Building readiness and reducing touch-points for occupants has become a growing area of interest among many facility owners and managers. As our communities experience the beginning stages of stability, how should we prepare buildings? The answer to this question will look different for every organization, facility, and occupant. To help you through unfamiliar territory, we’ve assembled a list of hot topics for consideration in adding further safety precautions in your space or for its occupants.
Building Readiness
Inspections and/or repairs
Readying mechanical, HVAC, and changing air filters
Readying Fire/Life Safety systems
Occupied Space and Reducing Touch-Points for Occupants
Installing low-touch or no-touch fixtures, switches/motion sensors, doors, drawers, ADA door operators
Integrating temperature screening or body thermal technology
Installing plexiglass shields where social distancing is a challenge
Disabling touchscreens and considering other remote access solutions
Real estate organizations such as Cushman & Wakefield have also developed best practices to prepare workplaces for post-COVID-19 recovery. See its guide and checklist on the “Safe Six”: preparing the building, preparing the workforce, controlling access, social distancing, reducing touch-points, and communicating for confidence.
If there’s anything we can do to support your plans, contact your Egan resource or send a message.
The ability to be consistent is often an invaluable characteristic of a great leader. Most people would agree that being consistent is challenging. Furthermore, the ability to build consistency within an entire team is a whole different degree of difficulty.
It first requires clear goals and expectations, followed by patience, focus, and ample accountability. However, once mastered, consistency breeds success. And, the art of consistency is exactly how Tim Woolworth, Egan Company Senior Vice President and Board Member, has built success within the InterClad (glass, glazing, and metal panels) team. After two decades, Woolworth will be retiring from Egan in January of 2020.
Leading by Example
Woolworth first joined Egan’s InterClad team in late 2003 as Vice President of Operations. In this role, he oversaw project managers, the fabrication shop, and field. Given his strong skill set and background in project management, he also ran projects simultaneously.
“When I came to Egan, one of the reasons I still ran work in my role was because I always did everything you’re supposed to do… the basics of managing a project,” Woolworth joked. “Leading by example is what I pride myself on. So, when it came down to doing what was needed, nothing was ‘one more thing’ or ‘I’m too busy’.”
His consistent, lead-by-example approach and ability to instill accountability within his team has been the pinnacle of Woolworth’s leadership style throughout his career. Woolworth will be the first to admit that everything from the time he arrives at the office in the morning down to the fine print of closing out multi-million dollar projects is precise and intentional – and without question, hard work.
That said, the leader’s knack for doing the details right have not only elevated his 40-year career, but elevated the InterClad team and his peers within the company. Both InterClad and Egan have more than doubled in size since the 2000s.
Keeping the Passion
Operations and growth aside, ultimately his love of the curtainwall industry has also played a huge part in the success. The opportunity to build the bigger, taller, or more architecturally masterful structures is what has kept him within the business over the years.
“You never really build two buildings the same. Every project takes on its own personality,” explained Woolworth. “Along with that, there’s a good sense of satisfaction to be able to drive around and see the work you do. It’s classy and one of the most appealing parts of this industry.”
A few notable projects InterClad has completed during Woolworth’s tenure include U.S. Bank Stadium, the Cargill Campus, Target Corporation’s North Campus, multiple University of Minnesota buildings, and numerous new Downtown Minneapolis high-rise condominiums like 365 Nicollet, Rafter, 4Marq, and Nic on Fifth. Furthermore, InterClad’s biggest projects to date are coming over the next few years with the construction of RBC Gateway in Minneapolis and the Essentia Health campus in Duluth, both of which are on the team’s list of record backlog.
The Future of InterClad
While Woolworth will be leaving InterClad with a historic backlog, he still believes that the best is yet to come for the strong team. “I believe getting to another level within our region is doable,” he said. “I truly hope that what we’ve established within InterClad and within Egan will continue… And, I hope it’s a better company years from now than when I left it.”
Leading the charge for the InterClad team moving into the future is Ryan Woodruff, who joined Egan in early 2019 as Woolworth’s successor.
