< PreviousA study back in 2015 gave an illuminating view into the prospective career opportunities for disabled workers in the construction field. The study aimed to identify companies that had disabled workers on their teams, and furthermore, investigate the types of jobs that these workers were car- rying out. The results were not positive. “The results of the research allowed to identify that the majority of workers with disabilities were male, had physical disabilities, not using prostheses or orthoses. Most deficiencies were caused by diseases, while more than half of individuals with disabilities did not complete high school. The most prevalent job was the laborer, while about half of the cases, companies made adjustments in the workplace, of which all were of organi- zational type, and no financial investment for labor inclusion was necessary.” Most concerning is that, according to the research, the already-tiny representation figures is skewed even further by findings that suggest more disabled workers are in administrative positions. “According to the results, workers with disabilities typically work in offices rather than construction sites, in most construction companies. Further- more, the types of impairment that they have are not known, the relationship between environment and impairment and the impacts of that environment, such as the type of work are not known either.” Thankfully, there is a potential roadmap for the industry. It is a conversation that has been happening in England for quite some time, with much research and investment going into the area. Built By Us is an advocacy group for the con- struction industry. Its work involves mentoring, sponsorship, business and employment supports such as matching indi- viduals to appropriate companies. “We speak up for those who are othered by creating accessible mentoring programs, changing team cultures and growing diverse leadership. We | 10 NOVEMBER 2023look for the best in emerging talent and invest in the future of our industry. We give voice to the struggles of being the Other in our chosen industry.” According to Danna Walker, CEO of Built By Us, the first step towards creating a genuinely inclusive workplace is to reframe the conversation and move away from a model of disability, and by adopting a strength and skills-based approach. “For decades, disability advocates have been challenging what is known as the medical model of disability - a model that focuses solely on impairment, i.e. what an individual may or may not be able to do - rather than the social model. The Social Model of disability highlights the ways in which society through thought, action and design create barriers to opportunities.” While this is all good news, things are not necessarily straight-forward. Government statistics have shown that business owners in the U.K. have deeply flawed views in rela- tion to disability with over half of company owners believing that it is easier to recruit a non-disabled person. However, the conversation is an ongoing one and is getting louder by the day. A study conducted by industry professionals gathered the lived experiences of disabled construction workers. It showed that the potential benefit to companies means that these workers should be included on merit as opposed to fill- ing any quotas. “They should seriously try to put themselves in my position, and to understand how a disability can be overcome. Also, that I always have to multi-task with things they would never think about and that a person who has worked hard to get good qualifications and has talent, needs to be valued.” Back in North America, the construction industry is lagging in this regard. Hope had emerged that with the Americans with Disabilities act, things may change. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. While companies have benefitted finan- cially from other industries retrofitting their premises to be disability accessible, this critical eye has not been turned on itself. In fact, some employers have attempted to bypass the act by forcing potential employees to participate in pre-con- tract medicals, thus eliminating the need to make reasonable accommodations. It is this element, accommodations or adaptations that seems to be the main stumbling block for employers. In reality however, these should not put undue burden on the business and are merely a way of enabling a worker to do their job. “An employer need not create a new job to accommodate a disabled individual, but it may be required to modify non-core aspects of the job. For instance, if work- ers generally get a thirty-minute break every four hours, it may be a reasonable accommodation to give a worker with diabetes a ten-minute break every hour. Small expense or mere inconvenience to the employer is not enough ‘undue hardship’ on the company to bring the employee outside the law's protection.” The industry is highly skilled at constructing accessible structures and mechanisms that ensure disabled people are not left out. However, in order to be a truly inclusive industry, construction needs to build with disabled people, as opposed to building for them. For those at Built By Us, the benefits of a workforce that includes disabled workers cannot be understated. “Increasing diversity, building inclusion, and embedding inclusive leadership are core tenets of an innova- tive, outwards looking workforce.” While the North American industry is not yet there, it may perhaps learn from other markets that the value of diversity is significantly more than the cost of a salary. “The Social Model of disability highlights the ways in which society through thought, action and design create barriers to opportunities.” | 11 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY ERIC