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November 2020
Rising Up to Meet the Next 100 Years P1 Group and Partners Invest in Long-term Growth
When you’ve been around for 100 years, innovation, growth, and an eye toward the future is critical to ensure the next century of success. That is why CEO Smitty Belcher and P1 Group executive leadership decided to join forces with two additional contractors, Vulcan Heating and Air Conditioning and Rieck, along with investors Dunes Point Capital. This team will allow P1 Group to grow our geographic footprint in both service and construction, and have the capital to stay on the cutting edge of industry demands and developments. The decision wasn’t made overnight – it’s been at least a year in the making. “One of the most important things that drove our decision is the commitment P1 Group has to maintaining control over the company we’ve strategically built over all these years,” Smitty explained. “It’s important to understand that P1 Group has no interest in selling to an industry consolidator. We are determined to be the consolidator, not the one
consolidated,” Smitty said. “Our newly formed partnership will give us access to increased capital that will fuel future growth while still allowing us to maintain control over our business.” The consolidation entity will be known as Best in Class Technology Services (BCTS). Member companies will retain their names: Rieck, P1 Group, Inc., and Vulcan, continuing to provide a high level of service in their local markets. Each organization has been a leader in providing service and facility solutions to customers for a collective 290 years. BCTS will embark on a national expansion via acquisitions, with a plan to acquire five to six additional service contractors annually. Just like P1, Rieck, and Vulcan, acquired companies will retain their names and brand locally. For P1, the largest change will be the distinct development of two separate entities: P1 Service and P1 Construction, both of which will have investment from Dunes Point Capital. continued, next page
“It’s important to understand that P1 Group has no interest in selling to an industry consolidator. We are determined to be the consolidator, not the one consolidated. Our newly formed partnership will give us access to increased capital that will fuel future growth while still allowing us to maintain control over our business.” -Smitty Belcher, CEO STAY IN THE KNOW! Like us and follow us on
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Rising Up to Meet the Next 100 Years (continued) “The new entity of BCTS will allow steady growth and the opportunity to set the standard for HVAC service, maintenance, and construction nationally, building on our long-standing combined reputations for quality,” Smitty said. Construction is expected to grow along with the acquisition of additional service contractors. P1 Group has made significant investments in the construction side of the business, particularly in the fabrication shops, and will continue to make investments in fabrication and technology to support future construction growth. Smitty notes most of the service contractors don’t have a construction operation, which will provide more opportunity for P1 to expand, particularly
in the areas of design-build, performance solutions, and facility management operations (FMO). For those associates looking for growth opportunities, Smitty says that will undoubtedly come. “With this growth will come opportunities for associates who are seeking additional responsibility. It’s a promising time for those who want to take their careers to the next level,” Smitty said. With so many companies facing profit loss, market deterioration, and downsizing, P1 Group is taking measures to ensure our legacy and prosperity for the next 100 years and we look forward to the opportunities before us.
P1 Adds Spiral Helix Machine to Sheet Metal Fabrication Shop
Keeping with P1 Group’s ongoing investment in construction and fabrication, the Sheet Metal Fabrication shop is now home to a Spiral Helix machine, which will allow the shop to produce pipe in various sizes and from various materials.
Operations Manager Chris Champagne says this new efficiency will change the way we handle projects requiring spiral pipe.
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Produce pipe from different materials which include galvanized, mill phosphatized (paint grip), PVS coated material, and stainless steel
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Produce piping in sizes 4” though 10” all sizes, and 10” through 24” even sizes only, with capability to expand up to 64”
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Produce piping in variable lengths from 12” up to 240”
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Works with 18-gauge through 26-gauge material
“The spiral pipe can be used with fittings, with or without gasket, that we are currently purchasing from our suppliers,” Chris said.
The Spiral Helix capabilities include:
Therefore, project managers should be aware of the following changes:
ESTIMATING: Mechanical Estimator Dustin Thorne will be responsible for estimating the fabrication cost for producing the pipe in P1’s Sheet Metal shop.
SHEET METAL SUBMITTALS: Standard sheet metal submittals have been updated to include submittal information for the
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spiral pipe we fabricate. This will be included for all projects that require spiral. Submittal sheets have been distributed via email, or can be requested.
