CLN Membership is a Win-Win

Last month I attended the annual meetings of the Construction Leadership Network (CLN) in Tucson Arizona.  Made up of like-minded contractors from across the United States and Canada, this organization focuses on Learning, Sharing and Building among members for purposes of growing together and making our companies (and the industry) better, smarter and more profitable.  Being in a different time zone for several days is always interesting, but the inconvenience of the time change was easily overshadowed by learning new things, exploring new ideas and seeing old friends – not to mention getting a little golf in too. During this years conference I was able to sit in on focus groups and peer discussion groups focusing on…
  • Vision, Culture & Empowerment
  • Delivering A Different Experience
  • Selling Intangibles
  • Secrets to Management Success
  • Business Development
  • Executive Discussions
  • Workforce Development
No matter where in the country it’s held, I find it’s always a worthwhile trip for the knowledge and the networking – and being at a beautiful desert resort in January provided a nice break from our northeast weather. Enjoy these pictures from the trip…

Three Penthouse Air Handlers Replaced over Three Weekends

At an Oncology Clinic for a major Hospital System in Central PA,  The CRAFT team lead by Chuck Vaughn and Dennis Judy successfully replaced 3 penthouse Air handlers over three separate weekend shutdowns. Completing one entire penthouse mechanical room each weekend the systems where shutdown after the clinic closed on Friday and were fully operational by Sunday night for the clinic to open an resume normal operations on Monday morning. Together with the owner, general contractor, equipment vendors, control contractor and various other team members CRAFT was able to flex many of its skills: leadership, planning, scheduling, quality CRAFTsmanship, Pre-Fabrication and commitment to customer service. These replacements were just one piece of an overall renovation to the clinic which is scheduled to complete in January of 2019. Congratulations to this team for their hard work, dedication and success.

Annual Awards & Safety Day

This year we changed things up for our annual December Awards & Safety Day and held our event at an off-site venue. Our office shut down for the day, and our entire team gathered for relevant safety-related training and updates. The day ended with awards and a holiday luncheon. We had quite a few special safety and years-of-service award recipients this year.

Safety Awards:

5 Years – Shawn Haugh, Jesse Walker, Jason Wolf

10 Years – Nate Cooper, Adam Cramer

15 Years – Gary Keckler

20 Years – Shawn Ely

Years of Service Awards:

20 Years – Diane Beck, Shawn Ely, Paul Phillips, Jane Sweitzer, Trent Wagner (not present)

30 Years – John Myers (not present)

40 Years – Mike Kearns

Congratulations to everyone and enjoy the holidays!!!

2017 ABC EIC Awards

James CRAFT & Son prides itself on providing “Quality CRAFTsmanship in Every Job” and being a contractor of the highest quality standards. This core value of ours was recently recognized at the 2017 Excellence in Construction Awards Gala for the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors.  The project being highlighted was our work in 2016 on the Independent Living Apartment Building, The “Lodge” at Homewood at Willow Ponds.

On Wednesday, October, 25th, James P. Craft (Project Manager), Karl Arndt (Estimator) and Robert Krebs (Project Foreman) accepted the Excellence award on behalf of James CRAFT & Son at the Awards Gala. Our project was awarded this honor in the HVAC Over $5 Million category.

CRAFT was hired to perform the Plumbing and HVAC installation for the new Independent Living Apartment Building for Homewood at Willow Ponds. This new 278,00 square foot structure was built to serve the 55 and older community while providing a unique living option as compared to more typical condos or patio style homes. The 85 luxury apartment units of varying sizes are equipped with large windows and a spacious balcony allowing for spectacular views of the Catocin Mountains and the Homewood Campus. At the heart of the complex lies the community building which features a multitude of dining and shopping options for the residents as well as a spa, pool, fitness center and salon. The entire building sits on an indoor parking garage for the tenants.

The owners are very happy with their new building. Our relationship with the owner’s facilities manager is an example for how happy they are with our work. He has continued to call on our expertise to help with system questions and for new work within the facilities. When asked why he calls us, it’s because he knows we will do it right the first time and not cut any corners.

Thanks to our outstanding design team and our experienced installers, we were able to help bring this project to completion on time.

Congratulations to the entire crew who worked on this project!

Your efforts and diligence are very much appreciated,and we are already on the lookout for next year’s ABC EIC entries!

Below are some photos of the project at key intervals…

2017 Apprenticeship

Back to School!

For James CRAFT & Son Inc. September marks the end of a busy summer and fiscal year, but also leads to an exciting new year full of opportunities. For some of our skilled work force it means back to the books. Our apprentices are already thru their orientations and are now attending classes working hard towards their journeyman’s status. These folks are earning while they’re learning and balancing a full work schedule with classes. We are very proud of this group of employees and wish them the best of luck this year! Below are pictures of a few of the apprentices in action!

Sheet Metal 1 –
Philip Gregg
Matthew Price
Earl Urey

Sheet Metal 2 –
Dillon Getz
Kyle Gurtizen

Electrical 4 –
Michael Cramer

HVAC 3 –
Caitlyn Weatherly
Zachary Nelson

Instructors –
Jerry Brown III – Sheet Metal 2
Drew Doxzon – Electrical 4

 

Plumbing 1 –
Tyler Brenneman
Ivan Maletin
Dakoda Ross
Matthew Tressler

Plumbing 2 –
Joseph Kutsch
Richard Toner
Craig McKee
Wilfredo Berrios
Michael Harrelson
Adrian Ortega

Plumbing 3 –
Sean Druck
Padric Marianos

2016 ABC EIC Awards

If you have spent time on our website, you know James CRAFT & Son prides itself on providing “Quality CRAFTsmanship in Every Job” and being a contractor of the highest quality standards. This was once again proven at the Excellence in Construction Awards Gala for the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors for our work in 2015 on the Holy Spirit Hospital – Crums Mill Urgent Care Center.

