On the Forefront of an Evolving Industry

April 29, 2023

With the technological boom of artificial intelligence (AI) and data storage, the demand for infrastructure to support modern technology has only increased. In order to support this demand and not impede on continued growth and evolution of the industry, many manufacturers and contractors are shifting focus and finding ways to deliver reliable technology and infrastructure at high volumes. 

Custom and high-volume manufacturing projects rely on proven expertise and adaptability from industry experts. Egan Company has consistently anticipated and responded to industry shifts strategically, using its integrated, multi-trade capabilities to deliver across roles. Understanding how technology and infrastructure needs are evolving has positioned Egan well to work alongside developers, owners, and general contractors to support these mission critical projects. Now, thanks to strategic planning and a proven history of high-quality work,  Egan’s teams are supporting one of the highest levels of demand in its 80+ year history.

How the Industry is Shifting

Increasing usage of AI is seeing significant demand in supporting processing and storage of information. Data centers and electrical houses (E-Houses) are the solution, leading to a significant volume of projects for contractors like Egan. 

While data centers have been slow to build in Minnesota, technology and support for data centers nationally and internationally has quickly picked up speed across the state. As Jason Rosati, Egan Company Vice President of Electrical Special Projects, explains, “E-Houses provide power to the data center. They act as the data center’s own small substation, making sure the data center has enough redundant power for server operation 24/7.” National manufacturers have called upon the multi-trade expertise of Egan to support the building and shipping of this equipment. Recently, Egan has been delivering a variety of scopes of work for these E-House manufacturers. “It started with a lot of specialized, custom equipment,” said Rosati, “but with more and more demand, we will soon see more high-volume work come through, which will be much more efficient.” 

Design/Build Approach

Whether it’s a custom build or high-volume outputs, Egan is able to act as the Design/Build consultant as well as the engineer, manufacturer, and installer for these E-Houses. Across all of Egan’s trades and operating groups, its team has the experience to see a project through from start to finish, knowing what is needed to keep it moving forward at a steady pace.

“The work on these projects is completely different from a typical Egan jobsite,” said Tom O’Shea, Egan Company Business Group Leader of Industrial Controls. “For these large-scale projects, we are often acting as the manufacturer, not just the contractor.” On an average Egan jobsite, teams may see a variety of work and aspects of the job in order to help see it through to completion. On these large-scale manufacturing projects, however, individuals may be assigned a specialized role over the course of weeks or months. 

“We want to deliver the highest quality results possible, so we train our trades professionals on a few key skills for these projects,” said Ross Noak, Egan Company Senior Vice President of Mechanical.  “They’re able to come in every day knowing what to expect with minimal surprises or changes.”

While this approach is different from most jobsites, it is not new to Egan. Other customers leverage Egan’s expertise in custom and high-volume manufacturing for similar projects. This is most notable through Egan’s UL 508A Panel Shop, where Original Equipment Manufacturers, industrial facilities, concrete batch plants, and now data centers are requesting manufacturing support. Its Panel Shop has met the need, delivering more than 6,300 custom control panels in 2025.

Additionally, Egan has played a similar role in its piping shop, modeling and fabricating custom piping systems for small- and large-scale refineries and industrial facilities throughout the country. Multi-trade expertise, quality, repeatability, and proven ability to meet project goals has opened the door for continued high-demand work across all Egan trades. 

Shifting Focus, Not Priorities

Whether it is solar, electric vehicle charging, equipment reliability, or data center demand, Egan is staying ahead of the latest industry trends and needs of its customers. Is this a trend or is this the new industry? “It’s hard to know what we’ll be building in 10 years because the technology probably doesn’t exist yet,” said O’Shea. 

Egan is strategically positioned to meet the current needs of the industry and its partners, while preparing for future demand and continued industry shifts. “It’s important to consider what the future might look like, and make strategic moves today,” said Rosati. “Focusing on tools, labor, even building space needs to be strategic, and we need to make sure we have the right balance at any given point.”

As technology infrastructure continues to grow, Egan continues to evolve to ensure its design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, and service capabilities meet project goals and achieve reliability and efficiency. What won’t change, says Noak, is “Egan’s commitment to quality and to our customers. It will always be about meeting their needs and providing great work across all our trades.” While the day-to-day work may continue to change, Egan remains on the pulse of how the industry is evolving, and continues to evolve along with it.