CAVCON Archives

CAVCON Recognized in National Hall of Fame Competition for Best in Schools Build

March 2, 2023

by cavcon Press Releases

Greensburg, PA, March 1, 2023 – The Indiana County Education and Technology Center built by CAVCON of Greensburg, PA, has been recognized for architectural excellence by Varco Pruden Buildings, as a Best-in-Class Winner of Schools in the exclusive Hall of Fame award. Varco Pruden Buildings is one of the nation’s largest building-solutions companies. Varco Pruden is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc., and has a network of more than 1,000 builders across the United States and Canada.

CAVCON has been named to Varco Pruden’s 2023 Hall of Fame for the Indiana County Education and Technology Center in Indiana, PA. CAVCON worked with Indiana County Commissioners to build the 26,000 square foot state-of-the-art technology building which will house Westmoreland County Community College campus. There is still 11,166 of shell space remaining for the proposed STEM education facility.

The building is housed on the site that is home to Indiana County Technology Center, a technical school in Indiana County serving high school and adult students. The technology center provides technical and academic curricula offering students both theory and hands-on education into secondary education or direct employment into the trades. The Indiana County Education Technology Center will serve as an educational hub for the residents of Indiana, Westmoreland counties, and beyond. The project was completed in July 2022.

The highly competitive Hall of Fame Awards are presented annually to the independent authorized VP Builders whose work reflects innovation and excellence using Varco Pruden building systems by creating exceptional architectural appearance, efficient design, and effective end use. The projects include a range of industrial, commercial, retail, and municipal projects.

Desmone Architects and Stiffler-McGraw Civil Engineers were instrumental in the development of the project. Funding for the project came from a variety of sources. Byron Stauffer, of Indiana County Office of Planning & Development and key leadership in Indiana County were instrumental in spearheading the project. As a Varco Pruden authorized builder with expertise in pre-engineered steel buildings, CAVCON was able to offer insight into the design and budgeting process.

“The Hall of Fame is proof positive that our builders continue to challenge the boundaries by seeking new and innovative ways to prove that Metal Building Systems are the system of choice,” said Paul Day, president of Varco Pruden.

“CAVCON is extremely pleased to have won this award for a second time in a different building discipline. The first time we won the award was for Vollmer of America’s Sales and Distribution Center and the second time winning the award is for Best in Schools. These projects showcase the versatility and capability of a pre-engineered building. None of the architect’s design intent was sacrificed in the construction of a pre-engineered metal building and the bottom line for the customer was a significant cost savings” said Jim Thomas, president of CAVCON

About CAVCON

CAVCON brings together three generations of Building Owners/Managers and General Contractors with Design/Build expertise focusing on Medical, Commercial, Retail, Manufacturing and Light Industrial projects. As a full-service merit shop general construction company, CAVCON provides design-build services incorporating value engineering, collaborative modeling, construction management, and turn-key general construction services to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. To learn more, visit www.cavcon.com.

About Varco Pruden Buildings

Varco Pruden Buildings is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. Through advanced engineering and proprietary building products, Varco Pruden provides innovative steel building solutions for low-rise commercial and industrial applications – including offices, warehouses, schools, manufacturing and retail projects. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company markets its products through a network of more than 1,000 authorized builders within the United States and Canada. Varco Pruden is a member of the MBMA, CSSBI and the USGBC. For additional information, visit www.varcopruden.com.

THE FUTURE OF BUILDING: UTILIZING DESIGN-BUILD METHODOLOGY

May 31, 2021

by cavcon Blogs

Design-Build is becoming the delivery method of choice for construction projects because of rapid project delivery and total team coordination under one entity. According to a study done by FMI, “Design-build will comprise 44% of construction spending between 2018 and 2021. During this time, design-build construction spending will grow by 18% and reach over $320 billion.”

Because Design-Builders aim to find you savings throughout design and construction, you’ll benefit from using a qualifications-based selection. That means you select the Design-Builder with the best credentials, experience, expertise and team.

