Throwback Thursday: Ready When You Are!



Many things have changed since this 1992 advertisement, but the content is still true today!

 

Rest assured, one thing will never change: We provide the best solution for our customers. This is, and always will be, our #1 priority.

 

We hope you enjoy this timeless ad!

 

Six Strategies to Ensure Your Project is Shovel Ready

StructureTec Group’s Building Construction Technology Educational Center (BCTEC) hosted a webinar on April 16^th on the topic: “Are Your Projects Shovel Ready?”

In case you missed out, shovel ready essentially means that your projects are ready to start as soon as funding is approved. Ensuring your projects are shovel ready gives you a much greater chance of not only getting budget approval, but completing your projects on schedule.

As discussed in the presentation, there are six strategies that ensure your project is shovel ready.

1.       Define the project. You can do this by performing regular condition assessments and preparing a list that is ranked based on a well-defined condition index. It is also helpful to have a risk index prepared.

2.       Define the budget. Define your budgets based on recommendations and course of action. It is helpful to include unit pricing with estimates that are based on current average pricing information.

3.       Get the specs ready to go. Allow time to develop the project manual. This can be a time consuming process, ensuring it is completed will give you a head start on getting your project completed.

4.       Select the right team for the project. Selecting the right internal and external team is essential to completing a successful project. In selecting the correct external team, you should consider a designer and contractor that have a solid technical understanding of the project, and have excellent team communications.

5.       Choose a project delivery method. Between design/bid/build, design/build and construction management there are many different advantages and disadvantages. Have a method researched and chosen that will be the best fit for your project.  

6.       Have the financial impact ready for CFO review. Be prepared to show impact for prioritization, cost reduction and sustainability.

If you missed the webinar, you can watch the presentation here.

Executive Roundtable Recap

We held an Executive Roundtable at the Birmingham Athletic Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

During the Roundtable, industry leaders met to collaborate on their biggest challenges, strategic facilities capital planning, and key performance indicators. Below are the key discussions and takeaways from the meeting.

Biggest Challenges:

• Changing management is impacting long-range plans
• Challenge to prioritize with a growing deferred  maintenance backlog
• Ineffective record keeping and undocumented history
• Limited personnel to carry out projects
• Erosion of quality while trying to achieve lowest (best) price

Strategic Facilities Capital Planning:

• Establishing history and good record keeping through CMMS system
• Looking for innovative ways to extend the life of existing systems to defer capital expenditures
• Using risk assessment programs to establish priority projects
• Establish organizational best practices and actively benchmarking with peers within the industry

Key Performance Indicators:

• Quantifying savings and ROI by calculating anticipated service life vs. actual service life
• Comparing first cost vs. actual cost
• Regular client/customer/occupant satisfaction surveys
• Preventative maintenance vs. emergency work orders
• Maintaining company image through all stages of project
• Response times to address safety related work orders

Closing:

• Helps to use cost savings as a selling point when trying to obtain funding
• Need to establish a risk matrix for all critical systems
• Upfront cost of ownership vs. life cycle cost of ownership
• Facilities management impacts the organization's bottom line

High Performance People Series: Interview with Tom Rea

Tom Rea is the manager of the Pavement Management Group division of StructureTec Group. He has brought significant impact and growth as leader of his division. Tom’s enthusiasm is contagious and is demonstrated through his passion for what he does.

Tom is our newest addition to the High Performance People interview series, we hope you enjoy!

How long have you been working with StructureTec Group?

This is my fifth year. I made a pledge when I was talking with Jeffrey Brittan (CEO of StructureTec Group) during my interview to, within a five year period of time, take the new paving division to the point of being StructureTec’s largest division by revenue. It looks like this may be the year that we can get there, and this is my fifth year.

How long have you been in the industry?

When I was going to school in Ann Arbor Michigan back in the late 60s, as soon as I wrote my last final I immediately went to work for Ann Arbor Construction Company, so I guess about 45-48 years.

What significant changes have transpired since you joined StructureTec Group?

There was a steep learning curve early on as it relates to the heavy civil division. In the beginning there were a lot of checks and balances and a lot of conversation. As a new division in the company, we had to work together to develop a full understanding of the capabilities of the Pavement Management Group and how it is different from roofing and restoration.

What is unique about the Pavement Management Group?

The most unique part of it is the speed of which the projects are handled. A three-quarter million dollar restoration job takes a 3-6 months to complete. A three-quarter million dollar pavement job, only takes three weeks. So process from start to finish is vastly quicker.

What is your most memorable/rewarding/challenging project?

