Organization: PCA

Viega LLC has named Markus Brettschneider as its new CEO and President. He replaces Dave Garlow, who resigned effective September 1 after 20 years with the company. “I was attracted to Viega because of the culture, the customers, the portfolio and the great opportunities to grow,” he said. “When the opportunity came up, it was really quite a simple decision. I like working for a family-owned company with strong values and great culture, and I’m excited to continue this growth journey with the team.”

“Mr. Brettschneider is a growth-driven leader with many years of extensive professional and management experience in the international and American markets. He grew up in Germany, but spent almost his entire professional life outside of his home country – including more than eight years in the United States,” said Claus Holst-Gydesen, CEO of Viega Holding GmbH & Co.

Markus was hired after an international search. He most recently was with ABB, where he was Group Senior Vice President and Global Head of Marketing and Sales for Industrial Automation and Global Head of Group Solutions & Channels. ABB is a global technology company specializing in robotics, motion, electrification and automation technology.

Before that, he held management positions with FrieslandCampina, Refresco, SIG Combibloc and other firms. He has an MBA from Edinburgh Management School and a degree in international marketing from Cooperate State University in Schwenningen, Germany.

Dave Garlow, the outgoing CEO, resigned effective September 1. He was with Viega for 20 years in various roles. Under his leadership, Viega grew significantly in the North American market by accelerating the adoption of pressing technology. He will help ensure a smooth transition to Markus’s leadership. Dave said the thing he will miss most is the people and friendships in the industry.

“My decision to leave Viega now is made easier knowing that I’m leaving it in excellent hands. Markus has the skills and drive to ensure Viega’s continued growth and success,” Dave said.

MCAA President Brian Helm spoke with Kelly Faloon for a recent Contractor magazine article on “Training in the Age of COVID-19.” The article highlights the ways in which associations, manufacturers and suppliers have adapted their education and training programs for virtual presentation. MCAA members Uponor, Inc. and Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett are among those highlighted.

MCAA members are constantly innovating and trying new techniques on their projects. Auburn Mechanical is just one example. The MCA of Western Washington member has been building through the COVID-19 pandemic, using a lean approach and specialty systems to meet the Washington State Convention Center Addition Project’s sustainability goals.

Planning and constructing a massive civic project like Seattle’s Washington State Convention Center Addition (WSSC) is no small feat. After nearly 10 years of design and planning and 2 years of preconstruction, the $1.6 billion project is in the middle of construction. Once complete, the new convention center will include a 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 100,000-square-foot flex hall, meeting rooms, a ballroom, an outdoor terrace and three levels of garage parking.

The project, a joint venture between Clark Construction Group and Seattle-based contractor Lease Crutcher Lewis, is the largest project in Auburn Mechanical’s 42-year history. It is also one of the most complex.

A Lean Approach

When Auburn Mechanical was selected as the plumbing contractor for the 570,290-square-foot addition in 2016, team members immediately implemented lean principles, including co-locating with the engineering team to support design, constructability review, and to explore opportunities for pre-fabrication. Auburn Mechanical’s detailers contributed to building the project’s massive federated model, which was completely designed in Revit.

With a plumbing contract worth over $40 million, Auburn Mechanical’s team will have installed 36 miles of plumbing, including six miles of underground piping, on the eight-acre site by the time the project is complete.

Focus on Sustainability

The project, which focuses on sustainability and long-term functionality, involves several specialty systems, including a heat traced and insulated stainless-steel Blucher grease waste piping system. Two 24,000-pound grease interceptors were successfully flown, landed, and installed on site. Additionally, stormwater recycling and reclamation systems will be used for the restroom toilets, reducing water consumption.

A Somewhat Unique Methodology

The convention center is being erected using “billboard construction” methodologies, a technique that is somewhat unique to Seattle-area construction. This technique involves building vertical sections simultaneously instead of floor-by-floor and creates greater efficiencies on sites with limited laydown area.

For their part, Auburn Mechanical is executing layout for systems on the slab-on-metal decks with a fast two-day turnaround between each deck. For added efficiency, Auburn Mechanical’s pre-fabrication shop has built almost 500 toilet and urinal carrier banks and prefabbed additional components to support just-in-time deliveries to the congested site.

