wisconsin constructor 12/13 3

A Publication of the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin Issue 3 • 2012/2013

PROGRESSIVE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES EXCEEDING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

http://www.agcwi.org/#bf_miniCal_183

Features

PROGRESSIVE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES EXCEEDING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

8 “I am passionate about the VA and helping build a better place for our veterans and their healthcare.”

AGC ASSOCIATE MEMBER PROFILE15 MasterGraphics

Departments 4 Message from the President — AGC is your Association

5 Message from the AGC staff — Taking a Hard Look at Safety Incentive Programs

6 AGC Annual Meeting Recap

16 Applying Lean Thinking to Field Operations

17 AGC of Wisconsin Membership

19 Index to Advertisers

19 Professional Directory/Buyer’s Guide

Progressive Custruction Services Page 8

MasterGraphicsPage 15

Official publication of theAssociated General Contractors of Wisconsin4814 East BroadwayMadison, WI 53716-4195tel: 608-221-3821fax: 608-221-4446Laura Cataldo Editor

2012 OffiCersKurt Boson PresidentMark rudnicki Vice PresidentBob Barker Executive Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer

sTAffDave Bohl General CounselJim Boullion Director, Government AffairsJeri Breen Director, AdministrationLaura Cataldo Director, Workforce and Industry OutreachJim falbo Associate Director, SafetyDan Makovec Plan Room ManagerBrent Miller Director, Safety & Environmental ServicesJackie Troia Team Assistant

PuBLisheD By:slack Attack CommunicationsBarbara slack PublisherKelly Wolf Project Coordinator, Advertising Sales [email protected]

Wisconsin Constructor is a quarterly publication of the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc., 4814 East Broadway, Madison, WI 53716-4195, 608-221-3821. It is published in January, March, June, and September by Slack Attack Communica-tions, 5113 Monona Dr., Madison, WI 53716, (608) 222-7630. Printing is by Reindl Printing Inc., PO Box 317, Merrill, WI 54452-0317. For advertising information, contact Slack Attack Communications. Subscriptions included in AGC membership dues; non-member subscriptions: $20 per year. Address corrections or subscription informa-tion should be directed to the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc., 4814 East Broadway, Madison, WI 53716-4195. USPS #016128. Periodicals postage paid at Madi-son, WI and at additional offices. ©Copyright 2011 by the Associated General Con-tractors of Wisconsin. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication and credit given to author and

A Publication of the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin Issue 3 • 2012/2013

Wisconsin Constructor® / Issue 3 • 2012 3


Message from the PResIDenT

Kurt Boson2012 AGC of Wisconsin President

Get to know these people –, David Bohl, Jim Boullion, Laura Cataldo, Jim Falbo, Brent Miller, Jeri Breen, Dan Makovec, and Jackie Troia - they are your resource, an abundance of knowledge and support that can help you be successful.

My introduction to AGC happened when I was a teenager. I met many AGC families at conventions and made numerous friends throughout the state long before I began a career in con-struction. I got to meet the leaders of our industry, people who became close friends of my parents like the Kruska’s, Klobucar’s, and Zimmerman’s. Today is no different – the people I have become friends with through AGC are the new leaders of our industry.

Our association exists for the benefit of us all – but what drives AGC is the people who choose to be involved. There is always somebody like Pete Vogel there to remind you to wear the AGC logo on your sleeve for the betterment of the industry. There are people like Bob Barker who genuinely care about the well-being of your company. And there is a dedicated staff that will help you through thick and thin.

The challenges we face in the con-struction industry will not go away on its own. The economy is still struggling, lenders aren’t lending, the political cam-paigns will begin anew, and the cyclical nature of our business will continue. It takes an active membership, a strong Board, and the input and expertise of our Specialty and Associate members to shape our future.

My life-long exposure and involvement in AGC has proven to be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. I urge you all to get involved and take advantage of everything 2012 AGC has to offer. It was a privilege to serve as your AGC of Wisconsin President and I sincerely thank you for your support and the opportunity to lead such an out-standing association.

AGC is your Association and will be as strong and active as you make it.

What a year 2012 has been for our industry, association, state, and country. So many

memorable moments, both good and bad, cross the mind when you think back. There were landmark elections preceded by too many campaigns, unprecedented fiscal uncertainty, and devastating mass shootings. Even now with the glimmer of hope for a New Year beginning, the construction industry still faces some daunting challenges.

The best way to confront the chal-lenges ahead is with the support of the AGC of Wisconsin. AGC is your Asso-ciation and will be as strong and active as you make it. If your firm isn’t on-board you risk being left behind.

