TDSpirit Summer 2012

TDSpirit Issue 29 - Summer Summer 2012 2011

TDIndustries

Serving Our Communities

Photo Courtesy of Philip Sully

TDSpirit A publication of

Letter from CEO Harold MacDowell It’s been said that, “Authority is always built on service and sacrifice.” Whether it’s helping those in need, leading community organizations or working extra hours because the project needed it, TD strives to keep a reputation that is built on service and sacrifice.

For nearly 70 years, TD has worked to become not only the authority in mechanical construction and facility service in the Southwest, but also a leader in supporting our community. This position has come about because of our daily practice of servant leadership. Our culture is built on it. It is who we are and it’s why we are very excited to have an issue of the TDSpirit dedicated to the idea of giving back.

Giving back is not a new way to conduct business.

Many of you and your companies give generously at the holidays and throughout the year. We are committed to doing the same. Giving something back each day is one of the many reasons I am glad to be a part of this great company.

As you turn the pages of this issue of the TDSpirit, you’ll be touched by the stories of TDPartners who increased their giving during one of our country’s worst recessions and who spend their off hours serving in areas where they are needed. I particularly liked the article about Paul Blair’s recent stay at the Baylor Heart Hospital – a facility where I am proud that TDIndustries was the selected mechanical contractor. Paul reminded all of us that, “The work we do matters to those for whom we do it.” The buildings that we build and service may one day be the buildings that we need to serve us. It’s one of the best reasons to give our all on these facilities where we live and work.

TDPartners believe that when you give of yourself, you can improve the community you serve and the industry of which we are a part. And that makes our lives all the more fulfilling and impactful.

Se ha dicho que, “La autoridad se basa siempre en el servicio y el sacrificio”. Ya sea ayudando a los necesitados, al frente de las organizaciones comunitarias o trabajando horas extra porque era necesario para el proyecto, TD se esfuerza por mantener una reputación que se basa en el servicio y el sacrificio.

Durante casi 70 años, TD ha trabajado para convertirse no sólo en la autoridad en la construcción mecánica y de instalaciones de servicio en el suroeste, sino también para ser un líder de apoyo a nuestra comunidad. Esta posición se ha producido a causa de nuestra práctica diaria del liderazgo de servicio.

Nuestra cultura se basa en ello. Es lo que somos y es por eso que nos complace mucho dedicar una edición de TDSpirit a la idea de retribuir.

Retribuir no es una nueva forma de hacer negocios. Muchos de ustedes y sus empresas dan con generosidad en los días de fiesta y durante todo el año.

Estamos comprometidos a hacer lo mismo. Dar algo a cambio cada día es una de las muchas razones por las que me alegro de ser parte de esta gran empresa.

Al pasar las páginas de este ejemplar de TDSpirit, le conmoverán las historias de los TDPartners que aumentaron su generosidad durante una de las peores recesiones de nuestro país y que dedican sus horas de descanso a prestar servicios en las áreas donde más se necesitan. Me gustó en especial el artículo sobre la reciente estancia de Paul Blair en el Hospital de Cardiología de Baylor; un centro para el cual TDIndustries fue seleccionado como contratista mecánico, de lo cual estoy muy orgulloso.

Paul nos recuerda a todos nosotros que “el trabajo que realizamos es importante para las personas por quienes lo hacemos”. Los edificios que construimos y a los que damos servicio pueden ser un día los edificios a los cuales recurrimos para obtener servicios. Es una de las mejores razones para darlo todo en estas instalaciones en las que vivimos y trabajamos.

Los TDPartners creen que cuando uno da de sí mismo, puede mejorar la comunidad a la que sirve y la industria de la cual somos parte. Eso hace que nuestras vidas sean mucho más satisfactorias e impactantes.

Carpe Diem!

TDIndustries is changing the face of mechanical construction and facilities services through lifecycle innovations.

Austin

2701 Gattis School Road Building “A” Suite 101 Round Rock‚ TX 78664 512-310-5052

Dallas

13850 Diplomat Drive Dallas‚ TX 75234 972-888-9500

Fort Worth

5700 Stratum Drive Fort Worth, TX 76137 817-590-9360

Houston

8801 Jameel Road, Suite 100 Houston‚ TX 77040 713-939-1986

Phoenix

1702 W. 3rd Street Tempe, AZ 85281 480-449-7690

San Antonio

12700 O’Connor Road San Antonio‚ TX 78233 210-564-6065

Richardson

Technology Manufacturing 1400 S. Sherman Street Richardson, TX, USA 75081 214-575-6479

Weslaco

1240 N. Vo Tech Drive Suite C Weslaco, TX 78596 956-968-4580 View the TDSpirit online, anytime. Visit www.tdindustries.com/Newsletters/TDSpirit.aspx

and opt-in to become a digital subscriber.

Please report any change of address, contact name, or additions by calling Matthew Stephenson at 972-888-9348 or by email: matthew.stephenson@tdindustries.com.

We want to thank the Partners of TDIndustries who contributed to this issue of TDSpirit.

TDIndustries

Serving Our Communities Giving back is a way of life at TDIndustries

Many companies ramp up for an annual giving campaign. Food and toy drives flourish around the holidays. But for the partners at TD, each day brings new opportunities to serve their communities. And they gladly step up, living TD’s servant leadership mindset year-round.

In fact, despite the economic challenges of the past few years, TDPartners increased their giving. TD’s 2011-2012 United Way campaign contributions increased more than $55,000 over last year.

