Thank you for your help in producing this edition of High Spirit.
Kathy Abernethy
Rick Bennett
Danielle DeGroft
Rick Dickerson
Liz Ford
Mike Fruin
Lisa Fulginiti
Darryl Gordon
Tim Guhl
Jen Hensler
Cheri Henry
April Homerski
Carolyne Jordan
Michelle McCann
David Nice
Dave Nicholas
Jane Owens
Stephanie Reese
Elaine Richard
John Sandy
Robin Stauffer
Karen Tshudy
Chuck Weyland
Winter 2012
High Co-Workers Take Control Of Their Health
HSSCL Launches New And Improved Website
Lexington Park Hotel Acquisition Makes Twelve
Merrifield At Dunn Loring Parking Garage Moves Ahead
Natural Gas Fuels Growth For HCC And GAL
Springboro Gains Efficiency Through Continuous Improvement New Interchange Connects Garden State Parkway With I-78 New Color System Improves Efficiency In HCGL’s Denver Plant
President Profile: Michael W. Fruin, HHL
CAC Breakfast Is A Jingling Treat!
He Gives Good Measure!
Eric C. Hamilton, CTL Operator, HSSCL, Lancaster, PA
High Honors - High Awards
HSSI Lancaster Facility Continues To Reduce Air Emissions
Waste Aweigh!
Cradle to Cradle: Manage Your Waste Stream - Profitably
Community Commitment............20 - 21
2011 United Way Campaign Results
High Co-Workers Help Those In Need The S. Dale High Family Foundation Awards Grants
High Spirit is published as a service to High Industries Inc. and High Real Estate Group LLC co-workers, retirees, and their families. Submissions, comments, and suggestions are welcome and should be submitted to: Laurie M. Newmoyer, Editor lnewmoyer@high.net (717) 293-4479
See this, and past editions of High Spirit, on High Home!
It is again that time of year when we review the things that happened during the previous year and we take a moment to highlight our achievements. While 2011 was very challenging in many respects, it is always fitting to recognize the accomplishments that occurred within the High Companies and to lift up the successes that are worth celebrating.
Throughout 2011, The High Family Council, in conjunction with the Boards of Directors of High Industries Inc. and High Real Estate Group LLC, worked to develop and implement a new governance structure. This new structure now features common members on both Boards and provides an opportunity for all members to have a “big picture view” of the companies as they plan and make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire organization. In addition, a new Investment Committee was formed to assist the Boards in its oversight of significant acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and investments. These changes were all part of The High Family Council’s 100-year vision and should help to position the Company for the future.
High Steel Structures Inc. (HSSI) continued to implement new key technologies and equipment over the past year in an effort to drive down the cost of production. With the installation of the three-spindle girder drilling gantry, which was placed into full service in Lancaster’s North Bay, HSSI realized a real breakthrough in the production of plate girders utilizing CNC drilling. Welding processes were also enhanced with the fabrication of ten new gantries designed for multi-wire welding, as well as the implementation of Narrow Gap Electroslag Welding (NGESW) equipment. And after years of lobbying the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, it finally agreed to accept cold cambering of rolled beams for bridges, and so cold cambering equipment was also purchased. Using this equipment, HSSI can now introduce accurate curvatures into rolled beams in a fraction of the time required to do so using heat alone.
While High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL) had a very tough year in many respects, it was also able to introduce new and innovative solutions to the product line. Cast-in-drain bodies in double tees to improve parking garage drainage designs were introduced, as was a post-tension diaphragm reinforcement to improve the lateral stability system in parking garages. The first use of high solar reflective index (SRI) concrete was incorporated on
the Novartis project, and a new fold-down A-frame trailer fixture was acquired to more effectively transport architectural projects.
High Steel Service Center LLC (HSSCL) realized a 38 percent increase in tons shipped in 2011 over 2010, which compares to an increase of 14 percent in the industry overall, or 2.5 times the industry growth rate. Co-workers also demonstrated their support of Policy Deployment throughout the year with their engagement in the Continuous Improvement Process, resulting in reduced operating costs per ton by 7 percent compared to 2010, and 15 percent compared to 2009.
In 2011, High Construction Company (HCC) and Greenfield Architects Ltd. (GAL) grew their geographic footprint into the northern tier of Pennsylvania. GAL completed the design of a hotel project in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and HCC developed a relationship with Chesapeake Energy Corporation resulting in several construction projects on multiple sites. GAL completed the design of the Calvin and Janet High Worship and Performing Arts Center at Messiah College and HCC continued with the construction of the facility, which is approximately 50 percent complete. The Energy Solutions Group also assisted with external and internal energy projects. In total, HCC/GAL grew their revenues by 34 percent over 2010.
High Associates Ltd. (HAL) continued to move forward on a number of projects in 2011, including the Mill Creek Square retail project in East Lampeter Township. The team was also successful in obtaining Conditional Use approval from Manheim Township for The Crossings at Conestoga Creek project, and they broke ground on the 50-unit expansion of Bentley Ridge Apartments.