AGC offers all of us a chance to have our say, regardless of the size of your company, the city or part of the state you are located in. You can help shape your company’s future and the future of our industry by being more involved in what our AGC chapter is doing on a state and national level.

We are blessed with a staff that is a model for chapters throughout the AGC of America. Bob Barker leads a talented group of individuals whose programs and innovations have been adopted and exemplified throughout AGC of America.

4 Wisconsin Constructor® / Issue 3 • 2012


Message from the AGC

Brent Miller, CHSTDirector of Safety & Environmental Services AGC of Wisconsin

Taking a Hard Look at employer safety Incentive Programsprevious year in a drawing to win a prize, or a team of employees might be awarded a bonus if no one from the team is injured over some period of time. Such programs are well-inten-tioned efforts by employers to encour-age their workers to use safe practices. However, OSHA sees it differently.

According to OSHA, incentive programs may discourage employees from reporting their injuries. This is problematic because, under section 11(c), an employer may not discrimi-nate against an employee because the employee exercises a protected right. If an employee of a firm with a safety incentive program reports an injury, the employee, or the employee’s entire work group, will be disqualified from receiving the incentive, which could be considered unlawful discrimina-tion. One important factor to consider is whether the incentive involved is of sufficient magnitude that failure to receive it might have deterred reason-able workers from reporting injuries.

There are better ways to encourage safe work practices, such as incen-tives that promote worker participa-tion in safety-related activities, such as identifying hazards or participating in investigations of injuries, incidents or “near misses”. OSHA’s VPP Guid-ance materials refer to a number of positive incentives, including provid-ing tee shirts to workers serving on safety and health committees; offering modest rewards for suggesting ways to strengthen safety and health;or throwing a recognition party at the successful completion of company-wide safety and health training.

How to avoid whistleblower complaints:

- Employers should already have anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies in place.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has increased emphasis on safety

enforcement in past four years. An additional area that we have seen an increased emphasis is the whistleblower enforcement section 11(c). The OSH Act not only requires employers to com-ply with a wide variety of safety and health standards, but it also prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee because the employee reports an injury or illness under Section 11(c).

Employees do have the right to:

(1) File an OSHA complaint (2) Take part in an OSHA

inspection (3) Access exposure and injury

records (4) Raise a safety or health

complaint with the employer (5) Report an injury or illness

Reporting a work-related injury or illness is a core employee right, and retaliating against a worker for report-ing an injury or illness is illegal dis-crimination under section 11(c). The anti-retaliation provision applies to all employers.

Some employers establish an incentive program that inadvertently provides employees an incentive to not report injuries. For example, an employer might enter all employees who have not been injured in the

- Make sure all safety incentive pro-grams are administered in a fair and consistent manner.

- Make certain employee handbook and training materials, clearly spell out an employee’s obligation to report work-related injuries in a timely manner. Employers should have a disciplinary policy for safety infractions.

- Document all employee perfor-mance issues so that following disciplinary action is justified and does not form the basis of alleged retaliation.

- Make certain supervisors are prop-erly trained to handle an injury; file an internal injury report; and understand OSHA’s whistleblower requirements including the various forms of protected activity.

Please contact the AGC office if you have further questions regarding OSHA’s Whistleblower Act.


2013 AGC AnnuAL MeeTInG ReCAP Thank you to all members that supported

the 2013 Annual Meeting. The full day

event proved to be educational, inspirational

and fun!

Steve Kuper led a lively Corporate Culture session.

Mastering the art of face reading with Julie Theroux.

Sometimes the best learning experiences come from your peers.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The AGC General Contractor Membership elected five new Directors at the Annual Meeting. These gentlemen will serve three-year terms.

Todd Schieffer V&S Construction Services Rice Lake (was elected to represent Area I)

Dean Basten Miron Construction Co., Inc. Neenah (Representing Area II)

Dave Beck-Engel J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. Madison (Representing Area III)

Jason Rasch Rasch Construction & Engineering, Inc. Kenosha (Representing Area IV)

Mark Rounds The Boldt Co. Appleton/Waukesha (At-Large Director)

2012 President, Kurt Boson present the gavel to incoming president, Mark Rudnicki

2012 Specialty Contractor Board President, Ken Collins, gives a board update.

Associate Board President, Brad Babcock, gives the report on 2012 activities.

sAVe THe DATe

2013 Summer Membership

Meeting

July 17-18, 2013Wilderness Resort,

Wisconsin Dells



Ken Wasemiller knows how to overcome adversity. At age 19, while serving in the U.S. Army

as a heavy equipment operator, he was seriously injured in an accident that shattered his right hip. That was in 1987. After his honorable discharge the fol-lowing year, he worked as a rough and finish carpenter until 1992, when the Veterans Administration (VA) told him they would replace his deteriorating hip only when he would give up the physical construction work.