Each established donor pledged more, and 100 new donors contributed to the fund.

So what’s the difference? TDPartners. Here are just a few of the projects they support throughout the year.

Going the distance to help those in need

Kim West goes wherever disaster strikes. She took vacation time to help Habitat for Humanity rebuild Joplin, Missouri, shortly after the devastating 2011 tornado. Later, she organized donations for hundreds of people displaced by last year’s wildfires in Magnolia, Texas. “TD is the best company I’ve ever worked for,” West says. “They always help out when there’s a need.”

Uniting coworkers and community

Mary Shaw says that the office was glad to once again help Vogel Alcove, a free childcare center for homeless children. This year, they added a community service day at Austin Street Shelter and look forward to being part of the Children’s Hospital Parade in December. “These are great ways for field and office partners to come together,” Shaw says. “We can use tools and skills most volunteers don’t have. And what’s great is that TD lets us use time during the workday to plan.”

Making Meals from the Heart

Pam Holland and Wendy Macias are proud of their team’s quarterly visits to Ronald McDonald House, where they cook “Meals from the Heart” for visiting families whose children are hospitalized. “TD buys all the food and donates whatever kitchen items are needed,” says Macias.

Feeding frenzy

Anna Washington says Partners in Central Texas formed teams to see who could out-give each other during two food drives—one for The Caring Place, and one for the San Antonio Food Bank. The competition reaped 550 lbs. of food for each location, which fed 445 families.

“Leadership was supportive, and the competition kept the momentum going,” says Washington. “We’ll definitely do this again.”

Running hot and cold

Ki Bartlett works with a team to help elderly and disabled people keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The effort is part of the region’s Beat the Heat and Heat the Country programs. TD donates labor and parts and also coordinates donations to fix air conditioners, install window units, and make sure heaters are safe to run. “It’s hard to work it all in after hours, so TD lets us schedule these jobs into our workday, donating our time and gas for the trucks,” says Bartlett.

Fueling passion ignites community service

Doug Edrington says TDPartners and vendors have invested $49,000 since 2009 in the futures of Texas youth by buying animals and awarding scholarships to help kids raise those animals and compete with them.

Edrington says that TD supports such a wide variety of community services because they support their Partners’ passions. “TD understands that we can make the biggest differences in our communities when we’re involved in the causes we’re most passionate about.”

“It’s part of our DNA”

According to board member Bob Ferguson, TD’s commitment to giving goes back to the very beginning.

“Our founder, Jack Lowe Sr., was involved in the community from the start,” says Ferguson. “It’s always been part of our DNA.” “Jack believed in caring for all our stakeholders – employees, customers, shareholders, vendors, and community members. That spirit is called different things at different places. At The Container Store, they call it ‘Conscious Capitalism’; at Southwest Airlines, they call it ‘a Servant’s Heart.’ My grandma called it ‘doing good deeds.’ Here, we call it ‘Servant Leadership.’”

“But everywhere, it boils down to the same thing: giving of yourself to help others, and doing what’s right.”

Other community service efforts include: ABA Community Board American Heart Association Walk-a-Thon Backpack program through ABA Big Brothers Big Sisters Boys and Girls Clubs, Austin Boy Scouts of America Calf Scrambles Scholarship Program at Ft. Worth Stock Show Central Texas Boy Scouts of America Community Helping Hand Compassion International Food Banks Free pet clinic for Jones Lang and LaSalle Goodwill Industries Habitat for Humanity Heat the Town Hill Country Ministries

Johnson County Ag Mechanics Show Juvenile Diabetes Walk Leader Dogs Mansfield Soccer Association March of Dimes Golf Tournament Miscellaneous disaster relief efforts Miscellaneous charity golf tournaments Pat Tillman Run Planet Kids Salesmanship Club SMC Community Church and PK-8 School Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Three-day Walk Tarrant County Scholarship Program Toys for Tots

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

3

TDIndustries

Shines with First Solar in Phoenix

A solid reputation for big jobs

The Phoenix site is a one-million-square-foot factory with another 300,000 square feet of support and office space. General contractor M+W Group chose TD because of our work with them in Dallas. They knew they could count on TD for this massive industrial job.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

TD breaks new ground on industrial HVAC and pipe installation HVAC and mechanical pipe installations are nothing new to TD. But working on the First Solar manufacturing facility in Phoenix was an exciting first.

First Solar is the biggest player in thin-film solar panels, the standard for sustainable energy. More than five gigawatts of their modules are installed worldwide. That’s enough energy to power 5 million homes.

4

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

The HVAC installation included: • Four 2,500-ton chillers • Two 575-ton chillers • Five cooling towers • Twelve air handler units (two with 45,000 CFM capacity; the largest with 65,000 CFM capacity) • Eight makeup air units The piping included: • 34,000 lineal feet of carbon steel pipe • 23,000 lineal feet of hydronic pipe • 285,000 lbs of ductwork • pipes ranging from 3” to 48” diameter The shell of this ground-up build was erected when TD started working in October, 2011, and the job was finished on time in July, 2012.

Experience and partnerships are key

A big job needs a big workforce. “At peak, we had 105 tradesmen working, and another 55 subcontractors,” says project superintendent Mike Wilson. “We worked an accelerated 50-hour work week to meet the tight timeframe.”

