Matco Electric Connection v3i6

2 | MATCO ELECTRIC CONNECTION

MATCO ELECTRIC CONNECTION | 3

A MESSAGE FROM RON BARBER

Matco Electric Connection is published by Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC, a division of Oser Communications Group, Inc., 1877 N. KolbRoad, Tucson, AZ 85715. Phone (972) 687-9035 or (520) 721-1300, fax (520) 721-6300, www.oser.com. Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLCspecializes in creating and publishing custom magazines. Inquiries: Tina Bentley, [email protected]. Editorial comments: Karrie Welborn,[email protected]. Please call or fax for a new subscription, change of address, or single copy. Single copies: $5.95. This publication may notbe reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC. To advertise in an upcomingissue of this publication, please contact us at (972) 687-9035 or (520) 721-1300 or visit us on the Web at www.oser-bentley.com. March 2009

What a difference a year makes Part 2.

We completed our last fiscal year in December with over$49,000,000 in billings, making it our biggest and best yearever. Going into 2009 we have our third largest backlog inMatco’s history and 2009 looks like another great year.

In 2008 all of our long time customers kept us busy almost all year and wewanted to list the top 25. A R Mancini, BAE Systems, Bassett Healthcare,Cornell, Corning, CIABRO, DE SHAW & CO, Day Automation, EIT, EvansMechanical, GILBANE, The Greenwood Corporation, Huron, GUTHRIE, LeChase Construction, LEPRINO FOODS, Lockheed Martin, Lourdes Hospital,McCarthy, NYSE&G, Nicholson & Hall, Turnbull-Wahlert, Welliver McGuire,WILLBROS Project Services & United Health Services.

I would like to list all our 315 customers from 2008, but space will not allow. Wehope we can work together again this year.

Thanks again and I hope you have a great 2009.

Ron BarberPresident

Vol. 3, No. 6

Corporate320 N. Jensen Rd. • Vestal, NY 13850

607.729.4921607.729.0932 Fax

Ithaca Office5 Mile Dr. • Ithaca, NY 14850

607.273.1880607.273.5872 Fax

www.matcoelectric.com

PresidentRon Barber

Vice PresidentsKen Elliott, Mark Freije

TreasurerKathy Towery

Chief EstimatorKen Wise

Senior Project ManagerDevin Ashman

Project Manager Gary Czuhanich

Project ManagerMarty Lewis

Project ManagerTony Salvatore

Project ManagerGreg Smyder

Service ManagerPhil Randall

TEGG Service ManagerVince Carpineta

TEGG SalesBill Newman

Project Manager, Ithaca OfficeJoe Tomazin

Purchasing Manager/Safety OfficerJan Winner

Cover: Matco lights up the newBinghamton Events Center asone of three projects completedfor Binghamton University in2008. Other projects were theHillside Community fire alarmupgrades and the WatsonEngineering Buildingrenovations. Photo Courtesyof Binghamton University.

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 6

Matco Electric Connection is a resource for commercialend users, property managers, building owners andoperators, facilities managers, general contractors,architects, and consulting engineers.

Designed to feature topicsaffecting the electrical andconstruction industries, the Matco Electric Connectionalso highlights the achievements, capabilities, andprojects of Matco Electric Corporation.

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8

10

A POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPMatco and Binghamton University

MATCO & TEGGElectrical Preventative Maintenance

A TEAM FOR GREEN...The Building of Golisano Hall

In this issue


There is a long-standing and positive relationshipbetween Binghamton University in Vestal, N.Y., and

Matco Electric Corporation, also located in Vestal. Matcohas been involved in several projects on the BinghamtonCampus from the New Multipurpose Athletic EventsCenter, to Residential upgrades and the WatsonEngineering Building Renovation Project, the partnershipcontinues to be a positive for both organizations. ProjectManager Devin Ashman said, “Matco works hard to bringa professional ‘CAN DO’ attitude to each and every project,and you find that everyone takes pride in the work we do.”

