Peddinghaus Steel Fabricators' Review Winter 2008

FA B R I C AT O R S M A K I N G T O D AY ’ S S K Y L I N E P O S S I B L E

BENNINGTON IRON WORKS

MARION STEEL FABRICATION, INC.

Yankee Pride and Craftsmanship… in Steel Construction

A People Center–Not a Profit Center You see the word “technology” everywhere. Today’s consumer is bombarded with the word, which always conjures up thoughts of some finite electronic design genius that will make your life easier and more enjoyable.

One steel fabrication firm, located in the American Heartland, has a different twist on technology.

The average visitor to Vermont usually has visions of rushing rivers, excellent ski conditions, treks on the Appalachian Trail and beautiful mountain ranges. They anticipate antique stores with shelves of maple syrup and locals gathered around a fireplace in winter or sitting on the front porch in summer.

(L to R), Bill Hendery, Vice President and Curt Morin, President of Bennington Iron Works, Bennington, VT.

However, you might be surprised to know that there is a structural steel fabricator thriving amongst this peaceful setting and not one that is just another antique shop. It is complete with the latest in state-of-the-art technologies in CNC machine tools, computerized production software, and eco friendly painting equipment.

See full story on page 5

Smith Ironworks

Mike Dendy, Smith IronWorks

With production capabilities for both large and small jobs, Smith Ironworks, located in northwest Georgia, credits upgrading to Peddinghaus equipment for doubling their production, opening new markets, and making their business thrive.

See full story on page 18

IN THIS ISSUE

Bennington Iron Works

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Yankee Pride and Craftsmanship…

Marion Steel Fabrication, Inc.

People employing current technology make the difference at Marion Steel.

See full story on page 9

POISED FOR SUCCESS:

Steel and the LEED Rating System Joel McKellar, LEED AP, SL3P Associates, Ltd. reports on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program (LEED), the U.S. gold standard for rating the sustainable performance of a building.

See full story on page 13

Poised for Success

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Steel and the LEED Rating System

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A People Center–Not a Profit Center

Joel McKellar, SL3P Associates, Ltd

Smith Ironworks

Metalicas Estrumar S.A.

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Avenger Drill System Goes On-Line in Spain

Helping Peddinghaus Build the Best!

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Fabricators Dazzled

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Then & Now

Corsetti Iron

Tour of the Middle East

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What's the Market Prospect for 2008?

Encouraging news from the American Institute of Architects! Their latest release reads: “Architecture Billings Index Increases for Second Straight Month”

Lyle Menke It is early 2008, and if you tune in the national media, you are concerned about the “doom and gloom” for the upcoming year.

But let’s take a look at

Following a rebound in October, the Architecture Billings Index continued up more than two points in November. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Inquiries for new projects was up 56.6 “For the time being, the anxiety in the credit markets that threatened many nonresidential projects during the fall has abated.” Said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, “With consecutive months of two-point bumps, all signs point to continued healthy demand for construction projects well into 2008.”

some pretty encouraging news for this year. Again,

NORTH AMERICAN MARKET

“The fundamentals for continued market growth are still in place. Essentially, there are still economic drivers for continued expansion. For example, vacancy rates have not been reached in most markets indicating that that an expansionistic environment still exists.

“However, external economic factors such as tightening of lending standards, escalating oil prices, loss of consumer confidence could affect the market.

What does that mean for you and me? According to John, “Even if there is a contraction in the the nonresidential building market the fact that it is the result of external economic factors indicates that the dip would be relatively short lived until the US economy would move into recovery.” Next year is a presidential election year as well which historically contains a vibrant economy.

That is Worst Case Scenario.

Best Case Scenario? Assuming the US does not slip into recession, the AISC anticipates that the overall combined demand for structural steel in 2008 will be similar to that of 2007. A pretty good year, wouldn’t you agree?

Be Calm, Be Optimistic–many, many fabricators report many, many new projects on the horizon.

we are not economists, but let’s take a look at a few interesting facts.

VISIT

PEDDINGHAUS BOOTH 101 AT THE NASCC APRIL 2–4 NASHVILLE, TN Experience how Peddinghaus helps our Customers “Sustain Their Future”

Hats Off to AISC for 54% Steel vs. Concrete Margin!!

Varying opinions abound when making projections for 2008 market conditions. Two stalwarts in the construction industry –McGraw Hill and Reed Construction have separate notions on future construction.

Harnessing this data is the task of John Cross, Vice President, Marketing for the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

UK Market According the British Constructional Steelwork Association Limited (BCSA), 2007 was an exemplary year for steel construction in the United Kingdom. What’s the projection?

“Total new work grew by 2.2% in the UK for 2007; a projection of a further increase of 2.5% in 2008, and an additional increase of 2.6% in 2009— all in real terms. Private commercial work is gauged to increase yearly by 10% in 2007, 8% in 2008, and 1% in 2009; public non-residential to change by 2%, + 3% and + 6%; infrastructure to increase yearly by 2%, 5%, and 10%.”

This succinct report identifies the vibrant market conditions for steel construction in the UK.

Continued on page 4

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FROM THE CEO A Family Business—The BEST Business

If you have the opportunity to visit a Peddinghaus facility, visit our website, or read the STEEL FABRICATORS' REVIEW, you’ve probably noticed that we take great pride in being a family company.

The history of Peddinghaus stretches back four generations— beginning in 1903 by my Great-Grandfather, Paul F. Peddinghaus.

He was succeeded by my Grandfather, Paul C. Peddinghaus; my Dad, Carl U. Peddinghaus; and then me.

Anton and Dr. Carl U. Peddinghaus represent the third and fourth generations of the Peddinghaus family.

Heading Home for the Holidays

You may not be aware that I was born, and spent my first twenty two years in Germany. I then had the opportunity to visit the USA and work as an employee in Bradley. I settled in the area, met my wife, and the rest is history.

In addition to the Christmas holiday, our family was honoring my Dad on his 70th birthday in January. We all decided that a ski trip to Austria would provide the perfect setting for this big celebration.

I truly enjoyed that long holiday with all of my family. They are very interested in the business, and always want details on the current status of the company. Many questions were asked, but the answer that surprised them the most was this fact:

This past Christmas holiday was very special for me. My wife and I packed up our four kids and we all boarded a plane for Germany–my destination was Christmas with my parents and family in Europe. (You know, I travel extensively for business, but I can tell you that travelling with four kids–in coach–for 8 hours is no picnic!)

Frequent flyers know why it is called a “cattle car”.

Growing the Family Business A few short years ago, Peddinghaus Corporation was a $35M company with 125 employees. By comparison, TODAY, Peddinghaus sales exceed $135M with over 450 employees. My family– especially my Dad–was very pleased at the great progress that we have made.

In my last editorial, I wished my deepest thanks to our customers, industry partners, colleagues, and our employees for our success. But for this article, I want to thank someone else, the one person who was instrumental in paving the way for our business success–my Dad. My Dad, Dr. Carl U. Peddinghaus, steered Peddinghaus on a steady course to success for thirty five (35) years! He made many excellent decisions–ranging from new products to moving the headquarters to the USA. My Dad laid a foundation for business success–and I am so happy that he included me in his business plan!

