Shown above- Jacque Willie and Neil Laberee from Derrick Companies and Tom Koop, project owner accept the Silver Award at ABC WI in February, 2017
Earlier in February, Derrick Companies was honored to receive a Silver Award in the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABCWI) Projects of Distinction Ceremony for the New Richmond, WI, Culvers Restaurant project.
A Project of Distinction is often defined by its size, cost, use of innovative programs, value engineering, special obstacles and/or extenuating circumstances. However, this project does not stand out for any of those reasons.
As a successful franchise, the Culver’s brand does not provide the opportunity to build a unique structure, or to even offer value engineering ideas. What does make this project distinctive, is the fact that a new Culver’s was even built in New Richmond. That, speaks directly to a very important and often times overlooked aspect of being an ABC contractor, which is the role we play in helping make projects happen.
In the case of the new Culver’s restaurant in New Richmond, this project was designed with the intention of being built in 2013. However, because of a variety of reasons the project was cancelled and given up for dead. That did not stop Derrick’s Project Manager, Jacque Willie, who knew the market and felt that a Culver’s would be a real success, from keeping in contact with the original ownership group, offering updated estimates/schedules and generally pestering them into taking another look at the project.
Once the owners agreed to reconsider, the next challenge was that since the 2013 plans had been completed, Culver’s had adopted a new design and costs had increased. On top of that, the original architect was not interested in helping update the drawings and documents. Again, Jacque was not deterred. She found the Culver’s Franchise Group willing partners in “redlining” the original drawings and documents up to the new standards, which saved both time and dollars. Jacque also evaluated and re-evaluated every aspect of the project to minimize construction costs.
There was still one more hurdle. In order to get the new business off to a strong start, it needed to be completed in time for the Holiday Season. Jacque worked out an aggressive construction schedule, implemented our proven Derrick Built Processes, in terms of communication; bid and award administration; work plan preparation; on-site organization; safety programs; quality, cost and schedule controls; punch list process; and commissioning. As a result, the new Culver’s was completed on schedule and under budget.
Whether it is assisting a potential client locate property, secure financing, take advantage of government programs, help with rezoning or other regulatory challenges, it is important to recognize that ABC contractors can and do help make projects happen. Congratulations to all on a job well done.