HVAC Foreman Tom Davis and Lead Piping Foreman Mike McKenzie led the experienced teams. TD also relied on several subcontractors: Phoenix’s W.J. Maloney Plumbing on plumbing; Integrated Control Specialists on controls; Technical Air Balance on testing water, air distribution, and fire and smoke systems; Karber Mechanical Insulation on insulated pipes and ductwork; and Southwest Industrial Rigging on the cranes needed to move and place pipes and equipment (we also worked with them on the Dallas Cowboys stadium project).

“Our tradesmen and subs really set the standard for this type of work,” said project manager Tom Thomas. “It’s a beautiful installation.”

“Everyone went home safe every day”

TD prides itself on a strong safety program. That’s important because a behemoth industrial build like this involves more rigorous safety and quality standards than typical office builds. Safety Manager Chuck Schmidt was on site full time to make sure everything went smoothly.

“We align ourselves with contractors who have the same strong approach to safety as us,” says Thomas. “So our safety plans usually dovetail pretty well with theirs.” The result? Zero lost time and no injuries.

“Nobody got hurt; everyone went home safe every day,” said Schmidt.

That’s no small feat with 160 workers putting in long hours. “We keep an eye on our guys to make sure they’re not getting burned out.”

Sustainable future

First Solar’s own panels will power the new plant. Solar panels will span a million square feet of rooftop and will also top the surrounding water retention basins.

Sound ambitious? It’s just another day at the office for a company that’s part of the world’s largest solar project—a solar farm in southern California that will eventually hold nine million solar panels.

Even though our TD trucks won’t be able to run on solar power anytime soon, the First Solar project was a great fit for TD. “Sustainability is at the heart and soul of our business,” said Wilson. “We weave green initiatives in all areas of mechanical construction, wherever we can. It’s part of being at the forefront of the construction industry.”

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

5

Fossil Photo TBD

TDIndustries’

GE Transportation Project

Precise planning makes for big-time results How do you ensure that a 96-million-dollar, 1 million-square-foot facility gets built without a hitch? Two words: sticky notes.

That’s TD’s secret in Fort Worth, at GE Transportation’s new locomotive manufacturing plant. Atlanta-based KBD Group is the general contractor for the project, supported by KBD Dallas personnel.

TD is responsible for mechanical systems, plumbing, and process piping.

It’s been a project of epic proportions. The end goal is for the plant to produce two 200-ton diesel locomotives per day—the same output as GE’s existing facility in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Thinking Big

Constructing a facility big enough to assemble trains comes with equally big needs.

For example, TD is installing over 5 miles of compressed air piping throughout the facility. An additional 6 miles of pipes will carry the CO2, argon, nitrogen, and other gases needed to support the manufacturing process.

We’re also installing 14-gauge exhaust ductwork, and capture hoods the size of a car to capture fumes the trains produce. (see page 19)

“The engines are actually tested in the factory,” explains Matt Terry, senior project manager. “So a huge amount of exhaust needs to be vented out of the building during tests.”

“Andrew Kobe helped us to understand the SMACNA Industrial Ductwork Standards we needed to use for a build of this scale and complexity. Paco Casales, plus Timm Nichols and his crew in the sheetmetal shop, created the custom ductwork we needed.”

Even the HVAC units used were larger-than-life. The units had to be placed on the facility’s rooftop; at 6,500 pounds apiece, there was no getting them up there by ordinary means.

Instead, TD brought in a specialized heavyweight helicopter.

The ‘copter has a lift capacity of about 9,000 pounds, twice that of an ordinary bird. The aircraft made a nine-hour journey from Michigan. The next morning, it lifted and placed 54 HVAC units in less than three hours.

Starting Small

Complex projects like these require careful planning and coordination.

“We’ve found the best way to manage super-sized projects is to break them into pieces,” says Superintendent Jeremy Kieschnick. “That’s where the sticky notes come in.”

Kieschnick, Terry, and Assistant Project Manager Tom Fath created an overall pull plan before the project started. ”A pull plan starts with a projected end date,” explains Terry. “Next, we move backward, laying out stickies to represent interim goals, and identifying tasks required to meet those goals.”

“We’ve gotten lots of good traction with this process,” says Kieschnick. “It’s a visual way for us to see exactly what needs to get done. And it helps us keep little things from falling through the cracks.”

A Historic Milestone

The new facility represents a historic milestone for GE. In fact, it’s the first major satellite manufacturing plant GE has built in the U.S. in more than 100 years.

“We’re thrilled to be part of a project that’s bringing so many new jobs to Texas,” says Terry. “Especially because we hadn’t worked with GE or KBD before.”

“When KBD was looking for a partner, we took the time to fly to Atlanta and talk through the project with them in detail. I think that really proved our interest,” says Terry.

“And from there, the rest is history.”

By the numbers

1 million square feet – Footprint of the factory 67 – Number of 6,500-lb HVAC units installed on the factory roof 4.5 tons – Holding capacity of the helicopter used to move HVAC units 5 miles – Laid end-to-end, length of compressed air pipes TD is installing in the facility 10 months – Duration of the project 1,875 – Approximate number of sticky notes used to plan the project 2 – Number of locomotives the finished plant will produce per day 700+ – Number of jobs the facility will create in Fort Worth

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

7

Mechanical Construction and Intensive Care

8

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

TDPartner Paul Blair recovers at a “five-star hotel with medical services” Earlier this year, it became apparent that I would need open-heart surgery. I had lived my entire 54-year adult life, in my doctor’s words, “a fat smoker.” I needed an aortic valve replacement, a quintuple bypass operation, and an aortic resection to repair an aneurism.

