complex bend, a detailed fabrication, or an innovative solution to a tough problem, our crew’s skill and dedication are unmatched. But beyond their technical ability, what sets them apart is their heart - their pride in doing the job right, their loyalty to one another, and their commitment to safety and quality.

Thankful for Our Albina Family

This November, we pause to give thanks to every person who makes Albina what it is - our staff, our customers, our vendors and everyone else. Each of you carries forward a legacy of quality, integrity, and teamwork that defines our success.

We are proud to stand beside you, to learn from you, and to celebrate all that you bring to our Albina family.

Here’s to the people who bend more than steel - you bend time, tradition, and talent into something extraordinary.

Thank you for making Albina strong, today and for generations to come.

Robson Square Ice Rink: An Olympic Legacy Brought to Life by Precision Bending

If you’ve ever laced up your skates at Robson Square’s iconic ice rink in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, you’ve experienced more than just a winter pastime - you’ve stepped into a piece of Olympic history. Nestled beneath its instantly recognizable curved steel domes, the rink is a structural landmark that blends architectural artistry with community spirit.

It’s hard to believe this urban skating hub has had such a storied past. Originally opening in the early 1980s, Robson Square’s rink later closed in the 1990s before being revived, reimagined, and expanded in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Today, it stands as one of Vancouver’s coolest (literally) and most beloved winter gathering places.

Behind the Curves: Albina’s Contribution

Those striking cruved steel overhead domes didn’t come to life by accident. Albina had the pleasure of bending and rolling the steel that brought this structure its smooth, sweeping geometry.

For this project, Albina processed the following materials:

12¾" OD x .500" wall polished stainless steel

8 pieces rolled to 37' 11 11/16" and 18' 9 3/8" radii

4 pieces rolled to 37' 11 11/16" radius

14" OD x .500" A53B ERW

1 piece

The result? Strong, graceful curves that define the atmosphere of the rink and continue to withstand the test of time, weather, and thousands of visitors every winter.

A Structure That Skates Through History

Robson Square’s rink isn’t just a place to chill with friends or enjoy a twirl on the ice - it’s a testament to community revitalization, Olympic legacy, and the engineering precision that made its signature silhouette possible. Albina is proud to have played a part in shaping one of Vancouver’s most cherished winter attractions.

Public libraries have always been more than buildings - they’re hubs of creativity, learning, connection, and community identity. The Granite Library in South Salt Lake is a perfect example of this spirit. As part of Utah’s largest public library system, it stands as a modern gathering place where technology, education, and imagination blend seamlessly.

Albina had the privilege of contributing to this project by bending structural steel components that support both the function and the architectural vision of the space.

For this project, Albina bent two key materials:

TS 10" X 6" X .375" Wall A500 GR B

1 pc bent the Hard Way to a 14'-11" radius

TS 16" X 8" X .375" Wall A500 GR B

2 pcs bent the Hard Way to a 19' radius

Albina is proud to be a part of projects like the Granite Library that strengthen neighborhoods and create places where people can learn, gather, and grow. No matter the project, Albina is committed to producing dependable curved steel that brings bold designs to life.