It was a tough decision, but Wase-miller took the deal. Not able to be a carpenter, he did the next best thing—graduating from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1998 with a construc-tion management degree and re-enter-ing the commercial construction indus-try as a project manager. For the next eleven years he developed a reputation for innovation and quality on the jobs he managed for several major firms. In 2010, however, he was ready for a change.

“I am passionate about the VA and helping build a better place for our veter-ans and their health care,” says Wasemi-ller. “I wanted to get in there and show them what I could do.” Working for the VA, however, required that the prime contractor be a service-disabled, veter-an-operated small business (SDVOSB). After researching and fulfilling the VA’s requirements, Wasemiller founded Pro-gressive Construction Services (PCS) in Spring of 2010 as a SDVOSB construc-tion management company.

Wasemiller brought with him a highly efficient delivery method that he devel-oped during his years as a project man-ager and design-builder. “This is a very

specific model that is custom-designed for each client, providing the highest-quality, most cost-efficient outcome,” he says. “We work within their financial means and eliminate costly surprises, which makes the end result predictable and successful.”

Being in business less than three years, Wasemiller has found AGC’s guidance to be especially beneficial. “We’ve been a member of AGC of Wisconsin since 2010, when we started our company,” he says. “AGC has been very helpful in get-ting us started as a company, including safety training and legal issues, as well as helping get our message out. We really appreciate what they have done for us.”

Construction Management Excellence

Progressive Construction Services specializes in providing construction management services for health-care facilities, including inpatient and outpa-tient services, federal and state govern-ment work, commercial properties, and retail market developments.

“Our primary goal of meeting cus-tomer construction needs is through innovative, lean construction manage-ment practices and successful relation-ships with owner management teams,” says Wasemiller.

Services include preconstruction design, estimating and budgeting, job site and project management, adminis-trative support, and document control. Projects are carefully evaluated for con-structability to provide the best over-all project scheduling that meets owner budget, quality, and time objectives.

PCS serves both the VA and commer-

“I am passionate about the VA and helping build a better place for our veterans and their health care”

— Wasemiller, President

PROGRESSIVE CONSTRUCTION SERVICESEXCEEDING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONSby Mark Crawford


cial developers that require oversight and leadership, from concept to warranty. As an SDVOSB, PCS has completed and continues to seek projects reserved for disabled veterans. PCS works with large prime contractors to create team-ing arrangements where PCS manages the project and the prime subcontractors provide the workforce for specific trades.

“Ken is very knowledgeable on health-care projects and has a wide range of experience,” says Brian Hor-nung, vice president of field operations for J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. in Madison, which has partnered with PCS on several projects. “His perspective and knowl-edge are invaluable on the projects we have worked on together. Ken is a great team builder and a respected profes-sional in the industry.”

PCS also specializes in health care, senior living, and private commercial projects. “As the owner representative, the owner’s project goals and objec-tives become our goals and objectives,” states Wasemiller. “Our team-oriented format establishes open communication between the owner, PCS, architects and engineers, and the contractor, including owner-contracted vendors. This allows the owner to be an integrated part of the overall design and construction process.”

Wasemiller indicates this level of cooperation is essential for a smooth-flowing project from inception to com-pletion.

“We respect the professional judg-ment of all team members, while still maintaining our position as the owner’s representative for the design and con-struction issues that must be resolved,” adds Wasemiller. “This results in a safe, cost-effective project that is built within quality and functional guidelines.”

Joshua Hafron is vice president of General Capital Group, a private real-estate firm that hired PCS to provide construction management on several multifamily projects.

“Ken did a great job overseeing the general contractors and working with state, federal and local agencies,” says Hafron. “As a result of Ken’s extreme diligence, the projects were completed on time and within budget. PCS is a large part of the success these projects are enjoying today.”

Ward Memorial Theater — Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Oncology Pharmacy — VAMC Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ward Memorial Theater — Repairing Roof Truss

Selected Projects

Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee

PCS was awarded six projects at the medical center in 2011-2012, includ-ing installing security cameras and card readers throughout the spinal cord injur-ing building, as well the control system for the TUG units—robots that deliver food trays throughout the hospital. PCS crews also upgraded the linear accelera-tor room, replacing a 20,000-pound lead door and part of the frame.

