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Boston’s Seaport New Construction
PTC in Boston, Massachusetts’ Seaport District – Part 3
To view Part 1 and Part 2 of this post, go here: Part 1 and Part 2
The most important ingredients for a successful lighting project are:
–TEAM WORK
–COLLABORATION
–COMMUNICATION
As stated in prior posts, the PTC building is unique – aside from the curvature, it lacks a full-sized freight elevator. Imagine the challenges getting the lighting as high as the 17th floor – scheduling, consolidation, coordination of deliveries and communication.
ESC created a system where every pallet was labeled with the contents, quantity, and the floor it was to be delivered to. Another unique challenge ESC faced was the looming aluminum tariff. ESC’s goal was to receive and ship all aluminum before the tariffs were implemented. With a lot of hard work, it was done; saving the owners additional costs.
How many times have you been worried lighting vendors wouldn’t be able to meet schedules or about the engineering time commitment to handle quick design and changing shop drawings or gone with the lowest price, but been disappointed when the schedule wasn’t met? Consider ESC’s project team to help with your next lighting project. We are driven to help you compete.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
New Lighting Project in Boston’s Seaport
ESC Fast Track – PTC in Boston, Massachusetts’ Seaport District – Part 2
To view Part 1 of this post, click here.
Every lighting project is unique because no two buildings are the same nor do they have the same lighting requirements. The PTC building had 67 different fixtures and unique styles of lighting. More than 10,000 fixtures will be installed in the building. With the diverse lighting schemes and placement, ESC had to have seamless project management and coordination with the general contractor, architect, lighting designer, electrical contractor and lighting vendors.
Working with multiple vendors, lead times and installation times, it was imperative that ESCs team paid close attention to detail and deadlines. ESCs lighting team works day and night to ensure lighting projects are done on-time and on-budget paying close attention to every detail.
Does the lighting team you work with do the same? If not, chat with ESC today! Stay tuned next week for the final post in this series and more details about this project and how ESC can overcome any obstacle in lighting projects.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
On Time On Budget Project
#ESCFastTrack – PTC in Boston, Massachusetts’ Seaport District – Part 1
When you have a Fast Track Lighting Project, turn to Electric Supply Center – we are driven to help you compete and will get your project done on-time and on-budget.
As the chosen lighting supplier for the PTC building renovation, ESC was in immediate contact with the design community from the start of the project. With an aggressive timeline to design & complete, ESC worked closely with the building owner, general contractor (Gilbane Building Company), electrical contractor, lighting designer (Sladen Feinstein Integrated Lighting Inc.), and multiple manufacturers.
The PTC building is extremely unique for several reasons. First, it’s curved, and the owners wanted the lighting fixtures to follow this design and stay within budget. Finding a lighting manufacturer that could meet these requirements, budget and timeline to install was challenging, but ESC got it done. The ESC project management team in close collaboration with the lighting manufacturer and designer, worked hard to get the lighting installed on time. Stay tuned next week to find out more about this project and the significant things ESC is doing to ensure on-time and on-budget projects.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
Types of Electricians
Electricians are specialized craftsman who install, replace, and maintain electrical equipment. Every type of licensed electrician requires training to take on various electrical jobs. Below you will find the four most common types of electricians.
Residential Electricians
- Residential electricians can install, replace, and repair electric systems in homes and apartment buildings (with single-phase electrical service). They also do electrical work outside of the surrounding areas. Their range of work can be a simple fix of an outlet or replacing lighting fixtures to rewiring a home or apartment building. Their expertise lies in these jobs, both large and small. Training combines classes, an apprenticeship which is usually four years under the supervision of extremely experienced electricians.
Commercial Electricians
- Commercial electricians work on large commercial jobs and projects (with three-phase electrical service). They work in larger buildings with more complex and complicated projects. Not only do they install and maintain lighting and electrical services, they will also install workplace water heaters, commercial security systems, key entry facilities, fire alarms, and can even involve fixing heavy machinery. Before a commercial electrician is licensed, they must work under a master electrician for several years.