The American Axle manufacturing plant in Mexico. We went there to do a job and had only one week to complete. Ended up taking a week and four days because we had to work with local contractors in an area where they were 20-25 years behind the current specifications. We ended up taking 2-3 days in dialogue to get them up to speed on the specifications. We were able to help them get 20 years ahead of where they were in terms of quality product.

Where do you see the direction of StructureTec/Pavement Management Group going in the next decade?

I think further technological developments in our CAD department will take us to the next level and allow us to handle more projects at one time. These developments will include the implementation of a 3D CAD program. I also anticipate that we will move into a much more global market as we have already started to move this direction in the last four years. 

What makes StructureTec unique? What sets us apart?

The confidence and knowledge level of our personnel. No question, everybody in the organization is on the top of their game and is extremely well prepared for the task. We have the people, and the right people in the right places. Also our national accounts that are light years ahead of similar companies who are trying to do the same thing. Our ability to grow is supported by those two facets.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The job itself, the accomplishments. Being able to look at a task and follow it through to completion. That to certain personalities is infectious. My greatest reward is following the project from start to finish and having a satisfied client when complete. For me it’s the biggest thrill.

 

 

Core Values

Our company core values are what support the vision, shape the culture and reflect what StructureTec Group values. They are the essence of our company’s identity – our principles and beliefs upon which we shape our work.

There is no better way to get to know StructureTec Group than by familiarizing yourself with our core values and what they mean to us.

·        Integrity: Doing what is ethically and morally right.

·       Quality: Performing at the highest level of excellence.

·       Relationships: Maintaining and developing connections for personal and professional growth and success.

·       Expertise: Investing in tools and resources to maintain a high standard of skills and knowledge.

·       Accountability: fulfilling obligations and accepting responsibility.

Believe it or Not, Spring is Only 15 Days Away

After the winter we’ve had, it’s hard to imagine green grass and flowers. If you’re like me and have forgotten what they look like, you might be taken by surprise when all of this snow finally starts to melt.

To avoid being stuck doing roof maintenance instead of smelling the spring flowers, follow these simple steps to ensure you’re prepared to handle the meltdown.

1.       Clear out the drains.

Be sure water can flow freely to them by removing any ice, snow or debris accumulation near the drains. This is the most basic way to ensure that all of the excess water has a place to go and doesn’t pool on the roof surface causing water damage.  

2.       Remove snow and ice at roof to wall transitions.

Often these transition points are a natural place for water to pool. They’re also often home to seams in your waterproofing materials which could be one of the weaker points in the roof system. Clearing off the ice and snow buildup can help prevent the development of leaks. 

3.       Remove snow and ice at penetrations and curbs.

Similar to number two, this area commonly contains seams that may be more susceptible to water damage. Often these areas are shaded from the sun and can be one of the last places to melt. Clearing the ice and snow will help to speed up the melting process.  

4.       Inspect structural components that might be distorted due to supporting increased load.

Unfortunately the increased load on your roof system can cause damage throughout the long winter months. If that is the case, you’ll want to repair these areas before they become major problems to your facility.

Following these few steps will ensure that you’re ready to handle the melting snow and ice. Just remember to exercise caution when removing snow and ice from your roof so that you do not puncture or tear the membrane; or more importantly endanger yourself.

If winter took its toll on your roof and you’re experiencing leaks, we’re here to help! Construction Services Group, a StructureTec Group Subsidiary, has a 24/7 Emergency Leak team that is equipped to handle those pesky leaks so you can continue with business as usual. 

 

The Art of Competitive Bidding and Negotiation

The practice of obtaining the most competitive pricing for your construction projects is truly an art … and a science. The topic of “The Art of Competitive Bidding and Negotiation” was presented by Nick O’Hare on January 21^st during a live webinar broadcast to facilities professionals across the country.

This presentation focused on best practices for receiving the best price, not necessarily the lowest bid for construction projects. The biggest factor in ensuring best price is having a proper specification as a tool to use during the bidding process. The discussion began by explaining the basic methods of specifying, how to draft a specification, the project manual concept and closed with best practices for bidding.

This was a very timely topic and interest was high. Key questions and discussion from the audience included:

·         What is “pent-up” demand and how is it affecting bidding?

·         How many bidders should be invited to bid a project?
·         Sealed bids vs. informal quotes

Click Here to request a recording of the webinar.

This webinar was hosted by Building Construction Technology Educational Center_SM, a Division of StructureTec. They will be hosting a Building Envelope Forum in Detroit, MI on February 18^th, 2015 covering a wide variety of topics pertaining to facility management. Please click here for more information on the topics.