2014 || VOLUME 4 || NUMBER 21
A Team Effort Regional transmission upgrades require cooperation among IB Abel crews and aligned service providers.
THE IB ABEL COMPANY NEWSLETTER
WWW.IB-ABEL.COM | (717) 845-1639
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Sticking to the Plan A Message from Our President CONTENTS
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n past issues of LiveWire, I talked about the company plan and strategy. Today, we can see the results of us embracing and working that plan. As you read this issue, you will see many examples of how we are holding true to our mission: providing value through exceptional service to customers, and exceeding their expectations. Our Safety, Quality & Productivity (SQP) and Human Performance (HuP) principles have proven effective in achieving this goal. Several new customers recently chose IB Abel to work on programs and projects. Many of these are national or international companies that are extremely selective about who they work with, and we are very proud to be in that elite group. Our customers expect us to have a well-established safety and quality culture that goes beyond the ability to write a safety manual, and every one of us must demonstrate that we know and understand all principles of safety and quality and integrate them into our activities every day. IB Abel’s projects are getting larger and more complex, so doing things right and on time is only –Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, The A-Team the beginning of our work. We are often part of a larger team, and must understand our customers’ objectives and work congruently to help them achieve those objectives. Participating in planning and engaging in timely, effective, and transparent communication are the keys to this process. Superior technical skills are the foundation of a quality product, but additional skills in project delivery and customer service offer added value and the opportunity to exceed expectations. Every good plan must anticipate change and be flexible enough to accommodate it. IB Abel would not have been as successful as it has been for more than 100 years without adapting to change. We will continue to understand and internalize changes in the world around us, and adapt our skills to provide the new services our current and potential customers desire. Thank you to everyone at IB Abel for embracing the plan and working it. You are the reason for our success.
I love it when a plan comes together.
Sincerely,
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER Sticking to the Plan
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SAFETY Mission Critical
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WELLNESS Staying Safe During the Hunting Season
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DIVISION UPDATES • Communication • Electrical • Utility Services
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SAFETY SPOTLIGHT What makes an effective safety strategy?
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SPOTLIGHT Employees explain why they like working with IB Abel
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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK What our customers are saying
IB ABEL INC. 620 Edgar Street York, PA 17403 (717) 845-1639 www.ib-abel.com LiveWire is published in partnership with: The YGS Group 3650 West Market Street York, PA 17404 (717) 505-9701 www.theYGSgroup.com EDITORIAL Editor Kayla Resh VP, Editorial Services Kelly Crane Winkler Managing Editor Lori Racey Senior Writer Ian P. Murphy Editorial Coordinator Ashley Reid
Patrick A. Kinsley, President
DESIGN VP, Marketing Services Jack Davidson Creative Director Jen Soucy Senior Art Director Mike Vucic Account Director Tina Enck
LiveWire • IB-Abel.com
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SAFETY James Heistand and Rich Barber work to replace lightning arrestors for the three phase transformer bank.