Learning at Your Father’s Knee As a youngster, I always remember my Dad taking me on a “shop walk” at the end of the work day or a weekend. He would point out various machines, their applications, and how they worked. At dinner time, discussions would revolve around the company, and how things were going there. My Dad’s stories and knowledge always fascinated me.

When I was twelve (12), I remember travelling with truck drivers to deliver machines, and it is also when I began my apprenticeship with Peddinghaus. I worked on the shop floor in Gevelsberg, and learned the fine points of filing metal with a steel file. I had the opportunity to learn “hands on” from some very skilled workers–but the best educator still remained my Dad. Continued on page 8

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MARKET PROSPECT FOR 2008 Continued from page 2

LEED in 2008 The world is indeed switching on to the Green Theme of environmental and energy responsibility. Whether your firm is involved in design or manufacture, the environmental impact of what you do–and how you do it–could be measured. There are many environmental terms which you may (or may not) be familiar at this time.

Do you know CARBON FOOTPRINT? It is defined as your environmental impact on various aspects of performing a job or function. It is not as simple as you think–once you truly explore the multiple layers of carbon foot printing–you will compare it to the ripple effect of a pebble tossed into a pond.

What about LEED? “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” Currently there are over 14,000 LEED projects and over 40,000 LEED accredited professionals.

Sustainability is a common term in the steel construction industry. We are proud to say that Steel is the original Recycler. But don’t rest on your steel laurels. The concrete industry is focusing on new technologies to make concrete renewable and meet new Green Building criteria. For example, new concrete technologies are being tested that hope to eliminate 40% of carbon dioxide emissions during the curing process.

This issue contains a special article by Joel McKellar of LS3P Architects, Charleston, SC on the coming effect of LEED Designs. Joel has identified how the structural steel fabrication shop is affected for future LEED projects.

LEED and Sustainable projects are the GREEN FUTURE of our industry.

Read this special article for a peek into the future of LEED Designs–and an Architectural perspective on the future of steel construction on page 13.

Are You a Family Business?

Some Interesting Facts:

Did you know that 75–80% of structural fabricators are family owned businesses?

Many have made the generational leap from the first to the second with no problems.

Peddinghaus Corporation is in its fourth generation of ownership by the Peddinghaus family. (Only a third make the transition to the second generation.)

Here are some interesting statistics for those of you operating a family business: • Family businesses comprise 80 to 90% of all business enterprises in North America • Family businesses account for a staggering 50% of the USA gross domestic product • 35% of Fortune 500 companies are family companies • Family companies are responsible for 60% of the nation’s employment • The typical American family firm donates $50,000 annually to philanthropic causes

Whether you call the CEO, “Owner”, “Boss”, “Dad”, or by his first name, these Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy. We are proud to participate in such a dynamic, family value industry.

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BENNINGTON IRON WORKS:

Yankee Pride and Craftsmanship… in Steel Construction The average tourist might not expect to see a 20 acre facility with 65,000 square feet of fabrication space under a single roof. But then again, the average Vermont visitor has not yet experienced Bennington Iron Works.

Quality Craftsmen + Quality Products = Bennington Growth “It was a monumental purchase at that time,” said Curt, “We were one of the first fabricators to invest in beam line technology–and it opened up a new world for us–New Markets and New productivity.”

The Peddinghaus Anglemaster provides fast, accurate angle connections, such as these slotted clips.

Bennington Iron installed the new Peddinghaus PCD 1100 and 1250-510 band saw in early 2007, leading to greater shop productivity.

Doing Business–The Family Way “Bennington Iron Works is a family owned business— and our people are not employees—they are truly family,” states Curtis Morin, President of Bennington.

“We take great pride in our workmanship and the crafting of our fabrication projects”, explains Bill Hendery, Vice President, “It is a trademark of Bennington Iron.”

Bennington Iron Works was founded in 1968

by Bernie Cohen. Mr. Cohen started the business with three (3) employees. Curt Morin, the current owner, purchased the business in 1988.

Morin knew the future of steel construction and heavy plate fabrication lay in automation and technology. He investigated the market for new means to achieve the task of hole making, and discovered a new concept—a five press, 100 ton, automated beam punch line—from Peddinghaus.

The growth at Bennington Iron included a new 15,000 square foot heated painting facility which doubles as a loading and shipping dock.

Bennington’s growth was slow and steady.

Their first customers were local contractors in the Vermont area, but their reputation for quality work and on-time delivery fueled growth in the region.

Continued on page 6

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YANKEE PRIDE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP… IN STEEL CONSTRUCTION Continued from page 5 The success of the beam punch line paved a way for more growth at Bennington, as a 22,000 square foot addition to the main building was completed in 1988. The decade of the 1990s was a watershed mark for Bennington with many significant improvements and enhancements to their business.

“From 1990 to 1995, most of our projects were relatively small—100 to 300 ton jobs. However, many of the projects involved very sophisticated fabrications that involved precise welding and fitting,” advised Hendery “that worked to the strength of our shop—great craftsman who fabricate quality.”

In 1995, Bennington invested in a Peddinghaus FPB 500 plasma punch processing system which ”eliminated all guesswork from plate fabrication.” (Curt Morin) Bennington Iron soon began a building project to continually expand their Vermont facility.

A major building addition was a new 15,000 square foot painting facility completed in 1999.

This heated building not only provides for quality painting (over 75% of their product is painted), but also provided a shipping dock to facilitate transporting of the finished sections.

Typical plate part components of all shapes and sizes are typically processed “just in time” for the fit-up and welders.

Automating Plate with Peddinghaus “It also opened our eyes to the need for more automation, especially for processing plate,” added Morin.

Thus, in 1995, Bennington invested in a brand new concept a Plasma/ plate punching system–the FPB 500–from Peddinghaus.

“That machine (FPB 500) was one of the best investments we have ever made,” says Curt, “It eliminates all the guesswork from plate fabrication. We were now able to produce all our plate connections “just in time” which expedited our production and helped save inventory dollars.”

As business progressed into the 21st century, Bennington Iron soon found them competing outside the state of Vermont. Their improved productivity led to projects throughout New England. Bennington trucks were finding their way into New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire.

“The scope of our work increased from 300 ton jobs to 1,000 ton jobs,” remarked Hendery, “and we soon discovered that our five press beam punch line was at its punching limit.”

“I enjoyed seeing the Peddinghaus factory and meeting their people.

You get a much better feeling for a company once you can visit with someone besides a salesman.”

–Bill Hendery

Harder Steel makes for Hard Decisions “The problem was the increased tensile strength of the structural steel–we were limited to 100 tons on each of the five presses–and the steel being rolled at the mill was getting consistently harder,” advised Morin. “We simply didn’t have the tonnage to punch the holes.”

With their commitment to technology, Bennington Iron investigated various machine tool options to replace the beam punch line.

“We did our homework, and made the decision to purchase the Peddinghaus system,” advised Morin.