Woolworth will be moving back to his native state of Iowa, where his two children and grandchildren reside. His love for details and mastery of consistency will be applied to a very different kind of project scope which includes D.I.Y. projects at his newly built lake home as well as giving back through local volunteerism. He also wants to do more recreational fishing, boating, reading, and most importantly, spending time with his family.
The role safety plays – both in our work and at home – is an imperative piece to our success at Egan. Our goal every day is to keep our most valuable resource, our employees, safe. From the equipment, tools, and protective gear we use to the external safety classes and partnerships we provide, it is our mission to achieve zero injuries.
This Fall, Egan officially added another safety partnership to its list with the acceptance into the Construction Health and Safety Excellence (CHASE) program.
CHASE is an exclusive program created by the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC of MN) and the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“Congratulations
to Egan Company on becoming a CHASE Level 2 participant this October and for
earning this recognition with its comprehensive safety program,” said Doug
Swenson, Director of Safety and Field Training with AGC.
The
ultimate goal of this partnership with Minnesota contractors is to reduce and
eliminate jobsite injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. With the addition of
Egan, it currently has 42 member contractors across the state.
Elected
participants are those that implement effective safety and health programs and
provide effective safety health training for management, supervisors, and
employees. The program also recognizes those that go beyond basic compliance
with OSHA standards and have an overall effective, long-term safety program.
With this partnership, Egan must continually meet and maintain yearly safety
requirements.
“Our
goal for every project we’re involved with is for it to be safer because Egan’s
team is there,” said Reid Romer, Safety Director at Egan. “The CHASE
partnership gives us, as well as our customers, a reassurance that Egan’s
safety efforts are being applied and continuing to move forward as an
organization.”
Next year marks a
milestone for Egan Company – 75 years in the trades – a milestone worth
celebrating and a chance to reflect on the history that makes Egan what it is
today.
The story of Egan is one of grit, growth, and an unwavering passion for the trades and construction industry. Before our 12 trades, 1,200 employees, countless valued customers, and four locations, there was one man in a single room pipe shop on the Northern Minnesota Iron Range. The year was 1905 and Joseph Egan was ready to put his business dream into motion.
Fast forward to today, and you’ll find Egan headquartered in
Brooklyn Park with projects throughout the Midwest and services ranging from
mechanical, electrical, and building systems to millwrights, curtainwall/glazing/panel
systems, engineering and design, and controls and system integration.
We’ve recently rediscovered our roots on the Iron Range, specifically with projects within the mining industry. Egan’s mechanical team and seven different trades have been busy at multiple mines with upgrades and changes frequently needed in a fully operational mining facility. The team has also been completing projects in pulp and paper plants. Additionally, other Egan teams are on the North Shore with projects in the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Lastly, as we celebrate our 75 years, we can’t help but reflect on the solid foundation that has shaped us into the company we are today. A foundation to deliver high-quality craftsmanship and innovative solutions while upholding the promises we make to our customers.This framework has helped us grow, kept us safe, and has played a fundamental role in the tens of thousands of projects we’ve touched in our community, across Minnesota, and throughout the greater Midwest.
We’re excited for this milestone of 75 years and the opportunity to take a walk down memory lane. Join us for the journey in 2020 as we remember and celebrate the many people, projects, and partnerships that is Egan Company.
With the colder weather quickly approaching, Egan volunteers were ready and eager to build houses for local families in need with the help of Habitat for Humanity. This year kicks-off our new partnership with the nonprofit organization which helps build strength, stability, and self-reliance with families in need of affordable housing.
More than a dozen Egan employees spent
the day building two houses located in the Twin Cities and Rochester areas. Their
work beyond the jobsite has provided a place that families can now call home.
Egan volunteers – Rochester
“It was a very rewarding experience,” said Megan Ring,
Egan HR Coordinator. “Through Habitat for Humanity, we were able to make a
positive impact while learning new skills that come along with homebuilding. At
the end of the day, it was also very neat to look back at the progress our Egan
team made just by volunteering on one Saturday.”