Mission Critical A simplified approach to Human Performance introduces the concept of Critical Steps. By Robert L. Zillweger, Director of Safety & Quality
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B Abel initiated its Human Performance (HuP) program in early 2010 with guidance and expectations set by our customers. Human Performance is defined as a company’s behaviors and the results of those behaviors. The goal is to maintain positive control of work activities, and to achieve that goal, crews are expected to plan work with a pre-job briefing. Two main points of the program are learning to recognize error precursors and applying the correct HuP tools to avoid error-prone situations. These are defined as work situations with a greater chance for error when performing specific actions or tasks in the presence of error precursors. An error precursor is a condition at the job site that increases the risk of errors or mistakes, and can include the work environment, an individual’s capabilities, the demands of the task, and human nature. Here are some examples of error precursors:
• Time pressures (being in a hurry) • Distractions/interruptions • Multiple tasks • Overconfidence/complacency • Vague instructions • First shift/last shift (tired and unfocused) • Peer pressure • Changes/departures from routine work • Physical environment • Mental stress (home or work) Emphasizing the importance of HuP concepts and understanding how to practice them is an ongoing initiative. IB Abel uses Human Performance’s guiding principles and tools to address or mitigate error precursors and worker deviations. Starting in 2013, IB Abel simplified its approach by honing in on three specific HuP tools, or the original Focus Three: Situational Awareness, Effective Communication, and a Questioning Attitude. This year, the Focus Three emphasis is on three new
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tools: Self Check, Peer Check, and Stop/ Timeout. Material covering these points is now integrated into the existing quarterly Human Performance training. Whether you are learning about HuP fundamentals, HuP Tools, or the Focus Three, training in hazard recognition and Critical Steps is crucial. Critical Steps are irreversible actions with the potential for significant negative consequences, and they require additional discussion, planning, and preparation. The concept of Critical Steps focuses attention on their potential consequences, so that the appropriate defenses and contingency plans can be included in work instructions. Unfortunately, most Critical Steps or tasks have immediate consequences, with no time between the error and its outcome for people to intervene. Thus, continuous training in hazard identification, Critical Steps, and the application of HuP Tools are imperative to ensuring the positive control of the task or job. •
2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
WELLNESS
Hunting safely results in many years of enjoyment and the opportunity to bag your own nine-point buck.
Staying Safe During the Hunting Season By Michael Chapman, Safety & Quality Coordinator
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unting has been a part of Pennsylvania’s outdoor activities for generations. It provides an estimated 10 million days of recreation per year for approximately 1 million people throughout the state, and outdoor enthusiasts travel to Pennsylvania to hunt a variety of species with gun, bow, and muzzle-loader. Hunting is an important part of American history and culture, and it will continue to thrive if practiced safely.
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Hunting is already one of the safest outdoor activities in which an individual can participate. According to a National Safety Council study of outdoor recreation-related injuries, sports such as football, baseball, and soccer have a higher incidence of injury than hunting. Still, there are dangers inherent in hunting in wilderness areas, so you should adhere to common-sense rules to prevent hunting-related injuries. In this article are a few of the hazards that can be encountered while hunting.
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They can be mitigated easily with the right equipment and proper planning, ensuring that you and your family can enjoy the great outdoors safely and make memories for years to come. TREE STAND SAFETY Tree stands offer a better vantage point, a larger field of vision, and an earlier view of game animals. However, they are a major source of accidents during deer-hunting season. Falls from tree stands are the
WELLNESS
leading cause of injuries during deer season, according to a 2008 study in Pennsylvania, and that fact was recently confirmed by a 2010 Ohio study. The good news is such falls are preventable. You can continue to gain the benefits of hunting from a tree stand—increased field of vision and avoiding detection by your prey—while reducing your risk of injury if you follow a few simple safety tips: • Practice with your stand at ground level and gradually raise its height. Several state Conservation Department shooting ranges and outdoor education centers offer practice poles for public use free of charge. • Know the proper procedures for using the stand properly and securing it to a tree. Read the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions before each season. • Use only stands that meet standards of the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association (TMA), and make sure your stand is rated for your weight and all gear you use on the stand. • Use a fall-arrest system that meets TMA standards, including a fullbody harness rated for your weight and any gear you wear or attach to yourself. Keep the fall-arrest system attached to the tree from the moment you leave the ground, throughout the hunt, and when you descend. • Exercise care in stepping down to your tree stand, positioning yourself so that you can judge its stability. • Use a haul line to raise and lower gear, including unloaded firearms, bows, and arrows. MOSQUITOES, TICKS, CHIGGERS Pennsylvania is literally crawling with biting and stinging insects, and most of us have been bitten or stung at some point. Ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes can carry disease, and mosquitoes are considered one of the world’s deadliest killers for their spread of malaria. Known for spreading
Lyme disease, ticks are the bigger problem in the United States, and it may be months before you are aware of a health issue. At home and in the field, you can safeguard against mosquitoes by reducing access to or eliminating standing water in which they breed, such as puddles, ponds, and marshes. Repellents protect against mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks, but while they keep pests away from your skin, they won’t kill them. A good repellent offers protection for a long period of time per application; they contain synthetic or plant-derived chemicals, and are available in spray, wipe, foam, and lotion formulas.
