Posts Tagged ‘Electrical’

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EGAN COMPANY’S SENIOR LEADER MIKE TENGWALL TO RETIRE

Friday, July 5th, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (July 5, 2024) – Egan Company, a local specialty contractor and systems integrator, announced the upcoming retirement of  Mike Tengwall, Senior Vice President of Electrical, in 2025.

Tengwall joined Egan in 2007 and has held many roles from Project Manager, Business Group Leader, and Senior Vice President. He also serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors. He began his 35 year trades career as an Electrician, Master Electrician, and Project Manager before moving into leadership positions. During his tenure, the industrial controls and electrical businesses have experienced significant growth under his leadership; additionally, his technical and operational contributions have reinforced the Company’s strengths in delivering trades and professional services to building owners and operators, general contractors, and OEMs.

“It has been a privilege to work and provide leadership at Egan for the past 17 years,” said Tengwall. “I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of very smart and talented people to assist our customers and grow our business. With constant steady pressure, we have been able to accomplish a lot together. I’m looking forward to spending retirement with my family on the lake and taking trips together.”  

In January 2025, Tengwall will step down from his current role; he will remain with Egan in the role of Secretary of Egan’s Board of Directors. Grant Price, who joined Egan in 2002 following the merger of Comm Tech Electrical, will succeed Tengwall as Senior Vice President of Electrical.

About Egan Company

Egan Company is a privately-owned, specialty contractor providing building trades to general contractors, engineers, building owners, property managers, and facility engineers. Specialties include: electrical, mechanical, curtainwall/glazing/metal panels (InterClad), millwrights, building technology, controls and system integration, and 24/7 service. Egan serves every stage of a building and provides in-house expertise in planning, design and engineering, construction, and maintenance. For more information about Egan Company, visit www.eganco.com.

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Media Contact:  

Angela Schmidt
Marketing Communication Manager
arschmidt@eganco.com // 763-504-3471

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Road Work Ahead? Here’s What Goes On During Road Construction Season

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

When you see orange cones on the side of the road during the summer, it can often beg the question: what exactly are they doing? How will this help the roads and infrastructure? Depending on the scope of the work, there can be a number of different things Egan Company’s Electrical Outdoor team and other contractors are doing on the side of the road during the busy construction season. It all is designed to improve the quality of the infrastructure, as well as your experience and safety while traveling. 

TYPES OF ROAD WORK

No two road projects are the same. A project scope can be as simple as upgrading the lights alongside the highway, while others are much more extensive and require multiple contractors on a single job. Common types of road work includes installing or updating traffic management systems, lighting, new pavement, and reconfiguring the road itself, such as adding new lanes. 

UTILITY WORK

A large aspect of any road work includes utility maintenance, upgrades, and installation. Underneath the road’s surface is a complex network of utilities and wiring. During construction, electricians work alongside other trades to install or relocate electrical lines, communication cables, and water and sewer lines. This often is done in tandem with projects that may require other major roadwork, such as repaving or other significant road reconstruction. Because utility lines can affect hundreds of homes in an area, this phase requires careful coordination to minimize disruptions to existing services. 

TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS

Traffic control systems are a big part of road projects, and Egan’s Electrical Outdoor team specializes in the installation, maintenance, and upgrades of these signals and control systems. New technologies and traffic management systems are being installed throughout Minnesota to improve safety of the roads, as well as traffic flow. In addition to stop lights or other traffic management systems, electricians may also be installing street signs, digital signage and highway displays, and will complete additional wiring and electrical installation as needed.

STAY SAFE AROUND ROAD WORK THIS SUMMER

Road construction season is just getting underway in Minnesota, with improvements coming to infrastructure quality, safety on the roads, and technology along highways and streets. From planning and design to installation and maintenance, each phase plays a crucial role in creating safe and efficient roadways. 

Whenever you see us or anyone working on these projects, remember what goes on at the job sites, and slow down when driving through work zones. It takes everyone to be aware during construction projects to help keep our roads safe all year round.

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How to Integrate Electrification Efforts into Future Projects

Wednesday, March 27th, 2024
Tesla charging

As new legislative initiatives take shape and decarbonization goals are on the horizon, integrating electrification efforts into future construction projects has become a top priority for general contractors, project  owners, and property managers. New technology and practices are leading the way to create sustainable buildings and carbon-neutral campuses. Electrification is at the forefront of carbon-free initiatives for many builders, and integrating electrification technology and practices into new builds or retrofit projects is becoming increasingly common among projects of all sizes. 

