Connector - Spring 2021

SPRING EDITION 2021

RISK REWARD

RESPECT

On the Job: An Ironworker’s Perspective

16 Change is the Only Constant 22 Reducing Unknowns in the Field 34 The Real Cost of Paper and Markers THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

OUR SERVICES ERECTING DETAILING ESTIMATING FABRICATING DESIGN BUILD PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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SPRING EDITION March 2021

FEATURES Management

16

Change is the Only Constant Business agility and strategic preparedness will be essential for contractors in 2021

By Tina Cauller

In the Field

22

Reducing Unknowns in the Field Four reasons to seek an engineered erection plan

By Tom Getschman

28 Cover Story Risk, Reward, Respect. An ironworker's perspective.

By Tracy Bennett and Bryan McClure On the cover: Deem Structural Services builds a temporary structure over the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colo., in preparation for renovations.

seaa.net ONLINE HIGHLIGHTS Q Registration Now Open for SEAA's 2021 Convention in Orlando Q SEAA Releases New Craft Training Video Q The No. 1 Rigging Mistake Taking Place on Construction Sites Q Construction Software Products & Services Showcase Next up—EQUIPMENT RENTAL Email ConnectorSales@SEAA.net to find out how to be included.

Check out our latest social media feeds.

OPT-IN for our e-Newsletters

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DEPARTMENTS 8 Perspective 10 Association News 12 Product Focus 34 Business Operations 38 Topping Out Connector received Superstar Award from Construction Marketing Association.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is dedicated to advancing the common interests and needs of all engaged in building with steel. The Association’s objectives in achieving this goal include the promotion of safety, education and training programs for steel erector trades, development and promotion of standards and cooperation with others in activities which impact the commercial construction business.

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Membership in Steel Erectors Association of America provides Safety, Education, and Productivity benefits for its members. As a trade association representing Steel Erectors, Fabricators, General Contractors, and Vendors, businesses with complementary interests gain invaluable opportunities to learn from each other.

SEAA is the only national trade association representing the interests of steel erectors, fabricators, and related service providers. Connector reaches both small and large contractors working in union and open labor markets.

Your Industry No other national association represents the unique interests of all steel erectors and fabricators. Members are experts in construction of commercial buildings, arenas, bridges, and highway structures. Members enhoy opportunities to network with other industry professionals at the Anuual Covention, golf tournaments, member events and training classes.

Improve Safety and Productivity Members have access to custom Ironworker Craft Training Curriculum. Studies show 24% of businesses experience lower productivity due to the lack of skilled ironworkers and welders.

A better trained workforce delivers lower accidents rates, higher productivity, and increased profits.

Accredited Credentials at Reduced Cost SEAA’s NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) sponsorship means that member companies can provide industry-recognized credentials to your employees with the benefit of SEAA adminstrative support and at a lower cost to members than going direct through NCCER.

Competitive Advantage SEAA’s U.S. Department of Labor-approved Ironworker Apprenticeship Program allows members to create formal training that meets standards recognized by Federal and State governments. Pariticipation allows merit shop contractors to utilize government approved apprenticeship rates on Davis Bacon Wage Projects.

Influence Industry Standards SEAA strategic partnerships with industry groups provide member companies with industry representation with American Institute of Steel Construction, Steel Joist Institute, Steel Deck Institute, National Institute of Steel Detailing, and others.

Steel Erectors Association of America Piedmont Leaf Lofts 401 E. 4th Street, #204 Winston-Salem, NC 27101-4171 336-294-8880 www.seaa.net OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE STAFF Geoff Kress, President Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, Associate Member Vice President David Deem, Industry Member Vice President Greg Phillips, Treasurer Chris Legnon, Secretary and Media Committee Chairman PUBLISHING PARTNER Chris Harrison, Publisher connectorsales@seaa.net Phone 660-287-7660 Tracy Bennett, Managing Editor editor@seaa.net Phone 816-536-7903 Eileen Kwiatkowski, Art Director eileen@ekaygraphics.com MEDIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chris Legnon, Fabricators, Cooper Steel Jim Simonson, Fabricators, Steel Service David Deem, Erectors, Deem Structural Services Glen Pisani, Erectors, MAS Building & Bridge Bryan McClure, Safety, Trivent Safety Consulting Connector™ is published quarterly by the Steel Erectors Association of America, 3447 Robinhood Road, Suite 315 Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Join by calling the SEAA office 336-294-8880 or visit www.seaa.net Discover why a SEAA Membership is a good investment for your business.

6 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Copyright 2021 by the Steel Erectors Association of America. No material may be reprinted without permission from the Executive Director. While the information and recommendations contained in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, the Steel Erectors Association of America, its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, designers, photographers, and media advisory committee, makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or recommendations and cannot be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based on the information contained in this publication or claims made by advertisers. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing.

PERSPECTIVE

By David Deem

The Hunt for a Well-Planned Project

L

ike many others, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my wife and I have found ourselves watching more television than normal. Recently, we were watching one of my favorite Sean Connery movies, The Hunt for Red October.

In the movie, Jack Ryan, a CIA agent played by Alec Baldwin, has a “hunch” that the Senior Captain Ramius (Sean Connery) plans to defect to the U.S. and hand over the newest Russian submarine to the U.S. Navy.

When hearing Jack Ryan’s theory, a skeptical Admiral Painter asks, “So, what’s his plan? The Russians don’t take a dump without a plan son, and a Russian Captain would not start something this dangerous without having thought the matter through.”

That scene in the movie started me thinking about my company. As the business has grown, the need for a clear and well communicated plan has become more important. Like many of us in this industry, during the early years I wore many hats—Estimator, Project Manager, and I was often also the Superintendent for a project. Therefore, it was much easier to communicate my plan to field employees, as well as the controlling contractor.

However, as the projects we worked became more complex and the number of people we employed increased, communication became more difficult. The importance of a well-defined, written “plan of attack,” which could be communicated to all relevant parties, became apparent.

There is no one-size-fits-all method for all companies and certainly all projects have different obstacles.

However, there are similar challenges that should be proactively addressed, preferably in writing. Using standard communications for these four items can help eliminate errors: 1) Job Kick Off Meetings, 2) Site Erection Plans, 3) Site Logistics Plans, and 4) Quality Control Programs.

As the movie ends, it turns out that Jack Ryan’s “hunch” was correct and Captain Ramius did indeed have a plan,

“

David Deem is President of Deem Structural Services LLC, AISC (CSEA/ MEE), and serves as Vice President Industry on the SEAA Board of Directors.

