Thank you for your help in producing this edition of High Spirit.
Kathy Abernethy
Alicia Allamena
Rick Bennett
Jim Cunningham
Glenn Ebersole
Steve Evans
Meghan Furr
Erika Glass
Ken Glidden
Lin Good
Darryl Gordon
Nancy Hamilton
Carolyne Jordan
Mary Kreider
Rick High
Andrew Hoff
Lisa Masters
Ronnie Medlock
Brad Mowbray
Elaine Richard
Laurèl Rolle
Laurie Salzmann
Fritz Shaak
Caroline Singh
Mike Shirk
Robin Stauffer
Jelena Vitor
Chuck Weyland
Winter 2017
❖ Strategic Priority #1: Organizational and Talent Development
❖ HSS Fabricates Virginia Bridge Using ASTM Steel
❖ CAC Spreads Holiday Cheer
❖ HAL Goes Upscale with The Reserve at Greenfield
❖ High Steel University Addresses the Needs of a Changing Workforce
❖ HCG Tops Off Another Police Precinct
❖ HCC Awarded $40 Million Contract to Build Apartments at Ellis Preserve
❖ Making Great Strides in Our “Drive To ZERO”
❖ Hampton Inn-York is Named HHL’s 2016 Hotel of the Year
❖ HSSC Product Provides Critical Flatness for Medical Equipment
❖ HSS Lancaster Co-Workers Celebrate Safety Success in 2016
❖ They Give Good Measure!
● Nathaniel R. “Sam” Longenecker, Leadperson, HSS, Lancaster, PA
● C. Eric Lowe, Engineering Technician II, HSS, Lancaster, PA
● Leah E. Connors, Community Manager/Operations Specialist, Greenfield Estates, HAL, Lancaster, PA
❖ You Can Submit Good Measure Award Nominations All Year Long!
❖ High Honors and Awards
● Environmental Stewardship.......
❖ HCG Scrap Wood Fuels Other Businesses ● Community Commitment.........
❖ HAL Adopts-A-Family for the Holidays
❖ HCC Makes Miracles Happen!
The S. Dale High Family Foundation Awards Grants
On the Cover: On the Cover: On the Cover: On the Cover: On the Cover: High Concrete Group LLC was recognized with five PCI (Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute) Design Awards. 1200 Intrepid, located in Philadelphia, PA, received two of the five. Read about this, and HCG’s other PCI award-winning projects on page 18. See more project photos on the back cover of High Spirit.
High Spirit is published as a service to High® 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
Congratulations to all High co-workers on a very successful 2016. The High Family, Boards of Directors, and Management Team are proud of what you accomplished on the 85th anniversary of the High companies. Make no mistake, none of this came easy. The economic and regulatory environment remained very challenging and continually reminded us that we must proactively make our own success and not wait in hope for markets to improve. Of course, there will always be ups and downs across a diverse set of companies like ours, but in aggregate we delivered very strong, above market performance, while simultaneously ramping up investment levels across many facets of High. This provides us with confidence and the resources to invest even more as we shape an exciting future.
If we execute well on our five key strategic priorities (shown below), and live The High Philosophy, I am confident we will have success for a very long time to come. At the highest level, these are the areas we will be deeply focused on. You can expect me to speak about them often, and to review our progress on a regular basis.
The next four pages summarize just some of the highlights from 2016, organized around these five priorities. There is no way to cover them all, but I hope it provides you a sense for the breadth of positive impact you are making for our customers, co-workers, communities, and the High Family.
In summary, we enter 2017 stronger than we have been in a long time, with some very exciting growth opportunities across our companies. This is due to your hard work, commitment, and focus. Thank you!
2016 PHOTOS:
● Dale High, Mike Shirk, and Paula Crowley.
● Dale High and Mike Shirk at the CAC Summer Picnic.
● Mike Shirk and Greg High at the CAC Jingle Bell Breakfast.
● In the Board Room.
High Steel Structures continued its outstanding performance on the high-profile New New Y New New Y New New Y New New Y New York Bridge ork Bridge Bridge (a.k.a. “ (a.k.a. T T T T Tappan Zee”), the largest appan Zee”), the largest appan appan the largest contract in company history contract in company history and largest design-build transportation project in US history. 50 High coworkers visited the bridge last Fall.
High Concrete Group delivered its best quality and efficiency in best quality and efficiency in efficiency recorded history recorded history history. . .
High Concrete Group grew its sales force and backlog in the Midwest, positioning Springboro for positioning for positioning Springboro for positioning for positioning profitable growth. profitable profitable growth. profitable profitable
High Construction made excellent progress implementing its strategic plan, including investments in sales investments in sales investments in sales investments in sales in and operations talent operations talent and operations talent operations talent and in further strengthening hotels and multifamily expertise. T T T T Team enters 2017 eam 2017 eam enters 2017 eam 2017 with a record backlog backlog with a record backlog backlog backlog. .