Falls from tree stands are the leading cause of injuries during deer season. HUNTING IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES If you find yourself exposed to extremes in temperature or severe weather, you could face the dangers of cramps, numbness, nausea, dizziness, frostbite, or hypothermia. The tips below will help you know what to do before, during, and after exposure to extreme weather conditions. By planning ahead and taking care of yourself in a hot or cold climate, you can reduce the chances of bodily harm and increase the likelihood that you’ll not only survive the experience, but also enjoy your time in the outdoors. Before hunting in hot weather, make sure you have made plans to secure and retain your most important resource: water. If you plan to find a water source along your route, check with rangers to
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make sure that the local water sources are not dry or contaminated, and plan to use a proper water purification system. If you know you’ll be walking in hot weather, plan movement for the coolest parts of the day—early in the morning or late in the evening. If you are on a multiple-day trip, travel less during the first few days of high heat exposure to give your body time to acclimatize, then gradually increase distances as you adjust. Also, protect your body from sunburn by wearing lightweight clothing and sunscreen. When hunting in cold weather, you must make sure you can stay comfortable in the field for extended periods of time. If your fingers and toes feel numb, it’s going to be difficult to stay in the stand. The following tips will allow you to handle just about anything Mother Nature can throw at you during the winter: Start with an insulated hat and face mask to prevent heat from escaping from the top of your head. Next, make sure you have a good pair of thin, waterproof gloves, and handwarmers to keep your fingers functional. Finally, a good pair of waterproof boots and socks that wick away moisture can be a lifesaver. I like to use footwarmers in conjunction with boots to keep my toes toasty. Wear a light base layer of clothing and pack more clothing for layering to prevent sweating; this will also help keep you dry and warm throughout the day. Hunting is a fantastic, fun outdoor activity. Not only is it a great way to get exercise, but it also allows you to spend time outdoors with friends and family. Take a few extra minutes during your hunt to follow the safety tips above, and you can ensure that all of your outings are safe— and make memories that last a lifetime. •
2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
COMMUNICATION
Multi Tasking The division’s many new projects include the seamless demolition of a disused airline terminal and the wiring of a state-of-the-art hospital.
Harrisburg’s old air terminal was demolished without interruption to service.
PinnacleHealth’s new facility required a record amount of cable.
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he Communication Division of IB Abel is currently bidding and working on lots of projects, thanks to dedicated full-time Estimator Doug Taylor. “We probably have more of a backlog than ever,” says Jim Trebilcock, division vice president. “Doug has found a lot of opportunities to bid, which is helping us stay strong and grow.” Each of Communication’s five departments—Structured Cabling, Outside Plant (OSP), Tower, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), and Security—is doing well. The Tower team is adding new technicians,
LiveWire • IB-Abel.com
OSP is investing in new equipment, and Security has a full slate of jobs. “Part of it is that the economy is turning around, and part of it is that we are able to dedicate someone to looking for work.” Trebilcock says. Most of Communication’s more than 30 field workers are cross-trained in the different areas, but manpower could become a challenge if the workload keeps up and the projects keep getting bigger. “We’ll probably run a little short,” Trebilcock says, “but we have strategies in place to get good, qualified guys in place.”