This investment saves the time and money of working with outside suppliers, making P1 even more efficient with in-house production.
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Life is Hard:
Remember to Appreciate the G od Things
November is a time we’re reminded to give thanks, but with the rollercoaster that has been 2020, that might seem a little more challenging this year. When we remember to appreciate even the smallest of good things, it helps our outlook and improves our mental health. In the famous words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Here are some ways to practice gratitude all year ‘round. 1. DON’T BE PICKY: APPRECIATE EVERYTHING Gratitude doesn’t have to be saved for the “big” things in life. Even if it is as simple as appreciating the clear weather or how quickly your mailman delivered your mail last Friday, don’t leave anything out when practicing your gratitude. 2. FIND GRATITUDE IN YOUR CHALLENGES “That which does not kill us only makes us stronger.” Gratitude is not only about being thankful for positive experiences. Thinking about negative or difficult situations can help nail down what you have to be thankful for. Dig a little deeper into some of your own past experiences and figure out how they have helped shape you into the person you are today.
3. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Sit down daily and think through five to 10 things you are grateful for. The trick is to picture it in your mind and sit with that feeling of gratitude in your body. Doing this every day will rewire your brain to be naturally more grateful, and you’ll start feeling happier after every session. 4. VOLUNTEER For many people, the key to having more gratitude is to give back to others in their local community. Not only will it make you more grateful for the things that you may take for granted, but studies have shown that volunteering for the purpose of helping others increases our own wellbeing, and thus our ability to have more gratitude. 5. EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE Sometimes it’s not enough to simply keep your gratitude to yourself. You can increase your feelings of gratitude by expressing that same gratitude to the people you care about. Not only does expressing your gratitude for someone make their day a little brighter, but it can do wonders for increasing your own levels of gratitude and happiness in the long run. Source: Forbes: 8 Ways to Have More Gratitude Every Day
Thank you!
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Preparation Meets Opportunity: United Association Offices UV-C Systems Installation
It started as a conversation between P1 Group CEO Smitty Belcher and Patrick Kellett, General Secretary-Treasurer for the United Association, and materialized into P1 Group providing a healthy buildings strategy for the HVAC units located at the UA Headquarters in Annapolis, MD. The UA Headquarters building is 110,000 sq. feet, containing both offices and retail space. It houses the leadership and supporting staff offices which represent and service approximately 355,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians and welders in local unions across North America. UV-C isn’t a new product. It has been utilized to improve indoor air quality in HVAC units for more than 20 years, but has recently become very popular due to COVID-19. UV-C inactivates microorganisms including viral, fungal, and bacterial, preventing replication that would result in disease. This contributes to a healthier environment when designed, installed, and maintained properly. Service Project Manager David Pate developed an estimate and proposal, and oversaw the job remotely. The pandemic made travel difficult, so David worked closely with the UA building engineer on location to limit his trips to the job site. “Coordinating the field data collection remotely can be a huge challenge, but we were fortunate to have a very qualified building engineer to gather pictures and dimensional information in order to properly size the UV-C equipment,” David said. Once the order was placed, receiving the equipment became the next hurdle.
UV-C lamps applied to the HVAC system help improve indoor air quality.
“Due to the very high demand for these products, our supplier had unexpected delays in the delivery, so our schedule had to be somewhat
“Applying UV-C to an HVAC system contributes to the overall improvement of indoor air quality, and also system efficiency. The installation of UV-C along with other measures put in place by the UA Leadership is providing a healthier and safer work environment for their associates and guests.” -David Pate, Service Project Manager 4
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fluid,” David said.
costs and delivery expectations during COVID,” he said.
When the equipment finally arrived, David was on site for the pre-job review meeting with the subcontractor, installer, and building engineer. For this application, P1 Group provided unit-mounted lamps in four large water cooled heat pumps and installed two upper air fixtures in the IT Room. The unit mounted UV-C Systems will treat the circulated air and the upper air fixtures will treat the air in the independently conditioned IT Room.