High Industries affiliates achieved their best safety performance in safety performance in best safety performance in safety performance in in recorded history recorded history recorded history recorded history history. . . Safety Triage is one way co-workers prepare to provide care in case of emergency.
High Steel Service Center achieved strong returns in a very tough strong returns in a very tough strong returns in a very tough strong returns in a very tough strong returns in a very tough mark mark mark mark market, et, et, et, supported by the value of its stretcher-leveled products. We surveyed over 100 customers surveyed over 100 customers over 100 to better understand how HSSC can add more value and become the "easiest to do business with.” "easiest do business with.” "easiest to do business with.” "easiest do business with.” "easiest with.”
High Steel Structures boasted record record customer attendance customer customer attendance customer customer attendance during its 10th Annual Steel Day Fall Open House.
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businesses.
Strengthened our balance sheet with our balance sheet with
Strengthened our balance sheet with our balance sheet with our with the second lowest debt to cash flow in lowest debt in 35 years. This provides fuel for 35 years. This provides fuel for 35 years. This provides fuel for 35 years. This provides fuel for for investment and flexibility for this and flexibility for this investment and flexibility for this and flexibility for this and for this dynamic economic environment. dynamic economic environment.
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High Associates, Greenfield Architects, and High Construction delivered the new P P P P PA College of A College of A A Health Sciences on schedule and Health Sciences on schedule and Health Sciences on schedule and Health Sciences on schedule and under budget. under budget. under budget. under budget. under The students have an innovative new home in Greenfield Corporate Center!
High Hotels continued construction of the SpringHill Suites in Mt. SpringHill Suites in Mt. SpringHill Suites in Mt. SpringHill Suites in Mt. SpringHill Mt. Laurel, NJ Laurel, NJ NJ, ,, , and broke ground on another Springhill Suites in Saucon in Saucon Springhill Suites in Saucon in Saucon V V V V Valley alley alley alley alley, P , P , P , P PA A A A A .. . Both are slated to open in 2017.
High Real Estate Group affiliates achieved their best safety safety performance in recorded history performance in history performance in recorded history performance in history history. . .
High Associates expanded its presence in the Lancaster market, acquiring Greenland Village, Greenland Village, Greenland Village, Greenland Village, Greenland completing
Bentley IV, ,, , , and breaking ground on the upscale R R Reserve at Greenfield. eserve at Greenfield. eserve at Greenfield. eserve at Greenfield. eserve
Bentley Ridge Phase IV
Bentley Ridge Phase IV
Bentley Ridge Phase IV
Bentley Ridge Phase IV
High Real Estate Group sold High Pointe Commons Retail Center in Harrisburg, PA and the Annapolis, MD Hampton Inn and Suites, generating cash to reinvest in new generating cash to reinvest in generating cash to reinvest in new generating cash to reinvest in cash growth opportunities. growth growth opportunities. growth
High Environmental Health and Safety Consulting helped many companies meet their critical health and safety goals, resulting in 33% 33% 33% 33% higher sales sales higher sales sales and achieving a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5. 4.7 out of 5.
The High Hotels T T T T TownePlace Suites ownePlace Suites ownePlace ownePlace in Mechanicsburg, PA and its General Manager earned prestigious prestigious national awards national awards national awards national awards national awards from Marriott during its first year in operation.
8 of High Hotels' properties rated top 25% top top 25% top 25% for Guest Satisfaction.
of High Associates recommend us.
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High Concrete showed great entrepreneurial spirit on 1200 1200 1200 1200 Intrepid Intrepid Intrepid Intrepid in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard that earned two national awards. two national awards. two national awards. two national awards. national Over 300 architects
Over 300 architects
Over 300 architects Over 300 architects attended the grand opening!
StructureCare ® grew sales 25%, grew 25%, grew sales 25%, grew 25%, 25%, and entered the Washington, DC, and New York markets.
High Real Estate Group received approval to proceed on over $150M on over $150M on over $150M on over $150M on worth of new projects. of new projects. worth of new projects. of new projects.
High Industries started building out the "single data model" architecture, "single data model" architecture, "single data model" architecture, "single data model" architecture, "single data model" architecture, which will help us to improve estimating and project management, and unleash the power of Building Building Information Modeling (BIM). Information (BIM).
High Steel Structures increased the increased the increased the increased the volume volume volume volume volume of metalized girders over 50%, over 50%, adding value to customers, while helping to expand market share.
High completed a full Enterprise Enterprise Risk Assessment Risk Assessment Risk Assessment Risk Assessment Risk to ensure we understand and manage our risks, providing us more confidence in taking entrepreneurial risks.