8 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

although (just like construction), the plan was modified some due to unexpected events along the way.

All steel erection activities are inherently dangerous.

While I am not suggesting that all construction projects require the same amount of forethought as stealing a

We all bid a project with a plan that is safe, productive, and hopefully, profitable.

The key is to ensure that the plan is clearly communicated and implemented as intended.”

Russian submarine, certainly, some of them do. We all bid a project with a plan in mind that will complete our obligations in a safe, productive and, hopefully, profitable manner. The key is to ensure that the plan, and any revisions required along the way, is clearly communicated and implemented as intended.

Over the past 20 years, being a member of SEAA has helped my company with its “growth dilemma.” Membership has given me access to resources, like the Detailing Guide for Erection Safety & Efficiency, and numerous SEAA sponsored training modules. It has presented the opportunity to network with many industry professionals. Jim Collins, the author of world-renowned business management books such as Good to Great and Great by Choice talks about “Who Luck,” which is the concept that who you know can make a huge difference in your life.

The networking opportunities that have been available to me through my membership has brought me just that. If you are not a member, consider joining. If you are, consider getting more involved in order to take advantage of this valuable network.

Using standard communications, which can be shared with all relevant parties, can help eliminate errors. These four areas are critical to safe, productive operations.

JOB KICK OFF MEETINGS: Early in the project, these items should be

communicated to the fabricator and steel detailing team.

■ Identify if the proposal qualifies for any “value engineering” options such as

bolted vs. welded connections ■ Review anticipated manpower and equipment resources required ■ Site erection sequence preferences ■ Note special requirements from the Engineer of Record

SITE ERECTION PLAN: You may not feel the need to author a plan that goes into as much detail as required by the AISC Certification Program (Ref. AISC Standard 207-20, Chapter 5). However, a written document that addresses, at a minimum, the following will ensure your field personnel understand the “plan of attack” and serves to obtain buy in from the controlling contractor.

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SITE LOGISTICS PLAN—material delivery routes, erection sequences ■ Crane Road Locations—indicating ground pressure requirements, crane

“fly zones,” etc.

■ Critical Lift Checks—lifts exceeding 75 percent crane capacity, multi-crane

lifts, lifting in the blind, special rigging requirements, etc.

■ Temporary Bracing—noting type and Location ■ Erection Flow/Sequence

RIGGING HARDWARE

SITE SAFETY PLAN: Common items that need to be considered for every

project include: ■ PPE requirements, tie-off requirements ■ Means of steel egress (ladders, boom lifts, etc.)

■ Fall protection and rescue plan identifying the means for personnel rescue

(boom lifts, personnel hoists, etc.)

■ Emergency Action Plan, including muster points, emergency phone numbers,

SLINGS

location of offsite medical services, etc.

■ Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM: The requirements for field inspection can be found in the AISC document 360-16, Chapter N. Lately, these same requirements are often found within the “S” drawing notes in the bid documents. A clear, defined outline of inspection responsibilities provides accountability, documentation and when implemented, serves to eliminate last minute fire drills. At a minimum, provide the “Senior Captains” in the field, direction on the following: ■ Who ensures receipt of the “Steel Commencement Letter” (required by OSHA)?

■ Do you require an Anchor Bolt Survey and who is responsible for it?

■ Who is responsible for ensuring industry tolerances are adhered to, such as

column plumbness, and how is it documented?

■ What is the recordkeeping procedure and who is responsible for maintenance and retention?

■ What are the procedures for following up on nonconformance/repair issues?

•

FALL PROTECTION

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(877) 331-3280 Connector | SPRING EDITION March 2021 | 9

ASSOCIATION NEWS

■ SEAA Reschedules Convention for

October 2021

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES NASCC: The Steel Conference April 14-16, 2021 Louisville, Ky

SEAA 2nd Quarter Board of Directors Meeting April 21, 2021 Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo, Fla.

SEAA Convention & Trade Show October 12-14, 2021 DoubleTree by Hilton at Entrance to Universal, Orlando, Fla.

T

he SEAA Board of Directors announces that its 48th Convention and Trade Show, previously scheduled for April 2021 in Orlando, Fla., will now take place Oct. 12-14, 2021. The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree

by Hilton at the entrance to Universal, in Orlando, Fla.

“In order to accommodate evolving recommendations for in-person gatherings related to the coronavirus pandemic, the Convention Committee has set the new dates with high hopes that the environment will be back on track by the third quarter,” said Carrie Gulajan, Convention Committee Chairperson.

The Trade Show will feature opportunities for exhibitors to do product demonstrations. SEAA is offering exhibitors a number of special promotions, including expanded marketing tools, for those who book their booth by May 31. Visit seaa.net/events to register.

■ Agenda • Tuesday, Oct. 12: Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament, Supporting Safety, Training & Education • Wednesday, Oct. 13: Project of the Year Award Winners Panel Discussion • Thursday, Oct. 14: Trade Show and Exhibitor Demos, Education Sessions

■ Members Promote Skills Development with SEAA/NCCER Craft Training SEAA continues to expand its member network of companies which delivers the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training and related programs. Since late 2020, three new companies now offer SEAA/NCCER training and assessments—Wennersten Construction, Inc., Mesa, Ariz., SCW Contracting Corp., Fallbrook, Calif., and Hamilton Tree Service Inc., Martinez, Calif. SEAA is an NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor, which affords member companies access to nationally recognized credentials, with the benefit of reduced administrative costs.

“The assessment and evaluation program enables us to determine the individual level of trade knowledge and skill each team member has so we can focus on the areas where we can provide additional training and educational support,” said Kirt Bjoin SCW Contracting. Chase Wennersten, Owner of Wennersten Construction said that participation in the program does more than just qualify employees. “This takes it to the next level, by enabling our employees to get certified,” he said.

In related news, a new training video is now available through the Members Only Portal on the SEAA website. The Ironworking Module Three, 30103 Tools and Equipment of the Trade, supports the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Level 1 curriculum and has been designed to complement existing training materials.

10 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

■ SEAA Remembers Dave Schulz David Alan Schulz was born October 9, 1954 in Saginaw, Michigan. He died December 19, 2020 at his home in Sanford, North Carolina. He was 66.

Known by his friends as Dave, he was a hardworking ironworker who started his career in construction in 1973 erecting grain dryers and boilers.