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COMMUNICATION
FLYING HIGH
One recent OSP job involved the careful demolition of an older terminal building at Harrisburg International Airport. Renovation of the building wasn’t a cost-effective option due to the economic pressures of airline mergers, recession, and enhanced security, the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) decided, but many of the airport’s vital systems ran through it to the newer terminal. IB Abel’s Communication Division was charged with the demolition of the old building’s copper wiring and running new wire and fiber optic cables. The crew began by patching Building 513—a busy airport maintenance building where jets refuel—directly to the newer terminal to allow uninterrupted service between the two buildings and air traffic control. “Once we got that linked up, we were able to demo the rest,” says project Foreman Mark Fortino. “We kept everything up and running while the traffic was coming in and out.” Weather conditions were a challenge, since the demolition was slated for the dead of winter. “Ninety-five percent of the work was outdoors,” Fortino says, “and we started in January with only a three- to four-week window to do the work.” Icy conditions shut the job down for only half a day, fortunately, but snowplows and aircraft traveled the jetways on a continuous basis. The airport authority took care of traffic, Fortino says. “We just had to tell them what times we were doing the demo.”
Wiring connecting the support buildings the terminals need to be rerouted during demolition.
The crew was prepared to work in confined spaces to install new wiring and cable, but many of the manholes they needed to use were located on the jetway. “We filed special paperwork to enter each manhole,” says Communication Technician George Miller. “It went well with the contractor and the airport, despite the weather and traffic challenges. We did what we had to do, and things rolled along well.” Little by little, IB Abel pulled fiber optic cable with three to four men working the job every day, plus two apprentices during the demolition. “They did an outstanding job,” Fortino says. “That was one of the reasons the job came in on time.” Now, the airport has the wiring and fiber optics necessary to handle its emergency phone systems, computer network, and other
Everything came right back up and tested out. – Mark Fortino, Project Manger
communications requirements. “Everything came right back up and tested out,” Fortino says. “They were very pleased, especially with the switchovers—and they were very concerned about that because it is an airport. Everything was quick and seamless.”
The new terminal is now connected directly to the support buildings.
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2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
COMMUNICATION
A NEW PINNACLE
PinnacleHealth’s new West Shore Hospital in Mechanicsburg, Pa., is a state-of-the-art hospital facility, and as such, needs several separate cable systems in its more than 100 plus single-patient rooms. As one of the Communication Division’s largest projects to date, the hospital required more than 1 million feet of color-coded cable inside its walls to handle a nurse call system, an equipment tracking system, data and voice systems, a closed-circuit camera system, wireless boosters, and cable television. “The amount of cabling installed was one of the largest for us,” says Mike Costella, project manager. Having so many systems in a single location was a challenge, he says, and the turnaround time was strict for Communication staffers on the Structured Cabling and Security teams. “We had six months to do the job,” Costella says. “It was a very short time, so we doubled and tripled up on manpower. We bid the job for six to eight men, and at one time, we had 20 working there.”
“They were firm on the schedule, and all the trades were pushing on this job,” says Dan Stremmel, project foreman. “It was very fast-paced. The general contractor did a good job of managing the
Installation was simpler than in an operating hospital facility, where strict sterility standards would need to be enforced.
Typical IDF after wire management was performed.
LiveWire • IB-Abel.com
The West Shore Hospital includes multiple cable systems in every one of its single-patient rooms.
