Berghammer :: Behind the Hammer
Berghammer :: Behind the Hammer
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Project
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People
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Mind-Bender
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Leif A. Nesheim
President & Principal
leif@berghammer.com


Our staff encouraged me to comment on the construction outlook for the next decade, and tie that into our upcoming seminar sponsorship of “Senior Living at a Crossroad: A Bold Look into the Next Decade.” So I opened my bottom desk drawer and pulled out both my Magic 8-Ball, and my Crystal Ball!

What we know for sure is that we are an aging population. Look for products, services and lifestyle solutions that cater to the over 50 age bracket. Healthcare demand for these “seniors” will increase, and many will look to retire in “communities” offering lifestyle amenities.

The construction industry is closely tied to our economy. The past 20 months have seen layoffs, and a significant reduction in top line revenue for most businesses, along with the ever present tightening of profitability. This has lead to an influx of individuals seeking a new career, some even returning to a higher education institution. Many of these are private schools, offering a wide variety of career training choices. Recent college graduates are also returning to school for graduate degrees during this softer job market.

An area where we foresee a shortage of workers is the skilled construction trades. These are
positions that pay favorably ($30/hour on average), and we see an aging workforce that will need to be turned over in the next 10 years. There is a concern that we are not putting enough emphasis on “trade” work, and too much on “professional” careers. Richard Meeusen of Badger Meter said he can’t find steady workers willing to work for $16/hour on their production floor.

Berghammer Construction has expertise across many market sectors. Our Healthcare, Senior Living and Private School market sectors have been very active in this economy. How soon we will see a complete rebound of all market sectors to pre-recession levels, quite honestly, is anybody’s guess.

Stimulus funds for transportation related projects are not the long term solution for the building industry recovery. When you build a rail line for $800 million, how much do you think it takes to maintain it yearly? And who is going to pay for that? I believe in the private sector’s ability to rebound and prosper from adversity. I believe less government will be a faster pathway to recovery.

Sincerely,

Leif A. Nesheim

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Featured Project: RESTAT LLC

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tenant Representative: WillowTree Development
Architect: Zimmerman Architectural Studios
Project Duration: 8 Weeks

An ambitious 8-week, fast track schedule was established last fall for the office tenant build-out for RESTAT, LLC of Milwaukee.

RESTAT, a prescription benefit management firm, moved last November from West Bend to Milwaukee into 34,000 square feet of recently vacated office space in Liberty at Park Place IV near the intersection of Highway 45 and West Good Hope Road. The move was made to accommodate their growth; to consolidate their employee base into one location instead of three; and to be closer to their corporate office in Milwaukee as well as their sister company, DDN, in Menomonee Falls. RESTAT simplifies the purchase and use of healthcare services through independent benefits management.

From the outset of the project, two shifts were employed with the initial focus on demolition of existing walls and doors, and the removal of all the existing flooring. Once that was completed, the emphasis for meeting the tight schedule became the electrical installation of lighting, data, and electrical power for approximately 150 workstations and private offices. The electricians had their work cut out for them.

RESTAT also did something not seen every day in office build-outs – they installed a large emergency generator outside to provide standby power just in case their electricity ever went out. With the generator in place, their customer service representatives could be assured of maintaining contact with their customers in the event of a power outage.

Private and executive offices, and hallways, were completely remodeled, with wood wall panels and millwork installed throughout the entire reception and waiting areas as well as the adjacent board room (see photos). State-of-the-art technology, including video teleconferencing and high-end video presentations, were designed into the board room plans. Bathroom facilities were also gutted and redesigned to convey a contemporary appearance.

Project Team-
Project Executive: Leif Nesheim
Senior Project Manager: John Pszonak, LEED AP
Project Coordinator: Beth Tabat
Project Superintendent: Royce Neuman

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Here’s What’s Been Going On Lately at Berghammer...

Senior Living Seminar In
April
– Berghammer Construction, along with Eppstein Uhen Architects, will be sponsoring a Senior Living seminar on April 13th titled “Senior Living at a Crossroad: A Bold Look into the Next Decade.” The seminar is intended for Senior Living Facilities Management and offers answers to questions like “Where is Senior Living Headed;” “How Do You Keep Pace;” and “What Will Drive Your Profitability.” Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services will be the keynote speaker. Jim is the industry's leading Independent Living and Assisted Living author who has crafted a practical blueprint for the profitable operation of Senior Living communities in the 21st century.