“P1 Group, Inc. worked well with my in-house contractor and building engineer,” Patrick said. “The relationship with Vice President Tony Whited and David Pate was a real advantage and I appreciated working with them. As the building owner, I look forward to watching the UV process and seeing the advantages to our building.”
David’s second and final trip included commissioning of the new systems, coordinating the installation of the two new upper air fixtures located in the IT Room, and reviewing operation and maintenance with the building engineer. “Applying UV-C to an HVAC system contributes to the overall improvement of indoor air quality, and also system efficiency,” David said. “Most importantly, the installation of UV-C along with other measures put in place by the UA Leadership is providing a healthier and safer work environment for their associates and guests.” Patrick says P1 Group made the process easy and transparent.
P1 Group has installed UV-C Systems in a number of our customers’ facilities, and in response to COVID-19, P1 Group developed a series of resource materials as part of the company’s “Healthy Building Strategies and Solutions”. David said that due to COVID-19, the demand for the UV-C systems has significantly increased. “This year I have had the opportunity to develop and present seven UV-C system proposals for commercial, healthcare, and industrial customers,” he said. “Having access to the Healthy Buildings reference materials has been an invaluable resource.” It’s that kind of preparation that keeps P1 in the forefront and ready to provide solutions when opportunities like UA Headquarters arise.
“I was told up front the advantages of the UV-C system, along with
PROJECT TEAM
UNITED ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS PATRICK KELLETT General Secretary-Treasurer – Customer Representative MIKE SORRELS Building Engineer, CBRE-Site Contact
P1 GROUP INC. TONY WHITED, VICE PRESIDENT Project development and customer communication DAVID PATE, SERVICE PROJECT MANAGER Field data collection, estimate and proposal development, procurement, on-site pre-job review, coordination and commissioning of the new UV-C Systems.
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BUILDING ON A LEGACY: Associate Profile on Jamie Penry
h his Jamie wit
dad, Jim
Sr.
Not all generations decide to continue with “the family business”, but having a grandfather and father with a combined 68 years in the Local 441 Union inspired Topeka Service Technician Jamie Penry to follow in those footsteps.
State University or The University of Kansas in order to continue his degree. With a one-year-old daughter at home, the commute wasn’t desirable. So he started working at Sears in appliance sales while studying HVAC repair at Wichita Technical Institute in Topeka.
Jamie’s dad, Jim Penry Sr., spent most of his career working for a smaller, family owned HVAC company. While employed there, he became so valuable to the Payless World Headquarters in Topeka, they signed a
“I always enjoyed being given a problem and fixing it with my own hands, and I felt like my customer service skills would be best put to use in the service field,” Jamie said. “With the benefits and compensation the trade
“I always enjoyed being given a problem and fixing it with my own hands, and I felt like my customer service skills would be best put to use in the service field. With the benefits and compensation the trade provides, it felt like the smartest career path.” -Jamie Penry, Service Technician contract in order to keep him working at their facility full time.
provides, it felt like the smartest career path.”
When that HVAC Company went out of business, Payless told Jim Sr. they would sign their maintenance contract with whatever company he chose to work for so he could continue taking care of their facility. Although Jim wasn’t familiar with P1 Group (Huxtable and Associates at that time), he was very impressed to receive a call from CEO Smitty Belcher who offered him a position. Jim Sr. decided to work for P1, bringing the Payless account with him.
But before he transferred to a trade, Jamie worked in in-home services at Sears, where he repaired major appliances and residential HVAC systems.
Jamie remembers those times fondly. “As a child, I got to follow my dad around at Payless and I sometimes got to help,” Jamie recalled. “I was always so excited when we got to go into the data center, because it was like being in a movie, badging into a highly secured area.” Jamie attended Washburn University to study Mechanical Engineering. After receiving his Associates Degree, he needed to transfer to either Kansas
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“Those years gave me some valuable experience, which I think helped when I applied to P1 Group,” he said. “I was really excited about coming to P1 because of the opportunity to work with my dad. I was told during my interview that if I was anything like him, I would get along just fine.” Jamie said. Since that time, Jamie has done more than “get along fine” and has been busy making a name for himself, particularly by building specialized expertise in Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF). During his apprenticeship, he was working on a long term project where he was introduced to Daikin/VRF equipment, and he became particularly interested in this line of work.