O’CALLAGHAN B efore you can thrive in business you must simply survive, and the same can be said for life. In the last 70 years there have been iconic moments, such as the first moon landing and the Concorde’s first flight. But there have also been moments the world has had to endure: wars, economic recessions, a global pandemic to name a few. Hurckman Mechanical Industries (HMI) has not only existed throughout all of the above-mentioned moments, but it has also evolved to become an estimated 60-million-dollar construction company based in Wisconsin. What began as a simple family business has grown into a technically superior group of associates offering design/build, fabrication, test and balance, commissioning, customer support, and mechanical services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Known for its Commercial, Industrial and Marine, HVAC, Process Piping, Plumbing, Insulation, Refrigeration, and Biogas, HMI provides a trusted service to its many clients. | 12 NOVEMBER 2023| 13 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONChief Operations Officer Jake Warden has been working at HMI for 8 years, and has experienced multiple highlights during his time here. Starting in 2015, Warden has seen the company grow from a 15-million-dollar company to a 60-mil- lion-dollar company. As he explains, the company has no intentions of stopping there, either. With a five-year goal to reach $100 million, things are becoming increasingly exciting at HMI. “We've had some massive growth over the last five to 10 years and it's kind of fun and exciting to keep that ball rolling. Four or five years ago we took on our biggest project, which was a $4.5 million project with a local pharmaceuti- cal company. They focus on pharmaceutical gummies and taking on that project at that time was big. Then, just last year, we finished up our biggest project ever which was a $15 million HVAC project for a local high school.” While HMI may be well known in certain circles, its wide range of services goes much further than its headline offerings. For instance, HMI has been invested in the marine sector for a very long time. In fact, the company is the go-to subcontrac- tor for Fincantieri Marinette Marine, a shipyard just an hour north of Green Bay with multiple buildings across the world. HMI is currently wrapping up the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) project for the Italian owned business and will follow this up with work on another military style vessel for the US Military. By doing this type of work, HMI is able to keep 50 to 60 work- ers constantly busy at the shipyard. With such a sizeable company, it goes without saying that safety is paramount with employee safety being of the utmost importance. At HMI, the company’s focus is on sup- porting employees, enabling them to stay accident free every day. This is achieved by continually implementing innovative programs that provide a focal point for all. At every stage, the commitment to safety is communicated loud and clear. This message stems from the company’s five core tenets: Planning, Training, Awareness, Communication, and Account- ability. It is through these strategic pillars that HMI develops and implements its safety and health policies and proce- dures. Using these methods, employees are encouraged to take personal responsibility for the safety of themselves and their work colleagues. Safety Director at HMI, Corey Our 2,400+ members take pride in serving our 18-county jurisdiction in Northeast Wisconsin. Our state-approved apprenticeship programs and first-class training facility help provide our signatory contractors with highly skilled labor to serve the industries that are vital to our communities. 920.462.0400CAREER@UA400.ORG UA400.ORG UA400.ORGUA400PIPETRADESMacArthur Co. would like to congratulate Hurckman Mechanical on 70 years of excellence in the HVAC industry and for their contribution to the Green Bay community! MACARTHURCO.COM Congratulations HMI on your 70 th anniversary. Delwiche, understands the important of safety, and how hav- ing the correct procedures in place is non-negotiable. “Each person along with their families are important to the Leader- ship at HMI. Our success with customers, and consequently the overall success of this business, depends upon the individuals working for this company — his or her personal skills, energies, and contributions. Because we are united in achieving success, we are concerned for, and supportive of, each other's safety and health.” Delwiche goes on to explain that when it comes to safety, a preventative strategy is key to ongoing success and can only be achieved through a process where every single person knows their roles and responsibilities. “HMI believes strongly in the prevention of accidents before they happen. This preventative approach requires participation and ownership from all levels of the company. Management, Project Managers, and Foremen are responsible for executing the company's safety program within their areas of supervision, assuring proper and positive corrective actions, and communicating with upper manage- ment, the safety department, and the work force.” Incident prevention is not only good for employees, but also for business. This year HMI hit 1 million hours without a lost time incident which means that HMI has worked 1 million hours with an employee missing work due to a workplace incident. This provides the company with strong rates. In the mechanical contracting world, having good numbers in different sectors allows HMI to get work in various buildings. Warden referred to it as a kind of scorecard or resume to other companies. These “scorecards” allow HMI to continue its growth trajectory, one of its most important future plans. The