High Spirit
High Spirit
Acknowledgements
Thank
Kathy Abernethy
Alicia Allamena
Brett Anderson
Kathy Davis
Mark DiStefano
Vanessa Fagnano
Kathy Frey
Betty Gerhart
Gary Graziano
Caterina Harmony
Rhonda Kurtz
Michelle McCann
Jane Owens
Stephanie Reese
John Sandy
Lori Soto
Robin Stauffer
Jeff
SReflection and Gratitude
By S. Dale High, Chairman, The High Companies
ummer’s heat, with this year’s unusual combination of drought and heavy rains, has now succumbed to autumn’s splendor. The air is crisp, cool, and refreshing and many of the trees I view from my office window in Greenfield Corporate Center are brilliant shades of gold, rust, and crimson. Interspersed with majestic evergreens against a backdrop of deep blue skies, it is a magnificent sight to behold.
“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”
At the autumnal equinox in September, daylight and nighttime hours are equal as the sun passes the equator. This is followed by a noticeable decline in the length of daylight hours as winter approaches. During this period, in the Northern Hemisphere, we see many extraordinarily colorful sunrises and dramatically beautiful sunsets.
Thus begins a season of the year that is filled with tradition, especially as many Americans recall stories told in childhood. At Plymouth Plantation, we have been taught that the Pilgrims, along with their Native American Indian friends, celebrated the first Thanksgiving. In addition to expressing gratitude to God for their survival and a successful harvest, they feasted from the bounty of the land.
But the practice of thanksgiving is much older than that first Thanksgiving in 1621. Indeed,
history tells us that ancient cultures celebrated harvest festivals for centuries. There are recordings in scriptures of the religious festivals and feasts that were common in earlier times. Some American Indians themselves celebrated six thanksgiving festivals in the space of a year, long before the Pilgrims arrived on this continent. Not every country gives thanks on the fourth Thursday in November, but it is a universal practice that can be found throughout the world.
Henry Ward Beecher
Thanksgiving has long been associated with giving thanks to God for blessings too numerous to number, for our families and the gift of friendship, for strength and courage to face our personal challenges, for the ability to love others, for faith and hope, for nature’s bounty. As Henry Ward Beecher put it, “The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”
As you gather together with your family and friends for a traditional dinner of turkey with all of the trimmings, or for a dinner of a new or different tradition, I hope you will take time to reflect on the many blessings that we enjoy. In addition, this is a good time to share
Reflection and Gratitude . . .
what we have with others who may have
greater needs.
As co-workers at the High Family of Companies, we are also grateful for satisfying work opportunities, some of which became available through expansion into new markets or product lines. The 2006 year has been primarily positive to date, in spite of a few setbacks that we have experienced. As we
“This is a good time to share what we have with others who may have greater needs.”
S. Dale High
collectively take a deep breath to tackle the remaining challenges of Fourth Quarter, 2006, I and The High Family Council want to acknowledge and express our appreciation for all of the diligent efforts that all co-workers have put forth during this year and, indeed, during the past 75 years! We share this path together – some of us have for quite a while. Best wishes to you in continuing gratitude and hope.
S. Dale High Center for Family Business Opens
Elizabethtown College recently opened its newest addition - a $5 million facility, the James B. Hoover Center for Business. This facility now houses The S. Dale High Center for Family Business, founded in 1995 and formerly known as The Family Business Center at Elizabethtown College. Sean P. Melvin, Chair of the Department of Business, spent three years helping to create the design of the Business Center. There were approximately 200 attendees at the dedication ceremony that was held on September 14, 2006.
Melvin joined S. Dale High and two other large contributors to the Center during the dedication of the facility. “It is very important that we integrate the
facilities into the curriculum,” Melvin said. “And that is what we were missing.”
The new 30,000-square-foot, two-story building consolidates three units that had been spread out over the campus. They include the S. Dale High Center for Family Business, the Edward R. Murphy Center for Continuing Education, and the classrooms and offices used by business students and faculty.
Dale was presented with a gift by Derek Hathaway, Chairman, President, and CEO of Harsco Corporation, during the grand opening reception for the facility.
With financing from Dale High, James B. Hoover, Edward R. Murphy, area foundations, local corporations, alumni, parents and friends, the building was constructed in one year.