Described as a funny, kind, and generous fireball of a personality, Dave was certainly rough around the edges. But that exterior belied a heart of gold.

With more gumption than money, he and his wife Cindy, opened Schulz Iron Works, Inc., in 1999 equipped with not much more than a pickup truck and credit card. Anyone who ever observed Dave and Cindy together knows that they just fit together.

Married for 34 years, he adored her beyond measure.

Cindy serves as President, managing the business side of Schulz Iron Works, while Dave as Vice President, remained hands on, reportedly working as many as six days a week, often in the field.

Together they assembled a team that today is about 45 people strong and feels more like family than employees. Several have been with Schulz Iron Works for 20+ years.

Dave first joined the SEAA board of directors in 2007. He served on the Safety & Education Committee for several years and more recently led the planning for SEAA’s Annual Education Fundraiser Golf Tournament, which has been renamed the Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament.

An unofficial ambassador of SEAA, Dave was the association’s Person of the Year in 2009 and was elected President in 2018. Achieving this goal was a life-long dream See a gallery of photos of Dave Schulz at flickr.com/photos/ of Dave’s.

Read SEAA’s full tribute to Dave Schulz at seaa.net/news. seaa_nc/albums/

•

2021 NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference

Registration is now open for NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference 2021, which will take place online from April 12-16. Register at aisc.org/nascc.

The Virtual Steel Conference features more than 150 practical seminars on the latest design concepts, construction techniques, and cutting-edge research, as well as over 200 virtual exhibitors.

This year’s conference features two keynote speakers. Former chair of the AISC Specification Committee James M. Fisher will open the conference. Amit Varma will present the 2021 T.R. Higgins Lecture, “SpeedCore and Steel-Concrete Composite Construction — The Best of Both Worlds,” on the final day.

Occurring concurrently with NASCC is the World Steel Bridge Symposium, the Annual SSRC Stability Conference, QualityCon (a new offering from AISC Certification), and the NISD Conference on Steel Detailing. One registration fee allows participants to attend any of the sessions from all of the conferences.

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PRODUCT FOCUS

PVS Structures used SDS/2 for managing SidePlate connections for construction of HDR's headquarters.

■ Working Through Difficult Connections PVS Structures is a structural steel fabrication company based in Omaha, Neb. The company utilizes SDS/2 Detailing software for estimating, detailing, connection design, shop drawings, BIM coordination, clash detection, and model sharing.

PVS Structures recently used SDS/2 on a project for the global headquarters of HDR, an architecture and engineering firm in Omaha, N.E. SDS/2 helped them work through difficult connections required for the building’s complex geometry, particularly the SidePlate® connections, which had never before been implemented in Nebraska.

“Being able to have the SidePlate connection already in SDS/2 really sped the detailing along,” Mike Marian, project engineer at PVS Structures, “It helped to familiarize our shop, the engineer, and even the erector with that connection.”

■ JLG Scissor Lift Meets Strict Environmental Requirements JLG Industries, Inc., McConnellsburg, Pa., announces the all-electric DaVinci™ AE1932 scissor lift. Built for applications with stringent environmental regulations, the scissor lift has no hydraulics and zero emissions.

Components are optimized to reduce the machine’s energy consumption. Lift, drive and steer systems are connected independently to reduce voltage drops and latency. The all-electric drive has permanent magnets, which increase motor efficiency.

The 19 ft. scissor lift is rated for indoor/outdoor use, has 4 mph travel speed, and features progressive elevated drive speed, and 25 percent gradeability.

■ Miller Introduces Portable Stick Welder

DaVinci™ AE1932 scissor lift

The new CST 282 stick/TIG welder from Miller Electric Mfg., Appleton Wis., is designed for construction and pipe welding applications. The 34.6 lb. portable welder can be plugged into nearly any power source providing 280 amps of welding performance. A digital meter provides precise control when presetting or monitoring welding amperage. Auto-Line power management technology ensures that operators can get high-quality arcs from virtually any incoming wall power. Voltage reducing device (VRD) technology reduces output when the operator isn’t welding, improving safety by reducing the potential harm from inadvertent contact with the electrode during non-welding pauses.

12 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

CST 282 stick/TIG welder

ADVENTURE AWAITS Action-Packed

Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament Indoor/Outdoor Trade Show

Networking Live Exhibitor Demos

OCTOBER 12-14, 2021 4 Education Sessions DoubleTree by Hilton

at entrance to Universal Awards & Receptions

48th CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW Orlando, Florida

■ 11K Merlo Roto Telehandler Boasts

Eco Drive and Smart Controls

Merlo, Rock Hill S.C., introduces the Roto 50.30 S rotating telehandler with lift height of 96’4”, reach of 83’5”, and a maximum load capacity of 11,000 lbs. Its 360-degree rotating turret with a 20-degree tilt cab supplies uninterrupted views without machine repositioning.

Multi-position stabilizers can be independently deployed within a compact footprint.

Powered by a 170 HP Iveco engine, an Eco Power Drive feature reduces fuel usage. The unit negotiates job sites with four-wheel drive, three steering modes and active suspension. Joystick controls include sensors that automatically detect the presence of the operator’s hand.

Merlo’s MCDC (Merlo Dynamic Load Control) system collects machine parameters to create real-time load and operational diagrams for the operator.

Roto 50.30 S Rotating Telehandler

■ Red-D-Arc Now Rents BotX Cobot

Welding Robot

BotX Cobot

Red-D-Arc Welderentals, an Airgas company, now offers the BotX cobot. These low-cost, flexible robots can be rented by the week, or purchased, allowing customers to scale up or down quickly. The BotX cobot supports humans and it can safely be used in the same cell as workers. Perfect for high-variety, low-volume work, the BotX is also good for operations that require accuracy and repeatability. Setup is easy through the BotX mobile app, which allows performance monitoring and troubleshooting support.

■ Protect Slings with DICA’s LiftGuard

■ Malta Sternal D-Ring Harnesses Offer

LiftGuard Sling Protectors from DICA, Guthrie Center, Iowa, prevent damage to slings caused by contact with abrasive edges, corners, or protrusions from loads being lifted. They can be used with synthetic, wire rope or chain slings; working load limit is 12,500 lbs. per square inch of synthetic sling width.

Integrated magnets make the placement of these edge protectors simple, safe, and efficient.

Grooved units securely connect to the flange of an I-Beam or edge of a steel plate, and Coil models fit within the center and on top of a steel coil.