“This work was completed during off-hours so regular operations would not be interrupted,” says Wasemiller. “Infection control and containment of work debris and dust were well planned and execut-ed, making it hard to tell if a construction project had even taken place.”

Another job order consisted of demol-ishing the existing oncology pharmacy and expanding it to include two phar-macy hoods, an ante room, and a work room where the drugs can be produced for cancer patients.

“This was a high-risk area for infec-tion control due to the low-immune systems of the patients that entered the space every day,” comments Wasemiller. “We installed high-tech HVAC systems and controls that must function precisely to protect the employees working with the cancer drugs on a daily basis. Precise phasing of construction was required, with very detailed work plans, so each subcontractor was well-informed and trained to perform their jobs safely and efficiently.”

PCS has also partnered with J.H. Fin-dorff & Son to repair the damaged roof on the Ward Memorial Theater, part of the medical center campus. The theater is on the National Register of Historic Places and named for Horatio Ward, an American banker who created an endowment fund to construct memorial halls at several Soldier Homes. The PCS-Findorff team is currently at work on a detailed plan to stabilize the roof and replace the main structural members.

Whispering Hills Apartments, Port Byron, Illinois

This multifamily rehabilitation project consisted of nine, eight-unit apartment buildings and a community building. Work involved stripping the exterior

Oncology Pharmacy — VAMC Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Barber Shop — VAMC Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Starbucks — VAMC Milwaukee, Wisconsin


sheathing from the exterior walls (includ-ing insulation) to the backside of the drywall and replacing the entire exterior envelope. Apartment interiors were also extensively remodeled.

“During construction, they complet-ed two buildings every 30 days, which allowed the tenants to move back in not more than 30 days from when they left their original apartments,” says Wasemi-ller. “There was a lot of coordinating with tenants prior to construction. Two vacant buildings were used to house the ten-ants while their apartments were being renovated.”

“Ken was very proactive in identifying hidden problems and costs associated with this rehab project,” says David Hoff, president of the Hoff Group in Fox Point, Wisconsin. “Rehabilitation of aging real estate can often be more of an art than a science, since you really don’t know what you have until the work begins. Fortunately Ken was able to identify many issues prior to construction and was equally efficient at resolving issues as they arose during construction.”

Rosewood Senior Apartments, Berwick, Pennsylvania

This rehabilitation project consisted of nine multi-unit buildings totaling 84 units and a community building. Exte-rior work included replacing roofing and sheet metal and gutter systems on each building. The interiors of all the apart-ments were completely redone, includ-ing new electrical wiring, plumbing sys-tems, HVAC systems, and finishes.

Construction started in May 2011 and was completed in April 2012. “PCS rep-resented the owner in all aspects of the project, from budgeting to design to construction and warranty,” says Wase-miller. “The occupants in these buildings were seniors and careful coordination of construction was crucial. The project was a big success and the tenants were very pleased with their newly renovated, energy efficient apartments.”

There is no substitute for experience on a job like this,” adds Hoff. “PCS has the knowledge and experience to deal with changes as they occur. The coor-dination between the architect, general contractor, and consultants and contrac-tors was handled very well, as was the management of the construction sched-ule and pay applications. PCS has a skill

Whispering Hills Apartments — Port Bryon, Illinois

Whispering Hills Apartments — Port Bryon, Illinois

Rosewood Senior Apartments — Berwick, Pennsylvania


set that is deeper and more professional than other construction managers we have used in the past and we intend to use PCS again when the opportunity presents itself.”

A Bright FuturePCS will continue to pursue large

projects, teaming up with general con-tractors that can help with project bond-ing and provide specific trade skills.

“We want to increase our share of the construction market in Janesville and surrounding communities,” says Wase-miller. The company’s focus will continue to be on health care, senior living, and development projects, as well as state and federal work, including Wisconsin’s VA centers in Milwaukee, Madison, Tomah, and Fort McCoy.

“When I needed the VA the most, they were there to help me by replac-ing my hip and providing me with the opportunity to get a college degree in the construction management field,” says Wasemiller. “Now I’m giving back and providing the knowledge and know-how I’ve learned in my construction career to help the VA and veterans—they risked their lives for our country and deserve the best possible care.”

Wasemiller will continue to follow the specific business plan he wrote in 2010. “We will stay focused on our clients’ expectations and goals, as well as our own,” he comments. “When we achieve their goals, we achieve ours and learn from each experience, which helps us do an even better job on the next project.”