PRIORITIZE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS

Targeting heating and cooling systems during new construction and retrofit projects can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve the associated costs within a building. Energy efficient alternatives to traditional HVAC systems, including heat pumps and geothermal systems, are ideal for contractors and building owners who are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and potentially receive tax incentives for integrating sustainable building practices into their projects. The electrification of HVAC systems can improve the energy efficiency of buildings, as well as the comfort. These systems can integrate with updated building automation systems to adjust to daytime temperatures and improve the quality and comfort of the facility all year round. 

ADD RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Solar panels

Whether it is a corporate campus or a single-building facility, renewable energy sources offer significant benefits in offsetting carbon production and electrifying facilities. On-site solar and wind generation systems are common alternative energy solutions, as they can be scaled to different facilities and provide major benefits in energy costs and decarbonization goals. In addition, building-integrated photovoltaic solar (BIPV) technology is also gaining popularity, as it combines solar panels with building exteriors, enhancing both aesthetics and energy efficiency. Partnering with low-voltage contractors who understand the electrical codes and requirements for this technology is the first step to achieving carbon neutrality and receiving tax incentives and cost benefits. 

IMPLEMENT SMART BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Smart building technology plays a crucial role in maximizing energy efficiency and integrating electrification to new and existing buildings. Automation systems, LED lighting, and energy management systems are the perfect solution for retrofit projects, as they do not require significant demolition or reconstruction of buildings. Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is another way to improve the sustainability of a facility and meet future demand as EVs continue to rise in popularity. Smart building technology is also common for new builds, as well, helping project owners and building managers get ahead of the curve and begin optimizing energy usage and reducing waste right away. These systems can be customized to each project, giving owners full control over their building and optimizing the way they run the facility day-to-day.

HOW MULTI-TRADES EXPERTS CAN HELP

Integrating electrification efforts into future projects is a proactive step towards a sustainable and carbon-free future. By implementing sustainable technologies and building practices, project owners, general contractors, and property managers can potentially receive tax benefits, as well as long-term cost reductions in the operations within the facilities. 

Whether the project is a new build or a retrofit within an existing building, Egan Company is ready to help bring your electrification goals to life. Our multi-trade expertise enables us to deliver electrical and mechanical solutions through a single partner, improving the flexibility and efficiency of your project. Begin your next project and consider how Egan Company can help you achieve your decarbonization and electrification goals. 

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Continuing Education Opportunities for Electricians

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

During the day, the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) Training Center provides apprenticeship training through classroom learning and hands-on labs to electricians looking to find their way into the field. After hours, however, the training center opens its doors to experienced electricians and field leaders who are wrapping up their day on the jobsite to gain additional instruction, training, and continuing education. 

Egan Company recently added these continuing education opportunities to trades professionals. In the past, there had been similar courses which were well-attended but had stopped during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the fall of 2023, Egan’s Industrial Controls team sought to bring these courses back to their electricians to further refine their skills and provide new opportunities to learn and grow professionally. 

From Instrumentation and Control Drawings Print Reading (P&ID) to Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and basic motor controls, the monthly courses offered through JATC have given electricians hands-on experience working with projects they may not have a chance to otherwise, and have become popular among Egan electricians. 

ALWAYS LEARNING

The JATC courses typically start with classroom instruction, taught by JATC instructors. This part of the course brushes up on technical knowledge, refreshes the students on key concepts, and covers what they can expect to see when they get to the lab portion. For some, the material is a breeze, as they have recently completed their own apprenticeships or are using similar skills currently on the jobsite. Others find these courses to be a challenge, entering into unfamiliar territory due to not needing certain skill sets or knowledge in their field experience thus far. No matter where participating electricians are at, they find encouragement, collaboration, and support during these courses, and they enjoy refining their skills and improving themselves as skilled trades professionals. 

After the classroom part of the night, participants are treated to dinner, which gives everyone a chance to catch up and get to know each other better. Many electricians in these courses know each other from their apprenticeships, past jobs, and even past continuing education courses. 

Then comes the fun part: the lab portion of the evening. In the lab, electricians get hands-on practice applying their skills and what they just learned in the classroom. Practicing their skills in a controlled environment gives students the opportunity to talk things through without the pressure of completing the job or making a mistake that can set a project’s timeline back. Of course, safety precautions are still essential in the lab, but the risk is lower in a controlled environment, with power being shut off to each module until teams are ready to test their work. 