High invested in STEM ( ScienceTechnology-Engineering-Math) education, supporting the expansion of Thaddeus Stevens College’s Fabrication Program, Lancaster Science Factory’s “Bridge Mania” program, and Washington Elementary’s Adopt-a-Kindergarten.
High supported more than 130 supported 130 organizations organizations organizations organizations and numerous community events, including the Make-a-Wish convoy, the Race Against Racism, and High Construction’s Children's Miracle Network golf fundraiser. STEM
High supported more than 130 supported 130
Co-workers contributed countless hours to community organizations, in areas including education, the arts, health and human services, economic development, and others.
High leaders volunteered with leaders volunteered leaders nearly 120 organizations in 2016. 120 2016. nearly 120 organizations in 2016. 120 2016. nearly 120 organizations in 2016.
High co-workers and retirees gave generously in support of the United Way's change-oriented approach to creating impact, exceeding our goal and raising over $243,000. exceeding our goal and raising over $243,000. our
S S S S S. Dale High . Dale High High retired from Chair of the High Boards of Directors and became Chair Emeritus. P P P P Paula R aula R aula R R R.. Crowley Crowley became the first nonfamily Chair of the Boards.
The Co-worker Activities Committee (CAC) held 15 fun events 15 fun events 15 fun events 15 fun events events for coworkers and family members. Attendance for the annual corporate Jingle Bell Breakfast exceeded exceeded 1200, about double past years. 1200, double past years.
Created the vision for High Steel University and started curriculum development. This is an example of re-energizing our commitment to building the best integrated training programs in our industry.
Greg High, Jeff Sterner, and Mark Fitzgerald conducted about 40 "High W "High W "High W "High W ay Express" ay Express" ay Express" ay Express" training sessions, reaching almost 2000 almost 2000 almost 2000 almost 2000 almost 2000 co -work -work -work ers. ers.
Recruited John O John O ’Quinn, ’Quinn, ’Quinn, ’Quinn, ’Quinn, President, High Steel Structures; Anthony Anthony Anthony Saldino, Saldino, Saldino, Saldino, VP Finance Real Estate; R R Rob P ob Poli, oli, oli, oli, General Manager, High Structural Erectors.
79% of co of co 79% of co of co -work -work -work -work -work ers ers ers ers ers who participated in biometric screens met or improved health factors. Health coaching touched 124 co 124 co 124 co 124 co --work work workers and spouses. ers and spouses.
Invested in developing co-workers, with over 125 participants over participants over 125 participants over participants over 125 participants in several new High Leadership Development Program (HLDP) training sessions and enhancements to the online Learning Management System Learning Management System Learning Management System Learning Management System for greater impact.
15 co 15 co 15 co 15 co -work -work -work -work -work ers or teams ers teams ers or teams ers teams ers or were chosen to receive the GMA. At the High Forum, two were awarded the Grand Prize - one from High Industries and one from High Real Estate Group.
The co-worker engagement survey was completed in 2016 and had the highest participation rate and participation rate and highest participation rate and participation rate and engagment scores ever engagment scores engagment scores ever engagment scores ever. . . Despite this, we know there are many areas we can further improve. O O Over 260 ver 260 ver action plans action plans action plans action plans are underway as a result of this feedback.
Early on in his new role as CEO, Mike Shirk outlined his five key strategic priorities, with priority #1 being to supercharge organizational and talent development here at High. Since then, investments, initiatives, and coworker career advancements have occurred, all demonstrating positive actions supporting this important strategic endeavor.
Investments include kicking off the High Leadership Development Program targeting all levels of co-workers with development and leadership skill-building. The Managing and Leading class has graduated 100 leaders since its launch. The Learning Management System has been actively utilized, with our co-workers completing an average of 150 courses each month. And the Breakthrough Leadership curriculum through Harvard Business Publishing has completed two cohorts of trainees with 46 graduates since its inception.
Initiatives include implementation of an online performance management system to facilitate clear objectives and ensure we have alignment of goals up and down the organization. We are in the planning phase of implementing onboarding technology to streamline and improve a new hire’s orientation to High, including learning of various systems according to role. We have improved the approach to co-worker satisfaction with focused efforts to understand co-worker feedback and to create clear action plans that will drive positive engagement and boost morale.
From a career advancement standpoint, we have had over 60 promotions across the company in the past 18 months. This demonstrates our ability to build internal pipelines for a variety of roles. To highlight a sample of these activities, most recently we announced three promotions that place talent in key roles allowing us to increase capacity to stay ahead of our competition.
● Brad Dillman was promoted to Vice President of Engineering, High Steel Structures LLC, where he will lead the engineering and design systems functions. Brad started with High in 2007 and quickly progressed to Design Team Manager with High Concrete Group LLC. In 2009, Brad transferred to High Steel Structures and progressed to directing production engineering. Now Brad supports the engineering services of High Steel where he is responsible to lead all aspects of engineering and design.