During Binghamton University’s 2008 ten-week summerbreak, Matco partnered with Evans Mechanical of Endicott,N.Y. to successfully complete an upgrade of the HillsideCommunity. This project exceeded $1 million for upgradesto the fire alarm, mechanical and electric systems over14-buildings. It required the demolition of each existing firealarm system and the installation and testing of each

building’s new system. New closets for the fire alarm controlpanels were created. This included both lighting and exhaustsystems. Through great teamwork and coordination betweenMatco, Evans Mechanical, Binghamton University andN.Y. State, the project was successfully completed on time.

Jim Parks, Field Representative III of the DormitoryAuthority State of New York said, “Matco ElectricCorporation is consistently on my preferred contractorlist. These are people we always contact when we havedormitory projects pending.” He continued, “Matcopersonnel do very good work. Their superintendentsare always up to speed and on schedule. A typical PunchList on a Matco project is a short one, with only minoritems noted as needing corrective action.”

Parks made a point of stating that his client, BinghamtonUniversity, has gone on record concerning Matco’s “asbuilt” drawings, calling them “fantastic!”

A POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPMatco and Binghamton University

“Matco workshard to bring a

professional‘CAN DO’

attitude toeach and every

project, and youfind that

everyone takespride in the

work we do.”– Devin Ashman

Matco Project Manager

By Karrie Welborn | Photos by Jonathan Cohen


“In addition,” he said, “ a particularly important factor thatMatco brings to our projects is that their employees arealways sensitive in their interface with the college staff.This is very important to the Dormitory Authority State ofNew York. Matco simply fills the bill we need.”

Dean Lillis, Project Superintendent for the Hillside projectsaid about the project, “Working in 14 individualbuildings, with a small crew in each, we wanted to be sureto have each system installed in a uniform manner. Thiswould provide the customer with 14 uniform systems thatare easily maintained. The short time frame given tocomplete this project seemed like an impossible task. Theproject was divided into three phases. Each phase includedup to five buildings to be completed and certified by NewYork State in 3 1⁄2 weeks. Proper planning and schedulingwas critical. The Matco team worked professionally andefficiently to be sure the project was completed on time.”

Another very successful project was the WatsonEngineering Building renovation, Phase I and Phase II.These, though noted together, were two totally separateprojects at the same facility.

Phase I was a $326,110 Electrical Contract for 17,000sq. ft. Phase II was 15,000 sq. ft. for a cost of $285,540.

The main purpose across the two projects was to upgradethe lighting, power, data and air handling systemswithin the building. Both phases were challenging in thatthey included renovations of only portions of thebuilding. The building is broken up into pods and onlyspecific pods and corridors were renovated. Additionally,each phase had areas on various floors, at the same time,which caused challenges in keeping all systems functionalin sections of the building that were not a part of therenovations. Once again it was a positive workingrelationship between Matco and LeChase Construction,with Tim Frost as Project Manager that made the processgo smoothly.

Dan Dvorsky, Project Superintendent for both phases, saidthe projects were different because of the way the originalEngineering building had been constructed. “Normally,”he explained, “buildings are arranged in-line with thecolumn lines. With this building, all of the corridors,offices and classrooms are situated at 45º from the columnlines, making lay-out and dimensioning difficult.”

Limited space between the suspended ceiling and thefloor above at first appeared to be a major problem, butthe problem was resolved through strong coordinationbetween HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical

Pictured above isBinghamton UniversityEvents Center. Anothervery successful projectwas the WatsonEngineering Building renovation, Phase I and Phase II.


trades, thus making sure there were no conflicts betweenthe different piping and ductwork systems.

The Multipurpose Athletic Events Center was anotherhuge, and very successful, project. With ProjectSuperintendent Gus Fabrizi, this State UniversityConstruction Fund (SUCF, aka “The Fund”) had WelliverMcGuire as the General Contractor.

The Events Center was a long term, $300,000 lightingsystem project. It included Hi-Bay Full-Dimming andControl System, Site Lighting and HV Duct Bank,Indoor Arena including locker rooms and playingsurfaces for both men’s baseball and women’s softball,and soccer. The Electrical contract was $2.625 Millionand covered 140,000 sq. ft.