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whole project. We had a really good crew of guys, and that’s the only reason we got this done in the time frame specified. That’s important—the crew you get on a job this size can make or break you.” A hospital is actually made of many separate departments that work together under one roof, but each one has unique cabling needs which require a lot of coordination and flexibility as a contractor. Since West Shore is a new facility, the crew didn’t have to observe the strict isolation and sterility demands of an operating hospital. “The only thing we had to watch was that fire stopping was done correctly,” Costella says. “In a hospital, pretty much any time you run a conduit or open a wall, you have to put fireproof putty in.” Now accepting patients, the successful completion of the West Shore Hospital may lead to more work for IB Abel’s Communication Division. “We’ve done a lot of hospitals, but nothing this size before, and nothing out of the ground like this one,” Costella says. “We met the schedule, which made everybody look good.” •
SAFETY
Safety Spotlight IB Abel leaders weigh in on what makes an effective safety strategy. Mike Chapman, safety & quality coordinator in the Communication Division, says that the specifics of an effective safety strategy can’t be repeated enough in training and on the job. “Eventually, it becomes second-nature,” he says. “We make all crew members aware of Human Performance (HuP) principles, and how to integrate them into the work [we do].” In presenting the tasks of the day at the jobsite, he says, foremen should detail any possible hazards and suggest ways to mitigate them, issue updates if there are any on-the-job changes that might affect safety, and empower employees to enforce safety. “They should be confident enough to stop work if they see a hazard,” Chapman says. “The key is to make everyone aware that they have just as much right to safety as anyone else. Whether it’s a first-year apprentice or a job foreman, everyone is part of that team.” “The message since we started has been safety, quality, and professionalism—in that order,” says Ben Frey, superintendent with the Utility Services Division (USD).
Mike Chapman
Ben Frey
“We apply Human Performance principles in the field, no matter what the task is.” Frey starts the week with a safety call at 6:45 a.m. every Monday morning, follows up with monthly training sessions, and uses quarterly reviews to reinforce learning. “The safety message is getting out there,” he says. “I lead by example. I let them know that it’s okay to stop if something is not right.” Frey also develops and maintains a step-by-step “tailboard” document on each job to identify its potential hazards and determine the strategies crews will
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Bryan Henry
need to avert them. “Let’s say one of the crews goes out and there is a broken piece of equipment. Instead of just hoping everything goes okay, they stop, make repairs, and then go on,” he says. “Safety starts when you wake up, and ends when you go to sleep.” Electrical Foreman Bryan Henry sits down every morning for a half-hour with everyone on the job (including subcontractors) to make a checklist of job traffic; ditches; slips, trips, and falls; tie-offs; safety gear; and other safety concerns. “We break down the crew’s tasks and go over the hazards,” he says. “If we change tasks in the middle of the day, we go over that with them, too.” On the job, he encourages a collaborative environment. “We double-check things a lot with our peers, saying, ‘Hey, what do you think about this?’ We check each other all the time.” He credits IB Abel with creating widespread awareness of potentially hazardous situations and providing the training, procedures, and equipment necessary to avoid them. “What I’ve seen over the 14 years since they started this program is that we have had fewer injuries and fewer mistakes,” he says. “We’re making sure we’re doing the job safely and correctly. It’s making a better workplace.” •
2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
UTILITY SERVICES
A Team Effort Regional transmission upgrades require cooperation among IB Abel crews and aligned service providers.
UTILITY SERVICES
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he Transmission Services team of IB Abel’s Utility Services Division is now helping PPL perform a regional circuit upgrade, several static/optical ground wire (OPGW) installations and ongoing energized structure replacement projects. The OPGW projects, which involve the replacement of the utility’s overhead Transmission steel static wires with a 48-strand fiber optic core conductor, will help the utility tie its communications network together and also protect equipment from lightning strikes. OPGW jobs vary in length and difficulty from a few miles to many miles. “These OPGW projects are all different,” says John R. Rhone, manager of Transmission Services. “It depends on how far is necessary to tie in a substation. Some lines run through mountains; some run through towns; you might get a little bit of both.” Transmission Services works closely with both IB Abel’s Estimating and Safety & Quality teams to define the jobs from the outset and ensure their smooth execution. “We have meetings throughout the bid process and then a preconstruction meeting upon award,” Rhone says. “We bring the foremen, the estimators, safety personnel, and leadership in and review the whole project with each other. We sit down and discuss what kinds of equipment we are going to need, break the job down into specific sections, and go at it. During these meetings, the team identifies Safety & Quality error traps, and opportunities for productivity improvements.” Varying conditions and expanding regulations often require the engagement of trusted aligned service providers to complete the job. For instance, current environmental rules require the ground to be stabilized if a job footprint is more than 5,000 sq. ft., so adherence to a detailed Environmental & Standards (E&S) plan is required. Aligned mitigation providers are retained to help execute the plan. “When you do anything, you have to be careful of the environment,” Rhone says.
