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ALL ABOUT EFFICIENCY November 2019
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THE NEW CNC MACHINE:
Keeping the Pipe Fab Shop on the Cutting Edge
Accuracy. Efficiency. Reduced Waste. In the ever-changing world of technology, P1 Group is always looking for ways to work better while increasing the quality of our work. The newly acquired CNC Machine will do just that. CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. This means a computer converts the design produced by Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into numbers. The numbers can be considered the coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of the cutter. Before this, dimensions had to be taken manually and then cut with the plasma cutter. With the CNC machine, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is able to import the dimensions directly from a BIM model and make every cut in an automated process. This machine is able to make square cuts for grooving, bevel pipe for welding, nozzle pipe, and cut out all o-lets. It can cut from 2” to 36” diameter and up to 1.5” wall-thick pipe. It can take pipe up to 42 feet long. Cutting longer lengths of pipe means less loading and unloading.
“This is the largest labor-saving device we’ve ever purchased for the P1 Group pipe shop. We’ve already increased production by 30 percent.”
It will cut 60” per minute and can put any angle on the bevels. “With this tool, we no longer have to manually take dimensions or punch in dimensions, it is all automated,” Jeremy Price, Pipe Shop Production Manager, explained. “When we put the fittings on, we aren’t measuring to put an o-let hole in, we are just assembling. This makes our fit up time faster and better.” continued, page 2
Smitty Belcher, CEO
CNC pipe story continued
The CNC machine is exact, which eliminates the element of human error, like taking wrong measurements, or making bad cuts. Jeremy notes the machine also cuts “smart”. “If you have a 42-foot pipe and you put that dimension in the machine when you import the cut dimensions, instead of having a bunch of drop (extra pipe) at the end, you should have minimal or zero waste,” he said. The pipe fab shop supplies pipes to a multitude of jobs and applications, including water, steam, and glycol. The pipes are installed on everything from air handling units to cooling towers and PRV (pressure reducing valve) stations. Many have been going to local jobs, but also get sent to Las Vegas, St. Joseph, Wichita, and Texas. “The CNC Pipe plasma cutter is the largest labor-saving device we’ve ever purchased for the P1 Group pipe shop,” Smitty Belcher, CEO, said. “So far, we have increased our production by 30 percent. For P1 Group, this automation has taken us from the old way of fabricating to a highly productive manufacturing process.” The CNC machine will allow pipe fabrication to be not only faster and more efficient, but extremely accurate as well. This saves money and time for P1 and its customers, and keeps P1 Group ahead of the competition.
“With this tool, we no longer have to manually take dimensions or punch in dimensions, it is all automated.”
Jeremy Price, Pipe Shop Production Manager
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Making the Most of a Great Opportunity: Associate Spotlight on Jeremy Alexander
“The successful man was out and on the job long before opportunity came a-knocking. And this same opportunity is often disguised as hard work.” ~anonymous Service Technician Jeremy Alexander is no stranger to hard work. As a teenager, he started working for his dad’s company pouring concrete and eventually moved on to remodeling homes. Although it provided steady income, there were no benefits and when he found out he had a daughter on the way, he knew he needed to find something better to support his family. At the time, his crew happened to be working for P1 Group Vice President-Topeka, Jim March (now retired). Jim recognized Jeremy’s work ethic and invited him to interview with P1. Jeremy took advantage of the opportunity, started working in the Topeka warehouse. In just two years, he entered the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 411 Apprenticeship program. Working on the HVAC track, he discovered a passion for plumbing along the way. “I like working in different places every day,” Jeremy said. “Going fullspeed when we are busy, service calls flying in, emergencies everywhere, and you have to just go. That’s what gets me going.” A comment from Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house mom, Molly Mulloy, is evidence Jeremy is pretty good at achieving his number one goal: keeping the customer happy. “One of the things I most appreciate about Jeremy is his creative solutions to bizarre problems in our nearly 100-year-old sorority house,” Molly said.
hasn’t worked on before. But he is always able to “phone a friend” due to his excellent support system of the other P1 plumbers. “We spend more time with each other than we do with our own families,” he said. “It’s great that we get along well and are able to have some laughs and some fun,” he said. Jeremy appreciates his career and knows what it takes to get ahead. “To be successful, you don’t have to be the smartest guy, but you have to be the hardest working and willing to learn,” Jeremy noted. “Taking advantage of the opportunity with P1 Group is the smartest move I ever made.” Outside the Water Works Jeremy stays pretty busy, but when he does have some free time, he likes to kick back and watch episodes of “Gold Rush” and “Curse of Oak Island.” His other passion is going to auctions. “The beauty of going to an auction is you never know what you are going to walk away with,” Jeremy explained. Above all, he appreciates time with his wife Trishelle and his 8-year-old daughter Kamdyn. “They have been very supportive, and ‘hold down the fort’ when I’m putting in a lot of hours. We enjoy taking family trips and try to get away whenever we get the chance.”
