Archive for March, 2022

Why Your Business Needs EV Charging Stations

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

In the coming years, electric vehicles will make up more than 25% of vehicles on the road. At first glance, this might seem like a small percentage, but in reality it accounts for several million vehicles. While the adoption of electric vehicles grows, now is the time to get into the electric vehicle charging station game.

THE MANY BENEFITS OF EV CHARGING STATIONS

Business owners and property managers alike can reap the benefits when it comes to installing EV chargers. As the sheer number of electric vehicles on the road increases, a business opportunity arises allowing you to fulfill the needs of tenants and customers while drawing them into your business. While the benefits are nearly endless, a few include: 

  1. Keep employees supported by meeting their EV charging needs.
  2. Attract customers who stay longer and spend more time at your business. EV drivers are always looking for somewhere to charge, thus, customers who may have never found your business, are much more likely to stumble upon it when looking for an EV charging station. 
  3. Embrace sustainability. People seek environmentally friendly options – by implementing EV charging stations, you are showcasing your commitment to sustainability and renewables.
  4. Hassle-free revenue from EV drivers – consider the fees from charging as another source of income. 
  5. Ability to tap into government and other incentives provided toward installing EV chargers.
  6. Increase your overall property value.

WHAT NOW? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ONE-SOURCE.

Positioned uniquely to support EV charging, Egan Company is your trusted installer and maintenance provider for all things related to EV charging stations. With a full-service advantage, our team has you covered from every angle. To  maintain competitive advantage, choose the Egan team as your commercial EV charging station partner today. Stay at the forefront of the market.

Local Impact Through Water’s Off

Monday, March 28th, 2022

In Minnesota, March 26th marked the 28th annual “Water’s Off” event where local union plumbers donated their time to provide proper plumbing maintenance and repair to those in need while raising awareness of water conservation. In 1994, the local unions were looking for ways to spread awareness of the importance of preserving water. They quickly found that often those who had the highest water bills were those who couldn’t afford their bills, nor the necessary maintenance and repair of the residential plumbing systems. To fill this need, “Water’s Off” was formed, partnering with trades personnel and contractors to access necessary resources. Now, one Saturday every spring, local union plumbers donate their time to help those in need.

Dave Lillback, one of Egan Company’s Plumbers was able to donate his time and use his Egan truck to participate in the event alongside many other union plumbers. Lillback has been involved in the event since 2005. “It’s a really cool opportunity to give back to the community while breaking the stigma of the union trades.” says Lilliback. “We’re able to help people who really are deserving.”

According to the Minnesota Pipe Trades website, on average 130 volunteers participate. While the event started locally in Minnesota, it has since spread to other locations as well. In the fall, local pipefitters volunteer in a similar event called “Heat’s On” that provides those in need with furnace repairs. 

For more information on the event, visit Minnesota Pipe Trades.

Discover Egan: Delivering Fabrication

Monday, March 21st, 2022

Fabrication: the name of the game when it comes to meeting deadlines and budgets and improving control over the supply chain. Egan Company’s state-of-the-art shops staffed by skilled tradespeople fabricate piping, plumbing, electrical components, panels, curtainwall, and metal panels.

Prefabrication projects are completed within our local shops with access to the necessary resources on demand. Our investment in continually improving the process is evident through preconstruction planning and feeding virtual construction plans directly into the fabrication equipment – both of which improve quality and save our customers time and money.

Fabrication capabilities include:

Plumbing and piping – A variety of deliverable products depart from our mechanical shop. When it comes to plumbing and piping systems, this includes everything from tube and pipe to hangers/supports. Modular custom-built systems are also at play in this fabrication shop to meet customers needs.

UL 508A panels – Our panel team creates custom control panels, designed and built in house. With precision assembly we configure panels of all shapes and sizes in our 12,000 square-foot panel shop. Shop features include: Steinhauer ModCenter (automated hole/cutout machine for enclosures), custom label manufacturing, OEM manufacturing, 6S methodology.

Electrical – Our design and virtual electrical teams map out projects virtually before they move on to be built in our shop and installed on site. 

Curtainwall and metal panels – The InterClad team is able to fast track their curtainwall and panel projects with in-house drafting and engineering, matched with fast fabrication and assembly in their shop. The new addition of a CNC machine furthers the efficiency of this shop.