● Dan Pietropola was recently named Vice President at High Construction Company to lead the development pipeline for High Real Estate Group LLC projects and support strategic business development for construction. Successfully executing and growing the Real Estate pipeline is another of the five strategic priorities at High. In his new role, Dan will provide the executive focus to solve this key goal. Dan began his career with High Construction in 2007 as a Project Manager. In 2011, he transferred and was promoted to Project Executive and soon after Vice President of Construction Services for High Concrete Group. Now he has returned to High Construction with additional expertise and responsibilities.
● Another recent promotion was naming John McCormick General Manager of StructureCare®, the repair and maintenance division of High Concrete Group. This high-growth business is deserving of a dedicated leader to grow the team and increase market share. John started with High as Group Controller in 2014, working for Corporate Accounting and supporting High Concrete Group and High Structural Erectors LLC.
These investments, initiatives, and promotions are the early signs of a strong culture and commitment in organizational development and learning. With the purposeful actions outlined above, and more to come, we are positioned for growth and strategy execution benefiting all co-workers and stakeholders at High.
High Steel Structures has fabricated 181 tons of steel for the new Main Street Bridge in Waynesboro, Virginia. At first glance, this bridge seems rather ordinary; however, its superstructure is unique, thanks to ASTM A1010. At double the price of traditional steel plate, this newer, high-strength, corrosion-resistant product has been proven to improve durability in harsh environments, greatly reducing costs in the long-term, and decreasing the inconvenience associated with bridge maintenance.
A1010 is unique in several ways. It is handled differently from traditional steel plate in that it is cut with plasma, rather than oxyacetylene, and welding requires special stainless steel consumables. Over time, the steel will oxidize to look much like weathering steel.
Owned by Virginia DOT, the Main Street Bridge is located on Route 340, and spans the South River in Waynesboro’s downtown business district. This urban roadway serves commercial, industrial, recreational, governmental, and residential properties. The new bridge will replace a structurally deficient bridge built in 1934. Completion is scheduled for late 2017.
On Saturday, December 10, 2016, the Lancaster CAC (Co-Worker Activities Committee) held its annual Jingle Bell Breakfast at Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Pennsylvania. The 2016 event set a record with 1,237 in attendancedouble last year’s Jingle Bell Breakfast - and was enjoyed by co-workers and family members.
Following tradition, Santa and Mrs. Claus, assisted by elves Emily Simmons (daughter of HCL’s Jenni Simmons), Meghan Clishman (Emily’s friend), and Kylie Gantt (daughter of HCL’s Aidalis Lopez), posed for photos with the children. Jim W. Shirk (HTL), along with his wife, Deb, and family members Ryan and Sara Ensor, dressed as snow people and reindeer and greeted guests as they arrived. Jack Thompson (HSS) performed magic, and balloon artists and face painters also helped to make this a magical experience for everyone. Patrick Spinello (HTL) won the door prize, which included movie tickets, CAC Bucks, and other great treats.
From the top: (Lancaster)
Jeff Sterner and Charissa Merrill.
(Lancaster) The Vitor family - Dragomir, Jelena, and Mira - with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
(Lancaster) John and Sherrie O’Quinn share a laugh with Frosty.
(Williamsport)
Santa with Noah and Kinley Barrett.
In Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the Jingle Bell Breakfast was held on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at the Holiday Inn. Co-workers and their families enjoyed a hot breakfast buffet and camaraderie with others.
Children had an opportunity to visit with the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, and families had their photos taken with him, as well. Special thanks goes out to HSS’s Shawn Weaver for arranging Santa’s visit!
Thank you to CAC members and others who helped to make these events fun and successful. Your hard work gave co-workers who work hard an opportunity to relax and play hard during the holidays.
As the economy continues with its slow but steady growth, both millennials and baby boomers alike are looking for more upscale rental housing options with features and amenities that look and feel like a single family home. The increased demand for rental housing has created an opportunity for High Associates Ltd. to expand its portfolio and deliver a higher end product in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with a new smart-growth apartment community, The Reserve at Greenfield.
Located adjacent to Greenfield Corporate Center, The Reserve at Greenfield will feature 82 units with a mix of one-, two-, and threebedroom models.
Interior appointments will include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, and security keycard access. In addition, The Reserve will have amenities such as a fitness center with yoga studio, a pet-wash room, bike storage and repair facility, resident storage, nearby footpaths, and recreational open space. As a four-story elevatored building, with garage parking located beneath the units, this building represents an efficient model for land utilization and reduced environmental impact.
“High Associates has focused its residential strategy to address the demand across a broad spectrum of housing, from workforce housing to new upscale projects to service the higher end of the market,” said Brad Mowbray, HAL’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director - Residential Division. “The Reserve at Greenfield will add another great rental option for Lancaster County residents.”
High Construction Company is the general contractor for this $12.4 million project. Construction began in October 2016, with completion slated for Fall 2017.
