< PreviousIt takes a very roll-up-your-sleeves approach to be success- ful, particularly as the effects of rising construction and borrowing costs continue to complicate many aspects of the construction industry, from budgetary constraints to supply chain disruptions. Recently, DBI successfully completed two complex ground-up school construction projects in The Bronx neighborhood of New York City. With every project comes opportunities and challenges, some issues the team faced when delivering these two major projects included delays with city infrastructure, sup- ply chain disruptions, and pandemic related cost escalation. DBI relied on its relationships with stakeholders and vendors while maintaining clear and constant communication with the client. This allowed the entire project team to navigate through the difficulties as they arose. Excitingly, both schools officially opened their doors to students, on schedule, in August 2023. “Turning over two schools to 800 students after two years of hard, grueling work is extremely rewarding,” says Tomlan. KIPP NYC Photo by James Chororos DREAM Mott Haven Campus Photo by James Wang DREAM Mott Haven Campus Photo by James Wang | 60 FEBRUARY 2024www.kssarchitects.com Partnering with School Communities to Design Dynamic Futures DBI aims to affect positive change in the communities and clients it serves, which includes an impressive non-profit and public sector portfolio featuring social service organizations, performing arts centers, faith-based organizations and learn- ing institutions. “The role we serve to our clients is really that ‘right hand’ – acting as their trusted advisor and manager, guiding the project from start to finish.” The company’s success, in large part, comes from the team’s ability to simplify even the most complex of tasks. As Tomlan puts it, “At its core, we are brought into projects to protect budgets and schedules, but we are successful because we really care.” DBI's role in its projects usually extends beyond traditional proj- ect management. As owner’s representatives, the DBI team is often brought on board early in the process to establish real- istic project parameters and to assist organizations in refining their vision. Tomlan highlights the company’s commitment to making everyone's lives easier by streamlining processes and ensuring the best use of resources, right from the beginning of the project. “Engaging a group like DBI early will prevent project headaches down the line. It’s our job to have foresight, predict and plan for potential problems early,” says Tomlan. Flatbush Ascend Middle School Photo by Ashok Sinha Flatbush Ascend Middle School Photo by Ashok Sinha “At its core, we are brought into projects to protect budgets and schedules, but we are successful because we really care.” | 61 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONOne typical role DBI assumes on behalf of their clients is to assemble teams through a transparent and efficient process. Running competitive Request for Proposals (RFPs) to ensure compliance while leveraging industry relationships to engage the most equipped professionals for the task. Whether the project price tag is $500,000 or $500 million, DBI’s priority always remains the same: represent the client's goals, priori- ties, and mission effectively, every step of the way. As Tomlan puts it, "It's about construction, but it's also about doing good things and being a part of positive change." Looking ahead, DBI’s goals are twofold. DBI plans to capi- talize on its past successes –and passion for– working on community-centric projects, investing more time and effort into growing its portfolio in the education sector, forming partnerships with more independent schools and higher education institutions. Building on DBI’s current partner- ships with a number of different clients in these fields (Pace University, MIT, Barnard College, Bard College, and the Coo- per Union to name a few), Tomlan sees a real opportunity to expand services and provide more value-adds to those organizations, whether it’s supporting student housing projects, strategizing phased deferred maintenance plans or compliance to evolving regulations. The team also hopes to continue building their commercial and public infra- structure portfolio, two sectors that could benefit greatly from DBI’s approach to real estate consulting and project management. The second goal focuses on DBI’s ongoing geographic expansion. In addition to its headquarters in New York City, DBI has an office in Boston and Philadelphia, as well as a new office in Austin, TX. Find out how DBI can help support your project and create creative solutions for your organization. Visit its website for more information or email the Director of Business Development, Emily Puhnaty at ep@dbiprojects.com. DREAM Mott Haven Campus Photo by James Wang | 62 FEBRUARY 2024Full Service Environmental Consulting Licensed Site Remediation Professionals on Staff Site Assessments | Phase I & 2 ESAs NJDEP Preliminary Assessments Remediation & Cleanup | Vapor Intrusion Wetlands & Ecological Investigations Asbestos | Lead | Radon | UST Closure Child Care Centers & Educational Facilities (609) 910-0720 info@env-logic.com www.env-logic.com Photo by Halkin Mason Photography Cooper Union Civic Projects Lab Photo by Amy Barkow | 63 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY MEGHAN BARTON H & H General Excavating's journey to its current incarnation as a dynamic and versatile full-service contractor is a testament to the advantage of diversifying products while remaining committed to excellence across the spectrum of services. This Pennsylvania company, launched with a team of just three individuals, has adapted and grown over the last 55 years to employ more than 160 team members across all the company’s divisions. Led by the second-generation owner, Mike Hartman, and with the incorporation of a third generation, H & H General Excavating is rooted in a family-oriented culture that values stability, longevity, and quality products and services. South Hills Golf Course | 64 FEBRUARY 2024The foundation of H & H General Excavating was laid in 1967 when it was created by Charles Hartman and his partner, Mervin Heiner. The company's origins were simple, just the two founding partners and one employee. At that time, H & H General Excavating focused solely on excavation work, equipped with a backhoe and a dump truck to undertake projects in the burgeoning Pennsylvania