cam magazine august 2014
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CAM Magazine August 2014 Featuring Construction Law; Interiors and Finishes; 15 New Products for Interior Design and Construction; CAM Launches Construction Industry Roundtable Series; CAM Government Affairs Committee Update; Interview with Michigan Senator Mike Kowall; Indemnity Rights and Obligations; Lien, Bond and Trust Fund Statutes; Safety Toolkit - Heat Illness; Is Inbound Marketing Right for You?TRANSCRIPT
®AUGUST 2014 Vol. 35 • No. 8 • $4.00
INTERIORSAND FINISHES15 New Products
for Interior Designand Construction
CAM LaunchesConstruction
IndustryRoundtable
Series
CAM GovernmentAffairs Committee
Update
Lien, Bond andTrust Fund Statutes
CONSTRUCTION LAW
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: A CONTEMPORARY BARN RAISING IN BROWNSTOWN TWP.
“THE VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY”
Indemnity Rightsand Obligations
Interview withMichigan Senator
Mike Kowall
SMART WINDOWS
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4 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
FEATURES
12 SUSTAIN|ABILITY Thermal Imaging for
Energy Loss Detection
14 CAM Successfully LaunchesConstruction Industry Roundtable Series
18 Government Affairs Committee Legislative Update
20 Senator Mike Kowall:Making Business Happen
CONSTRUCTION LAW
22 Managing Your Company’s IndemnityRights and Obligations
26 Time to Update and ConformConstruction Lien, Bond and Trust Fund Statutes
“ V O I C E O F T H E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N D U S T R Y ” ®
INTERIOR AND FINISHES
30 15 New Products for Interior Design and Construction
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT
38 A Contemporary Barn Raising inBrownstown Township
Re-inventing the Recreational Campus
DEPARTMENTS 8 Industry News
9 Safety Tool Kit
11 Marketing on the Level
43 People in Construction/Corporate News
46 Construction Calendar
46 Welcome New Members
46 Advertisers Index
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6 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
PUBLISHER Kevin N. Koehler EDITOR Amanda M. Tackett
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary E. Kremposky
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew J. Austermann GRAPHIC DESIGN Marci L. Christian DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Gregg A. Montowski ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Cathy A. Jones
DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman Eric C. Steck Amalio Corporation
Vice Chairman Todd W. Hill Ventcon, Inc.
Vice Chairman Mary K. Marble Marble Mechanical, LLC
Treasurer Larry S. Brinker, Jr. The Brinker Group
President Kevin N. Koehler DIRECTORS Stephen J. Hohenshil Glasco Corporation
Brad Leidal Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Inc.
Giuseppe (Joe) S. Palazzolo Detroit Spectrum Painters, Inc.
John Raimondo Roncelli, Inc.
John W. Rieckhoff C.L. Rieckhoff Company, Inc.
Kevin F. Ryan Powerlink Facility Management Services
Preston Wallace Limbach Company, LLC
Donielle Wunderlich George W. Auch Company
CAM MAGAZINE EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE William L. Borch, Jr. Ironworkers Local Union 25 Gary Boyajian Division 8 Solutions, Inc. Stevan Bratic Bratic Enterprises, LLC Marty Burnstein Law Office of Marty Burnstein George Dobrowitsky Walbridge Daniel Englehart Peter Basso and Associates, Inc. Chris Hippler Capital Letters Dennis King DMKING Consulting, LLC Nancy Marshall Aluminum Supply Company Rick Rys Hi Def Color Sanford (Sandy) Sulkes International Building Products, Inc. James Vargo Capac Construction Company, Inc.
CAM Magazine (ISSN08837880) is published monthly by the Construction Association of Michigan, 43636 Woodward Ave., P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204 (248) 972-1000. $24.00 of annual membership dues is allocated to a subscription to CAM Magazine. Additional subscriptions $40.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at Bloomfield Hills, MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: CAM MAGAZINE, 43636 WOODWARD AVE., BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302-3204.
For editorial comment or more information: [email protected] reprints or to sell CAM Magazine: 248-972-1000
Copyright © 2013 Construction Association of Michigan. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. CAM Magazine is a registered trademark of the Construction Association of Michigan.
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8 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fourth Generation FamilyBusiness Celebrates 100thAnniversary Madison Electric Company, one of Michigan’s
largest wholesale distributors of electrical,
automation, HVAC, PVF, plumbing, water
management and network communication
systems and components, is celebrating 100
years as a Michigan family-owned business.
In celebration of its centennial, Madison
Electric Company is committed to raising
$100,000 for local charities to show its
appreciation for the community that has
supported them in a century of success. The
charitable organizations include: Karmanos
Cancer Institute, Gleaners Food Bank, Detroit
Institute for Children, and Michigan Freedom
Center. In addition to the fundraising efforts
spearheaded by family executive leadership,
Madison associates will also participate in
planned fundraising events and volunteer
activities at the four selected charities throughout
the year.
Over the past century, Madison Electric
Company has grown from two men, operating
their business out of a small industrial building in
Detroit, to a multi-faceted corporation comprised
of eight locations, 150 employees and $80 million
in annual sales.
The company was founded in 1914 by
brothers Morris and Max Blumberg and has
remained under the leadership of their decedents
ever since. It enters its second century presided
over by Brett Schneider, great grandson of Morris
Blumberg, marking the fourth generation of
leadership.
“As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of
Madison Electric Company, we’d like to thank
those who came before us and laid the strong
foundation where we stand today,” said
Schneider, president of Madison Electric
Company. “It remains our duty to fix our eyes to
the future to ensure just as strong a foundation
for the next generation.”
Madison Electric Company’s greatest
milestones have been marked by the leadership’s
future-focused approach to business. Examples of
this include opening branch locations to bring
products closer to contractors during the post-
World War II urban sprawl; forming the industrial
electronics division to provide interconnected
products, cable assemblies and production
computers during the turn of the century; and
investing early into automation, twenty years
before it reached the popularity it has gained today.
“Every generation of leadership has made it
their goal to leave the company even better than
they found it,” said Benjamin Rosenthal, chief
financial officer of Madison Electric Company. “It’s
this mentality that drives us to try new things,
invest in new technology and expand our
offerings.”
Representing the fourth generation of
leadership of Madison Electric Company are:
Brett Schneider, president; Brad Schneider, vice
president of operations; and Jordan Glass,
secretary/treasurer. The company’s third
generation of family leaders include: Benjamin
Rosenthal, chief financial officer; Richard
Sonenklar, vice president and chief information
officer; Scott Leemaster, vice president and
general manager; and Jon Waitz, vice president.
Katherine Banicki Honoredwith ESD’s 2014 LifetimeAchievement Award Katherine Banicki, FESD, president of
Testing Engineers & Consultants, Inc., has
been awarded the 2014 Engineering Society
of Detroit (ESD) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Banicki was nominated in recognition of her
exemplary service and contributions to the
ESD and to the field of engineering. Her award
was presented at ESD’s Annual Awards
Program held on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at the Cobo Center in Detroit.
The Engineering Society of Detroit, founded in 1895, has been a leader
in promoting professions in both engineering and science and continues to
provide invaluable technical assistance to the greater Detroit area.
Banicki, alongside her husband, John Banicki, PE, FESD, founded
Testing Engineers & Consultants, Inc. in 1966. As a firm believer in
community service, she is involved in numerous youth, civic, religious and
professional organizations along with her widespread philanthropic
endeavors. Throughout her tenure as TEC’s president, she has received
many awards and honors for her role as a community and industry leader.
She was most recently honored with ESD’s Distinguished Service Award
and is a past recipient of ESD’s Outstanding Leadership Award. Banicki
was honored by AIA Michigan as an Affiliate Member, accepted the
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) President’s Citation,
and was honored by the Wayne State University College of Engineering with
the esteemed Socius Collegii Award. Banicki has remained a member of
ESD for more than a decade and can now add ESD’s Lifetime Achievement
Award to her growing list of career accomplishments.
TEC, a small and woman-owned business, provides client support from
property acquisition through construction, renovation and restoration.
Expertise includes environmental assessment, consulting and training;
geotechnical and facilities engineering and consulting; construction materials
testing; and indoor air quality, asbestos, lead and mold management
services. Founded in 1966, TEC has offices in Troy, Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 9
Todd Sachse NamedEntrepreneur of the Year by Ernst Young Ernst Young (EY) recently announced that
Todd Sachse, of Sachse Construction,
Detroit, has received the EY Entrepreneur of
the Year 2014 Award in the diversified
category in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio
region.
The award recognizes outstanding
entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence
and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial
performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and
communities.
For more information on Sachse Construction, please visit
www.sachseconstruction.com.
Eaton’s Cooper Lighting Business AnnouncesSOURCE Awards Call for Entries Power management company Eaton has announced that its Cooper
Lighting Division is now accepting entries for the 38th Annual SOURCE
Awards national lighting design competition.
The competition,
which focuses on
furthering the
understanding,
knowledge and function
of lighting as a primary
element in design, is
open to all lighting
designers, architects, engineers, professional designers and consultants
who use lighting and controls products from Eaton’s Cooper Lighting
business in interior or exterior design projects. Students currently enrolled
in any of these disciplines are also eligible to enter projects based on
conceptual lighting designs and will be judged in a separate student
category.
“We’re always looking for the most creative and innovative use of state-
of-the-art lighting products and techniques,” said Mark Eubanks, president,
Eaton’s Cooper Lighting Division. “This competition is a reflection of that
outlook with the call for entries going out to designers and students alike.
The awards ask participants to combine aesthetics, creativity and technical
performance to address specific lighting needs while meeting project
constraints and design concept goals.”
Entries must be postmarked on or before January 30, 2015, and winners
will be announced in May 2015 at LIGHTFAIR International in New York City.
There will be no minimum or maximum number of awards given, as each
project will be judged on its own merit. Selected entries will earn the
distinction of Winner, Honorable Mention or Award of Recognition.
Judging for the 38th Annual SOURCE Awards competition will take place
in February 2015 by a professional, independent panel of lighting and
design professionals, as well as a representative from the SOURCE, Eaton’s
premier lighting education center. The student winner(s) will receive a
$1,500 award and professional winner(s) will receive $2,000. All winners
will receive a crystal trophy, local and national recognition, and an invitation
to attend a lighting seminar at the SOURCE, located in Peachtree City, GA.
The faculty adviser of the winning student(s) will also be invited to attend
the seminar.
To learn more about the competition, download a complete list of rules
or view past winners, visit www.cooperlighting.com/sourceawards.
By Tracey alfonsi,
DirecTor of
eDucaTion &
safeTy services
Heat illness can be deadly. Every year, thousands of workers become
sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. These illnesses and
deaths are preventable.
Who is affected? Workers exposed to hot and humid conditions are at
risk of heat illness, especially those doing heavy work tasks or using bulky
protective clothing and equipment. Some workers might be at greater risk
than others if they have not built up a tolerance to hot conditions. Young
children, older adults, people who are obese and people born with an
impaired ability to sweat are at high risk of heatstroke. Other risk factors
include dehydration, alcohol use, cardiovascular disease and certain
medications.
What is heat illness? The body normally cools itself by sweating. During
hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating isn’t enough. Body
temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken. Heat
illnesses range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and
heat stroke. Heat stroke can result in death and requires immediate
medical attention.
How can heat illness be prevented? Remember three simple words:
water, rest, shade. Drinking water often, taking breaks, and limiting time in
the heat can help prevent heat illness. Gradually build up to heavy work in
hot conditions. This helps you build tolerance to the heat – or become
acclimated. Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks
during the first week of work. Also, it’s important to know and look out for
the symptoms of heat illness in yourself and others during hot weather. Plan
for an emergency and know what to do - acting quickly can save lives!
When do I call 911? If you observe the following signs of heat stroke,
consider it to be a life threatening emergency:
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Cessation of sweating
• Irritability, confusion or unconsciousness
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fainting, which may be the first sign in older adults
10 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
INDUSTRY NEWS
recogniTion awarDs
Gold Medal Award
Glen LeRoy, FAIA
Robert F. Hastings Award
Kirk Delzer, AIA
President's Award
Dan Pitera, FAIA
Balthazar Korab Award
Tyree Guyton, Heidelberg Project
Honorary Affiliate Award
Kent Anderson, PLA
Lou Anna K. Simon, President,
Michigan State University
Young Architect Award
Andrew Dunlap, AIA
Associate Member Award
Matthew Guinta, Associate AIA
AIA Fellow
Celeste Allen Novak, FAIA
Firm of the Year
Ghafari Associates
For more information about the AIA Michigan
Design Awards and the celebration held on June
7th, please visit www.aiami.com.
BuilDing awarDs
Wayne County Community College District NW
Campus
Hamilton Anderson Associates
Rockford Construction Office Complex
Integrated Architecture
Cranbrook Art Museum Collections Building
SmithGroupJJR
Michigan State University Molecular Plant
Sciences Building
SmithGroupJJR
low BuDgeT / small ProjecT
awarD
Historic Wing Lake Stone Schoolhouse
HopkinsBurns Design Studio
inTerior awarDs
Zola Bistro
PLY Architecture
M@dison Building
Neumann/Smith Architecture
unBuilT ProjecT awarD
Liquid Planning Detroit
MAde Studio
sTeel ProjecT awarD
Highland Community Hospital
SmithGroupJJR
sTuDenT awarD
Adam Cook
University of Detroit Mercy
25 year awarDs
Birmingham Residence
Luckenbach/Ziegelman, PLLC
Palace of Auburn Hills
ROSSETTI
Fire ProtectionSpecialists
Jackson Associates, Inc.
www.JacksonAssociatesInc.com
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AIA Michigan Design Awards Announced The American Institute of Architects Michigan announced that nine buildings have
been singled out for design excellence and will receive their awards at its annual Design
Awards celebration on June 7, 2014 at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum in East
Lansing. Dozens of projects were entered in the competition and they were judged by
an esteemed jury from San Antonio, TX, chaired by Jim Poteet, FAIA.
“Guideline for ConditionAssessment of the BuildingEnvelope” Published The updated “Guideline for Condition
Assessment of the Building Envelope” ASCE/SEI
Standard 30-14 has been published. The intent
of this Standard is to provide a guideline and
methodology for assessing the condition and
performance of existing building envelope
systems and components and identifying
problematic and dysfunctional elements. It
applies equally to a building’s envelope or portion
whose primary purpose may be to serve as the
supporting structural system of the building.
Condition assessment of an existing building
envelope may be undertaken for a number of
purposes, including a performance report,
establishing building serviceability, planning for
maintenance or repair, code compliance, life
safety, durability and historic preservation.
The American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) in publishing the Standard,
acknowledged the work of the Condition
Assessment of the Building Envelope Committee
of the Codes and Standards Activities Division of
the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI). This
group comprises individuals from many
backgrounds including consulting engineering,
research, construction industry, education,
government, design and private practice.
Serving on this Committee is Joseph F.
Neussendorfer, Aff.M.ASCE, ESD, president &
CEO of U.S. Construction Research in Livonia.
Neussendorfer is also a member of ASCE’s
Construction Institute. He is a Licensed Builder
in Michigan, and, has served on several Michigan
Occupational Safety and Health Advisory
(MIOSHA) Committees, including Fire Safety and
Masonry Wall Bracing regulations.