ASA General Contractor of the Year Nominee
– Berghammer Construction is a finalist this year in the American Subcontractors Association of Wisconsin (ASAWI) General Contractor of the Year voting. At ASA's annual GC/CM showcase meeting in January, Berghammer personnel made a brief presentation to ASA's Milwaukee area members. Awards are given each year by ASA to its General Contractor, Architect, Engineer, Superintendent and Project Manager of the Year. The awards will be presented to the winners at ASA-WI's Annual Recognition Dinner this spring. These awards are the culmination of a nominating and balloting process among members of ASA-WI.

Blood Drive Donations at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center

Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn sponsored one of their regularly scheduled blood drives last December, and approximately 20 Berghammer employees working on site contributed.  This wasn't the first time, either.  We have had overwhelming employee turnout for every blood drive that Lakeland has sponsored since we began work on campus in March, 2009.

Emergency First Aid Care Training – Ten Berghammer employees participated in an emergency first aid training program at our headquarters office. The goal of this program was to help individuals gain the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to manage a medical emergency until more advanced help is available. The program focused on recognizing a medical emergency; making the decision to help; identifying hazards and ensuring personal safety; activating the emergency medical services (EMS) system; and providing supportive, basic first aid care. This training is a continuation of other safety programs implemented by Berghammer which is reflected in the company's very impressive .65 EMR (Experience Modifcation Rating) – a rating indicative of a company's safety record.  

Employee Bonspiel Outing
– Thirty Berghammer employees participated in the company's first bonspiel – better known as curling. The outing was held at the Wauwatosa curling club in Hart Park. The employees were divided into eight teams with head-to-head competition determining the winning team. A great time was had by all, and for almost all the participants, this was their first attempt at throwing the curling “stone.”

In the photo to the right Michael Wallace, VP Business Development, makes one of his stone throws during the curling competition.

Christmas Holiday Poster Artwork – The artwork for Berghammer's 2009 Christmas holiday mailing was created by first-grade children from Windlake Elementary School in Milwaukee. Windlake Elementary School is one of several schools within the Seeds of Health school system. This collaborative effort, which was commissioned by Berghammer Construction, allows Milwaukee youths to have their work reproduced as holiday posters. In an effort to uphold our environmentally friendly values, we sent these holiday posters out via email rather than postal mail.

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Berghammer: The Right PEOPLE

In 2010, the Berghammer Accounting Department will have, collectively, 50 years tenure with the company. Heading up the department is Cheryl Hebel, Vice President of Finance and Administration. Cheryl, who has been with Berghammer for 22 years, oversees all aspects of the financial management, HR, risk management and IT functions of the company. Wendy Phalin, Controller, is also a long-time employee with 14 years at the company. Wendy manages the Accounting and IT departments and works closely with the project management staff on all aspects of budgeting, job costing and project accounting. Cheri Heller, 10 years with the company, works tirelessly to make sure Union payrolls are accurate and on time. Cheri also plays a major role in Accounts Payable and is the first voice of the Accounting team when vendors and subcontractors have billing and payment questions. Danielle Smith, the newest member of the group with 4 years of experience, handles project accounting, billings, subcontractor compliance and receivables.

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Construction Mind-Bender -
Win a Chrome Finish Note Holder!

Be among the first 50 respondents to correctly answer the construction mind-bender below and you will win a very attractive Chrome Finish Note Holder! Test your construction knowledge – it will be fun. Simply click the email link below the question to reply with your answer. Good luck!


Which one of the following construction related statements is INCORRECT?
 

A.
#6 rebar has a ¾” diameter
B. A typical 1-hour rated wall assembly requires 1/2” drywall on both sides
C. A utility size brick has nominal dimensions of 4” x 4” x 12”
D. A standard size concrete truck carries approximately 9-10 cubic yards of ready-mix concrete

Click here quiz@berghammer.com to reply with your answer. If you are correct and among the first 50 people to reply, you will shortly receive your Berghammer gift.

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Contact Us

As a contractor, Berghammer’s reputation is its stock in trade. It is built on consistently providing the best possible solutions for our clients, and conducting business in an honorable, ethical way.

That reputation manifests itself in a commitment to total customer satisfaction that echoes throughout the company. It is found in an unending drive to deliver the highest quality workmanship and a mission to improve our work and improve our results.

Your feedback is appreciated.

Berghammer Construction Corporation
4750 N. 132nd Street
Butler, Wisconsin 53007
http://www.berghammer.com


Telephone: 262-790-4750
Facsimile: 262-790-4755


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