Part of their investigation was a visit to the Peddinghaus facility in Bradley, IL to view the system first hand. Bill Hendery seized the opportunity to get to know Peddinghaus a little better.

Why Buy Peddinghaus?

The Peddinghaus system, purchased by Bennington, consisted of the following components: • A new PCD 1100 multi-spindle drill line with 44" wide beam capacity • A new 1250-510 high speed band saw • Sixty (60') of In feed and sixty (60') of Out feed conveyor system • A four stand Quiet Glide Transfer system • A new Anglemaster model AFPS 623 The system has been installed and operational for about a year. What benefit has it brought to Bennington Iron?

In their own words, here is what Curt Morin and Bill Hendery explained: “The new Peddinghaus equipment gave us the confidence to take on larger projects with confidence–we knew we could compete.”

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The efficient processing of structural steel requires top notch equipment, but also an effective material handling system. Bennington loads and stores beams in the yard, and then processes them through a small opening in the wall, giving them greater flexibility when running multiple jobs.

“At Bennington, our reputation is built on quality, and the new equipment NEVER compromised that quality standard.”

“It is a great marketing tool–we are able to obtain new jobs and projects from new sources because of the Peddinghaus equipment.”

“We are able to perform more tasks in-house and we have a greater control over the entire project.”

“The Pride of the Yankees”…

Strengths of Bennington Iron Works Bennington has a core group of employees who have over twenty (20) years’ experience with the firm. As with every successful enterprise, this core group provides the “horsepower” to meet every Bennington project. From project concept and estimating to painting, Bennington’s people make it happen.

“I cannot put into words the impact that our employees have had on our success,” explains Curt Morin, “Our people are true “Yankee Craftsman” in every sense of that expression.”

The project for Holy Cross Church in Syracuse, NY was a very complex steel job consisting of 300+ tons of structural steel.

The new Anglemaster provides all angle and small plate and flat stock connections. It is especially effective when processing tubing that requires cap plates.

Bennington Iron Works enjoys a fine reputation in New England built on the basics of good business. Among these are: • PEOPLE—Attention to quality and detail • DEPENDABILITY—On Time Delivery • PRIDE—A good product at a fair price The Merrimack Nursing Home in southern New Hampshire consisted of over 1100 tons, and was erected with very few problems.

Green Building and BIM Modeling…Future With Green Building (LEED), BIM modeling, and other new building innovations on the horizon, Bennington Iron feels well poised for the future.

“We have the software, the production capability with our Peddinghaus machinery, and the people to meet any project challenge”, comments Morin, “We are confident for the future.”

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FROM THE CEO Continued from page 3

In retrospect, I can look back and be amazed at my Dad’s business savvy and acumen. His market insight and product knowledge are remarkable by today’s standards. That is why I seek his advice on many issues. After all, experience is the best teacher, and he eagerly shares his advice–on business–and life–with me.

I guess it is every father’s dream, but I hope my kids have the same opportunities that my father gave me, and that in twenty or thirty years they can look back and say, as I do now, “Thanks, Dad”.

Peddinghaus 2008 Outlook As you know, there are always a lot of new projects and developments going on at Peddinghaus. Here is a quick recap of only a few items to expect in 2008: • Our NEW MANUFACTURING BUILDING should be ready by March 1!

What does that mean to you?

We can now produce even faster and more efficiently with this additional space.

More importantly we can improve our delivery to our customers

• Our NEW AND IMPROVED ANGLEMASTER 2063 will hit the market • The RING OF FIRE is preparing to set new sales records • See us at NASCC (AISC) in Nashville in April— Boy will we SURPRISE you!!

• The revival of Peddinghaus’ great tradition–OKTOBERFEST 2008

So don’t let the media “doom sayers” or Wall Street analysts steer you wrong. The American Association of Architects (AIA) and Reed's Construction are reporting strong industry growth in 2008 for our industry.

I’ve said it multiple times— the glass is always half full. Optimism is

OKTOBERFEST!

the key to success in any business,

Everywhere I travel, customers and industry colleagues always ask, “When are you bringing back Oktoberfest?” They comment on the great product demos, the great food, and the great time that they had visiting us in Bradley.

Well, Oktoberfest is in the planning stages for the Fall of 2008. So grab your lederhosen and beer stein, and make air reservations for Chicago. Mark your calendars for this is an industry event that everyone enjoys.

Oktoberfest 2008 will surpass your expectation.

so don’t let any negative talk get you down.

We work in the best industry in the world!

We are involved in construction projects that are shaping the future for our kids and the following generations.

Steel is the sustainable answer!

I can’t tell you how many times I visit customers who are very busy with good backlogs, and many projects in the bidding or estimating process. It is not only in Europe or Asia or North America, but structural steel construction projects are still very active and vibrant.

NEWFACESNEWFACESNEWFACESNEWFACES Alicia Halcomb Joins Peddinghaus Sales Team Peddinghaus Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of ALICIA HALCOMB to the Peddinghaus Inside Sales Team. With this appointment, Alicia joins an experienced team of parts sales professionals with a singular goal of providing outstanding customer service.

Alicia has a strong background in Sales and Customer Service, having worked in the insurance industry. This training provides a great foundation for customer service and commitment.

Alicia will be providing definitive information to our industry colleagues on the latest Peddinghaus technologies to increase machine performance and production throughout. These include the new PeddiCat Band Saw Blades and PeddiCool Micro Mist blade lubrication.

Keith Wilkey Appointed West Coast Area Manager Peddinghaus is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith E. Wilkey to the position of West Coast Area manager.

Keith will be responsible for sales activities in the following states: California, Oregon, Washington and the Province of British Columbia. Keith will work directly with Ted Trybek, Western Regional Manager.

Wilkey has an extensive Peddinghaus background. He has served as a Peddinghaus mechanical engineer for over three years, bringing a strong knowledge of machine tool expertise and application to his position.

Wilkey will assume his new position shortly. “I look forward to meeting Peddinghaus’ customers and working closely to solve application problems. We have great products for the structural fabricator, and I am eager to get to work.”

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MARION STEEL FABRICATION, INC.

A People Center–Not a Profit Center Employing Technology to Create Profits–Combining Machines, Software, and the Human Factor…

One steel fabrication firm, located in the American Heartland, has a different twist on technology. Indeed, this company routinely invests–and practices–the latest innovations and product development for the future. But savvy decision makers there employ technology that works specifically for their business.

Marion Steel Fabrications, Marion, IN searches diligently for the latest innovation in production/design software, electronics, machine tools, etc but the quest doesn’t stop there.

They identify another aspect

PEOPLE of technological innovation—PEOPLE.

We are a “People Center, not a Profit Center”…

In the business philosophy of Jim Swan, the staff at Marion Steel Fab are much more than employees–they are individual profit centers.

“Your people make the difference between profit and loss; if you factor your investment in time and training, you quickly understand they truly perform ‘value added’ functions that can increase the bottom line of your business.”

That’s why it is important to equip your employees with the latest technologies–the very best tools available–which takes their individual expertise, and unites it together with the latest/best product in today’s market.