Copies of the new ASCE-SEI Standard 30-14
may be ordered at: www.asce.org.
The following is a list of the winning projects by category:
DecorativeConcreteAwards – Call for EntriesThe Decorative Concrete Council (DCC), a specialty council of
the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St.
Louis, in partnership with Concrete Construction and Architect
magazines, announces its seventh annual Decorative Concrete
Awards. The competition is open to DCC members and non-
members.
Entries are invited in the following categories: overlays, cast-
in-place – stamped and special finishes, stained, polished,
countertops, vertical application, concrete artistry, multiple
applications, and architectural concrete. With the exception of
countertops, two awards may be given in each category, for
projects 5,000 SF and less, and projects over 5,000 SF.
Submittals are judged on craftsmanship, aesthetics,
functionality and creativity.
The deadline for submittal is September 30, 2014. The
awards will be presented at the World of Concrete 2015. For
more information, or to receive a call for entries brochure go to
www.ascconline.org or call 1-866-788-2722.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 11
Ghafari is AIAMichigan Firm of theYear Ghafari Associates, Dearborn, is pleased to announce that it
has been named the 2014 Firm of the Year by the American
Institute of Architects (AIA) Michigan. Ghafari was presented with
the recognition at the annual AIA Michigan Honor Awards
celebration on June 7, 2014. The Firm of the Year Award
recognizes an organization of architects that has consistently
produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. The firm
must have great depth and breadth and be widely known for
quality work that is the product of a collaborative environment.
“We are honored to be selected as Firm of the Year by AIA
Michigan. This recognition honors the hard work and talents of
not only our architects, but the firm as a whole,” said Chairman
and Founder Yousif B. Ghafari.
Originally founded in 1982 as a four-person CADD operation
in Livonia, Ghafari Associates has developed into a full-service
architecture, engineering and consulting firm with nearly 400
employees worldwide. Ghafari has contributed to the architectural
profession over the past 32 years, providing programming,
planning, management and design services for projects ranging
from small renovations to new multi-facility complexes for clients
in the automotive, aviation, commercial, education, energy, food,
government / institutional, healthcare and industrial /
manufacturing markets.
Since its founding, Ghafari has developed a reputation for
innovation in its industry, rooted in an unwavering commitment
to client service and efficiency in project delivery. Whether it is
through the adoption of a new technology, design technique or
delivery method, the firm is guided by a drive to serve its clients
more effectively. This focus permeates all areas of its business,
incorporating its full array of facility and process design
capabilities combined with advanced technological tools,
sustainable practices and lean principles.
Is Inbound Marketing Right for You?Inbound marketing has revolutionized the field of marketing. Since 2006 it
has been the most effective marketing method for doing business online.
But how does inbound marketing differ from outbound marketing, and is
it right for you?
ouTBounD markeTing
In outbound marketing, an audience is engaged with outbound messaging and one-sided
conversations. Television commercials, print ads, radio spots, direct mailings and billboards
are examples of outbound marketing.
The strategy behind outbound marketing is simple: Hit the targeted audience with your
advertisement with enough frequency and they will eventually take your desired action.
Technology tends to make these techniques less
effective and more expensive. Caller ID blocks cold calls,
TiVo makes TV advertising less effective, spam filters
block mass e-mails, and tools like RSS are making print
and display advertising less effective. It's still possible to
get a message out via these channels, but it costs more.
Outbound marketing is an effective brand building
tactic but we’re no longer in the Mad Men-esque era
where companies could blast messages and push their
strategies onto consumers.
inBounD markeTing
Inbound marketing is marketing focused on getting
found by customers. The modern marketer needs to
focus on drawing in prospects by providing real value and
developing relationships.
By aligning the content you publish with your
customer’s interests, you attract inbound traffic that you can then convert over time.
The most successful inbound marketing campaigns have three key components:
Content - The core of any inbound marketing campaign. It is the information or tool that
attracts potential customers to your site or your business.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Makes it easier for potential customers to find your
content. It is the practice of building your site and having inbound links to your site to maximize
your ranking in search engines, where most of your customers begin their buying process.
Social Media - Amplifies the impact of your content. When your content is distributed across
and discussed on networks of personal relationships, it becomes more authentic and
nuanced, and is more likely to draw qualified customers to your site.
which is righT for you?
Marketing can get very complicate, so with our clients, I try to simplify it with a few fundamental
questions. Who are your clients? How can you reach them? What are their pain points?
If clients or prospects are searching online for your services, inbound marketing should be
part of your overall marketing strategy. Many of our CAM clients, though, use their website
to verify capabilities, or show their recent work. They are in the enviable positon of knowing
who their clients are, and for those clients, the cost and time of inbound marketing may not
be justified.
If your sales pipeline is thin or needs a boost, you might want to consider putting more
into outbound marketing. If your pipeline is doing okay right now, then considering putting
more towards inbound marketing.
“Marketing on the Level” is written specifically for CAM members and the commercial and industrial construction
industry. We are specialists at inbound marketing, outbound marketing and developing websites.
Contact Chris @ [email protected] or (734) 353-9918 or visit www.capitallettersmarketing.com.
“Instead of driving a message into a crowd like a
sledgehammer,inbound marketing
attracts qualifiedcustomers like
a magnet.”
By Chris Hippler, President, Capital Letters
SUSTAIN|ABILITY
12 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
According to insurance industry reports, electrical fires represent 40
percent of fire loss and 20 percent of large-scale fire incidents. These
types of accidents are commonly caused by loose connections,
weakening of isolations, obstructed cooling and mechanical damage. A
thermographic survey is a fast, cost-efficient way to perform preventive
maintenance on electrical systems that will prevent fires, downtime and waste
energy. If your building electrical equipment is old, you suspect it is running
‘hot,’ hasn’t been properly maintained, or your electric bills seem unusually
high, consider a thermographic inspection to isolate potential problems.
Thermal Imaging - or ‘Thermography’ - uses a specialized imaging system,
which detects surface radiated thermal energy (heat) and converts that energy
to a visible digital image for later viewing. A Thermal Imager or Thermal
Camera has many diagnostic applications in commercial and residential
electrical systems diagnostics, building envelope condition monitoring, low
slope roof leak moisture detection, HVACR condition monitoring and
diagnostics. This article focuses on commercial electrical system diagnostics
from both a safety and energy loss perspective.
Electrical distribution systems route the incoming grid power to the end
use point in commercial buildings using transformers, bus ducts, conduit and
hard-wired or outlet connections. Efficient usage of electrical energy by a
commercial facility requires high electrical connection integrity and proper
sizing of conductors, according to the National Electrical Code, to minimize
energy loss and subsequent heat generation.
Potential problems and failures of electrical devices such as electrical
centers, fuse boards, terminals, joints, electric motors, transformers and
electronic devices can be identified using a Thermal Imaging Camera. The
part or structural part of the electrical appliance with potential problems
“Thermographic image (left) and corresponding visual image (right) of multiple potential electrical incidents in electrical control panel. Thermalimage identified areas of concern: Red arrow shows fuse clip heating from either loose connection or corrosion of Phase A (check soon); Green arrowshows serious fuse clip heating from either loose connection or corrosion of Phase C (immediately service); Blue arrow shows wire/connector screwclamp force low or corrosion, heat conducting up wire slightly (immediately service).”
Thermal Imagingfor Energy Loss DetectionA Thermographic Survey Prevents Energy Loss
and Costly Downtime
By Keith Vosburgh, President, Total Energy Solutions
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 13
radiates heat that can be identified easily. Based
on this information, the overheating and potential
cause of problems, interruptions or fire can be
detected. By performing regular imaging
inspections of electrical devices, electrical failures
can be identified before use is interrupted or a fire
is started.
The electrical system temperatures, related to
the applicable safety standards and ratings for the
components, must be checked on a regular basis
as connection integrity can degrade over time.
Commercial Electrical Systems should thus have
at least annual electrical diagnostic inspections
according to the National Fire Protection
Association. Inspection protects the building
owners and occupants from risk of fire damage
and catastrophic losses related to explosions from
Electrical Arc Flash incidents.
Insurance statistics show that Thermal Imaging
inspection survey costs are a fraction of avoided
incident costs when performed proactively. When
second order incident effects and costs for
emergency shutdowns and business loss, and
expedited repair services and expedited repair part
deliveries are included, the cost ratio can be many
times higher than Thermal Imaging costs.
Most important is correct application of Thermal
Imaging and interpretation of results according to
defined industry standards and practices. The
most important thermographic imaging
qualification is training. Infraspection Institute Level
III, highest level, conforms to the level requirements
defined by the ASNT (ASNT = American Society
for Non-destructive Testing), the qualification
system of thermographic imaging personnel in
classes I, II, and III following similar principals to
those for X-ray and ultrasonic inspectors and other
NDT inspectors.
Using thermograpic imaging is one more, fast
and cost effective tool in your check list for
preventive maintenance.
About the author: Keith Vosburgh, president, Total
Energy Solutions, is an Infraspection Institute Level
III Certified Infrared Thermographer with seven
years’ experience in multiple applications of
Thermography. He has presented on Thermal
Imaging in commercial refrigeration systems, at
multiple Thermal Imaging conferences. He can be
reached at: [email protected].
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Using thermograpic
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14 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
The “jobsite” is the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. The “project”
is rebuilding the entire design and construction industry in
Michigan. This is no small task, but as famed 19th Century
architect Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans, for they
have no magic to stir people’s blood.” Over 40 thought-leaders from every
sector of the industry embraced the challenge, convening at this elegant
boutique hotel for a series of historic roundtables conducted by the
Construction Association of Michigan (CAM). The goal: Change business
as usual and restore the vitality of one of Michigan’s major industries.
The roundtables are the brainchild of Amalio Corporation Vice President
and CAM Chairman Eric C. Steck. Inspired by Gov. Rick Snyder’s
turnaround of Michigan and Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan’s efforts to
revitalize the Motor City, Steck wants to bring the same transformative
energy to the construction industry. These leaders changed the status quo
and that is exactly what Steck believes needs to happen to create a healthy
construction industry.
“Whether you are a republican or democrat, I believe both Snyder and
Duggan are trying to do what is right. I think we need to do what is right in
our industry,” said Steck. “The goal of the roundtables is to create an
industry beneficial to all disciplines, including owners, designers,
contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. We truly want to provide a win-
win for everybody.”
The ripple effect of this industry-wide regeneration will be a healthier state
economy. “Owners will say, ‘Michigan is where I want to build my
buildings,’” said Steck.
Steck provided the roundtable vision, and CAM, along with its
Government Affairs Committee and Steck himself as CAM chairman, made
it all happen. The three roundtables are being conducted over the course
of six months in 2014. The three different sessions are: Issue Identification,
Finding Common Ground and Developing Courses of Action and Positive
Solutions.
Roncelli, Inc. Director, CAM Director and Chairman of CAM’s Government
Affairs Committee John A. Raimondo, PE, sums up the roundtables’
purpose: “The goals of the roundtable are to identify, agree on and
implement solutions to those issues that are most important to CAM
members, our industry and our owner-client constituents, meaning those
stakeholders or companies that support our businesses.” For Raimondo,
the overarching goal is to “help CAM members improve the way they deliver
services to their customers.”
A strategy team formulated and implemented the roundtable plan. The
five members of the strategy team are Eric Steck; John Raimondo; CAM
President Kevin N. Koehler; Bruce M. Pregler, Facca, Richter & Pregler, PC,
PAC chairman of CAM’s Government Affairs Committee and CAM
Construction Federal Credit Union director; and Matthew J. Gurwin, Doeren
Mayhew, roundtable moderator.
Round one: Issue IdentIfIcatIon
Held March 27, 2014, the first session asked a series of thought-
provoking questions: What are the challenges facing the industry today?
What are the largest concerns that you and your business currently face?
What keeps you up at night? Ask over 40 passionate, articulate and
dedicated industry professionals a question and watch the ideas flow.
Burdensome retainage policies for subcontractors and obstacles blocking
delivery of accurate cost estimates to owners were among the concerns of
the assembled group of owners, architects, engineers, construction
managers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.
CAM President Kevin Koehler offers a succinct summary of a
construction project viewed through the eyes of each stakeholder:
Owners: Owners want accuracy in cost model development. Cost
pressures, as well as schedule and safety performance, rank as number
one concerns among owners. Other concerns include the need to manage
and mitigate project and capital program risks, project funding, practices
SuccessfullyLaunchesConstructionIndustryRoundtable Series
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 15
to improve quality and savings in project
execution and the availability of trade labor and
management to meet future demands.
Architects/Engineers: The design
community is concerned with the
misunderstanding of the Industry Standard of
Care, as well as errors and omissions policies.
The design community is also concerned about
having the proper amount of time and an
adequate design services fees to provide good
documents. Good documents will help ensure a
smooth-running project without budgetary
surprises. Lack of adequate and comprehensive
project planning also makes the list.
General Contractors/ConstructionManagers: Procurement practices are on the
top of the list for these stakeholders. Challenges
in this category include the “low-bid” mentality,
the need for qualification-based selection, tension
between “value vs. price”, cost escalation, slow
pay and the change order process. Other
concerns include workforce availability, contract
language, and identifying and securing profitable
work in a highly competitive market with thin
margins. The performance category shows
concern with subcontractor solvency and
stability, and in general doing more with less.
Subcontractors: Payment and retainage
issues rank as No. 1 for subcontractors. This
category includes slow pay, excessively high
retainage, extended retainage payment time with
retainage held to the end of the project rather
than upon the subcontractor’s completion of
work, and last minute back charges at contract
closeout. Other concerns include low margins,
prompt processing of change orders, unfavorable
contracts and incomplete and inaccurate
documents.
Suppliers: Sustainable margins keep
suppliers up at night, in addition to concerns with
pay when paid contracts, back charges,
unrealistic expectations and lead times that are
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16 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
too short to bid and deliver product. Suppliers
also want to be consulted in the design phase of
the project to alleviate unrealistic expectations.
“Honest discussion is a step forward in
developing an intangible sense of trust and in
solving the industry’s problems. “The roundtable
is a wonderful opportunity to learn from others
and to find out the issues of greatest
importance to them,” said Raimondo.
“This improved understanding will help in
the development of effective solutions in
our industry.”
The feedback from the roundtable has
been very positive. “One person
commented, ‘This has been a long time
coming,’” said Raimondo.
Round two: fIndIng
common gRound
In between the two roundtables, CAM
used Survey Monkey to solicit feedback
on the top ten issues of importance to
each of the 40 participants. The issues
were grouped by stakeholder group; the
top five were selected for more intensive
review at the second roundtable.
Held June 5, 2014, over 98 percent of
participants returned eager to roll up their
collective sleeves. A few new faces even joined
this unprecedented industry initiative.
The coffee flowed and the work continued at
this second session devoted to prioritizing a
common list of concerns from the host of issues
raised at the first session. Four issues were
identified: forging a collaborative model for
accuracy in cost modeling and other concerns;
funding, including pay when paid, sustainable
growth, project funding and margins; contract
language; and workforce concerns. Safety also
is a top concern.
Steck briefly discusses a few of these
concerns. An aging workforce, lack of vocational
training in high schools, and a labor force lean
from the Great Recession, coupled with
companies still cautious about the economy and
reluctant to hire, have all combined to create
shortages in meeting the recent uptick in work.