The project is under way, and is scheduled for completion in Fall 2017.
Chase Williams watches as Trainer
Chuck Gillenwater shows Hieu Chu the proper set up of SAW equipment for flange butt splicing.
Building steel bridges requires an extraordinary array of skills which have been developed as fabrication techniques evolve. High Steel Structures LLC has relied heavily upon its experienced co-workers to provide on-the-job training for new co-workers. During the past three years, HSS has experienced a huge influx of new co-workers, as well as looming retirements of seasoned coworkers, demonstrating the need for more efficient training.
Trainers with the Pilot Class: Frank Smolar, Lon Yost, Dan Burkholder, Hieu Cu, Chase Willliams, Mike Shirk, Chuck Gillenwater, Ronnie Medlock, and Walt Seder.
To that end, HSS established a Training Committee in early 2015 to provide new direction towards improving the new coworker pipeline, and training current coworkers to improve and diversify skills. The committee consists of Mike Brunozzi, Renee Entzminger, John O’Quinn, John Peiffer, Kathy Prime, Pat Risser, and Craig Thompson, with Ronnie Medlock serving as Chair. This endeavor – High Steel University –begins by addressing shop co-worker training needs, but will eventually encompass all aspects of HSS talent development activities. Shop co-worker training needs have been put into four categories: 1) Welder; 2) Painter; 3) CNC Operator; and 4) Other.
In mid-2016, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology was engaged to assist in developing training outlines for welders and painters. HSS then retained the services of education specialist Walt Seder to develop training guidelines, and Lon Yost, a retired Lincoln Electric Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) specialist with 39 years of experience, to work with Walt to develop SAW training and evaluation guidelines for welders. As Lon and Walt complete the training materials for each of nine applications, their work is reviewed by a team of inhouse welding experts, led by Mike Brunozzi. Training materials for the first application, Flange Splice, were completed in December 2016, and the pilot class was held in January 2017.
Fundamentally, High Steel University is envisioned as a combination of in-house training, as well as classes taught by local partners. Thaddeus Stevens and the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center may provide training in areas such as grinding and oxy-acetylene cutting, basic skills that all shop co-workers need. HSS will have internal classes for specialized applications, such as girder flange butt splicing and organic prime coat application, for both new and existing co-workers. A pilot for flange splice training was one key step of many on the way to establishing High Steel University. Once in place, co-workers will attend University classes to obtain skills to enable them to produce the best steel bridges in the country.
High Concrete Group LLC hosted a topping off event on November 10, 2016, at the 8th Police Precinct in Nassau County, Bethpage, New York. Representatives of High Concrete Group, LiRo Architects, Jacobs, the general contractor VRD Contracting, and erector Koehler Masonry celebrated placing the final piece of precast concrete for this $20 million project. The building is a total precast structure with high-end architectural wall panels that feature cast in thin brick, granite, and ornate precast profiles.
“We wanted to celebrate the topping off of this unique building. With multiple finishes and a complex logo on one architectural panel, it showcases the aesthetic versatility of precast concrete,” said Bob Pabst, HCG’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
The 8th Police Precinct is the second of two total precast concrete projects HCG has completed for Nassau County during 2016. HCG also provided precast concrete panels for the 4th Police Precinct building
located in nearby Hewlett, New York, which was completed in August.
High Construction Company was awarded a $40 million contract by BPG Development Company to build an apartment community at Ellis Preserve at Newtown Square, a 218-acre master-planned development located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The project consists of three four-story buildings totaling 339,000 square feet, as well as a clubhouse facility.
The apartment community, Madison Ellis Preserve, will offer 251 one- and twobedroom units with state-of-the-art amenities. Apartments should be available for move-in as early as Fall of 2017, with project completion slated for 2018.
The project architect is The Martin Architectural Group, and the interior designer and landscape architect is JDavis, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“The Madison Ellis Preserve project is significant for High Construction from both a strategic and a geographic perspective. Our office staff worked diligently to secure the contract, and our operational staff is working well in the construction phase,” said Rick Stoudt, President of HCC. “We are very proud of our relationship with BPG, and look forward to adding the completed project to our resumé.”
In 2016, High companies made significant strides toward achieving the vision of an accident-free workplace on our “Drive To ZERO.” Both High Industries and High Real Estate Group achieved the lowest OSHA Recordable incident rates 1 and lowest OSHA Day Away Case incident rates 2 in the history of the company. Across the board, almost all of our business units experienced incident rates below industry averages for their respective industries.
Each and every High co-worker had a hand in making their locations safe places to work. Individual co-worker behavior and accountability plays a major role in workplace safety success. To achieve an incident free workplace, we all have to be passionately committed to these efforts. Jeff Sterner, High Industries President and COO, said, “Safety needs to be the
first thing we think about in everything we do. Safety needs to be the absolute standard that can never be compromised”.