Construction of a new building at Highlands Corporate Center began in 2011 for the Gilbertson Group, which is scheduled for completion in early 2012, and Building #167, more commonly known as the Trojan Yacht Building (below), was repositioned and is now 100 percent leased.
High Hotels Ltd. (HHL) enjoyed another productive year, culminating with the retirement of Frank L. McCabe as President and Chief Operating Officer at the end of 2011 after 23 years of service. Michael W. Fruin, who joined HHL in 2010 as Senior Vice President – Development and Operations, replaces Frank as President and Chief Operating Officer (see profile on page 14). HHL continued to exceed the expectations of its customers with outstanding products and service, garnering awards from both Hilton and Marriott. Guest room renovations were completed at the Courtyard by Marriott-Middletown, New York, and the Perfect Mix Lobby™ was launched at the Hampton Inn-York, Pennsylvania. A new property was also added to the portfolio at the end of the year – Hampton Inn-Lexington Park, Maryland – bringing the total number of hotels under management to 12.
The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square achieved overall satisfaction scores in 2011 that placed them in the top 17 percent for the entire year within the Marriott chain, or 26 out of 339. This was an improvement over 2010 performance when they ranked 40 out of 339. The hotel was also the highest ranked fullservice Marriott of those managed by Interstate Hotels and Resorts.
High Safety Consulting Services Ltd. (HSCSL) spent most of the year focused on achieving plan in a very difficult environment. Major changes occurred as two long-term clients - Penn State University and Carpenter Technology Corporation - reduced service levels due to changes in funding and organizational restructuring. The team was able to add capacity and sampling equipment with the addition of a safety and health technician.
Co-workers in the Shared Resource Units (SRU) provided support for the many activities throughout the year, as well. In our continuing effort to keep informational processes current and meet the needs of the business units, the decision was made to migrate from the current Microsoft Exchange mail server using Outlook to Google Apps, an Internet-based application. This was a major departure from the in-house managed client-server model to a Software as a Service (SAAS) model. This is the first step toward addressing mobile computing and supporting co-worker-owned devices.
A team of co-workers representing Accounting, Information Services, and operations also evaluated the current environment within High Real Estate Group LLC to determine where efficiencies could be gained utilizing new technology, and where gaps exist. The team then conducted a comprehensive review of available software applications. Projects will be initiated in 2012 implementing solutions to address the requirements that were identified by the team.
Legal and Treasury completed a variety of projects throughout 2011, which included revising the Code of Business Conduct to align with changes in the U.S. Department of Justice guidelines, and revising the High Industries Inc. line of credit loan documents to extend terms and harmonize covenants among lenders. The team assisted in the due diligence, drafted purchase agreements, and arranged financing relating to the acquisition of the Hampton Inn-Lexington Park, Maryland. They also secured financing for the new stretcher leveler technology at High Steel Service Center LLC, and rolled out the new Corporate credit card program.
The Tax Department assisted with the acquisition of the limited partnership interest in York Ridge Associates apartments in North Carolina, and Plantation Oaks Associates apartments in South Carolina, including the appropriate partnership restructurings. New trusts were also added in 2011 for Company ownership succession planning.
The Purchasing function was streamlined with the addition of Dino Kondos as Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain with High Company LLC. The Supply Chain Team is now pooling the collective spend and going to market as a single entity, which helps to achieve better pricing for all of High®. Dino also has management responsibility for High Transit LLC, which is using new methods to market the fleet for third-party hauls, including backhauls, resulting in lower transportation costs.
Human Resource Services was instrumental in launching a new Health Management Program with Cooper Corporate Solutions in an effort to continue to both reduce health insurance costs and improve co-worker health. We are already making progress. Tobacco cessation programs are now helping co-workers kick the habit and, in July, Company-wide tobacco-free policies will take effect. As this year continues to unfold, a range of seminars, newsletters, web pages, and postings on many issues impacting our health will be rolled out. Additional information on the Program is included in this issue of High Spirit
The Co-worker Activities Committee (CAC) held another full year of creative and interesting events, with participation at an all-time high, and the Coworker Satisfaction Survey (CSS) was again conducted in 2011. This tool will continue to be used annually so that we can monitor our progress toward our goal of being the very best that we can be. On a related note,
monitors were installed throughout the organization in an effort to further enhance communication. This tool, known as HighLites, is in direct response to the feedback we received on the CSS.
ECO-related events and communication continued throughout the year, including a very successful Earth Day celebration and Adopt-A-Highway Program, and the Drive-to-Zero Safety Program also made great strides in reducing the number of incidents and days-away cases throughout all of our business units.
High co-workers not only work hard, they give back to their communities. In 2011, co-workers pledged in excess of $225,000 to the annual United Way Campaign and they participated in and supported many other important causes throughout the year, all of which contributed toward an enhanced quality of life in the communities in which we do business.