Steck also cites another factor. “Right now,
the margins are so tight that the rewards for
putting in your heart, soul and sweat are not there
anymore,” he commented. “Some people have
chosen to get out of the industry, and they also
have decided not to encourage their family
members and youngsters to get into the
business.”
Low margins and tight timeframes continue to
squeeze all disciplines. “Profit is not a swear
word,” declares Steck. “We need a bit of money
to keep up with technology, the latest trends and
good equipment. The problem is not the
construction work; it’s everything around it. It’s
the lack of support from the banking and bonding
companies and it’s the non-prompt pay. As a
foundation contractor, I am among the first ones
on the jobsite. There are projects on which we
are not going to get our retainage until the end of
the project two years later.”
Round thRee: developIng
couRses of actIon and posItIve
solutIons
CAM is now soliciting all participants for
solutions, ideas and options to bring to the last
official roundtable slated for October 16, 2014. It
promises to be another exciting exchange of
ideas from this dedicated group of thought-
leaders.
“My hope for this session is that we as an
industry and as CAM members agree on and
develop the right solutions that not only
strengthen our industry, but also strengthen our
individual organization’s competitive advantage,”
said Raimondo, “as well as strengthen the value
that CAM can deliver to our organizations as part
of the solution to today’s construction industry
concerns.”
Participants will develop a course of action to
resolve concerns identified in the second
roundtable. “Changing the culture of the industry
may be part of the solution,” said Steck. “We
may not totally change it, but we might adjust it
to be a more positive and less defensive culture.
“Part of that is going to require good owners
who recognize the benefits of working
collaboratively with all project participants,” said
Steck. “It means taking the knowledge of all
project participants and using it to help provide a
good project.”
As a testament to the success of this
approach, Amalio recently provided some value-
engineering ideas with an owner upfront as a
concrete contractor during the post-bid review.
“We provided some cost saving and schedule
improvement suggestions,” said Steck. “The
owner incorporated those changes right into the
documents. As a result, there were virtually no
extras, no changes, and no increased costs.
Quality work was performed and the schedule
was improved. That was for a 40,000-
square-foot addition. We then negotiated
a 225,000-square-foot, five-story building
with them in the same way. That project
showed the cooperation between the
owner, designer, general contractor, and
subcontractor with some input from
material suppliers.”
Ultimately, roundtable participants hope
to translate some of the industry’s
concerns into legislative action. “I think the
goals are to implement solutions to the
issues identified within the roundtables,”
said Raimondo, “and as CAM’s
Government Affairs Committee Chairman,
appropriately influence legislative issues
that are fully aligned with CAM’s position,
as well as those positions or issues we
want to shape legislatively in order to
deliver an improved pro-business
environment for our CAM members.”
In terms of tangible initiatives, “we would love
to see some positive movement beginning in first
quarter 2015, particularly in terms of influencing
legislative issues to strengthen our industry,” said
Raimondo. “Also, with the elections coming, in
having a strong unified voice for the construction
industry in Michigan, we can support those
legislative officials who are sensitive to our
issues.”
Beyond 2014
The third roundtable may not be the last step.
Steck suggests a series of smaller roundtable
committees composed of participants who want
to be on a “solution-solving team” for a particular
issue. “CAM should sponsor a six-month or
quarterly business roundtable,” suggests
Raimondo.
Steck adds, “I think what is important is that
when we fix these issues, everybody benefits. It’s
a great industry, but we have to get back to what
it is all about. It’s about building successful,
creative and wonderful projects with and for good
people that will provide opportunities and jobs for
our area.”
Koehler offers his thoughts: “CAM is
dedicated to finding solutions on behalf of the
entire industry through educating, legislating and
advocating. Our intent in convening these
groundbreaking roundtables is to provide the
industry with a way forward.”
For more information, please contact CAM
President Kevin Koehler, (248) 972-1101.
“The goals are to identify, agreeon and implement solutions tothose issues that are most
important to CAM members, ourindustry and our owner-clientconstituents, meaning those
stakeholders or companies thatsupport our businesses.”
John A. Raimondo, PE
Roncelli, Inc. Director, CAM Director and Chairman
of CAM’s Government Affairs Committee
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18 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
The Michigan Legislature spent the spring and early summer working
on some tough issues facing our state. In some cases they were
successful, like completing budgets, assisting the City of Detroit in
its bankruptcy, and increasing the state’s minimum wage. However, they
were still unable to come up with a comprehensive transportation funding
overhaul.
Road fundIng
The legislature made a strong push to pass a major transportation
funding overhaul prior to their summer adjournment, but were unable to
do so. While the Senate did pass some of the transportation funding bills
that came over from the House, they were mostly minor pieces and did
not generate near the $1.2 – $2 billion that “most” suggest is needed to
properly fund Michigan’s road and bridge infrastructure.
The biggest point of contention right now is what plan is used to raise
a bulk of the money for the roads. Some legislators are opposed to or very
cautious about a large gas tax increase, or increase to vehicle registration
fees, while others would like to see some of the funding come from a tax
increase of a different kind. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn
Hills) has also said that increased fees for overweight trucks must be part
of the final solution.
The House and Senate spent the final weeks of the spring debating
various funding plans including scraping the 19 cent per-gallon gas tax
and replacing it with a 6-7 percent tax on the wholesale price of fuel. This
plan would ensure that as the price of gasoline increases, so does the
revenue for infrastructure. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-
Monroe) also wants to see the tax linked to the rate of inflation to avoid
the current road funding crisis in the future.
After the realization that a major plan would not get done before the
summer break, the Senate and House adjourned and announced that a
“Task Force” will be assembled this summer that is bi-cameral and bi-
partisan to discuss a solution.
Budgets
The legislature passed a $37.3 Billion General Budget and a $13.87
Billion School Aid budget in June that includes spending for the 2014-15
Fiscal Year.
Some of the features of the budgets are:
• A 7.4 percent increase for revenue sharing to local communities in
Michigan.
• A roughly 4 percent increase to the school aid funding.
• $268.8 million to cover teacher retirement costs.
• $50 million for film incentives.
• $8 million for financially distressed cities, villages and townships.
• A 0.4 percent increase to the Department of Corrections (DOC) budget.
This includes 20 new employees for prisoner education.
• $94 million to the Budget Stabilization Fund (Michigan’s Rainy Day Fund).
• 100 new state troopers, 31 motor carrier operators, and 25 conservation
officers.
• $5 million to fight invasive species and $1 million to promote increased
recycling in Michigan.
“gRand BaRgaIn” foR the cIty of detRoIt
In mid-June, Governor Snyder used the Globe Building in Detroit as the
location to sign into law what is being called “The Grand Bargain.” This
nine-bill package increases state funding to the City of Detroit in exchange
for increased oversight as a result of its bankruptcy.
Government AffairsCommitteeLegislative Update
By Jason Wadaga, V.P. of Government Affairs, Kindsvatter, Dalling & Associates
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 19
Included in the legislation were reforms such
as creating a “Financial Review Commission” to
oversee Detroit’s finances, adding a Chief
Financial Officer (CFO) for the city and requiring
revenue estimating conferences similar to those
of the legislature.
The bills also made changes to the city’s
pension system. However, the biggest piece of
the package was a transfer of $194.8 million
dollars from the State of Michigan’s Budget
Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund) to the City
of Detroit’s retirement systems.
The Governor used the Globe Building to
draw comparisons of the buildings comeback
and that of Detroit’s comeback with help from
this legislation.
mInImum wage IncRease
In late May, Governor Snyder signed
legislation to increase the minimum wage in
Michigan. The legislation will gradually increase
the wage to $9.25 an hour by 2018. The first
increase, to $8.15 an hour, would take effect in
September, then up to $8.50 at the beginning of
2016, $8.90 in 2017 and $9.25 in 2018.
Beginning in 2019, the increases to the wage
will be linked to the lesser of a rolling five-year
average boost in the Midwest consumer price
index, or a 3.5 percent increase.
An increase to the state’s minimum wage had
been a hotly debated issue after the group
“Raise Michigan” had been gathering signatures
to put an initiative on the ballot for the November
election that would have more drastically
increased the wage to $10.10 by 2017.
hIgh school cuRRIculum
changes
Legislation allowing more flexibility for high
school students and their course curriculum has
passed the legislature was signed signed into
law by the Governor in June. Rep. Ed McBroom
(R-Vulcan) and Rep. Joel Johnson (R-Clare)
joined with their colleagues from the Upper
Peninsula (Sen. Tom Casperson R-Escanaba,
Rep. Scott Dianda D-Calumet and Rep. John
Kivela D-Marquette) to pass house bills 4465
and 4466.
The lawmakers felt the current curriculum
requirements for students in Michigan were too
rigid and didn’t assist students who wanted to
pursue careers in vocational education
programs. The legislation should allow students
who have an interest in a particular career
become more “job ready.”
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20 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Building the world is all in a day’s work for the construction industry.
Leave it to a past president of a construction firm to take on the task
of helping to rebuild Michigan’s economy. Now chair of the Michigan
Senate’s Economic Development Committee, Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White
Lake Township, once managed Accurate Woodworking, Inc., the Kowall
family enterprise currently celebrating 60 years in business.
Kowall’s economic acumen in the small business arena has earned him
an impressive accolade: the Small Business Association of Michigan
(SBAM) recently named Kowall Legislator of the Year. “Sen. Kowall has
been a champion for small business during his years in both the state
House and state Senate,” said SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler in a
SBAM press release. “His excellent voting record on small business issues
demonstrates his willingness to fight for the success of Michigan’s
entrepreneurial economy.” Over 350 small business owners and supporters
attended the award presentation during SBAM’s 45th annual meeting on
June 19, 2014 in Lansing.
a constRuctIon colleague In the state senate
Kowall’s deep roots in the construction industry offer Michigan
contractors a savvy senator who has lived the business. In fact, Kowall
entered the political arena because of two thorns in his own side as a
contractor and small business owner: the Michigan Business Tax (MBT)
and the lack of skilled trade education. Kowall made repeal of the tax his
top priority from the very beginning of his political career. Post-MBT repeal,
Kowall is now joining his colleagues and Gov. Snyder in promoting more
funding for skilled trade education. Kowall himself worked as a carpentry
apprentice in his youth.
Kowall encourages contractors to call and talk to their legislators about
their concerns. “There are people in the Michigan Legislature who do
understand the construction industry,” said Kowall, who is in the top ranks
of construction-oriented state senators. “We are willing to work with them,
because we do know what a rough time the industry has had over the last
decade. We are very concerned about the loss of skilled labor. We are
very concerned about what we are going to do to reinstate the interest of
young people in the building trades.”
Kowall encourages the industry to join forces in a trade association. “In
joining a trade association, especially the Construction Association of
Michigan (CAM), you have the ability to interact with people in your industry
or people in similar industries,” said Kowall. “It gives you the ability to share
ideas and to speak in a unified voice to the Legislature.”
Acting alone as an individual makes Kowall think of a saying from an old
Aesop’s fable. “You can break one stick, but when you put a bunch of
sticks together you can’t break them; that is how important CAM is to the
construction industry,” said Kowall.
the mIdas touch In whIte lake
Contractors have a colleague in the state Senate who has spent a lifetime
working in a thick mix of politics, development, construction and business.
Kowall served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1998 to 2003
before globetrotting to China, Mexico and the Caribbean as a political liaison
for an assortment of construction companies. Returning stateside, he was
elected supervisor of White Lake Township. Kowall accelerated economic
development in his home community, ultimately delivering $100 million in
taxable value along the Township’s own portion of the M-59 corridor in less
than four years.
Kowall’s home stretch of M-59 soon was host to Meijer, Kohls, JCPenny
and an assortment of other developments, including several new subdivisions
and over 5.5 miles of new sewer and water lines. White Lake Township’s
very own economic boom resulted in the generation of over 3,500 new jobs.
Consequently, White Lake weathered the Great Recession with money in the
bank and without any layoffs of police and fire personnel.
Witness Kowall’s Midas touch in action: A shopping center developer
needed a local building permit. Because of a local ordinance, the building
permit could not be issued until several state permits were granted. At the
time, Michigan was in the middle of a government shutdown. What to do?
Kowall convened a special Township board meeting on a Friday afternoon.
After convincing the entire board, “We overwhelmingly granted him his
building permit,” said Kowall. “He walked out the door Friday afternoon with
his permit, the foundations went in on Saturday and the retailer signed the
contract on Tuesday or Wednesday. That store is now No. 20 in the country
in profitability and it is No. 1 in women’s apparel.”
Cutting through red tape and streamlining the development process was
part of Kowall’s “recipe” for economic development for White Lake Township.
Forget about bringing home the bacon. Think pan-seared scallops and
baked Michigan brie, for this approach brought the Root Restaurant to White
Lake Township. The Detroit Free Press named Root Restaurant of the Year
in 2012 and Hour magazine granted a Best Chef award in 2013.
The restaurant owner had approached another Oakland County
community, but the red tape and cost of a liquor license proved to be too
daunting. Kowall cut through the red tape, streamlining the process of
obtaining the liquor license and reducing its price to the amount it costs to
process the paperwork from the State of Michigan. “It’s about making
business happen,” said Kowall. “If you want a quality restaurant or business,
you can’t be adversarial.”
autonomous vehIcles: movIng mIchIgan foRwaRd
Elected to the state Senate in November 2010, Kowall is applying his
strong political skills to boost the economy of the entire State of Michigan.
Kowall worked with Gov. Rick Snyder for over a year to pass the Autonomous
Senator Mike Kowall: Making Business Happen
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 21
Vehicle Bill. The amazing abilities of autonomous vehicles include self-parking, car-to-car communication
for collision avoidance and self-stopping at red lights.
“Autonomous vehicles will have in excess of a trillion dollar effect on the automotive industry here in
Michigan,” said Kowall. “It is going to do to the automotive industry what Henry Ford’s assembly did in
the past century.”
The bipartisan legislation allows automakers to test autonomous vehicles on public roadways and
promotes what is called Wave technology, essentially Wi-Fi for cars. California, Nevada and Florida have
already approved autonomous vehicle testing, making Michigan the fourth state to enact such legislation.
As the main sponsor of this legislation, Kowall knows full well the importance of keeping this technology
in Michigan. “Other states were coming to Michigan to get the technology out of the University of Michigan,
Michigan State University and Western Michigan University,” said Kowall. “Why should we let other states
come to Michigan and take the technology?”
Keeping this technology in Michigan will dramatically boost the state’s economy and the construction
industry. New and expanding companies will fuel demand for the construction of new space and the
hiring of new personnel, said Kowall.
Kowall worked his magic to make it happen. “We had extensive hearings on the bill,” said Kowall. “As
the main sponsor of the bill, I told Sen. Rebecca Warren, D-Ann Arbor, who describes herself as the most
liberal person in the Legislature, what I was doing and how this bill benefits the University of Michigan and
her community. She was the second person to sign. When people saw that a conservative republication
like myself and Rebecca Warren, a liberal democrat, were on board, everybody else signed on. The
legislation passed unanimously in the state Senate, and there was only one ‘no’ vote in the state House.”
The core difficulty was negotiating with automotive and software companies that were intent on protecting
their intellectual property.
Enhancing the penalties for the theft of scrap metal and blocking cash sales is another recent legislative
boost for the construction industry, said Kowall. Overall, the Michigan Legislature has improved the
construction and business climate by revamping the tax code and making changes in unemployment and
workers compensation. “These changes have made it easier to do business in Michigan,” said Kowall.
“Getting rid of the MBT and just the simplification of business taxes have been a big deal for small
companies.”
JumpstaRtIng mIchIgan’s economy
Kowall has a host of innovative strategies and plans to jumpstart Michigan’s economic engine. Kowall
wants to introduce the concept of pre-approved properties to Michigan, using Indiana’s program as a
template. Indiana compiles lists of pre-approved properties for commercial and industrial developments
from local units of government. “I want to do that in Michigan, hopefully within the next four years,”
said Kowall.
In this system, a European company, for example, can go online and find a building site meeting its
criteria. “They can go online and find pre-approved sites in Michigan,” said Kowall. “They can find out
where the expressways are, if water and sewer is available, and other items. They will know all of that
information before they even put a site plan together.”
Pre-approved sites would dramatically slash the time needed to develop a property. “When you are
constructing a building it is not about tax incentives, credits or breaks – it’s all about time,” said Kowall.
“Your main job is to get that building completed so your customer can get cash flow going.”
Kowall has spoken to other senators and many agree that the Legislature should focus on pre-
approved properties. Bedroom communities that want to remain bedroom communities without any
further commercial and industrial development merely opt out of the program by not placing properties
on the list.
The pre-approved properties concept “would work in concert with the county,” said Kowall. “I have
spoken to the Michigan Township Association, and they have agreed to work with us in that regard. It
still gives the local community control, but at the same time, it tells the world, we are either open for
business or we are not.”
Currently, Kowall has passed Port Commission bills out of the state Senate; they currently reside in
the state House. “Michigan has more shoreline than any other state other than Alaska, and we’ve never
had a unified Port Commission,” said Kowall. The bills allow for bonding out of very large projects,
such as grain elevators, a new lock at the Soo, short-haul rail and other shoreline developments. A
Port Commission would aid improvements in Macomb County’s golden mile along Lake St. Clair, in
both Port Huron’s and Saginaw Bay’s shipping facilities and along Detroit’s riverfront.
If re-elected, Kowall is aiming to be the state Senate majority floor leader. “I will be the one in charge
of what bills are run,” said Kowall. Today, Michigan’s construction industry has a strong ally and partner
in Mike Kowall. After a successful November election, the construction industry will have an even more
powerful ally in the state Senate.
New Developments in Southeast Michigan Mike Kowall, R-White Lake Township, serves
Michigan’s 15th State Senate District, including the
townships of Commerce, Highland, Holly, Lyon,
Novi, Milford, Rose, West Bloomfield and White
Lake and the cities of Novi, Orchard Lake, South
Lyon, Walled Lake, Wixom and part of Northville.
He mentions some of the large developments in
these communities and in the rest of Southeast
Michigan.
The former Ford Wixom Plant will now host a
multi-million dollar development for General Trailer,
a company providing motorhomes, campers and
trailers. “I was chasing them for a good six years,”
said Kowall. In addition, a 100-acre commercial
site in his district is on the brink of being sold and
a major development launched in the near future.
A host of hospital projects is also on the boards,
including a potential expansion of up to $1.5 billion
proposed for the campus of the Henry Ford West
Bloomfield Hospital. The proposed expansion
may include a hotel, a rehabilitation center and a
healthcare research and development facility.
Other hospital projects include a complete geriatric
village for senior assisted living at Providence
Hospital in Novi; an expansion of McLaren Hospital
in Clarkston; and an assisted living facility for
veterans in Genesys Hospital that was once part
of his district. “Every hospital is talking about
expansion,” said Kowall. St. Joseph Mercy
Hospital held an open house for its new 300,000-
square-foot South Tower in Pontiac in late April
2014.
Kowall is looking forward to new developments
in Detroit, including two new condo high-rise
projects on the riverfront east of downtown Detroit.
“The new Events Center - the new Red Wings
arena – just the arena and the infrastructure is 500
million,” said an enthused Kowall. “That whole
area will become developed with high-end
housing, shops and other entertainment venues.
In addition, the M-1 Rail will really make
development explode. Clearly, Detroit and its
northern neighbor are primed for an exciting array
of design and construction opportunities.
22 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
When it comes to indemnity contracts, it’s like Dodgers pitcher
Elwin “Preacher” Roe said when he was yanked from the game
in the second inning: “Sometimes you eat the bear and
sometimes it eats you.” There are some things an indemnity-alert company
can do to increase the odds of eating that bear.
The story of what Michigan’s Supreme Court recently called “the troubled
natatorium roof” at the Sherman Lakes YMCA is a poster child for what’s
wrong with indemnity lawsuits. There’s too much of it and it lasts too long.
The project completed in 1999. The youngest swimmers then are now
nearly old enough to be lifeguards. But the indemnity lawsuit over the pesky
“natatorium moisture problem” continues.
There are already four appellate opinions in the case. The attorney fees
incurred must be astounding. The hours that construction companies spent
in service to such a lawsuit must be equally astounding. And the most
recent opinion isn’t even the end of the story. After finding for the general
contractor, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the trial judge to
decide if it should recover attorney fees.
There are steps companies can take to help avoid such litigation. And
there are strategies for making life in such lawsuits less hazardous to a
company’s health and bottom line.
A few points to set the table. There are four main strategies for companies
to manage the risk of death-by-lawsuit: (1) Do good work and do it safely;
(2) Have adequate comprehensive general liability insurance, E &O, and
excess insurance, including for breach of indemnity contract claims; (3)
Carefully monitor indemnity contracts; and (4) Demand, or fulfill, contracts
requiring “additional insured” coverage.
On the “do good work” point, take your own and your industry’s Best-
Practices advice. Be generous in advising your fellows. Safety seminars like
the ones CAM offers are valuable.
On maintaining proper insurance, here’s the bare bones. If all your
insurance ducks are in a row, when you agree to indemnify someone, in a
written contract signed before a loss happens, you will have insurance
coverage up to your policy limits. The claim won’t be excluded by the
contractual exclusion in your policy because the contract will be an “insured
contract” and the contractual exclusion has an exception for that. There
are some fine points that can change this. But basically your insurer will
understand it owes you a defense and coverage when you’re sued for
breach of an indemnity contract. In the lingo of the industry, you will have
“contractual coverage.” Don’t ever buy a policy that excludes such
coverage. The premiums are lower for a good reason: you won’t be buying
what you need.
On “additional-insured” issues, most CGL policies now include
endorsements that expand coverage to anyone you agree to add as
additional insureds. That’s what your insurance agent should be supplying
you with. It’s unlikely you’ll need to add additional insureds to your policy,
one by one, as in the olden days.
But there are many, many versions of these so-called “blanket” or
“automatic” additional-insured endorsements. And a number of them aren’t
very blanket or in any way automatic. They can have a completed-
operations exclusion. Or a sole-negligence exclusion. There are many other
variants. Purchase the broadest form of this endorsement you can. And
sometimes you will need to add an endorsement for a specified additional
insured if the contract you’ve signed requires a particular “ISO” (Insurance
Services Organization) version of the endorsement.
You are being asked to supply certificates of insurance. You’re asking
for them too. And insurance agents supply them and type in that someone
is an additional insured on some policy for a particular job. That’s nice. But
it doesn’t make it so.
Every certificate of insurance, in bold capital letters in the top right-hand
corner of that “ACORD” form that agents use, says that it doesn’t change
the insurance afforded under any policy. To meet your additional-insured
contractual obligations, and to avoid a lawsuit (for which you will not have
insurance coverage) over whether you breached your contract to provide
additional-insured coverage, your policy’s additional-insured endorsement
must match what you agreed to provide.
Admittedly, this has been a lot of table-setting. But indemnity contracts
are just one of the industry’s risk-shifting devices. We like belts, suspenders,
and an extra set of trousers. And sometimes our precautions don’t play
nice together.
heRe aRe some pRactIcal tIps fRom 35 yeaRs of
IndemnIty lawyeRIng.
Do what you can to make all your indemnity promises end
up in one contract term. More indemnity contract language
is usually worse, not better.
If you’re the bear, there’s no broader term than “any” and “all.” Combining
such broad words with phrases like “allegedly arising out of the
performance of your work” makes for strong risk-shifting. That’s what the
CONSTRUCTION LAW
Managing YourCompany’s IndemnityRights and ObligationsBy Noreen L. Slank
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 23
bear wants. But once you add in a limp
or even an overly specific indemnity
clause, you create room for argument
about what language controls. And if you
inadvertently also manage to sign a
contract where you agree to indemnify
the party that agreed to indemnify you (it
happens), that’s not a recipe for an
uncomplicated lawsuit.
If you’re on the uncomfortable end of
an indemnity agreement, watch for step-
over/step-through clauses that more or
less say “you agree to assume all the
indemnity obligations that I’ve agreed to
assume toward others.” Such clauses are
almost never written so clearly, though. If
you aren’t in the cat-bird seat, you
probably won’t be able to control how the contract reads. But you might
be able to add language the gist of which is “the indemnity obligations and
rights that govern [me] are set forth in this subcontract and no place else.”
Such language may pass muster. At least make the bear say “no.” You may
be able to influence who gets to sue you for breach of indemnity obligations
when everyone tenders its defense to you and your insurer politely tells
them all to “pound sand.”
Deftly manage your business risk.
An important business source may be
sued by someone and then demand you
defend them and agree to pay any
judgment. It wants you to say “yes.”
Maybe you want to say “yes” even if you
didn’t do anything that caused the
lawsuit. But the decision about how to
respond to tender typically isn’t yours to
make. Usually it’s your insurer’s call. You
must be hesitant to squawk because your
insurer is entitled to have you cooperate
in your defense. And non-cooperation
jeopardizes your insurance coverage.
It’s not an easy road. If you’re the bear,
don’t be a bully. You have your own
insurance policy. Your lawyer is typically
insurer-assigned and you don’t have to pay (or don’t pay much) for your
defense. Let the lawsuit unfold the way your insurer wants. Don’t let the
lawsuit encourage you to cut off a valued, skilled construction partner. If
your indemnity lawsuit turns out to be something like the natatorium
nightmare, the reality is that it’s your subcontractor’s insurer driving the
litigation bus. And your own insurer is fueling it.
If you’re in the lunch position, make the bear understand that you aren’t
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“Sherman Lakes YMCAis a poster child for what’s wrong with indemnity lawsuits.
There’s too much of it and it lasts too long.”
24 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
your insurer and you can’t make it do what you want. Invite them to try and
don’t get in their way. If you decide that the threat to the business
relationship is real, have your personally retained lawyer write to your insurer.
The letter must do absolutely nothing to jeopardize your defenses to the
indemnity lawsuit because you are going to also send this letter to the bear.
The letter should recite all the
indemnity language without
editorializing. It should point out that you
know your insurer will zealously defend
you against the claim. But if a court
rejects your argument, any settlement or
judgment will shift to you and then to
your insurer, along with all the costs of
your adversary’s defense to the principal
claim. If the indemnity contract says
you’ll have to pay attorney fees for your
adversary prosecuting its indemnity
case, this would be a good time to point out that contract language (without
agreeing to its effect). Ask your insurer to seriously reconsider your
adversary’s tender.
And if your adversary is also an additional insured under your insurance
policy, now would be a good time to point out where, in your subcontract,
such language appears. Because sometimes the bear or its insurer is so
busy growling, it doesn’t make the duality of its relationship to your insurer
clear when it tenders.
If the business risk is high, have your lawyer write a second letter to your
insurer. That one shouldn’t be sent to your adversary. It can be “doom &
gloom,” in all the specific ways lawyers will explain, dwelling on why you’re
going to be toast as far as the indemnity lawsuit is concerned. It should try
to persuade your insurer to assume your adversary’s defense because that’s
what the subcontract calls for and because that’s what is in your insurer’s
best interest.
If your insurer awaits the end of
the indemnity lawsuit, it will pay an
indemnity judgment that includes your
adversary’s attorney fees and it will also
incur the expense of defending you. Don’t
have your lawyer overdo it, but when
insurers don’t defend who they’re
supposed to and it hurts their insured that
could be bad faith. There could be
consequential damages because your
adversary will withhold future business if
this isn’t resolved the way it should be.
Preserve any contracts you sign that have indemnity or
additional insured terms.
One almost-good excuse once emerged for a client not having a copy
of its indemnity contract: Hurricane Katrina.
Keep all your contracts, jobsite by jobsite. In Michigan, you can sue or
be sued for contractual indemnity for six years after the contract is allegedly
breached. Exactly when such a breach occurs is a tricky legal question. It’s
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probably when a tender of defense is refused.
But a breach doesn’t happen the day an injury
happens. So indemnity lawsuits can legitimately
take many years to get started.
Storage is cheap. Lawsuits are expensive. Keep
all the contracts you sign.
Indemnity contracts should be signed
before an injury or loss happens, not
after.
Occasionally, work begins before contracts are
signed. If you’re the bear, don’t let that happen.
It is no part of good.
If you’re the lunch, once there’s blood on the
pavement or the natatorium roof is already
leaking it is a terrible time to be signing indemnity
contracts. Your insurer might decide it defeats
your contractual coverage. It might be wrong
about that. But in high-stakes litigation, adding
that issue into the mix isn’t wise.
If you’re asked to sign a contract after the loss,
quickly let your insurer know about the demand.
Then you will honestly be able to tell your
adversary that your insurer directed that you can’t
sign the contract now because otherwise you
won’t have any insurance coverage for their
claim.
Promptly tell your insurer about
losses or injuries that might activate
your indemnity obligations.
Prompt notice of lawsuits or potential claims
helps keep your insurer satisfied. That’s
important. If late notice prejudices your defense,
your insurance coverage will be jeopardized. And
some insurers might have an exaggerated sense
of what prejudice is.
Promptly tell your insurer about claims and
potential claims. Don’t try to manage the claim
in-house. Be especially careful when answering
questions about such matters in insurance
applications and renewal applications. It might
increase your premiums to allow candor to help
manage your risk. But the risk of having no
insurance because an insurer successfully argues
your notice was late or your application was false
could be the biggest risk of all.
Listen to “Preacher” Roe.
Companies use a variety of strategies to alertly
manage their lawsuit risk, including indemnity
contracts. “Preacher” Roe attributed his baseball
longevity to “clean living and spitballs.” Think that
way about risk management: live clean but get
ready for the spitballs.
About the author: Noreen Slank heads the
appellate department at the law firm of Collins,
Einhorn, Farrell and Ulanoff, in Southfield. Her law
practice includes insurance coverage, indemnity
and personal injury litigation.
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26 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Business is more efficient when the participant actors can easily
navigate industry rules and regulations, and when risks are
identifiable, predictable and manageable. Construction is a risky
business for many reasons, including the nature of the transaction and
magnitude of the investment. Parties are generally required to provide an
improvement to real property first, and receive payment second, often
waiting for payment to “flow down” from an upstream source. The
inherently risky nature of construction is made even more perilous when
parties who receive the benefit of the improvements fail to pay for value
received, or worse, the parties that receive payment intended for the
improvements divert those funds to other uses, leaving the parties who
provided labor and materials uncompensated.
Over the years, legislation has been enacted in Michigan and other states
to protect contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material-men, and owners
from poor and/or treacherous practices in the industry, and to make working
in the design and construction industry a more predictable and secure
venture. While we are busy re-inventing Michigan, the time has come to
update this set of Michigan statutes. The statutes at issue are known as:
the Construction Lien Act, MCL 570.1101 et. seq. (”Lien Act”); Contractor’s
Bond for Public Buildings or Works Act, MCL 129.201 et. seq. (“Bond Act”);
and the Building Contract Fund Act, MCL 570.151 et. seq. (Trust Fund
Act”). Each statute plays an important role in securing payment for
providers of construction goods and services, and protecting owners from
claims.
Although drafted and enacted separately, these three statutes are
interrelated in advancing the policies that underlie them. Together, the
statutes provide that payment duly earned for improvements to real
property be secured, and those who would divert funds meant to pay for
improvements be personally responsible. The reforms proposed here would
not change the intent of these statutes, for the original intent remains
relevant and even essential to the industry. Rather, reform is needed to
fulfill the intent more fully and effectively in today’s marketplace. Because
the statutes were drafted separately and the case law evolved
independently, the interrelation today is imperfect and incomplete. To many
industry participants the application of these laws is unnecessarily dissimilar,
complicated, and even perplexing. Making these beneficial rights less
confusing and more accessible should be part of re-inventing a more
construction-friendly Michigan.
The proposed reforms are intended to fill gaps left open, homogenize
procedures, and advance the same underlying public policies throughout
the statues. These proposals are designed to maintain fairness to all
industry participants who are affected by the flow of money (or lack thereof)
during the process of a construction project. Below are some illustrative
examples of the proposed reforms.
codIfy case law decIsIons
Courts must apply statutory directives from the Legislature during
litigation, and when cases are “published” at the appeal court level, the
statutory interpretations in this case law becomes binding precedent.
Business people then rely on that legal precedent for planning and risk
management.
The simplest aspect of the proposed reforms is to codify some of the
legal precedent that currently exists. Because case law is court-made, a
subsequent court can (and sometimes does) find reason to overturn
previous decisions. The benefit of codification is to fix the law in its current
state.
One proposed reform is to codify Pi-Con v. AJ Anderson, 458 N.W.2d
639; 435 Mich. 375 (1990), which protects sureties and bonded contractors
by requiring that written notice from claimants is actually received before a
claimant’s bond rights are perfected. The Pi-Con rule has become even
more practical with today’s technology, because a claimant can easily track
certified mail with the click of a mouse, and re-send if the notice fails to
reach its destination.
Another codification relates to the Trust Fund Act, which is a penal
statute, and doesn’t expressly provide a right of action for civil damages.
In Farnell v Monahan, 141 N.W.2d 58; 377 Mich. 552 (1966), the court held
that a civil action may be maintained when the duties imposed by the
statute are not fulfilled. Farnell has been followed ever since and this
decision should be codified, along with a clarification that in a civil action,
the burden of proof is upon the trustee to demonstrate compliance with his
fiduciary duties.
claRIfy undeteRmIned Issues
Historically architects, engineers or surveyors have worked directly for
owners, and the Bond Act does not reference these parties. Although it is
generally assumed a designer or professional surveyor properly situated as
a “claimant” in a design-build delivery method is entitled to make a bond
claim, this is only an assumption unless and until a court interprets the
statute in an appropriate case. Therefore the statute should be updated to
expressly protect designers and professional surveyors in these
circumstances.
The same reform is needed for the Trust Fund Act, which makes no
CONSTRUCTION LAW
Time to Update andConform ConstructionLien, Bond and TrustFund StatutesBy Gary Quesada
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 27
express reference to architects, engineers
or surveyors. Clearly the policy underlying
the Trust Fund Act applies equally to
designers and surveyors providing services
in a design-build delivery method.
standaRdIze notIce
pRoceduRes and elImInate
“tRIp wIRes”
The purpose of notices under the Lien
and Bond Acts is to give parties the
opportunity to protect themselves, once
they are notified. Once a bonded party or
owner knows of a potential claimant,
protective measures can be undertaken. Pi-
Con requires actual receipt of notice by the
bonded contractor. The Lien Act is vague
on whether the owner must receive actual notice, so the statute should be
amended to apply the Pi-Con rule to both Bond and Lien claims.
While the Bond Act under Pi-Con fairly protects bonded parties, it
includes a severe risk for subcontractor and supplier claimants. A “first
notice” must be provided to the bonded contractor within 30 days of the
first provisions of labor or materials. If a subcontractor or supplier does not
achieve actual notice within the 30 day period, the claim is completely
barred. This rule creates a “trip wire” for unwary claimants.
In contrast, the Lien Act requires that a “notice of furnishing” from a
subcontractor or supplier must be provided to the owner within 20 days
after first furnishing of labor or materials.
First, the function of the bond and lien
notice provisions is similar and the time
periods are unnecessarily dissimilar and
confusing. To avoid confusion, both the
“first notice” and “notice of furnishing”
periods should be made identical at 30
days. Second, the Lien Act is more fair and
reasonable, and does not constitute a trap
for the unwary. Rather, under the Lien Act
if a potential claimant failed to provide
notice of furnishing within the initial
designated period, notice may still be
provided thereafter. Although a late-filed
notice of furnishing may not cover all labor
or materials provided (depending on the
parties’ compliance with other provisions of
the Act), this rule reflects a more fair and reasonable procedure, and the
principle should be applied in both the Bond and Lien contexts. Claimants
under both statutes should enjoy the same protections and procedures.
standaRdIze use of swoRn statements and
waIveRs of lIen
Sworn statements and waivers of lien are provided for in the Lien Act,
and serve the important functions of providing information and assuring
protection from liens for private owners. The Bond Act does not include
these instruments. However in practice, public owners often adopt the
The inherently risky nature ofconstruction is made even more
perilous when parties who receivethe benefit of the improvements failto pay for value received, or worse,the parties that receive payment
intended for the improvements divertthose funds to other uses, leavingthe parties who provided labor and
materials uncompensated.
28 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
procedures from the Lien Act by requiring sworn
statements and lien waivers, and the parties
proceed as if the function is the same as under
the Lien Act. The Bond Act should be updated
to include the use of sworn statements and
waivers of lien, so there is no question the effect
of these documents will be consistent with the
Lien Act.
fIll the gaps
The Trust Fund Act protects those who provide
labor or materials for improvements to real
property. However, rental equipment suppliers
that contribute significantly to property
improvements are not expressly covered Under
the Act. As a result, the court in KMH Equipment
Co. v. Rogers, 305 N.W.2d 266; 104 Mich. 563
(1981) held that the Trust Fund Act does not
apply to equipment suppliers. This gap needs to
be filled, and equipment suppliers need to be
expressly covered. Further, when the statutes
were written there were no “construction
managers” as we know today. Construction
managers should be added to the parties listed
in the statutes, as appropriate.
complete the statutoRy scheme
Currently, the Trust Fund Act is only applicable
to private projects. One of the most important
reforms proposed is that the Trust Fund Act be
applied to public projects in the same manner. The
purpose of the Trust Fund Act has no less
importance or application in the public arena. In
some ways, it is more important for public projects,
because public land is not subject to liens.
Therefore, when a trustee of funds diverts those
funds, the duty to pay subcontractors or suppliers
falls upon the bonded party, who retained no
improvement but may pay twice for the same labor
and materials. The Trust Fund Act would serve to
deter the trustee from wrong-doing, and provide a
remedy for the bonded party.
As a matter of public policy the Lien Act
prohibits a contract provision that requires a party
to waive the right to a construction lien before work
is performed. The Bond Act contains no such
prohibition, and unlike for private projects, parties
involved in public projects can be forced to waive
bond rights prospectively. The public policy should
apply to public projects as it does private projects,
and the Bond Act should be amended accordingly.
conclusIon
The above proposals represent some, but not
all, of the reforms needed to comprehensively
update the Lien, Bond and Trust Fund Acts for
the 21st Century. Owners, sureties, architects,
engineers, surveyors, general contractors,
subcontractors, laborers, material-men and
equipment suppliers all will benefit from
comprehensive reform that clarifies, conforms
and completes the intended beneficial rights
intended by these statutes. This is one issue all
participants in Michigan’s design and
construction industry can support together.
About the author: Gary D. Quesada is an attorney
and a member of CAM’s Government Affairs
Executive Committee. His practice is
concentrated in the design and construction
industries, representing architects, engineers,
contractors, suppliers, sureties, private owners,
and public entities. Quesada has been named
Honorary Aff. AIA and one of Metro Detroit’s Top
Lawyers by DBusiness Magazine. He may be
contacted at [email protected] or at
www.MichiganConstructionLaw.com.
CONSTRUCTION LAW
Jack Russell, SecretaryArt Hug Jr.
Dan DamicoPatrick LandryChuck Raeder
Brett G. Jordan
Website: www.realapprenticeship.com
STRENGTH THROUGHKNOWLEDGE AND SKILL
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 29
GenPower Products has the Equipment, Support, Experienceand Reputation that you need to keep the lights on and your business running smoothly 29905 Anthony DriveWixom, Michigan 48393
877-927-9797www.genpowerproducts.com
Michigan’s Premier Emergency Power Provider
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Our primary Client Goals:protect Your Assets • Control Your Costs • provide Exceptional Service
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30 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
PRODUCTS FOR INTERIORS AND FINISHES
Revolutionary Gyptone® BIG™ Curve PanelsCreate Limitless Possibilities for SweepingArchitectural Ceilings Industry-First Product Makes Dynamic Curved Designs
Possible Without Custom Fabrication
CertainTeed Ceilings is bending the rules of ceiling design with the
introduction of Gyptone® BIG™ Curve, the industry’s only perforated
acoustical gypsum panel that can achieve highly curved ceilings without
the cost and time associated with custom fabrication. It seamlessly
integrates with the company’s other revolutionary Gyptone products to
create dynamic, sweeping interior surfaces without any breaks or grid.
At only 6.5 mm thick, Gyptone BIG Curve can be easily dry bent to a 10-
foot radius, and can achieve up to a 5-foot radius by wet bending. Such a
malleable product radically broadens the universe of design options
available to an architect. It’s a perfect solution for spaces that require not
only breathtaking style, but sound acoustics and indoor comfort, as well.
The company’s commitment to Environmental Acoustics™ design means
the new product uniquely melds style, acoustical performance and
sustainability. Interiors installed with Gyptone BIG Curve are meant to inspire
and help people thrive.
The panels are fitted with an acoustical backing tissue and are available
in a variety of striking perforation patterns, each with varying degrees of
sound absorption and eye-catching beauty. With an NRC up to 0.70 and
the ability to fine tune acoustics based on placement and curve radius,
Gyptone BIG Curve is ideal for calming healing environments, inspirational
learning spaces and engaging workplaces.
Gyptone BIG Curve comes in modular 2400mm x 1200mm panels,
which are pre-finished in a bright white to maximize light distribution.
However, the panels can be easily painted with a short nap roller to
complement any palette or add an attention-grabbing burst of color. This
means the entire character of a space can be redefined with just a simple
coat of paint, making it extremely flexible for future updates.
Also, Gyptone BIG Curve ceilings are designed for simple integration of
lighting elements, creating harmonic interplay where ceiling and light
naturally blend into the collective architecture. Light fixtures and ventilation
can serve as breaks in the ceiling surface, or can be pulled back into the
recesses for a simple backlit design. Again, the only limit is the designer’s
imagination.
Made of 85 percent recycled content and certified for low-VOC emissions,
Gyptone BIG Curve contributes to sustainable building standards and helps
maintain high indoor air quality. It is also covered by CertainTeed’s industry-
first collection of Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for ceilings solutions.
By providing detailed information on the product’s makeup, the HPD
contributes to important materials and resources credits under the newest
version of LEED, which places greater emphasis on product transparency.
For more information, visit http://www.certainteed.com/ceilings.
DewStop Introduces Adjustability toBathroom Fan Controls to Combat Humidity,Condensation and Mold New Adjustable Moisture-
Sensing Fan Control
To combat frustrations
associated with bathroom mold
and mildew, DewStop, the
innovators of the latest “smart
fan” technology, have introduced
their newest model. The new
FS-300 Adjustable Humidity and
Condensation Fan Control with
integrated QUE™ moisture
prediction software, senses when
condensation is present and
automatically turns the fan on to
dispel moisture which can
otherwise cause mold and
mildew.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) warns
that molds “have the potential to
cause health problems” because
they “produce allergens, irritants,
and in some cases, potentially toxic substances.” The Agency goes on to
stress, “Places that are often or always damp (like the bathroom) can be
hard to maintain completely free of mold.” One of the ways this problem
can be overcome is by “increasing ventilation (running a fan),” which “will
usually prevent mold from recurring.”
The key element to that piece of advice is “running” the fan. The new
FS-300 model from DewStop controls the fan when people forget to. Best
of all, it works with any new or existing ventilation fan.
Features and Benefits of the DewStop FS-300 Adjustable Bathroom
Condensation Control (MSRP $45):
• QUE™ Technology
Patent-pending Ultra moisture sensing adaptive technology
• Adjustable Condensation Sensors
Turn on the fan when condensation is present and off when dry
Adjust sensors to solve moisture problem
Helps fight mold
• Adjustable Countdown Timer
Enables ability to choose how long the fan should run
Great for tenant and family use
• LED light
Shows when the fan is ON
• Manual ON/OFF Control
For immediate ventilation
• Concealed Adjustment Settings
Tamper proof settings cover
• May be used to comply with CALGreen/ Title 24
• Available with optional light integration (Model FS-325)
DewStop products are available in white and almond and are available
through Wholesale Distributors and many national retail chains. For
additional information on the company, please visit www.DewStop.com.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 31
The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers UnionLocal #2 of Michigan proudly continues the tradition of excellence.
Your
YourVision…
Legacy…
Ultra Spec® 500 Interior Paint Zero-VOC Ultra Spec 500 is a professional-quality indoor coating designed to meet the needs of professional
painting contractors, facility managers, and property managers. Available in a wide range of sheens and unlimited
colors, professionals will appreciate its excellent hiding and touchup properties, good flow and leveling, easy
application, and soap-and-water cleanup.
Available in: Primer, Flat, Low Sheen, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss.
For more information, visit www.benjaminmoore.com.
Acuity Brands Introduces New LED Flush MountLuminaire from Lithonia Lighting Acuity Brands, Inc. introduces the 7-inch LED Versi Lite™ flush mount luminaire from Lithonia
Lighting®. The LED Versi Lite luminaire offers an 84 percent reduction of power consumption compared
to 60-watt incandescent flush mount options and is designed for applications such as hallways and corridors,
utility closets, bathrooms and work areas.
The LED Versi Lite flush mount luminaire delivers an expected service life of 50,000 hours and produces 660 lumens with a high color-rendering index (CRI) of
85. It is available in a wide range of color temperatures (CCTs) including 2700K, 3000K, 3500K and 4000K and is dimmable on standard TRIAC dimmers.
“The LED Versi Lite luminaire is designed for easy installation compared to standard remodel-type downlights,” said Michael Eckert, Lithonia Lighting Value
Stream Manager, Decorative / Residential Indoor. “The LED Versi Lite luminaire mounts directly to a 4-inch junction box to simplify the installation and dramatically
reduce installation time and cost.”