As efficiencies in all types of building projects help to keep costs in line and building schedules on target, working with CAVCON, a qualified Design-Build Contractor, will be key to a project’s success. With more and more owners seeking out new and innovative delivery methods using state-of-the-art technologies that offer a broad variety of project components, design-build offers greater collaboration among stakeholders in a departure from the linear hard-bid contract.

WHAT IS DESIGN-BUILD?

Combining the function of an architect, engineer and construction manager into a single entity, the integrated approach is focused on the specific needs of your project. One entity holds single-source responsibility and contractual risk for every aspect of a build — from estimation, assessments and pre-construction to architecture, schematics, engineering, subcontracting, construction and post-construction. CAVCON, the Design-Builder, manages all the above. This system is used to minimize the project risk for a property owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project.

Design + Build is becoming the preferred method of project delivery for many property owners and construction industry professionals. CAVCON’s design-build services include enhanced “value-engineering” and pre-construction reviews, early knowledge of guaranteed costs, accelerated delivery, increased quality control, lower design and engineering fees, reduced owner risk and administrative responsibilities.

PROJECT COST SAVINGS

According to a study done by FMI, Design-Build Projects offer significant savings both in overall costs and time to completion.

“Project cost: On average, projects using design-build (DB) cost 1.9% less per square foot when compared to construction manager at risk (CMR) and 0.3% less when compared to design-bid-build (DBB). DB projects also average 2.4% less cost growth than a comparably scoped project using CMR, and 3.8% less cost growth than a project using DBB.

Project schedule: Design-build (DB) was the best performing project delivery system in terms of schedule growth, delivery speed and construction speed. DB projects see 3.9% less schedule growth than construction manager at risk (CMR) and 1.7% less than design-bid-build (DBB). They’re also 13% faster than CMR during the construction phase and 36% faster than DBB. From design through completion, DB projects are delivered 61% faster than CMR and 102% faster than DBB.”

CLIENT BENEFITS

A design-build team is jointly involved in producing a product that meets a client’s needs rather than merely acting as professional advisors. A collaboration of designers and builders is the foundation of design-build projects. Benefits of design-build project delivery include:

Total responsibility for the design and construction entrusted to one entity no divided responsibilities with resultant problems.
A coordinated team approach to identify your needs and provide counsel on important decisions that can affect design, performance and cost, limiting the risks of omissions, errors and costs exceeding your budget.
Because projects are designed and built with years of construction knowledge and expertise, CAVCON brings accurate costs based on actual experience.
Faster occupancy resulting in higher profits for the owner. A study commissioned by the DBIA found that commercial projects using design-build firms finished about 33 percent faster than those that used the traditional design, bid, and build process.
Change Orders: A study by Penn State found that compared to DBB, DB projects had a six percent reduction in change orders, delivered 33 percent faster overall, and cost six percent less. By involving the DB entity throughout design, the design and construction disciplines are contractually obligated to work together to complete a design that meets owner needs within constructability and budget parameters. The DB entity bears the risk for the design completeness thereby reducing the need for change orders that can derail budgets and schedules alike. The CII study found “When schedule is critical to project success and budget is still unknown, the DB delivery method should be considered. DB relieves the owner from warranting design documents and mediating interpretations of those documents.”

With CAVCON as your design-build firm, you have one point person throughout the entire length of your project who is accountable for the timeline, the budget, and delivering what the owner wants.

From beginning to end… experience the CAVCON’s Design-Build expertise with leadership, accessibility and accountability in superior design/build service delivery.

About CAVCON

About Varco Pruden Buildings

CAVCON Wins National Hall of Fame Competition

March 3, 2021

by cavcon Press Releases Uncategorized

Greensburg, PA, March 3, 2021 – The Vollmer of America Sales and Distribution Center built by CAVCON of Greensburg, PA, has been recognized by Varco Pruden Buildings, as a Best-in-Class winner of the exclusive Hall of Fame award. Varco Pruden Buildings is one of the nation’s largest building-solutions companies. Varco Pruden is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc., and has a network of more than 1,000 builders across the United States and Canada.