During the lab portion, JATC instructors and Egan employees are available to help, to troubleshoot, and to provide answers where needed. This is truly a collaborative, learning environment where electricians aren’t afraid to ask questions, help each other where they can, and share in their excitement when they complete their lab successfully. 

BRINGING SKILLS BACK TO THE JOB

The ultimate goal of these continuing education courses is to improve the technical knowledge and skills of electricians working in the field. By working in a collaborative, controlled environment where they can touch up on different skill sets with like-minded teammates, Egan’s trades professionals can continue to learn and grow, bringing their new skills back to the jobsite. 

Some electricians find themselves attending month after month, while others seek out specific courses to refresh their skills. Most recently at the basic motor controls class, one electrician noted that he thought this topic sounded interesting, and that it had been a while since he worked on anything like this. No matter the topic, there is never a doubt whether or not these classes will fill up, with a few courses adding second dates due to popularity. Every month, attendance reaches capacity, from new students hearing about the courses to returning electricians looking for new challenges. 

Egan’s entire team, from administration professionals to trades professionals, is dedicated to continuously improving in order to be safe on the jobsite and to deliver best-in-class service and products to customers every day. 

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We are Egan Electricians

Friday, May 21st, 2021

Egan Company has provided electrical expertise since 1960, with over 300 union electricians working at Egan today. All of our electricians are members of Local Unions 110, 160, 292, or 343. Our electrical scope of work includes many different commercial projects across Minnesota including new construction, manufacturing and warehouse facilities, transportation infrastructure, solar farms, corporate offices, retail malls, hospitals, education buildings, industrial facilities, and beyond.

DAILY JOB OF AN EGAN ELECTRICIAN

An Egan electricians job is to install, maintain, repair, and lay out electrical systems and equipment. The day-to-day tasks of our electricians are very diverse because of the variety of electrical systems on which Egan works.

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF

In case you missed our specialty trades video series, take two minutes to learn what our electricians can do for your facility and space! These are the faces behind our products and services. Without their commitment to safety, innovation, and exceeding customer expectations daily, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

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Fire Impact Requires Rapid Response from Egan Trades

Monday, December 28th, 2020

For over 75 years, Egan Company has committed to providing exceptional service and keeping our promises to our customers, no matter the time of day nor the severity of the need. When a fire destroyed part of Burnett Dairy Cooperative’s Grantsburg, Wisc. plant this summer, Egan was consulted immediately to develop a plan to get the plant fully operational as soon as possible. 

UNDER AN ‘AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’ DEADLINE

Known for producing award-winning, high-quality cheese products for over 120 years, and with customers waiting for products in their stores, the need to get the plant fully operational as soon as possible was of utmost importance. Working around the clock, multiple Egan crews comprised of six different trades partnered with Burnett Dairy and additional contractors to demolish and rebuild the infrastructure that was damaged in order to get the production lines back up running.

“We’ve worked with Burnett Dairy for the past few years and have formed a strong relationship,” said Dan Reintjes, Egan Company Project Manager. “When the call came in that we were needed to help after the fire, we were there as fast as possible to get the infrastructure and  production lines in perfect working order again.” 

The fire is believed to have started in the boiler building, which will require a complete rebuild. In the meantime, a temporary operation was conceived and constructed to ensure cheese production and assembly continued.  Egan’s process controls team worked late into the first night getting power to three of the plant’s electrical services and started a complete demolition of the fourth 2000 amp 5-section service gear which was then designed, built, installed and operational in nine days. The ammonia compressors were also powered up with generators on the first day in order to get Burnett Dairy’s warehouse coolers running to save all the products that were  already produced. Egan’s Mechanical team worked to make damaged piping safe and get temporary water piping installed as well as planning for a temporary boiler installation.

Egan was one of the contractors that was onsite within 18 hours of the fire trucks leaving the scene and didn’t leave until the plant was fully operational,” said Dave Gaiser, Burnett Dairy Cooperative CEO.  “With their help, Burnett was able to get our retail store back open within a few days so we were able to open for the weekend after the fire.  Within seven days, they assisted with getting one of our packaging lines operating so we could package cheese from other manufacturers and begin shipping to our customers. Egan worked 24/7 coordinating with other contractors to get Burnett running within two months of a fire impacting all utilities servicing the plant.

Beyond the initial scope of work that was completed to get the plant operational, additional projects were finished in order to restore complete operation to the plant. Egan engineers designed and programmed a new control system for the milk transfer and CIP systems that were lost in the fire, and additional electricians were tasked with installing new power distribution panels and feeders as well as installing the new milk transfer and CIP control panels and interconnect wiring.

Working alongside the controls electricians, Egan’s Mechanical trades were tasked with setting up the temporary, 900 horsepower self-contained boiler.  The team was also responsible for hydro testing and repairing all existing piping to ensure functionality and safety due to the fire.

BACK UP AND OPERATIONAL

The plant was back up and operational in 62 days, processing milk from 150 farms, and bringing 300 people back to work.

Burnett Dairy is currently operating with a temporary boiler trailer in place and due to the work of many contractors working within a tight timeline. Next steps for the plant include the design, engineering, and construction of the new boiler building; Egan’s full-time maintenance presence at the plant will continue, and any additional help the site needs as it starts the process of rebuilding from the fire.  

“Egan is a valuable business partner and the accomplishments of the past couple of months would not have been possible without them,” said Gaiser.

MULTI-TRADE PROJECT TEAM

  • 35 Egan onsite electricians
  • 15 Egan controls and mechanical engineers contributed to the needed design and engineering
  • 31 Egan plumbers, pipefitters, and sheet metal workers were onsite
  • 5 limited energy technicians delivered network installations with all new data cabinets and cabling for the plant
  • 10 control panel technicians built eight U.L. 508A control panels on a tight turnaround

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Finance & Commerce Announces 2019 Top Projects

Monday, August 10th, 2020

Rapid changes and growth were experienced in Minnesota which included a stadium, cultural center, and multiple housing and apartment buildings, amongst other projects. As a glimpse into the year 2019, Finance & Commerce published its  “Top Projects” piece which highlights the top new construction and remodels around the state. Amongst these, we see a few familiar spaces. Egan was fortunate to have played a role in five of these top projects.

ALLIANZ FIELD

“The soccer-first venue transformed a once-contaminated and vacant lot in the Midway area into a thriving, popular, and must-see destination.”

Read more about this Top Project

Egan services provided: Curtainwall, storefront, ticket windows, nanawall, entrance doors, and art glass

HOĊOKATA TI

“The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s culture center blends modern design with visual representations of Native American traditions and history.”

Read more about this Top Project

Egan services provided: Cafeteria build-out, stadium, theater, in-floor radiant heating, cogeneration, glass handrail, glass doors, skylights, sage glass, storefront, aluminum doors, curtain wall, auditorium, low-voltage, lighting controls systems, emergency system, generator, and electrical wiring

ONE DISCOVERY SQUARE

“The city of Rochester and other partners have been developing the 16-block area around Mayo Clinic since 2013 into a complex called the Destination Medical Center. Their hope is to build and enhance the DMC’s reputation, not only for medical treatment but also for research.”

Read more about this Top Project

Egan services provided: Mechanical systems, mechanical controls, aluminum curtainwall, aluminum entrance doors, glass handrails, building automation controls and engineering

RAFTER 

“Rafter is an $83 million high-rise luxury apartment in northeast Minneapolis designed to reflect the area’s artistic vibe.”

Read more about this Top Project

Egan services provided: Curtainwall, storefront glass, metal panels, fin wall, glass guardrail, nanawall, sliding glass doors, and fire-rated glass

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF ROCHESTER

“Over the last four years, the previous 40-year-old Ronald McDonald House had to turn away nearly 4,000 families due to operating at capacity. But the new facility will serve more than 600 families per year.”

Read more about this Top Project

Egan services provided: Added additional parking, play areas, active play areas, and remodel of the existing building

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KEEPING OUR PROMISES AS ONE EGAN COMPANY

Wednesday, July 8th, 2020

If you’ve been in the industry a while, you may remember a few of our former names – Egan Companies or The Egan Companies. If you’ve really been in the industry a while, you might recall our original name, Egan & Sons Plumbing and Heating Company which was founded by Joseph Egan and his sons Bill and Costney.

For 75 years, Egan Company has offered an array of specialty trades and professional services across the industry; and for many of those 75 years, the diverse skills and trades were divided into a number of individual companies and brands. Egan Company as we know it today is only 15 years old!