Congratulations and thank you to all the co-workers who helped make High a safer place to work in 2016. By being “Each Other’s Keeper,” we all help to model The High Philosophy each and every workday.
1 OSHA Recordable incident rate describes the number of employees per 100 full-time employees that have been involved in a recordable (i.e. medical treatment beyond first aid) injury or illness that is work-related.
2 OSHA Day Away Case incident rate describes the number of employees per 100 full-time employees that have been involved in a lost time (i.e. unable to work a full assigned work shift) injury or illness that is work-related.
High Hotels Ltd. selected Hampton Inn-York co-workers for its Hotel of the Year Award for 2016. Presented during their annual gathering, the hotel received a team trophy, and each co-worker received a lapel pin. In addition, a plaque with the hotel’s name will be affixed to a perpetual trophy.
Russ Urban, HHL President, said, “The Hotel of the Year Award recognizes the High hotel team that exhibits characteristics of a best-in-class operation. Hampton Inn-York co-workers emulate The High Philosophy by providing exceptional service to guests, operating a high-quality hotel, and being involved in the York community. This exemplifies High Hotel’s mission to provide legendary service.”
This chart shows trends in High’s OSHA Recordable incident rates and Day Away Case rates during the past 10 years.
The Hampton Inn-York team held its annual gathering, where members were presented with the Hotel of the Year Award for 2016
BenCo Technology, with locations in Honeybrook and Reading, Pennsylvania, provides state-of-the-art design, cutting, fabrication, and solutions. A long-term valued customer of High Steel Service Center LLC, they recently began using HIGHSL Stretcher Leveled Aluminum sheet to process on their laser processing machine for a medical industry application where flatness is critical. The critical flatness provides optimal equipment results for more accurate diagnosis and treatment for the patient. If the flatness is out of specification, the medical equipment can fail.
In the manufacturing process, material must be within the required tolerance; otherwise, it may compromise the size, position, and key features of the finished part. HSSC’s stretcher leveled aluminum provides a maximum flatness tolerance of only four millimeters across 72 inches. For BenCo, this translates to ease of manufacturing, which is a quality they appreciate.
HSSC has successfully marketed HIGH SL Carbon Sheet and Plate, HIGHSL Stainless Sheet and Plate, and now, HIGHSL Aluminum Sheet and Plate. Many of HSSC’s customers purchase all three types of metal, enabling them to consolidate their vendor base and partner with a supplier who can help them improve their finished product quality, increase their manufacturing throughput, and reduce their total operating expense. The stretcher leveler is an investment that differentiates HSSC from the competition, and helps it to support customers’ profitable growth.
High Steel Structures LLC’s Lancaster facility achieved its best year in safety in the history of the company as measured by OSHA Recordable incident rate and OSHA Day Away Case incident rate. Its 2016 OSHA Recordable incident rate showed a 39 percent improvement compared to the 2015 rate, and was 33 percent below the
national industry average for steel fabrication. The 2016 Day Away Case incident rate showed a 36 percent improvement compared to the 2015 rate, and was 70 percent below the national industry average for steel fabrication.
These outstanding overall results were achieved by individual departments throughout the Lancaster operations. Each was recognized and celebrated significant safety milestones during 2016. While these safety records are worthy of celebration, what really stands out are the continued efforts to get co-workers involved and fully engaged in the safety activities that occur regularly throughout the company. From daily pre-shift safety huddles that include stretching, to participation in safety committees, to department safety inspections, to Toolbox Talk trainings, raising the awareness and enthusiasm of co-workers about safety is the key to their success. In the May 2016 Co-Worker Engagement Survey, more than 85 percent of co-workers in the company’s Lancaster facility responded favorably to the question, “Overall, I feel that my company is a safe place to work.” This is great news!
When asked what he thought made a difference in Lancaster’s safety performance, Craig Thompson, Vice President of Operations, felt some of the targeted safety initiatives undertaken in 2016 also contributed to their success. Craig listed the mandatory safety glove program rolled out at the beginning of the year, the enhanced training and communication efforts initiated for overhead crane operators in early 2016, and the summer safety awareness program focusing on eye and hand incidents as having a positive impact on overall safety performance.
Congratulations and “thank you” to all of HSS’s Lancaster coworkers for working safely throughout 2016. The bar is set high for 2017, but you are up to the challenge.
Nathaniel R. “Sam” Longenecker
Leadperson, High Steel Structures LLC, Lancaster, PA
Nominator:
Stephen H. Johnston
The Detail Bay at HSS is relied upon to supply parts for all other fabrication bays. Meeting customers’ needs can be a daunting task, but Sam Longenecker makes it look easy, while maintaining a positive attitude. Emergency parts require quick turnaround, and Sam stresses the importance of meeting shipping deadlines, ensuring the department achieves those goals.
