Category: Preconstruction

Realizing the Value of Preconstruction Services

Posted on April 11, 2019

James Goree, Regional Director of Preconstruction

With a decade-long career at HPM, I have learned to appreciate that highly successful projects are the ones that do a good job of balancing budget, schedule, and quality, so it only makes sense that focusing on these areas as early in the project as possible would prove valuable. In fact, that is the idea behind preconstruction services – early analysis of the effects that project circumstances and components will have on schedule and cost. Oddly enough, many owners miss the mark by not employing these services on their projects.

Preconstruction typically includes the evaluation of construction methods, project pricing, value engineering, constructability reviews and bid and award process management. At HPM, we have seen this type of in-depth analysis pave the way to a clearer path for the project, in many cases resolving challenges before they arise and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in schedule and cost overruns. Essentially, employing these services helps map out a plan early in design and way before shovels even go in the ground, putting teams in a better position to manage change and proactively communicate. We can all see the benefits in that rationale, right?

I am a firm believer that preconstruction sets a solid foundation for every project, no matter the size of the project or the market it represents. Time and time again, experts publish articles on the benefits of preconstruction. At HPM, we have seen first-hand the impact on our projects and have captured those stories in our portfolio of case studies. When teams collaborate early to identify meaningful solutions or take the time to build a project virtually through the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) owners reap the benefits. A program manager who understands the value of preconstruction and can walk-the-talk with their clients is in the best position to guide projects to success.

Simply put, our role in preconstruction is to offer a path that allows our clients to accomplish their goals while remaining on budget. As preconstruction experts, we are attuned to market conditions and are able to paint a holistic picture of the project. From budget to sequencing, we can guide decision-making from design to start of construction. Using our expertise, we should be expected to right size the bid packages for optimal performance, resulting in maximized ROI – all along the way providing regular updates and maintaining deadlines to keep the project on-track. And at the end of the day, that is our goal – to keep you informed and help you achieve success, whatever your definition may be.

Curious what preconstruction can do for you? Contact me at jgoree@hpmleadership.com.

About the author:

James Goree serves as Regional Director of Preconstruction at HPM. An experienced preconstruction and VDC Manager, his expertise has been employed on projects across the Southeast such as Pelham City Schools, Auburn University, and Wallace State Community College. Skilled in project estimation, value engineering BIM, CPM scheduling, and software implementation, he builds a project in his mind before building a budget on paper. Working alongside other team members, his approach has saved our owners countless hours of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars. With a Masters of Building Construction focused in Real Estate Development and Construction Technology from Auburn University, James is well-equipped to help owners achieve the best ROI possible on their projects.

Four Alabama Firms To Work On New Airbus 220 Assembly Line

Posted on April 5, 2019

HPM has announced the selection of several design-build teams for the construction of the Airbus 220 assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.

BL Harbert International of Birmingham teamed with the design firm FSB and have been selected for Package 3 of the project, which consists of design-build services for four additional hangar bays.

The package was awarded in November 2018 and is targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2019.

“BL Harbert International is honored to continue our relationship with Airbus on this expansion,” said Jeremy Pipkin, Vice President of BL Harbert International. “It is a privilege to play a part in the immense impact that Airbus is having on the local and state economy.”

H.O. Weaver and Sons of Mobile has been awarded the Enabling Works Package of preparations to make a building site ready for construction. It covers activities from site preparation, creation of access routes, and the installation of facilities like security fencing, ramps, and signage placement.

The package was awarded in November 2018, and the project is targeted for completion in early 2019.

Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie teamed with Huntsville-based design firm BRPH has been selected for Package 1 of the project, which consists of design-build services for the building of the new A220 final assembly line and existing logistic center expansion.

“Brasfield & Gorrie is honored and excited to continue its relationship with Airbus, HPM/Mott MacDonald, Mobile Airport Authority, and the City of Mobile by building the new A220 Final Assembly Line,” said Regional Vice President and Division Manager John Strid. “Having built multiple projects at the Brookley Aeroplex, including the first Airbus Final Assembly Line, we are able to bring considerable experience to the construction of this important facility.”

The package was awarded in late 2018, and the project is targeted for completion in mid-2020. “Our intent is to implement and execute a fast-track delivery process to ensure the goals of this project are met,” said HPM Vice President of Program Development Greg Ellis. “We’re confident these teams have the industry expertise and resources necessary to meet the goals of Airbus and the A220 project as a whole.”