When damaged ceiling tiles in the formal dining room proved tough to repair and even tougher to replace, Jeremy came to the rescue. “We were hosting a formal dinner for 400+ people the following week,” Molly said. Jeremy found a large piece of similar ceiling tile material and custom-cut it to match the existing old ceiling. Problem solved!” Jeremy says the most challenging part of his job is seeing something he
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Controls Division Elevates P1 Group’s Single-Source Game CONTROLS DIVISION LENEXA:
Carl Van Vliet Controls Division Manager
Ronnie Rice Controls Operations Manager
Justin Foster Senior Controls Engineer
Chad Mancillas Controls Engineer
Most people are familiar with P1 Group’s distinctive position as a single-source provider, and the recently added Controls department brings yet another advantage to owners and customers. The Controls department currently has staff operating out of the Kansas City (Lenexa) and Wichita offices, but supports all of the Kansas City metro, which includes St. Joseph and Lawrence/Topeka.
Danny Addadi Controls Technician
Newton Mulford Controls Programmer/ Graphics
WICHITA:
Freddie Chapin Controls Project Engineer
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At the end of the day, building controls (or building management systems, BMS) contribute to the comfort and functionality of a facility so the people inhabiting that space can do their jobs with less disruption or discomfort. The Controls department aims to work seamlessly with other functions of P1 Group to add value to major projects, such as the National Weather Service and the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB). “Building controls are often in the background and no one really knows the importance of their role,” Ronnie Rice, Controls Group Operations Manager, explained.
Dylan Dunbar Warehouse Assistant/Controls Projects
“On the KASB project, the controls are critical to maintaining the level of comfort the customer desires. Sometimes it’s a challenge to make a whole building full of people happy. But with a complete BMS package like we provided KASB, we are able to break it down into pieces for the customer. When these pieces are functioning correctly, the individuals are happy.” Carl Van Vliet, Controls Division Manager, says that in its simplest definition, the Controls department provides HVAC controls in commercial buildings. “That’s a loose definition, because we do specialty work, too, and we’re growing our capabilities,” he said.
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“Everyone has controls, so we can work in other P1 Group vertical markets, like healthcare and industrial, with the ability to get down into the same technical acumen as other functions at P1.” “The National Weather Service was a flagship project for us,” Carl noted. “The scope of work included mechanical, sheet metal, pipe fitters, high voltage electricians, low voltage controls electricians, controls division, P1 Group’s internal commissioning group and test and balance group – all self-performed.” Carl says the Controls Division is working to make sure everyone inside P1 Group knows they’re here and what their offerings are, getting other P1 divisions to think beyond the layers of capability they’re used to and add Controls as yet another layer. “Over the past six to eight months, we’ve begun to see the results,” Carl said. “For example, the Performance Solutions group, as they go to do negotiated work with our customer base, are bringing opportunities to us and we’re partnering with them for holistic-solutions projects for customers.” Looking forward to 2020, Carl says the focus will be building the strengths of the division via training, infrastructure, and the cultural framework of P1 Group, to help the Controls team blend seamlessly with the rest of P1. “Also in that 2020 goal is developing a strong understanding of the market share available in both our Kansas City and Wichita markets, who are we competing against, and how can we get invited as Controls subcontracted under mechanical,” Carl noted. Beyond that, the goal will be strengthening the service base. “We’re looking at pipelines for work, particularly in our Preventative/Proactive Maintenance Sales and Proactive Solutions. P1 has a strong mechanical service base and we’d like to duplicate that for Controls.” Carl says Controls plans to develop in three target markets: plan and spec, negotiated design-build, and service/service projects. “We will be adding some seller-doer roles in service sales and project sales to help us achieve this.” This November, P1 Group’s primary vendor for controls, Johnson Controls International (JCI), will come to the Lenexa training facility to train associates from Wichita, Lawrence/Topeka, Lenexa, and St. Joseph, across divisions, in the service ability of the Controls product line. “This will help us get exposure and give everyone a better understanding of what we’re taking to market, how we’re taking it, and how we can better assimilate it with the other P1 divisions,” Carl said.
CONTROLS DIVISION CAPABILITIES • 24/7/365 Emergency service • Design, engineering, and execution
• Specialty services: R&D, laboratory, data center control systems
• Performance benchmarking and solutions
• Service contracts
• IoT integration
• Remote helpdesk services
• BACnet, MODbus, and LON integrations
• Facility analytics
• LEED and Energy
• Troubleshooting, testing, and repair of existing systems
• Complete systems analysis • Third-party device integration and control
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• Master planning for phased upgrades
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Hundreds of P1 Group Associates said “Cheers to 100 Years” at the second P1 Group 100-year celebration. The associate party went down in grand style at the historic Rumely Tractor Event Space in Kansas City, MO. More than 400 guests came out to eat, drink, dance, and revel in P1 Group’s 100 years of top-notch work and customer relations. This was the Executive Team’s way of saying “THANK YOU” for all you do.