PCS’s mission is to give back to vet-erans as much as it can by creating better care for veterans at the VA and within their communities. “We always go beyond contract limits and do something extra on each project,” says Wasemiller, who ultimately wants PCS to “hire more veterans”.


“The occupants in these buildings were seniors and careful coordination of construction was crucial. The project was a big success and the tenants were very pleased with their newly renovated, energy efficient apartments.”

— Wasemiller, President


Progressive Construction Services has been a member of the AGC of Wisconsin since 2010.


A recent analysis for a com-pany that has 80 drivers, who average 15,000 to 20,000

miles per year, indicated that about $100,000 a year could be saved by switching from reimbursing driv-ers to providing company-owned vehicles. Although the calculation was based on a combination of hard costs – lease terms, monthly pay-ments, maintenance and insurance – and fuel savings generated by hav-ing a fleet of uniformly fuel-efficient vehicles, soft costs also were a fac-tor. For example, while some drivers were operating older cars that were not very reliable, resulting in more downtime, others were driving vehi-cles that were not very fuel -efficient. In addition, for those in competitive industries, employee-owned vehicles did nothing to enhance the profes-sional image of the company they represented, which impacts aware-ness among potential customers and prospective employees.

The advantages of company-owned vehicles begin with acquiring

vehicles that are the right size, include all appropriate safety features and have uniform fuel efficiency. Establishing a separate line of credit for vehicle purchases though a full-service fleet management company can eliminate the need to tap existing lines of credit to fund a rapidly depreciating asset. In addition, fleet management profes-sionals can help ensure that vehicles are replaced at appropriate intervals to achieve optimum performance and resale value.

Operating costs can also be mini-mized with a company-owned fleet. A managed maintenance program can monitor and ensure regular service checks, examine invoices, and arrange the most economical, timely and high-quality repairs for fleet vehicles. This program also can yield maximum war-ranty benefits, rebates, price breaks and other opportunities to minimize expenses. For example, a fuel card program can automatically monitor fuel purchases and mileage for each vehicle, while giving drivers maximum access to the most convenient fueling stations.

In today’s competitive market-place, great looking vehicles are good advertising. In addition to promot-ing the company’s professional image in traffic and at job locations, hav-ing great looking cars can enhance employee satisfaction, which impacts retention as well as attracting the most qualified applicants when there are openings.

There are several options to reim-burse an employee for using his or her own car on the job – actual cost, standard mileage rate, fixed or vari-able allowance. However, a com-prehensive cost analysis could show that none of these methods is as cost effective or efficient as providing company-owned vehicles.

Steve Schaefer is a Director for Enterprise Fleet Management in Wisconsin and can be reached at 262-544-8300. He is supported by an experienced team of veteran mechanics and accredited Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technicians to serve the fleet maintenance needs of businesses with mid-size fleets. In addition to maintenance management programs, Enterprise’s services include vehicle acquisition, fuel management and insurance programs, as well as vehicle registration, reporting and remarketing. Visit the company’s web site at www.efleets.com or call toll free 1-877-23-FLEET.

By Steve Schaefer, Enterprise Fleet ManagementBETTER THAN

REIMBURSING DRIVERS

For those who wonder how much better it could be to provide company vehicles rather than reimburse drivers who use their own vehicles, it’s easy to count the ways: improved cash flow, reduced overall operating costs, improved safety, enhanced driver morale and more professional company image. Each of these factors is significant independently; together they present a compelling case.


MasterGraphics IncAssociate Member

With a mission to “make design data work,” MasterGraphics is the Building and Construction industries’ go-to source for design and imag-ing solutions, the Midwest’s largest independent seller of CAD solutions, and the region’s most trusted, hands-on provider of CAD-related software, hardware, training, service and sup-port. Headquartered in Madison, the company offers a number of comple-mentary business units to serve the industry: CAD Solutions; Imaging Solutions, including traditional repro-graphics, wide-format, advanced tech-nical color systems and 3D printing; and specialized services focused on data management and design visual-ization. MasterGraphics’ services help clients use intelligent information to deliver projects more economically, more efficiently and in a more predict-able manner.

“MasterGraphics is a technology company, but we really think of our-selves as a solutions provider,” says Mark Lackovic, MasterGraphics’ chief operating officer. “We work with our customers’ staff and their processes to really understand what their challenges are. From there, we help implement solutions that are going to make them more productive and efficient in the future.”