“The S. Dale High Center for Family Business provides member family businesses a special program of seminars and access to national resources and networking,” said director Mary Beth Matteo. The Family Business Center also has a resource library to provide assistance to member businesses and non-member family businesses in the area.
“Our first order of business is to get a visiting CEO to spend a few days per month to interact with students and members,” Matteo said. “We are particularly pleased that we can open up this resource library to local family businesses that might need help finding answers to their questions.”
“It went up quickly compared to the time we spent designing it,” Melvin said. “But it had to; we put 60 courses on the schedule for this semester. If it wasn’t complete, we would have had a problem.”
The tiered classrooms are equipped with stateof-the-art projection equipment, data ports and
S. Dale High Center for Family Business Opens . . . High Honors
Twireless Internet access. Most classrooms accommodate a maximum of 35 students, but the center also has a 90-seat lecture hall.
A resource room containing computers, newspapers, and business reference books offers space for small student groups to collaborate and do research. Informal seating areas throughout the building also provide students access to laptop Internet ports.
The Business Department will enroll more than 400 majors and employ 13 full-time faculty members this year.
“There is no wasted space here,” Melvin said.
“Everything has been designed to allow us to work closely with students, because we do our business face to face.”
his column recognizes the ongoing awards, honors, education, and certification of co-workers of The High Companies. To include your honor, or to honor someone else, forward the pertinent information, within three months of completion, to Elaine Richard, High Industries, Inc.
Congratulations to Mark on his achievement.
Sadie and Dale High at the opening of the new Business Center.
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Celebration Continues with Open House Events
The High Companies hosted Open House events to commemorate our 75 years in business. In the previous issue of High Spirit, we highlighted the Open House hosted by High Steel Service Center, Inc. on August 19, 2006. The remaining events
High Concrete Structures, Inc. held its Open House on September 9, 2006. Close to 300 guests attended and were guided through the entire plant by co-workers in small groups so the processes could be explained. The youngsters had an opportunity to have their photo taken in a crane and received a balloon. Coffee, donuts, and juice were available to all.
High Steel Structures, Inc.-Lancaster Open House was held on September 16, 2006. Attendees walked through the bays and stopped at stations where co-workers explained the different processes of building and painting girders.
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attraction for the children was being able to write with chalk on a girder along the way. Guests received a complimentary 75 th anniversary water bottle and were treated to refreshments at the end of the tour. available, and photos of the Market Street bridge project were also on display. While walking through the yard, guests had the opportunity to have a photo taken in a crane or truck. The final stop was the Paint Bay where the girder painting process was explained. The tour was completed with the 75th anniversary video of The High Companies and refreshments.
High Steel Structures, Inc.-Williamsport Open House was held on September 23, 2006. Guests started in the concrete bay and walked through the plant, viewing tbeds, stairs, columns, and the woodshop. In the South Bay, easels were placed to show the process of building girders. A Quality Control display of ultrasonic
High Concrete Technology, LLC-Paxton, Illinois, held its main Open House on July 22, 2006, and a “mini” Open House was held September 30, 2006. About 130 guests attended and had the opportunity to see what goes on inside. Tours of the facility and yard were given by co-workers and the processes explained. The Mayor was also present for this event. Activities were planned especially for the children so they could have a little fun while their parents could enjoy the facility tours. These activities included a bounce house, making hand prints in plaster of paris, and a sand
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box with toys. At the tour conclusion, guests could view the 75th anniversary video and indulge in some refreshments.
High Concrete Technology, LLCSpringboro, Ohio, held its Open House on October 7, 2006. More than 50 members of the community attended. Plant tours were given and the work processes performed in the facility were explained. Many project photos were highlighted throughout the tour. Lovey the clown was present, entertaining everyone with magical balloon characters and face painting. Attendees viewed the 75 th anniversary video and refreshments were
available. The photo to the left shows a replica of the High logo on a concrete panel, created by Doug Burge, Production Leadperson, which was also on display.
High Concrete Innovations, LLC, held its Open House on October 14, 2006.