construction industry. Mervin Heiner, played a crucial role until 1982 when he exited, opening the door for Charles Hartman's son, Mike, to take an active role in the company’s growth and evolution. With Mike's dedicated involvement, the company continued to flourish. The Campbell Soup Company | 65 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONThe company's success may be attributed to its strategic diversity, offering services ranging from excavation and mulch production to sand drying and heavy-duty machinery repairs. This multifaceted approach not only shields it from industry-specific downturns but also fosters resilience, adaptability, resource optimization, and a sustainable local presence, contributing to its longevity and continued growth. H & H General Excavating operates as a general full-service site contractor with distinct residential, industrial, and com- mercial building divisions. It has expanded its services to include paving, trucking, heavy-duty mechanics, and fabrica- tion. Beyond traditional construction activities, the company has carved a niche as a prominent multivendor, bagging an impressive 10 million bags of mulch products annually. Its client portfolio includes retail giants Home Depot and Walmart, with the added distinction of a locally recognized house brand, "Country Boy Mulch." Expanding its expertise, the company owns a specialized sand drying division. This division is instrumental in producing a wide array of golf course-grade sands tailored for different applications. H & H is also involved with dry aggregates and developing new | 66 FEBRUARY 2024Exceptional Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Services Since 1975 SPRING GROVE - 717-225-5397 HANOVER - 717-646-0397 dewildasinandson.com 24/7 Emergency Service We Treat Our Customers Like Family soil mixes, leveraging the byproducts of their sand division to promote sustainable material management. This diversified approach positions it as a comprehensive solution provider in the construction domain and allows it to handle everything in-house, ensuring quality control and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle. But even with its unique range of products and services, H & H General Excavating will not sacrifice quality. “The fact that we are full service is definitely attractive to customers who want to streamline costs,” says Hartman. “But we have a very robust, loyal customer base. And if you ask any of them, they know that we will not walk away from a job until it is 100%. We have learned over time that you don’t necessarily have to be the cheapest guy to get the job when the customer knows and trusts that they will have a very high-quality product in the end.” H & H General Excavating’s recent projects showcase the company's expertise across different sectors of construc- tion. These projects, ranging from demolition and custom construction to crane maintenance facilities and manufac- turing plant expansions, highlight the company's versatility and commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes. | 67 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONSouth Hills Golf Course Legacy Apparel One notable project is the Legacy Apparel warehouse facility, a 120,000-square-foot pre-engineered design-build addition to the existing manufacturing facility. Undertaken over a chal- lenging winter period, the project required meticulous plan- ning and execution to meet stringent deadlines. The Legacy Apparel project is a testament to H & H General Excavating's ability to adapt to evolving project conditions and tackle large-scale projects efficiently. In the industry landscape of custom construction, the South Hills Golf Course Clubhouse stands out as an impressive undertaking. H & H General Excavating managed the com- plete demolition of the existing clubhouse and oversaw the construction of a new 9,270-square-foot clubhouse. The proj- ect included importing 350 tri-axle loads of dirt, extensive site improvements covering over 5 acres, and the installation of new asphalt parking lots and cart paths surrounding the new clubhouse. The South Hills project showcases the company's capabilities in delivering turnkey solutions for recreational and hospitality facilities. | 68 FEBRUARY 2024Iron Stag Crane Service's 16,000-square-foot Crane Mainte- nance and Office facility is another incredible project com- pleted in partnership with H & H. The custom design-build included a pre-engineered metal building with a mezzanine for offices, emphasizing the company's ability to tailor solu- tions to the unique needs of specialized industries. With a job cost of $1,650,000.00, the Iron Stag project reflects H & H General Excavating's competence in delivering cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. The Campbell Soup Company project involved modifications to an existing building to accommodate a new tortilla chip manufacturing line, with a job cost of $4,495,000.00. The company played a vital role in preparing the infrastructure, including piping and concrete work, to set the stage for the installation of the new kettle chip line. This project highlights H & H General Excavating's proficiency in providing essential support for manufacturing facility expansions and upgrades. Recently completed projects like the Bermudian Springs Middle School demolition and the Encompass Health Reha- bilitation project highlight its expertise and efficiency in large-scale demolition, clean up, and site prep to facilitate the construction of new builds. The company's multifaceted approach allows it to thrive in different market conditions. Due to the cyclical and seasonal nature of the construction business, adaptability is a key factor in the company's ability to navigate fluctuations in demand and maintain steady operations. The flexibility of H & H General Excavating's workforce plays a crucial role in its success. With a workforce capable of handling general labor across construction, factory work, and excava- tion, the company can allocate resources based on seasonal demands or the specific requirements of ongoing projects. This flexibility ensures that it can optimize its workforce effi- ciently, moving personnel where they are needed most. Iron Stag Crane Service Bermudian Springs Middle School The Campbell Soup Company FUELING CONSTRUCTION JOB SITES Job-Site Diesel & PropaneTank MonitoringInventory Management shipleyenergy.com/fuel-up Scan This Code to Find Out MoreNext >