Therefore, when you invest in tech advanced products–software, hardware, machine tool, painting, blasting, etc.–you develop a blueprint for your employees and your business to succeed.

Tech savvy products and tech savvy people together make a powerful force in the fabrication business. Harnessing this energy indeed makes Marion Steel Fab a “People Center that Turns investments into profits.”

This complex design was fabricated from one sheet of steel in one pass on the Peddinghaus FPB 1500 plasma plate processing center. It will adorn the façade of a bank in Northern Indiana.

Global Business from Marion, IN Marion Steel Fabricators is an anomaly in the world of structural fabrication. Marion Steel routinely exports products to various countries such as Thailand, Venezuela, and Colombia.

This is achieved with their business partners in their areas of expertise.

One area of expertise is in providing fabricated steel for glass furnaces. Such giants in the industry as Owens Illinois, CertainTeed, and Emhart (Europe) routinely seek Marion’s expertise for glass furnace structures.

It is interesting that Gallo Wines, famous for saying “We will serve no wine before its time” is a Marion Steel Customer. Marion Steel’s structural technology helps with the facility that processes the wine bottles.

Starting Out–But Thinking To The Future Jim started in the 1970s with Klain Steel and later moved on to Grant County Steel. Grant County Steel also had an affiliation in Morehead, KY with Rowan County Steel. As Marion Steel grew, they became well respected for their quality fabrication for the glass industry, as well as grain handling and processing equipment.

Jim Swan grew in the knowledge of fabrication from these firms during this time. As his experience increased, he could see changes in the industry, and the future that new technologies would bring. The existing owners didn’t share Swan's enthusiasm for new ideas, and in 1990, Jim made the decision to start out on his own.

Initially, there were eight employees–a full time estimator, Jim, and six shop employees. “We used portable punches and magnetic based drills to get started,” says Swan.

“I knew that more sophisticated fabrication projects were on the horizon. The industry was changing, and we needed to meet that challenge.”

-Jim Swan, Owner

Continued on page 10

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A PEOPLE CENTER– NOT A PROFIT CENTER Continued from page 9

The most complex geometric designs, including circles and arcs are routinely processed on the 1999 FPB 1500 by their operator.

Growing with Technology: Software First Swan invested initially in computerized software for his fabrication facility. He chose the FabTrol MRP software, which has been in operation there for twelve years.

“The FabTrol incorporates and links purchasing to production to inventory and keeps all data intact–it really helps drive our business,” says Swan.

“We also invested in Design Data’s SDS 2 software. It gives us great flexibility when detailing multiple projects, and keeps us at the forefront of BIM modeling information.”

“Plus,” smiled Jim, “I knew when I purchased these software packages that they integrate fully with CNC machine tools–and I could easily integrate this software and machine tool technology into one productive system.”

Getting the Best Gear: Peddinghaus Machines Next

The Peddinghaus Anglemaster and FPB are located together in the shop to maximize shop efficiency for fit up.

The Anglemaster unloader is very effective when running long lengths.

Impacting the Bottom Line: Fast Return on Investment

Technology That Works: The Heart of Structural Beam Processing

The first Peddinghaus machine purchased was the Anglemaster AFPS 623. With capacity to process 6x6x5/8" angle iron and 6x5/8" flat stock, the Anglemaster gave real flexibility to Marion’s miscellaneous production.

When the project of selecting a system for processing structural steel sections was seriously investigated, Jim Swan again turned to technology.

“We track productivity pretty closely,” advises Jim, “and the Anglemaster was the fastest Return on Investment of our purchases to that date.”

“I needed a system that addressed the latest software/hardware technologies. It needed to be fast, efficient and productive. AND, the firm had to have a good reputation for customer service–Peddinghaus was the logical choice.”

The FPB 1500 plasma plate processing system was the next purchase. Jim smiles when he discusses this machine:

In 2006, at the Structural Steel Services Division of Marion Steel Fab, the following Peddinghaus System was installed:

“The FPB 1500 followed our plan to equip the shop with the highest technologies available.

Before the FPB, plate fabrication was labor intensive and high production cost. The FPB solved the issues by eliminating virtually all labor cost–we use one operator (who has run the machine since it arrived 9 years ago), and the machine can punch holes and plasma cut the part to any shape or length. It is incredible.”

• A new BDL 1250/9 nine spindle drill • A new 1140-510 high speed band saw • A new ABCM 1250/3 CNC Coping System • A new, complete material handling system consisting of multiple conveyor lines and cross transfers that are capable of traversing the multiple lines

When purchasing machines for his fabrication shop, Jim Swan had one dominant thought– buy the latest technology–and insure it is productive enough to meet his project deadlines.

“It was important that our existing production software–FabTrol and Design Data–seamlessly integrate with the machines. With Peddinghaus, there was no doubt; everything downloads well, which saves us a lot of time.”

The FPB 1500 was the second piece of CNC Peddinghaus equipment purchased by Marion Steel, and delivers parts every day.

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Rodney White, Maintenance, and Ed Lanham, Plant Manager laud the new Peddinghaus drill, saw, and ABCM 1250 coper– “it is much faster than we anticipated and we have very few problems. Peddinghaus service techs are great!”

Ed Lanham, Plant Manager, is emphatic when he describes the Peddinghaus system: “The drill is rugged and efficient–it drills every pattern in the optimum manner–with no lost motion.”

“The high speed band saw is one of the fastest cutting saws that we’ve seen, and it does an excellent job in keeping us ahead of production needs.”

“The ABCM 1250 is very quick and productive.

We easily process all our copes in minutes rather than hours. It is so fast that many times it stays ahead of the other shop machines. The multiple torches do the job well, and the oxy-fuel operation is very cost efficient for us”.

“The material handling system is well designed because we can store beams on both sides of the conveyor - in feed, out feed, and cross transfer to our ABCM 1250 coper. It gives us full flexibility to run multiple jobs at one time.”

“If we get a change order, we can adjust it on the fly—no time lost to move the beam with a crane or fork truck—we keep moving!”

-Ed Lanham, Plant Manager

Peddinghaus Stays Involved…

Before, During, and After Installation “There is one item that really separates Peddinghaus from other vendors in our industry,” says Lanham, “They are always involved with us to keep the system running at peak performance.”

Paul Muraski, Peddinghaus Regional Manager, stops in to check progress, and insure everything is progressing. During his last visit, he noticed a couple of items.

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A simple cable device to sweep chips off the web of the beam makes a difference in a busy shop–a suggestion by Peddinghaus after the installation.

Ed Says “The BDL 1250 is fast, and chips were building up on the beam; it was difficult for the operator to remove them as he was running production, so Paul came up with a simple idea of using frayed cable wires to “sweep” the chips into a container. It sounds simple, but it works really well.”

“A major issue for us was flood coolant during the band saw operation. Flood Coolant was everywhere. It ran down the beam, spilled on the floor, we had to monitor and remove it when it was old–and we had to pay to remove it. It was a real pain.”