IB Abel is intalling OPGW throughout the PPL system to link its network and protect against lightning strikes.
“We have a lot of wetlands and other environmental concerns,” says Dave Grove, general foreman/superintendent on the Stanton-Jenkins project, a double-circuit 69/230 kV project that also crosses the Susquehanna River. “We have a subcontractor on the project that builds pads for us because we can’t disturb the ground.” “The Susquehanna Regional Team was recently given a pat on the back with the safety and environmental issues,” adds Charlie Muth, IB Abel’s superintendent of Susquehanna Region Transmission Services. “PPL told us that we are the leading contractor on environmental issues based upon job site inspections.” Other aligned service partners provide concrete foundations for steel poles, temporary fences, and even aviation support. “Sometimes, the terrain is bad or we have river crossings,” Rhone says. “Right now, helicopters are flying ropes for us. Every day is an adventure here.” Projects such as the Transmission Services’ replacement of 200 utility poles must be performed without service
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interruption, so teams use fiberglass hotsticks to help change out poles, arms, and insulators. “Hotsticks are like another set of hands,” Rhone says. “They provide protection so we can work directly out of a bucket or off the structure itself.” On such projects, cooperation is the name of the game. In the Lancaster COC region, a nine-man crew assists PPL with switching. “PPL doesn’t have a crew in the region to handle energized lines, so we support them,” says Steve Kuncelman, general foreman. “A lot of times, we work hand-in-hand with the customer’s own substation crews.” There’s so much work that crews occasionally require assistance from neighboring COC teams and other IB Abel personnel, too. “With the amount of work with PPL, manpower is kind of at a premium,” Muth says. “We’re bidding work every day,” Rhone adds. “Our schedule this year is filled. We’ve been doing a lot of jobs for PPL, and we’re getting pretty good at them.” •
2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
ELECTRICAL
Commercial Success
A new department in IB Abel’s Electrical Division is dedicated to commercial clients.
The new BJ’s Wholesale in Mechanicsburg involved “a little bit of everything,” says Project Foreman Ryan Scott.
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department inside IB Abel’s Electrical Division is quickly attracting new projects and adding staff. Launched in November 2013, the Commercial Department already employs about 20 people in the office and field. “We have relationships with lots of local businesses, and we harness those relationships on smaller jobs,” says Department Manager Jeremy King, the longtime employee the company tapped to lead the department. The department concentrates on commercial work including retail outlets, supermarkets, professional offices, and other for-profit enterprises. The work itself is not unusual for IB Abel—installing and servicing fire alarms, security equipment, tele/data systems, site lighting, and power generation and delivery equipment—but the company has historically concentrated on larger projects in the utility, government, and manufacturing sectors. With IB Abel’s reputation preceding it in the 100-mile radius service area targeted for commercial expansion, the department
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is growing fast and creating jobs for field personnel and estimators—new hires and seasoned staffers alike are looking for a new challenge. “It always feels good putting people to work,” King says. “There are a lot of possibilities, with retail and shopping centers going up everywhere.” BJ’S WHOLESALE Current and recently completed projects include the construction of a BJ’s Wholesale Store in Mechanicsburg, Pa., two CVS Pharmacy locations in State College and Palmyra, and the complete renovation of West Manchester Mall in York. The BJ’s project is one of the department’s biggest and most urgent to date. “They’re pushing this extremely fast to get it up and running in just five months,” says Project Foreman Ryan Scott. “This was a hurry-up-and-get-itdone type of job. You can’t have any errors.” The compressed schedule means that several trades are working on the store at the same time, making it impossible to speed progress simply by adding bodies. “There are lot of other companies on the project,” Scott says. “We’re up to 10 to
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12 guys, but the more guys you bring in, the more you’ll be working on top of each other. We have to work efficiently because you can’t get more done by just bringing more men into the building.” Led by Kinsley Construction, the designbuild project utilized a Building Information Model (BIM) to optimize where each of the trades installed their systems. Typically, IB Abel electricians and technicians deal with numerous obstructions when installing conduit or cable. “There is a lot of overhead conduit in this building. We didn’t have to worry about the other trades and where they were going to go,” Scott says. “The BIM model allows us to take the most efficient route and avoid clashes at the same time.” The BJ’s project includes substantial amounts of parking lot lighting and an automated control system for lighting and power distribution. In addition to its main electrical service, the new BJ’s has two generators in case of a power outage— one for lighting and one for refrigeration. “This job involves a little bit of everything,” Scott says. “Outdoor site lighting with PLC
ELECTRICAL
Members of IB Abel’s new Commercial crew on the job at BJ’s Wholesale.