CAVCON has been named to Varco Pruden’s 2021 Hall of Fame for the Vollmer of America Sales and Distribution Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The 29,200 square foot facility includes office space, warehouse and a signature showroom highlighting pieces of Vollmer’s equipment that will be used for both sales demonstrations and product training. The project was completed in July 2020.

Integrity Design team and architect, Keith Andreyko were chosen to design the project. Keith, a registered architect, brings 21 years of experience and significant history of design honor recognition. As a Varco Pruden authorized builder with expertise in pre-engineered steel buildings, CAVCON was able to offer insight into the design and budgeting process.

The project was initially designed as a conventional steel structure but was significantly over budget. CAVCON suggested changing to a pre-engineered metal building and brought Varco Pruden into the design process. CAVCON and Varco Pruden worked with Integrity Design to make the change. The reduction in the project cost was a $480,000 savings.

“CAVCON is extremely pleased to have won this award as it showcases the versatility and capability of a pre-engineered building. None of the architect’s design intent was sacrificed to make the change to a pre-engineered metal building and the bottom line for the customer was a significant cost savings” said Jim Thomas, president of CAVCON

About CAVCON
CAVCON brings together three generations of Building Owners/Managers and General Contractors with Design/Build expertise focusing on Medical, Commercial, Retail, Manufacturing and Light Industrial projects. As a full-service merit shop general construction company, CAVCON provides design-build services incorporating value engineering, collaborative modeling, construction management, and turn-key general construction services to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. To learn more, visit www.cavcon.com.

About Varco Pruden Buildings
Varco Pruden Buildings is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. Through advanced engineering and proprietary building products, Varco Pruden provides innovative steel building solutions for low-rise commercial and industrial applications – including offices, warehouses, schools, manufacturing and retail projects. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company markets its products through a network of more than 1,000 authorized builders within the United States and Canada. Varco Pruden is a member of the MBMA, CSSBI and the USGBC. For additional information, visit www.varcopruden.com.

REBIRTH IN THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE by Patrick Ford

January 19, 2018

by cavcon Blogs

There is a paradigm shift happening to the energy hub in the Northern Panhandle within the Ohio River Valley with the announcement of the Shell Petrochemical Plant and subsequent announcement of second plant in Ohio. While petrochemical manufacturing began in Appalachia in the 1920’s, the Gulf Coast region has been the center of the U.S. petrochemical industry since the mid20th century. With its abundant supplies of hydrocarbon raw materials and vast network of pipelines and natural gas liquids storage structures, it has been the center of chemicals production for the last six decades. Much of the industry’s recent wave of shale-related investment was destined for Texas and Louisiana, with numerous projects completed, planned, or underway.

However…. this is changing. Announcements of significant petrochemical industry investments in our region have been made, with several projects already in process. The Appalachian region in general, and the Ohio River Valley in particular, is the ideal location for the second major petrochemical manufacturing hub in the United States, offering:

Proximity to abundant NGL resources from the shale formations.
Proximity to manufacturing markets in the Midwest and along much of the East Coast.
Opportunity to strengthen the U.S. economy by providing employment and supply diversity.

The Weirton-Steubenville Metropolitan Area consists of Brooke and Hancock counties in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and Jefferson County in Ohio. Brook and Hancock counties have experienced millions of investment dollars over the past eight years reaching outward from Weirton to Chester in the north and Beech Bottom in the south. The investment dollars have spanned across manufacturing, transportation, health care and retail business sectors. These types of businesses will support the growth of the energy hub in the region.

The industry clusters of energy/shale, value-added metals, chemicals, transportation logistics, and health care have grown organically and continue to attract investments. These industry clusters are employing over 8,000 people.

