miller architects & Builders
Stakes in the ground Minnesota’s Miller Architects & Builders meets Bakken’s challenges Holiday Inn Express & Suites lobby.
“The activity in the Bakken has been a boon for Miller,” says Miller Architects & Builders’ president Joe Seifert. “It’s great to be a part of this, but it’s not easy to work the area. Much more planning goes into the preparation for the work.” Yes, this St. Cloud, Minnesota-based firm knows stakes are high, which is why it addresses challenges unique to the Bakken–manpower shortages, scarcity of materials, and lack of infrastructure. Miller Architects & Builders began in 1874, providing residential and commercial construction to the Midwest. Now strictly a commercial design/build firm, Miller has seen construction booms before, but nothing like the frenzied building in the Williston Basin, a result of oil drilling in the Bakken. The company has taken advantage of the demand and proven resourceful, erecting hotels, apartment complexes, offices, and other commercial projects. It’s currently working on a sixth hotel–averaging 80 to 90 rooms–with three pending. However, Seifert estimates the need at 5,000 housing units per year for the next three years. “It’s a nice problem to worry about,” says Seifert. “At some point, though, demand will come down.” Manpower Considerations A difficulty to working in the Bakken is finding local subcontractors. Miller utilizes local subcontractors and material suppliers whenever possible. “We like to support the communities in which we work. The lack of available subcontractors and other skilled workers is one of the biggest 114
BAKKEN OIL REPORT – SPRING 2013
issues we face today,” says Seifert. Dakota contractors have more than enough projects on their plates. Too, some are reluctant to expose their men to the lure of high oil-company wages, especially around Williston. So instead, Miller uses Minnesota subcontractors who are skillful, dependable, and have a good work ethic. This workforce remains true; the men have families back home and plenty of other Minnesota projects to keep them busy. This reliability has greatly contributed to Miller’s stellar reputation and has led to even more opportunities. In fact, 30 percent of Miller’s undertakings are North Dakota projects. Miller has turned this particular manpower challenge into a selling point. Miller’s dozen or so subcontractors on each project use a mixture of man-camps, apartments, and rented homes to accommodate their crews which, typically, work seven-daysa-week, 12-hours a day, in a two-week rotation. Thus far, three of Miller’s hotel projects have accommodated man-camps and temporary bathing facilities on-site. The company’s latest apartment project will offer temporary housing in a portion of the structure slated for offices and a community room. “Housing is a cost of doing business in the Bakken,” says Seifert. “We need to be as efficient as possible.” The company has found it efficient and safer for subcontractors to move crews to the jobsites and keep them there for a while. The less time transporting the better, especially on rain-soaked or pothole-filled roads, or barely broken trails. Water, sand, equipment, pipe, all of these are being hauled into and around the Bakken on fleets of oil