controls for efficiency; explosion-proof pads for the propane tanks and fuel island. Inside, there is an extensive building-automation system integrated into our switchgear package that controls and monitors everything from security and lighting to refrigeration equipment and its performance.” To meet the August 2014 completion date, the project required constant communication. Scott estimates that 30 emails and 30 phone calls went back and forth every day between other contractors and his crew. “Each person has a very specific job, and good communication eliminates a lot of down time,” he says. “As long as everybody is onboard, things proceed with a lot less confusion.” According to Jeremy King, a BJ’s rep said it is “the best electrical work” he has ever seen—high praise from the big-box retailer, and likely a foot in the door for additional projects. “A nationwide chain store expects things to be a certain way, and they might build eight to 10 stores a year and remodel another eight to 10. They really understand what they want.”
The project featured the renovation of an existing 35,000 sq.-ft., 1970s-vintage office building and warehouse; IB Abel installed a fire alarm system, parking lot lighting, exterior landscape lighting, interior lighting, power distribution, and a tele/data system as part of the building’s remodel. The building’s raised metal flooring had to be removed to create a warehouse area. “All of that had to come out, along with all the electrical underneath it,” says Jason Van Sickle, foreman on the project. “We basically gutted the whole building. “When it comes to renovating a building, the hardest thing is knowing what you want to re-use,” Van Sickle says. “You’re going to demo most of it, but you also have to keep some of it in order to save money. The panels and transformers were in good shape, so we re-used them.”
Following demolition, the crew expanded from four to six workers. In addition to receptacles, switches, and other office essentials, they installed new light fixtures, exit signs, emergency lighting, and occupancy sensors. Outside, IB Abel installed 10 LED “wall washers” to bathe the building in light, and a new sign with which the owner was very pleased. The Flagger Force building offered a relatively relaxed schedule compared to a big-box store that needs to open its doors and start making money. “The owner wanted a quality product and works in the construction field, so he understands that things take time,” Van Sickle says. “There was plenty of time in the project for everyone to come in and do their work without stepping on one another. It was a nice project.” General contractor Keystruct and Superintendent Rick Smith were pleased with IB Abel’s work. “He says we went above and beyond to get the job done,” Van Sickle says. “The project turned out nice, and everyone was happy with our scope of the work.” Building owner Mike Doner also complimented IB Abel’s performance. “I noticed a very collaborative approach to Jason’s work. He worked very well with Rick Smith of Keystruct, and it was a true pleasure to work with Jason. We are very proud of the final result of the building. Working together, we have restored a once-neglected building to a state that’s better than new. We are glad IB Abel was a part of our project.” •
CARRYING THE FLAG A growing provider of traffic control services, Flagger Force furnished IB Abel with another recent commercial project, a new branch office located in Glen Burnie, Md.