While MasterGraphics has worked with commercial construction profes-sionals for more than 60 years, the technology explosion of the last five to seven years has changed the game, and choosing a solution is no lon-ger a simple decision. Gone are the days when AutoCAD was the primary

design tool; today, it’s not uncommon for businesses to employ a number of tools in their work processes. But to be successful with the changing times, adoption is critical. Without it, technol-ogy is just a tool.

“Adoption represents the synergy among your people, your processes and your technology. Too often, a com-pany focuses solely on the acquisition of new technology as a means to an end, but that is insufficient. Instead, all these parts need to work in concert with one another.”

MasterGraphics uses a comprehen-sive approach to ensure it’s finding the right technology combination for your firm that is realistic, achievable and ultimately successful.

“One of the most important things we can do is challenge our customers: We challenge them to be innovative and we challenge their processes to help them find better ways of applying the technology,” says Lackovic.

By better leveraging data, using intelligent information and finding the right solution to meet a firm’s technol-ogy needs, MasterGraphics help clients create value at every step in the pro-cess to better plan, design, build, and manage buildings and infrastructure projects. AGC of Wisconsin creates a similar value for its members as well.

“As a longtime supporter of AGC of Wisconsin, we see the personal and professional benefits the organization offers. We are proud of this valuable relationship and the service AGC offers Wisconsin’s commercial construction community.”

“As a longtime supporter of AGC of Wisconsin, we see the personal and pro-fessional benefits the organization offers. We are proud of this valuable relationship and the service AGC offers Wisconsin’s commercial construction community.”

To learn more about services and solutions MasterGraphics offers, contact Mark Lackovic, COO, at 800-873-7238 or [email protected].

MasterGraphics has been a member of the AGC of Wisconsin since 2002.


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PROVIDING THE SECURITY YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

This article is based on a recently presented a webinar sponsored by AGC of America. Brian Lightner, J.P. Cullen & Sons’ Process Improvement Manager, presented the cutting edge approach to applying “Lean” principles to work at the crew level. The program was moderated by Mark Federle, McShane Chair of Engineering at Marquette University.

Brian LightnerJ.P. Cullen & Sons’ Process Improvement Manager

cultural barriers in how we think about the work and how our people look at work.

Rather than “busy” or “hard work” Cul-len tends to evaluate work by looking at “batch size” and “throughput.” People in general don’t give our craftsmen and women proper credit. They are really smart people. It is up to management to make sure the environment they work in is a qual-ity environment: this includes providing the right tools, the right equipment at the right times, and scheduling work on the right things at the right times. Most of our field people already know what they need; the difference is that we have learned to listen to them.

In an economy that demands enter-prises do more for less, such a differentiating advantage can make all the difference. As contractors seek to improve their processes and remove waste from their production sys-tems it is clear that significant benefits can be derived by film studies. Field and office staff should devote a significant amount of their time removing the roadblocks the crews have to improved productivity.

seeing Value: Application of Lean Thinking to Field Operations

The vision statement for Cullen’s Pro-cess Improvement efforts is: ‘Work at the crew level is the final expres-

sion of the management of J.P. Cullen & Sons’. As the industry moves to find ways to improve value, J.P. Cullen has been a leader in taking the applications to where the most important operations for clients occur: in the field. After all, for all the complexity of organizational structures and project man-agement processes, what clients really care about is the quality of their facility. The craftsmen and women who turn the screws, place the bricks, and finish the concrete have their hands on what clients value the most.

The Lean principle used by Cullen for its’ Process Improvement methods is the principle of “Go and See.” Cullen uses film analysis techniques to learn how operations are performing. Cycle times on construction projects are often longer than what a Super-intendent or Project Manager has the time to observe. Cullen started using film analysis a decade and a half ago to develop detailed, objective assessments of what it calls ‘the ground truth.’ How close is the conversion of resources to value to what we think it is, or what it should be? No tool can provide that answer like film analysis.

For Cullen, the results have been surpris-ing. They have achieved significant gains in safety, quality, and efficiency by applying the lessons from analyzing work in such detail to all processes. Some companies say they support the crews, Cullen really does it. In a lot of ways, they have broken through some

The definition of “Go and See”

is derived from the Japanese

phrase “Genchi Genbutsu,”

which means “go and see.”

It is a key principle of the Toyota

Production System that suggests

in order to truly understand

a situation, one needs to go to

“gemba” or, the ‘real place’—

where work is done.