Sam spent two months at HSS’s Plant Three in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, helping to train co-workers on part kitting and organization. This resulted in significant process improvement and better communications between the Williamsport and Lancaster Plants. Additionally, Sam headed up a team of co-workers who traveled to Plant Three to help make corrections to parts so they would meet DOT standards.
Sam is an outstanding mentor who genuinely cares about and respects his co-workers. Even with the tightest deadlines, he makes sure co-workers never sacrifice safety for speed. His dedication to on-time delivery of parts, his commitment to working safely, and his positive attitude, are all hallmarks of what it means to provide Good Measure.
High Steel Structures LLC, Lancaster, PA
Nominator: Robert A. Cisneros
In order for HSS to fabricate bridge members to meet Tappan Zee Constructors’ delivery schedule for the New New York Bridge, fabrication was split into multiple bays. A machine error resulted from parallel processes, and was discovered after the girders had been shipped. This raised the question of whether or not the girders, which were already at the staging area in Coeymans Landing, New York, would fit correctly. An aggressive assembly schedule made it imperative for HSS to be ready to respond to any issues that might arise, but corrective measures could only occur during an especially tight window of opportunity.
Eric Lowe travelled to the site where he ran the ladder and scissor lifts to tediously lay out bridge control points. He then positioned targets for HSS’s robotic total station to measure the 350 foot-long bridge units and ‘as-built’ length verifications for the two most problematic girders. He worked 14hour days, extending over four evenings, two weekends, and part of the fourth of July holiday, while 10 to 25 feet in the air and in up to 115 degree (steel temperature) heat.
Eric’s work ethic and ‘git-r-done’ attitude made it possible to keep this highprofile project moving for this very important customer. His willingness to put in the extra time and effort makes Eric the true measure of what it means to Give Good Measure!
High Associates Ltd., Greenfield Estates, Lancaster, PA
Nominator: Tina L. McGinnis
High Associates Ltd. has built a reputation for providing beautiful apartment communities for people to call “home.” But when it comes to making residents feel at home, Leah Connors goes the extra mile.
During the Christmas holiday, Leah and her staff offered gift-wrapping service to residents of Greenfield Estates, wrapping 550 gifts during a two-day period. Leah keeps residents apprised of events and items of community interest by regularly updating the community’s Facebook page, and by sending e-mail blasts to residents. For those without access to e-mail, she prints the messages and delivers them. She also facilitated 40 resident events, many of which included food prepared by her team.
None of this happens without participation from her team, so Leah generates excitement and inspires everyone to pitch in. And to keep the momentum going, she shows her gratitude for their support. For example, she secretly solicited comments from residents and compiled them into books. During a “Team Appreciation Week,” Leah presented a book and a plant to each team member, and every day that week, she had something special for them to show how much she values their support.
If you know of a co-worker or team of co-workers who Give Good Measure - going above and beyond the scope of their job responsibilities in pursuit of The High Philosophy - nominate him, her, or them for the Good Measure Award! Nomination forms are available through a link on High Home, from your GMA Committee, or from your Human Resource Services Representative, who would be happy to assist you in completing the form.
Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Awards presented between August 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017, are in the running for this year’s High Industries Inc. or High Real Estate Group LLC
GMA Grand Prizes, which are presented during the annual High Forum management meeting. Nominate worthy co-workers today!
F. Jeffrey Kurtz
. . .earned CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation from the CCIM Institute in October 2016. Jeff, who is a Realtor with High Associates Ltd., joined the company in 2011.
. . .earned a Masters degree in Engineering Management from The Pennsylvania State University in December 2016. Eric joined High Concrete Group LLC in 2012, and serves as Design Engineer.
. . .won a total of five PCI (Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute) Design Awards. Four of HCG’s independent precast concrete projects garnered an impressive five awards in five different categories:
● 1200 Intrepid, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, won two awards, including Best Office Building and the prestigious Harry H. Edwards Award for Industry Advancement;
● 3rd District Police Building in Cincinnati, Ohio earned a special award for Sustainable Design;
● Mercy Health – West Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, received the award for Best Healthcare/Medical Building; and
● 5th & Race, Cincinnati, Ohio, won Best Mixed Use Development. Five independent judges selected twenty-three projects out of 196 qualified buildings and special awards entries from throughout North America. HCG will accept the awards in March at the 54th Annual PCI Design Awards in Cleveland, Ohio.
. . .projects were honored in November 2016 during the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) 2016 Excellence in Construction Awards Program.