On Wednesday, November 2nd, James P. Craft (Project Manager) accepted the Merit award on behalf of James CRAFT & Son at the Awards Gala. Our project was awarded this honor in the HVAC Under $250,000 category.

James CRAFT & Son was hired to design and perform the Plumbing and HVAC revision of their newly acquired medical office space. This older space was purchased with the intent of providing the community with a new urgent care center backed by the quality and outstanding reputation of Holy Spirit Hospital and Geisinger. James CRAFT & Son has long been a partner with The Norwood Company and Holy Spirit Hospital, this existing relationship led us to be the clear choice in a partner who understood the needs of the customer and could work hand in hand with their staff.

Our project team began with the detailed review of the existing plumbing and mechanical systems in order to determine how to best use the existing Plumbing and Mechanical systems to fit the new office layout and reduce costs to the customer. Because the existing heating & cooling system was still in good shape and adequately sized to handle the owner’s needs, we were able to come up with a design that allowed us to re-use much of the existing ductwork as well as the existing controls system. This allowed us to greatly reduce the cost of the project as there was no new equipment needed to achieve the owner’s goal.

Thanks to our outstanding design team and our experienced installers, we were able to help bring this project in on time and under budget. Congratulations to the crew who worked on this project. Your hard work is very much appreciated and our team is already on the lookout for next year’s ABC EIC entries!

2016 Apprenticeship Openings

It’s a wonderful time of the year…..

As we gear up for a very busy summer here at James CRAFT & Son it is once again time for us to open up our apprenticeship program and fill our available spaces with men and women who are ready and willing to accept the challenge.

What is an apprentice you ask? Apprentices are men and women who are formally enrolled in our Federally Approved Apprenticeship Program. Apprentices work in their assigned trades while attending classes in subjects related to the trade for a minimum of 144 hours per year, each year of their apprenticeship. Tuition fees are paid by the Company—additional materials paid by the apprentice.

This program is the heart and soul of James CRAFT & Son as many of our current Project Managers, Estimators, Foremen and Lead People once started out in our Apprenticeship Program.  The education and formal training our apprentices gain in this program is second to none!

This year we have openings in our Plumbing/Pipe-fitting Program as well as our Sheet Metal Program. We will be accepting applications from April 18th to April 28th, 2016. Applicants must apply in person and are required to provide the documentation listed below.

  1. Proof of age (copy for our records of birth certificate or similar document).
  2. Copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate, if applicable.
  3. Transcripts of Last Grade Completed from Guidance Department of school attended.
  4. Proof of Trade Work Experience, if any (letter from employer noting experience).
  5. Form 214 for Veterans applying. Other forms may be needed.
  6. Three Letters of Reference from acquaintances, other than family.

Please note:  documents provided are non-returnable.

For more information about the program, check out the Careers section of our website or call Jessica-Director of Human Resources at 717-266-6629.

York College Awards $2 Million Contract

JAMES CRAFT & SON RECEIVES $2 MILLION CONTRACT FROM YORK COLLEGE

YORK HAVEN, Pennsylvania – James CRAFT & Son,, Inc., York Haven, is currently installing the plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in a new, five-story student residence hall for York College of Pennsylvania. The $2 million project is to be completed in August, allowing students to move in for the fall semester.

Jeffrey Murry has been chosen as the CRAFT project manager at the job site. Michael S. Kearns estimated the job.

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, James CRAFT & Son services businesses in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia in the areas of HVAC, plumbing, electric, sheet metal fabrication, service, design/build, and custom fabrication. James CRAFT & Son, Inc. has locations in York Haven and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.jamesCRAFTson.com.

York College of Pennsylvania is a private liberal arts college located on a 155-acre campus in historic York County, Pennsylvania.

PinnacleHealth Awards Harrisburg Hospital Contract

PINNACLEHEALTH AWARDS JAMES CRAFT & SON HARRISBURG HOSPITAL CONTRACT

YORK HAVEN, Pennsylvania – James CRAFT & Son, Inc., York Haven, is currently installing the plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the New Dialysis Unit of PinnacleHealth’s Harrisburg Hospital.

Michaels S. Kearns estimated the $170,400 project. Michael A. Monn, Sr. will serve as James CRAFT & Son’s project manager at the job site.

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, James CRAFT & Son services businesses in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia in the areas of HVAC, plumbing, electric, sheet metal fabrication, service, design/build, and custom fabrication. James CRAFT & Son, Inc. has locations in York Haven and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.jamesCRAFTson.com.

PinnacleHealth, a non-profit organization, is the leading hospital and healthcare system in Central Pennsylvania.  For further information, please visit www.pinnaclehealth.org.

PinnacleHealth Awards Community General Hospital Contract

PINNACLEHEALTH AWARDS JAMES CRAFT & SON COMMUNITY GENERAL HOSPITAL CONTRACT

YORK HAVEN, Pennsylvania – James CRAFT & Son, Inc., York Haven, is currently installing the plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the Central Sterile Department of PinnacleHealth’s Community General Hospital, Harrisburg. Great care is being taken while completing this $487,250 project, as maintaining a clean and sterile environment is essential.

Michaels S. Kearns estimated the project. D. Randy Doxzon will serve as James CRAFT & Son’s project manager at the job site.

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, James CRAFT & Son services businesses in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia in the areas of HVAC, plumbing, electric, sheet metal fabrication, service, design/build, and custom fabrication. James CRAFT & Son, Inc. has locations in York Haven and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.jamesCRAFTson.com.

PinnacleHealth, a non-profit organization, is the leading hospital and healthcare system in Central Pennsylvania.  For further information, please visit www.pinnaclehealth.org.