“Paul recommended that we switch to the PeddiCool micro mist blade lubrication, and it works FANTASTIC. A one gallon jug lasts about four weeks. No flood mess, no cost to remove or monitor, and the saw performance is still phenomenal.”

“I understand that PeddiCool is environmentally friendly, as it is vegetable based–and that is an added plus for me,” smiles Ed. Continued on page 12

Marion worked closely with Peddinghaus layout design engineers to create an effective material handling system where they load outdoors, and can store on either side of the drill or ABCM 1250 coper conveyor line.

“We retrofitted our saw from flood coolant to the new Peddicool micro-mist–what a tremendous savings–no flood mess, and a gallon lasts us over a month!”

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A PEOPLE CENTER– NOT A PROFIT CENTER Continued from page 9

College Wesleyan Church, a project of Marion Steel Fabrication.

Star Financial Bank was accomplished in record time by Marion Steel Fabrication.

New Technology Opens New Markets The latest in new equipment technology can certainly open doors to new market opportunities. Marion Steel Fabrication has completed projects for many varied structural markets: • Retail Shopping Centers and Strip Malls • Churches • Institutional Buildings for Schools and Colleges • Commercial Work for Distribution • 3 and 4 story office buildings • Ethanol Processing Plants

“We work as a team. Jim sets the tone, and makes the company tick

What Did Investing in Today’s Peddinghaus Technology Bring to the Table at Marion Steel Fab?

with a tireless work ethic and he has the knack of being a good teacher.”

–Kerri Sweat

• QUALITY Day in and Day out • ACCURACY No production delays • PRODUCTIVITY Taking on profitable jobs with short deadlines • LABOR SAVINGS Optimum Return on Your Investment

“The ethanol processing plant is a recently completed job that has a lot of potential,” adds Jim, “It seems they are popping up all over the Midwest at this time.”

Jim Swan will keep Marion Steel Fabrication at the forefront of technology. With an eye to the future, he knows the value of foresight. He already has ideas for new market opportunities and new methods to get there!

The Bottom Line Jim Swan, owner of Marion Steel Fabrication, describes his company as a “People Center”, not a “Profit Center”. So what’s the bottom line secret to their success? Ask any employee, and the response is surprisingly similar.

“We follow his lead, which gives us the confidence to make the correct decision–and keep moving the company forward,” she adds.

“People are the keys to any firm’s success,” says Jim, “and we are a prime example of that rule.”

The WalMart Distribution Center in Gas City, IN was completed ahead of schedule.

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POISED FOR SUCCESS:

Steel and the LEED Rating System The following descriptions discuss the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations, Version 2.2 (LEED-NC), which is one of the most widely used programs offered by the USGBC. Many of the same credits can be found in LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Core and Shell, and other LEED rating systems, and much of the same information will be required.

Joel McKellar, LEED AP LS3P Associates, Ltd.

The Sustainable Standard What makes a building sustainable? There are a number of rating systems available to measure and rate the performance of a particular building. The US Department of Defense created the Sustainable Project Rating Tool (SPiRiT) in 2002 for all military facilities. Over 4,000 homes have been rated under the Earthcraft House standard developed in 1999.

Internationally, one of the most widely used certifications is BREEAM, or the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method, which has certified almost 100,000 buildings in the UK alone.

In the US the gold standard for sustainable rating s the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, commonly referred to as LEED. Run through the US Green Building Council (USGBC), it has seen explosive growth since first released in 2000. Though created as a voluntary standard, there are many federal agencies, local governments, colleges, and Fortune 500 companies that are mandating LEED certification for all of their new facilities.

LEED RATING SYSTEMS

LEED CERTIFICATIONS

New Construction LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects.

Green Buildings worldwide are defined and certified with consensus-based standards

Existing Buildings LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance provides a benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance.

USGBC has four levels of LEED

Commercial Interiors LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market that gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers.

PLATINUM

Core & Shell LEED for Core & Shell aids designers, builders, developers and new building owners in implementing sustainable design for new core and shell construction.

GOLD

Schools LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools and addresses the specific needs of school spaces.

Retail LEED for Retail recognizes the unique nature of retail design and construction projects and addresses the specific needs of retail spaces.

Healthcare LEED for Healthcare promotes sustainable planning, design and construction for high-performance healthcare facilities.

Homes LEED for Homes promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.

Neighborhood Development LEED for Neighborhood Development integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design.

SILVER

There are five major credit categories in LEED-NC: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. The rating system contains seven prerequisites which must be achieved, and most of these are fairly simple requirements such as allotting space for the storage of recyclable materials. The designers are then allowed to pick and choose from over 50 credits to earn up to 69 points. These credits are all voluntary, but 26 points must be achieved in order to become certified. It is possible to reach the higher certification levels of silver, gold, and platinum by incorporating additional sustainable strategies which earn more points. Though sometimes criticized for its “design by checklist” mentality, the LEED system offers a great deal of flexibility to choose the strategies that best fit differing locations, budgets, and programmatic needs.

Steel and LEED In many ways, steel is a very sustainable material. It’s both recycled and recyclable. In many areas in the US, steel can be manufactured and fabricated from local materials. Steel is extremely durable, meaning it will not need to be replaced by new materials for a long time. The installation process typically generates very little waste, as factory fabrication is more efficient than materials processed on site.

As a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) at a large architectural firm, it has become my responsibility to coordinate the LEED certification efforts for many of our projects. Much of the documentation is not complex or difficult, but it can be extremely frustrating when manufacturers and sales associates do not have the necessary data needed to complete the credit templates. As with others in my profession I am a generalist and do not consider myself an expert in the production of fabrication of steel.

I will attempt to navigate though the myriad of potential LEED credits and explain what information is needed from a steel fabricator to aid an architect, engineer, or contractor complete their documentation.

CERTIFIED

MR Credit 2, Construction Waste Management The intent of this credit is to reduce the flow of materials from a construction site to the landfill. It is typically the contractor’s responsibility to measure all of the waste generated on site, and then to measure how much of that is diverted from the landfill. This can be measured either through weight or volume, but it is necessary to pick one method and stick with it for all materials. The waste can go to a recycling yard, back to the manufacturer, or even donated to Habitat for Humanity to qualify as “diverted”. There are three points possible under this credit: • 1 point for diverting 50% of waste by volume or weight • 1 additional point for diverting 75% • 1 “exemplary performance” point for diverting over 95% from the landfill Continued on page 14

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Since the process of steel construction is so good at reducing waste in t he factory, ironically it does not help very much in a LEED for new construction projects. For renovation projects involving demolition of a steel building, the material can significantly contribute, as scrap steel is readily accepted across the country and tends to weigh a good deal. If a building was torn down prior to the construction of a new LEED facility on the same site, the waste generated and diverted could count towards the calculations for the entire project. The chart below shows a sample calculation for this credit and the information a contractor would need to collect to complete the documentation.