HPM, which has offices in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Florida, is responsible for managing all aspects of the design and construction of the new facility, as well as expansion of Airbus’ current facilities to accommodate increased A320 family production on the site. HPM was involved in the construction of the Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile over a decade ago and managed construction of the A320 production facilities, completed in 2015.

HPM continues to work with its long-time industry partner, Mott McDonald, providing program management services for the A220, as both firms did for the A320 campus.

How HPMers Breathe Life Into Core Values

Posted on February 18, 2019

Jay Daily — **Jay** **Daily**,
*HPM Vice President,*
*Business Develoment*

At HPM, we provide a spectrum of professional services for managing the details of our clients’ capital building programs. But perhaps even more importantly, we carefully and proactively address and manage our clients’ concerns throughout one or more of their projects to ensure a pristine client experience.

In fact, at HPM we don’t just want our clients to be satisfied, we want them to be delighted. To accomplish this — and we do it every day — all of our actions and interactions are grounded in our core values.

HPM Core Values

The foundation of our approach to the client experience can be found in our core values. These include always acting with honesty and integrity, treating others with respect, relentlessly pursuing improvement, the meticulous management of resources, and fostering a family atmosphere for our employees, clients, and partners.

They might sound simple, but they work. Because these are the values you teach your children. These are the values of good, honest people, and they guide our actions and shape how we treat each other, our partners, and our clients.

Leadership and Trust

A big part of our kind of leadership isn’t just managing program details, but how they affect the owner. We have a saying around here. What’s keeping our clients’ up at night? Whatever it is, that’s what we want to tackle. We feel the same about all the partners involved. We provide a big umbrella for our owners, because that’s what they want and deserve.

Driven by our core values, we do what we say, and we say what we do. Every single time. As a result, our clients trust us. They trust us with their building program, their resources, and their peace of mind.

What’s more, we realize this commitment to our values and the client experience must permeate our entire organization. Everyone here touches the client at some point in the process, and we do not let that get out of focus.

Lasting Relationships

At HPM, we have a lot of confidence in our corporate principles and how they guide our actions because HPMers live our core values. They inspire us to deliver a client experience that is second to none.

How do we know? Our client retention rate is extremely high. Our relationships are strong and lasting, and our clients work with us again and again. In fact, 80 percent of our business every year comes from repeat clients. Loyalty like that doesn’t just happen. It’s earned by doing the right thing and going the extra mile for our clients every single day which is more than an abstract concept but a way of life.

HPM is in the business of leading. For some clients, this may mean managing an already-established, multi-million dollar capital building program. For others, it could mean overseeing a single project from site selection through owner occupancy. No matter the scope of our involvement or at what point you find yourself in the building process, HPM exists to lead our clients to success and provide value in everything we do.

by Jay Daily, HPM Vice President, Business Development

At HPM, we like to provide you with information and news about our company, our people and what we do as well as other topics we think you will find interesting and valuable. If you ever have any questions about anyone or anything you see here or if you have an idea for what you’d like to see posted, drop us a line at info@hpmleadership.com.

5 Aviation and Aerospace Trends to Look for in 2019 and Beyond

Posted on January 8, 2019

The aerospace industry has always been a source of innovation, whether it’s technical developments that later make it into the hands of consumers or proactive responses to economic trends that will soon be felt by the rest of the world. Here are a few things to look forward to in the coming years.

The Power of Data. Big Data is having a growing influence on the aviation industry, informing the way businesses interact with their customers and customers’ expectations of the businesses with which they interact. Analytics allow manufacturers to better manage resources and decrease time to market, and allow airlines to better understand customers and predict their behavior. Consumers, on the other hand, have become accustomed to sites and apps that can find them the best travel dates, ticket prices and even seats with the click of a button, and they expect nothing less than perfect service from the companies with which they interact.

New Material. Use of carbon fiber and composites in aerospace has been on the rise as a lightweight — and thus more fuel-efficient — alternative to metals like steel and iron. Most of that rise has been in widebody jets, though — production rates and material costs have reduced the cost benefit of composites in narrow-body aircraft. But the passage of time has started to shift popular opinion. Manufacturers are beginning to see significant savings in maintenance and replacement costs for carbon fiber components, making it far more appealing to expand adoption across the entire fleet.

Thinking Small. With airlines bracing for a period of global economic uncertainty, right-sizing aircraft and routes is becoming a priority. Intra-regional routes are expected to grow, many served by 100- to 150-seat planes. As airlines refresh their aging fleets, demand for fuel-efficient, cost-efficient, right-sized aircraft can be expected to rise.