My wife and I researched the seven hospitals where my thoracic surgeon had surgical rights, and we decided on Heart Hospital Baylor Plano as the best choice. Baylor Heart Hospital holds an exceptional rating by both patients and professionals.

It was convenient to my home, and they billed themselves as a “five-star hotel with medical services.”

I recalled that TDIndustries had recently completed a considerable amount of mechanical work on the expansion of Baylor Heart Hospital. I had even processed a few orders myself, for the ductwork. So with that personal connection in mind, I arrived with confidence on the morning of April 17 for my cardiac “tune-up.”

A guardian angel

I recall little of that day after I was wheeled into a very cold surgical suite. I do remember a guardian angel who responded to my every whim as I struggled to regain consciousness. I couldn’t tell you what he looked like, because I didn’t open my eyes until the next morning.

I recovered quickly and was soon sitting in a chair. My life became a routine of taking medication, having blood drawn, eating food which had no taste, and trying desperately not to cough.

Several times, I had to rethink the wisdom of using my hospital stay to break my nicotine addiction. Though I never experienced any withdrawal symptoms, I did have quite a bit of tar in my lungs that had to come out. Coughing was excruciatingly painful, and I came to love the big heart-shaped red pillow that the nurse gave me to hold against my chest.

“Have a blessed day”

I must say that Heart Hospital Baylor Plano is a first-class operation. My room was very large, very comfortable, and the air conditioning worked extremely well. I had a nurse who I shared with only one other patient, who took care of me using state-of-the-art equipment and massive amounts of personal attention.

The nurses at Baylor Heart work 12-hour shifts, and they work very hard. You get to know your nurses on a first-name basis, and they quickly become the most important people in your life. You learn their strong points and their weaknesses.

But mostly, you come to realize that they’re just people with a great deal of empathy for their charges. The last words to me at the end of each of their shifts were always, “have a blessed day.”

“The work we do matters”

major surgery is greatly affected by the environment in which they convalesce.

Patient and caregiver alike suffer if the temperature or humidity in their room is not comfortable. Likewise, if the sinks, showers, or toilets do not work as designed, health and comfort are compromised and healing may be affected.

The work we do matters to those for whom we do it. Quality must and should be our number one priority.

The difference between comfort and misery

So, to the partner laboring in the shop to build one more transition or weld one more fitting, after building 20 others that same day, your dedication matters. When you’re on your 50th hour of the sixth day of your work week, what you do is so very important.

Each piece of duct, pipe, or plumbing fixture that you create is part of a system that can make the difference between comfort and misery to a patient or hospital worker. That patient, nurse, or janitor may be your spouse, your child, your parent, or a friend.

To the partner in the field, balancing on a lift in 100-degree heat, that piece of duct that you’re hanging is the most important piece that you will ever hang. It may keep your child a little bit happier, a little bit safer, if he or she should happen to end up in a hospital bed.

What you do matters to the file clerk in an office building, a worker in a clean room, a waiter in a restaurant, or any number of other people who work and thrive in the Texas heat or cold.

Every piece of duct that you hang, and every system that you seal, will make a difference in the lives of those who will work, shop, or visit there.

A grateful “thank you”

I would like to thank the People Department for obtaining and maintaining our incredible medical insurance program.

Good insurance can truly mean the difference between life and death.

I would like to personally thank everyone who did work for the surgical rooms and floor expansions at Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. Sam Lanningham was the original project manager, and Brian Bowen stepped in to finish the project after Sam’s retirement. Superintendent Tony Creed and sheet metal Foreman Brad Patterson were also critical helpers.

I wish to extend a very special thank you to my Partner Timm Nichols, who assumed my workload while I was on leave. And finally, I wish to give a very special thanks to all of the Partners who worked tirelessly on this project and made my recovery much more comfortable. I don’t know all your names, but you did make a difference. I was that patient on the sixth floor of Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. You made a huge difference to me.

My purpose here is not to write about my hospital experiences, but to relate the impact that the Partners of TDIndustries have in the greater world. The recovery of a patient who has had

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

9

TDSpirit

Project Gallery Summer 2012

NoMA West — Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C.

Just-in-Time Delivery Strategies Key in D.C.

Caterpillar — Victoria,Texas VICTORIA, TEXAS

TDPartners Help Caterpillar Stay Cool

When Texas newcomer National Design Build Services (NDBS) needed welcoming to the neighborhood, they turned to TD for help. NDBS wanted to partner with a Texas contractor on work for construction manager Clayco, and Caterpillar, the buildings’ owner. “We’d worked together on a successful project in San Antonio,” says production manager Sam Garcia. “TD was a logical fit.”

We wrapped up in May at Caterpillar Building F in Victoria, Texas, where TD was responsible for HVAC piping, ductwork, chillers, and cooling towers. A unique challenge was installing the nine 7.5-ton air handling units (AHUs) on the building’s roof. We brought in a 500-ton crane and hoisted the AHUs into FAA airspace to get the job done.

Caterpillar will use the 250,000-square-foot building to assemble excavators, turning out 30 to 50 earth movers each week. And the facility will create hundreds of local jobs.

“The customer is ecstatic with the performance of project superintendent David Fowler and piping superintendent Merle Mishler,” Garcia says. “We earned 9’s and 10’s on our performance surveys. That’s incredible feedback.”