A&A Environmental, Inc.Acme Construction Metals, Inc.J.F. Ahern Co.Appleton Lathing CorporationApplied Ecological ServicesArchitectural Products of Wausau, Ltd.August Winter & Sons, Inc.Austad & Son, Inc.Badger Swimpools Inc.Balestrieri Environmental

& Development, Inc.Bartingale Mechanical, Inc.Bassett MechanicalC&S Construction, Inc.Ceco Concrete ConstructionCentral Ceiling Systems, Inc.Coppens Metal & RoofingCorner Stone Construction of

Janesville, Inc.

Crowley MasonryE&A Enterprises, Inc.Faith Technologies, Inc.Falcon Drilling & Blasting, Inc.Forward Electric, Inc.Gauthier & Sons’ Construction, Inc.General Heating & Air ConditioningHoward Grote & Sons, Inc.H&H Group Holdings, Inc.H&H Industries, Inc.Hagen Decorators, Inc. & North Central

InsulationMarshall Hanes Steel Erectors, Inc.Hasheider Roofing & Siding, Ltd.Hooper CorporationHurckman Mechanical Industries, Inc.Interior Installation ServicesKish & Sons Electric Klein-Dickert Co., Inc.

Lewis Construction Inc.Madison Crushing & Excavating Co., Inc.Madison Gas & Electric CompanyMartell Construction, Inc.H.J. Martin & Son, Inc.Middleton ConstructionMiddleton Insulation Systems, LLCMonona Plumbing & Fire Protection, Inc.North American Mechanical, Inc. Northern Electricians, Inc.Omni Glass and Paint, Inc.Ostrenga Excavating, Inc.H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing and Fire

Protection Corp.Prairie Plumbing & Heating, Inc.Pro-Foamers, Inc.Quality Erectors & Sheeters, Inc.Quality Insulators, Inc.Robinson Brothers Environmental, Inc.

ACS, Inc.Alfredson Bros. Construction Co., Inc.Bacco Construction CompanyBachmann Construction Co., Inc.Bauer & Raether Builders, Inc.Blue Sky Contractors, LLCOscar J. Boldt Construction Co.The Boson Company, Inc.BriMark Builders, LLCCamosy IncorporatedCapitol Underground, Inc.Community Living Solutions LLCJ.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc.Dane County Contracting, LLCDell Construction Co., Inc.Edgerton ContractorsEllis Stone Construction Company, Inc.ErdmanPaul V. Farmer, Inc.J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.Fowler and Hammer, Inc.Ganther Construction, Inc.Gorman & Co., Inc.Gundlach Champion, Inc.Hamann Construction CompanyHammersley Stone CompanyHoffman, LLCHolster Construction, Inc.Homburg Contractors, Inc.IEI General Contractors, Inc.Ideal Builders, Inc.Howard Immel Inc.Klobucar Construction Company, Inc.Kraemer Brothers, LLCKraus-Anderson Construction Co.Lunda Construction CompanyMagill Construction Company, Inc.Market & Johnson, Inc.Maryville Construction Company, Inc.McCabe Construction, Inc.McGann Construction, Inc.McKee Associates, Inc.McMullen & Pitz Construction CompanyC.R. Meyer and Sons CompanyMiron Construction Company, Inc.M.A. Mortenson CompanyParisi Construction Co., Inc.Progressive Construction Services, LLCQuasius Construction, Inc.Rasch Construction and Engineering, Inc.Riley Construction Company, Inc.Rossi Construction Co., Inc.The Samuels Group, Inc.Scherrer Construction Company, Inc.The Peter Scherrer GroupJos. Schmitt & Sons Const. Co., Inc.Sjostrom & Sons, Inc.C.D. Smith Construction, Inc.Speedway Sand & Gravel, Inc.Staab Construction CorporationStevens Construction Corp.Kenneth F. Sullivan Co.TCI Architects, Engineers, Contractor, Inc.Tri-North Builders, Inc.Vogel Bros. Building Co.Vonasek & Schieffer, Inc.Frank O. Zeise Construction Company, Inc.

General Contractors Specialty Contractors

Continued on next page.



Specialty Contractors (continued)

Interested in becoming

a member? Contact Laura Cataldo

at the AGC of Wisconsin office for membership information:

608-221-3821 [email protected]

Value Engineering

Since 2007, we’ve completed over

$84 million in design/assist GMP projects.

We have provided

$2.7 million in savings back to the owners.