Droning On. Drones have moved far beyond the quadcopter toy favored by the coolest kid in the neighborhood. Industries from logistics to farming are finding uses for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Warehouses are monitoring their stock using drones. Farmers are monitoring their fields. Construction companies are mapping build sites and monitoring progress. The drone has replaced the crane and the helicopter as a source of aerial shots in the film industry. The market for piloted aircraft will never wane, of course, but expect to see demand for UAVs rising as new industries discover new uses.

Working Together. The aerospace industry in the U.S. contributes greatly to both the domestic and global economy—it provides hundreds of thousands of jobs inside the country and more than a third of global aerospace component exports. Most of these come through the two big aircraft manufacturers in the U.S., and smaller companies are beginning to form partnerships to break into the global market with components for commercial and military aircraft and MRO services.

We offer services such as:

Capital Bond Program Management
Preconstruction Services
Construction Contract Negotiations
Aerospace & Airport Program Management
Aerospace & Airport Project Management
Engineering Procurement Project Management
Integrated Project Delivery
Master Planning
Site Selection
Construction Auditing
Captital Expenditure Management
Design Team Procurement
Project Management
Owner’s Representative

HPM, Airbus continue partnership with Mobile’s new A220 facility

Posted on December 30, 2018

HPM is once again helping Airbus, an international pioneer in the aerosapce industry, expand their footprint in Mobile, Alabama. Following the success of the A320 project, HPM is continuing its partnership with Airbus as the program manager for the design and construction of its newest assembly line at the Brookley Aeroplex.

The new facility will build A220s, which are smaller jetliners designed and developed by Canadian company Bombardier as the C Series, and later rebranded after Airbus and Bombardier formed a partnership to produce them.

Florent Massou, head of the A220 Program, said the selection of HPM was “great news and an important next-step in bringing A220 production to the U.S. for our U.S.-based customers. We are on track to deliver our first aircraft from Mobile in 2020.”

“Clear expectations are set up with designers and contractors up front, and our team works alongside Airbus to ensure all parties follow through with all the tasks, both large and small, that have to be undertaken each step of the way to achieve the target at the end,” said Greg Ellis, HPM’s Vice President of Program Development.

HPM/Airbus Project Team at the A220 FAL Groundbreaking (Jan. 16, 2019)

As project manager for the A220 facility construction, HPM will manage all aspects of its design and construction, which is slated to begin next year. They will also oversee the expansion of the current Airbus facilities to accommodate increased production, which is already underway.

“Our continued commitment to Airbus and Mobile has expanded significantly in the last decade, and we look forward to again representing our client in Alabama’s growing aerospace sector,” said HPM President Mike Lanier.

HPM Wins National Award from Construction Management Association of America

Posted on November 21, 2018

In October, HPM won a Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) national award for its work on the Texas Christian University (TCU) Worth Hills Greek Village Phase 5 Residence Halls. Each year, CMAA recognizes companies for outstanding achievement in construction management.

At this year’s awards luncheon, held in Las Vegas, the HPM project group behind the TCU Residence Hall won top honors in the Education Construction Value Greater than $50 Million category.

Left to right: George Watts – Senior Program Manager, HPM, Frank Marsac – Director of Field Operations, HPM, Bill Wade – Senior Project Manager, HPM

The $90 million project, led by Senior Program Manager George Watts and Senior Project Manager Bill Wade, began in May 2016 and took 15 months to complete. Despite a schedule delay, the project was finished two weeks ahead of schedule and $5 million under budget. In addition, all seven buildings of the Residence Halls earned LEED Gold Certification from the Green Building Certification Institute of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Left to right: Chris Payne – Chair of CMAA, Bill Wade – Senior Project Manager, HPM, George Watts – Senior Program Manager, HPM, Andrea Rutledge – President and CEO, CMAA

In the past three years, HPM has won numerous awards from the CMAA North Texas chapter for its work on TCU projects including the Schollmaier Arena, Worth Hills Parking Garage, and the Greek housing project.

“We are really proud of the work this team has accomplished in our three years on campus, and how they’ve been able to integrate and be an integral part of the facilities team,” said HPM West Region Vice President James Adams. “We are honored to receive this award and be recognized for our work to meet the schedule and come in under budget.”

Partnering with the Giants in Aerospace

Posted on May 30, 2018

HPM’s relationship with Airbus began a decade ago with our involvement in the construction of the Airbus Engineering Center. Then, when HPM began work with Airbus to build the A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Mobile’s Brookley Aeroplex in 2015, the aerospace giant deemed HPM “the local experts.” Our knowledge of the community and both state and federal laws plus the relationships cultivated with local contractors set us apart from other companies who vied for the project.

