PIPELINE WINTER 2024
GUIDED BY CORE VALUES, PAVING THE PATH TO OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC SYSTEM (ITS) l VIRGINIA
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FROM THE DESK OF ALEX ALDRIDGE Dear Readers, In this special edition of the Pipeline, we are thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone: our 30th year in print. Looking back on the past three decades, Aldridge has embarked on a remarkable journey of growth and transformation. We have expanded into new markets and regions, honed our expertise in diverse scopes, invested in cutting-edge equipment, and launched innovative programs. Yet, amidst all this evolution, we have remained steadfastly committed to our core values. As we look back on our journey, we have taken the opportunity to retool our core values to better align with the evolving landscape of our business today. Throughout this process, our primary focus has been to ensure that each of these values remains an integral part of Aldridge’s identity. Our core values are a testament to our dedication to our people. They serve as a guide to empower our team members to be the best versions of themselves. The passionate individuals who make up our team create our culture and drive innovation. These values, along with our critical planning tools, strategic goals, and safety culture, have fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie within our organization. Our mission is clear: to cultivate a thriving work environment where our people can flourish. Stay Safe,
Chief Executive Officer
OUR CORE VALUES - “THE ALDRIDGE WAY” PUT PEOPLE FIRST
BE GREAT PARTNERS
FOSTER INNOVATION
RAISE THE BAR
CARE FOR AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BE THEIR BEST SELVES.
ENCOURAGE THE UNTHINKABLE. PROMOTE COLLABORATION AND LEARNING.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, DELIVER SOLUTIONS.
DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING. MAKE EVERY DAY BETTER.
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SAFETY MEETING
LOOKING AT SAFETY DIFFERENTLY SERIOUS INCIDENT EVOLUTION
At Aldridge, we care about the well-being and safety of others, and our unwavering commitment remains centered on achieving an Incident and Injury Free environment. We are excited to showcase our Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) Prevention Program, known as SHOK - Seriously Hurt or Killed. Recognizing the inherently dangerous nature of our work, where the potential for serious harm or even fatality is a constant reality, SHOK is a transformative program that signifies a notable shift in our approach to safety. SHOK is a comprehensive philosophy meticulously crafted to address our highest-risk scenarios. This goes beyond conventional safety practices; it represents the culmination of our commitment to fostering an Incident and Injury Free environment. SHOK effortlessly meshes with our current safety protocols, acting as the foundational element of our cutting-edge safety arsenal. We are providing our SHOK workforce with specialized tools and strategies to identify potential exposures and address them by implementing controls to eliminate and/or mitigate risks. It’s a proactive stance, empowering our workforce with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate potential risks effectively. Join us in our journey to world-class safety, where SHOK becomes an integral and fundamental part of our collective thought process. We are changing the way we think about safety, ensuring that it permeates every aspect of how we work and live. Together, let’s embrace the SHOK philosophy and redefine the standards of safety in our field.
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THIS IS A TOOL TO HELP IDENTIFY HAZARDS IN THE FIELD. By providing simple reminders that activate our broader thinking, the exposure wheel makes us more effective at identifying SHOK exposures.
“It forces management to understand the work they are looking at.”
“We are putting our people in the best positions to work safe.”
Casey Weir SENIOR PM
Michal Kazmirak DIVISION MANAGER
“Implementing SHOK forces us to have a different perspective on safety. It allows us to look beyond minor exposures and compliance-based items like PPE so we can focus on the true life-altering exposures that we experience every day.” John Frank FOREMAN
Our SHOK inspections, among all of our critical planning tools, are designed to put us into slow brain.” Jon Rush CONSTRUCTION MGR
“This new way of looking at safety has played a significant role in helping our employees understand their vulnerabilities and learn strategies to enhance their defenses for performing safe work. The implementation of SHOK has directed our prevention efforts towards identifying hazards, anticipating potential exposures, and implementing controls to prevent serious injuries or fatalities among our employees. It doesn’t aim to halt mistakes, but rather to minimize exposure by planning work, making decisions, and executing work right the first time” Chris Murphy DIRECTOR OF SAFETY
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PUT PEOPLE FIRST
CARE FOR AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BE THEIR BEST SELVES. “Put people first” is more than a statement; it’s a commitment to safety, care, and respect. We foster growth, provide opportunities, and carve career paths, all within a family-centered culture.
CRAFT VOICE IN SAFETY
Craft Voice in Safety (CVIS) fosters a culture where all voices matter. It encourages a partnership between craft and management to prioritize ownership, communication, and prevention while promoting an Incident and Injury Free culture to ensure nobody gets hurt. By engaging in open, honest feedback, the initiative has led to impactful changes in policies, procedures, and the development of new tools and methods, addressing crucial concerns effectively.