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“VRF is a very specialized line of work and I had to go to classes to learn how to do the start up,” Jamie said. “Since that project, I have taken all the VRF classes that have been offered through P1 University tech training at the Training Facility in Lenexa.” “It takes a significant amount of training to become proficient with the equipment,” Service Manager Kyndel Paulsen noted.
As a kid, Jamie didn’t realize when he was in the back of his dad’s service van, tinkering around with parts, this would end up being his career path. When Jamie’s dad Jim Penry, Sr. retired, it only seemed fitting Jamie took over his account at the Payless World Headquarters, bringing his “next generation” talent and expertise to Payless and many other customers.
“There aren’t a lot of techs who have knowledge on this type of VRF equipment.” SIDE BY SIDE When Jamie has free time, he enjoys spending it with his family. Jamie got married this past summer to his wife Becky, and they enjoy riding side-by-side all-terrain vehicles with Jamie’s 14-year-old daughter, Nataleigh. They also like to travel as much as they can. “I think being with your family is the most important thing, and it’s easily taken for granted mixed with a busy work schedule,” Jamie said.
DISPATCH
Having a good relationship with the dispatchers is important when you are a service tech, and Jamie has managed to earn the respect of these Topeka dispatchers. REBECCA VENABLE: “Jamie is always super reliable when it comes to finding ways for us to save money. Couponing is his gift in life and we call the good deals “Penry Dealz” or “Penryisms”. We always give him a hard time telling him he got his wife with a coupon.” THERESA ALLDREDGE: “Jamie is a reliable tech and we can always count on him. His willingness to help doesn’t stop with the customers. His coworkers can always depend on his expert advice, especially regarding home appliance issues, and his good-natured personality makes him easy to talk to.”
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N E W FAC E S + AW A R D E D W O R K Please join us in welcoming our newest P1 Group associates.
REFERRAL
Dylan Walters Electrical Project Engineer Lenexa
CONSTRUCTION/OCTOBER Charlie’s Car Wash Topeka, KS | $271,185 | ELEC
REWARD
Aaron White, Fitter Journeyman, St. Joseph
Bucky Zimmerman, HVAC Tech, St. Joseph
SERVICE/OCTOBER Wabaunsee Courthouse Renovations $1,117,400 Truman Med-Liebert Repl.
$131,498
Wabaunsee Cty Courthouse
$28,210
Hills PNC, C9 Addition of LC/MS System Topeka, KS | $52,825 | ELEC
Bunge-6” Sewer Repair
$47,717
Harrahs Laughlin Lift Station
$35,599
Hills PNC, Fire Alarm System Topeka, KS | $70,131 | ELEC
TMC-Boiler & Chiller Repl.
$8,755,963
ICL-Dust Collector Equip Set
$152,875
Fed. Reserve Cooling Tower Repl.
$231,175
CMH OR 10 Ceiling Remodel
$25,840
Goodyear Generator Topeka, KS | $309,735 | ELEC
JCI Hills PNC, Small Paws Project Topeka, KS | $97,830 | ELEC Truman Med Center Boiler/Chiller Plant Replacement Kansas City, MO | $8,718,985 | PIPE + PLBG + SM BNSF Argentine LMIT Bldg Elec Upgrades Kansas City, KS | $3,200,000 | ELEC Global Grain Dust Collection Fabrication Topeka, KS | $79,950 | SM
Honeywell 8355 Centrifuge Test $48,084 MWSU-FB21-28 Campus-wide Air H
$49,469
MWSU-FB21-28 Campus-wide Air H
$152,761
Sprint-6360 Liebert Repl.