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NE W FACES Please join us in welcoming our newest P1 Group associates.
Amy Fenstermacher Service Coordinator Lenexa
William Friesen Tara Shafer Casey Walsh Warehouse Tool Assistant Accounting Clerk Operations Manager Wichita Lenexa Lenexa CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PROMOTION Kevin Kibbee, Project Engineer John Cobb Kansas City Service Operations Manager Lawrence Lenexa
WORK ANNIVERSARIES 5 YEARS: JOSH CHANDLER CHAD DARK ELIZABETH FERGUSON BRANDON KELLY 10 YEARS: GARY SMETHERS
EMPLOYEE REFERRAL REWARDS Congratulations to the following employees on their successful recommendations. Remember, if you know someone who would be a great fit at P1, you could earn $2,000 if they are hired. REFERRED
Shannon Boer Project Coordinator Lenexa
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Kelly Masters C.A.R.E. Coordinator Lenexa
REFERRED
Troy Spridgen Fitter Foreman Lenexa
Katie Evans Accounting Clerk Lenexa
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REFERRED
Kenny Lieffring Bryce McClurg Warehouse Coordinator Sr. Project Manager/Estimator St. Joseph St. Joseph
B I RT HDAYS + AWARD ED Office and field associate birthdays and work anniversaries + awarded work
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 2 3 4 5 6
MICHAEL BROWN ROBERT EWING DANIEL MCCLAIR WILLIAM WALL KEVIN WARNECKE RUSSELL WHITE RICK ELLIS NICK LAWLESS BEN SCHRADER THOMAS DELASHAW GARY JONES LIZ LYON CORAL MENDOZA-SILVA ZACHARY REVER MICHAEL WARBRITTON JULIUS BROWN ISAAC HOEHN DAVE ROLLO NICHOLAS WEBER JONATHAN WRIGHT RICHARD CARBAJAL JEREMY HEIM MICHAEL TADY JAMES BURKE ELY DILLARD TIMOTHY HOOVER JUSTIN KOERNER JEREMY PRICE
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PHIL PERSELL ANDREW POTEET MATTHEW SCHNECK MARTIN STILL BILL FREDE JAMES JENKINS ERICK PRICE PETER SORENSEN ROBERT TREADWELL LAVINITA VAKA MATTHEW HOLLOWAY PATRICK JOHNSON MICHAEL WESSEL CORY ALLISON SHAIN BURK JOHN LOGSTON JENNIFER MORRIS JASON QUATTLEBAUM DAVID STEINER ALEX VANLEEUWEN PATRICK VARNER LARYN WILSON CANDACE BORTNIKER DONALD CREASON MATTHEW PHILLIPS SEAN COLBURN DAVID ELLIOTT SAMUEL HARRIS SHAWN OLWELL
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BRENT MECOM JESUS MURO, JR GREGORY ALLEN MICHAEL GRAY ERVIN KEITH TIMOTHY LOWE ALEXANDER SANDERS JESSE ALLEN DAVID CUCKOVIC CAMERON LAMKIN THOMAS MORAN NEIL NORMANDIN DILLON CHRISTIAN CHRISTOPHER GERENA MAURICE JOHNSON CORY METCALF JEFFERY SHAW JERRY CAREY SERGIO CERVANTES STEPHEN GRAY LARRY SCHULTZ CHRIS BROXTERMAN TOSHA DAVIS DYLAN DUNBAR ROBERT JOHNSON ELIJAH VERBICK WALTER HAMMOND KIRSTEN HENRY NATHAN PENDERGRAFT REBECCA VENABLE
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
SHANE BOLLES JOSHUA LANDKAMER TYLER REKIETA JOHN CROPPER DONALD FUNSTON KEITH GUILFOYLE DAVID PATE STEVEN SHREWSBURY ROBERT ALLEN, JR MIKE GOSSMAN LUIS MARTINEZ TRENT BROWN NOLAN ROBERTS GENE WILSON DAEMON LANCASTER KYLE DILLINGHAM MICHAEL POWERS CLIFF PRAY CHANCE DEVER ERIC KELLER CORT LAMPTON TRAVIS THOMAS FRANKLIN UTHE ROBERT BALABON EDDIE RIFFE CAMERON MOTEN KYNDEL PAULSEN ROBERT SCHAEFER KEVIN KIBBEE
AWARD ED W O RK CONSTRUCTION/OCTOBER
SERVICE/OCTOBER
Elec/Ft. Riley Bldg. 7210 Budget/Ft. Riley, KS/$683,000 Plbg/Ft. Riley ESPC Bldgs. 8730, 77690, 8460/Ft. Riley, KS/$397,800 Pipe + SM/St. Luke’s Wornall Level B Pharmacy Phase II/Kansas City, MO/$343,925 Plbg + SM/Golden Triangle Expansion Phase 1/Las Vegas, NV/$760,235 Elec + MW/Hills Plant Depal Relocation/Topeka, KS/$383,830
Midland Theater-Steam Cond Tan/$28,773 SLB Barry-AHU14 CHW Coil Repl/$46,485 Embassy Suites-Mecj Upgrades Project/$236,170 Courthouse Lofts-Boiler Replacement/$106,912
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes that Put Turkey in the Corner It’s that time again. So many Holiday celebrations to attend with the instructions “bring a side.” Don’t sweat it! Here are a few scene stealers that are sure to go fast. You’ll be seeing more recipes and tips for healthy eating in future newsletters! Great ideas are just a click away for P1 Group associates. Visit the EAP section of the Associate Portal and click “Thriving” and “Healthy Eating” tabs. POWERED BY SAINT LUKE’S LIFEWISE. Butternut Potato Puffs (from BitterSweetBlog.com) MAKES 1.5 – 2 DOZEN PUFFS •
1 Pound Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peeled and Diced
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1 15-Ounce Can Butternut Squash Puree
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3 Tablespoons Non-Dairy Margarine or Coconut Oil, Melted
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1 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