CRAFT VOICE IN SAFETY LEADERSHIP
TRAVELING TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Aldridge’s commitment to safety and our family-centered culture is evident in our executive team’s direct engagement with front-line workers at job sites nationwide. Beyond routine site visits, these extended town hall meetings reflect our dedication to being present, safety excellence, and a culture where every voice matters. We pause work activities, intertwining them with training sessions to provide insight into the company’s health, discuss upcoming projects, and commemorate achievements. Our leaders focus on one-on-one interactions with crews, strengthening open communication, transparency, and an empowered environment. By prioritizing safety through training, clear communication, and a culture of empathy, we aim to be Incident and Injury Free, ensuring our success as an industry leader.
TOWN HALL EXECUTIVE SITE VISIT
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NURTURING WELL-BEING: MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Since 2020, Aldridge has been devoted to ensuring the mental well-being of its employees and their families, aligning with our ongoing Incident and Injury Free journey. In addition to the annual Mental Wellness Week, our ongoing initiative, U-R-OK, includes connection conference calls that sustain meaningful conversations about mental health. These calls feature Aldridge employees who willingly share their personal and harrowing journeys through struggles, aiming to destigmatize mental health discussions and foster unity by highlighting the universality of challenges. In December, our annual Mental Wellness Week focused on stress, burnout, and daily challenges, strategically chosen to address heightened mental unrest during that time of the year. The week included engaging Toolbox Talks, providing valuable insights for mental wellness. Our U-R-OK call had a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as a guest speaker, guiding us in creating personalized mental wellness plans. Mental Wellness Week underscores the significance of mental well-being, fostering a culture of concern, support, and understanding throughout the organization.
ALDRIDGE GIVES
In 2023, we launched Aldridge Gives, a 501c organization with a mission close to our hearts: to inspire both our existing and prospective employees, cultivate a culture of genuine caring, build strong relationships with communities, and truly make a difference by championing causes focused on education, community, health, veterans, and the environment. Aldridge employees have been hard at work, demonstrating our commitment to these values by actively supporting events that have a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. We believe that offering our employees options to volunteer their time and contribute to causes close to their hearts empowers them to be their best selves.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - WOMEN BUILD
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PUT PEOPLE FIRST
CARE FOR AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BE THEIR BEST SELVES. People are the heart and soul of the organization, and we are thrilled to celebrate those who have marked significant service anniversaries. Thanks for all you do every day to drive our long-term success!
10/25 YEAR CLUB
The “10/25 Year Club” at Aldridge is just one way we honor our long-term employees. With an average tenure of 15 years, 60% of our workforce surpasses the decade mark, embodying a remarkable commitment to our outstanding culture. These individuals, recognized as influential leaders, both within and beyond our organization, are established experts in their fields and represent the future leadership of the company. Their dedication is a testament to the enduring strength of Aldridge’s culture. CONGRATULATION TO OUR LATEST 25 YEAR CLUB EMPLOYEES! • Brian Mazzei • Daniel Dawson • James Antos
• Steven Tarsa
• Kevin Bradley
• Chris Kessler
• Brian Olsen
• Steven Taylor
• Will Brooks
• Jayson Lange
• Jim Taff
• Andy Walker
• Ray Clark
• Steve Lange
• Daniel Tarsa
• Wade Zimmel
EXECUTIVE SITE VISIT
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MIDWEST TOWN HALL
NURTURING LEADERSHIP
Our training and development initiatives, adapted annually to growth and performance data, aim to elevate internal employees in their careers. The Field Leadership Programs include the Field Executive Development Program, focusing on building corporate champions through individualized plans; the Field Successor Program, builds skills for successors and promotes executive exposure; and the Emerging Leaders Program, accelerates the development of future leaders and provides visibility to ambitious talent. The Management Successor Program emphasizes individual development through a 360 evaluation, coaching, and workshops with a leadership development specialist. The objectives encompass building peer connections, improving leadership skills, fostering continuous personal development, and providing targeted coaching based on feedback. The High Potential Program accelerates the development of next-level leaders through leadership workshops and individualized development plans, aligning with an equivalent program for craft employees.
ALDRIDGE 101 ORIENTATION
SAFETY MEETING
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FOSTER INNOVATION
ENCOURAGE THE UNTHINKABLE. PROMOTE COLLABORATION AND LEARNING. Perhaps second only to passion, the term ‘innovation’ frequently punctuates project delivery discussions. It is showcased by equipment, means and methods, and the continuous search for better solutions. ENHANCED PROJECT PERFORMANCE WITH CUSTOM EQUIPMENT Operating within tight access areas offers no margin for error, especially when coupled with repetitive tasks that escalate the potential for complacency. To maintain the schedule of a Light Rail track project, the deployment of a custom gang drill proved instrumental, allowing crews to successfully drill thousands of holes without the need for climbing ladders or assembling work platforms at each mounting location. This strategic approach mitigated the fall hazard associated with the task, keeping the crew away from SHOK Incident Potential. The use of this equipment ensured precision, reducing the likelihood of re-work due to quality non-conformance. This streamlined approach not only enhanced safety but also demonstrated a considerable improvement in operational efficiency.