Working with Egan allows fabrication with no bounds – our capabilities will streamline your project to completion. The benefits of prefabricating your project are endless:

  • Work is simplified and standardized
  • Easier trade coordination with reduced task durations
  • Increased quality of product
  • Reduced crew on the jobsite
  • Reduced deliveries and storage required on-site
  • Reduced wasted materials
  • Lower overall cost
  • Increased safety in controlled environment

Check out one of our recent prefabricated projects.

Honoring Women in Construction Week

Friday, March 11th, 2022

Over the past week, we were able to celebrate and recognize the many women who make up the construction industry! This year’s theme was “Envision Equity,” inspiring us to share appreciation, celebrate diversity, and form connections with others in the industry.

Women in Construction Industry Showcase at Brookview Golf Course

As a corporate sponsor for the 2022 Women in Construction Week, Egan was able to share our appreciation for the women who make up the industry. Throughout the week, National Association of Women in Construction Minneapolis/St. Paul (NAWIC-MN) facilitated a series of events. Alongside many other women in the industry, Egan representatives were able to attend several events including a panel on ‘The Power of Social Media,’ an Industry Showcase, a virtual event on ‘Recognizing Women of Color in Construction & the Built Environment,’ and more!

Thanks to all who participated in honoring the women who make up our workforce and for paving the way for generations of women to come! A few employees shared their perspective and experience about working in the industry:

  • Industrial Controls Project Manager, Shannon Kangas: “The challenge and the variety are my favorite part of working in the construction industry – no two days are the same.”
  • Electrician, Nicole O’Connor: “As a female in the trades, I enjoy working together with everyone in the field where we can all be ourselves. I feel encouraged to work toward my strengths and try to be a positive influence to those around me.”
  • InterClad Estimator/Sales, Jill Lancaster: “Each project is unique and while two projects may appear similar from the outside looking in, there are always special circumstances – from the building type, system type, contractor/customer requests, personalities of those involved, etc, so every day has new opportunities and challenges.”

20 Questions with our CEO James Ford

Thursday, March 3rd, 2022

This spring, we welcomed James Ford into the role of President & Chief Executive Officer, following recently retired Duane Hendricks’ leadership succession. Previously, James served as both President and Chief Financial Officer. He also joined the Board of Directors in 2017. We sat down with James for a little “20 Questions” to get to know him better.

In one statement, what do you do at Egan? 

“Create teams with a focus on long-term success”

What’s your favorite part about working at Egan? 

“Hands down…..it’s our amazing people.”

What unique skills or strengths do you bring to your role? 

“I have a natural tendency to be focused on the future, which leads me to be curious and ask a lot of questions about what we should do next, how we can accomplish it, and who can help us.”

When you aren’t at work, what do you enjoy spending your free time doing? 

“I love to play golf and spend time on the water with my family.”

What advice would you have for future leaders in the industry? 

“You will likely master the technical skills you need fairly early in your career; then invest your time in learning how to communicate effectively, ask great questions, build relationships, create consensus, and how to see things from someone else’s point of view.”

What is the most memorable moment you had with a client or customer in the last 20 years? 

“I enjoy meeting with customers when we don’t have an active project with them because then the conversations are less about the current situation and are more focused on how we can build a better long-term relationship with them.”

What’s your educational background look like? 

“Bachelor of Science in Accounting from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.”

What’s one word you would use to describe the Egan team? 

“Resilient”

If your life was a movie, what genre would it be? 

“Action with some comedy.”

What’s your favorite Minnesota season? 

“Summer”

What’s your favorite way to stay active? 

“Walking 18 holes”

How many years of industry experience do you have? 

“If you count my early years helping my dad install flooring, it would be 30 years of experience. Professionally I have been working with contractors for 22 years.”

Where is your hometown?

“Moorhead, Minnesota”

Best vacation you’ve ever been on? 

“Maui”

What was your first job? 

“I worked the meat counter at a grocery store”

What’s the best part of your work day? 

“Connecting with individual team members”

Who do you look to for inspiration/mentorship? 

“Simon Sinek”

What’s your favorite board game? 

“Monopoly”

Something that you’re extremely competitive about? 

“Ping-pong”

What game show do you think you’d have the best chance at winning? 

“Price is Right”