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2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
SPOTLIGHT
What do you like about working for IB Abel? DAN STREMMEL: “There are several things I have enjoyed over the years about working for the Communication Division at IB Abel. Although our division has grown and changed a lot over the years, we have always been a relatively small, close-knit group at work, as well as outside of work. It’s a lot easier to get the job done right when you know and trust the people you’re working with. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed the wide variety of jobs that I have had the opportunity to learn and perform, as well as all the different places I have traveled. In the communications field, it is important to stay on top of changing technologies, and I feel that IB Abel gives me the opportunity to do that.”
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JASON FINK: “I enjoy the responsibilities and challenges of being a technician, my hardworking co-workers, and the diversity of the work.” RANDY SPAHR: “Working for IB Abel offers me a diverse challenge on a daily basis. The jobs may be similar, but no two jobs are alike. I enjoy the challenge of seeing a job through from beginning to end.” SHAUN LINDEN: “What I like about working at IB Abel is the great group of people that the company employs. The field and office staff is made up of well-trained individuals who come together as a team to complete the task.”
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BRYAN HENRY: “I enjoy working with all of the people at IB Abel, as well as working for a family-owned, hometown company. Working with multiple project managers on different types of jobs makes it interesting, and a challenge daily. Another reason would be the availability of all of the tools and equipment needed to complete all types of work.” TROY KRAUT: “It’s the group of people I work with every day, and the variety of jobs I get to perform.”
SPOTLIGHT
BRIAN FAHS: “I get to work with some great field personnel on a daily basis. We always find solutions to challenging electrical projects and get the job done. The best part of my job is learning something new every day.” BRIAN KING: “I like the fact that myself and many of the other younger journeymen are becoming the next generation of foremen at IB Abel. There is always something new on the job, and I enjoy the challenge of being a leader. It’s also nice to know that you’re working for a local, family-owned business.”
DAVE GROVE: “IB Abel has always been proactive about safety, and I think that, in and of itself, makes it a very solid company to work for. We always work as a team to develop solutions, and that is very important. It is reassuring to know that if you need something, IB Abel will get it.” CHARLIE MUTH: “The diverse nature of the transmission maintenance work that IB Abel is awarded, and the people on the crews I work with.”
STEVE KUNCELMAN: “The quality and camaraderie of the crews, and the support of management.”
RICHIE NYBECK: “The positive relationship between IB Abel and PPL.”
DARREN PETERSON: “IB Abel’s commitment to safety, quality, and the true concern for their employees’ well-being sets us apart from other contractors. It is a privilege to be part of this kind of organization.”
Customer Feedback Thanks again for all the assistance—hats off to your men. I know this is what we do, but sometimes it’s nice to get an “Atta boy” from a customer. The customer is satisfied with the equipment that is installed and will not need a replacement. Thank You.
I wanted to inform you that the fiber line cut-over was a success. IB Abel and Neuber did a great job making the transition from the old communication lines to the new [ones] a seamless operation. Keep up the good work. —Brian A. Peda, E.I.T., Construction Management, Urban Engineers, Inc.
IB Abel has always been professional and followed simple rules the past 14-plus months. I am very happy with your professionalism and performance. —Kevin T. Gall, Manager, Engineering, Barry-Wehmiller Design Group, Inc.
—Chad Kline, Electrical Service, G.R.Sponaugle
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2014 || Volume 4 || Number 2
620 Edgar St. York, PA 17403
Customer Feedback
Neuber appreciates the work performed and the time [in which] it was performed. We hope to work together again if the opportunity presents itself. Thank you again. —Tim Walter, Assistant Project Manager, Neuber Environmental Services
For general company information, contact one of our divisions: ELECTRICAL DIVISION: Denny Geiger (717) 324-2205 dgeiger@ib-abel.com
COMMUNICATION DIVISION: Jim Trebilcock (717) 577-3081 jimt@ib-abel.com
UTILITY SERVICES DIVISION: Willard R. Wolf (717) 577-1685 wwolf@ib-abel.com