POISED FOR SUCCESS: STEEL AND THE LEED RATING SYSTEM Continued from page 13

Example, Inc. Office Building, Charleston SC MR Credit 2, Construction Waste Management Calculation RECYCLED/DIVERTED MATERIALS DESCRIPTION OF DIVERTED MATERIALS Gypboard Cardboard Pallets Unused Rebar

RECYCLING LOCATION/HAULER Virginia Pacific (manufacturer) Charleston County Recycling Center Wal-Mart Oldcor Steel Mill

QUANTITY OF WASTE 2 tons 2.3 tons 1 ton 3 tons TOTAL 8.3 tons

RECYCLING LOCATION/HAULER Charleston County Dump

QUANTITY OF WASTE 1.7 tons TOTAL 8.3 tons

LANDFILLED MATERIALS DESCRIPTION OF DIVERTED MATERIALS General Waste

% WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL

Total waste diverted from landfill Total waste generated on construction site

8.3 tons 10 tons

83 percent

2

POINTS ACHIEVED FOR MRc2

WHAT YOU CAN DO Steel fabricators could aid a contractor or LEED AP for a new construction project by providing them a list of local companies that haul or pay for unused scraps, bolts, or other steel products. Anything to make the process easier for the contractor will reflect highly on your company.

MR Credit 4, Recycled Content This is the area where steel really has a competitive advantage over other construction methods. According to the Steel Recycling Institute, the basic oxygen furnace process uses 25-35% old steel to create new products, and the electric arc furnace uses 95-100% recycled content. This is great news from a LEED standpoint, as there are three points available for using products with recycled content.

Typically the general contractor is responsible for tracking down the recycled content of each product used in construction, and the cost associated with the product. The recycled content value of each product is then determined by multiplying the cost of the product times the recycled content of the product.

Then all of the recycled content values are added together and divided by the total cost of materials used in the project to determine the points achieved. See the chart on the next page for an example of this calculation.

• 1 point for using at least 10% recycled content by cost • 1 additional point for using at least 20% recycled content by cost • 1 “exemplary performance” point for using at least 30% recycling content by cost

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Example, Inc. Office Building, Charleston SC MR Credit 4, Recycled Content Calculation PRODUCT (POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT + 1/2 PRE-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT) x RAW PRODUCT COST = RECYCLED CONTENT VALUE OF PRODUCT

Structural Steel Steel Deck Concrete Gypboard Carpet Wood Shingles TOTALS

60% 25% 0% 20% 0% 0%

30% 5% 5% 0% 20% 0%

$1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $6,000,000 Total Recycled Content Value Total Raw Production Cost

DIVIDED BY

% Recycled Content for Project

$750,000 $275,000 $25,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 $1,350,000

23 percent

There are a few fine points to be aware of regarding the calculations for MR credit 4. The first is that not all materials are included in the calculation.

Only materials falling under CSI MasterFormat divisions 2-10 are included.

This is due to a variety of reasons ranging from the high cost of electrical equipment (skewing the calculations) to not wanting to penalize high performance equipment or fixtures due to the fact that they cannot be made from recycled materials. The important thing to remember is that recycled content in structural steel or steel framing (division 5) are included in the calculation, while metals for HVAC, plumbing, electrical equipment, etc. are not.

The second thing to remember is that this calculation is based on the raw cost of materials, excluding labor and overhead. This means that if a company is providing fabrication and erection services, separate invoices will be needed to show the cost of the steel as delivered to the site. Labor and overhead at the factory is included as part of the cost of the finished product, but labor on the job site is not.

$1,350,000 $6,000,000

POINTS ACHIEVED FOR MRc4

2

WHAT YOU CAN DO As a steel fabricator it’s important to provide the LEED AP with as much information regarding recycled content as possible. If there is no way to show absolute percentages, provide a minimum recycled content value in your marketing materials, and be ready to provide more exact figures on delivery. Talk to the steel mills you source your materials from about whether there is any way to source higher recycled content batches for LEED projects. If it is impossible to determine exact figures, minimum recycled content figures can be used in its place. See the chart below for an example of the kind of figures that would be helpful.

MR Credit 5, Regional Materials

The third is that LEED distinguishes between post-consumer and preconsumer (aka post-industrial) recycled content, and values each differently.

Post-consumer recycled content is deemed most desirable, and the full percentage (by weight) of this type of recycled content is multiplied by the cost of the material. Pre-consumer recycled content is less beneficial, and only half of the recycled content percentage is multiplied by the cost, creating the following formula: (Percent Post-Consumer +1/2 Percent Pre-Consumer) x Raw Product Cost = Recycled Content Value

LEED defines a regional material as one that has been “extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site.”

Many of the same issues regarding MR credit 4, Recycled Content, apply to these points as well. Only CSI Divisions 2-10 are included in the calculation, and instead of a recycled content value a regional content value is determined for each product and compared to the total cost of all materials: • 1 point for having 10% of products manufactured, processed, and extracted regionally • 1 additional point for having 20% of products manufactured, processed, and extracted regionally • 1 “exemplary performance” point for having 40% of products manufactured, processed, and extracted regionally Continued on page16

XYZ Steel Fabricators Recycled Content of Our Products and Production Location PRODUCT (ITEM NUMBER)

Hollow Steel Tubes (XYZ431) Steel Studs (XYZ225) Steel Channels (XYZ321) Beams (XYZ1000)

POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT

10–20% 10–20% 45–65% 45–65%

PRE-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT

0–6% 3–7% 25–32% 25–35%

The lower percentage of each product indicates the minimum recycled content for each product. XYZ Steel Fabricators will provide exact figures on delivery of materials.

FABRICATION LOCATION

MN Only MN Only All All

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STEEL FABRICATOR’S REVIEW

POISED FOR SUCCESS: STEEL AND THE LEED RATING SYSTEM Continued from page 13 In previous versions of LEED, manufacturing and extraction were separate points, though now a product must meet both requirements to be counted.

For some materials, this is a very straightforward point. For dimensional lumber, the trees are harvested in a forest somewhere and then milled (manufactured) somewhere else. If both of these locations are within 500 miles of the project site, the cost of the lumber can be applied to the regional materials value.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO A steel fabricator can best help a LEED AP with this credit by making it easy to determine the location of the extracted materials. 500 miles is measured as the crow flies, and I typically just input an address into Google Earth and measure the distance to the project site. Providing an “at a glance” map coupled with the addresses of your fabrication facilities will suffice for the regional manufacturing component, though if you have multiple shops you may need to provide the LEED AP with a letter verifying that the steel they purchased was fabricated at a specific plant. If you have multiple facilities that specialize in specific products, indicate which products are manufactured at each shop. Pictured below is an example of a shop map.

For materials with multiple components such as steel or concrete, it is possible for portions of a product to qualify. If the nickel in the steel is mined locally, but the iron ore is from another country, you calculate the value by weight. If the nickel is 5% of the total weight, than 5% of the steel beam is considered to be harvested locally.

At first glance, it may seem difficult for steel to achieve any of these points, as some of the leading producers of iron ore are outside of the United States.

However, the USGBC has recognized the difficulty in tracking down the original extraction site of recycled materials, and has ruled that recycled content is considered to originate at the recycling facility. Given the high recycled content of steel and the widespread availability of scrap steel, it should be possible to get a majority of the steel to be extracted regionally.

