Curious about what sets Lee Contracting apart from the rest? There’s one word our team lives and breathes on a daily basis: Excellence. For some, it may be a term marketers use, but at Lee Contracting, it’s in our DNA. Let’s have a look at some of the ways we exemplify excellence, whether in the office or on the job site.

The Power of One

What is the “Power of One?” It’s all the benefits our customers and our team get from working with a single source that provides a complete range of industrial contracting services. Instead of having to go to multiple contractors for individual services, Lee Contracting delivers them all in-house with our highly specialized experts, and never uses subcontractors.

• Electrical
• Pipefitting & Mechanical
• Foundations
• Rigging
• Fabrication
• Maintenance & Repair
• Fire Protection
• Building

No other industrial contracting company in the Midwest can say the same.

Turnkey

How does the Power of One benefit you? The answer lies in our unique ability to deliver truly turnkey services.

First, you only have to work with one contact, which makes your life far less complicated than when dealing with multiple vendors. Beyond streamlined project coordination, communication is also turnkey. Have you ever worked with several different vendors and felt like the right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing? Leveraging the Power of One, our team communicates seamlessly to make sure every project runs smoothly. It also helps streamline scheduling, since we know exactly what our teams are working on at all times, and don’t have to juggle timetables with other vendors.

All this leads to faster turnaround times, greater cost efficiency and fewer hiccups along the way.

Employee-owned

As a 100 percent employee-owned business, Lee Contracting has a leg up when it comes to excellence in industrial contracting services. Since our employees have a stake in the company, they have a vested interest in delivering excellence with every project. When the business succeeds, they succeed. Ownership also imparts a feeling of pride in a job well done. Our team isn’t just performing a job – they are actively contributing to the success and reputation of the company they own.

Team

Because our employees are also owners, we are highly selective about who we invite to join our team. We look not just at technical industrial contracting skills, but also for intrinsic qualities like enthusiasm, dedication and a willingness to learn and grow. Here at Lee Contracting, we cross-train employees so crew members are adept in multiple specialties, which not only balances the load but gives team members a chance to experience many different aspects of industrial contracting.

We make sure our team members are thoroughly trained and have the appropriate certifications needed for their respective trades. In addition, we promote from within, rewarding excellence with new, exciting opportunities.

Equipment

A top-tier team needs top-tier equipment to perform with excellence. With every piece of equipment owned in-house, Lee Contracting only invests in best-in-class, pro-grade tools and machinery that have been proven in the toughest industrial settings. Keeping an eye on durability and reliability, our team is equipped with the best, ensuring optimal performance and safety on every project.

Not only do we buy the best, we maintain our equipment meticulously with regular inspections and cleaning to uphold our high standards. This stringent upkeep not only keeps our fleet in tip-top condition, it allows us to control costs and pass the savings on to our clients.

Safety

Protecting our employees and our clients is not just a box we check. Safety is prioritized and ingrained in everything we do, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Our Safety Team consists of certified OSHA Outreach Trainers, empowering us to conduct the majority of our safety training internally. All new employees receive OSHA 10 training in addition to complementary safety training. Our Safety Team, which oversees safety on every job, we have an internal Safety Committee made up of team members from various departments who can weigh in from different perspectives.

It’s this proactive approach to safety that keeps Lee Contracting at the forefront of industry standards and ensures our team members return home safely at the end of each day, ready to tackle new challenges with confidence and peace of mind.

Need a team that can bring excellence to your next industrial contracting project? Contact us to request a quote today.

Authors: Michael Hahn and John Causbie

Industrial contracting clients are frequently faced with projects that challenge their budgets and ongoing operations. At Lee Industrial Contracting, we meet those challenges every day by applying value engineering (VE) principles and processes from beginning to end on almost every project we undertake.

Sales Director, Michael Hahn, and Senior Manager of Operations, John Causbie, talk about the role of VE at Lee.

Mike: Value engineering isn’t new; it came about in response to a shortage of materials during World War II, not unlike the shortages we’re dealing with today. The process seeks to either improve the function of a project while reducing costs by substituting materials or changing the way something is constructed. In a best case situation, both of these happen.

The process keeps all the people at Lee thinking about how they can work closely with customers to meet their goals. Often, a customer’s budget doesn’t quite cover what they want to do, so we use value engineering to meet their needs while improving the outcome and reducing costs.

John: Right. We had one customer that needed a common press pit for four new presses. But with the repairs and pit and everything else that needed to be done, it was just too much for their budget. So, we put pen to paper and found ways to meet their needs while lowering their costs and sticking to their timeline.

Mike: Yeah, at the time, being both under budget and under time meant the world to them.

Why is it important to apply VE to a project at the beginning in order to realize the full benefits of the process?

Mike: While it’s very important to understand the customer’s requirements, we need to be thinking in parallel paths of VE options from the beginning. Thinking like that can often change the entire quoting process.

John: We’ve got a lot of experience and often see a customer with a situation they haven’t dealt with, such as too much machine and too little room; we’ve seen it before and can bring Lee’s knowledge and experience into play. Applying VE at the start is especially important when the customer isn’t sure what they want to do. In those situations, we help make sure they have the best possible design.

Mike: On one project, we were doing a pit for a stamping press where the building wasn’t tall enough. Competitors had proposed demolishing the entire building just to get enough roof clearance for a new machine.

Through our VE process and in-house capabilities, we were able to do a partial roof raise on a portion of the roof, which created the space needed for the new machine, without doing a complete demo. That allowed the customer to continue many of their normal operations while we were performing the work. Timing was essential and we did it in a fraction of the time it would have taken with a complete demolition. Partial roof raising isn’t something every industrial contracting firm can do, but it’s one of our specialties at Lee.

John: For years, Lee’s mantra has been to value engineer everything. Now, we’ve had customers that weren’t really open to the process, but we’ve been able to show them similar projects, and it’s been a great source of satisfaction when those customers say “wow, we never thought about doing it that way.”

How do Lee’s single-source, self-performing capabilities benefit VE projects?

Mike: Having all trades within our company is a benefit because we all work closely with each other to come up with the best VE ideas. That helps customers in a lot of different ways, such as timing, reducing the impact on ongoing operations, and of course, helping reduce the overall project cost.

Our internal account managers work closely with our customers to understand their overall goals for each project. Our team brings that knowledge back to our internal departments where we work together to create the best value possible on each project.

John: Because of our value engineering track record and expertise, many of our repeat customers have come to expect it. So, they just give us a loose spec or say “this is what we want at the end; you guys design it through.” And with our VE process, once presented, they say they are so glad Lee was involved and how they now have a much better product.

Mike: I think the satisfaction both we and our customers experience from VE projects is what makes it so worthwhile. It’s good when we can go in with a great concept and proposal and hear the customer at the end say, “wow, this is just a great project; we are so glad we chose Lee”.

Looking at a challenging project? Bring Lee’s value engineering expertise in at the beginning to realize the best possible outcome.

Have you ever considered a career as an electrician? Let’s take a closer look into frequently asked questions to uncover what it takes to be an electrician at Lee.

1. What schooling is required to become an electrician? After you earn a high school diploma, or equivalent, Lee welcomes applicants to apply for one of our electrical apprentice openings. Lee requires all apprentices attend a state-sponsored electrical apprenticeship program, which combines extensive on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. After four years, and 8,000 hours working under a master electrician as an apprentice, you are then eligible to take the journeyman test. Once you pass the test, many electricians will spend the duration of their career as a journeyman, or they work to become a master electrician. As a journeyman, you must work under a master electrician for two years and have 4,000 hours on the job before you are eligible to take the master electrician exam.
2. What certifications are required? Anyone on an electrical crew in Michigan must have an apprentice, journeyman or master electrical license from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
3. What types of projects do industrial electricians work on? You can gain a lot of experience as an industrial electrician. Projects vary depending on the industry. You may find yourself working in automotive, steel processing, battery manufacturing, testing, food and beverage, distribution, research and development, commercial build and more.
4. What are the different types of industrial electrician jobs at Lee? There are many different positions available for those interested in industrial electrical work. Those positions include shop assistant, shop manager, purchaser, department manager, estimator, apprentice electrician, journeyman electrician, foreman, senior foreman and master electrician.
5. How can electricians stay safe on the job? Lee provides all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including arc suits and clothing. All electricians at Lee are required to have NFPA 70E training to help avoid workplace injuries, as well as regular trainings provided by Lee’s in-house safety team.
6. What is it like working as an electrician at Lee? Most of the electrical work performed by Lee is considered heavy industrial. Our electricians might find themselves disconnecting and reconnecting electrical components for a press move, upgrading power to a whole operation, performing a complete machine rewire and more! Additionally, Lee is a learning environment – all apprentices are enrolled in state electrical apprenticeship programs and work closely with experienced journeyman and master electricians. All employees have an opportunity for advancement within the company.

Interested in a career at Lee?  Learn more about what it’s like to work at Lee and view our current job openings here.

Comprehensive heavy industrial contracting services provide cutting-edge performance and turn-key solutions for heavy industrial companies. Discover how a quality contractor can assist you in installing, maintaining and repairing your heavy industrial equipment today. Learn more about these reliable services and why Lee Industrial Contracting is the best team for your equipment needs.

Cutting-Edge Tools and Equipment

Heavy Machinery Relocation

From heavy machinery movers to repair and fabrication technicians, heavy industry contractors provide a range of services with cutting-edge tools and equipment. Unlike routine industrial services, heavy machinery services require unique features.

Ask your heavy industrial contracting team about their rigging capabilities. Relocating heavy industry equipment isn’t easily accomplished, so you need industry-leading technicians with state-of-the-art equipment. At Lee Industrial Contracting, we can safely transport machinery with our wide variety of specialty equipment.

Foundations

Similarly, your equipment needs specialized foundation services. Extra-large foundations require unique engineering considerations, so it’s best to hire a skilled team who can provide record-breaking concrete work. Our team can safely and expertly install pits as deep as 60 feet below your finished floor. Specialized trenching equipment allows us to do so safely without disturbing nearby pits, trenches or foundational elements.

Electrical

Electrical, mechanical and other components of heavy machinery may be similar to lighter industries, but you still need a team with the resources to rewire and rebuild any issue with the latest OEM parts or precision-engineered replacement components.

Team of Specialists

Choose a team that offers heavy industrial contracting support as part of a turn-key solution. Our team assists you from start to finish to create cutting-edge solutions for your industrial needs. Whether you have an essential part that needs to be replaced or you need to completely relocate your heavy industrial plant, turn to Lee Industrial Contracting.

First, you’ll receive a strategic project analysis from our team. Your heavy industry equipment needs special consideration as you repair, maintain or remove it from your plant floor. Our team will discuss the best ways to handle your specific project with minimal downtime and loss of productivity.

Next, we’ll handle the entire planning and engineering process. From analysis and parts fabrication to installation and quality control, you won’t need to spend valuable time contacting any service team or quality control specialist. Turn-key support helps us offer competitive pricing and reliable services.

Diverse Industries

Heavy industrial contracting covers a range of industries and equipment. The focus of contractors in this industry is large machinery that requires unique equipment and experience to maintain and repair. Here are just a few industries that be serviced by a heavy industry contractor:

• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Environmental
• Energy

Depending on your equipment, you may find a heavy industry contractor with resources and experience outside of these common industries. Review the equipment commonly serviced by heavy industry contractors to determine whether their services are right for you.

Safety

One of the most important features to look for in heavy industrial contracting is safety. Letting a repair team into your heavy industrial plant can be a liability, so work with a team that understands the safety concerns of your industry and facility. The Lee Industrial Contracting team is committed to exceeding all relevant safety regulations while at our facility and at your location.

Contact Lee Contracting

Don’t wait to find out how a heavy industrial contracting company can boost your efficiency, safely relocate your equipment and provide emergency repairs that minimize downtime in your plant. Contact us today if you want to learn more about heavy industrial contracting, or request a quote if you’re ready to get started with turn-key support for all your rigging, foundation, electrical and mechanical work.

An industrial contractor manages the building, repair, demolition and relocation of industrial facilities such as warehouses and factories. A contractor may be responsible for obtaining licenses, managing budgets and overseeing subcontractors involved with each individual project. Industrial contractors perform work in many markets including, but not limited to automotive, aerospace, plastics, steel, energy, environmental and heavy industry. With the large scale of most industrial projects, selecting a contractor can be difficult.