Journeyman Electricians
- The majority of journeyman electricians work in construction, but they also work in other areas, such as large utility companies and manufacturing plants. They do not require as much supervision as residential and commercial electricians. They complete additional training courses and an exam. Once they have passed the exam, they don’t require extensive supervision. Journeyman electricians can work on both residential and commercial jobs. Typical work includes lighting system installation/repairs, security systems, and power supplies.
Master Electricians
- Master electricians are highly skilled craftsman who have 7+ years of experience as an electrician. They generally work in a management or supervisory positions or own their own company. They also require additional ccourseworkand a master electrician exam. They are involved in overseeing their employees and projects to ensure they are done correctly. This could be the installation, repair, or maintenance portion of projects.
All electricians can do residential projects, but not commercial. Electricians typically start as residential electricians, then move into commercial because it’s more complicated. They may or may not become journeyman electricians and master electricians because this requires additional coursework, training and examinations. Major benefits of moving up the electrician rank is higher pay and responsibility.
Electric Supply Center has all the materials every electrician needs for their jobs. With five locations across Massachusetts, feel free to stop by our counters or call today! If you have questions about which products each location carries, contact us.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
REFERENCES (click below):
1) How to Become an Electrician in Massachusetts
2) Chart Link
ESC’S Lighting Project in Boston, MA
ESC Fast Track – Reebok @ DryDock in Boston, MA – Part 2
To view Part 1 of this post, click here.
The most important ingredients for a successful lighting project are:
–TEAM WORK
–COLLABORATION
–COMMUNICATION
Reebok was adamant about the schedule and project being done ON TIME and ON BUDGET to be considered successful. Everyone involved worked closely to meet the schedule. Each team member brought their years of experience in the lighting industry to this project. The design team had a concept they conveyed to ESC and ESC had to ensure the vendors selected could meet the schedule. ESC was able to select preferred vendors they knew wouldn’t face obstacles meeting deadlines and getting product to the site on time.
How many times have you been worried lighting vendors wouldn’t meet schedules? Or about the engineering time commitment to handle quick design and changing shop drawings? Or that you weren’t going to have enough space to store light fixtures until they were ready to be installed? Or gone with the lowest price, but been disappointed when the schedule wasn’t met? If you answered “often” or “regularly” to these questions, consider ESC’s project team to help with your next lighting project.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
Commercial Lighting Project in Boston
Reebok @ DryDock in Boston, MA – Part 1
When Reebok moved their headquarters to the DryDock area of Boston and needed their lighting project done ON TIME and WITHIN BUDGET, they turned to ESC. With an aggressive five-month timeline, ESC had to have impeccable project management and coordination with Reebok, the general contractor (Gilbane Building Company), electrical contractor, lighting designer (Lam Partners), and rep agents Boston Light Source and Apex Lighting Solutions and controls, supporting multiple manufacturers.
As you’d expect, a project of this nature comes with its challenges. The 220,000 square foot building is five floors, each floor having a different lighting schedule. ESC worked closely with Reebok and all involved to develop a strategy to meet the timeline and control systems requirements. This project only had a partial design when the five-month move-in timeline was requested. By working with the lighting manufacturer directly, ESC was able to ensure the lighting system had the backbone, capacity to fit out each floor and integrate with each subsystem even though the design wasn’t complete.
How was ESC able to accomplish this? Check out our post tomorrow and we’ll tell you!
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
Tools Required for Residential Electricians
A Residential Electrician needs tools, but what is absolutely required no matter what job you’re working on? It’s no secret that you can’t do your job without the right tools. We have rounded up the most popular tools you will need as a residential electrician.
Must-have tools for residential electricians
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers and nuts
- Hammers
- Saw
- A flashlight
- Power drill
- Wire strippers
- Tape measurer
- Multimeter
- Insulation resistance tester
- Non-contact voltage testers
- Cable cutters
- Voltmeter
- Fish tape
Electric Supply Center has all the tools you need for your jobs. With five locations across Massachusetts, feel free to stop by our counters or call today! If you have questions about which products each location carries, contact us.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
781-750-8555
Safety Tips Every Electrician Should Know
We know that you are concerned with safety – and so are we. Working with electrical equipment can be a dangerous task. There are many things that can be easily overlooked that may put you or those around you in danger. Here are some tips to keep you and those around you safe.