As we look forward to the year before us, we continue to face challenges in many of our operating units; however, there are also many new opportunities to make things happen. I know that I can count on all of you to persevere so that we can come through this tumultuous time an even stronger, more viable, family of companies. On behalf of the High Family, thank you for all of your efforts!
Co-workers and their family members and friends volunteered for the ECO Task Force’s Adopt-A-Highway clean-up.
It is the policy of High ® to maintain confidentiality of personal identity information of its co-workers and understands that such information is unique to each individual.
Personal identity information may reside in hard copy or electronic records and will be considered confidential and, as such, will be shared only as required and only with those who have a need to have access to such information. All hard copy records will be maintained in locked, secure areas with access limited to those who have a need for such access. Personal identity information used in business system applications will be safeguarded under Company propriety electronic transmission and Intranet policies and security systems. Participants in Company benefit plans should be aware that personal information will be shared with plan providers, as required, for their claims handling or record keeping needs.
All pre-employment inquiry information and reference checking records conducted on co-workers and former co-worker files are maintained in locked, segregated areas and are not used by the Company in the course of its business operations.
If a co-worker becomes aware of a material breach in maintaining the confidentiality of his or her personal information, the co-worker should report the incident to a representative of Human Resource Services. HRS has the responsibility to investigate the incident and take corrective action, using a standard of reasonableness.
Launched in January of 2012, the new High Health Management Program (HHMP) kicked off with 808 co-workers signing up for the first quarterly Health Challenge. That is 43 percent of eligible co-workers who made a significant step toward a healthier lifestyle and helping to control health care costs. They appear to be embracing the main message of the program: Take Control of Your Health.
The HHMP comes at a time when health care costs are spiraling, threatening the financial stability of companies throughout the United States. Now that High® is self-insured, every dollar of health care is paid not by an insurer, but by the Company itself through a third-party administrator. Health care claims at High exceeded $14 million in 2010, prompting leadership to make healthy co-worker lifestyles a management priority. The solution is the HHMP, a best-in-class program co-developed by High and Cooper Corporate Solutions, an industry leader in health care management.
Three Strategies Make Up the Health Management Program
The HHMP will be a multi-year effort to establish a culture of health at High. For 2012, the program brings into focus the elements that will form the basis of the program in years ahead.
Tobacco Cessation
Tobacco-related illness tops the list of costly claims at High. The health care industry considers a $50,000 claim to be “catastrophic;” however, a tobacco-related claim can easily exceed $250,000. Costs in this range typically indicate a vastly reduced quality of life for the tobacco user.
“Of 412 tobacco users at High, 100 entered High-sponsored cessation programs last Winter.”
Of 412 tobacco users at High, 100 entered High-sponsored cessation programs this Winter. Going forward, High will reimburse any co-worker or covered spouse for 80 percent of the cost of tobacco cessation programs. Over-the-counter nicotine replacement products are covered up to a $300 lifetime maximum. Additionally, during 2012 co-workers and covered spouses will no longer pay a co-pay for prescription medications that assist with overcoming nicotine addiction, including Chantix, Zyban and Wellbutrin (up to a $500 lifetime maximum). Co-workers who have not completed a cessation program or signed a tobacco affidavit stating that they have been tobacco-free for 60 days will see a tobacco surcharge starting in April.
To know the numbers is to know one’s health. Once each year, starting in Fall 2012, co-workers will be offered a confidential voluntary biometric screening that evaluates key blood work and body measurements, recording LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides,
blood glucose, blood pressure, and waist circumference, among others. Measurements that are out of normal range signal a higher risk for certain diseases and chronic conditions. Additionally, co-workers will have the opportunity to complete a Health Risk Assessment which is a confidential, online tool that asks health questions to evaluate a co-worker’s health status and provide individualized feedback on how to make improvements.
Co-workers who choose to participate in both activities and sign the annual tobacco affidavit will qualify for a preferred health care contribution rate; those who do not will pay a higher rate. Going forward in 2013, co-workers will receive the preferred contribution rate by staying in range or improving on four of six key measurements. Co-workers who have a medical condition that makes it unreasonable for them to achieve the optimal criteria of the program may submit a note from a doctor to request a reasonable alternative based on diagnosed medical limitations.
Health Challenges
Each quarter, the HHMP will offer a six-week voluntary Health Challenge to encourage co-workers to practice simple but meaningful daily behaviors that promote a healthier lifestyle. Each Challenge is themed to focus on specific behaviors:
First Quarter:Weight management
Second Quarter:Stress management
Third Quarter:Healthy nutrition
Fourth Quarter:Avoiding alcohol and sugary drinks
Co-workers who successfully practice the behaviors for at least 10 days during each two-week period and submit their tracking sheets on time earn a $50 incentive. Participation in the Health Challenge is not required to qualify for a preferred health care contribution rate.
Co-workers can expect to learn about and practice healthy habits every day. The HHMP provides the tools to help set and achieve simple but important goals that will pay dividends in health, as well as cash. Co-workers can learn more about the program by checking with Human Resources site representatives.