The LED Versi Lite luminaire features sophisticated microDRIVE™ Technology that eliminates the need for an LED driver. It enables connection of up to 60 LED
Versi Lite luminaires to a single 600W dimmer.
For more information on the features and benefits of the 7-inch LED Versi Lite flush mount luminaire, please visit www.lithonia.com or www.acuitybrands.com.
32 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Chicago Faucets 3510 Series Named 2014Money-Saving Product by BUILDINGSMagazine The Chicago Faucets 3510 Series water-conserving metering faucets
were selected by BUILDINGS Magazine as a 2014 Money-Saving Product.
As part of an elite group of 97 architectural
products being showcased in the June
2014 issue of BUILDINGS, the 3510
Series takes its place in the Water
Savings category.
The Chicago Faucets
3510 Series with a 0.5
GPM (1.9 L/min) non-
aerating outlet saves
water in public and semi-
public restrooms. The
manual mechanism
features separate levers
for precise water flow and
temperature control.
This dual-function flow
design, where the top
lever controls water volume
and the side lever controls water temperature,
allows the user to find the ideal temperature and leave the faucet set to
that temperature across multiple usages. The temperature can be adjusted
when needed and quickly returned to the preferred setting. Models are
also available with concealed temperature control and a vandal-resistant
cap for consistent water temperature and added comfort and safety.
A solid ECAST brass, chrome-plated body provides unmatched
durability while meeting requirements for the reduction of lead in plumbing
fixtures. The faucet is ready to install right out of the box, with pre-installed,
flexible, stainless steel hoses that connect to standard water supplies and
a built-in check valve.
In addition, 3510 Series faucets feature a time-tested ceramic cartridge
that provides a positive on and off stop. These faucets are fully ADA
compliant.
For additional information, contact The Chicago Faucet Company at
2100 South Clearwater Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, or call 800-566-
2100. You can also visit Chicago Faucets at www.chicagofaucets.com.
PRODUCTS FOR INTERIORS AND FINISHES
The Denizen Secretary Denizen Secretaries fit easily in both office and home settings, illustrating
a new approach to the traditional personal workspace and fusing insightful
work process solutions with beauty and comfort. Available in two open
heights and a closable full height cabinet, the secretaries offer file storage,
pullout keyboard trays, smart cord management, and cork display boards.
Create a landscape with slip-fit Denizen benches and storage elements, or
use alone.
• Oak, Maple, Grey Ash, Cherry, Walnut, or Teak Veneer
• Brushed Nickel or Painted Base
• Three Height Options
• Standard File Storage, Cork Displays, Pullout Keyboard Trays,
Cord Management
• Optional Locks
• SCS Indoor Advantage™ Certified
Specifications:
• Overall Depth: 19”
• Overall Width: 52”
• Overall Height: 42”
Order by calling (877) 473-1113 or visit www.coalesse.com.
Moving in Concert with Herman Miller Bill Stumpf and Jeff Weber saw an unsolved problem: the lack of physical harmony
between people and their computers. Elements support wrists, back, and eyes
individually, but don’t work together.
It was a challenge both Stumpf and Weber could relate to. “You can’t design
without empathy,” said Weber. “Since design has become more technology based,
we’ve had to sit in our chairs in front of computers for longer periods, just like
everyone else. We identify with the problems people have as a result of sitting.”
The solution was the combination of Envelop and Embody - an easy, coordinated
way for you, your chair, desk, and technology to remain in alignment as you move
through a range of postures. They call it “concordance.” You’ll call it moving in concert
for comfort and health.
For more information, go to www.hermanmiller.com or call (888) 798-0202.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 33
Moisture Control is what we do!
Nationwide Service
We specialize in preventing or resolving moisture-related �ooring problems - in some cases, in as little as 2 hours.
It is never too early to call us... It is never too late either!
Certi�ed applicators of all epoxy based systems.Over 4 million square feet of sealed concrete to date.
PG 820
HC-410CORE DRILL
K 760CUT-N-BREAK
Michigan’s of Concrete Sawing & Coring Equipment
SOFF-CUT5000
DIAMOND BLADESWET & DRY
TCP Global Offers MasterAirbrush SystemComplete Professional Master Airbrush
Multi-Purpose Airbrushing System with
2 Master Airbrushes, Createx Primary
Colors Airbrush Paint Kit (6 Colors)
Airbrush Models: G22 Gravity Feed, S68
Siphon Feed and the TC-20 Professional Airbrush
Compressor. This versatile system is ideal for
multiple uses. The complete system includes:
• Master Airbrush Model G22 Airbrush Set
Master performance multi-purpose high
performance dual-action airbrush with a 1/3
oz. Gravity fluid cup and a 0.3mm needle &
nozzle that allows you to spray from hairline up
to 1-1/2” wide patterns (full one-year
warranty).
• Master Airbrush Model S68 Airbrush Set
Master performance multi-purpose precision
dual-action siphon feed airbrush with a 0.35
mm needle/nozzle, 3/4 oz. fluid bottle and a
1/6 oz. color cup that allows you to spray from
fineline up to 2” wide patterns (full one-year
warranty).
• Master Airbrush Air Compressor Model TC-20
Professional high performance single-piston
airbrush air compressor with air pressure
regulator with gauge & water trap filter (full two-
year warranty).
• Createx Primary Colors Airbrush Paint Kit (6
Colors in 2 oz. Bottles)
Opaque blue, light green, yellow and red, plus
opaque black and white
• 6 Foot Braided Air Hose with 1/8” Fittings
• Airbrush Quick Disconnect Coupler with 3
Plugs: 1/8” bsp female thread connections
• Compressor mounted airbrush holder that
holds two airbrushes
• How-To-Airbrush Manual & Guide Booklet by
Master Airbrush
For more information, call (858) 909-2110 or
visit www.tcpglobal.com
34 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
ECHOtape Introduces New Insulation Tape LineComprehensive Line of Tapes Ideal for Building and
Construction Professionals
ECHOtape, a leading specialty tape supplier, introduced four new products
to launch its Insulation Tape Line for residential and commercial contractors.
The line includes a variety of seaming and double sided tapes used in the
mechanical insulation industry as well as with reflective insulation systems.
The initial products launched in the line include All Purpose Aluminum Foil
Tape, an All Purpose White Aluminum Foil Tape, an All Temperature FSK
Insulation Tape, and a Cold Weather Double Coated Polyester Tape. These will
initially be available through Service Partners (www.service-partners.com), one
of the largest distributors of insulation products in the United States.
These new tapes are the first of several new products in ECHOtape’s
Insulation Tape Line. Over the next several months, additional Facing Tapes
and an All Service Jacketing (ASJ) Tape will be added to the line.
The All Purpose Aluminum Foil Tapes are used on seams and joints of
fiberglass and aluminum-backed duct board, jacketing, and for seaming
reflective insulation. These high-strength tapes are coated with a superior-
performance, flame-retardant solvent acrylic adhesive. Applications for this tape
include sealing joints and seams of foil-faced insulation materials.
The All Temperature FSK (Foil, Scrim and Kraft) Insulation Tape uses a
combined pressure-sensitive adhesive and release liner to seal cold and dual-
temperature duct seams and joints where FSK is the basic insulation facing.
The tape is coated with a high-performance, flame-retardant cold weather acrylic
adhesive, and is designed for tear-resistant sealing. The tape has an excellent
adhesion capability at normal application temperatures, combined with super
low temperature performance. Applications for this tape include seaming and
joining joints of FSK laminated board and jacketing insulation.
The Cold Weather Double Coated Polyester Tape is a high-performance
double-sided polyester film (PET) tape that forms a permanent bond with a wide
variety of surfaces. The tape is coated on both sides with cold weather acrylic
pressure sensitive adhesive. Applications for this tape include lap seals on
laminated and reflective insulation, permanent bonding of foams, plastics, metals
and composite materials, and insulation mounting under a broad range of
environmental and temperature conditions.
The All Purpose White Aluminum Foil Tape is a foil tape with a white
aluminum facer to match the acrylic-coated aluminum facing of THERMAX™
& Atlas™. This tape is also coated with a superior-performance, flame-
retardant solvent acrylic. The tape is used to laminate insulation materials such
as rigid polystyrene boards and fiberglass. Applications for this tape include
lap joint and vapor seal on Dow THERMAX™ foil face board, joining and
sealing flexible air duct seams and connections, and general purpose holding,
patching, sealing and masking applications both indoors and outdoors.
According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
(NAIMA) architects, builders, and contractors are concerned about high-
performance and sustainable construction, since buildings account for more
than 40 percent of energy usage worldwide. Recent statistics also found that
more than 65 percent of American homes are under-insulated by minimum
standards. The U.S. insulation market is a $7.7 billion industry, and
replacement insulation is a larger part of that industry than new home
insulation. Insulation is also important to ductwork and HVAC systems, since
according to the Department of Energy, about 20 percent of hot or cold air
flowing through ducts is lost to leaks, resulting in higher energy bills, wear and
tear, and discomfort inside a building.
To learn more about the new Insulation Tape Line, visit our website at
www.echotape.com, call 800-461-8273, or e-mail [email protected].
PRODUCTS FOR INTERIORS AND FINISHES
Eaton’s Cooper LightingDivision Expands Halo LED RecessedDownlightCollectionNew Products Provide a Wider Selection of LED Color Options
Eaton’s Cooper Lighting division has added new models to its Halo light-emitting diode (LED) RL46
and RL56 retrofit families, providing customers with a wider selection of color options to satisfy more
lighting design needs. Both product lines now offer a 3500 Kelvin (K) correlated color temperature (CCT)
option and for the first time and offer select models with a 90 (minimum) color rendering index (CRI).The
fixtures can provide up to $400 in energy and maintenance (lamp replacement) savings over the life of the
fixture and are expected to last 22 years (based on six hours daily use at $0.11 per kilowatt hour).
Suitable for new construction, remodel and retrofit installations, the all-in-one recessed baffle trim
products feature an integrated LED module with a convex lens that provides uniform illumination. The
Halo RL46 LED Retrofit Baffle Trim is designed to fit into 4-inch housings and the Halo LED RL56 Retrofit
Baffle Trim is designed to fit into both 5-inch and 6-inch housings by Halo, All-Pro and other compatible
housings.
Both families offer select models available in nominal 2700K, 3000K and 3500K CCT and 80 or 90
CRI, delivering more than 600 lumens. The RL46 series consumes 10.5 watts while the RL56 series consumes 9.4 or 10.5 watts, depending on the
selected model. All the products are designed to deliver a long life of 50,000 hours and feature an integral LED driver offering 120-volt dimming capability.
Both families are available in either Matte White or popular designer Satin Nickel finishing.
The LED baffle trims feature easy installation with included adapter and torsion springs or optional friction blades.
In addition, the fixtures feature die-cast construction, making any housing AIR-TITE™ for added heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) savings
and code compliance. ENERGY-STAR® qualified for both commercial and residential applications, the fixtures are wet and damp location listed (protected
ceilings), Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) compliant and can be used for International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), Washington
State Energy Code (WSEC) and California Title 24 High Efficacy compliance with designated LED housings.
For more information on the Halo LED downlighting products, visit www.cooperlighting.com.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 35
15033 NINE MILE RD • EASTPOINTE, MI 48021P. 586.776.4990 • F. [email protected] • WWW.MICHBROS.COM
Not all Terrazzo is created equal Insist on MBI installed Terrazzo
Masterchem IndustriesIntroduces KILZ® HIDE-ALL™ Multi-SurfacePrimer and Sealer In the Convenience of a Two Gallon
Pail, New Primer Sealer Promotes
Adhesion and Provides Excellent
Hide
Masterchem Industries, maker of KILZ®
brand products, today announced KILZ®
HIDE-ALL™, a new primer sealer product
exclusively available at Lowe’s stores
nationwide. Available in a project size two
gallon bucket, the primer and sealer offers
contractors, paint and wall covering
professionals, remodeling professionals and
property managers excellent hide at a
competitive price point.
With a multi-surface formula, KILZ HIDE-
ALL helps prepare surfaces for painting and
evens permeability. It’s recommended to
use KILZ HIDE-ALL primer on interior
surfaces including drywall, cured plaster,
woodwork, masonry, concrete block, brick
and previously painted areas. The high-
hiding, fast drying, latex primer sealer helps
minimize issues caused by dark colors and
minor surface stains to create a consistent
canvas for the desired finish.
“With a number of KILZ products
available at Lowe’s, the addition of KILZ
HIDE-ALL ensures there is a high-hiding,
hardworking primer available for painting
projects under tight budgets,” said Tim
O’Reilly, manager, professional products
and services for KILZ. “With exceptional
hide, and at a very attractive price point,
KILZ HIDE-ALL is a primer sealer designed
to get the job done.”
For professionals, KILZ HIDE-ALL comes
ready to brush, roll or spray, and can be
top-coated after one hour with latex or oil-
based paint. To learn more about the entire
KILZ product portfolio visit www.kilz.com.
“Cubicals” in an Hour - Cubicles that Save Dollars and Make Sense The Bush-Office-In-
An-Hour (OIAH) office
“Cubicals” furniture
system is a durable,
highly functional
workstation that was
designed and
engineered with one
mission in mind:
Affordable Simplicity.
Cubicals are ready to
assemble and go
together in about 60
minutes, with NO
technical expertise
required.
With OIAH Office
Cubicals there are no barriers to acquisition; you can order OIAH Office Cubicals in quantities as low as
one. These great looking Cubicals typically ship UPS/FedEx within 24 hours and are factory packed to
arrive safely at your door in as little as 3-5 days. Offering FREE delivery and self-set-up, the OIAH
Cubicals offer a great value.
Choose from three configurations and two price and service options; save by choosing Inside Delivery
with Self Installation, or specify Fully Assembled. Available in Bush Hansen Cherry Finish; Cream/Blue
Fabric; and Metal Frames/Supports.
For more information, visit www.cubicles.com.
36 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
PRODUCTS FOR INTERIORS AND FINISHES
Shaw Contract Group’s Augment Tile Carpeting Style Augment Tile 5T064 carpeting will enhance any indoor workspace. From the “Virtual
Spaces” collection, it features a multi-level pattern loop, and is made of Solution Q Extreme®
Nylon with EcoWorx® Tile backing. 100% solution dyed, the tiles are 24” x 24” (60.96 cm x 60.96
cm). Tufted weight is 20.0 and it has a Lifetime Commercial Limited warranty.
For more information, call (800) 257-7429 or visit www.shawcontractgroup.com.
Larson Electronics Releases an Explosion Proof LED Light Cartfor Paint Spray Booths Larson Electronics has announced the release of an updated version of their popular wheeled cart
mounted explosion proof LED paint spray booth light. The EPLCD-48-2L-LED-G2 paint spray booth
cart light is designed to provide a high output, mobile lighting solution that can be easily maneuvered
about the work area.
The EPLCD-48-2L-LED-G2 explosion proof paint spray booth light on a dolly cart from Larson
Electronics is a powerful LED lighting solution for those who need the full power illumination of a
permanent fixture as well as the mobility of a portable light. This
Class 1 Division 1 and Class 2 Division 1 & 2 cart mounted fixture
provides operators the ability to quickly and easily add a high output
light wherever it is needed.