The Events Center work led to additional projects, whichincluded the Scoreboard and Audio/Visual Systeminstallation, as well as the electrical construction of fourlarge corporate sky boxes.

Fabrizi said the most challenging part of the Events Centerwas the complexity that comes with working on a facilitythat is for multiple sporting events. It is also the only centerof its kind in the area.

He noted that the Arena lighting was the mostchallenging aspect of the project. “We had the lightingcompleted,” Fabrizi said, “Then it was re-engineeredto be certain the lighting was going to be adequate fortelevised events. It was determined that it wasn't, and

we had to relocate and install additional fixtures.All the additional work was performed out of an80 ft. boom lift, operated by a long time Matcoemployee, Ken Cook.”

The greatest obstacle Fabrizi noted was that the HighVoltage Feeders needed to power the Event Center.Fabrizi explained, “They originated in a High VoltageSwitch Yard approximately 1500 ft. away, so there was alot of coordination necessary as the feeders crossed heavilytraveled campus roads, and through several parking lots.However,” he added, “Because of the close cooperationof all trades involved, it went without a hitch.”

Three projects, three successes: all made possible throughcommunication and teamwork.

In summing up the positive interaction betweenBinghamton University and Matco, Project ManagerAshman proudly stated, “Binghamton University is a topranked public university. It continues to grow and gainrecognition throughout the nation. We want to be therewith them, and to support them as they continue togrow. Ours is a productive and positive partnership—one that we strive to build on.”

Matco has reason to be proud. They have created astrong in-house foundation in teamwork that extendsto equally strong partnerships with their clients.Binghamton University is one of those “in-place andgrowing” partnerships that will continue to be apositive and prosperous partnership for all involved.

Inset: Devin Ashman - Project Manager, Dean Lillis - Project Superintendent, Dan Dvorsky - Project Superintendent and Gus Fabrizi - Project Superintendent

“BinghamtonUniversity is a

top rankedpublic university.

It continues togrow and gain

recognitionthroughout the

nation. We want to be therewith them, and

support them asthey continue to

grow.”– Devin Ashman



For forty years, Matco Electric has created positive,successful interactions with their clients by

ensuring that each customer has all their electricalneeds met—including the option of a pro-activeprogram of preventative maintenance. In 2002 MatcoElectric enhanced its service division capabilities byjoining forces with TEGG Corporation.

What is TEGG Service?TEGG Corporation is a worldwide network ofprequalified electrical contractors that are committedto maintaining electrical distribution systems.TEGG Corporation provides an extensive softwareprogram, annual training and support for all of theirnetwork partners.

Matco Electric’s TEGG Service Division addresses“energized environment troubleshooting.” This includessuch things as business interruptions due to electricalfailure (i.e., limiting the size and duration of anyelectrical shutdowns as a result of breaker failure);life/safety risks, utility costs, power quality analysis, surgesuppression and asset management. According to BillNewman, Matco’s TEGG representative. “Our testingprofessionals not only find anomalies, they troubleshootand find the cause of the problem and either repair itright away or provide a solution so that it can be repairedat a time that is determined by the customer.”

Matco has a strong reputation in the constructionindustry for creating and maintaining mutually positivebusiness relationships. Their work with Covidien

(formerly Tyco Healthcare Group LP) is a case in point—not only regarding such relationships, but also in terms ofhow the TEGG Service Division is a benefit for MatcoElectric’s clients.

CovidienAccording to Bill Newman, Covidien is 100 percentcompliant with OSHA and NFPA 70E’s requirementsfor Arc Flash due to Matco Electric’s TEGG Serviceprogram. Newman said, “Annual testing per NFPA 70Band TEGG Standards that began at Covidien locationsin 2006. Once the initial database was created throughan annual maintenance program, Matco prepared toput a plan in place to assist Covidien to meet theircompliance with the NFPA 70E Arc Flash Analysis andother NFPA 70E Safety Needs.”

