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• JUNE 14, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal
Architecture June 14, 2019
A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal
Partnerships, ‘well’ workplace design flourish amid favorable borrowing environment by Michelle Leach
The recent American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference on Architecture 2019 explored the theme of a “blueprint for a better future,” design that takes on critical challenges to healthy, inclusive communities with the likes of artificial intelligence, 3D concrete printing, WELL design and zero net energy affordable housing — approaches that speak to some of the ways the robust architectural landscape is evolving. Sara A. Kay was among AIA Nebraska leadership in attendance. She noted loKay cal architecture firms remain busy with a variety of public and private partnerships, and initiatives that promote new industry and talent. Kay, executive director of AIA Nebraska, which is celebrating 100 years (and honoring a grandfather of Nebraska architecture and Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas Kimball) from its home base in Lincoln, underscored several types of member projects. Activity surrounds everything from Haymarket and downtown housing, and Lincoln Public Schools’ two new high schools, to Antelope Valley development
Nicole Malone, Associate AIA and LEED Accredited Professional at AO. and the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging needing to hire more architects,” she said. “It Media Arts project — formerly the Nebraska is a good time to be an architect. Enrollment Bookstore. at the University of Nebraska College of “Due to an abundance of work, architec- Architecture continues to grow.” ture firms in Lincoln and across Nebraska are Robert Franco, vice president-business
DLR Group
Architecture Engineering Planning Interiors
Elevate the Human Experience through Design offices worldwide dlrgroup.com
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development and marketing and executive director with Omaha-based firm Prochaska and Associates, said local city and county government and school districts are spending on civic projects. “Oftentimes, this sector has lagged behind, but attempts to catch up in surges,” he said. “Our firm is significantly involved with county government and school district projects at this time.” As the architecture business market closely follows the economic cycle, with the construction and architectural markets flourishing when businesses and government feel the cost of borrowing is lower, Franco said architects are in demand. “At present, interest rates remain relatively low, and business [and] government remains cautiously optimistic,” he said. “Wages in the Midwest are beginning to climb.” Midwest corporations have built up larger-than-normal increases in revenues, Franco emphasized, so lenders are eager to loan capital. “Bond rates are still reasonable, so government projects funded by bond sales are still being planned,” he said. “Our practice has done fairly well due to project type diversification, but has definitely benefitted from the pent-up government demand. Many existing county facilities are older and significantly outdated, so our firm’s experience with this type of work helps us market work more successfully.” Associate AIA and LEED Accredited Professional Nicole Malone, of planning, architecture and interiors firm AO, emphasized as one updates his or her office building, employees must be involved in the process to have an understanding of how they work. Private areas such as telephone booths and small conference or work rooms are all the rage, as she indicated they address a potential source of planning-related pitfalls. “Everyone works differently and having multiple different areas to work within is important for a happy workforce,” Malone said. “Phone booths and conference pods are becoming popular ways to give office users quiet areas to make phone calls and have a group conference call.” She said they also add interest to open floor plans; for instance, Malone referenced manufacturer Framery’s booths and pods of different sizes, colors and features, some of which are furnished with workspaces that can be transformed into sofa sets (NapQ). Malone also reinforced the importance Continued on next page.
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Architecture — inside JUNE 14, 2019
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 45 NO. 24
MetLife ramps up at new Omaha global customer care center by Richard D. Brown
Elkhorn-based Husker Hammer Siding, Windows & Roofing grows with evolving industry. – Page 2
40 er d Un 40 Korth created winning formula with Zen Coffee Co. – Page 3
ss ine us ges B a a ah al P Omourn J
The Local Locale gains traction with ethical screen-printing for businesses. – Page 26
MetLife, a provider of insurance, annuities and employee-benefit programs to more than 90 million customers globally, is ramping up its operations since opening its Omaha customer care center nine months ago. About 175 employees have been or are in the process of being trained and Omaha Site Lead Jill Davis expects that number to reach 250 by the end of summer. “Over 85% of our hires are coming to us with experience in the call center business or from the hotel or retail service industry,” Davis said. The phone associates take inbound customer calls mostly from MetLife customers or members of their families. MetLife, founded in 1868, is leasing 40,000 square feet on the fourth and fifth floors of the Gavilon Building at 1331 Capitol Ave. Brian Stout, of Dayton, Ohio, who is vice president of MetLife global customer care, said his visits to the downtown Omaha facility Continued on page 9.
Omaha Site Lead Jill Davis … Expanding footprint with growing Omaha-based customer care center. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
Demand from diverse industries drives need for trained workers at Omaha Steel by Michelle Leach
The return of work that was formerly off-shore, alongside the diversity of Omaha Steel’s clients and capabilities, has boosted the company’s hiring. CEO Kevin Brown said Omaha Steel’s 165-member team had the capacity to employ at least 25 to 30 more people at its current space — without additional growth. “There are plenty of additional
opportunities for us, we’re having a great year this year,” Brown said. “Our largest struggle is bringing on and finding staff that can keep up with our growth.” The steel casting operation’s roots trace back to 1906. Over the decades, Omaha Steel Works evolved and, as of five years ago, relocated to a $20 million campus in Wahoo, Nebraska. In early Continued on page 9. Founder Rory Sherman and Vice President Julie Sherman … After 40 years in the water treatment industry, a passion for providing solutions to water issues propels Clean Water Guys into the future.
Clean Water Guys leveraging 40-year industry knowledge to propel growth by Becky McCarville
Vice President of Operations Barry Craig, left, and CEO Kevin Brown … Formerly offshored work returns stateside, as steel casting operation leverages capabilities in the likes of pressure-bearing valves, shipping reliability.
Forty years after United Distributors, Inc. was founded, the company has rebranded as Clean Water Guys, a name it’s always used for its website. The corporate name remains United Distributors, Inc., but a new logo, updated website and social media presence has “really driven our business to a different level,” said founder Rory Sherman.
For at least the last five years, the company has experienced double digit growth, not just in water treatment but also in its distribution, wholesale and consulting work. As a large Master 3M Water Distributor as well as an OptiPure and Pentair distributor, the company assists and consults for various types of water treatment applicaContinued on page 10.