Findorff says it’s keeping its job sites open for now, but not requiring any employee to come to work. The company is also sharing the CDC guidelines and COVID-19 symptoms, stressing that workers need to stay safe.
Jim Yehle has been named Findorff’s president and CEO and Dave Beck-Engel is its new vice chairman. They will continue to lead Findorff alongside current chairman Rich Lynch.
The $2.2 million project for Marathon County Jail was funded through an emergency declaration in August. Estimates originally pegged the cost at $1.5 million, but an extra $500,000 in funding was approved in October for additional shoring and upgrading to stabilize the building. It was a significant undertaking. But overall the budget that we had estimated for the project, we came in at or under that budget.
Construction on the new Verona Area High School is more than halfway complete. The district decided to make the move to the new building to accommodate some of the enrollment growth Verona area schools have experienced since 2015. The new school was purposefully designed to service any future remodeling needs as the Verona area continues to develop.
When Alton Slane walks around the newly constructed areas of McFarland High School, he can see the fruits of his labor. Slane, a member of the swim team, recalls removing gear from the pool where he spent countless practice hours to later be placed in the new pool area.Slane started a Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program with J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. as a junior in October 2018 and has worked on the school since the pool and auditorium were “just holes in the ground with some walls,” he said.
Findorff is excited to share our recent leadership changes. Earlier this month, Jim Yehle became Findorff’s President & CEO and Dave Beck-Engel became Vice Chairman. They will continue to lead Findorff alongside current Chairman Rich Lynch.
Jim started his Findorff career in 1999 as a Project Manager, and most recently served as Executive Vice President since 2016. Ever since, his passion for relationship building and helping the community has flourished. He led teams in construction of the first phase of the Overture Center for the Arts in 2004, American Family Children’s Hospital in 2007, and worked directly with several major health systems in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Jim has also been an active volunteer and supports Findorff’s long-term partnerships with companies in the arts, education, and healthcare.
In his most recent role, Dave served as Findorff’s President since 2012. His career began at Findorff in 1980 as a Field Engineer. He was instrumental in creating the Preconstruction department and establishing the crucial role that prejob planning has in our project success. Throughout his 40-year tenure, Dave has brought expertise, strategic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to support the people of Findorff. As Vice Chairman, Dave will serve in an advisory role. He will continue his board involvement for organizations such as Agrace Hospice, United Way, River Food Pantry, and Future Wisconsin Housing.
“Both Jim and Dave are incredible and talented individuals. Each has been instrumental in Findorff’s long-standing, successful history,” said Findorff Chairman Rich Lynch. “Their leadership will continue to be a guiding force as we progress forward, both in our construction efforts and in the communities where we work, all while staying focused on our core values: the perpetuation of Findorff, our people, and a commitment to excellence.”
To learn more about Findorff’s latest happenings, make sure to check out our other announcements and sign up for our emails. We’d love to stay in touch and keep you informed!
Representatives from Wangard Partners, the building’s owner and developer, in addition to reps from J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., the project’s building contractor, and the Building2Learn Consortium, a nonprofit focused on introducing students to careers in skilled trades, will provide an overview of the building’s history, plans for the building’s rehab, and opportunities for the students to get hands-on training once construction begins.
Students at Bradley Tech High School interested in construction trades toured the historic Eagleknit building in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood on Wednesday Jan 8th, launching a new education program that will allow a cohort of sophomores and juniors from the school to get on- the-job training as the building is converted from an old manufacturing site into modern office space.
Blog written by Josh Baysinger, Findorff Virtual Construction Manager
The way organizations do business is changing. In today’s digital age, information is easily accessible and digestible, requiring organizations to change the way they communicate. At Findorff, we are experiencing this firsthand. Our in-house Virtual Construction team has helped us adapt, allowing us to view what a space may look like before a shovel hits the ground.
Not so long ago, having digital plans in our hands through a tablet was mind blowing. We could virtually manage a building’s construction without pages and pages of blueprints. Digital plans are still part of our job, but we have evolved. Today, virtual construction is comprised of innovative practices, ranging from building information modeling (BIM) to augmented reality (AR), helping us coordinate building systems and analyze data.
To make this possible, we strategically leverage our top five virtual construction methods, which are:
- Look at virtual construction from different perspectives: Findorff’s virtual construction team is comprised of a diverse group. Our team has registered architects, licensed drones pilots, video-game technology experts, and those with direct field experience. Such expertise offers various insights into the construction process.
- Follow an integrated process: Through BIM and cross-functional collaboration, our data has a role in budgetary decisions, concept visualization, safety awareness, and field production. By integrating all steps, we are able to educate owners and facility staff about their new spaces.
- Use virtual construction throughout all project phases: From preconstruction to project turnover, virtual construction plays a major role. Early on, we create realistic visualizations that help building owners understand their facilities in terms of form and function. By the time construction is underway, we perform everything from sequencing studies to coordinating mechanical systems. This ensures our projects run efficiently and on schedule. Even after punch lists are complete and owners are ready to occupy their facilities, our team uses various tools to help building owners operate and manage their spaces.
- Create added value through technology: In today’s digital age, technology is king. By utilizing tools such as drones and advanced software, the value added can range from strategic site utilization to schedule analysis. In turn, we are able to foster efficiency and accuracy throughout design, construction, and operations.
- Collaborate with building owners and key stakeholders: Through virtual construction, we are able to develop renderings and animations, plus use AR. These practices allow building owners and key stakeholders to visualize their buildings. For example, we used AR for Pope Farm Elementary School in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. In the image at the top of this page, the School’s future principal was able to preview a model of the space she was standing directly in during construction.
Using our methods with virtual construction can provide significant ROI, such as:
- Accurate estimates and potential reduction in construction costs
- Increased engagement with clients and industry partners for a better understanding of project goals
- Ability to anticipate building issues, which allows for solution planning before construction starts
- Visualization of a facility’s design to identify any necessary changes
- Seamless project delivery throughout the entire construction process
- Increased safety through the analysis of site conditions before and during construction
Such benefits can help your project stay on schedule and within budget. In the digital age, we are continuing to evolve, with the goal to be a valued resource and collaborative partner.
Want to learn more about how virtual construction is used in the industry? Check out this blog!
Workers continue to make progress underneath Bascom Hill, where they’re using a custom-made borer to excavate a 640-foot-long tunnel to carry utilities. The project is being managed by the state of Wisconsin’s Division of Facilities Development and Management (DFDM), and the machinery was custom-made by Minger Construction of Jordan, Minn. for the project, under contract of J.H. Findorff and Son, the general prime contractor.