Safety Tips for All Electricians:
- CLOTHING: Proper clothing is key to safety because it will protect your body. Remember to wear non-conductive gloves, boots with insulated soles, long pants and sleeves to protect your arms and legs.
- EYE PROTECTION: Protecting your eyes is extremely important. Particles could fly from walls, ceilings, and other places, so you should take preventative measures to make sure your eyes aren’t in harm’s way.
- OUTLETS: Double checking outlets can ensure they are at the correct voltage before you begin work.
- POWER SOURCES: Checking and securing overhead power sources when climbing on a ladder is very important. Stability is key. You should also remove equipment from power sources before fixing or replacing a part.
- DANGERS: Consider all possible dangers before the job is started. Survey the job site, make sure you don’t see any dangers presenting themselves and fix any possible zones before they present danger to you, or others.
- WATER: Do not put tools or equipment near a water source.
OSHA also provides a quick card for electrical safety on their website, which may be a good reference check anytime you’re working: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/electrical_safety.html.
To learn more about ESC or contact us, go to www.escctr.net or click here to send an email.
CONTACT:
Natalie Holtgrefe
Marketing Lead
nholtgrefe@escctr.net
781-750-8555
Boston Children’s Hospital Champions for Children’s Event
ESC was honored to be a part of the Boston Children’s Hospital Champions for Children’s event. Such an amazing night of support and inspiration raising more than $3.7million!
ESC Bolsters Management Team with series of Organizational Upgrades
Today, ESC has announced the promotion of three directors to vice president and the addition of a new executive vice president to its management team. The leading distributor of electrical supplies and fixtures welcomes executive vice president Doug Walo to oversee a team of vice presidents, Jim Crabtree, Bob Ryan, and John Murch, allowing the team to harness and expand the company’s significant growth.
“At ESC we recognize that while everyone has trucks and stock, we have our talented team to thank for our unmatched operational capability and booming sales,” said Larry LaFreniere, President at Electric Supply Center. “It gives me great pleasure to recognize Jim, Bob, and John’s impact on our success, bring Doug into the fold, and ultimately entrust this team of leaders to take ESC to the next level of supreme service.”
Doug Walo joins ESC as Executive Vice President with 31 years of industry experience. Walo will oversee the new management team while focusing on managing all sales and operational activities and working to develop and implement the company’s goals and growth strategies. Prior to joining ESC, Walo served as president of two west coast electrical distributors under the Sonepar Group.
Jim Crabtree, ESC’s new Vice President of Supply Chain, has accomplished much in his two years with the company. In his previous role as Director of Supply Chain, he successfully implemented distribution and vendor efficiency changes, expanded the company’s delivery fleet and number of orders delivered all while driving down operational cost.
Bob Ryan joined ESC in June 2013 and will now serve as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During his time with ESC, he has created numerous marketing strategies and incentives, dramatically increasing his team’s work stock sales. Bob was also instrumental in the opening of ESC’s Mansfield office and Woburn branch.
John Murch brings decades of experience at ESC to his new role as Vice President of Projects. Having started as a part-time employee at 16 working in the lighting showroom, Murch joined ESC full-time in 1997 and has since ascended the ranks from behind the counter, to branch manager, to switchgear specialist. In his most recent role as Director of Projects, Murch oversaw the award and execution of some of Boston’s most complex projects, building a team of highly-respected industry veterans all the while.
The creation of this executive team will allow each vice president to dedicate increased focus to their segment, as Walo executes overarching growth strategies and enhances existing ones with an eye to penetrate new segments and open additional branches. This move represents a monumental step forward in ESC’s commitment to bring its unparalleled service to a wider audience of customers.