INNOVATION AT WORK: CUSTOM GANG DRILL
CABLE-PULLING EQUIPMENT REVOLUTIONIZES UNDERGROUND WORK Collaborating with craft professionals to discuss field methods and respond to the increasing need for cable replacement and new construction, Aldridge pioneered innovative cable-pulling equipment. Through numerous iterations and extensive research and development efforts, we have built a machine that has played a key role in positioning us as a leading underground contractor. This groundbreaking invention has not only improved operational efficiency but has also elevated safety and quality standards. It has been adopted by major customers in Illinois, Indiana, Washington DC, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and recently Florida, reflecting its widespread success and positive impact on our operations.
“Innovation can’t be taught, but it can be nurtured. At Aldridge, we’re encouraged to go beyond the status quo, with the freedom and support to push the envelope.” Tom Doe PREFAB GENERAL FOREMAN
CABLE PULLING CUSTOM TOOL
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EFFICIENT TOLLWAY LIGHTING UPGRADE: INSTALLING 100 LED FIXTURES IN HALF A SHIFT
To mitigate potential SHOK incidents in Line of Fire situations, we constantly seek innovative ways to address the risks in our work environments. During an active highway rehabilitation project, Aldridge efficiently converted tollway lighting from incandescent to LED without replacing existing poles. Our PreFab Design Team devised a custom support jig enabling the removal and replacement of arms and fixtures while keeping the pole in place. This streamlined process not only reduced time spent near live traffic but also enhanced efficiency, minimized equipment and labor requirements, and improved quality with prewired fixtures.
PREFABRICATED JIG
LIGHT POLE JIG INNOVATION
3D MODELING ELEVATES ALDRIDGE’S REPUTATION In an attempt to provide a live demonstration of a proposed construction method, our in-house VDC team designed a 3D-rendered video to showcase execution and align a compact GIS Substation project’s construction schedule. This forward-thinking, solution-oriented approach demonstrated expanded expertise and capabilities to an existing customer.
SCAN AND SEE A PREVIEW OF 3D MODELING VIDEO
GAS INSULATED SUBSTATION 3D MODELING
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BE GREAT PARTNERS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, DELIVER SOLUTIONS.
By prioritizing respectful and collaborative customer partnerships, focused on creating safe, high-quality projects together, we are building lasting relationships that go beyond individual projects.
ELEVATING EXCELLENCE - DATA CENTER CAMPUS After the successful completion of Phase 1 of a hyper-scale data center campus, Aldridge was awarded the large electrical civil/site package on the next phase of work. Garnering attention based on an innovative approach and entrepreneurial spirit, this project is a testament to our ability to lead the industry and support growth by providing our valued clients with the most effective and efficient construction methods. Today, we are leveraging that success as we expand our presence to numerous campuses across the country. We remain committed to elevating our installation methods, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality. At Aldridge, we’re dedicated to growing and maintaining long term relationships with our clients.
ALDRIDGE & MORTENSON PROJECT COLLABORATION
“Watching the Aldridge team and Mortenson work together with a focus on innovative prefabrication to deliver an efficient site and really making it all gel; that didn’t happen by accident, that was due to months in advance planning out every step of the [project]. It wasn’t a concept, it was implementation out of the gate.” Eric Livingston MEP SUPERINTENDENT, MORTENSON
RELIABLE MANHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE
In collaboration with a utility client, Aldridge developed a custom app to meet unique manhole assessment development. The web-based tool, created by our in-house IT Development Team, not only ensured project success but also solidified our standing as a preferred choice for future collaborations. This innovative solution eliminates paperwork, provides easy access to equipment records, and includes detailed assessments covering location, size, type, cable mapping, and asset conditions. The system also facilitates targeted corrective maintenance, with recent enhancements enabling efficient database filtering for joint types, ensuring a comprehensive record for future replacements or upgrades. MANHOLE ASSESSMENT CUSTOM BUILT APP
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A STRATEGIC PARTNER IN SAFETY INNOVATION
Preventable soft tissue injuries, though frequently overlooked, can be effectively mitigated through creative solutions. In Washington DC’s underground subway system, the task of moving 350-pound UPS cabinets from street to station levels was challenging and posed risks such as strains and pinch points due to manual transfers between carts. The project team partnered with our fabrication shop to create a platform and roller conveyor system, eliminating the need for manual lifting. By offering a solution that not only improved safety but also enhanced control during cabinet transportation, Aldridge showcased its expertise as a reliable and innovative partner. This successful endeavor not only mitigated potential risks but also left the owner and trade partners thoroughly impressed with our creative and effective solutions in complex transportation tasks.