Make Lee Contracting your industrial contractor of choice

We differentiate ourselves with our in-house departments, skilled employees, state-of-the-art equipment and high safety standards. While most industrial contractors act as a general contractor, we utilize our own workforce. The benefits that result from our process are unsurmountable. We can control project costs and schedule of your entire project, from start to finish.

Value Engineering: Our team can help your project succeed even before it kicks off. We continuously provide innovative ways your project can be more successful. Our attention to detail ensures that we save your time and money.

Safety: We are committed to providing a safe environment for our customers and employees. We strive to eliminate unsafe behaviors and conditions while working together to protect our customers, ourselves and each other. We promote a culture of shared responsibility with a focus on continuous improvement of our safety program. We pride ourselves on maintaining a safe, organized, clean and efficient job site.

Service & Maintenance: After your project is complete, we can continue to aid in your success. We offer 24/7, 365 service as well as preventive maintenance to keep your facility running efficiently.

From foundations, rigging, electrical and mechanical to fabrication and maintenance, we can complete every step of your project. Our scalable solutions guarantee we can complete your project no matter the size.

Get started on a quote for an upcoming project by filling out our online form. You can also call (888) 833-8776 to speak with a representative today.

In 2016, women comprised 49% of the US labor force but only 29% of the manufacturing workforce. With more than 500,000 jobs in manufacturing underfilled, the sector should aim to diversify. Many companies are understaffed because of the lack of qualified applicants, which strains operations and staff. Companies can begin to support and mentor women who are interested in joining the industry to help fill these open positions.

Benefits of working in manufacturing:

• In 2017, the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $84,832 annually, including pay and benefits compared to the $66,847 of an average worker in all nonfarm industries. Looking specifically at wages, the average manufacturing worker earned more than $27 per hour, according to the latest figures which does not include benefits. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Manufacturers have one of the highest percentages of workers who are eligible for health benefits provided by their employer. 92% of manufacturing employees were eligible for health insurance benefits in 2015. Of those who are eligible, 84 percent participate in their employer’s plans, i.e., the take-up rate. There are only two other sectors that have higher take-up rates – government (91%) and trade, communications and utilities (85%). (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation)

• Manufacturers have become leaner due to tremendous growth over the past couple decades, helping the sector become more competitive globally. Output per hour for all workers in the manufacturing sector has increased by more than 2.5 times since 1987. In contrast, productivity is roughly 1.7 times greater for all nonfarm businesses. Note that durable goods manufacturers have seen even greater growth, almost tripling its labor productivity over the same time frame.

How to encourage women to work in manufacturing:

• Boost the visibility of female leaders
• Offer flexible work practices
• Create opportunities for challenging projects
• Develop mentorship programs
• Promote a work-life balance
• Remove or minimize the gender pay gap
• Provide attractive pay and benefits

If you or someone you know is interested in a career in manufacturing, contact us today at (888) 833-8776 or fill out our web form.

Industrial contractors are highly skilled and trained, ready to perform a large variety of services. Industrial contractors manage many aspects of a project including day-to-day oversight of the job site, management of vendors and trades, maintenance of mechanical components and communication with the customer throughout the duration of the project.

Lee Contracting is a full-service industrial contractor. Our turn-key services are performed with our expert in-house staff on every project. We offer extensive capabilities to ensure that you receive the solutions your project needs from foundations, rigging, electrical, mechanical, fabrication, machine repair and our many support services. Our in-house skilled tradesmen and project management teams work tirelessly to complete your project under budget and to beat your schedule. Our large variety of experience continues to give us the knowledge needed to complete the industry’s most difficult projects. Our safety department and our diverse in-house equipment capabilities assist all our departments in completing every project safely.

Call us today for a free quote on your next project at (888) 833-8776 or request a quote online.

During 2016, industrial construction project investments increased. As these investments continue, the role of the industrial contractor will also continue to grow. Industrial contractors will need to leverage their skills to support and perpetuate the growing demand for their services.

Who are Industrial Contractors?

Industrial contractors manage many aspects of the project including: day-to-day oversight of the job site, management of vendors and trades, and communication with the customer throughout the duration of the project.

Lee Contracting is a full-service industrial contractor. Our turn-key services are performed by our expert in-house staff on every project. We offer an extensive list of capabilities to ensure that you receive the solutions your project needs.

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