Optional Velcro® straps ensure proper sling placement, allowing the protectors to stay attached to the slings when removing them from loads placed at higher elevations.

LiftGuard Sling Protectors

Two new sternal D-Ring harnesses from Malta Dynamics, Malta, Ohio, include front D-Ring for front tie-off climbing, a back D-Ring for overhead fall protection, and a pair of side positioning D-Rings at the hips. The Razorback Elite and Razorback Elite Maxx harnesses meet or exceed ANSI Z359.11-2014, OSHA 1926 Subpart M, and OSHA 1910 standards.

The harnesses have a maximum worker weight capacity of 310 lbs., and the harnesses include reflective stitching for improved visibility and built-in rescue handles for fall recovery.

14 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Worker Versatility

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Malta Sternal D-Ring Harness

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MANAGEMENT

By Tina Cauller

Change is the only Constant

Business agility and strategic preparedness will be essential for contractors in 2021 Shelby Erectors recently worked on the SW 1st Street Bridge project over the Miami River, noting that some transportation projects in 2020 were accelerated because of fewer people being on the roads. Commercial transportation projects also constitute the bulk of the company's current backlog.

T

he disruptive effects of accelerating Covid-19 spread on the economy, the market, and the supply-chain have positioned a massive cloud of uncertainty between business leaders and their view of the future. While most see a rebound ahead, the timing and dimensions of a recovery depend on the type of business, leaving anxious business owners to consider where their company might land in a “K-shaped” recovery. Economic experts are forecasting a mixed outlook for the construction industry in 2021 Economic experts are forecasting a mixed outlook for the construction industry in 2021.

We asked steel erection, decking, and rebar contractors to weigh in on the state of the construction market. They share insight into the sectors where they have backlog and what concerns them regarding the new Presidential Administration.

The Downside For anyone trying to plan their company’s future, uncertainty is an uncomfortable Tina Cauller is a graphic designer and freelance writer with 30 years of experience reporting for trade and technical publications in building construction and real estate markets. She can be reached at tinacauller@gmail.com

problem. Understanding the economic forces shaping the future of the construction industry requires looking closely at the uneven impact of the pandemic on our economy and the links between industries. Although state- and federally-funded projects that have been in the works for months, such as airport expansions and rapid transit projects, are proceeding as planned, uncertainty means that developers and lenders will shy away from risk-taking. In contrast, SEAA-member company, Shelby Erectors of Florida reports that transportation projects constitute the bulk of its current backlog.

One change in particular is leading developers to shelve new commercial construction projects. The pandemic has driven workers out of Class A office space in favor of working remotely. Upwork reports an 87% increase in the number of Americans who now work from home. The remote workforce is likely here to stay, as employers and workers see measurable advantages in morale, cost, and productivity. One in four Americans will be working remotely in 2021 and, according to predictions, 22% of the U.S. workforce will still be working from a home office by 2025.

This change has resulted in tightened lending for commercial real estate.

The Associated Builders and Contractors backlog indicator, which reflects work under

16 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

contract to be performed by commercial and industrial construction contractors in the months ahead, has shown an overall downward trend since January 2020. Contractors express concerns about what will happen to the project pipeline after this year’s backlog is exhausted, since so many new projects are being cancelled or put on hold by project owners. Even for those companies fortunate enough to have construction projects in the economy’s healthier sectors, new social distancing guidelines remain challenging and outbreaks of illness are causing project delays.

For some industries, the effects of the pandemic have been devastating. Travel and associated industries, such as airline and hospitality, are among the hardest hit and are likely not to see a recovery anytime soon. The restaurant industry has been dealt a near-mortal blow. In states that rely heavily on tourism revenue, the decline has wiped out funding for new construction projects.

Retail is staggering under the pressure of e-commerce as shoppers stay home, and retail starts are down by 30%.

Healthcare starts are off by about half, impacted by worried Americans who put off medical visits and elective procedures. But, as more people are vaccinated and catch-up appointments begin to fill the scheduling calendars, a surge in healthcare construction is

Connector | SPRING EDITION March 2021 | 17

Construction Backlog Indicator Jan. 2021 Total

7.5

Commercial & Institutional Heavy Industrial Infrastructure

7.7 6.5 7.0

Middle States Northeast South West

5.9 8.1 8.0 8.0

< $30 Million $30-$50 Million $50-$100 Million > $100 Million

6.6 7.9 8.8 12.4

Dec. 2020

8.4

1-Month Net Change 0.2

12-Month Net Change -0.9

8.5 6.9 8.4

0.4 2.3 -1.9

-0.8 -0.4 -1.4

7.0 7.0 11.4 7.3

-0.3 0.2 -0.3 1.3

-1,1 1.1 -3.4 0.7

7.1 9.2 12.1 14.3

-0.4 0.7 0.3 2.4

-0.5 -1.3 -3.3 -1,9

Jan. 2020

7.3 Industry 7.3 4.2 8.9 Region 6.2 7.9 8.3 6.7 Company Size 7.0 7.2 8.5 10.0

©Associated Builders and Contractors, Construction Backing Indicator

expected. At least one of the SEAA member companies we interviewed noted current hospital projects that are underway. Meanwhile, higher ed institution projects, have been negatively impacted as enrollment declines, and classes move online.

These industries, which represent the downward leg of the K-shaped recovery, are projected to continue suffering under the negative impact of Covid-19. However, the crisis underlying the bleak outlook for some segments of the economy has created an unprecedented boom for others.

Survey results released by Associated General Contractors of America in January 2021 found that respondents expect growth in health care clinics, testing and screening facilities, medical laboratories, warehouses, and water and sewer projects. However, they don’t anticipate growth in other types of construction and expect the dollar volume of most project types available to bid on to decline in 2021.

Silver Linings In other areas of industry, the events of the past year have created opportunity. The move to remote work has led newly homebased workers to seek more spacious living quarters that can comfortably accommodate home offices, often in more affordable areas outside the city. The increased demand for single-family housing (up 6% in 2020 and expected to be up 3% in 2021), combined with interest rates near zero, has buoyed residential construction and roadwork. Titan Steel Erectors, a Memphis, Tenn.-based SEAA member, noted that residential construction is among the markets in its backlog, while MAS

Building & Bridge, Norfolk, Mass., is currently building condos as people move to suburbs.