Essential Status Requires Exhaustive Safety Protocols

Deemed an essential project at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction never stopped as a result of Washington State’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. With over 2,000 construction workers on the project, exhaustive safety protocols were put in place, including custom portable handwash stations designed and fabricated by Auburn Mechanical.

Project Completion Schedule

Construction is scheduled to complete in early 2022, nearly doubling the capacity of the current convention center.

MCAA Chief Executive Officer Tim Brink joined Kyle Gargaro for The NEWSMakers podcast this week. Listen to learn how Tim’s experiences as an MCAA member and local association executive are shaping his vision for a more collaborative organization that delivers more services to its members.

MCAA President Brian Helm spoke with Kyle Gargaro for this week’s episode of The NEWSMakers podcast. The two discussed MCAA’s quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They talked about what the industry can expect to see for the rest of 2020 and beyond, and the best practices that will help MCAA members succeed.

Arden Building Companies, an MCAA member, announced recently that Paul Battaglia has joined the executive team as President of Corporate Mechanical of New England in Woburn, MA. “Paul brings strength, leadership, and passion for the industry to this role,” said Robert M. Bolton, Chief Executive Officer of Arden Building Companies. “His wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the Boston market will prove invaluable to the Arden Building Companies and Corporate Mechanical of New England team as we begin the next chapter of growing our Boston operations.”

Paul brings over fifteen years of industry and leadership experience in the Boston market to the role.

He is also a member of MCAA’s Project Managers Education Committee, the group responsible for facilitating and executing MCAA’s Institute for Project Management (IPM) and Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM).

MCAA member Bassett Mechanical recently announced four strategic promotions on its executive leadership team. Kim Bassett, President & CEO, said, “These executive advancements are not only well deserved, but also the next step in creating a strong future for our business and our customers who trust us to provide customized solutions for their unique needs.”

Jerod Steigenberger, Chief Operating Officer

Jerod has been serving in a dual role as both Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) throughout the past year. He has been engaged with Bassett Mechanical’s HVAC, Plumbing, and Industrial Refrigeration teams and has gained advanced knowledge about the industry. Prior to joining Bassett Mechanical, Jerod worked in a variety of financial roles within Oshkosh Corporation’s Defense Segment, allowing him to bring broad experiences and skillsets to his roles at Bassett. His new role of full-time COO will allow him to make an even greater impact on the company’s sales and operations.

Craig Lamers, Chief Financial Officer

Craig joined Bassett Mechanical one year ago as the Senior Director of Finance. He came to the company with a background in construction and quickly expanded his role, providing valuable insights to his team and the company’s overall initiatives. In his role as CFO, Craig will be responsible for directing the financial management of the company including strategy development, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and analysis, treasury, tax, and risk management. He will also oversee the company’s procurement and IT teams.

Lee Schmidt, Vice President of HVAC & Plumbing Solutions

Lee has been with Bassett Mechanical for 15 years, most recently serving as Senior Director of HVAC & Plumbing Solutions. With more than 20 years of business development and operational leadership experience, Lee has excelled in a number of roles including General Manager and Director of Operations. He has become a vital leader in all aspects of the HVAC and Plumbing segment from controls and engineering to field execution. As Vice President of HVAC & Plumbing Solutions, his role will include management of the HVAC & Plumbing segment with a focus on providing industry-leading solutions for customers’ unique needs.

Wade Uhlenbrauck, Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Wade has held numerous business development roles within Bassett Mechanical over his 14-year career including: sales professional, sales manager, and most recently Senior Director of Business Development. He has earned several awards and obtained numerous sales training certificates through industry networks. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Wade will oversee new sales growth opportunities including strategic account management of the HVAC, Plumbing, and Industrial Refrigeration customer base, and lead new strategic initiatives to ensure Bassett Mechanical continues to carry out its vision of Creating Customers for Life™.

“My goal is to make sure our company is providing individualized, safe, full-service solutions for our customers,” Kim states. “That means surrounding our company with great leaders who care as much about our associates and our customers as I do. These are leaders who want to ensure our customers get the best solution and best experience with us. I want to thank Jerod, Craig, Lee, and Wade for their continued drive and passion for making our company the best it can be.”