Equipped with an EPL-48-2L-LED-G2 explosion proof fixture,
this cart draws only 56 watts of power while producing 5500 lumens
of light. The new cart design on this paint booth light features copper
free aluminum construction, four wheels, and a new fold down
handle that makes maneuvering the unit into tight spaces a breeze.
Operators can roll this unit in the upright position or lay flat, and the
long fold down handle allows operators to easily slide the cart
underneath paint booth projects without having to get down on their
knees to position the light. Included with this unit is 50 feet of
abrasive and chemical resistant SOOW cord equipped with an
explosion proof plug to provide safe power connections and ample
length for moving the unit around the work area. This paint booth
light is designed to run on universal voltages ranging from 120 to
277 VAC, and is available in 12 VDC, 24 VDC, or 347 volt and 480
volt versions as well. The portability of these units make them well
suited to any hazardous location where a portable light source
capable of illuminating large areas is needed on a temporary basis.
Larson Electronics produces a full range of industrial and
commercial lighting equipment, LED work lights, industrial grade
explosion proof lighting, and intrinsically safe LED work lights. To
view the entire line of Larson Electronics line of industrial grade lighting solutions, visit them on the Web
at Larsonelectronics.com. You can also call 1-800-369-6671 to learn more about all of Larson
Electronics lighting products, or call 1-214-616-6180 for international inquires.
Are You Connected?Stay connected with new andinformation from CAM Magazineand the Constuction Associationof Michigan by following us onthese popular social media sites.
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Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 37
Real Value in ROOFING SERVICES
T. F. Beck Co.Rochester Hills MI248.852.9255
J. D. Candler Roofing Co., Inc.Livonia MI313.899.2100
Christen/DetroitDetroit MI313.837.1420
Detroit Cornice & Slate Co.Ferndale MI248.398.7690
LaDuke Roofing & Sheet MetalOak Park MI248.414.6600
Lutz Roofing Co., Inc.Shelby Twp. MI586.739.1148
M.W. Morss Roofing, Inc.Romulus MI734.942.0840
Newton Crane Roofing, Inc.Pontiac MI248.332.3021
North Roofing Co.Auburn Hills MI248.373.1500
Dave Pomaville & Sons, Inc.Warren MI 586.755.6030
Royal Roofing Co.Orion MI248.276.ROOF (7663)
Schena Roofing & Sheet Metal Co., Inc.Chesterfield MI586.949.4777
Schreiber CorporationWixom MI248.926.1500
SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
SMRCA Roofing Contractors are Union trained professionals that deliver real value on every project. Value is not based on price alone.
It is the combination of service, quality and knowledge we bring to every project.
It is the M.U.S.T. Safety Training and Drug Testing SMRCA crews complete.
It is our expertise in various roof systems to fit architectural requirements and owner’s needs.
It is our Michigan roofing contractor 2 year standard workmanship warranty.
SMRCA Contractors are established companies with years of experience in providing responsive service, superior workmanship and exceptional value. Call us today at 586.759.2140 to receive our free “Roofing Facts” brochure or contact one of the SMRCA Contractors below for a no-cost estimate on your next roofing project or visit us at www.smrca.org.
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Popular Almond Hue Added to EverNew®
Panorama® Composite Railing System,Offering Long-Lasting Beauty and a Well-Coordinated Look CertainTeed is updating color options for its EverNew® Panorama®
composite railing system, helping building professionals maximize design
potential for living spaces. Now available in Almond - one of the company’s
most popular colors for exterior siding and fence products - the Panorama
system can easily complement a home or office curb appeal for years to
come.
“EverNew Panorama railing is a sustainable, durable alternative to wood
railing and provides care-free architectural detail,” said Patti Pellock, senior
marketing manager for CertainTeed’s Fence, Railing and Deck Business. “The
new Almond color coordinates perfectly with our complete line of composite
decking, vinyl fence, siding and trim, creating countless options for designing
more attractive, inviting outdoor living spaces.”
Also available in White, EverNew Panorama is a co-extruded composite
railing system that features the look of freshly painted wood with true
architectural details, without the maintenance hassles. It is available in three
baluster options - Square Composite, Decorative Steel and Colonial Vinyl.
Unlike other composite railing, Panorama is fully wrapped with polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) for a weatherable finish that replicates smooth, painted wood
from all angles.
Panorama comes as a complete system, including universal rails, top rail,
balusters, crush block, post sleeve, and patented post cap and trim ring. Its
integrated system is designed to install quickly and easily with few pieces.
Kits come with all necessary hardware to expedite installation and ensure
accuracy, including
corrosion-resistant
stainless steel
hardware. Once
installed, there’s no
exposed cavity in the
top rail, contributing
to the system’s
strength and
appearance.
Panorama is also
covered by a 25-year
limited warranty with 2-year SureStart™ parts and labor protection.
Made from high recycled content, EverNew Panorama railing is GreenCircle
Certified® for environmental performance and is manufactured with a
commitment to sustainability. It requires no painting, staining or chemical
treatment, and is designed to last much longer than wood railing, meaning it
won’t need to be replaced as often.
CertainTeed offers unsurpassed Freedom of Choice™ through its industry-
leading portfolio of long-lasting polymer, insulated and vinyl siding as well as
fence, railing, decking and exterior trim. CertainTeed offers the advantage of
using exterior products from a single source that are designed to mix-and-
match with each other and feature authentic textures, versatile styles and rich
color combinations, for a beautifully coordinated look. As the result of a strong
commitment to environmental responsibility, CertainTeed is the first
manufacturer to issue and publish third-party validated life cycle assessments
(LCA) for its vinyl and trim product lines.
Visit www.certainteed.com/freedomofchoice for more information.
38 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT
38 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
A CONTEMPORARY
IN BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 39
Asophisticated take on a traditional barn is re-inventing Brownstown
Township’s Recreation Campus, courtesy of Sidock Architects,
Wyandotte. A fieldstone base, corrugated metal siding and a
standing seam metal roof reflect the rural heritage of Brownstown Township
originally founded in 1827. But the new facility is very much a part of the
Brownstown Township Downtown Development Authority’s (Brownstown
DDA) plans for the future.
During the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009, the Brownstown DDA
began to craft a plan to strengthen economic development in the DDA
District, the community and the region, as well as to expand the Township’s
recreational, cultural and historical resources. “We realized that we had to
think outside the box, but always look inside as to what investment would
actually foster economic growth,” said Brownstown DDA Assistant Director
Vern Gustafsson, referring to the visioning process that ultimately selected
the Recreation Campus as the economic catalyst for this downriver area.
The Brownstown DDA generated a vision for a multi-use passive and
active Recreation Campus integrated within the Township’s municipal
campus. The overarching goal of the Recreation Campus would be to
attract new residential development and encourage business growth.
Businesses choose to locate in communities with appealing public
amenities. Companies often locate in the community that offers the best
quality of life for their employees.
The Brownstown DDA brought together a great team for this
contemporary barn-raising, both for the preparation of the Recreation
Campus Master Plan and for the actual construction of the Event Barn.
Wade Trim provided planning, landscape architecture and engineering
services, while Sidock Architects provided architectural design/development
services. “The team of Wade Trim and Sidock Architects were natural
partners for the Township,” said Gustafsson. “The team’s extensive
community and sustainable design and engineering expertise were
invaluable on this environmental sensitive site.”
The consultant team developed an interactive public participation process
that brought together township officials, department managers, township
boards/commissions and community stakeholders to formulate needed and
underserved recreation facilities on the 79-acre campus. The buildings,
pavilions, sign structures, garden walls and the Wall of Honor all match in
material and character, creating a new, cohesive appearance throughout the
campus. Following public engagement, campus design development was
completed following a one-year period with continuous coordination meetings
between site designers, landscape architects, engineers, architects, Township
department managers, Township Board, Brownstown DDA, Recreation
Commission, and the Beautification/Historical Commission.
The Event Barn is the first building designed and built as part of a newly
crafted master plan. “The Event Barn set the standard for subsequent
structures,” said David M. Zanley, Sidock Architects. “It was decided early
on that the building would create a new appearance for the campus through
the use of traditional materials, all while meeting current and future
functional requirements.”
Sole Building Company, Westland, was the contractor of choice on this
appealing building. “They understood the complexity of the project, existing
conditions, and worked exhaustively with the Township and the design
consultant team to construct a project that symbolizes the Township’s
community and civic pride,” said Gustafsson. “A strong, positive and down-
right enjoyable relationship was fostered between the Township, the
architectural/engineering team of Sidock Architects and Wade Trim, and
Sole Building Company to implement the vision and plans of the Recreation
Campus. We all worked together to achieve a sustainable Campus for the
Brownstown community and the region for the next 100 years.”
PHOTOS COURTESY SIDOCK ARCHITECTS
The interior’s exposed steel truss structure reinforces the modernsophisticated barn concept. All interior materials were chosen fordurability and the mixture of modern and rustic building accents,including a stained concrete floor.
40 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
A SophiSticAted BArn
The multi-purpose Event Barn is nestled on the
site surrounded by wooded areas, an exterior
stage, lawn seating, and an event lawn surrounded
by garden walls, lush landscaping, and site
furniture. Integrated walkways connect the Event
Barn with the Brownstown Historical Museum,
community gardens, and a Wall of Honor
dedicated to Township public safety officers.
“The tall arch of the Wall of Honor is the focal
point of the tribute and the low walls that
terminate at the arch will contain plaques
honoring police and fire officers,” said Zanley. “As
a strong traditional element, the arch conveys the
importance of the tribute. North of the arch, the
low walls define a small contemplative area with
a reflecting pool and edge seating. The arch also
defines the northern edge of the event lawn,
framing the view of the Event Barn.”
The Event Barn’s traditional “barn” materials
were integrated with “modern” simple, clean lines
and details, according to Zanley. The scale of the
Event Barn, and especially the overhangs and
glass curtain walls, were designed to reinforce the
building entry and extend out into the outdoor
spaces.
The major design element of the interior is the
exposed steel truss structure, which also
reinforces the modern sophisticated barn
concept. All interior materials were chosen for
durability and the mixture of modern and rustic
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT
A wonderful blend of past and future, the varied pitch roof of the Event Barn provides thecorrect angle for the future installation of solar panels.
The tall arch of the Wall of Honor is the focal point of a tribute to the public safety officersof Brownstown Township.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 41
building accents, including stained concrete floor,
exposed burnished masonry walls, pine paneled
wood doors, exposed wood decking, and “milk
can” light fixtures. The 12-foot-tall glass curtain
walls on the north and south side of the Event
Barn floods the multi-purpose space with natural
light and provides a seamless transition between
indoor and outdoor spaces. “The reaction to the
Event Barn in terms of quality of materials,
design, and functionality has been extremely
positive,” said Gustafsson.
Beyond the Event Barn itself, the site is a
sustainability showcase. Bioswales dot the
parking lot, and stormwater, including run-off
from the building, is collected in an underground
cistern for site irrigation. “All site lighting is
shielded LED down lighting, while interior lighting
is sensor controlled and switched to allow
multiple lighting scenarios,” said Zanley.
Adding to the Township’s commitment to
renewable energy and to the preservation of
valuable natural resources, “the varied pitch roof
of the Event Barn was designed to reinforce the
barn concept, but it also is the correct angle for
solar panels,” said Zanley. “All electrical elements
are in place for the Township to install the rooftop
panels at later date. Future pavilions will be
equipped with roof-mounted solar panels to
provide their own power in remote locations. Sign
structures throughout the Recreation Campus,
plus pavilions and the splash-pad building are all
designed and constructed using recycled
structural plastic lumber.”
A Gem in the pArk
This multi-use and multi-purpose facility was
planned and programmed to be a smaller, more
intimate and upscale facility for use by the
Township, private events, and corporate
meetings/seminars. With banquet seating for
150 and auditorium-style seating for 300, along
with a catering kitchen, the new 5,000-square-
foot Event Barn can be programmed for a wide
variety of functions. “The Event Barn and
outdoor spaces can be programmed in various
configurations limited only by the needs and
imagination of the user,” said Gustafsson.
The Event Barn was dedicated and opened in
November 2013. “For the 2014 calendar year,
the Township is close to our projected revenue,”
said Gustafsson. The Event Barn complex is
home to the Brownstown Farmers Market, and
Movies and Concerts in the Park. Further event
programs are planned throughout the year.
The Event Barn is the emerald gem of a
necklace that stretches across a 79-acre
campus. The facility serves as an anchor and
communal “living room” at the eastern end of the
Recreation Campus, while the Township
Hall/Community Center serves as an institutional
anchor at the west end. The rest of the Campus
offers passive environmentally sensitive areas,
walking paths, sports fields, interactive children’s
splash pad and playground areas, a dog park,
and hard-surface courts.
Clearly, the Event Barn is a showpiece of the
Recreation Campus, attracting community
residents who are now flocking to the entire
Campus. “Businesses are providing generous
financial support by sponsoring programmed
events and/or Recreation Campus features,” said
Gustafsson. “The Event Barn bookings are
exceeding the Township’s expectations and this
will continue as further phases of the Recreation
Campus are built.”
The project team has created a moving tribute
to Township heroes, a gem of an events building,
and an expanding recreational campus. This 79-
acre site is a true community oasis of the 21st
You will benefit from our deep
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a higher return on experience.
42 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Century, courtesy of Brownstown DDA, Sidock
Architects, Wade Trim, and Sole Building
Company.
-Information provided courtesy of Brownstown
Downtown Development Authority, Sidock
Architects and CAM Magazine editorial review
the followinG SuBcontrActorS
contriButed to the project:
• Foundation – Tru-Wall Construction Co., Inc.,
Wixom
• Mason – Stone Work, Royal Oak
• Electrical – Molino Electric, Trenton
• Plumbing – Gundick Plumbing, Wyandotte
• HVAC – Jet Stream Mechanical, Ann Arbor
• Underground – Sole Construction, Westland
• Framing Interior/Exterior – Banda Construction,
Detroit
• Roof/Siding – Brish Roofing, Redford
• Paint – Pacesetter Painting, Ypsilanti
• Landscape/Irrigation – Michigan Greenscape
Supplies, Ypsilanti
• Flat Work – Oscar Cement, Lincoln Park
• Glazing – Advance Storefront, Detroit
• Food Services – Advanced Kitchen, Dearborn
• Low Voltage/Sound – Security Consultant
Systems, Farmington Hills
• Structural Steel – B&A Structural Steel LLC,
Chesterfield
The owner, architect and/or general contractor provided
the list of project participants.
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT
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The Event Barn’s fieldstone and corrugated metal siding, as well as the profile of the standingseam metal roof, all bring to life the rural heritage of Brownstown Township.
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 43
marty A. Burnstein, of West Bloomfield, has been
selected by his peers for the fifth consecutive year to be
included in the 2014 Edition of the Best lawyers of
America in the specialty of construction law. Best
lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer review
publication in the legal profession. Burnstein has also
been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers List for his
excellence in construction litigation. Burnstein has over
40 years’ experience as a construction lawyer, mediator
and arbitrator. He frequently teaches, lectures and writes in the area of
construction law and a valued member of the CAMTEC instructor team.