Approximately 125 guests attended this event. They were given tours of the facility where they learned about the process to create CarbonCast™ panels. There was a “science fair” style display
the history and uses of concrete. Guests were treated to t-shirts, coffee, juice, and donuts, as well as balloons
HCT Project Earns PCI Award
High Concrete Technology, LLC, was presented with the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) Award for the University of Ohio’s Varsity Village project. This 236,000-square-foot building, located between the football stadium and arena, centralizes the athletic operations for the University.
In order to be considered for this award, an application including detailed written description and photos must be submitted. HCT was chosen the winner in the Best Custom Building Solution category. This project was a challenge partly because of being built between existing buildings, the
Award-winning Varsity Village, University of Ohio’s athletic facility.
convex and concave curves involved, and the required visual appeal.
Congratulations to the entire team on this great achievement!
Ken Baur Honored as PCI Fellow
During this year’s Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) Conference held on October 22, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas, Kenneth C. Baur, Director of Research and Development and Technical Sales for High Concrete Structures, Inc., was presented with the PCI Fellow Award. This is an honor bestowed upon just a few. Only five PCI Fellow Awards were presented this year.
The Award recognizes outstanding PCI members for their achievements in the precast, prestressed concrete industry, as well as for their significant contributions to the mission of PCI. The PCI Fellows serve as distinguished colleagues to whom PCI and its members look for guidance and leadership as the industry evolves.
Ken, a graduate of Penn State University, has 38 years of building industry experience, and 28 years with HCSI.
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Having been a speaker at PCI technical seminars in the past, Ken has also served on various committees within the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI). He was instrumental in the development of 15foot and 16-foot double tees, and in developing lightweight, insulating CarbonCast™ C-GRID carbon fiber reinforced architectural and wall panels, as well as lighter weight corrosion resistant CarbonCast double tees. Ken also holds nine patents, including four patents for blow-molded casting embedments now standard in many precast products.
Congratulations, Ken!
HSSI Finds New Niche
High Steel Structures, Inc. has tapped into a new niche to expand its product line. Working with Butler Manufacturing Company, the nation’s leading fabricator of preengineered metal buildings, HSSI fabricated 84 girders for a new building at the West Point Academy, located in Orange County, New York.
The pre-engineered building industry has long controlled a significant market share in the building construction industry because of the automated fabrication and
inexpensive roof and wall systems; however, their automated approach has limits regarding the depth and weight of girders they can fabricate efficiently. By combining our capabilities, both Butler Manufacturing Company and High Steel Structures, Inc. hope to expand this market into larger structures once out of reach for pre-engineered metal buildings.
Product line diversification is a key part of the HSSI vision for the future. As we continue to build upon our leadership position in the bridge industry, there are new growth opportunities where we can apply our basic core competencies in the fabrication of long, heavy steel members. Not only do such new markets provide growth opportunities, but they also add a product line diversification that can help HSSI “bridge” the inevitable gaps in the public funding cycle for transportation construction.
The photo below shows the erected 84 girders that were fabricated in Plant Four, Lancaster. The second project for Butler has already been signed, and it is to fabricate a building for Hershey Foods in Eastern Canada. This project required HSSI to obtain its welding certification from the Canadian regulators. That certification may lead to yet more opportunities for HSSI to diversify with work north of the border.
HCI Acquires Additional Plant
High Concrete Innovations, LLC, acquired the assets of United Precasting Corporation’s (UPC) precast concrete plant in Buena, New Jersey. The 91-acre facility will continue to manufacture parking garage components, miscellaneous structural products, and hollowcore planks to serve customers in New Jersey, Delaware, and the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.
Plans are to upgrade this facility in order to optimize parking garage component and hollowcore-plank manufacturing capacity. This plant will produce stadium components for the Newark Arena and structural materials for the new Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York.
According to Tom McEvoy, President of High Concrete Group, “The Buena acquisition is part of our strategy to achieve significant, profitable growth through cost reduction, innovation, customer service, quality leadership, and acquisition of structural and architectural precasting operations in key markets.”
“Our growth plan for Buena will be good for customers, co-workers, suppliers, and the Pennsylvania communities in which we are also located,” said Gary Graziano, AIA, Vice President of Planning, Product, and Promotion. “This is because we embrace the philosophy of being innovative leaders and building trustworthy relationships, and because we run our plants safely and market aggressively to operate at high volumes. As a result, we expect that many of the projects sold for production at the Buena facility will require support from our Pennsylvania operations.”