Simple Steps, a new quarterly publication, was mailed to co-workers’ homes. It offers information to help readers take control of their health.
“It is easier to maintain good health than to regain it once it is lost.”
Kenneth Cooper, MD, PHD
More than a decade ago, High Steel Service Center LLC (HSSCL) developed its first website. Fast-forward to 2011: Advances in technology and website design made it clear that the original website was not only outdated, but was not a useful tool for its customers. That is why HSSCL was excited to announce the launch of its new and improved website during the last week of December 2011.
HSSCL’s redesigned website has a great new look and incorporates user-friendly features.
The website features The High Philosophy, as well as The Dependability DifferenceSM, a statement of HSSCL’s support of its customers’ future growth, which includes; Complete Inventory, Right-the-First-Time Quality, On-Time-Delivery, ValueAdded Processing, and Competitive Pricing of Service Center Metals. The website also includes pages which highlight the Company’s features and strengths such as: Continuous Improvement, Value-Added Processing Services, Sales Team, Geography Served, Products (where customers can download product brochures or inquire about special orders), About Us, Sustainability, News, Careers, and a page with contact information. Customers can also link to meaningful associate websites, such as the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), North American Steel Alliance (NASA), ISO 9001 registrar, and Red Bud Industries, the manufacturer of most of HSSCL’s processing equipment.
To increase the number of ‘hits’ the website will receive from both existing and new target customers searching for the products and services HSSCL provides, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) was incorporated into the design, enabling it to outperform competitors’ websites. As new products and processing services are added, the website design can be easily updated and will support HSSCL’s future growth.
HSSCL’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jim Cunningham, and Administrative Supervisor, Sandy Alvarado, provided direction, creativity, and focus on customer needs. Numerous other co-workers, including High Company LLC’s John Sandy, Bob Widdowson, and Tim Powell, along with the High Industries Inc. Website Steering Committee, contributed to this team effort.
Share in the excitement! Visit the website at www.highsteelservicecenter.com.
High Hotels Ltd. (HHL) added a twelfth hotel to its portfolio, just in time to greet the New Year! The Hampton Inn-Lexington Park, Maryland, was acquired late in December 2011, and further extends the geographic reach of HHL’s award-winning service.
Built in 1999, the 111-room Hampton Inn is located approximately 60 miles south east of Washington, D.C. The hotel was renovated in 2010 and features the fresh new design of the Perfect Mix Lobby™, showcasing contemporary furnishings, a comfortable community table, and breakfast nook. As part of an ongoing brandmandated product improvement plan, HHL will make additional investments toward the upgrade of the building’s exterior, landscaping, signage, fitness equipment, and guest room amenities.
Lexington Park is located on St. Mary’s peninsula in St. Mary’s County. With over 500 miles of shoreline, this is the state’s fastest growing region in terms of technology-related jobs, and is home to Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Other area attractions include St. Mary’s College, Solomon’s Island, and historic St. Mary’s City, the fourth oldest British settlement in the United States.
Said Mike Fruin, HHL’s recently-appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead and grow the awardwinning HHL portfolio. We are very well positioned to add hotels through either acquisition or new build opportunities as we strive to achieve our goal of twenty-five hotels by 2025. And, with the addition of the Hampton Inn-Lexington Park, we are also pleased to welcome approximately 40 new co-workers to our HHL family.” This new hotel joins the Company’s existing properties located in Lancaster (2), Harrisburg (2), Reading, Wilkes-Barre, and York, Pennsylvania; Middletown, New York (2); Annapolis, Maryland; and Ewing, New Jersey.
We welcome our new co-workers and thank those who worked diligently behind the scenes to make this acquisition happen!
A plan to build shops, a parking garage, and up to 720 new dwellings next to the Dunn Loring Metro station in Vienna, Virginia, is moving ahead again. Once stalled due to credit tightening in the wake of the financial crisis, the rail-driven development on the Orange Line is part of a rising trend of dense mixed-use construction centered on Fairfax County rail stations.
High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL) is fabricating the parking garage for the complex, which is being erected on the existing commuter surface parking lot for the station. The extra-large 60-foot bays will utilize HCGL’s signature MEGA-Tee 15 foot-wide double tees. Included will be new bus bays and space for about 2,000 cars. The garage will serve commuters and preserve some 668 parking spaces for residents and retail customers. First floor areas will incorporate retail space, including a Harris Teeter food market and pharmacy.
At-large Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn said the Dunn Loring project “has the opportunity to be a model for transit-oriented development in Fairfax County.”
Known as the home of Little League Baseball, the town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, has re-entered the international spotlight as the epicenter of a geologic formation that may be the world’s largest source of natural gas – the Marcellus Shale.
Advances in drilling technology have attracted new interest in this previously untapped rock formation, generating a boom in gas drilling activities that has spawned tremendous growth in the region. Fewer than 200 Marcellus Shale gas wells existed in 2008; in 2011 nearly ten times as many were drilled. As a result, Williamsport was 2010’s seventh fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation, and has the highest growth rate in the state.