All that staying home means consumers are spending their money online, replacing retail and restaurant spending with online shopping and food delivery services. To meet this soaring demand, online sellers are looking to build small distribution centers closer to their customers and stand up warehouses capable of housing massive amounts of inventory. That trend was confirmed by several of the SEAA members we spoke to. Data centers,

warehouses for e-commerce, and multi-story distribution centers are among the projects that made 2020 Gardner-Watson Decking’s best year yet.

Product shortages related to our just-intime supply chain that wreaked havoc early in the pandemic, like the supply snags that made toilet paper a hot commodity, may be alleviated by this new warehouse and distribution capacity going forward. The widespread loss of retail tenants is buffering the demand for new warehouse construction somewhat as suppliers are drawn to cheap vacated space, but overall, the upward trend in warehouse construction is strong.

Data centers, technology, and entertainment have also experienced a tremendous economic boost from pandemic-driven changes, as people spend to equip home offices, enhance communication capability, and upgrade their at-home entertainment options. Businesses are investing in new equipment and software to adapt and remain competitive in the changing environment, another trend that is expected to continue.

The labor market is also being impacted dramatically. Subdued economic activity and weak labor market conditions will keep interest rates on federal borrowing low through 2021 and the Fed is expected to keep

Jack Nix, Vice President of Operations, Shelby Erectors, Inc., Davie, Fla.

“

Shelby Erectors is currently building commercial transportation projects and that category constitutes the bulk of our backlog as well. Some projects were actually accelerated because of Covid-19 since traffic was lower and we hired about 30 new employees in March and April.

In 2020, we were up over 2019 by 20%, but we expect to be flat this year because of the type of business we’re in. Less than 5% of our second and third quarter work for 2021 is heavy civil projects and we have no heavy civil in backlog.

We’re all waiting to see what changes will come from the new administration that may affect construction and small business in general. Meanwhile, we’re adapting and learning to work with the new testing and HR requirements of the Covid-19 environment. We’ve been fortunate that our workforce has only been affected minimally by the virus, with just three cases, and those were acquired outside the workplace. Hopefully, once vaccinations are more widely available, we will be past the worst of the pandemic and can look forward to an improving economy.

”

Geoff Kress, Vice President, Gardner Watson Decking, Oldsmar, Fla.

18 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

“

Last year, business was up for Gardner Watson Decking and we saw our largest growth so far. We’ve restructured and we’re taking on new types of accounts, so we expect 2021 to be even bigger for the company. Our current projects include hospitals, warehouses for e-commerce, and multi-story distribution centers and sortation facilities to meet the expanding demand on Amazon and Walmart. In our backlog for Q3 and Q4, we have slated auto plants, e-commerce, and data centers for Google. Our company has been flourishing, so changes implemented by the new administration, especially tax increases which could potentially cause a nosedive, are a concern for us.

”

Connector | SPRING EDITION March 2021 | 19

interest rates at or near zero until 2023.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that Q4 of 2021 will see an unemployment rate that is 5.1 percentage points higher than Q4 2019. CBO estimates that real (adjusted for inflation) GDP will contract by 11 percent in Q2 and the number of people without employment will be almost 26 million higher than in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Watchful Waiting Business owners are anxiously watching the new administration’s plans regarding taxes and Covid-19 management and mitigation. A possible new stimulus package could create construction demand. Infrastructure continues to be an area of promise for the

Greg Phillips, Titan Steel Erectors, Memphis, Tenn.

“

Titan Steel Erectors’ current projects include hospitals, office towers, an assisted living center, a large hotel, and an education building devoted to STEM. Right now, we have a variety of projects in backlog. Those include single-family housing, warehouses, cold storage facilities, schools, and hotels. While we are busy, business is down overall – we have seen the bid market grow thinner and backlog is shrinking. I’m concerned that our new administration may implement policies that are not oriented toward growing the economy and could result in shrinking the private sector.

”

construction industry. If an infrastructure deal is struck, new spending under the Build Back Better initiative will spur infrastructure and building projects that will benefit contractors. Hopeful proponents have their sights on projects including transportation, aviation, public utilities, broadband, flood control,

Glen Pisani, Steel Division Manager, MAS Building & Bridge, Inc., Norfolk, Mass.

“

Our region of the country has seen a growing demand for affordable housing.

We’re currently building condos in the suburbs, as well as warehouses, laboratory facilities, federal projects like military facilities, and state-funded projects which have been in the lead-up stages for months. Our 2021 backlog is healthy, but we feel a lot of uncertainty about what comes next after those projects have moved through the pipeline and we worry that any increase in taxes will dampen building. In the current economic environment, there is already a lot of pressure on unions, another factor that contributes to a general feeling of uncertainty about the future.

”

water supply, renewable energy, and school construction. The widespread distribution of vaccines in 2021 is expected to help boost the economy, especially critical since more shutdowns would certainly cause further job loss and cripple consumer confidence.

As we contend with the Covid-19 pandemic and its destabilizing effects, change may be the only constant. Ultimately, 2021 will be a mixed bag of increasing positivity in some markets and continued decline in others, with gradually improving certainty and a brightening outlook overall for the construction industry. Agility and strategic preparedness are likely to be among the most important factors in determining which companies can respond to the ongoing challenges that lie ahead.

•

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IN THE FIELD

By Tom Getschman

Reducing Unknowns in the Field Four reasons to seek an engineered erection plan

Many facets of a complex project can benefit from an engineered erection plan.

T

he new project requires an engineered erection plan. Your steel erection company has many years of experience hanging iron and erecting structures, so why should you work with a construction engineer to develop an engineered erection plan? According to an old ironworker friend of mine, “It’s not what I know that scares me, it’s what I don’t know that does.” An engineered erection plan will give the project the proper scrutiny beforehand the project starts so that the erector can reduce the unknowns in the field.

There are four criteria that contribute to the need for engineered erection plan. Two of Tom Getschman is Principal at CSD Structural Engineers. He has more than 20 years of experience in structural steel erection engineering, and is a published author and lecturer. CSD Structural Engineers is a national structural engineering firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. Contact Tom at tgetschman@csd-eng.com or visit www.csd-eng. com to learn more.

these can be found within the steel industry reference standards, Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the American Institute of Steel Construction’s Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges (COSP). The other two reasons for developing an engineered erection plan are specific to the project—either mandated by the design or contract documents or by subjective determination between you and your engineer.

