2018 News

How We Get Clients into Buildings Faster

How We Get Clients into Buildings Faster
04.11.2018

When we get work done faster – without sacrificing quality – construction time drops and clients move into their buildings sooner, which reduces costs related to labor and construction financing. Reducing construction time is one of the benefits Baker Group’s new Advanced Manufacturing facility provides clients.

Brandon Hummel, a Project Manager at Baker Group, says, “We’ve always been a leader in shop manufacturing technology, and we’ve leveraged 3D laser scans and building information modeling (BIM) for years. However, space constraints in the shop hampered our efficiency. Now we have the space, the shop layout and processes that really enhance the efficiency with which we prefabricate sheet metal, piping, electrical and automation product. That’s a game-changer for our clients.”

According to industry data, prefabrication reduces lead time 15–25 percent. “Add streamlined processes and the ability to have more craftsmen working simultaneously, and production throughput multiplies. It adds up to clients getting into their buildings faster,” Hummel says.

Since Baker Group’s expanded Advanced Manufacturing facility opened in March 2017:

  • Stainless steel pipe welding is 72% faster.
  • The Mechanical team has more than doubled the portion of work done in the shop versus the field.
  • The Sheet Metal team has improved productivity 30%.
  • Electrical and Automation shop assembly has more than quadrupled.

Competitive Advantage
Hummel believes Baker Group’s expanded Advanced Manufacturing capabilities give the company a significant competitive advantage because, dollar for dollar, clients get the savings that stem from shortened construction times.

Examples of how Baker Group’s Advanced Manufacturing shortens construction schedules include:  

  • Iowa State University’s Chiller Plant/Yard Upgrades. ISU contracted Baker Group to help expand its chiller plant with a comprehensive mechanical-HVAC, plumbing, piping and automation upgrade. “Circumstances required that we reduce what would typically be a 12-month project to six months. Our 3D scans and building information modeling provided tremendous efficiencies on the front-end of the project. Additionally, prefabrication was essential – we fabricated many of the spools approximately 30 to 35 percent more efficiently than the industry standard,” Hummel explains.
  • Hy-Vee’s Commissary in Ankeny. Baker Group provided construction and installation of the underground waste-processing piping for Hy-Vee’s new 194,000-sq.ft. production facility. “After we completed building information modeling, we fabricated and assembled most of the piping in our shop. Excavators then dug the ditches and we simply delivered and dropped the assemblies into the ground – a huge time-saver, particularly during extremely cold winter conditions. Without factoring in the weather, we completed our work approximately 25 percent faster than if we had not used our Advanced Manufacturing facility,” Hummel explains.

The Biggest Benefit
“Reducing construction time is a powerful advantage for our clients,” says Hummel, “But the best benefit we can deliver our clients is reliability. We’re in the business of delivering desired outcomes. With our expanded Advanced Manufacturing capabilities, we can accomplish high reliability, faster and at a lower total cost.”

About Baker Group

Founded in 1963 and with 650 employees across Iowa, Baker Group is the Midwest’s premier full-service specialty contractor providing mechanical, sheet metal, electrical, compressed air, building automation, process automation, security systems, fire alarm systems, parking/revenue controls and 24/7/365 service. For more information, call 855.262.4000 or visit https://www.thebakergroup.com/.

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