Scope of work included: installation of shed siding, measuring and
chalking for housing siding installation, drip strip installation above doors,
wind block installation in attic, finished basement framing, cleaning
As the
leaves have changed and the snowy months arrive, we’re taking a quick look back
at a few notable awards and recognition we’ve received since the summer – both
at a local and national level.
We’re
thrilled to be among such great company in these various categories. A huge
thank you to our great customers, vendors, and of course, employees, who make
it happen every day on the jobsite and in the office. And, congrats, to all of
this year’s winners!
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ) Top Private Companies
Moving on up! In 2019, Egan ranks #77 out of 100 Top Private Companies
in Minnesota. This is a jump up from last year, where Egan was #82.
Finance and Commerce 2019 Reader Rankings
For the third year, readers of Finance & Commerce have chosen their most trusted brands and business partners through Reader Rankings. Egan was recognized, again, by readers as a top choice within the “Best Electrical Contractor” and “Best Plumbing Company” categories.
The 36th annual Awards of Excellence recognizes exceptional
developments by The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
members and their teams. Egan had the privilege of working with multiple NAIOP
partners on projects across the Twin Cities and in Rochester!
The
following Egan teams played a role in these recognized projects:
MoZaic
East (InterClad)
Prime
Therapeutics (Electrical)
InterContinental
Hotel (Electrical, InterClad, Building Technology Integration)
One
Discovery Square (Mechanical, InterClad)
365
Nicollet (InterClad)
Electrical Construction and Maintenance (EC&M)
We’re thrilled to have made the #44 spot on the Electrical Construction
and Maintenance (EC&M) magazine’s list of Top 50 Electrical Contractors in
the U.S. for 2019. It’s always an exciting time at Egan when we are recognized
on a national level – this year marks our third year in a row on the list!
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August
20, 2019) – Egan Company, a
Brooklyn Park specialty contractor, announced the upcoming retirement of Tim
Woolworth, Senior Vice President, in 2020.
Joining Egan’s InterClad (curtainwall/glazing/metal panels) team in 2003, Woolworth has served as the leader of the InterClad business unit since 2010 as Vice President and Senior Vice President. He joined the Board of Directors in 2011.
Starting his career
in Des Moines, Iowa, Woolworth worked in various project management,
estimating, and management roles before moving into senior leadership at Egan.
During his tenure at Egan, the business has experienced remarkable growth and the
construction of many notable projects – U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Corporation
North Campus, and Cargill Campus – Excelsior Boulevard to name a few.
“It has been an
honor and a privilege to lead the InterClad team and provide leadership to this
great company,” said Woolworth. “I’m excited to see Egan continue to grow as I
head back to my home state of Iowa to spend more time with my kids and
grandkids on the lake.”
Woolworth will remain with Egan until January 2020, at which time he will retire from the Company. Leadership for the InterClad team includes Ryan Woodruff, who joined Egan in early 2019 as his successor.
About Egan Company Egan Company is a privately-owned, specialty contractor providing building trades to general contractors, engineers, building owners, property managers, and facility engineers. Specialties include: electrical, mechanical, curtainwall/glazing/metal panels (InterClad), millwrights, building technology, controls and system integration, and 24/7 service. Egan serves every stage of a building and provides in-house expertise in planning, design and engineering, construction, and maintenance. For more information about Egan Company, visit www.eganco.com.
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Media Contact: Jessica Johnson jkjohnson@eganco.com 763-595-4310
Being prepared when opportunity strikes can yield powerful results. When it comes to safety at Egan Company, the same notion rings true – we prepare our employees for any safety situation. Recently at a customer jobsite, the preparation and heroics of Tanner Knutson, Egan Electrical Field Leader, and Ray Turner, Egan Electrical Journeyman, led to the ultimate result – a saved life.
A Quick and Selfless Response
An average Monday took an unexpected turn when another contractor onsite went into cardiac arrest on the job of Knutson, Turner, and the Egan crew. Reacting immediately to their safety training, Knutson and Turner initiated CPR along with an employee from the other contractor within moments of the collapse. Conrad King, Egan Electrical Field Leader, called 911 while the remainder of the Egan crew assisted EMS arrival and clearing the area.