Reason 1: OSHA OSHA 1926.752(e) states: “Where employers elect, due to conditions specific to the site, to develop alternate means and methods that provide employee protections in accordance with § 1926.753(c)(5), § 1926.757(a)(4) or § 1926.757(e)(4), a site-specific erection plan shall be developed by a qualified person and be available at the work site.”

OSHA specifically calls for a “qualified person” to develop the site-specific erection plan, but does not dictate that a licensed structural

22 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

engineer is required. However, many of the components of a site-specific erection plan as stated in OSHA 1926 Subpart R Appendix A(c) (3)(i-iii) require the knowledge, expertise, and experience of a licensed structural engineer.

At the very least, the erector should have their construction engineer collaborate in the development of the company’s standard means and methods practices and any site-specific erection plan criteria that is required for the project. Your construction engineer will be able to assist in determining if your existing erection plan submittal meets current building and design codes.

Reason 2: Industry Standards In the steel construction industry, the benchmark to which structural steel buildings are designed, fabricated, and erected can be found within AISC’s Code of Standard Practice. Section 7.10.3 states: “the erector shall determine, furnish and install all temporary supports, such as temporary guys, beams, falsework, cribbing or other elements

required for the erection operation. These temporary supports shall be sufficient to secure the structural steel framing or any portion thereof against loads that are likely to be encountered during erection, including those due to wind and those that result from erection operations.”

This requirement clearly illustrates the need for an engineered erection plan. A licensed structural engineer can use their knowledge of engineering principles, understanding of current building codes, apply engineering techniques in analysis and design to develop an erection plan that provides sufficient support to the bare structural steel frame.

It is not the duty, nor the responsibility of the Structural Engineer of Record (SER) to design the structure for temporary loads during construction, and that obligation will always be the responsibility of the erector. Your company’s standard means and methods, and years of experience may have proven to be sufficient up until when they are not, and that may result in significant consequences.

level wind forces. It should be noted that the additional bracing requirements in the HCP are not included with the engineered erection plan.

ASCE 37-14 allows the engineered erection plan to consider lower wind speeds that have been reduced for construction duration for the specific project, however an HCP needs to provide a stability design for the partially complete structure to withstand the full unreduced hurricane wind speeds. Therefore, the HCP will likely require additional temporary bracing, early completion of critical erection sequences or even disassembly of unstable portions of the structure that would

otherwise not be required in an engineered erection plan.

Reason 4: Complex Jobs The final reason for developing an engineered erection plan is probably the most obvious. Simply put, it’s because you or your construction engineer have determined that a unique or complex project needs to have an engineered erection.

As required in COSP 7.10.1, the Owner’s Designated Representative (project SER) shall identify the lateral-load resisting system and any special conditions or other considerations that are required by the design concept. Often,

Reason 3: Project Specs and Bids Often the project specification and/or bidding documents will require an erection plan that has been stamped by a Professional Engineer from the state in which the project is located. It is crucial that the erector identify those requirements and carry the appropriate costs into your proposal, or qualify your proposal accordingly. The cost of an engineered erection plan is a cost to you, the erector, if it is not included in your base proposal.

In my experience, the SER can and often does “wash their hands” of the erection plan approval. Instead, the general contractor will have either an in-house or third-party engineer review and evaluate the erection plan.

The submittal, approval, and potential resubmittal process will require more effort and time by your engineer to complete.

For projects located in hurricane prone regions, it is not uncommon for the project or general contractor to require a Hurricane Contingency Plan (HCP). An HCP is intended to be executed when a hurricane is approaching the construction site and allow the construction team a short window to secure the jobsite.

Besides provisions for securing material, equipment, and personnel onsite, the HCP will also encompass the stability of the partially erected structure with respect to hurricane

Engineered temporary erection aids provide support and can be adjusted to critical erection sequences.

24 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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In the steel construction industry, the benchmark to which structural steel buildings are designed, fabricated, and erected can be found within AISC’s Code of Standard Practice. this information is omitted on the drawings. In other cases, the information is confusing or inadequate, however, a professional engineer can decipher the intent of the SER. With clear design information and engineering support, projects are less likely to run into issues.

The best time for you to engage your in-house construction engineer is during the bidding phase. However, there are several rules of thumb that would hint as to when an engineered erection plan might be warranted for a project.

One scenario is anytime that the lateral load resisting system does not include the structural steel framing. In these situations, the bare structural will need to be self-supporting until another trade has completed their work and the steel frame can be tied into the lateral load resisting system (i.e. masonry, concrete shear walls or exterior precast wall panels).

As architects push the boundaries of artistic design, they also are forcing the SER to push the boundaries of the structural design.

Any structure that has unique architectural features will often have structural instabilities until the structure has been completed, thus increasing the difficulty of the streel erection.

The flipside of that scenario are structures that lack any architectural inspiration and have been designed to optimize the material sizing and cost. These projects often use light and small member sizes that have limited capacity until they have been fully braced. These may be unassuming structures such as warehouses, light industrial structures, and metal building systems.

Lastly, long span lightweight fabricated trusses can have stability issues both during the lifting process and after the truss has been set. These scenarios often require the use of two cranes to erect the necessary secondary framing to brace the truss prior to slackening the hoist line.

For every structural steel erection project, an erection plan is critically important. Having an engineered erection plan can benefit the project, reduce unknowns, and increase safety.

•

26 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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COVER STORY

By Tracy Bennett and Bryan McClure

RISK REWARD

RESPECT

On the Job: An Ironworker’s Perspective

Jose Salinas, a backup connector for Deem Structural Services.

Deem Structural Services builds a temporary structure over the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel in preparation for renovations. The GC on the project is J.E. Dunn Construction. Photo Credits: Bryan McClure

T

he U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, an iconic structure in the Rocky Mountain foothills outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., is undergoing a massive renovation project to replace the leaking aluminum and glass skin of the building. One of the first steps in the multiyear project is to build a temporary steel structure wrapped in fabric over the chapel to protect it during renovation.

Texas-based SEAA members Basden Steel Corp. and Deem Structural Services are the steel fabricator and erector, respectively, hired Tracy Bennett is Managing Editor of Connector and Principal Partner of Mighty Mo Media Partners, a marketing consulting firm. Her technical expertise is in construction, lifting equipment, and workforce development.

Bryan McClure operates Trivent Safety Consulting.

He is a safety professional who got his start as an ironworker. He is a Director on the SEAA Board and currently serves as Chairman of the Safety Committee.

by J.E. Dunn Construction of Kansas City, Mo., to first erect and later dismantle, the temporary structure. The installation portion was estimated to take 20 weeks from August 2020 through January 2021. The company will return in 2023, after renovations are finished, to dismantle the structure.