Thanks go also to Dwight Matthews, VP of Construction Operations; Jim Jones, Coordination Manager; Stephen Oakes, Project Manager; Gaspar Trevino, Plumbing Foreman; and Hat Van Dang and Robert Reeves, Sheetmetal Mechanics.

10

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

Putting up a high-end, three-building apartment community with 603 units is no small job. But when the construction site is two downtown city blocks in the nation’s capital, staying on schedule is a herculean task.

And yet, TDIndustries, which is installing the plumbing at Alexan NoMA West Apartments , is ahead of schedule.

In fact, we’re leading the mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) trades on the project.

Just-in-time delivery strategies for materials and constant communication with vendors have helped manage work at a challenging location. It’s just blocks from Union Station and the U.S. Capitol Building. Our logistics plan and attention to detail have allowed us to successfully receive and distribute a huge amount of material and fixtures as needed, without cluttering up an already congested project site.

Mill Creek Residential Trust, LLC (MCRT)—formerly Trammell Crow—initiated the NoMA project. They’re building in response to the growing demand for upscale apartments in the urban redevelopment area known as NoMA (North of Massachusetts Avenue) in the Northeast quadrant of D.C. Each of the community’s three buildings has a distinctive architectural and interior design flair—whether contemporary or more traditional—creating a “city within a city” feeling.

MCRT and TDIndustries have a longstanding relationship, and MCRT selected TD for the NoMA project—from conceptual design through the development stages—in part due to how well they worked together on the recently completed Alexan Carlyle Apartments in Alexandria, Virginia.

MIDLAND, TEXAS

Fasken Oil and Ranch Gets a Brand-New Home

New builds often mean that we are closely involved in decisions that add value for our customers. That’s exactly what’s happening in Midland, at the soon-to-be corporate headquarters of Fasken Oil and Ranch.

The oil and real estate developers had outgrown their offices and were ready to settle down somewhere new. Ground broke last summer on the site, and the general contractor Swinerton and the engineers at Blum Consulting asked TD to come aboard.

Fasken Oil — Midland,Texas

The build marks Midland’s first major office project since the 1980s. TD is installing HVAC and plumbing, bringing 21st-century know-how along with us. One of the challenges associated with work in West Texas is the persistent dust. We knew that the condenser water loop and outside air intakes on the air handling units would need top-notch filtration systems. Working closely with the owner and engineer, we were able to provide solutions to keep the airborne particulate at bay.

The innovation doesn’t stop there: We used 3D modeling to determine where to locate a workspace for the building engineer, and to coordinate the location of the condenser water filtration system in the central plant.

We’re also applying lean concepts to schedule activities and manage resources.

We expect to finish construction on the two-story, 112,000-square-foot facility by the end of summer. “Thanks to close collaboration with the customer, the owner, and the design team, we’re on time and budget,” says senior project manager Chris Rogers.

Credit goes to Ron Wright, Superintendent; Miguel Alvarez, Sheetmetal Foreman; and Mark Hall, Plumbing and Piping Foreman, for their leadership on this out-oftown project.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

TD Takes ESPN Longhorn Network Build by the Horns

There’s hardly a Texan who hasn’t heard of the new ESPN Longhorn Network. When the station’s lights came on last August, TD was behind them—literally. We custom-built the lighting pipe rack that supports the studio’s spotlights.

When general contractor Flintco Constructive Solutions contacted us, they needed a partner ready for a fast-track project. “The network set a date they had to start programming,” says senior project manager Ronnie Swingler. “And that date could not slip.”

The Longhorn Network planned to begin broadcasting from a temporary space and eventually move to another floor of their building. “But when they saw the space, they were amazed by the temporary finish we’d done. They decided to move in for good,” Swingler says.

And so began phase two of the project. We removed and replaced existing cubicles, flooring, walls, light fixtures,

PIONEERS ONLINE TDIndustries Pioneers Online Apprenticeship Program The Arizona Builders’ Alliance has an online apprenticeship program that allows workers to become certified as journeymen in their respective trades. The program has earned attention statewide, and we decided to give it a try. TDIndustries currently has three Partners enrolled, with two more to join soon. Five TD superintendents have been certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) as program instructors. They will administer tests and observe students’ progress.

By going online, the program will save money and attract new, young talent to the mechanical trades.

Soon, the program may be rolled out to all mechanical contractors in the Phoenix area. TD is proud to be among the first.

Longhorn Network — Austin,Texas

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

11

Parkland CUP — Dallas,Texas

ductwork and HVAC equipment. In July, members of the network moved in. One window offers a view of the State Capitol, and the UT football field and UT tower, a fitting sight for the university’s exclusive sports airer. They’re pleased with the result.

Key TD contributors to the job were Lucio Lopez, Robert Reeves, Edgar Limon, Lisa Pena, and Marcel Johnson. We submitted the project for the ABC Construction Awards. But if you ask us, we’ve already won.

& patient rooms, as well as updated waiting room spaces for patient families. When complete, this project will help the hospital to continue providing the high level of quality & patient services it’s known for.

The Arizona team of TDIndustries is honored to continue working with one of its premier clients, general contractor Barton Malow, on the job.

This project involves replacing three rooftop AHUs, as well as several other major shutdowns to re-route existing HVAC & Medical Gas piping systems. All of which have been accomplished without affecting hospital patients in the adjacent areas that are still in service. Overall, work is progressing on time, and customer feedback has been positive. They are looking forward to being able to put all the new facilities into service for the public in April of 2013.