HPM completed the A320 FAL project in 2015 —four months early and nearly 7 percent below budget. The assembly line and associated facility produces and delivers approximately four aircraft per month with the first Mobile-assembled aircraft celebrated in April 2016.

“It was an ambitious timeline, no doubt — I think many wondered if it was truly possible. HPM assembled a fantastic team that developed and executed the plan that led to the facility being completed not just on time, but ahead of schedule,” said Jared Scheeter, HPM Program Executive. “We hired the right designers and contractors to take the project from a vision to a reality and kept everyone focused on the mission from start to finish.”

As Airbus’ first manufacturing facility in North America, the $600 million A320 project needed a quick turnaround. It brought its fair share of unique challenges to the table — because of airplane construction standards, the facility was designed and built using the metric system, even though HPM usually operates on the U.S.-standard imperial system of measurement. And HPM wasn’t just managing the Final Assembly Line project. They also oversaw the design and construction of the Final Phase/Flightline Hangar, a service building, the Flightline Delivery Center, a logistics center, the Transshipment Hangar, a main gate, and the gauging canopy, as well as an off-site logistics building. HPM was also responsible for changing the associated infrastructure. Roads had to be widened and reinforced to accommodate haul routes to truck in major prefabricated airplane parts such as fuselage and nose sections.

“Our efforts were closely coordinated with the design team to ensure dimensions and required clearances were properly considered ahead of the vehicle being fabricated,” Scheeter said. “I still remember the first parts being delivered through a parade of cheering Mobilians standing along the haul route.”

http://www.madeinalabama.com/2015/05/airbus-ships-first-major-components-to-alabama-factory/

“All buildings on the A320 facility also earned LEED Silver status, with one earning LEED Gold,” Scheeter said. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) provides a framework to create efficient and cost-saving green buildings, and certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments for the places people live, learn, work and play. LEED Silver is the second tier of the rating system. Gold is third. HPM worked alongside teams from Europe, Asia and North America to determine the best ways to both meet the owners’ facility needs while also achieving LEED Silver status, which is uncommon for the region and even less so in the industrial and manufacturing industry.

In addition to LEED certification, the A320 FAL was named the 2015 Project of the Year by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers, as well as the 2015 Quality Pavement Award from the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association. “All things considered, our first project was a resounding success made possible by the tireless efforts of many individuals,” echoed Scheeter. “A major factor in this success was the partnership and teamwork that developed between our team and Airbus. We quickly broke through cultural and language barriers to meld together into one incredible team that accomplished something great.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4L3RXMGqDI

Meet Georgia’s New Program Management Powerhouse

Posted on May 21, 2018

At HPM, our client-centric philosophy influences everything we do. We are dedicated to our clients and to bringing their visions to life with maximum ROI.

That’s why we’re excited to announce our new partnership with Hendessi & Associates. Hendessi shares our philosophy and contributes a wealth of knowledge about Georgia’s higher education system. This long-lasting partnership has been in the making for almost two years and was a natural decision because of our shared principles and complementary services. We know how to deliver value for higher education, having worked for more than 25 years with many of the most highly-regarded universities in the U.S. HPM and Hendessi & Associates combine our knowledge and experience to become the newest power partnership for Georgia’s higher education.

Our partnership brings fresh, yet experienced perspective to a system that’s growing at rapid speeds. Working with universities across the Southeast, we know what matters to our clients: an established track record of achievement, delivering innovative facilities that align with campus aesthetics, and meeting state, federal, and campus guidelines. With healthy relationships and a deep understanding of the industry and underlying politics, we know how to maximize projects within our clients’ parameters and achieve successful results.

Here’s how our partnership brings a better experience for higher education:
– In-house estimators, auditing, and logistics
– Focused and in-depth understanding of the challenges facing higher education
– Consensus-driving client advocate
– Experience with a wide range of building types
– Long-term, complementary partnership of notable skills and talent
– 100+ dedicated program management professionals
– Experience at all Georgia Board of Regents campuses
– Public-Private-Partnership Experience

This alliance of HPM and Hendessi & Associates is primed to face the challenges of modern universities, which means we are ready with an in-house depth of resources that allow us to be knowledgeable, flexible, and scalable experts. With experience in facility planning, design, construction, management, and sustainability throughout Georgia and the Southeast’s public universities, we understand the processes behind higher education. Our firms are connected to the Georgia Board of Regents, presidents, deans, and academic and divisional leaders across the region to ensure that our projects meet the needs of their campuses and communities.