It was in mid-2010 when this growth caught High Construction Company’s (HCC) attention through High Steel Structures Inc.’s presence in
Williamsport. Around this same time, Eric Scott joined HCC to lead sales efforts in the region. HCC’s expansion into northern Pennsylvania and southern New York swiftly followed.
Over the past eight months, HCC signed several contracts in the northern region for industrial, office, and multi-family facilities; many are design-build assignments with Greenfield Architects Ltd. (GAL). The projects will total over $60 million in construction value, and include:
Five buildings, including 100,000 square feet of office space, on Chesapeake Energy’s 100-acre regional headquarters in Bradford County. A Fortune 500 company, Chesapeake Energy is the largest Marcellus Shale natural gas producer. Jon Bubb, Senior Project Manager; Dan Patton, Assistant Project Manager; Dan Cartwright, Senior Project Superintendent; and Rod Stroud, Project Superintendent, are overseeing the construction of these projects.
Steve Cappelli, Eric Scott, and Michel Gibeault examine a map of the Williamsport area.
A new service facility located just outside of Williamsport, in Lycoming County, as well as renovation of an existing facility in Harrisburg, for Cummins Power Systems. Parent company Cummins is a Fortune 500 company that sells and services diesel and natural gas-powered engines. GAL co-workers Ross Ansel and Wayne Stevens are currently working on the design for these two projects.
A 100-unit apartment community in Tioga County, adjacent to the county’s only Walmart. This is the first phase of a mixed-use development that could total 180 acres.
Another project in Wellsboro, Tioga County, was the Penn Wells Lodge renovation and addition, which was featured in the Spring 2011 edition of High Spirit.
With a significant portion of HCC’s workload expanding to the north, a new business infrastructure is emerging with the hiring of regional personnel and the opening of a new office in New York. Most recently, Steve Cappelli, formerly mayor of Williamsport and a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, joined HCC as a Business Development Manager.
Wayne Stevens and Ross Ansel review the Cummins project drawings.
As the majority of the construction industry continues to struggle with the sluggish economy, HCC welcomes the challenge of managing rapid growth in 2012 and beyond.
Architects and general contractors prefer High Concrete Group LLC’s (HCGL) architectural precast because of its high quality and uniformity; however, cost always factors into their decision. Controlling cost while improving safety, quality, and labor performance is the focus of HCGL’s commitment to Continuous Improvement (CI).
Through two CI events this year, Springboro co-workers evaluated the stripping process by which precast panels, that have cured overnight, are removed from their forms. Their efforts have allowed carpentry and production to access the forms quicker, reducing labor hours.
Prior to May 2011, the plant was stripping two to three pieces between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. The first CI event yielded a new procedure that stages tools at the process and minimizes doublehandling. Afterward, the co-workers were able to strip seven pieces in the same amount of time.
In the second event, co-workers tightened change-over coordination and communications, and accelerated drawing review and gathering of the next day’s materials. This contributed an additional three to five pieces, and established a vision for an expanded, more efficient form shop.
Springboro now strips 10 to 12 pieces by 7:30 a.m., instead of only two to three. This represents a significant gain in efficiency and productivity that will help control costs and make HCGL’s precast even more competitive.
A new interchange connecting the Garden State Parkway with Interstate 78 in New Jersey was a large-scale, $165 million rehabilitation and reconstruction project. The scope included fabrication of three major curved structures and several bridge widenings along I-78.
To meet aggressive delivery schedules, both High Steel Structures Inc. (HSSI) locations –Lancaster and Williamsport – fabricated and assembled more than 4,000 tons of steel. The location of existing roadways and a nearby river created structural challenges, making it necessary to accommodate the
curved and sharply skewed ramp crossings with minimal impact to span lengths, structural depths, and profile grades. All major challenges were overcome by the designers and HSSI fabrication and yard expertise.
This project was very large and complex and was broken down into 17 shipments, or “mini-projects.” One of the three major ramps was a nine-span structure measuring 34 feet wide by 1,365 feet long. Another ramp is a 32-foot-wide two-span structure with an overall length of 285 feet. The third ramp is 34 feet wide and 1,384 feet long. Fabrication included 214 curved- and I-girders, more than 900 crossframes and diaphragms, and four heavy cross-girder boxes.
Transportation presented another huge hurdle. High Transit LLC (HTL) provided excellent service, transporting the extremely large and heavy boxes that required special equipment, permitting, police escort, and staging areas prior to field erection at night.
If you are traveling on the I-78 and Garden State Parkway super highways, you could be one of 1,200 vehicles each hour that travels the new ramps in the congested Newark-New York City area. The improvements eliminate the need to make the former two mile U-turn. HSSI and HTL are proud of such contributions to America’s transportation system.
Concrete naturally has a gray or buff color owing to the cements, sands, and stone that make up the concrete mix. But did you know that concrete can also be colored using pigments? Blues, greens, reds . . . almost any color or shade can be produced to accomplish a designer’s vision.
