The Blueprint

The Builders Association appreciates the support of each and every member company. Whether it is through our various committees, annual Safety Stand Down, Lean Education program, labor relations guidance, or other construction-related matters, we hope to make each new year more valuable for your firm. We wish you a healthy and prosperous 2016!

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Thank you for demonstrating your commitment to the Chicago commercial construction industry through commitment and partnership with the Builders Association:
Director, Ernest Brown, Brown & Momen, Inc.
Director, Pat Cermak, Wight & Company
Director, Pat Healy, Bulley & Andrews
Director, James Hill, The Hill Group
Director, Terrence Roche, Denk & Roche Builders, Inc.

The Builders Association looks forward to continuing to work with existing board members:
Chairman, Ken Egidi, Pepper Construction Company
Vice Chairman, Steve Lenz, The George Sollitt Construction Co.
Treasurer, Dave Trolian, Clark Construction Group - Chicago
Immediate Past Chairman, Jeff Raday, McShane Construction Co.
Director, Mike Meagher, James McHugh Construction Co.

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The Builders Association partnered with the Illinois Construction Industry Committee in 2015 to better serve our membership on a political level.

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The National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program has been an ongoing effort since 1991 to offer AGC members an opportunity to evaluate their safety record. Participating contractors receive a confidential printout to compare their company’s safety statistics with similar size and type AGC contractor members both locally and nationally. NASA provides a great opportunity for contractor members with excellent safety records to compete for nationally recognized awards. Additionally, this information can be used to assist in determining if additional accident prevention and loss-control measures are necessary.

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Join the Lean Construction Institute for its inaugural "Lean Coffee," January 7th at AIA Chicago, 7:30-9:00 a.m. Lean Coffee is a loosely structured monthly meeting with an ever-changing agenda, dictated each month by the participants present. Participants will share lean ideas and experiences with other construction experts from the area in an open forum. LCI's first meeting will be hosted by Kenneth Bauwens, President of Jamerson Bauwens, and Brian Teyema, Vice President of The Hill Group. Future monthly meeting will take place on the first Thursday of each month at the same location.
Date: First Thursday of the month
Time: 7:30-9:00 a.m.
35 E Upper Wacker Dr. #250
Chicago, IL 60601

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The Lean Construction Institute is hosting an event along with the Society of Market Professional Services focused on educating construction marketing professionals on how to promote and discuss Lean Construction news and events. Lean Project Delivery revolutionized the manufacturing industry by minimizing waste and maximizing value, and it’s doing the same in construction. Now that owners and project partners are starting to use Lean principles in the Midwest, marketers need to learn the basics and the benefits.

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Calling all under-40 BA members! The CLC will be hosting its first event of 2016 on February 11th at Carnivale (702 W. Fulton St.). This Mardi Gras-themed speed networking event will begin at 5:30 PM. Register online before the event and don't forget your business cards!

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Are you struggling to implement Lean on your projects? Have you had planning sessions that were not as productive as they could be? Do your teams just not "get it?" Join this webinar to learn from the experience of a Lean Construction coach who has consulted Owners, GCs, CMs, designers, and subcontractors to successfully implement Lean thinking and Lean tools. This webinar will take place on Feb. 23 from 2PM - 3PM EST.

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Get the latest project forecasts, expert insight on upcoming regulatory hurdles, and ample networking opportunities with agency decision makers, all of which are critical to being competitive in the federal construction market. Join construction industry leaders and their federal agency counterparts at the AGC Federal Contractors Conference on May 10 -11, 2016 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

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As of January 1, 2016, BA member firms Ceco-Chicago and Tribco Construction Services have merged and will continue operations underneath the Tribco Banner.

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Renowned architect Dirk Lohan has recently closed his architectural office in order to join forces with member company Wight & Company. Lohan designed the McDonald’s Corp. headquarters in Oak Brook, and developed master plans for the Soldier Field renovation, as well as the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Dirk Lohan, his partner Floyd Anderson, and 10 colleagues will join Wight & Co. and form a new "Lohan Studio" section of the firm.

The change will create "a greatly expanded portfolio...and an international reach that we haven’t had before," said Mark Wight, Wight & Co.’s CEO. "I see opportunities and possibilities that I’ve never had," Lohan commented to the Tribune.

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The United Center was recently issued a building permit for a $300 million expansion. Member company James McHugh Construction Co. is the general contractor for the new 190,000 sq. ft. structure designed by HOK. The expansion includes a six story addition that will be constructed on the current United Center Parking Lot H, on the east side of the United Center on South Wood Street between Monroe and Madison Streets.

The building includes a "basement for new office space and atrium space," as well as space to house Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Levy Restaurants and United Center employees who currently operate out of the United Center, and a brand new Blackhawks and Bulls retail store.

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The 2015 Construction Technology Report includes valuable insight on the technology tools and strategies used by over 2,000 builders surveyed. Published by JBKnowledge in partnership with CFMA, Texas A&M University's Construction Science Department and HCSS construction software, the annual report gives construction companies the data to make better technology decisions and stay competitive.

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The Builders Association is pleased to kick off 2016 with a special discount on all online MindEdge courses. Starting now through March 20 - the first day of Spring - all MindEdge courses will be discounted 20%. Just enter Discount Code BLDRS20 into the Discount Code field when registering for any course and instantly receive 20% off your entire purchase.

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Congratulations to DLZ Industrial Surveying on their milestone anniversary! Chairman Vikram (Raj) Rajadhyaksha, P.E., says of the firm: "When I started the engineering firm that was the precursor to DLZ in 1978, I never expected it to become one of the premiere architectural, engineering, and construction services firms nationwide. With just two employees in its first year, DLZ has expanded to over $100 million in revenue (2013), 20 offices, and 600 employees. Our continued growth is an American success story." The Builders Association is proud to have so many distinguished member firms, such as DLZ Industrial Surveying, among its ranks.

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A very sincere congratulations to Paul from the Builders Association for his many years of hard work and volunteerism. Paul served as Chair to the Builders Education & Training Foundation since its inception in 2010, through to his retirement at the end of 2015. His endless commitment to education and training in the construction industry has always been and continues to be exemplary. Paul was also a longstanding member of the Safety & Health Committee, and he served as Chair from 2009 to 2011. Enjoy a long and healthy retirement, Paul!

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W.E. O'Neil Construction Co. recently received the Loyola University Quinlan School of Business's "2015 Large Family Business of the Year Award." The award was deemed to this particular member firm for their strong commitment to family, business growth and the greater Illinois Community. Congratulations, W.E. O'Neil Construction Co.!

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The Builders Association extends our condolences to The George Sollitt Construction Company, as well as the Pridmore Family, for the loss of John Pridmore. John Pridmore passed away on December 12th, 2015. Mr. Pridmore was a veteran serving as Captain in the US Army during WWII. He was President of The George Sollitt Construction Company and Past President of the Chicago Athletic Association. Richard Pepper, of Pepper Construction Company, said "Recently John Pridmore, Sr. passed away and he will truly be missed. John was a very kind person as well as an outstanding leader in the construction industry. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for anyone if it was possible. We have all been blessed by having John Sr. as a good friend." Pridmore served on the Board of Directors for the Builders Association from 1974-1988, and again in 1990. He also served his industry as Chairman of the the Builders Association from 1983-1984. Deep appreciation and thanks to John Pridmore for his contributions to the Chicago Construction Industry.

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