$102,827
Haskell Classroom Remodel Lawrence, KS | $893,751 | ELEC + PIPE + PLBG + SM TUKH Cambridge Tower 8-10 Kansas City, KS | $420,000 | ELEC
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B I RT HDAYS + ANNIVERSARIES Office and field associate birthdays and work anniversaries + awarded work
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 2 3 4 5 6
MICHAEL BROWN DANIEL MCCLAIR CAITLYN ROHAUS KEVIN WARNECKE RICK ELLIS NICK LAWLESS BEN SCHRADER GARY JONES LIZ LYON ZACHARY REVER MICHAEL WARBRITTON JULIUS BROWN ISAAC HOEHN RONALD MUNIZ DAVE ROLLO NICHOLAS WEBER JONATHAN WRIGHT RICHARD CARBAJAL JEREMY HEIM MATTHEW REDINGER MICHAEL TADY JAMES BURKE TIMOTHY HOOVER JUSTIN KOERNER JEREMY PRICE CODY WATSON
7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
PHIL PERSELL MATT SCHNECK MARTIN STILL BILL FREDE JAMES JENKINS ERICK PRICE PETER SORENSEN RUSSELL WILSON PATRICK JOHNSON MIKE WESSEL SHAIN BURK JEN MORRIS JASON QUATTLEBAUM ALEX VANLEEUWEN LARYN WILSON CANDACE BORTNIKER DONALD CREASON MATTHEW PHILLIPS SHAWN OLWELL CASEY EVANS JOHN ERIC SORIO TIMOTHY LOWE STEPHEN BISHOP CAMERON LAMKIN NEIL NORMANDIN
17 18 19 20 21 22
DILLON CHRISTIAN JEFFERY SHAW TAYLOR SUPPLEE JERRY CAREY STEPHEN GRAY LARRY SCHULTZ JACOB VOGLER CHRIS BROXTERMAN DYLAN DUNBAR ROBERT JOHNSON TOSHA NAZARENKO ELIJAH VERBICK WALTER HAMMOND KIRSTEN HENRY NATHAN PENDERGRAFT REBECCA VENABLE JEFF BARKER SHANE BOLLES TYLER REKIETA JOHN CROPPER DONALD FUNSTON BRADLEY MARTIN DAVID PATE
23 24 26 27 28 29 30
MIKE GOSSMAN LUIS MARTINEZ NOLAN ROBERTS KYLE DILLINGHAM MICHAEL POWERS CLIFF PRAY ERIC KELLER TRAVIS THOMAS FRANKLIN BLAKE UTHE ROBERT BALABON CAMERON MOTEN KYNDEL PAULSEN ROBERT SCHAEFER KEVIN KIBBEE TRAVIS STOCK
WORK ANNIVERSARIES 5 YEARS: SHAWN COURTER 10 YEARS: TEDD DALKE, RICHARD HERDMAN 15 YEARS: JOHN CROPPER, MICHAEL FENNESY
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Supporting Our Communities in Times of Greatest Need: P1 Group associates recently partnered with Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City (MCAKC) at Harvesters to prepare “backsnacks” for local Kansas City schools with high numbers of children who qualify for free or reduced lunches. The backsnacks also allow kids who don’t have easy access to food to make their own breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the days they are not in school (due to COVID-19). Participants from P1 Group included Glenn Shain, Rick Ellis, Vicki Jesse, Nick Lawless, Jason Quattlebaum, Brady Kyle and Alan Sparling. Also pictured are, clockwise from left, Tom Ryczek, MMC, Jacki Conn, MCA, Rebecca Nehring (in back), with her mother Claudia Hoke.
P1 HAPPENINGS
Get Rid of Unwanted Pounds (of Halloween Candy): Once again, you can bring in your leftover Halloween Candy for a good cause. Nick Lawless in the Lenexa office will take that candy off your hands so it doesn’t end up in your belly, and deliver it to Operation Shoebox for distribution to our troops overseas. Drop your candy off any time after Halloween through Friday, November 13. You might even earn enough good karma to avoid bad luck on Friday the 13th!
Shoot for the Cure: Each year P1 Group supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the annual Shoot for the Cure event. Participants included Project Manager Mark McGrath, Senior Project Manager Jason Quattlebaum, Project Manager Nick Lawless, Project Manager Jason Larsen, and Plumbing Foreman Sal Mormino. The two-day event includes a western dinner on October 3 and a sporting clay competition on October 4. PULL!
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