Matt Twomey Publishes Article
President of High Construction Company, Matthew D. Twomey, authored an article, which was published in the June/July 2006 issue of Area Development magazine, a national publication.
The article, “Keeping Construction Projects on Schedule,” emphasizes the importance of handling any minor delays immediately so they do not create a major schedule adjustment to the project. In this article, Matt also states that the success of any construction project is based on balancing the resources of cost, quality, and schedule.
Not Just Another Parking Garage
When the New Jersey Transit Authority and Hamilton Township of New Jersey needed a new parking garage to replace the existing surface parking for New Jersey Transit commuters, High Concrete Structures, Inc. was glad to be involved. The design-build project that started out as just a restaurant napkin sketch
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is now called Hamilton Station. The $45 million mixed-use facility has 2,000 parking spaces located above more than 11,000 square feet of retail shopping.
Project collaborators included parking consultant, Timothy Haahs and Associates, and the construction and development firm, Nexus Properties. The project consists of a total of 1,282 concrete pieces in several different color mixes and finishes. A formliner was used on the lower levels to replicate the look of brick.
Parking and street-level retail are expected to open for business in November. The parking garage will also serve Nexus Properties’ trend-setting, proposed future development of a transit village on the site to include flat condominium units, commercial office buildings,
Recovery Begins
On the morning of October 25, 2006, a fire occurred in the building in which High Concrete Innovations, LLC, operates in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, all 52 HCI co-workers evacuated quickly, were all accounted for, and, thankfully, no one was injured.
The building, the former Alcoa plant, is shared by several businesses. It appears that the fire began in a section adjacent to HCI; however, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. It caused significant damage to the building and we are in the process of evaluating the situation to determine if and when we will be able to resume production at that site.
In the meantime, all Lebanon-based HCI co-workers have been provided an opportunity to transition to our Denver, Pennsylvania, facility, or field operations.
The recovery process began at once. Our immediate focus was to address our customer requirements, including completion of jobs in process and organization of jobs under contract, but not yet started in production. The fire and the water that was used to put out the fire damaged the storage and production areas, yet left the offices untouched. Office equipment was moved to HCSI-Denver within two days in order to get reorganized and start laying out the plans to continue operations.
HHL Courtyard by Marriott Hotels Earn
Awards
The two Courtyard by Marriot hotels owned by High Hotels, Ltd. have, once again, been recognized for excellence. The Courtyard by Marriott-Lancaster hotel was presented with the Platinum Award for earning an overall guest satisfaction rating of 94.7 in the first six months of 2006, ranking it one of the top two hotels of the more than 650 Courtyard hotels worldwide.
The Courtyard by Marriott-Middletown, New York, was named a Gold Award
Hamilton Station with construction almost complete.
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winner for achieving an overall guest satisfaction score within the top ten percent of the more than 650 Courtyard hotels worldwide. Selection is based on an overall satisfaction rating determined from guest survey scores and unannounced property inspections.
The teams of both hotels were awarded a plaque and lapel pins, recognizing them for their dedication to excellence in serving their guests. Congratulations to both Courtyard by Marriott teams on your achievements!
HSCSL Manages Locust Ridge Windmill Farm
High Safety Consulting Services, Ltd. is serving as the on-site safety manager for the Locust Ridge Windmill Farm project which began in September. It is located off Route 81 in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The owner of the project is Community Energy, Inc. Its goal is to provide customers with clean, renewable energy.
Gamesa
The vast size of a windmill base is shown here, compared to a person standing nearby.
Wind, the manufacturer of the wind turbines, is located in Spain.
There are 13 windmills that will be erected along a 2 ½ mile stretch of Locust Ridge Mountain. The towers are approximately 260 feet high. With the blades on, it makes the total height nearly 400 feet high from the ground to the tip of the blade.
Once it is running at maximum capacity, the project is expected to be capable of producing 26 megawatts of electricity, which is enough electricity to power over 20,000 homes. Compared to the average generation mix in the regional electric grid, the environmental benefit of the project is equal to an offset of over 74 million pounds of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of planting over five million trees, or removing over 5,000 cars from the road each year.