Darren Hanway, Facilities Manager at the Hobart,N.Y. facility said, “Matco performed an initial ArcFlash Study at Covidien's Pharmaceutical Productfacility in Hobart, N.Y., in 2006.” When asked aboutthe differences between Matco Electric’s testingcapabilities from contractors Covidien had used in thepast, Hanway replied, “Matco has a reputation forsafety and professionalism, which we experiencedthroughout our working relationship. We wereimpressed with Matco's ability to identify repair needswhile performing the first survey. For example, Matcoengineers found a problem with one transformer at theplant that could have been costly to fix or replace if ithad not been repaired prior to failure.” He added,“After performing a coordination study Matco was able

MATCO & TEGGElectrical Preventative Maintenance

“Our testingprofessionalsnot only find

anomalies, theytroubleshootand find thecause of theproblem and

either repair itright away or

provide asolution so that

it can berepaired at atime that is

determined bythe customer.”

– Bill NewmanMatco’s TEGG Representative


to reset breaker trip points to enhance the safety of theHobart facility for our employees.

One of the hottest topics in the Electrical Industrytoday is OSHA’s requirement to follow NFPA 70EElectrical Safety in regards to exposure to live electricalcomponents. Matco Electric was instrumental inCovidien’s compliance with this vital requirement. In2007, according to Hanway, Matco performedgenerated Site Arc Flash Hazard Analysis—the first stepin designing Covidien’s Site Arc Flash Safety Program.In creating this program, Matco provided anindependent, technical review of the program Covidienhad formulated and was preparing to implement.

Hanway’s conclusion: “Matco's commitment to itscustomers was evident in the work they did at Covidien'sHobart facility, especially in their support in developingour new safety program and in identifying repair needs.”

Matco Electric bases their 40-year success on buildingcustomer relationships and helping their customersmeet all electrical needs. With the TEGG Service asMatco’s in-house testing division, the ability to furtherrelationships already in place grew even stronger.TEGG is also a positive option when beginning newclient relationships. Matco is not only a strong partnerin new construction and renovation jobs, but by havingthe TEGG connection available, Matco is able to keepcustomers abreast of new regulations and testingprocedures. In short, Matco is able to ensure safe andreliable power solutions for all their clients.

Inset: Tom Magnam - Covidien, Bill Newman - TEGG Sales andCarl Hanselman - Covidien

TEGG Corporation is a worldwide network of prequalified electrical contractorsthat are committed to maintaining electrical distribution systems.


In our current environmentally conscious culture, theplanning and building of a “green” building is more and

more important. Sustainability is the word of the day—and the way of the future.

It wasn’t always so.

It was 25 years ago, in 1983, that the United Nationsconvened the Brundtland Commission. In 1987 theCommission published “Our Common Future” whichstated, “Sustainable development is development that meetsthe needs of the present without compromising the ability offuture generations to meet their own needs.” This thoughtbecame a rallying cry for the greening of Americanconstruction. In 1993 the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC), a non-profit organization promotingsustainability in the design, construction and operation ofbuildings, was founded. In turn, that led to the creationof the Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign (LEED) rating system.

Matco Electric recently participated in the building of aLEED certified “green” building at Hartwick College,nestled in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountainsin Oneonta, N.Y.

The story begins with philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano,as he sat in on a business class taught by Professor JohnClemens. The seed of an idea for an energy efficient, greenbuilding was germinated during the discussions that wereheld in that class.

Golisano initiated the funding for this brand new buildingwith a grant for $5 million, and the idea became a path toreality. Other funding, particularly funding for a buildingthat would meet green criteria in design and build wasfound. Grants were awarded, funds were matched, abuilding was designed. Hartwick College chose Burt Hillas architect, and LeChase Construction Services as thegeneral contractor. LeChase chose Matco Electric… andthe project was on its way. Named after its initial grantor,the Golisano Hall project became a 35,820 sq. ft.,three story building with classrooms, lecture halls,

administration and faculty offices, conference rooms, studyareas and reception area.

The intent from the beginning was to build a LEED-certified building and Matco had experience in thecomplexities of LEED projects having worked on twobuildings at Cornell University. Although Golisano Hallwas the first LEED venture for Matco Project Manager,Gary Czuhanich, he led the Matco portion project withknowledge and enthusiasm. Along the way, though, therewere some interesting challenges.