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1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
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1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
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1/2 Teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
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1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
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1 (12 ounce) bag fresh cranberries
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1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries (if using frozen, thaw)
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1 large orange, juiced and zested
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1 lemon, juiced and zested
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1 lime, juiced and zested
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1 cup wine (suggested: Moscato wine, which is sweet)
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1/4 cup agave, honey or sugar
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
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Extra citrus zest for garnish (optional)
1 Tablespoon Whole Flax Seeds, Ground
In a medium-size pot over medium-high heat, add the cranberries, strawberries, wine and agave (or other sweetener). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until thickened. Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the juices and the zest from the citrus fruits. Pour the sauce into a bowl and cover with a lid. Allow the sauce to chill for several hours or overnight for best flavor. When ready to serve, spoon the sauce into a decorative bowl or individual clear plastic cups and garnish with additional citrus zest if desired.
Place your peeled and cut potatoes in a medium-sized pot of cool water. Set over moderate heat and bring up to a boil, reducing the heat to a lively simmer and cooking them until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly. Mash the potatoes as smoothly as possible before adding in all of the remaining ingredients, mashing and stirring to combine and beating out any lumps. Transfer the mashed mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe the potatoes into small rosettes on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silpats. Aim for them to measure approximately 1 1/2 – 2 inches across the bottom, but there’s no need to break out a ruler here. Place the whole sheets in the freezer for about an hour, until solid. Once they’ve had ample time to chill out, preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes, until golden brown all over. Serve right away while still hot. To prepare in advance, bake through as instructed, chill until dinner time, and them pop them back into a 400 degree oven for 5 – 10 minutes, just to heat them through.
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Sangria Cranberry Sauce (from SheKnows.com) Makes about 4-1/2 cups
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⇑ Fun@4: P1 Group put another Fun@4 event on the books last month with friends from Saint Luke’s, W.L. Cassell & Associates, and ACI Boland Architects. Congrats to the winners of the Cornhole Tournament, David Beccera, P1 Group, and Drew Johnson, Saint Luke’s.
⇑ Building the Future: P1 Group is known for our quality fabrication of parts, but what if we could fabricate an entire hospital room? That’s what’s coming next, so stay tuned for more information about P1’s modular prefab.
HAPPENINGS
⇑ Creative Repurposing for Halloween: These unusual pumpkins are the brain child of Lawrence Warehouse Operations Manager Ben Gannaway. He looked at the empty 407C refrigerant tanks sitting in the warehouse and thought they could give the office a little holiday flare with a bit of paint. Lawrence staff put their creative skills to work, including Emily Barber, Kristi Berglund, Renee Boggs, Liz Lyons, Marilyn Rose, and Ben Gannaway. Big shout-out for creating such a unique and “industry appropriate” display!
⇑ Leave a Review on Glassdoor: Prospective employees are looking at us online, so keeping our information fresh reflects well on the company. Help prospects get a better perspective on what it’s like to work at P1 Group by leaving a review on Glassdoor. Both current and past employees can leave reviews, and you can be anonymous as well. If you have an account, sign in and go to “Write Review”. If you don’t have an account, consider creating one to tap into all the great resources Glassdoor has available.
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