The project was made possible by Doug Wallace, General Superintendent; John Gaskin, Superintendent for Shutdowns; Mike Norton, Sheetmetal Foreman; Brandon McEwen and Roberto Castillo, Medical Gas Foremen; and Travis Gerber, Piping Foreman.

TAMU Liberal Arts — College Station,Texas

DALLAS, TEXAS

TD’s CUP Will Keep New Parkland Hospital Running Smoothly

TD is leaving its mark on the largest hospital construction project in America.

The new Parkland Hospital in Dallas, set to open in 2014, will replace its 60-year-old predecessor. TD is responsible for HVAC and plumbing in the stand-alone Central Utility Plant (CUP). The CUP will provide heating, cooling, power, and steam to the entire campus.

Scheduled for completion this winter, the facility will be a force to be reckoned with. It will produce 14,000 tons of cooling (to compare, Cowboys Stadium does only 11,000).

A project of this scale (87,000 square feet, to be exact) requires serious planning. We’re doing a full pull plan, plus interim look-aheads to stay on schedule. TDManufacturing teams are at work on prefabrication, bundling and delivery, and we’re using BIM processes to coordinate all systems and trades involved.

Despite the plant’s impressive capabilities, we’re also building responsibly. Lean processes ensure that neither time nor materials are wasted, and we’re on track to earn LEED Silver certification.

So far, Parkland representatives and general contractor JE Dunn are thrilled with our work. When completed, the hospital will offer urgently needed space in emergency room, burn care, and neonatal care units, all powered by the CUP. SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

Scottsdale Healthcare’s Shea Medical Center O.R. Expansion Underway

One of TDIndustries first projects in Arizona 11 years ago was at the Shea campus for Scottsdale Healthcare, one of Thomson Reuters’ Top 100 Hospitals nationally, located in the highly populated city of Scottsdale. Now, years later and millions of dollars’ worth of mechanical and plumbing systems have continued to keep TD busy at this campus.

Currently, the hospital is renovating approximately 29,500 square feet of space to add Operating Rooms, PACU space

12

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

Smart Machines Create Greater Opportunities at Texas A&M

School’s almost back in session. When Texas A&M students return to campus this fall, they’ll have an all-new space for their growing Liberal Arts and Arts & Humanities programs.

Working with general contractor Skanska, TD installed the building’s mechanical and plumbing systems. “We were chosen for our reputation and ability to use Building Information Modeling (BIM),” says Senior Project Manager Jason Kopke. “It’s turned out to be a key aspect of this build.” This BIM technology was transferred to the field through the use of Trimble Machines. These machines have the ability to download ACAD files and use GPS to ensure accurate sleeve placement in the field.

The building’s heating hot water and chilled water systems connect to the main campus loop via an underground tunnel. Upon completion, this five-story building will house acoustic theaters, music classrooms, and offices for TAMU professors. The project is on pace to be completed on schedule. Skanska’s management team commended TD for its efficiency, especially the efforts of Project Manager Chris West, Lead BIM Coordinator Charlie Venable, and Superintendent Pete Ybarra.

PARTNER PROFILE

Bob Ferguson You served as the leader of TD’s residential division (Tempo Mechanical) and east Texas branch in the ‘80’s.* What was that like? *Note: TDIndustries closed their residential division and their East Texas branch in the mid 90’s.

The late ‘80s were a defining time for us at TD. It was a tough time to be in Texas—the banks were broke, the real estate market was in the tank, and we were about to go off a cliff. We had to lay off nearly half our Partners, and send others to job sites across the country just to keep them working. Things were so rough, we had to ask employees to give back their retirement money and reinvest it in TD. They did, and we saved the company. That’s trust at the highest level if I’ve ever seen it.

What does servant leadership mean to you?

To me, servant leadership is about nurturing growth in our people. We call ourselves a “leader-ful” company.

We teach employees that everyone can be a leader, by first serving and then, through conscious choice, leading. That’s true no matter what your job title is.

For example, Harold’s doing a heck of a job as our CEO. But just as important are decisions that are made every day by our foremen and project managers on the front lines. Servant leaders understand that. They know that the stronger our people are, the stronger our company will be.

What role has servant leadership played in your career?

John “Bob” Ferguson, former managing director and current member of TD’s Board of Directors, is a familiar face at TDIndustries. We sat down with him to chat about how TD has changed over the past half-century, his thoughts on servant leadership, and what values he thinks define the company that’s defined his career.

Tell us how your work at TD began.

My career at TD started before we even called ourselves TD. When I came aboard in 1968, we were still Texas Distributors, selling GE air conditioners. I was hired to help Jack Lowe develop the multifamily effort. But before long I was put in charge of residential construction, which was a new business area for us.

You must have seen a lot of change since then.

Well, I’ve been at TD for 45 years, married for 48, and have lived in the same house for the past 36. So you might think I don’t like change. But I do. Over the years, I’ve seen huge growth in our geographical reach, in the types of services we provide, and in the technologies we use. It all means that we’re able to do better work for our customers.

That’s what’s important.

Our founder, Jack Lowe Sr., was a colleague of Robert Greenleaf, who came up with the term “servant leadership.”

So we learned from the best. Jack Sr. built community involvement into the company from the very start, and that notion has been continued by Jack Jr. and Harold. The forgotten stakeholder for many companies is the community.

I am proud that the importance of giving back is being carried forward by our Partners in the company today.