The American institute of Architects Michigan
recently presented its Young Architect of the Year
Award to Andrew dunlap, AiA, at its annual Celebration
of Architecture. The Young Architect Award is given to
architects under 40 years of age in recognition of
proficiency and exceptional accomplishment and who
have made significant contributions to the profession in
an early stage of their careers. Andrew Dunlap, AIA, CDT,
NCARB, LEED AP, is the Principal and Building Enclosure
Specialist at SmithGroupJJR’s Detroit center. An active participant within
the design and construction community, Andrew is a founding member of
the Building Enclosure Council (BEC) Detroit Chapter and currently serves
as Chairman. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects
(AIA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). A
registered architect in Michigan, Maryland and New York, Andrew is also a
LEED Accredited Professional, NCARB certified and is a Construction
Documents Technologist.
harley ellis devereaux, Southfield, has added
kenneth clein, AiA, ncArB, leed Ap as a Higher
Education Design Studio Leader. Clein brings 30 years
of practice to the firm, most recently as a Principal and
Higher Education Market Leader with a strong emphasis
on sustainable design, building transformations and
historic preservation.
Grand Rapids-based f&V operations and
resource management (fVop) is pleased to announce the addition of
catherine Garnham to its staff. With nearly 25 years of administration and
operations experience, Garnham has a long-standing relationship with
FVOP. She holds numerous state licenses including a Michigan Class-A
Sewage Treatment Works Operator and Class F-1 and S-2 Waterworks
System Operator. Garnham will provide operational leadership for the Huron
Shores Regional Utility Authority Water Treatment Plant, the Tawas Utility
Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Oscoda Charter Township
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
SSoe’s Board of Directors announced recently that it
has selected Bob howell to be the next president and
CEO of SSOE Group - a global engineering, procurement
and construction management (EPCM) firm, effective
December 3, 2014. Howell has been with SSOE for
more than 30 years, and has served on its management
team. Howell transitions from his current role of
executive vice president (EVP) / Chief Operations Officer
(COO), as well as previous positions as Chairman of the
Board, Strategic Business Unit and Division manager. SSOE is
headquartered in Toledo, OH and is based locally in Troy and Midland.
Walker-based tubelite, inc. recently
announced that jim flandreau has
been named as director of information
technology (IT) business relationship
management. Flandreau serves
Tubelite from its parent company,
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. He brings
more than 17 years of experience in IT
strategic planning, governance and
business process improvements, and in manufacturing operations. Also,
Tubelite has added rene Buggs as director of human resources (HR).
As part of the executive leadership team, she will work with all employees,
support organizational development and promote talent acquisition. She is
a certified senior professional in HR.
The engineering and
architectural firm of
Byce & Associates,
inc., Kalamazoo, has
recently announced the
hiring of five individuals
at their firm. f. Alan
frederick joins as
architectural technician;
peter oudsema, eit, leed Green
Associate joins as a structural engineer;
matthew fraser, eit, joins as a
mechanical engineer; Gene dummer
joins as an electrical designer; and
miranda Bishop joins as an
accounting/human resources assistant.
Bloomfield Hills-based hubbell, roth & clark, inc.
(hrc) recently announced that derek Stratelak, pwS,
llA, has rejoined HRC as senior project engineer in the
firm’s Environmental Engineering Department. He is a
licensed landscape architect, certified arborist,
geomorphologist, and professional wetland scientist who
utilizes Rosgen River Restoration and Natural Channel
Design principles. Stratelak was previously employed by
HRC from 1995 to 2000 where he provided wetland
consulting and landscape architectural services to communities and private
clients for a broad array of projects. He has over 30 years of professional
experience in his field.
joseph f. neussendorfer, president and CEO of
u.S. construction research, Livonia, was among the
recipients of an outstanding leadership Award from
the engineering Society of detroit (eSd). These
awards are granted to outstanding ESD committee and
council members based on evaluation in the areas of
committee work that include: accomplishment;
communications; community relations; flexibility and
creativity; finances; forward planning; operating;
organizing; participation; planning and publications.
PEOPLE IN CONSTRUCTION
Burnstein
howell
Buggs
dunlap
clein
flandreau
fraseroudsemafrederick
Stratelak
neussendorfer
Bishopdummer
44 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Detroit-based white construction, a construction management/
general contracting firm, is proud to announce the promotion of
donovan j. white to deputy operations manager & milton d.
jennings to deputy business development manager. White has
been with White Construction since August 2001 and Jennings since
June 1997. White currently serves on the Board of Directors for
EcoWorks, a nonprofit, energy assistant & job training organization
that provides opportunities for low income families. He’s also a
member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) & the
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Jennings currently serves as a member of the Eastern
Michigan University Black Alumni Association, as well as Eastern Michigan University’s Constructor’s
organization.
CORPORATE NEWS
Following a year-long design process, Buchanan community Schools is moving forward with
school building improvements at Ottawa Elementary School and Buchanan Middle School. The school
district celebrated the launch of these projects with a ground breaking ceremony in June 2014. The
ceremony was attended by District representatives, community members and individuals from the
District’s architecture/engineering firm, fanning howey. Improvements to Buchanan Middle School
include a five-classroom addition, a gymnasium addition and new administrative offices located adjacent
to a secure main entrance. Renovations will improve the technology infrastructure, mechanical and
electrical systems, ADA access and overall energy efficiency and campus security. There are also plans
for site enhancements. Upgrades to Ottawa Elementary School are highlighted by a 9,500-square-foot
addition with six classrooms, ADA-accessible rest rooms and an extended learning area to support
21st Century instruction. The building will also receive a new secure entry vestibule, technology
improvements, fire alarm system upgrades and a partial replacement/expansion of the parking lot.
The team of architects, engineers and designers at Troy-based integrated design Solutions (idS)
are pleased to announce their new online website - ids-troy.com - with a mission to connect and share
their pride and passion about their business, their projects and the people who have enabled their
success for the past 15 years. Now in the 15th year of sustained growth and remarkable work, their
focus continues to be on the successful integration of both architecture and engineering into creative
and cost-effective client-centered solutions. The new website profiles interesting stories with behind-
the-scenes details of many of their projects, featuring their keen understanding of University Research
Centers and K-12 Education, the nuances of the ever-changing Healthcare Industry, and their leadership
role in developing a new paradigm in University Residential Life and Student Engagement spaces.
SmithGroupjjr, Detroit, announced recently that it has reached a sustainability milestone with 100
LEED certified projects. Back in 2001 the firm had already achieved the world’s first LEED Platinum
project. With more than 100 LEED certifications under their belt, the firm is looking ahead to further this
endeavor.
plumbing professors, Canton Township, a 24-hour service plumbing, sewer repair and epoxy pipe
lining company, has been awarded a diagnostic & epoxy pipe lining contract to repair “The Spirit of
Women Part Fountain” at the Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus, OH. The project manager will be
Bruner Corporation of Hilliard, OH.
Quinn evans Architects, based locally in Ann Arbor and Detroit, with offices in Washington, D.C.
and Madison, WI, led the expansion and renovation for the life support building and systems for the
Seal and Sea Lion exhibit within the American Trail at the Smithsonian institution national Zoological
park. The exhibit space earned a LEED-NC Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Prior to
renovations the animals were housed in a dated facility with pools that were leaking close to 8,000
gallons of water a day. The design for the revitalized facility includes cutting-edge life support systems
within multiple exhibit and holding pools - utilizing both salt and fresh water - with increased animal
enrichment through the use of wave machines. The biggest energy savings involve water use and quality.
The volume of water use was reduced by 75 percent from 2006 to 2013. This was achieved through
the use of water-efficient support systems and landscaping. Other sustainable highlights include energy
efficient mechanical systems, regional and certified materials, construction waste management, and
design innovation in tree preservation planning.
PEOPLE IN CONSTRUCTION
jenningswhite
WhenYou JoinCAM - The Construction Association of Michigan - was founded in 1885. It’s the oldest and largest construction association in the United States.
Join CAM before September 15, 2014 and get listed in our 2015 Buyers Guide – the most comprehensive classified construction directory in the state.
Other membership benefits: 24/7 access to construction projects; safety services; labor relations; government affairs committee; continuing education classes; annual tradeshow; monthly CAM Magazine; cost-saving affinity programs; networking opportunities and social events.
Join CAM by September 15, 2014for just $295 - and receive it all, plus over $1,000 in savings in other FREE benefits. Call the CAM Membership Department for details (248) 972-1000.
www.cam-online.com
See ad on page 17 for more information
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 45
fishbeck, thompson, carr & huber, inc.
(ftch), a full‐service civil engineering,
architectural/engineering, environmental, and
construction management firm, is pleased to
announce the opening of its Macomb office to
expand their presence in southeast Michigan.
FTCH has over 340 staff in five Michigan offices,
one Ohio office, and one Indiana office. The new
office is in an ideal location to serve area clients.
It is located at: 46600 Romeo Plank Road, Suite
3, Macomb, MI 48044. Phone: (586) 412-1406;
Fax: (586) 412-1407.
The Cities of Marquette, Ferndale, Westland,
Bay City, Brighton and Port Huron were selected
by the international council of Shopping
centers (icSc) to participate on the Municipal
Runway at the 44th Annual michigan idea
exchange & Alliance program in July 2014 at
the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi. These
communities were selected following a two month
state-wide competition because of their Best
Practices in crafting Public/Private Partnerships
that have attracted capital, created jobs and
raised the tax base in their communities.
Brighton-based contracting resources
recently provided general contracting services for
the following projects: St. Joseph Parish altar
renovations, South Lyon; Vail Ski Resort – Mt.
Brighton, renovations to locker rooms, children’s
area, ski rental section, tear out and rebuild of the
existing restaurant, brown bag area, and new
quick serve restaurant; Novo Dynamics – 6th
Floor in Ann Arbor, general contracting services
for the renovation to the existing sixth floor of the
City Center Building. New projects recently
awarded to Contracting Resources include:
Grand Hilton Mixed-Use Building, new
construction, in Brighton; Detroit Metropolitan
Credit Union, new construction, in Novi; Brinks,
Gilson & Lione, interior renovations, in Ann Arbor;
and Sparrow Health Systems, 9 South
Penthouse Reno - HR Partner Offices in Lansing.
nAwic (national Association of women in
construction) detroit chapter 183 recently
completed year two of project Accelerate.
Eighteen women attended the six-week program
to learn about the many different aspects of the
construction industry, resume writing, and other
elements of furthering their education. Detroit
members will be offering a workshop on Project
Accelerate at the upcoming 2014 NAWIC Annual
Meeting and Education Conference, held at the
JW Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Indianapolis,
IN, on September 3-6, 2014.
The university of michigan has selected
walbridge as construction manager for a major
renovation and addition to its Stephen M. Ross
School of Business. The project includes a
comprehensive renovation of the Kresge
Business Administration Library, demolition of the
Computer and Executive Education Building,
construction of a new academic building, and
addition of exterior finishes to Sam Wyly Hall, the
Business Administration Executive Dormitory and
the Hill Street Parking Structure. The architect is
kohn pedersen fox Associates, pc.
Construction is scheduled to be completed by
summer 2016. Also at The U-M, Walbridge is
currently constructing the Munger Graduate
Residences, and is renovating West Quad
Residences and Cambridge House, located
inside the Michigan Union. Walbridge has also
completed the 725-space Wall Street East
parking structure, which has created a new
gateway to the Wall Street district and U-M
Medical Center campus.
46 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2014 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
ADVERTISER INDEXAce Cutting Equipment ...........................................33
Aluminum Supply Company/Marshall Sales ...............6
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local #2 ...................................................31
CAM Affinity Ad.....................................................IBC
CAM Comp ............................................................45
CAM Membership .............................................17, 44
CAM Social Media ..................................................36
Cavanaugh & Quesada, PLC..................................BC
Collins Einhorn Law Offices.....................................25
Concrete Moisture Control ......................................33
Connelly Crane Rental Corp. ...................................15
Creative Surfaces....................................................36
Demolition Man.......................................................29
Detroit Carpentry JATC ...........................................28
Doeren Mayhew......................................................13
Facca Richter & Pregler, P.C....................................19
Farnell Equipment Company ...................................13
G2 Consulting Group ..............................................19
GenPower Products, Inc. ........................................29
Hartland Insurance Group, Inc. ...............................23
Jackson Associates, Inc. ........................................10
Jaimes Trusses and Wall Panels................................5
Jeffers Crane Service, Inc. ......................................24
McCoig Materials ....................................................27
Michielutti Brothers .................................................35
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenter ....................7
North American Dismantling Corp ...........................42
Oakland Companies ...............................................29
Plante Moran ..........................................................41
SMRCA ..................................................................37
Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C.........................15
Thompson IG ........................................................IFC
Valenti Trobec Chandler, Inc./Griffin Smalley & Wilkerson ...................................3
cArVer conStruction co.,
ANN ANBOR
dohenY compAnieS, inc., jAck,
NORTHVILLE
eVerGreen ciVil, llc,
NORTHVILLE
fieldStone Architecture &
enGineerinG,
AUBURN HILLS
poSitioninG SolutionS co.,
NILES
StrAtA conStruction, inc.,
CLINTON TWP.
cAm Golf outinGS 2014August 12 - Fieldstone Golf Club, Auburn Hills
Sept. 29 - Indianwood Golf and Country Club, Lake Orion
To register or for sponsorship information, contact Diana Brown at
CAM (248) 972-1000, or visit www.cam-online.com.
September 18 – 21, 2014 – American Society of concrete
contractors Annual conference
Westin Westminster, Denver, CO
The ASCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of concrete contractors
and those who build with concrete, and to providing them a unified voice in the construction industry.
Members include concrete contractors and contracting firms, manufacturers, suppliers and others
interested in the concrete industry such as architects, engineers and educators. The ASCC is one of
the largest concrete associations with approximately 500 member companies in the United States and
abroad.
To register call (866) 788-2722 or visit www.ascconline.org
September 22 – 24, 2014 – polyurethanes technical conference
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Dallas, TX
Registration is now open for the 2014 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, hosted by the Center
for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Technical sessions
showcase the latest news and developments in the field. Conference attendees save $200 with early
registration, which is available through Friday, Aug. 29.
To register for the conference, call (877) 491-5138 or visit http://polyurethane.americanchemistry.com/
Polyurethanes-Technical-Conference/2014-Conference.html
october 22 – 24, 2014 – hardscape north America Show
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY
750 exhibits with new products, education sessions, Distributor preview day, networking, demos,
and free concerts.
For more information, visit www.hardscapena.com or call 888-580-9960.
november 10 – 12, 2014 – 1800Sweeper Sweeper Summit
Detroit, Michigan
This annual gathering serves as an innovative think tank for the commercial sweeping industry.
Members from over 25 different states who are a partner of 1800SWEEPER, including CAM member
ProSweep, will be in attendance.
To register or for more information, visit http://www.sweepersummit.com/
upcoming fall cAmtec classes
Classes held at CAM Headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, unless otherwise noted
• Sept 4 – Nov 20 BLUEPRINT READING
• Sept 17 FIRST AID / CPR & AED
• Sept 24 AIA CONTRACTS
• Sept 29 & 30 OSHA 10-HOUR TRAINING
For more information, contact Pat DuFresne or Tracey Alfonsi at CAMTEC (248) 972-1000 or visit
www.cam-online.com, Safety & Education section.
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