“This is one of the more unique buildings I’ve hung steel on in my lifetime,” said Mitch Wingate, Deem’s Site Superintendent, who has spent 30 years in the steel erection business. “There is no structure below the high points. Most of the connecting is being done from boom lifts, and 95% of it is bolted connections.”

The temporary structure is about 185 feet tall. The site itself is surrounded by trees and is adjacent to the other Air Force Academy buildings that remain in use during construction. In addition to dealing with Colorado weather, other challenges include crane logistics and access to the site. Field welding is strictly limited, as a precaution to protect the historic 1960s era landmark, requiring hot work permits. Instead, the bulk of the connections are bolted.

28 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

We visited the job site in October 2020 to get the perspective of one of the company’s ironworkers, Jose Salinas, who is working on one of two raising gangs on the project.

The raising gang, which usually consists of a five-person crew, includes the crane operator, ground hand, raising gang foreman, and a lead connector and backup connector. On this project, one connection team works on the west side of the chapel while a second team simultaneously works on the east side.

Salinas, age 27, is a backup connector. He has worked for Deem Structural for just over a year, and has less than five years of experience as an ironworker. “These days, I don’t see many young men like Jose coming into this trade. He is willing to learn and work hard.

I’m very impressed with him,” said Wingate.

“The connectors are usually the two guys you trust the most. They are your top hands on the job site,” he added.

A new calling Asked how he got started as an ironworker, Salinas said he had no previous experience.

He was working in a cell phone store when

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his dad got a job working at a power plant.

“He told me about the job. I looked at videos on YouTube and thought I would like to try it. I started out as a ground man in the yard, organizing steel, shaking it out, making center marks, and doing rigging,” said Salinas.

“While working with the ground crew, I started getting additional training: boom lift training, forklift training, power tools training, rigging, fall protection. Then I learned how to lay down decking. After that I received bolt up and connector hazard training and started bolting up on beams. I really liked connecting.

The first time, I wasn’t that high up, maybe around 60 feet. I was nervous because It was something new, but you get used to it. I like being on the steel. And I like the money.”

A day in the life of an ironworker An average day starts at 5 am. Salinas is staying at a nearby hotel with his wife and baby. Before they joined him in Colorado, he roomed with a co-worker. After getting ready and packing his lunch—which on this day was chicken and rice—he heads to the jobsite for the safety and pre-task meeting. “After that we inspect our equipment, harnesses, lanyards to make sure everything is safe. We do boom lift inspections, then we get to work,” he said.

The two tools he says he never goes up on the steel without are his spud wrench and sleever bar. In all his tool belt weighs 60-80 pounds.

Because the structure the Deem crew is erecting is temporary, all of the connections are being bolted instead of welded, so that it’s easier to dismantle. “This job is pretty unique to be connecting out of boom lifts,” said Salinas. Because they are working over the chapel without floor structure below them, the workers also have to wear lanyards on their hard hats and tools, to prevent anything from being dropped from above.

The ground crew rigs the beam to be lifted.

Career path Admittedly, this is not an easy job—it’s a long way from home, working in all kinds of weather, and it takes a certain amount of bravery to do it well. “You have to have the mindset to be an ironworker,” said Wingate. “You work in 120 degree weather and -20 degree weather. You are dragging deck and handling steel that weighs 500 times more than you. And your job is 180 feet up in the air.”

30 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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But it’s not those things that Salinas cites when asked what is the hardest part of his job. Like a true connector, he replied: “The hardest part is when the structure is a little tight, when the beams don’t fit quite right.”

So, what are the rewards? Both Wingate and Salinas say it’s not just the pay, which conservatively starts at about $60,000, not including over time, per diem, or other incentives. (Source: NCCER 2018 Construction Craft Salary Survey) “It’s the respect you get from the other trades on the job site and the satisfaction of seeing what you accomplished at the end of the day,” said Wingate. Salinas adds that he also appreciates the experiences and the chance to travel. “This is a long drive from south Texas,” he said. “I like to see new places and meet new people.”

Every job site is different. This one has the advantage of being in a beautiful setting. The day we visited we saw wild turkeys and deer.

It helps that Salinas is able to have his wife and young son with him for part of the time while he’s away from home. “I don’t have to worry about them. After work, we chill out, watch movies, or visit local places,” he said.

The family recently toured a former silver mining town and took a ride on an old steam engine train. Asked what his wife thinks of his job, Salinas says softly: “She worries, a little too much sometimes.” But if given the chance to do a different trade—such as electrician or plumber—Salinas isn’t interested. “I like what I do. Right now, I’m young. I’m good with this.

Maybe later, when I’m older, being a crane operator would be ok,” he said.

Wingate is a prime example of the career opportunities that await, who became a superintendent at age 23.

He started working in a fabrication shop at age 16 during the summers.

After high school he operated a screw gun on a decking crew. “I wanted to learn everything I could from the older generation of ironworkers and then applied it to me. “This is a profession where there’s always something else to rise to at the next level. You can go from ground crew to connector to being a job site leader,” he said.

•

Jose and his partner connect the overhead crane rail beam to the underside of the long span bar joist.

32 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Jose Salinas guides the tagline while his partner in the other boom lift signals the crane operator.

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BUSINESS OPERATIONS

By Tracy Bennett

The Real Cost of Paper and Markers to Construction Estimating Processes

F

our years ago, High Plains Steel Services, LLC in Windsor, Colo., began moving from manual estimates for its steel fabrication and erection bids to using software. The estimating process often uses spreadsheets, blueprints, drawings and other information to figure material and labor costs and other factors. The company, which operates three divisions—steel fabrication, industrial coatings, and steel erection—found it easiest to combine different tools, gradually adding them one at a time as they adapted their processes.

The full-service steel fabrication shop focuses on under 1,000-ton structural and miscellaneous steel projects for commercial, industrial, and mining applications, as well architecturally exposed structural steel. Its steel erection division does under $5 million in contracts per year. Being a small company that previously relied on a manual process that used “highlighters, lots of paper, rulers, and calculators” didn’t deter the estimating team from investing and implementing software that has proven to improve efficiencies, quality, and cost accuracy.