PLATFORM AND ROLLER CONVEYOR SYSTEM
UNIFYING TRADE PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS IN GIS
In Washington DC, a gas-insulated substation project offered an opportunity to excel by creating a cohesive partnership across all companies on-site. We prioritized respect, open communication, and worked to foster collaboration at all levels. By operating as a unified business entity, innovative ideas that enhance project efficiencies across its lifecycle were born.
ALDRIDGE & SMOOT PARTNERSHIP VENTURE
“Aldridge [has leveraged] their Subject Matter Expertise. The collaboration and forward-thinking of both companies have really made this [project] successful. [It] starts at the leadership level and is fostered throughout the team.” Peter Ege VICE PRESIDENT, SMOOT
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RAISE THE BAR
DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING. MAKE EVERY DAY BETTER. We are relentless in our pursuit of improvement, reflecting our commitment to excellence at Aldridge. It signifies our dedication to learning, family-centeredness, and persistent motivation for growth.
ALDRIDGE’S VITAL ROLE IN LOCK AND DAM MODERNIZATION
Aldridge is spearheading an essential electrical infrastructure project for a modernized lock and dam system, located just 50 miles from Chicago. With equipment dating back almost a century, the lock and dam system urgently needed an upgrade. To achieve this, river traffic was suspended for several months, draining the dam to facilitate the crucial enhancements. With many complexities involved in the project, the team invested significant time in meticulous preplanning to ensure success. The result is a modernized, efficient lock and dam system, securing the continued safe operation and restoring flow of commerce in the region. Aldridge’s commitment to innovation and strategic execution shines through in this significant infrastructure upgrade.
ILLINOIS LOCK AND DAM SYSTEM
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NAVIGATING CHALLENGES IN AIRFIELD ELECTRICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
After Aldridge began work on the airfield electrical package at a new airport, a challenge emerged midway: the need for a new project manager. Stepping into the role, a seasoned senior project manager leveraged internal resources and subject matter experts to elevate the project. Despite the complexities of taking over, she transformed it, delivering excellence. The site foreman’s exceptional performance, particularly in communication with airport officials, also played a crucial role in our success. These efforts emphasize Aldridge’s commitment to exceeding expectations. The customer not only benefited from the project but also appreciated Aldridge’s exceptional dedication. As a performance partner known for our reputation, we position ourselves for success, delivering quality and safe projects, making us a preferred contractor.
“Araceli has been an outstanding Project Manager on our project. She is efficient, available, hard-working, responsive, and intelligent about the scope of work. I believe her contribution stepping late into this project has been a game changer. I’ve also found Tony [to be] an excellent foreman and electrician, and I have appreciated the efforts of both of these individuals.” Kate Sepulveda CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MANAGER HOLLYWOOD BURBANK AIRPORT
OPEN BOOK APPROACH TO GET CRITICAL PROJECTS DONE ON SCHEDULE
In the face of a challenging transmission line rebuild project, Aldridge established a higher standard. Despite encountering space constraints and delays in the rugged terrain of a nearby national forest with rocky, unstable ground, Aldridge closely collaborated with trade partners to not only meet but exceed project deliverables. The team excelled in effective cost management, offering pricing discounts for unplanned mobilizations, and proactively addressing concrete-related risk factors, resulting in substantial cost savings. The project team’s tenacious dedication, focused approach, and collaborative spirit have set a new standard for success.
TRANSMISSION LINE REBUILD
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30TH YEAR IN PUBLICATION In the Winter of 1993/1994, Aldridge launched our first ever Pipeline newsletter. Originally intended for Aldridge employees only, the Pipeline was a means to celebrate the successes of the business. As we wrap up our 30th year in publication, the Pipeline circulation now extends to both internal and external readers and still serves as a megaphone to highlight our best projects, people, and innovations that make Aldridge great. Thank you for being a part of our story and for your continued support. Join us in commemorating this milestone as we celebrate the achievements of this year.
2023 INDUSTRY RECOGNITIONS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FOUNDATION DRILLING
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Rick Marshall’s Commitment to Excellence in Safety
Employer Support Award
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE Top 50 Electrical Contractors
VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION ALLIANCE
ENGINEERING NEWS-RECORD
Recognition of Safety Excellence
Contractor Safety Award
aldridgegroup.com CREATED BY ALDRIDGE ELECTRIC MARKETING
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