Over the years, Egan diversified and merged with existing mechanical, electrical, automation, technology, controls, and a number of other specialties. Each specialty then had its  own unique brand. The brands below consolidated to one corporate identity Egan Companies, Inc. in 2002 before evolving to simply become Egan Company years later:

  • Egan Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
  • Egan-McKay Electrical Contractors, Inc.
  • Egan Automation, Inc.
  • InterClad, Inc.
  • E&S Insulation Co.
  • The Egan Companies

This consolidation and positioning triggered an opportunity to develop a new brand promise and logo that would encompass all of Egan’s specialty trades and services—and represent the only company in our local markets with capabilities and services that are unmatched by anyone.

Fun Facts:

  • Egan’s old familiar logo was the letter “E” constructed of two triangles and three rectangles.  Depending on the entity, the logo was either black, red, green, blue, or maroon and was the Egan brand for almost twenty years.
  • The base of our current Egan logo was formed by three grids that represent the mechanical, electrical and systems business functions. This joined frame structure emphasizes the fact that each of our business groups is dependent on the others working together and doing its separate and combined job to support the Egan brand. Supported by this grid base, EGAN stretches across all three grids linking them together as one.
  • To ensure our dedication to our customers and community was highlighted as well, a new tagline was added, Building on Promises Kept. This reflects our long history of building in the Midwest and our commitment to keeping our promises, always. It serves to remind us to focus on the integrity of doing what we say we will do and when we will do it each day. It also serves to communicate to everyone who sees our logo that Egan stands behind our word, our promises.

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EGAN COMPANY ELECTS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Wednesday, July 1st, 2020

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (July 1, 2020) – Egan Company, a Brooklyn Park specialty contractor and systems integrator, announced the promotion of Mike Tengwall to Senior Vice President and Electrical Group Leader. In this senior leadership role, Tengwall is responsible for overseeing business operations and strategy for Egan’s business unit that provides complete electrical services and process controls which includes engineering, a U.L. 508A panel shop and IntelliBatch, Egan’s concrete batching product.

“Mike’s experience in the electrical industry and proven leadership provides an opportunity for our Twin Cities electrical teams to work more closely together,” said Duane Hendricks, Egan Company President & CEO. “I’m excited for Mike to expand our services and continue offering a great experience to our customers.”

Tengwall has over 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, with 13 of those being at Egan. Throughout his career, he has held many roles including: Electronic Technician, Electrician, Master Electrician, Project Coordinator, Electrical Specialist, Project Manager, Group Manager, and Business Leader. His experience includes working with various building owner customers including Michael Foods, Andersen Corporation, Ford Motor Company, as well as numerous General Contractors. He graduated from Brown College with a degree in Electronics Technology.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal highlighted Tengwall’s promotion in its People on the Move feature.

About Egan Company
Egan Company is a privately-owned, specialty contractor providing building trades to general contractors, engineers, building owners, property managers, and facility engineers. Specialties include: electrical, mechanical, curtainwall/glazing/metal panels (InterClad), millwrights, building technology, controls and system integration, and 24/7 service. Egan serves every stage of a building and provides in-house expertise in planning, design and engineering, construction, and maintenance.

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Media Contact:
Angela Schmidt
arschmidt@eganco.com // 763-504-3471

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Employee wins first place at IDEAL National Championship

Friday, April 24th, 2020

The IDEAL National Championship is a high-charged competition to determine the best electricians in North America. More than 58,000 participants across the country compete in over 1,500 qualifying events vying to punch their ticket to the championship. 

Among the 162 competitors of whom made it to the championship last November in Lake Buena Vista, FL was electrician, Angela Bissonnette-Penna who proudly represented Egan Company and the Minneapolis Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) in the North American School Challenge. 

The competitors demonstrated problem-solving and physical skills involving cutting, stripping, crimping, and terminating and were judged for their workmanship, safety, and time.

Being a female in a male-dominated trade has many challenges. Bissonnette-Penna shared some of her experiences, “The past few years of my apprenticeship have been a struggle.  There were many moments I wanted to back down and quit. The words spoken from a previous general foreman still resonates through my head, ‘You are a woman, you can’t do this’.” Bissonnette-Penna continued, “But I persevered, started talking to other women in the trade, and realized I can make a difference.”

Not only did Bissonnette-Penna walk away victorious by earning first place in the School Challenge, she was the only female competitor to place in the year’s event. 

“Winning the IDEAL National Championship strengthened my confidence in knowing I could make that difference, to show women that it is possible to achieve, overcome and rise,” said Bissonnette-Penna.

Along with a cash prize to the winner, as a result of her win, five scholarships and $10,000 in IDEAL cash were donated to the Minneapolis JATC.

Congratulations to one of our own on her great accomplishment and for representing women in construction!

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