High Concrete Group LLC (HCGL) uses pigments to make architectural and structural precast concrete products with shades that are consistent across a standard range of colors. In late 2011, a team led by Quality Control Director Jason Blase converted the Denver Plant color system to a vendor-managed liquid pigmentation system that permits highly accurate coloring of
architectural and structural precast products with approximately half the pigment of the previous system.
The vendor owns and maintains the system, which consists of a temperaturecontrolled container equipped with recirculating pumps. The pumps keep the pigment in suspension to reduce waste and improve dosage accuracy. The pigment supplier is also closer to the Denver Plant, allowing for shorter lead times and reduced shipping costs.
The system change-over was accomplished over several weeks to maintain consistent pigmentation within projects, and to allow for development of standard samples. The results are better products and cost savings for HCGL’s customers.
To see the many color possibilities of precast, visit http://highconcrete.com/ products/finishes/.
Mike Fruin joined High Hotels Ltd. (HHL) in June 2010, making him a relative newcomer to the Company, but not to the hospitality industry. He brings nearly 24 years of experience with Marriott International. With a resume that runs the gamut – from Vice President to numerous operations positions – it can be said Mike knows the business from the ground up, making him an excellent choice for President and Chief Operating Officer of HHL, a position to which he was promoted on January 1, 2012.
In addition to providing leadership for the HHL Operations and Sales Teams, Michael was instrumental in a recent acquisition that has added a twelfth hotel to the HHL portfolio (see details on page 9). When asked about his vision for HHL, Michael responded, “We have the best co-workers, highest quality products, and strongest brands in the industry. Despite the near-term economic uncertainty, I am confident we will continue to increase our business by exceeding our guests’ expectations every day, every stay, and in every way. I could not be more proud of the progress we have already made together during my brief tenure with HHL.”
Mike graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. He and his wife, Kim, have three children: a daughter, Brittany, a soccer player and 2C at the U.S. Naval Academy; and lacrosse-playing sons Austin, a high school senior, and Matthew, a middle school student. They also have an eight-year-old black Lab named Mandy.
When not cheering on the mighty MSU Spartans or his children’s sports teams, Mike enjoys biking, running, and golfing. The family resides in McLean, Virginia, but is looking forward to a Summer 2012 relocation to Lancaster County.
The Co-Worker Activities Committee (CAC) hosted the Jingle Bell Breakfast on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Held at Yoder’s Banquet and Conference Center in New Holland, Pennsylvania, the event was attended by more than 700 Lancaster-area co-workers and their family members and guests.
Attendees were treated to a delicious breakfast buffet. Families received a special deck of playing cards customized with High trivia, and each child was given a gift card. Of course, the event would not be complete without a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Additional entertainment included magician Matt Cadabra, balloon artist ‘Balunguy’, and the always popular face painting team of Deb and Sara Shirk.
Jingle Bell Breakfasts were also held in other locations, so that co-workers had an opportunity to mix and mingle with peers and make new friends.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Eric C. Hamilton, CTL Operator
Nominators:Patrick J. Donley, Jason A. Erb, Raymond K. Heiber, Mark J. Helock, and Christopher D. Robins
Five co-workers teamed up to produce a winning nomination for Eric. Not only is he a skilled CTL Operator, his knowledge and assistance in repairing the machine was especially helpful at a time when the Maintenance Department found itself working on larger projects. Eric stepped up to the plate to repair his machine, and was even assigned to the department at times. He takes ownership and pride in the CTL, so that when a problem arises, he formulates a plan, contacts Maintenance, and offers to help with repairs. Eric’s vigilance contributed to a reduction in downtime and allowed the Maintenance Department to facilitate repairs and avoid major equipment failures. It also saved HSSCL tens of thousands of dollars in equipment repair, parts, and labor.
HHL’s Noel Ortiz enjoyed the Jingle Bell Breakfast with his family.
Eric has coordinated parts and has helped to disassemble and reassemble the leveler numerous times during the past year. This task is manpower intensive and time critical. He works well under pressure, and is dependable, responsible, and accountable. Noted one nominator, Eric is “someone to call on in a pinch.”
Congratulations, Eric, and thank you for all you do to keep those machines humming at HSSCL.
Nicole M. Efko, High Associates Ltd.
...successfully passed the South Carolina Property Manager License exam, administered by the State of South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, in November 2011. Nikki joined HAL in 2011, and is the Assistant Community Manager for Plantation Oaks, an apartment community in Charleston, South Carolina.
Robert K. Heagy, High Concrete Group LLC
...earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Albright College in December 2011. Rob joined HCGL in 1996, and is the Manager of Drafting Services in the Denver, Pennsylvania office.
Rhonda M. Kurtz, High Company LLC
...earned a Master of Education in Training and Development from Penn State University’s Harrisburg Campus in December 2011. Rhonda is Human Resources Director for High Concrete Group LLC. She began her career with High® in 2003, and has held various positions within the Human Resource Services Department.
