Challenge: Chicago based Gonnella Baking Company, a producer of frozen bread and roll dough chose to construct an expandable manufacturing and distribution facility in Northeast Pennsylvania to service the growing needs in the eastern United States. Hayden Electric was chosen to provide the electrical installion because of their high construction standards. In December 2006, a wet, muddy and cold winter challenged the Hayden team as they installed the primary duct banks. During the construction process several other challenges arose. The specifications did not permit any underground conduit installation throughout the building and in addition being a food manufacturing facility with dust tight rated conditions, all conduits had to be ridge aluminum.
Solution: To provide a safer maintenance environment, the Hayden team suggested to the owner to change from the original design of a 15-KV pole-mounted high-voltage switchgear and utility metering to an aesthetically pleasing pad mounted, metal enclosed high voltage line up. All of the equipment was fed using rigid aluminum conduit installed overhead as required per the food processing specifications. Due to the combustible nature of flour, all of the electrical equipment and lighting fixtures had a hazardous classification. Standing eighty feet high are the flour silos; a 120 foot boom lift was used to install beacon lights, flour level sensors, control wiring and lightening protection.
Results:
- Hayden doubled the workforce in order to get the entire project accomplished within the original time frame of an aggressive owner driven schedule.
- The Hayden team’s workmanship, efficiency, cost-consciousness during aggressive scheduling and changing scope of work proved to the overall commitment to excellence of the project.
- Gonnella’s state of the art food processing facility launched the expansion of the north side of CAN DO’s Humboldt Industrial Park, therefore providing economic stimulus and job development to the Greater Hazleton Area.
- Recipient of 2008 Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Merit Shop Award of Excellence in Construction – Electrical Industrial
Testimonial:
“Hayden’s foreman and a team of electricians met every deadline and challenge we placed in their path. Not only were Hayden’s team members experienced, but they demonstrated a sincere commitment to our project. I believe that commitment is what sets them apart from their competition. This unique characteristic is why Gonnella will contact Hayden for our next project.”
Kent Beernink, Vice President of Manufacturing