As the on-site safety manager, HSCSL is responsible for providing safety oversight for the entire work site, ensuring that the work site is in compliance with OSHA rules and regulations, performing regular safety inspections, and ensuring that safety coordination and communication are present during all aspects of the work. Project completion is scheduled for November 2006.
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Our Everyday “Heroes” at HCT T
hese “heroes” are our First Aid Team members from High Concrete Technology, LLC, Paxton and Springboro plants, who recently took part in a 40-hour Emergency Response (ER) course. Lawen Griffith and Randy Roth (HSSI co-workers and Red Cross ER Course Instructors) visited the Paxton plant for a week to certify ten coworkers. These co-workers join nearly 80 other co-workers throughout The High Companies with a 40-hour ER certification.
The purpose of the training is to provide basic, lifesaving medical care to the victim until more advanced medical personnel can arrive on the scene. Our heroes are required to act when they see danger or an injury, and to act according to the level of training they have received - no more, no less.
The key areas of training include: first aid for injuries and sudden illness; Automated External Defibrillation (AED); preventing disease transmission - blood borne pathogens; assessing vital signs; blood pressure measurement; using basic oxygen breathing devices; muscle, bone, and joint injuries; and critical incident stress
Homewood SuitesReading Expands
In keeping with the latest hospitality trends and standards and to meet market demand, High Hotels, Ltd., recently announced it has begun expansion and upgrade of its Homewood Suites by Hilton-Reading.
The project will include construction of 32 additional suites, including four whirlpool suites with gas fireplaces and luxury multiple-head showers. The hotel, which currently features 87 one- and two-bedroom suites, will grow to 119 suites by June 2007, the target date for completion. High Construction Company is serving as general contractor, and Greenfield Architects, Ltd. designed the expansion project.
Frank McCabe, President, High Hotels, Ltd., said the expansion will help meet local demand for this category of upscale, all-suite residential style accommodations. “We are often at maximum capacity at this hotel, and upon completion of this expansion, will be able to offer additional high-end accommodations,” explained McCabe. “We are pleased with the encouraging changes we have observed in the Reading area and believe this expansion will contribute to positive growth trends here.”
The expansion also will include the addition of a covered sun porch to the lobby area, providing additional breakfast seating. Kitchen enhancements in the new suites will include granite countertops. All new suites, and eventually all existing suites, will feature the new Distinctly Homewood™ all-
First Aiders place a splint on the leg of an “injured” co-worker.
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washable bedding package, including the Serta Suite Dreams mattress.
Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, Homewood Suites guests can enjoy a daily complimentary Suite Start® hot breakfast, Welcome Home® reception featuring a complimentary light meal Monday through Thursday evenings, onsite Suite Shop® convenience store, exercise facility, and guest laundry. A 24hour business center, high-speed wireless Internet access, and outdoor seasonal swimming pool are also provided.
Introducing
The
High Companies 2007 Wellness Challenge
The High Companies management team is excited to offer a new program which enables our co-workers to “cash in” on their personal wellness efforts. Whether you
have been leading a healthy lifestyle for years or you are choosing to make changes in 2007, the Challenge offers the opportunity to earn a 10% discount off your 2008 healthcare contributions.
The 2007 Wellness Challenge is open to all regular, full-time co-workers who are enrolled in The High Companies Benefits Plan. All program requirements must be completed between January 1, 2007, and October 31, 2007. Participants enroll in the Challenge by completing a Health Risk Appraisal (HRA). This information is critical to determining health trends and helps us to identify and plan wellness events to support our co-workers’ efforts. In addition to the HRA, each participant will choose and complete five of the ten program requirements.
Challenge requirements are earned in 2007 and the 10% discount off your healthcare contribution is realized in 2008. The program requirements have been designed to be readily achievable by all co-workers. You decide which elements will most benefit your lifestyle and bolster your wellness efforts. The Challenge represents an investment in the long-term health of coworkers. Your decision to participate can improve both your health and finances. So why wait? Stop by and pick up a brochure from the Corporate Benefits Department or your Human Resources Representative for more detailed information.
Homewood Suites-Reading lobby.