Since 95% of EAF steel is recycled content, it could be possible to have a 95% regional steel beam or column if the scrap steel is sourced within 500 miles of the project site.

Another question that often arises is how to determine the “manufacturer” of steel products. Is it the mill, the galvanizer, or the fabricator? The official definition of a regionally manufactured material is a product that “must be assembled as a finished product within a 500-mile radius of the project site.”

The key words in that statement are “finished product”. As a general rule, the product can be considered to be manufactured at the last place it was significantly altered before arriving at the project site. In the case of structural steel, the fabricator is likely to be the official “manufacturer”.

From the extraction side, it may be difficult to publish accurate information about the sources of the steel you are using. Take the time to talk to the producers of the steel you use about where they are getting their source materials. If a portion of the steel is produced regionally, work to determine the percentage by weight. Ultimately the LEED AP will need a written statement of some sort verifying compliance with these requirements.

Moving Forward As someone who has worked on numerous LEED projects from the designers side, it is very nice to work with a manufacturer, sales rep, or supplier who understands the forms I have to fill out and the data I need.

Like everyone else, my time is money, and it can be very frustrating explaining the differences between post-consumer and pre-consumer content when I need those figures for nearly every material in the project!

If you have a website, publishing “at a glance” LEED information can be extremely helpful, though the process of steel production may make this difficult in many instances.

Many people are still learning how to work on a LEED project efficiently, and it's never too late to start. Not everyone in your shop will need to be familiar with these requirements, but it is important that you have someone who can effectively communicate with the designers and contractors about LEED.

Customer service matters, and providing the necessary data in an easily accessible manner may mean the difference between repeat business or a lost customer.

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THEN: Hand layout with tape and soapstone.

THEN: Magnetic based drilling.

WINTER 2008

THEN: Portable punching of holes with 100 ton web press.

THEN:

Smith Ironworks Incorporated in 1994, Smith Ironworks is a 60,000 square foot facility located in Northwest Georgia. They have production capabilities for both large & small jobs, shipping nationwide. They have successfully completed hundreds of projects, some exceeding 1500 tons. They have many types of services ranging from

They invested in Peddinghaus equipment from the beginning: starting with manually operated hydraulic portable punches to a single spindle Ocean Avenger (manufactured by Peddinghaus) to a new Peddinghaus PCD 1100 multi spindle drill line.

“The Peddinghaus equipment has served us well,” advises Jim Hicks, General Manager.

“The PCD 1100 has given us great flexibility and capacity–we can easily double our production from previous methods.”

“This leads us in to whole new markets for us–now we participate in every market except for certain commercial and industrial type jobs. Schools, churches, retail, medical, institutional, etc.–we process all of them routinely through the shop now.”

“The Peddinghaus equipment works so well, that we were able to add a new bay to house the new PCD drill. If business continues to thrive, we may need to put another one…” smiled Jim.

SMITH IRONWORKS 5285 Highway 114 Lyerly, GA 30730 www.smith-ironworks.com Tel 706-895-3311

structural and miscellaneous steel

Smith Iron is AISC certified, and

THEN

utilizes in house design to effectively

MAGNETIC DRILL & PORTABLE PUNCH

AVENGER SINGLE SPINDLE

PCD 1100 MULTI-SPINDLE

20 TONS / WEEK

75 TONS / WEEK

200+ TONS / WEEK

to steel erection.

manage various projects.

NOW: Drilled beams awaiting the next process.

MANUAL METHODS

NOW: Smith Iron Works built a new bay as their business expanded.

NOW

NOW: The PCD 1100 system complete with Quiet Glide loaders and unloaders delivers new productivity.

NOW:

WINTER 2008

Automation with the Avenger model MDL single spindle drill.

STEEL FABRICATOR’S REVIEW

THEN: The Ocean Avenger delivers automated accuracy for all section sizes and shapes.

On the day of the SFR visit, the normal PCD 1100 drill operator was in the hospital. However, production never missed a beat, as Smith IronWorks had various employees cross trained to maintain production.

“The Siemens control is fairly straightforward, and easy to operate,” says Blake Reynolds, temporary PCD operator, “I feel very confident running the machine, as well as the material handling system.”

“We haven't missed a beat,” says Skeeter Gifford, Production Manager.

In a matter of minutes, operator Blake Reynolds can process multiple sections for the fit up and weld department.

NOW: The multi-spindle PCD 1100 can drill certain web and flange hole patterns simultaneously for great productivity.

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CORSETTI IRON

Helping Peddinghaus Build the Best!

New Peddinghaus Construction Features “Green Building” Advantages The new Peddinghaus manufacturing facility in Bradley, Illinois, features many Green Building Design Features.

Just a few of the environmentally designed building features are: • The steel building components are all made of recycled steel • The wall panels were all fabricated using renewable energy sources (Hydro-electricity)

Corsetti Iron Processes Steel for New Peddinghaus Building… on Peddinghaus Model PCD 1100 Drill Line!

When Peddinghaus Corporation in Bradley, Illinois took the decision to expand manufacturing capacity with a new 45,000 square foot building, they wanted some specifics in the purchase agreement: 1. It must be STEEL 2. It must be a Great Design 3. The Steel components must be processed on Peddinghaus equipment Enter Corsetti Iron, Joliet, Illinois; Corsetti Iron invested in a Peddinghaus PCD 1100 drill line long before Peddinghaus gave thought to a new building addition.

“To stay competitive in today’s market, we needed to invest in drill line technology,” says Nino Corsetti, “the Peddinghaus PCD 1100 was the perfect fit for us.”

• The exterior walls have a tested thermal resistance of R-20 which lower the energy required to heat the facility • Large windows are strategically located around the building which allows natural lighting during the day to which creates a great employee environment, as well as reducing energy consumption Peddinghaus is pleased to work with our customer/contractors in this building project. It certainly makes us feel “connected” to our customers and clients.

As with many successful installations, the PCD 1100 was positioned outside the main fabrication fit-up bay at Corsetti. This gave easy access to loading in the yard, and saved valuable floor space for fit-up and welding.

“We added a small building just to house the PCD, and it gave us great production flexibility,” commented Nino.

The opportunity to fabricate steel sections for the Peddinghaus building came as a result of their ability to meet the delivery and erection deadlines. Additionally, Corsetti is about 30 minutes up the road from Peddinghaus – which helped immensely.

Peddinghaus is proud that the sections were fabricated by a customer using Peddinghaus equipment.

“It gives us a real feeling of satisfaction,” smiled Anton Peddinghaus, CEO, “I will think about those holes every time I take my shop walk.”

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Tour Structural Fab Shops In Style…The Peddinghaus Way Peddinghaus has always served as unofficial “Tour Guides to the World of Structural Steel Fabrication”. We have sponsored tours from the Middle East to UK/Ireland to all geographic areas of the USA. Peddinghaus always enjoys a little sightseeing along the way, and we have developed a good knack for mixing business with pleasure.