At 65 I could have retired, but I thought I’d rather wear out than rust out. So I’m sticking around as a teacher, mentor and coach. I’m our in-house Leadership Trainer, and I mentor our younger project managers. I mainly do a lot of listening. But I also help them identify and build on their strengths. People always tell you to work on your weaknesses. But truth be told, if you work on your strengths, they will pull up your weaknesses.

So what’s next for TD?

Our business has changed a whole lot over the past 50 years. But one thing that hasn’t changed is our values. I believe we’re in the best shape we’ve ever been, and that we’ve got the best folks we’ve ever had. The markets are tough, the competition is great, and the margins are thin. But praise the lord and pass the ammunition, our future looks bright.

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

13

TDSpirit

Career Milestones

April 2012—August 2012

30

Mark Gerstner Multifamily Tony Morrison Dallas Service Bill O’Connor Major Projects Dave Youden Major Projects

25

Sodin Khan TDManufacturing Jaime Lopez Dallas Service Mike Wilson Arizona

20

15 14

Mark Gafford Houston Craig Hardy Dallas Service David Zummer Major Projects

Terry Baker Special Projects Chris Eason Building Systems Integration Jennifer Ferguson Professional Services Joseph Krupovage Major Projects Patricia Martin Professional Services

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

15

Ed Mathews Central Texas Don Morgan Dallas Service Bert Newton Major Projects Tommy Stallcup Major Projects

Jim Artis Facilities Management Services Hollis Bearden Fort Worth Brian Cunningham Dallas Service Jeff Farley Major Projects Ramon Flores Dallas Service Carole Garcia Arizona

10

Alberto Jandres Houston Wayne McLemore Technology Ricardo Mendoza Central Texas Javier Perez Professional Services Robert Petry Houston Shaun Price Special Projects

Jaime Rojas Fort Worth James Smith TDManufacturing Susan Spanley Central Texas Jody Stallcup Major Projects Connie Williams Professional Services Mary Woodward Multifamily

Cruz Arroyo Technology Victor Batallanos TDManufacturing Heather Bowers Dallas Service Chris Brown Arizona Doug Bryant Central Texas Jim Butler Central Texas Rigoberto Cano Special Projects

Not Pictured

5

Dency Castro Major Projects Mike Cates TDManufacturing Roberto Chavez Major Projects Richard Covey Technology Joseph DaCosta II Special Projects Aaron Davis Central Texas Keith Dienhart Technology

Douglas Edrington Fort Worth Joel Flores Special Projects Zachary Garibay Technology Eva Garner Central Texas Jana Goulet Professional Services Jerry Headrick Major Projects Jeremy Huff Special Projects

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

15

5

Paul Johnson TDManufacturing Tammie LaCoste Houston Guillermo Lopez Fort Worth Jennifer Martinez Fort Worth Ricky Mata Technology Jose Miranda Arizona Victor Navarro Technology

Not Pictured

Not Pictured

Martin Ned Jr Special Projects Richard Ortega Major Projects Adam Raza Major Projects Robert Reeves Central Texas Michael Reiter TDManufacturing Juan Rivera Central Texas Jorge Rodriguez Dallas Service

Not Pictured

Wilberto Rodriguez Major Projects Bob Rose Facilities Management Services James Shaw Central Texas Luis Sierra Special Projects David Smith Central Texas Ronnie Teer Technology Edward Tijerina Technology

Not Pictured

Ricardo Villanueva Houston Jim Willhite Facilities Management Services Carlos Zelaya Major Projects Not Pictured

Dennis Broyles 36 years

Retirees

TDPartners are at the heart and soul of our company. We salute our recently retired Partners and wish them all the best following their years of service. Thank you for your many contributions throughout your careers and for helping to make TDIndustries a great place to work!

IN MEMORY OF: James Page James Page was part of the TD Facilities Team at the Houston Airport for nearly six years before passing away in June. He never met a stranger, always had a smile on his face and a story to share. His drive and endurance has been an inspiration to all his TDPartners, never hesitating to share his knowledge.

His co-worker, Kim Ulloa shares this story: “There was a time I needed help moving from my home. I didn’t know James very well at the time, but I asked him if he could help me out. He showed up, in the rain on a Saturday afternoon, helped me load a house full of furniture in a U-haul, unloaded it at the new place and set it up too. Helping me when no one else would, showed me the true character of James Page and I was happy to call him my friend.”

James served his country in Desert Storm. He was a devoted Father and Grandfather.

We would like to thank God for our time with him. His presence and guidance will be missed by all that knew him. His Supervisor, Terry Shiflet, says “James’ favorite saying was ‘You Know What I’m Saying.’ Every time I hear somebody say that I think of James.”

16

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

TDIndustries Wins Big at TEXO

Photo Courtesy of Philip Sully DALLAS, TEXAS

TDIndustries wins big at TEXO’s 2012 Distinguished Building Awards TEXO, the construction association for commercial contractors in north and east Texas, handed out its annual Distinguished Building Awards back in April. TD was one of the stars of the show. We claimed nearly all of the awards in the Mechanical project category.

Projects were judged on unusual construction techniques involved, special obstacles, personnel management, scheduling, quality control, and safety. We focus on each of these criteria on every job, whether we’re being judged or not. But we don’t mind a little extra recognition now and then.