To become LEED-certified, points are awarded for various“sustainable” features such as efficient lighting and re-use ofmaterials. This meant certain regulations had to be followed.

A few LEED regulation examples include: • Materials were required to come from within a 500

mile radius.• Waste and scrap had to be sorted and recycled.• The design of the building-to-be had to include both

energy and water efficient processes/plans.

“In addition to the regulations for the LEED certification,there were some unique problems to resolve,” saidCzuhanich, “things like having to store supplies half a mileup a mountain and truck them down at regular intervals

A TEAM FOR GREEN…The Building of Golisano Hall

“In addition tothe regulations

for the LEEDcertification,there were

some uniqueproblems to

resolve, thingslike having tostore supplies

half a mile up amountain and

truck themdown at regular

intervalsbecause therewas a lack ofstorage space

on site.”– Gary Czuhanich


By Karrie Welborn


because there was a lack of storage space on site.” Thatcomplication, once resolved, led to the need to organizedeliveries from the mountain to the construction site in amanner that would not negatively impact the students. Thesolution was based on preparation—knowing what wasneeded “when” in order to avoid unnecessary trips up anddown the half-mile road. Coordinating schedules betweenpersonnel at the storage site, drivers, and personnel at theconstruction site was the next issue to be resolved.Preparation, communication, coordination—these werethe keys to putting solutions in place.

According to both Site Superintendent Paul Decker andCzuhanich, one of the most unexpected problems was the factthat the land surrounding Golisano Hall and its neighboringbuilding, Clark Hall, was not flat. In fact, to expedite what wasan actual climb between the buildings, LeChase built a staircaseto help all personnel working on the project.

Decker, who supervised installing the 4800V primary padmount transformer to the 120/208V secondary service,was also responsible for supervising the creation of thetele/data ductbank from Clark Hall to Golisano Hall. Thisis the communication connection between the twobuildings. When asked what he remembered most clearlyabout that project, he said he was most impressed with theresults of the three data closets (one for each floor).

Another issue was the very tight construction schedule–the eight months between October 2007 and May2008. The answer?

“Teamwork,” Czuhanich noted, “is always the key.”

He added that this meant project-wide teamwork—notjust simply coordinating within Matco’s staff and resolvingMatco’s specific challenges. It meant an on-going andpositive interaction within the larger Golisano project teamcomprised of a Hartwick College representative, personnelfrom Architect Burt Hill’s office, General Contractor,LeChase Construction Services and other subcontractorsworking on the project.

William Steele, LeChase Construction, agreed that successfulcollaboration between the team was critical to the success ofthis project. “Matco,” Steele said, “worked with us on thepreconstruction and we were pleased to have them on boardduring the construction as well.” He added, “The entire teambecomes a partnership, all the players and especially the client.”

The synergy between the educational philosophy ofHartwick College and the intent of a team-basedconstruction interaction was a strong factor in the successof the project. The overall team promoted an educationalexample in and of itself, simply by virtue of being a livingexample of the concepts being taught through the collegeitself. Hartwick encourages learning via teams, withdecision making, leadership concerns and problemresolution, the lessons.

Hartwick representative, Ruben Rogers said, “Matco hasbeen an outstanding component of our team concept. Theywere an integral and much appreciated portion of the team.”

The Hall was completed on time and on budget, the firstLEED-certified building in the city of Oneonta and oneof only of 26 LEED-certified buildings in New York State.

Inset: Gary Czuhanich - Matco Project Manager and Paul Decker - Project Superintendent

“Matcoworked with

us on thepreconstruction

and we werepleased tohave them

on boardduring the

constructionas well.”

– William Steele LeChase Construction

“Teamworkis alwaysthe key.”

– Gary CzuhanichMatco Project Manager



ADVERTISER DIRECTORYMatco Electric Corporation would like tothank the following advertisers for making thispublication possible:

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320 N. Jensen Rd. • Vestal, NY 13850

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Matco Electric Connection v3i6