company’s growth plan includes an expansion within its current markets, also placing a strong emphasis on refrigeration and insulation. Protocols have changed in the US on what refrigerants can be used, with historical refrigerants now having to be swapped out for optical ones. With that in mind, HMI has identified significant growth in the area over the next 10 to 15 years. | 15 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONCRANE RENTAL • FORKLIFTS • MANLIFTS • TRUCKING • SALES • SERVICE • RENTAL Congratulations Hurckman on 70 Years! MADISON 608-241-4092 800-825-0640 Milwaukee • 414-463-5438 Oshkosh • 920-235-2411 La Crosse • 608-784-4862 Green Bay • 920-212-4103 Tomahawk • 920-235-2411 IDEALCRANE RENTAL.COM Another important topic for HMI in the coming years is what Warden refers to as the next generation. Having been in business for 70 years, HMI has a continuous recruitment process that sees employees retiring and new employees lined up to continue the HMI work. This cyclical approach is an important facet of the company’s continuity, which enables it to maintain its high standards across years and decades. “When I started here 8 years ago, I was kind of the first of the next generation. We have a big group of people here that are within 10 years of each other. We were kind of seeing the end of an era of people that have been here 25 to 30 years, and now we have that next group of people that can be here for the next 25 to 30 years.” As he goes on to explain, change will always come with its own challenges. However, as things evolve, a re-ordering takes place which will ultimately put the company on a strong footing for the next generation. “That part to me is kind of exciting. We have experienced massive growth over the last 5 to 10 years. Obviously, with growth that quick there can sometimes be pain. However, I feel that as teams bond and come together, exciting things can hap- pen. I can’t wait to see what this company achieves over the next 20 to 30 years.” | 16 NOVEMBER 2023BOILERS PUMPS CHIMNEY SYSTEMS BOILER ROOM ACCESSORIES MILWAUKEE AREA SALES P: 414-431-0665 MADISON AREA SALES P: 608-318-4496 APPLETON AREA OFFICE 1501 Bohm Dr., Little Chute, WI 54140 P: 920-759-0707 Heat & Power Products is your single source for boilers, pumps, water heaters, heat exchangers, chimney systems, and boiler room accessories. Representing boiler room equipment manufacturers since 1971, H&PP is equipped to provide professional sales, specification, design, and after-market support. WISCONSIN BOILER ROOM SUPPLIER Incorporated in 1953, Brad Hurckman said Hurckman Mechanical has a long history of family lineage. Brad Hurck- man, CEO, is the third generation for the Hurckman family to lead the company. “My grandfather, Frank Hurckman, used to be a salesman during his younger days,” Brad said. “He was a cornice worker who made metal molds for buildings where the concrete could be poured into. He learned the trade in Colorado.” “My grand- mother, Ann, was a teacher at Webster (Elementary in Green Bay), and they took her savings to start the company – they started with $5,000,” he said. “It was called Hurckman Metal & Roofing.” Shortly thereafter, Frank and Ann got out of the roofing business, Brad said. “They could see heating and ventilation was the way to go,” he said. “St. Vincent Hospital, in Green Bay, was their first big break as a company – that put Hurckman on the map.” In 1967, the busi- ness was renamed Hurckman Metal Inc. “My father (John Hurckman) took over the company about five years later,” Brad said. “When the company was founded, my dad was 10 years old – you could say he grew up around the business.” In 1983, the company’s name was changed to Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc. following the acquisition of Lindsley Plumb- ing and Heating Company. The company also acquired the Carrier dealership of Hurckman Heating and Cooling and the TAC dealership of ConTech Network – which are divisions of Hurckman Mechanical Industries. The transition into the third generation of Hurckman leadership began in 2005 when Brad took over as president. What grew from his honest work ethic was the thriving and growing HMI you see today. “The growth of the company has been tremendous,” Brad said. “My father did a wonderful job of merging, buying and acquiring to become a full-service mechanical contractor.” Founded on honesty, HMI embraces its operating principle of “No Empty Promises”, and with diversity, growth and a succession plan already in place, will undoubtedly continue to offer the best possible service long into the future. “We have experienced massive growth over the last 5 to 10 years.” | 17 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION| 18 NOVEMBER 2023WRITTEN BY DAVID O’NEILL T he construction industry takes many forms. From infrastructure and residential, commercial to environmental, there is tremendous scope across the industry for all comers. One sector of the industry that can occasionally be overlooked is that of theme and attraction building. While to some it may seem rather niche, the simple reality is that success in the sector is built on the exact same set of skills and principles as any other — hard work, innovation and professionalism. COST Inc. is a construction company based in Wisconsin, and with offices in a number of locations across the U.S. and Canada. It offers full range construction services including preconstruction, modeling and fabrication. What makes this company slightly different, however, is that it focusses primarily on Theme and Specialty Construction Services. With almost seventy years of experience in the field, it is safe to say that COST Inc. knows what it is doing. | 19 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >