Powering
the Possibilities
In Partnership With:
Miller Electric Company:
FOUNDATION
O F C O R E VA L U E S Written by Dale Benton Produced by Tom Venturo
In the world of the contractor, establishing a trusting, rewarding and ultimately effective relationship with the end-user is the key to success. For Miller Electric Company, building those relationships and focusing on the end-user experience is forged into the very core philosophy of the business
M I L L E R E L E C T R I C C O M PA N Y
F
or over 80 years, Miller Electric has grown from its roots as a local electrical contractor to a market leading company with a diversified range of services. The company has evolved over time to offer services in addition to its core electrical contracting, including integrated systems such as maintenance solutions, monitoring and security systems. “We work with clients on the entire lifecycle of their energy systems,” says Henry Brown, CEO of Miller Electric. “It’s about identifying issues and working with clients to provide turn-key energy solutions that allow them to unlock savings and potential in their facilities.” But despite the growth and diversification of the company over the years, Miller Electric, through Brown’s stewardship, keeps one important philosophy at the heart of the business. “The company takes a long-term approach to everything, both customers and employees. This allows us to develop trusting relationships where employees, customer and vendors can all work together toward collaborative solutions,” he says.
4
CONSTRUCTION
Henry Brown
CEO of Miller Electric
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
5
A Brilliant Approach to Smart Buildings At Acuity Brands, we believe that smart buildings should connect systems, technology and people throughout the lifecycle of your facility. Smart means continuously improving performance, reducing carbon footprint, lowering costs and optimizing experience for you and the people who use your space. With our advanced and fully scalable solutions, go beyond energyefficient buildings to truly smart buildings.
Smart Building Management Is your building ready? Learn more at www.acuitybrands.com/solutions/smart-buildings.
IoT Business Applications
Building Applications and Unified Building Visualization, Analytics, Energy Management
HVAC Controls & Building Management Systems
Lighting Controls
Indoor & Outdoor Lighting
CONSTRUCTION
Generation game Brown has been a part of Miller Electric Company for 16 years, working his way up through the company in a variety of roles before being offered the position of CEO, but the company has been a part of his life for much longer. Along with his brother and COO Daniel, Brown represents the third generation of ownership of the company, following in the footsteps of his mother, Susan Walden, and his uncle, Ron Autrey, who in turn followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, H.E. “Buck” Autrey. It is this journey through the company, almost from the ground up, that has allowed Brown to lead the company into the future with a ‘new lens’. Officially entering the company in 2001 in an accountancy role, over the years Brown worked through legal, risk management as well as strategy roles, establishing key relationships and understanding of the way the business works. “I was able to build deep relationships with so many of our
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
7
Onsite team installing underground prefab assembly
At Anixter, we help build, connect, power and protect valuable assets and critical infrastructures. Through our superior product offerings, unmatched global distribution network, expert supply chain management and technical know-how, we drive efficiency and effectiveness to benefit your bottom line.
Learn what we can do for you.
anixter.com Products. Technology. Services. Delivered Globally.
CONSTRUCTION
“We don’t want to be treated as a commodity, so we don’t treat vendors as a commodity” – Henry Brown, CEO of Miller Electric
project managers and team members; learning from them and identifying our strengths and weaknesses, what we did well as a company and what we didn’t,” he says. Now as CEO, Brown works closely with his executive leadership team, developing and leading strategy, working to better understand challenges, opportunities and guiding the organisation into a better future. Brown has identified key goals for the company, namely strengthening its presence across the country. Expanding from its home base in Jacksonville, FL, the company has established a network of branch offices throughout the Southeast US, and beyond. In certain key markets, such as Tampa, Charlotte,
Daniel Brown
COO of Miller Electric
Nashville and Birmingham, Brown plans to invest in those locations to become not only the number one player in the industry but also a major part of those communities. Core Values In order to create those long-term, trusting relationships with clients and employees, Brown and his team oversaw the development and establishment of six core values. Trust, collaboration, safety, quality,
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
9
We’re here where and when you need us.
In Person. Online. After Hours.
At Graybar we know you need products and support around the clock. That’s why you can do business with us at the counter, through our website or through our extended customer service hours. No matter how you like to conduct business, Graybar has you covered.
graybar.com
1-800- G R AY BA R
CONSTRUCTION
stewardship and community. These are the values that truly define Miller Electric Company, values that Brown works tirelessly to instil into everything the company does both internally and externally. “Trust is really the core foundation of everything. The company is very transparent – we work open book with clients to ensure we are working towards the most cost effective approach,” he says. This applies to employees as well. Miller Electric Company actively shares financial statements internally, so all employees are “in the loop” as to the company’s status. “It’s the same with vendors, we want to establish open trusting relationships with them. We don’t want to be treated as a commodity, so we don’t treat vendors as a commodity,” Brown adds. Safety and quality are “the price of admission” to Brown, but he is keen to stress that the company must focus on these elements in order to remain in business and these are still values Brown believes are core to the business.
David Long President
“You can have all the trust in the world, but without a safe and quality operation – you have nothing,” he says. One of the more important areas, and one that is close to the Brown’s heart, is stewardship. As a thirdgeneration family business, Brown sees his role as “borrowing the company from the next generation. We are stewards of our clients and their money, but we are also stewards for the future generation.”
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
11
TRACKS ANYTHING. SURVIVES EVERYTHING. TOOL AND EQUIPMENT TRACKER
TRACKED BY ONE-KEY
™
Map Data ©2017 Google.
CUSTOMIZE. TRACK. MANAGE. All ONE-KEY™ compatible tools come with built-in tracking and security, plus the ability to customize the tool’s output. SMART TOOLS
SYNC WIRELESSLY
ONLINE + MOBILE RECORD KEEPING
Learn More: milwaukeetool.com/one-key
DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP NOW! Apple, the Apple logo and iBeacon are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
CONSTRUCTION
Pivotal moment elements of what made that such Following his move to CEO, Brown had a terrible contract and realised a baptism of fire with the company. that they were buying our work Miller Electric Company was locked as a commodity,” he says. into what Brown describes as one of This has forced the company to shift the worst contracts in its history. The its focus onto finding and working with project was a large hotel addition and customers that value and appreciate renovation project, with a general that long-term approach to quality contractor, an owner and an unfamiliar and trusting relationships. It was this construction type. very moment that saw It was born out of the core values of the the recession, where company established, key errors were made with Brown, his and not recognised executive team and until the project was all employees to well underway. gain a better a richer – Henry Brown, “After we realised understanding of CEO of Miller Electric this was a catastrophic the company. financial project, we “It allows us had to rally a lot of the team together to build a cohesive strategy, to finish the job,” says Brown. where we know we are working Following the completion of the towards the same goals and project, Brown and his team pulled everybody has that consistent together and made several key goal and consistent roadmap to decisions that set up the company achieve that goal,” he says. for the one it is today, one that works with the right clients and Through adversity... truly values its employees. Following such a major challenge “We really picked apart the and pivotal moment in the history
“We have vendors who will walk through walls to get us what we need”
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
13
DEPENDABLE RELIABILITY, WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
From project start to completion, Sunbelt Rentals has the solutions to help safeguard your facility and keep projects on schedule. Our load banks enable you to simulate real world conditions and validate power supplies, HVAC systems and critical infrastructure to ensure your facility will perform as designed. With a national footprint of more than 600 locations, a seasoned team of professionals, and a diverse fleet mix, including generators and distribution equipment, chillers, heaters, and more, we’re equipped to help you navigate the challenges associated with constructing and maintaining an energy efficient and secure structure. For unmatched service and support, contact the experts at Sunbelt Rentals.
CONSTRUCTION
and future of the company, a pathway was paved towards a leaner, smarter and more successful business. For Brown, over the last five years, Miller Electric Company has developed a number of key clients across 40 states at any given time. The major clients from five years ago are still a part of the portfolio, but they have been joined by new clients that fully appreciate and buy into the longterm trusting approach to quality. Clients now use their working relationship with Miller Electric Company as a standard for relationships in their respective industries. This standard is a testament to Miller Electric’s quality of delivery, commitment to the core values and appreciation of the client. “They use our relationship as a test to see if our model works in new markets, and in turn they take us with them. That in itself is a major win for us,” he says. Employee empowerment Miller Electric Company is a company that empowers its employees,
approaching their careers with the same long-term approach as it does with their clients. The transparent open book relationship creates a culture of connectivity; the employees know exactly where they stand and how much they are valued by the leadership. In the construction industry, finding the right people with the right talent is often recognised as the biggest constraint to growth. As a third-generation company, Miller Electric Company has second and even some third-generation employees on its books. “This dedication and loyalty goes both ways creating employees that will go above and beyond for the client,” Brown says. The challenge then, is replicating that committment going into the future. This is where partnerships with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) comes in with an apprenticeship programme, the Electrical Training Alliance that looks
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
15
CONSTRUCTION
to create skilled employees to fill the skills gap. “We invest heavily in our relationships with the IBEW and NECA, and in the Electrical Training Alliance. Our company president, David Long, focuses most of his time and energy on these industry relationships because we know they are a large part of our past and future success. As early as the apprenticeship program, we look for employees who can be leaders in the company. From foreman in the field, superintendents, or even employees moving into project management roles and executive ranks, many of them begin their career in the apprenticeship” Brown says. “We take those and invest in leadership training, executive education and create a culture of continuous learning within the company.” Of course, not every employee can come from the field and into management. Miller Electric Company also invests heavily in searching for the right college graduates or entrants from other industries to bring into the company and into a management training program. “The short answer really is that we want to build an
“it’s about looking outside the four walls of construction and how the more advanced industries are working” – Henry Brown, CEO of Miller Electric
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
17
In the wall. In the ceiling. In the floor.
TM
by Thomas & Betts
Go LEAN, withT&B pre-fab rough-in systems. Take your productivity to a higher level with T&B fully engineered, electrical rough-in systems – featuring BIM downloads, cloud-based configuration tools, and dedicated T&B support to assist you with design and pre-planning. For more information about T&B LEAN Construction Services and eFab systems, visit tnb.com/TBeFab or contact your authorized distributor or your T&B representative.
tnb.com Š 2017 Thomas & Betts Corporation. All rights reserved.
CONSTRUCTION
environment and provide opportunities that allows individuals to learn and grow, while being continuously challenged. We want people that want to be here,” explains Brown. “This creates employees that have our culture engrained within them so deeply, it shines through in everything they do.” Technology Technology is rapidly transforming the construction industry, with the Internet of Things (IoT) changing building electrical systems in a big way. Miller Electric Company is investing
in this space to remain a leader in an ever-changing environment. “We try to stay at the forefront of this change and identify ways we can use IoT to help clients monitor and control facilities through IP based networks,” says Brown. Miller Electric Company is installing lighting systems that are connected through IP networks as well as security systems and other building management systems. “This enables clients to run their buildings as efficiently as possible. But then there’s also the opportunity to use information that
Solar panel installation in Jacksonville FL
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
19
When only the
Concrete Floor Boxes
BEST
Fire Rated Poke Throughs
will do
Hubbell SystemOne Recessed Delivery Systems
Fully Adjustable 4” Floor Box Greater capacity
Connect with us Flexible installation
Round and rectangular covers
www.hubbell-wiring.com
A SINGLE SOURCE SUPPLIER FOR ALL OF YOUR ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR DOWNLOAD
THE WORLD ELECTRIC SUPPLY MOBILE APP ON YOUR TABLET OR SMARTPHONE
WE’RE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK AT
WORLDELECTRICSUPPLY.COM
VISIT US AT ONE OF OUR
10 FLORIDA LOCATIONS
FAST DELIVERY • WILL CALL • PRODUCT TRAINING • LEED INFORMATION • RECYCLING • TOOL REPAIR • HUGE INVENTORY • EXCELLENT PRICING • ENERGY MANAGEMENT • SOLAR PRODUCTS • FREE FACILITY SURVEYS • INVENTORY MANAGEMENT • FACTORY TOURS • AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
CONSTRUCTION
comes from their buildings, harness it and run their overall operations better,” Brown continues. The importance of staying ahead of the technological curve is key to maintaining the success garnered over 80 years and enabling success in the future. On this front, Brown hits the books. “I try to read as much as possible, really paying attention to the other industries,” he says. “Generally, the construction industry lags behind when it comes to technology, so it’s about looking outside the four walls of construction and how the more advanced industries are working.” Trusting partnerships It’s all well and good promising a long-term trusting relationship, one that is found on quality assurance, but as a construction company you are nothing without the work of vendors to help deliver on those promises. For Miller Electric Company, this is no different. The company works with Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products. The company allows a flexible distribution
model across the US, providing one point of contact to lead the account across the country in which the company is operating. Graybar also provides a number of manufacturing partners for the company, manufacturers that Brown believes will “really go to bat” for Miller Electric Company. Much like the relationship with clients, Brown looks to treat the supply chain with the same level of focus and value. “We want to be open, transparent and respectful, and want it to be a truly successful partnership for all involved,” he says. “Our vendors, to me, are a large part of our competitive advantage. We have vendors who will walk through walls to get us what we need.” Future foundations As market leaders in the electrical construction space, a position solidified through generations of employees, core values including stewardship, Miller Electric Company can only look to the future. Miller Electric Company works with a number of Fortune 500 companies
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
21
M I L L E R E L E C T R I C C O M PA N Y
“Isequidu citistes nis et rem doluptatem velit mi, utem doluptin nimil es et et audit alit estibus et dellaborum” – Name, Position
Operation Christmas Child benefitting underprivileged children
Cut ties with
complexity
CONSTRUCTION
Miller Jacksonville office
that rely on the company and through the continuous work with IBEW and NECA, Brown envisions a future of sustained growth in the company’s ability to service those clients, all with the goal of remaining the “go-to” partner. But, with eyes set firmly on growth, success and better services, Brown values one area of the business above all else. “For me, the most important part is to continue to establish ourselves as the employer of choice in the markets in which we compete,” says Brown.
“To me that does not mean having a ping pong table in the office and a BBQ, it means creating opportunities where employees have meaningful engaged work, they feel good at what they do, they feel good about their company and they know they make a difference in what they do.”
w w w. m e c o j a x . c o m
23
2251 Rosselle Street Jacksonville, Florida, United States, FL 32204 Tel. 904-388-8000 www.mecojax.com