Patrick S. Risser, High Steel Structures Inc.
...successfully completed the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) International’s Level 3 Peer Review, and is qualified to inspect all coatings HSSI applies. He is one of only 115 Level 3 Inspectors in Pennsylvania. Pat joined the Company in 1982, and is a Lead Supervisor in HSSI’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania Plant.
Barbara M. Rutt, High Safety Consulting Services Ltd.
...earned a Master of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Southeastern Oklahoma University in December 2011. Barb began her career with HSCSL in 2003, and is a Safety Consultant in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania office.
Anthony J. Sassaman, High Concrete Group LLC
...earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado Technical University in February 2012. A Regional Sales Manager, A.J. joined HCGL in 2002.
Hilton Garden Inn, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
...was presented with a 2011 Healthy Workplace Award by The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce during the annual Walk/Run for Business. This award highlights local businesses that promote a healthy work environment. The hotel was one of only two businesses to earn the award.
The HSSI Lancaster facility continues to reduce its Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) emissions. This has been accomplished by:
Expanding on process changes in its paint operations. This includes use of additional paint systems that heat the paint as it passes through the hoses, eliminating the need to thin it. Many thinners have high concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and HAPs.
Substituting thinners that contain HAPS with thinners that do not.
In accordance with applicable Federal and State Air Quality Regulations, HSSI reports HAP concentrations of their coatings, thinners, and clean-up solvents semi-annually to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
Since the regulations went into effect, HSSI has been below the allowable limit of 2.60 pounds of HAP per gallon of coating solids. For the reporting period from January 1 through December 31, 2011, HSSI was pleased to report its lowest concentration measured to date; 0.83 pounds of HAP per gallon of coating solids.
This article was contributed by Rick Dickerson, PE, Manager of Strategic Projects for the High® companies. It was previously printed in other publications as a way to generously share our thought leadership to the benefit of others.
If we hear the term “waste stream” without being familiar with the concept, it is quite likely that a very unpleasant visual comes to mind. In reality, every business has a waste stream and, if you really focus, you can generate some better visuals. These more pleasant imaginings include positive financial, as well as environmental, benefits.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a waste stream is defined as the total flow of solid waste from homes, businesses, institutions, and manufacturing plants that is recycled, burned, or disposed of in landfills. The waste stream from offices, retail, and hospitality organizations often includes similar wastes such as office paper, packaging materials, and food wastes. The waste stream from industrial organizations includes similar waste plus by-products and scrap from the operational processes. Without careful planning, most of these wastes end up in our landfills. The
traditional approach of sending waste to landfills has been labeled the “cradle-tograve” approach.
In Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things , authors William McDonough and Michael Braungart describe an alternative cradle-tocradle approach, with the goal of eliminating the waste stream. Designing products and services in a way that generates zero waste would certainly have a very positive environmental impact, and the financial impact can be equally as dramatic.
Imagine if the raw materials, at least in part, can be sourced from the waste regenerated by another organization or from your own organization. Can the power that your office uses be generated as a by-product from another organization’s operations? Can the metal that you are throwing out be recycled to create an additional revenue stream? Local organizations have found that the answer to both questions is “yes.”
The potential waste stream resulting from the removal of the former Ramada Inn on Greenfield Road in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was approached creatively and reduced significantly at our organization. Conventional demolition would have involved either imploding or knocking down the buildings and hauling the residual waste to a landfill. As more progressive options were analyzed, a more sustainable alternative developed.
The idea was proposed to recycle or reuse as much of the materials as possible and send only a small fraction to a landfill. The team analyzed each component of the building and identified how the material could be recycled or reused. Metals, such as plumbing and wiring, were sent to a metal recycler, shrubbery replanted in other locations, concrete broken up and rebar removed for recycling, and ceiling tiles were sent to a local ceiling tile manufacturer for recycling. These actions are just a few examples of how the waste stream was significantly reduced.
While the approach of deconstructing or disassembling the building, rather than demolishing, took significantly longer, the final cost was approximately 25 percent less than conventional demolition. The decrease in landfill costs and the revenue stream from recycled metals more that offset the increased labor cost of segregating the materials.
Another example from our own backyard is the approach taken by a few local authorities in disposing of waste. When faced with the challenges of limited landfill space and the increasing difficultly and cost to locate and
obtain more space for landfills, it became a priority to reduce the waste stream and, thereby, extend the life of the landfill. Waste-to-Energy plants were developed, which reduce the waste going to the landfills by 90 percent, while generating electric power as a byproduct.
You may not be demolishing a building or generating power as a byproduct, but the same concepts can be applied to your business, and it does not take a lot of money or resources to get started. Begin with a sheet of paper –preferably with post-consumer recycled content – and list on the left side all the inflows required to support your business. This may include electricity, water, natural gas, office supplies, packaging materials, and raw materials. Next, rank them by cost or volume.
