What goes up, must come down

By C ORI U RBAN

Special to The Republican

ASSOCIATED BUILDing Wreckers — a top New England specialty contractor — focuses on relationships, quality work, fair pricing and a timeframe that is acceptable to customers. These core values have helped during recessions, labor shortages, changes in the economy and even a pandemic.

“We have faced numerous challenges in the past and seem to overcome these issues through hard work and dedication from the employees,” said Andrew Mirkin, president. “Associated Building Wreckers has survived for almost 90 years because we constantly look to improve our services for the customers.”

Completed projects in 2022 range from a hotel renovation project on Main Street in North Adams and an elementary school demolition and renovation in Winsted, Connecticut, to demolition of the Goliath Towers at Six Flags New England in Agawam to the demolition and hazardous materials cleanup at the Fairview and Szot Park pools in Chicopee.

In Springfield over the past year, Associated Building Wreckers crews were involved in the demolition of the former Massachusetts Career Development Institute buildings on Wilbraham Avenue.

In recent years Associated Building Wreckers also took down two iconic buildings known to many, the Hu Ke Lau restaurant on Memorial Drive in Chicopee and the Peter Pan Bus terminal in downtown Springfield.

“Both (of those) brought back fond memories of our community. They are sad to let go, but most people understand that some buildings outlive their usefulness and need to be updated, renovated or go in another direction,” Mirkin said. “This helps revitalize the community.”

The mission of the company, established in 1933, is to serve customers as a one-stop shop with a team of trained, skilled professionals dedicated to safety, quality and dependability in demolition, dismantling, asbestos and lead abatement and recycling.

“Associated Building Wreckers offers a one-stop shop for all our clients’ needs,” Mirkin said. “If you have a problem, we have a solution. From total demolition services, asbestos and/or hazardous material abatement, interior selective demolition/removals, construction and residential roll-off dumpster service, portable concrete crushing, underground and above-ground tank removal, we have experts to assist in any situation related to our industry.”

The business has 65 full-time and 20 part-time employees.

Associated Building Wreckers also has a salvage yard that is open to the public. It is stocked with salvage for sale from various buildings the company has demolished or renovated.

“It is best to call ahead if you’re looking to find specific items,” Mirkin said. “However, (anyone is) welcome to come browse our yard during normal business hours.”

The COVID-19 pandemic changed daily operations for the company’s workforce, most notably the need to wear personal protective equipment as required for COVID-19, Mirkin said.

“We have altered our jobsite activities to meet the PPE requirements. Pre-pandemic all employees reported to the main office in Springfield every day. Currently we meet with foremen to limit unnecessary expose to the office staff,” Mirkin explained. “We also direct our employees with online schedules. This allows all employees to review daily activities and created a smoother transition of job activities.”

The company was able to navigate the pandemic by minimizing the exposure of the field crews and the office staff. The office was able to

Top review daily activities by staggering meetings with foremen and limiting the meeting area to a single room that was disinfected daily.

“Our field crews are typically operating at a distance and travel to job sites was done by having all employees travel in personal vehicles,” Mirkin added. Though some employees did get COVID, infections occurred in stages, and the company was able to continue operating through the pandemic.

Still, distance did have a negative impact on morale, he noted. “Employees eventually became frustrated with the distant correspondence (and) camaraderie with others and management,” Mirkin said.

As a result, management now hosts monthly meetings to bring the foremen and management together to review concerns and future projects, he added.

The business has also adapted to changes in technology by investing in estimating and management software, streamlining communications via its website, new demolition and abatement equipment and expanding its services related to its business as times have changed.

“Our outlook for 2023 is positive,” Mirkin said. “We have several projects ongoing which will give us a nice push into early summer.”

30th Annual WAMDA Live & Virtual 5K Run/Walk

Join us as we race to fight hunger! Proceeds to benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Join us as we race to fight hunger! Proceeds to benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Above, Andrew Mirkin is the president of his family-owned Associated Building Wreckers based in Springfield. In business for almost 90 years, its offices are filled with salvaged items from demolition jobs over the years. At left, in 1989, the steeple of the Precious Blood Church on Cabot Street in Holyoke hits the ground as it was pulled down by bulldozers from Associated Building Wreckers. (ABOVE: DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN; AT LEFT: THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on food insecurity throughout our nation. The Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association (WAMDA) wants to do our part in helping with this problem by making this year's race and donation to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, our biggest yet. Whether

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on food insecurity throughout our nation. The Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association (WAMDA) wants