The line consisted of two large presses (one 5500T and one 4000T) which required new foundation pits, with some areas having concrete 72" thick, as well as utility trenching with trench covers.

THE CHALLENGE

Shape Corporation needed additional manufacturing capacity within its extrusion facility. The timing and coordination needs of this project made Lee Contracting’s in-house, multitrade services a perfect solution.

Lee Contracting worked closely with OEM suppliers and the customer to plan and coordinate the best plan to receive, offload, uncrate, clean, and assemble two complete extrusion lines. The line consisted of two large presses (one 5500T and one 4000T) which required new foundation pits, with some areas having concrete 72″ thick, as well as utility trenching with trench covers that Lee Contracting’s weld/fabrication department fabricated in-house. There were also two material handling lines (which included quench systems, ovens, stretchers, and saws) that needed to be installed.

THE RESULTS

By utilizing Lee Contracting’s self-perform services, all aspects of the project were successfully completed before the due date. The project resulted in increased production capacity for the customer, which allowed the state-of-the-art facility to produce the highest quality product for the end user.

Removal of 350,000 SF of trailer production equipment and installation of a new, fully automated production line.

THE CHALLENGE

Wabash, a world-class manufacturer of advanced engineered solutions and services for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries, was searching for a contracting partner to remove 350,000 SF of trailer production equipment to make room for a new, fully automated production line. The project also included concrete flatwork removal and replacement with flat tolerances able to support automated guided vehicles (AGVs). As part of the job, Wabash needed the facility to be renovated, which included wall removal, truck dock installations, utility and structural steel modifications. Once the renovations were complete, Lee Contracting installed new automated equipment lines.

THE RESULTS

Lee Contracting worked very closely with the customer on the planning of this project. Resources were dispatched according to the plan which was an around-the-clock operation with over 100 people at the site. With our internal projects management, our trades people, and our safety team the project was completed safely and on time.

Lee Contracting worked closely with our concrete suppliers to make sure that there were no shortages for this project by securing orders early during the planning stages and the issue was flagged as a possible risk.

A large producer of long steel turned to Lee Industrial Contracting to upgrade multiple system components during their 30-day shutdown in June 2021.

THE CHALLENGE

A large producer of long steel turned to Lee Industrial Contracting to perform several upgrades to their systems during a 30-day shutdown. Some of the notable projects during the shutdown included:

• Removal of an old cooling tower and reinstallation of a larger one. This allowed for better temperature control throughout the plant.
• Upgrades to stairways, structural steel and foundations.
• Upgrades to rolling mill saws, which involved removing the existing outdated equipment and replacing and reinstalling with new machinery.
• Assembly, installation and integration of a brand-new controls and material handling system on the client’s conveyors.
• Upgrading the plant’s cooling system.
• Removal of the client’s old caster spray chamber and the installation of a new one.

One major challenge the Lee Contracting team faced with this large-scale project took place during the removal and installation of the caster machine. Due to the location of the equipment in the plant, moving this large piece of machinery was nearly impossible without the quick thinking of Lee Contracting’s team to cut open the wall to safely remove the large piece of equipment. The teams then pre-assembled the new caster machine and rigged it through the same opening. After the machine was installed, Lee’s teams worked to weld the wall opening shut with galvanized steel plates.

THE RESULTS

Because Lee Contracting has all trades, equipment and tools in-house, they were able to meet the 30-day deadline. Not only did this save the customer time, but helped to get them back up-and-running by their deadline.

Remove and replace nearly 600, 90 pound interior cement kiln chains through a 26-inch manway in only 9 days? This is how we achieve the unthinkable.

THE CHALLENGE

Lafarge Holcim, which specializes in cement, construction aggregates and concrete, operates two cement kilns out of their Paulding, Ohio location. Each kiln measures 800-feet long and 12-feet in diameter, and the inside contains over a thousand chains weighing over 90 pounds each.
Each chain is hung by tombstones welded into the steel walls of the kiln. When turned on, the chains slowly rotate, crushing the mined rock, which is then heated to 1,500 degrees Celsius and continues to rotate until the rocks are crushed into fine dust.

Over time, the chains on the interior of the kilns become worn and need to be replaced. Lafarge Holcim contacted Lee Contracting to remove and replace nearly 600 chains in a nine-day window – which is no small feat. The kilns had uneven flooring, the chains created a trip hazard, limited space, no lighting and the dusty conditions.

THE RESULTS

To remove the heavy chains from the cement kiln, Lee Contracting’s teams attached them to a crane and raised the chains through a 26-inch manway on the side of the kiln. The team was also tasked with removing any worn tombstones and welding new ones in place in a precise pattern. The Lee Contracting rigging team then lowered new chains into the kiln, which were reattached to the tombstones.

At the end of the project, the client was pleased with the crew’s teamwork and for Lee providing a cost-effective and timely solution for this project.

When a heavy industry client in Indiana needed a Steel Slitter Line installed, Lee Industrial Contracting was called to put their “turn-key solutions” tagline to good use.

THE CHALLENGE

When a heavy industry client in Indiana needed a steel slitting line installed, they called on Lee Industrial Contracting’s Power of One. Lee Contracting needed to construct new foundations for the machinery, while the building remained partially open.

Since the project was taking place in the middle of winter, the Lee Contracting team had to take extra measures to ensure the project was done safely and without delays.

THE RESULTS

To minimize disruption to the customer, Lee Contracting installed installed temporary walls with panel doors to keep in the heat and to allow access for construction equipment and concrete trucks. This allowed Lee Contracting’s team to easily excavate, install underfloor conduits and set reinforcement steel.

Next, Lee Contracting’s in-house fabrication department constructed and installed embedded structural steel beams, entry and exit turnstile anchor bolt frames, coil car rails with support channels, utility trenches with cover plates, as well as stairs and handrails.

Once the foundations were finished and the concrete cured, Lee Contracting’s rigging crew offloaded, set in place, aligned, leveled and anchored the new equipment onto the new foundations.

Following the installation of the equipment, the Lee Contracting electrical team installed new wiring, from the equipment to the main control cabinet.