“It has been confirmed that undoubtedly the CPR onsite is what saved our employee’s life. We would like to give a special thanks to Egan’s crew for their selfless assistance in performing CPR,” said a representative of the contractor. “It was truly amazing to see the training these employees have been through come to light and be performed just like textbook. Our employee is now recovering at home and is extremely thankful to the crew who saved his life.”
Training for Life
Safety is a core
value we believe in and invest resources to continue building on its success.
As a company, we encourage both office and field employees to further their
safety education through online training programs and classes (like CPR and
First-Aid), and onsite trainings because, just like Knutson and Turner, we need
to always be prepared. Whether it’s at work or at the family cabin, our goal is
for all employees to have the confidence to take action.
New or existing, big projects or service calls, serving
our customers is what drives us. And, occasionally, we’re fortunate enough to
be recognized for our work at some of the state’s most identifiable companies
like Hormel Foods in Austin, Minn.
This June, Hormel awarded Egan Company and a few other contractors with its Spirit of Excellence Award for 2018. Honorees are qualified for the Spirit of Excellence Award based on various criteria including meeting performance requirements, making on-time deliveries, and providing high-level customer service.
This award marks the third time in four years that
Egan’s team has taken home the Spirit of Excellence Award since acquiring
Kestner Electric in 2015. Kestner’s long-standing relationship with Hormel
prior to acquisition was also well-decorated.
In the press release announcing this year’s award
winners, Curtis Southard, Director of Purchasing for Hormel Foods said, “We are
proud to partner with these suppliers. They play a key role in helping us
deliver inspired food to people around the world and in achieving our key
results.”
Fun Fact: Kestner’s first project at Hormel Foods was in 1983!
This summer Egan’s Southern Minnesota team capped off its two-year project on Winona’s historic bridge.
The city of Winona is nestled along the Mississippi River Valley roughly 100 miles southeast of the Twin Cities. Known for its picturesque bluffs and small town charm, a few of Winona’s most recognizable landmarks are highlighted by Sugar Loaf, a rock pinnacle created by quarrying in the 19th century, and a symbolic pair of bridges that connect Minnesota to Packer Country.
Though its formal name is the Main Channel Bridge, these
two bridges are more commonly known as the historic bridge (opened during WWII in
1942) and the new bridge (opened in 2016 – located slightly upstream from its
counterpart). Following the opening of the new bridge, the historic bridge
closed for necessary rehabilitation. Now, after more than six years of
construction, both bridges are finally complete.
Egan’s Southern Minnesota team got the opportunity to provide its electrical expertise on the city’s historic bridge during portions of the rehabilitation process. Much of the team’s work was completed by tying-off to the barrier walls of the bridge making it more challenging.
The scope included all power and communication on
the bridge for roadway and aircraft lighting, and navigational beacons. In
addition, Egan installed 150+ aesthetic lights that illuminate the
infrastructure at night.
As always, staying safe throughout such a high-risk project was top-priority. Significant safety planning and extra patience from the crew was necessary. With no approach stands to access the work or flat surface on the bridge, Egan’s team worked on barges, flew a boom lift up to the bridge deck, and installed lighting utilizing a reach all from underneath the bridge.
“A heavy focus on in-house prefabrication played a key role in this project’s success,” said Nick Schneider, Egan Company Project Manager. “With no flat surface to set-up a bender on the bridge, we prefabricated miles of conduit, all of the off-sets and bends, and over 70 junction boxes to increase efficiency on the jobsite. It worked out extremely well.”
Overall, the bridge was completed on-time and within a compressed schedule. Egan worked approximately 3,500 hours without a recordable injury or dropping/losing anything into the river – which was another team win!
This past July, a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Governor of Minnesota, Winona Mayor, and various U.S. and State Representatives was held to officially mark the re-opening of the historic bridge.