The investment in the Panhandle region goes beyond brick and mortar, but also to support workforce development through nationally acclaimed training programs in job search training, retaining and retooling a workforce to support and supply the necessary pipeline of labor needed for expansion. Weirton-Steubenville area is 3rd in nation in construction growth. For consecutive years the tri-county area has ranked among highest in nation in increase in construction jobs. The result – West Virginia has the nation’s second lowest overall employee turnover rate.

We are excited about the business growth and employment opportunities in Weirton-Steubenville Metropolitan Area and stand ready to meet future demands through investment in our infrastructure, training and the people that live, play and work in the Northern Panhandle.

Experience the Power of a Community and find out more about opportunities within the Northern Panhandle.

The Rebirth of the Northern Panhandle article provided by Patrick Ford, Executive Director BDC of the Northern Panhandle.

About CAVCON: CAVCON brings together three generations of Building Owners/Managers and General Contractors with Design/Build expertise focusing on Medical, Commercial, Retail, Manufacturing and Light Industrial projects. As a full-service merit shop general construction company CAVCON provides design-build services incorporating value engineering, collaborative modeling and turn-key general construction services to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.

AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP UPGRADES

November 5, 2015

by cavcon Blogs

Have you purchased a new car recently or taken your car into the dealership for some maintenance and noticed your automotive dealership is undergoing renovation, upgrades or a reorganization? The Sendell Subaru Showroom in Greensburg is among the latest to upgrade their showroom and have contracted with CAVCON to convert their Buick dealership to a Sendell Subaru showroom.

Dealerships are not only being pushed by the auto manufacturers but also by their consumers to provide a stellar customer buying and service experience. Just as curb appeal helps sell homes, it also is key to luring in buyers. If a dealership is old and run down, customers may think they haven’t upgraded their computer systems and maintenance departments to better service new vehicles. After all, consumers have a choice where they spend their money.

Individual auto manufacturers have always looked for new ways to set their brand apart, as well as, strategies to attract buyers into their dealerships. In the last five years they have found that if the dealerships update their facility with sleek, state-of-the-art design, equipment and amenities the dealership is more likely to attract buyers. The manufacturers have also pushed dealers to upgrade their facilities thus, creating a unified look to promote the manufacturer’s brand.

Even when the economy was at a low point in 2008 many dealerships found themselves investing millions into renovations. Why you may ask? Well the answer is simple. Even at a time when less cars are being sold, dealerships want to show customers they are investing in the future and preparing to be the dealership of choice for years to come. They want their lots to be appealing to the eye and comfortable for the customers while waiting on vehicle maintenance or especially when closing a deal on a new set of wheels.

Peer pressure to conform as one dealership makes updates to their facility, also puts pressure on other dealerships and business around the area to spruce up and upgrade their facilities.

Sendell Subaru is among a list of dealerships CAVCON has renovated for Sendell Motors. CAVCON has designed and built VW, Honda, Mitsubishi and Buick dealerships for Sendell Motors as well. We work hand-in-hand with both the dealership and the auto manufacturer to ensure construction adherence to corporate specifications, as well as local dealer owner’s specifications. Because of CAVCON’s partnership with dealers and auto manufacturers, the consumer benefits. Their car buying experience and all the amenities at the dealership will be the best and most technologic ally advanced.

About CAVCON: CAVCON brings together three generations of Building Owners/Managers and General Contractors with Design/Build expertise focusing on Medical, Commercial, Retail, Manufacturing and Light Industrial projects. As a full-service merit shop general construction company CAVCON provides design-build services incorporating value engineering, collaborative modeling and turn-key general construction services to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.

SUSAN BRIMO COX GLASS STUDIO HONORS LOCAL ARTIST

October 30, 2015

by cavcon Press Releases

Touchstone Center for Crafts is Pennsylvania’s only residential arts and craft center where individuals can take classes and stay on campus recently dedicated Susan Brimo Cox Glass Studio to honor a local artist. Created in 1972, Touchstone Center for Crafts was originally known as Pioneer Crafts Council which was founded by two Pittsburgh women Francis Balter and Agnes Kinard.