With this partnership, we are melding together the very best in owner’s representative services for you. Together, we are ready to take on new clients and exceed expectations. Let’s talk soon about your next project and how we can make you successful.

Jason Abernathy
205-212-8015
jabernathy@hpmleadership.com

Airbus in the U.S.

Posted on July 1, 2017

One of the most anticipated capital building programs in recent aviation history, Airbus entered North America with its first US manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama and chose HPM as the local experts to lead the construction of its final assembly line. The company made history at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley announcing its plans in July 2012 and breaking ground in April 2013—which marked the beginning of construction for the $600 million facility.

Due to an ambitious schedule and budget, Airbus realized they needed a versatile and experienced program manager to lead this monumental collaborative effort. Working with teams from Europe, Asia, and North America, HPM found ways to meet the aerospace giant’s facility needs while maintaining a target for LEED Silver—which is uncommon for the local region and even less so in the industrial and manufacturing industry.

Across time zones, despite language and cultural differences and under pressure to deliver a legacy project for a global company with myriad stakeholders and site partners, HPM implemented some of the most cutting-edge technology in the construction business to aid design and construction teams throughout the entire process saving countless hours in the office and in the field.

The stellar results provided Airbus with efficiency and effectiveness and set a new standard for HPM and our industry. Throughout the process, HPM faced unique challenges while providing leadership on a program of this magnitude, working with a global company entering a new market, coordinating the efforts of a multitude of site partners and initiating technologies and processes new to the company and to the industry.

With a focus on leadership and technology, HPM centered our day-to-day role in managing the design and construction of the project on unifying the various teams to achieve a common, successful goal. With multiple stakeholders in several countries and a number of design and construction teams on the site, HPM’s constant effort to keep everyone working together became essential in ensuring a quality product within budget and schedule for our client in order for Airbus to deliver airplanes to its customers as soon as possible.

Aircraft assembly began in late 2015 with the first delivery targeted for 2016.

Watch our Airbus video to see how HPM served as design and construction experts to lead the realization for Airbus’ first US manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama.

Restructured for Service & Growth

Posted on June 29, 2017

More than 20 years ago, HPM got its start as a division of Hoar Construction to provide comprehensive program management services to clients who lack design and construction expertise. However in 2012, HPM became its own business entity – a limited liability company (LLC) — in order to position itself for growth in separate industries and geographic areas and to distinguish the brand, service offerings and messaging in the marketplace.

Over the past five years, HPM has grown its footprint and began to provide new service offerings, too. About two years ago, the company acquired the principal of CCM Consulting Group, Vince Chapman – an industry leader in construction audit and contract services. As a result, HPM’s client base and contacts grew as well as the corporate vernacular. Plus, now HPM boasts an entire staff of seasoned, veteran accountants of the construciton audit business.

Coming on board in 2015, Steve Olson continues to lead our teams in the Western Region by growing existing client relationships and establishing additional presence in Texas, Oklahoma, California, Colorado and the Midwest.

In the East, Jason Abernathy recently was promoted to Vice President and tapped to lead and realign groups, accounts, clients, and projects in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and the Carolinas under one Eastern Region. The corporate restructure improves shared goals, resources and collaboration.

In addition to the client service side of the business, HPM adjusted our leadership team by leveling out workloads and responsibilities and eliminating redundancies. Ryan Austin, Vice President & CFO, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer with additional responsibilities over preconstruction, field coordination and marketing support services.

Rearranged to provide more efficient service to our clients, increased focus on new markets and new opportunities for all HPMers, these changes have freed up leadership to spend more time developing new relationships, finding new work assignments and developing employees at all levels.

HPM continues to stand proudly of the fact that:

HPM sustains its ranking from year to year as one of the largest program management firms in the US according to Engineering News Record.

HPM manages more than $400 million annual volume of work totaling more than $4 billion in our 20+ history of providing services.

HPM professionals hold 100+ industry-related certifications and accreditations.

Our commitment at HPM is to provide the highest level of service to our clients by running our company with the same efficiency by which we manage our programs and projects. As we grow and continue to expand into other industries and markets, we can move ahead in the coming years with confidence, knowing we are providing our clients and our employees with productive focus and concise responsibilities.

Yet, as we become a more sophisticated and mature business entity, HPM remains committed to not lose our family environment, our steadfast obligation to each other and our core values.

Category: Preconstruction

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