The company’s initial investment began in 2016 with Tekla EPM for steel production, fabrication, and coatings estimating; they continued to use a spreadsheet for the erection work until the implementation of Steel Erection BidWizard in 2018. In December 2020, High Plains switched to Tekla PowerFab, a comprehensive steel management software suite. The suite includes all the features of Tekla EPM (estimating, project management, production control, material optimization, inventory control, purchasing and order entry) as well as EPM Modeler.

“This will allow us to import models with automatic data transfer and automate takeoffs for materials and labor,” said Kevin Hooper, Operations Manager for the Fabrication Tracy Bennett is Managing Editor of Connector and Principal Partner of Mighty Mo Media Partners, a marketing consulting firm. Her technical expertise is in construction, lifting equipment, and workforce development.

34 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

and Coatings Divisions. “We can either import a structural model or create the model ourselves.”

In 2017, both divisions began using BlueBeam, and they added Steel Erection Bid Wizard in 2018 for the erection division. BlueBeam has tools for marking up drawings, counting items, measuring, and more. Once takeoffs are complete, drawings can be saved, revised, and overlayed with old drawings. “The software highlights all changes rather than having to manually comb drawings for differences. It saves time and eliminates errors,” said Hooper.

“Steel Erection Bid Wizard has pre-populated labor operations and is also very easy to adjust for efficiencies, labor rates, equipment costs etc.,” he said. Kris McLean, President, explains: “Having standard values to estimate by quantity, linear footage, or square footage, depending on what you are erecting, provides consistency and accuracy to the estimates. Having the ability to adjust these to your company’s efficiencies ensures that you know your exact cost to complete a project. Knowing your cost enables you to get competitive in tough markets without unwittingly bidding projects at a loss.”

Then and now Before, the company’s estimating capacity was maxed.

They needed a way to work smarter, not harder. As the process evolved, they were also able to integrate multiple departments. “The estimating department is the predominant user. However, operations and project management are run through Tekla PowerFab. The ability to export financial data from Tekla to QuickBooks keeps this software vital in the accounting department as well,” said McLean.

But the primary benefits are how much easier it is to manage documents, changes, and repetitive operations.

“Creating a redundant system for takeoffs made it possible to analyze data and make calculated adjustments to our system, scale items and calculate square footages in a fraction of the time,” said Hooper. “Utilizing parametric assemblies to bid unique but re-occurring types of assemblies such as

Connector | SPRING EDITION March 2021 | 35

stairs, rails, and trash gates has made it possible to estimate these projects much more quickly.” An additional advantage is improved customer service, because takeoffs can be shared with the customer if needed.

It also enabled the company to use its people more efficiently. “Establishing a standard system for takeoffs allows projects to be passed off to another team member mid takeoff,” said Hooper. It also decreased human errors in calculations. And in the era of the

coronavirus, “We can seamlessly work from the office or the house” he said.

As the software tools became essential to the company’s estimates and bidding processes, a simple hardware upgrade has taken High Plains’ new methods to a new level. In December 2018, the company added 50-inch touch screen monitors and multi-screen 24-inch monitors to the estimators’ work space. “The big screen enables plan views to show entire drawings, and the additional

smaller monitors can display detail sheets, proposal templates, and takeoff software. The touch screens, combined with the counting and measuring features [of the software], saves countless hours taking off and marking up drawings by hand,” said Hooper.

Getting up to speed This combination of software tools worked for the company because they were easily adapted to their specific industry and could be customized to meet company preferences.

But McLean advises that this type of investment needs careful consideration for smaller companies. It took High Plains roughly 18 months to get full utilization out of their initial investment, with one estimator and one executive working with the programs.

“What made us successful was that we had decades of experience, so we knew what results were needed to meet our current objectives. And, we were fearless of new software and extremely driven to push these different tools to their limits in order to produce said results,” said Hooper.

“It’s human nature to want to resort back to old methods as you learn new ways of doing the work. But if you are committed to dive in, you can eventually get more done with less effort,” said McLean. “We literally more than doubled our estimating capacity while increasing accuracy, accountability, and data transfer,” said Mclean.

In all, the company invested about $20,000 ($10,000 per station) for erection estimating hardware and software. This did not include its investment in the steel fabrication and production software and IT support costs.

Small companies may balk at the startup expenses, but McLean says it’s worth it. “Not only can we do more with less, we are able to analyze data to further hone in on the market,” he said.

It helped that the company was able to maximize economies of scale. “The cost of the investment depends on being a fabricator, erector, or both like we are,” said McLean. Once the initial expense and time was invested in the fabrication estimating and takeoff software, it was less than 5% more time and expense to further maximize the technology for the erection division.

Now four years later, McLean reflects: “We incur annual erection estimating software expenses of less than $1,000, which is way less than what we were spending previously on paper and highlighters!”

•

36 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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TOPPING OUT

Executive Director Retires Tom Underhill, Executive Director of SEAA since 2011, retired at the end of 2020.

“We appreciate Tom’s years of service and value the impact he has had on programs of value to all members,” said Geoff Kress, SEAA President.

During Underhill’s tenure, SEAA implemented its Ironworker Craft Training Program and achieved U.S. DOL-approval of its Ironworker Apprenticeship, re-launched Connector magazine, and has worked closely with other industry groups on technical standards, workforce development issues, and promotion of erector and fabricator interests.

Prior to working in a staff role for the association, he spent 12 years with Brenner Steel in Winston-Salem, N.C. before founding Tri Steel, Inc. in 2000. He served on the SEAA Board of Directors and was President from 1997 to 1998. It was at this time that SEAA invested in its relationship with NCCER to create an Ironworker curriculum.

Over the years, Underhill has successfully completed 17 Ironman Triathlon races in North America, Europe and South America. During retirement, he looks forward to spending time with his wife Travis, traveling and working on his golf game.

By the Numbers: Construction Outlook

Meet New Members

Total Construction Spending Put in Place 2020 and Forecast Growth (2019-2024) by Metropolitan Statistical Area. Source: FMI Forecast Q4 2020

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Lindapter, Leander, Texas, manufactures steel connections, hollow section (HSS) connections, concrete decking connections, pipe and conduit supports and steel floor connections.

Malta Dynamics, Malta, Ohio, is a full-service manufacturing company specializing in fall protection solutions.

Postel Erection Group, LLC, Porter, Texas, specializes in steel fabrication, steel erection, heavy lifting and various different types of equipment installation.

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Brookline High School in Brookline Ma. Erected by MAS Building & Bridge, Inc., Norfolk, MA.

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