Do the same on the right side of the paper for the outflows or wastes of your business. This may include scrap from the products produced, office paper, and packaging materials. Rank this list by either volume or disposal cost. A field trip to your dumpster may even be in order to help with your assessment. You might be surprised what you learn from sampling a few trash bags in that dumpster – most likely that a significant portion of waste can be recycled or turned into inflows for your business or another business.
Next, compare the lists. How many of your inflows are also outflows, and is there an opportunity to eliminate or reuse one or both? What are the most costly and largest volume inflows and outflows, and how can they be reduced, reused, or recycled? Can the packaging material that you are sending with your product be returned and reused? Are you recycling all the waste that can be recycled? Can some of the wastes be used as a raw material by other industries?
A great way to tackle this challenge is to engage your co-workers in identifying the waste stream and finding creative ways to reuse the material currently thrown out. You just may want to reflect on the classic scene from Apollo 13 in which flight director Gene Kranz, played by Ed Harris, challenges the team to figure out “how to fit a square peg in a round hole” to solve a CO2 filter problem. The team proceeds to assemble everything that was in the capsule on a conference room table and, after many hours of trial and error, they devise a solution.
You may not go as far as locking your team in a conference room with a pile of garbage on the table, but your team just may surprise you with some specific, creative solutions to reduce your waste stream, lower your costs, create new revenue streams, build upon their sense of purpose and ownership, and enhance your role as an environmental steward.
Bob Shoemaker’s (HHL) alter ego, Captain Earth, made an appearance at the 2011 ECO Task Force’s Earth Day celebration, reminding co-workers to Reduce-Reuse-Recyle!
From Middletown, New York, west to Springboro, Ohio, and south to Sarasota, Florida, High® co-workers gave generously to the 2011 United Way Campaign.
To generate excitement, High United Way Committees planned fun events:
At High Steel Structures Inc. (HSSI), contributing co-workers’ names were entered into drawings for gift cards, and departments with more than 50 percent participation were treated to breakfast.
The High Company LLC United Way Committee held a luncheon, prize drawings, and Office Olympics for contributing co-workers.
In all, 895 co-workers pledged a total of $225,045.00. Individual company results are:
Thank you, High co-workers, for making the Campaign a success. Your generosity allows United Way, and the agencies it supports, to provide services for those in need in the communities in which we live and work.
One Office Olympics event was the timed assembly of a puzzle. Shown are just a few of the pieces.
As the holidays approach, we often think of those who are less fortunate and seek ways to help. Following are just a few ways in which High® co-workers served others:
During the month of December, the Bentley Ridge Team in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, held its Annual Food Drive. Residents of this High Associates Ltd. apartment community donated food items, which the Bentley Ridge staff collected and delivered to the Water Street Mission in Lancaster. This marks the second successful year that residents and staff have partnered to the benefit a local non-profit organization.
The mission of “Holiday Hope” is to provide Christmas gifts, food, and clothing for Lancaster County families in need who would otherwise not be able to afford these items. High co-workers took this mission to heart and made it their own long before the Christmas season began!
Co-workers at High Steel Structures Inc., High Transit LLC, and High Company LLC’s Lancaster locations, as well as their family members and friends, donated items throughout the year, including homemade goodies for bake sales, craft items, food, collectible baskets, gift cards, and turkey certificates. In addition, co-workers volunteered in various ways – preparing chicken barbecue, selling subs and beef sticks, and shopping for gifts. As Christmas drew near, co-workers in the Corporate Accounting Department purchased and wrapped gifts, providing cheer for seven families.
With contributions from High co-workers and others, Holiday Hope was able to provide a happier holiday for more than 300 people in the Lancaster community.
Making Christmas merrier is just one of the ways in which co-workers and their families and friends live The High Philosophy. Thank you all for contributing to a world of beauty and prosperity and peace.
The S. Dale High Family Foundation is committed to aligning with community organizations to support positive change within the areas of identified need. The Foundation is a vital resource to a variety of non-profit organizations and educational institutions throughout the communities in which we do business, and its Board of Trustees continues to focus on projects and services that eliminate poverty and homelessness in south-central Pennsylvania.
April Homerski, Carol
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to load wrapped gifts for delivery to Lancaster County families.
To that end, the following organizations recently benefited from the generosity of the High Family: Justice & Mercy Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity LancasterHistory.org Leg Up Farm Milagro House Mix at Arbor Place Sarasota Manatee Area Riding Therapy Tabor Community Services Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
William Penn Way
Those familiar with Pennsylvania history know that the State was named for William Penn. The land was granted to Penn in 1681 as settlement for a debt owed his father by King Charles II of England. In turn, Penn granted parcels of land to others, including the land on which Greenfield Corporate Center is now built. For that reason, it seemed appropriate to name its main thoroughfare William Penn Way.
More recently, an old and dying tree in the heart of the Corporate Center was carved in Penn’s likeness. This tribute to the street’s - and the State’s - namesake is a ‘green’ idea that allows this stately tree to continue to add beauty to the environment.