For the upcoming NASCC conference in Nashville, TN, Peddinghaus again will sponsor a fabrication tour of progressive structural fabricators. Focusing on Tennessee and Alabama, the group will tour various sized shops to observe various methods of production techniques in this vibrant area.

How Do We Travel There? By Motorcycle of Course!

We have room for about 25 riders to join us on this great tour. We depart Nashville on Saturday, March 29, and return in time for the start of the conference on Wednesday, April 2.

For details, contact rachel-lanoue@peddinghaus.com.

She will give you details of this upcoming event.

Get your motor running…we’re heading out on the highway… the Peddinghaus way!!

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SEE WHAT’S GOING UP.

Once you’ve experienced the power of SDS/2, you can see what’s going up much more clearly.

Design Data is moving above its last 25 years and the groundbreaking advancements we pioneered with SDS/2. The new innovations we’re building into the next generation of SDS/2 will heighten your productivity and connect you to your partners in exciting new ways. Check out the foundation we’ve built at www.sds2.com/history and get ready to see what’s going up at Design Data.

www.sds2.com Copyright © 2007 Design Data, Inc. All rights reserved.

800.443.0782

402.441.4000

e-mail: info@sds2.com

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STEEL FABRICATOR’S REVIEW

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Fabricators Dazzled by Peddinghaus Tour of Middle East An international group of structural steel and heavy plate fabricators gathered in Frankfurt, and arrived on November 6 in Bahrain to begin a truly amazing travel experience. Thirty five attendees began the educational journey of a lifetime as they toured state of the art structural steel fabrication facilities and immersed themselves in the rich culture of the region.

Highlights of the trip included: • Visit to Arabian International Steel who operate eight (8) saw/drill lines with capacity up to 150,000 tons annually • Snow skiing in the desert– at the world’s largest indoor facility • A delectable Dinner in the Desert that featured wonderful entertainment: a royal “Palace in the Desert” was constructed for the group • Tour of Gulf Steel, an advanced structural fabricator with multiple CNC machines that produce thousands of tons • Visits to DesCon, Steel-Tek, and J.A. McDermott–all sophisticated fabricators producing thousands of tons of fabricated sections for the region • A stay at the exclusive Grosvenors House hotel with a magnificent view of the Burg ElArab–a building designed to resemble a sailing ship • A tour of Jeddah to view many interesting–and historical sites– including ancient burial sites

“A wonderful group of people made this such a wonderful experience; my thanks to Peddinghaus for providing such a magnificent opportunity.”

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STEEL FABRICATOR’S REVIEW

“Exceptional–I have never experienced such an exotic–yet educational event.”

“Fantastic experience for all participants– I will remember this tour for my lifetime.”

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Metalicas Estrumar S.A.

AVENGER DRILL SYSTEM GOES ON-LINE IN SPAIN METALICAS ESTRUMAR S.A., a leading company in the Metal Construction sector, was set up in 1982 in the city of Burgos (SPAIN). This is backed up by its proven track record in the ESTRUCTURAS MARCOS S.A. sector, a company belonging to the group.

Staffed with 90 people divided up among the technical office, administration, factory and different types of building work, Estrumar’s line of business is the integral management of large projects. Such projects involve the design, calculation, manufacture and assembly of all types of metal structures, and the management, supply and control of other complementary services such as enclosures, composite floor slabs and fireproof treatment, etc.

METALICAS ESTRUMAR S.A mainly conducts business in sectors such as industrial and urban building work and public works.

THE PAST 2001–2002 The BOULEVARD DE VITORIA shopping center constituted a great step towards the future. This shopping centre is the largest in northern Spain.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE 2007 METALICAS ESTRUMAR S.A. has now become a powerful force on a nationwide level, carrying out projects that contain major added value and require greater customer service.

Only the highest level of technology, quality and service go into each project. Adhering to these basic principals allows Estrumar to develop and complete building work with great complexity.

“We are pleased to own Avenger number 100 built in the Peddinghaus factory in South Carolina. The superb quality put into the assembly of this machine explains why there are over 300 Avengers installed worldwide.

We would like to thank the entire South Carolina team for their efforts,” adds Gutierrez.

Current Estrumar projects include: NEW T.R INSTALLATIONS IN BILBAO

1,800 TN

PIPE RACK IN TUDELA

800 TN

TUBULAR METAL FOOTBRIDGE IN ZARAGOZA (180 m span)

300 TN

MUSEUM OF HUMAN EVOLUTION IN BURGOS 3,600 TN NEW GLAUBER DRYING PLANT IN BURGOS

1,300 TN

Since construction of the shopping center, METALICAS ESTRUMAR S.A. has maintained a presence in large projects in which design, manufacture and assembly play a key role.

“Each project is unique. Flexibility is a determining factor when making an investment in machinery, technology and software.

Boulevard de Vitoria Shopping Centre

Museum of Human Evolution

Mr. Marcos Gutierrez and Ms. Sofia Benguria of Peddinghaus, Spain, inspect the new Avenger installation.

After successfully completing this project, Estrumar became more geared towards carrying out complex projects involving greater technical skill.

installation and start up of a very versatile drilling line at our plant in Burgos. This will provide us with the flexibility we need, optimize our production time and material management, and allow us to offer a swift response and a guarantee of quality with regard to our products and end service,” says owner Marcos Gutierrez.

Metalicas Estrumar S.A P.1. Villaonquejar C/Merindad de Sotos Cueva 14 09001 Burgos (Spain) Tel: (+34) 947 29 80 10 Fax: (+34) 947 29 80 13 info@ metalicasetrumar.es

The Avenger purchased by Metalicas Estrumar S.A. is shown in production at the Peddinghaus facility in Andrews, S.C. USA.

That is why METALICAS ESTRUMAR S.A. has placed its trust in Peddinghaus for the

Further information available at: www.metalicasestrumar.es www.estructurasmarcos.es

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PEDDINGHAUS UNVEILS

NEW CUSTOMER TRAINING FACILITY

Peddinghaus Corporation is pleased to announce the completion of a new customer training facility at the corporate headquarters in Bradley, Illinois, USA. This new facility contains the latest state of the art technology and equipment in a classroom style setting.

“We wanted to create a perfect environment for learning,” advised Jim Bolduc, Peddinghaus Customer Service Manager, “We feel this facility meets all that criteria, as it is a modern design, but maintains an atmosphere for questions and group interaction.”

Keith Birge is the Peddinghaus Training Manager. Keith brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as a traveling service technician for many years. He was instrumental in operator training at Peddinghaus’ customer facilities, and has taken this “hands on” approach to his new training position.

“We want our customers to be the best trained in the industry,” says Keith, “it is our goal for them to feel comfortable and confident in the operation of each piece of Peddinghaus equipment in their shop.”

For further information on the next schedule of training classes, contact Peddinghaus at 815. 937. 3800.

VOLUME 25 STEEL FABRICATOR’S REVIEW Washington and Grove Street Bradley, IL 60915

NEWS FOR THE STRUCTURAL STEEL & PLATE FABRICATOR

www.peddinghaus.com PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 157 Joliet, IL