This unique craft school has expanded to include contemporary and experimental techniques, in addition to the traditional and historic methods in disciplines such as blacksmithing, ceramics, metals, textiles, glass, oil and watercolor painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. As Pennsylvania’s only residential craft school, Touchstone offers both beginners and seasoned artists more than one hundred week-long and weekend courses taught by some of North America’s finest artists and artisans.

Mary Len Hajduk, President of the Board of Directors, described the destruction of the Old Red Barn’s structure in 2010 where a snow storm severely damaged the building’s roof. Since that time, the damaged structure prohibited the organization from offering any significant glass classes. Only during the past year has funding become available that will cover the cost of the construction of a new glass studio. The facility will feature state-of-the-art equipment and kilns, offering an excellent place to conduct classes. The Old Red Barn was demolished last year and the wood from the barn will be repurposed into other construction projects.

The contemporary studio glass movement has caught the imagination of the public more than any craft form in the last decade, and remains an essential component to the resurgent interest in craft processes. Shauna Soom, Executive Director for the center stated the following, “Until our facility (the Red Barn) was severely damaged in 2010, Touchstone offered a wide array of glass workshops and was poised to benefit from the increasing public interest in glassmaking. With the new energy-efficient and well-equipped glass education studio, Touchstone will again be able to provide a diverse and extensive offering of glass workshops in an inviting, environmentally healthy, and responsible setting. Ultimately, this new facility will serve as a regional model for the synthesis of environmental stewardship and visual arts education.

Susan Brimo-Cox dedication 10-03-15 — Left side front, left to right: Sarah Stopyra, Shawn Fischer, Carolyn Danus. Left side back, left to right: Frank Golba, Touchstone Center for Crafts (TCC) Board of Director’s Past President Dan Fischer, Aaron Lane, Lloyd Cox. Right side, left to right: Kevin Kopp, Dolores Kopp, Monica Saffri, Mary Len Hajduk, TCC Board of Director’s President Shauna Soom, TCC Executive Director

The objective of the project was to construct and equip an environmentally responsible glass education studio on Touchstone’s campus. This studio will efficiently provide educational programming in a variety of glass-making techniques to more than 150 participants every season. Based on technical counsel from a wide range of glass artists in the region, we have identified the equipment necessary to make our new glass studio an energy-efficient educational destination for glass artists. With high-quality equipment for lampworking, cold working, slumping, fusing, and stained glass, Touchstone will re-emerge as a regional focal point for exploration and creativity in this most dynamic medium.”

Soom further commented that throughout the bidding process, CAVCON, the contractor chosen for the project, worked closely with Touchstone regarding the project. They were responsive, and the comprehensive team they involved in the estimation process (HVAC, architects, surveyors, estimators, etc.) was exceptional.

Mike Phillips, President of CAVCON, indicated the design/build services CAVCON offers facilitated conversations and modifications for particular pieces of glass equipment and energy efficiencies allowing for adjustments to building plans prior to the onset of construction, saving the organization time and money.

The project received approval from the local commissioners and construction begin in the spring of 2015. Susan Brimo Cox, a recognized glass artist loved Touchtone Center for Crafts. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and passed away in 2012. In Susan’s memory, her family made a generous donation to the center. The project was completed in late summer and the new facility was dedicated in the fall of 2015 as The Susan Brimo Cox Glass Studio in her honor.

About Touchstone: Touchstone is located in Farmington, Pennsylvania, amid the natural splendor of the Laurel Highlands. Founded in 1972 as the Pioneer Crafts Council, Touchstone’s original mission was to foster interest in the preservation of the traditional craft forms and culture of the Appalachian region. Touchstone provides underserved audiences in the region, from senior citizens to public school students, with craft-centered educational programming. Touchstone’s artistic, educational, and residential facilities sit on 150 acres of lush woodlands and pristine wilderness. Not only is Touchstone Center for Crafts the only residential craft school in Pennsylvania, it’s the natural setting for your creative nature.

Cavcon

Posts tagged: CAVCON