Here’s what we won:

Mechanical: $0 – $5 M

Project: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Owner: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Design Firm: The Beck Group

Mechanical: $5 – $10 M

Project: UNT Business Leadership Building Owner: University of North Texas Design Firm: Jacobs Global Building North America

Mechanical: Over $10 M

Project: Forest Park Medical Center Phase III Hospital Owner: Neal Richards Group Design Firm: Ascension Group Architects

Other Specialty: (all contract amounts)

Project: TriQuint Semiconductor 2011 Manufacturing Equipment Installation Project Owner: TriQuint Semiconductor

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

17

TDSpirit

Spirit Stories TDIndustries recognized for promoting employee wellness

We’re proud to make the health and well-being of TDPartners a priority. Now, others are starting to take notice.

TDIndustries recently received Gold-level certification from the American Heart Association as a Fit-Friendly company. We earned the distinction by supporting physical activities, offering healthy eating options, and promoting a wellness culture companywide.

To learn more about what it takes to become FitFriendly, visit www.startwalkingnow.org

For Our Partners: A Giving Success Story

College wasn’t always a sure thing for Demetria. “Going to college is something I knew I wanted,” she says. “I just wasn’t sure how it was going to happen.” But with help from donors to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, including more than 400 TDPartners, she gained valuable tools and resources that helped her prepare.

Demetria joined Uplift Education’s Road to College program, a United Way-funded college- and career-readiness initiative. There, she found not only guidance (how to pick the right college, apply for scholarships, and prepare for standardized tests), but also a network of peers all driven by the same passion for education.

Demetria was accepted to not one, not two, but 17 colleges.

This fall, she begins her freshman year at Sam Houston State University.

United Way supporters like TDIndustries helped change the lives of more than 740,000 people last year alone. Many thanks to all our Partners who give.

United Way recognizes generosity of Phoenix Partners

The Phoenix-based Valley of the Sun United Way recognized TDPartners in Phoenix as a top contributor for the 2011-2012 campaign year. In terms of total giving, we were ranked 10th among companies in our size bracket. Despite a tough economy, the Phoenix group has increased donations by 20 percent for each of the past 3 years. Good work, Partners!

Photo of Demetria courtesy of United Way

Valley of the Sun United Way

18

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

Ductwork prefabbed for GE Transportation project

TDSpirit

Innovation Corner Technology Team Innovates for the Future

Ultra High Purity (UHP) technicians on the TD Technology team have it rough. Working with potentially dangerous chemicals and gases requires that a number of specialized tools be within arm’s reach— and technicians need two toolboxes to haul them all. For years they’ve been using standard job boxes.

But this caused problems of transportation, organization, inventory, and interchangeability (or lack thereof). It was time for a change.

To get to the root of the problem, the team first organized and labeled tool cribs, job boxes and storage areas. It quickly became clear that the old weld carts were not set up to hold all the items a UHP welder needs, let alone to keep them organized. The technicians took advantage of TD’s recent Lean transformation and suggested an upgrade. A “weld cart of the future” was the result: the Technology Tool Department created two brand-new weld stations, then retrofitted all existing weld carts to better meet their needs.

The project took almost a year and required a lot of brainpower from the UHP technicians. Some of their ideas, like these, may even earn patents: • Custom-made tool trays, to help organize carts and provide an easy visual check for inventories • Special alignment clamps, to hold tubes in place during welding and reduce wear on expensive, orbital weld heads • A new turret-style mount, to hold the weld head and allow for 360-degree rotation • An enclosed “purge box,” to replace the exposed and permanently mounted purge gas system • Lightweight weld leads, to replace their bulky predecessors

Prefab Corner

We’re helping build a plant for GE Transportation in Fort Worth (see page 6), and our manufacturing shop prefabricated the exhaust ducts. The new GE facility will be cranking out gas-burning locomotives (and testing them in-house), so a topquality exhaust system is essential for worker health and safety.

We’re prefabbing a total of 10 exhaust ducts made of 14 gauge black steel. This photo shows a small piece of the duct that will do the job.

TD gets creative at the Kimbell Art Museum

TDIndustries is no stranger to meeting unusual requests, but the installation of storm drain piping at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth was especially tricky. The new expansion’s unique structure and glass roof system made a normal installation impossible. With a one-week window to complete the job, our partners needed a solution. Through collaboration between the field and manufacturing teams, TD found a way to prefab storm drain batteries and install them in 40-foot sections. Through planning, coordination, and innovation, we were able to install this portion of the system within the timeframe without compromising safety. Who says construction isn’t an art form?

Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth, TX

The team succeeded in creating a standardized, organized weld station that can not only replace the two original boxes, but provide a better foundation for the technicians. It’s just another example of how we’re always finding ways to improve.

Old Ultra High Purity Workstation

New Ultra High Purity Workstation

TDSpirit • • • SUMMER 2012

19

13850 Diplomat Drive | Dallas‚ TX 75234

iPad Winner Congratulations to our iPad drawing winner

Earlier this year, we invited all TDSpirit readers to opt to receive a digital (rather than paper) copy of this magazine. To date, over 500 people have gone tree-free. Think of how much paper that saved! Thanks to all who are helping us reduce waste and manage our natural resources responsibly.

We held a drawing for an iPad for those who opted in before March. The lucky winner is Vikki Finley, president and CEO of Spaulding for Children.

Spaulding for Children is a nonprofit dedicated to building and sustaining strong families for children who have endured abuse, neglect, or abandonment. TDIndustries is proud to be associated with Spaulding. More information about the organization can be found at www. spauldingforchildren.org.

Graham Moore, President TDIndustries, presents Vikki Finley, CEO Spaulding for Children, with her new iPad