800.532.4376 | www.jfahern.com

Rockwell Group, Inc.Rohde Brothers, Inc.SPE, Inc.Terra Engineering & Construction Corporation Don Theobald MasonryTri-City Refrigration, Inc.Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Inc.Van Ert Electric Co., Inc.Veit, Inc.Ver Halen, Inc.Wall-Tech, Inc.Westphal & Co., Inc.Zander Insulation/Solutions

Associate MembersAON Risk Services of WisconsinAllied Insulation SupplyAllstar Financial GroupAmerican State Equipment Company, Inc.A. N. Ansay & Associates, Inc.Arch Insurance GroupAxley Brynelson, LLPBabcock Solutions, LLCBadgerland Supply, Inc.Robert W. BairdBaker TillyBenes & Krueger, S.C.Block Iron & Supply CompanyBlueprints, Inc.The Bruce Co. of WisconsinBrunsell Lumber & MillworkCNA Surety Corporation Candlewood SuitesChubb Group of Insurance CompaniesClifton Gunderson LLPCobb-Strecker-Dunphy & Zimmerman, Inc.Construction Data ServicesConstruction Risk Associates, Inc.County Materials Corporation

The Daily ReporterDawes Rigging & Crane RentalDeWitt Ross & StevensDirectNetworks, Inc.Discher Architectural MillworkEndres Manufacturing CompanyScott Engroff, LCCEnterprise Fleet ServicesFabco Equipment, Inc.Farrell Equipment & Supply Company, Inc.Foley & LardnerFuhrman & Dodge, S.C.Gallagher Construction ServicesGerdau Ameristeel–AppletonHatch Building SupplyHausmann-Johnson InsuranceHayden Murphy Equipment/Hausmann

InsuranceIdeal Crane Rental, Inc.Iron PlanetJanesville Brick & TileJanesville Sand & Gravel CompanyKahler SlaterKelly FinancialKendell Doors & Hardware, Inc.Komisar & Spindler, S.C.Krukowski & Costello, S.C.LaForce, Inc.Lakes Brick & Block, LLCLarsonAllenLee, Kilkelly, Paulson & Younger, S.C.Liberty Mutual SuretyLincoln Contractors Supply, Inc.Lindner & MarsackM3 Insurance Solutions, Inc.Manitowoc Cranes, Inc.MasterGraphicsMcCarty Law LLPMcElroy Metal Inc.Melli Law, S.C.

Murphy & Desmond, S.C.Neenah Foundry CompanyNimsgern Steel Corp.Park BankPenta TechnologiesPremier Engineering & TestingPurple Cow OrganicsQuarles & Brady, LLPR&R Insurance Services, Inc.RSM McGladreyReynolds Crane ServiceRiver Steel, Inc.J. Ryan Bonding, Inc.Safe-Con, LLCSand Source Services, USSchenck Business SolutionsSecurity InsuranceSlack Attack CommunicationsSmith & Gesteland, LLPSpancrete Inc. Spider Staging LLCStetson Building ProductsSVA Construction ServicesTemp-Air, Inc.TravelersTruck CountryVander Bloemen Group LLCVerona Safetyvon Briesen & Roper, S.C.WK Construction Co. Inc.T. Wall PropertiesWhyte Hirschboeck Dudek, S.C.Willis of Wisconsin, Inc.Wilderness DevelopmentWingra Stone Company—Wingra

Redi-Mix, Inc.Wipfli LLPZurich


BuILDInG PRODuCTs InsuLATIOn

Professional Directory / Buyer’s Guide

BuILDInG RenOVATIOn seRVICes

Over 35 years experienceSpray Applied Urethane Foam Insulation & Fluid Applied Air Barrier Systems

742 Borvan ave.Green Bay, Wi 54304920-499-9999920-499-9963 faxe-mail: [email protected]

I N D E X T O A D V E R T I S E R S

For advertising information contact: KELLY SLACK Slack Attack Communications / 608-222-7630 / [email protected]

American State Equipment ............................. IBCBalestrieri .................................................... IBCGeneral Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. ...... 14Hooper Corporation ...................................... 14Hurckman Mechanical Industries, Inc. ................ 6

Ideal Crane Rental, Inc. ..................................IFCJ.F. Ahern Co. ............................................... 18Kelly Financial, Inc. ......................................... 4Liberty Mutual ............................................... 16Lycon Inc. ..................................................... 18

Middleton Insulation Systems ......................... IBCM3 Insurance .................................................. 7Pro-Foamers, Inc. .......................................... IBCStetson Building Products, Inc. ........................ IBCTweet/Garot Mechanical, Inc. ........................ 17Wall-tech, Inc. ............................................... BC


wisconsin constructor 12/13 3

Documents

agc of wisconsin membership

president agc

agc staff

agc families

wisconsin constructor

quarterly publication

advance of publication

agc annual meeting recap