● Hersheypark Laff Trakk: Award of Merit (Commercial, under $2 million), Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
● Quality Bicycle Products: Award of Merit (Industrial, $2 to $10 million), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
● Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission - Plymouth Meeting Maintenance Facility: Award of Merit (Industrial, $10 to $25 million), Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
● North Museum of Nature and Science: Award of Merit (Renovation, $1 to $5 million), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The High Concrete Group LLC facility in Denver, Pennsylvania, uses a lot of wood to build forms to create its concrete products. Because the wood is cut into unique shapes and sizes, much of it cannot be reused. In addition, the wood has either resin and/or glue on its surfaces, so it cannot be shredded for landscaping mulch.
While HCG could just dispose of the wood in the land fill, they choose to take a more environmentally-friendly approach. First, they pile it up on the south side of their property, where co-workers can pick through and take what they want for their own projects. This barely puts a dent in the wood pile, so HCG has contracted with Zwicky Processing and Recycling, a company that holds a Beneficial Use permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, to come to the Denver facility each quarter and grind up the wood. Then, Zwicky takes the ground wood to a cement kiln where it is used for fuel. As an added bonus, the kiln’s high temperature destroys resin and glue.
In the photo above and to the left, wood is gathered and made into concrete forms. Below, the form is built and concrete is ready to be poured.
In 2016, Zwicky ground up and hauled away over 828 tons of HCG’s scrap wood, reducing the need for valuable landfill space, and providing a source of fuel for other businesses. This is just one more way in which HCG reduces its impact on the environment.
Used wood forms are piled on the South side of HCG’s Denver facility. This wood is recycled, rather than sent to the landfill.
Co-workers pose with a few of the Christmas gifts they collected for their adopted family.
In October 2016, co-workers were on hand as Rick Stoudt presented a check for more than $38,000 to Danielle Sunday, Director for Children’s Miracle Network Hershey.
This holiday season, High Associates Ltd. made Christmas a little brighter for a family in need. By partnering with a non-profit organization in its Adopt-A-Family program, the HAL team was matched with a needy family, and the sponsoring organization provided a wish list. Co-workers were invited to purchase gifts, while some chose to contribute money to purchase remaining items during a group shopping trip. One co-worker even donated an outdoor basketball hoop for a 13-year-old boy on the list. Gifts were taken to the sponsoring organization, and were delivered to the family in time for Christmas.
Thank you, HAL co-workers, for spreading holiday cheer to those in need in our local community!
High Construction Company raised more than $38,200 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at Penn State Children’s Hospital during its charity golf invitational in September 2016. Geared toward specialty trade contractors, architects, engineers, and suppliers of goods and services to the construction industry, the golf event has drawn the support of more than 150 local businesses. During its eight-year history, the golf invitational has raised more than $230,000 for CMN.
“We are honored to bring local industry leaders together to make a positive difference in our community,” said Rick Stoudt, President of High Construction. “This year’s event was a phenomenal success, marking the most money we’ve raised for Children’s Miracle Network in a single year.”
Through the support of community partners, CMN is able to provide vital funding to Penn State Children’s Hospital for the purchase of life-saving equipment, and to support vital patient programs, services, and pediatric research. By raising funds for CMN during its annual charity golf invitational, HCC makes miracles happen for ill and injured children!
More information about HCC’s charity golf invitational can be found at www.facebook.com/miracles4kids.
Each year, The S. Dale High Family Foundation aligns itself with community organizations to support positive change within areas of identified need. This important resource provides funding to a variety of non-profit organizations and educational institutions throughout the communities in which High does business. In 2016, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees continued its mission of supporting projects and services that seek to eliminate poverty in south-central Pennsylvania, as well as projects that lead to enhanced economic vibrancy for the entire community.
Significant growth has also occurred within the Foundation over the past several years, thanks to the continued generosity of Dale High and the High Family. As a result of this growth, the following organizations were awarded grants in the 2016 cycle of giving:
✓ Arch Street Center
✓ Assets
✓ Black Rock Retreat
✓ Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster
✓ Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
✓ Chestnut Housing Corporation
✓ Children Deserve a Chance Foundation
✓ Community First Fund
✓ Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services
✓ Elizabethtown College
✓ IMPACT! Missions
✓ Lancaster Central Market Trust
✓ Lancaster Early Education Center
✓ LancasterHistory.org
✓ Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
✓ Lebanon Valley College
✓ Library System of Lancaster County
✓ Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation
✓ Milagro House
✓ The Mix at Arbor Place
✓ Pennsylvania Technology Student Association – Region 2
✓ Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center
✓ Southeast Lancaster Health Services
✓ Spanish American Civic Association
✓ Tabor Community Services
✓ Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
✓ Vision Corps Foundation
✓ Water Street Mission
✓ Wellspan Ephrata Community Hospital
According to Robin Stauffer, Executive Director of the Foundation, “Our niche has been to contribute mainly to capital ‘bricks and mortar’ projects that add to, or enhance, facilities and equipment for the long-term. Thanks to the ongoing generosity of the High Family, many local organizations and institutions have been able to provide vital services throughout the communities in which we live and work. Our vision is to continue this support for generations to come.”
