Tag: HPM

Progress Forges Ahead at Airbus Manufacturing Facility in Mobile

Posted on April 16, 2024

Construction was recently completed on two new paint shops at Airbus’ Mobile, AL campus. These facilities located on the west side of campus enable Airbus to triple their monthly paint production. The completion of these projects is only a symbol of the progress underway within the Single Aisle Ramp Up (SARU) expansion, slated to double the size of the Airbus footprint in North America. When the program is complete, Mobile will rank as the 4th largest aerospace manufacturing community in the world.

Leading the Charge

Leading HPM’s project team is Stewart Nobles. Stewart was recently promoted to Senior Program Manager after joining the account in 2019. His mechanical and technical background proved essential in providing value to the client, quickly establishing him as the “perfect fit” for a complex program such as Airbus. He is a strong team leader with a demonstrated ability to hone in on the finite details of a project, while also keeping the “big picture” end goal in mind.

A Robust History

HPM’s relationship with Airbus began over 15 years ago with the construction of their Mobile Engineering Center. From there, the HPM project team led the development of the first Final Assembly Line campus in North America at Mobile’s Brookley Aeroplex. Following the successful completion of the first A320 FAL, Airbus called upon HPM again to lead the development of the A220 FAL project and expand the Mobile campus to produce a second line of aircraft.

A Bright Future

In 2022, HPM was honored to be called upon once again to lead a third campus expansion increasing the production of the original A320 series aircraft line. Presently, we are deep in the construction phase, projected to reach completion in late 2025. Without question, bright days are ahead for Mobile as Airbus continues to generate unique new job opportunities for residents while fostering economic growth within the community.

The Land: A Symbol of Growth for the City of Saraland

Posted on February 8, 2024

The City of Saraland

Saraland, AL has experienced exponential growth in recent years. With a renowned school system, many young families have chosen to call the community home. The uptick in population, a hefty percentage of which is children, combined with the increased desire for community-oriented recreational facilities following the pandemic revealed a need within the city. Subsequently, the vision for The Land was born. Plans for the large-scale facility were approved in 2022, and the preparation process began.

Collaborating with HPM

HPM is representing the City of Saraland from conception to completion. Our team began working on the project immediately upon hire, providing preconstruction services. The preconstruction team worked with city officials to optimize the selected 80-acre plot of land, while maximizing the impact of the allotted budget. After finalizing plans, construction officially got started towards the end of 2023, with the goal of opening the outdoor space in late 2024.

As construction continues, HPM is sitting at the helm providing project management services. Our Project Managers are diligently monitoring progress, ensuring milestones are met with quality. It is our job to protect the interest of the City of Saraland throughout all phases of the project’s lifespan.

All About The Land

With a budget of $72 million the City of Saraland plans to pull out all the stops for its citizens. City leadership understands the need for a facility of this nature in their area, and they want to make sure to get it right. The outdoor portion of The Land offers youth-sized baseball/softball fields, multipurpose fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and walking trails. Additionally, the indoor facility includes a fitness center, basketball courts, a climbing wall and meeting spaces. Undoubtedly, The Land has something for community members of all ages to enjoy. HPM is proud to serve as a trusted partner to the city, providing a beautiful and sustainable complex for many future generations to enjoy.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

Posted on November 19, 2023

The breadth of the term “project management” often begs the question, “what does a project manager do?” The HPM team loves to learn through stories and personal experiences. As such, we are introducing you to Project Manager, Justin Adams for a peak behind the curtain into his everyday life.

What project(s) are you currently on?

I am currently working on three municipal projects in the great state of Texas! These include City of Lewisville Public Safety Campus, City of Denton Fleet Services Expansion and City of Denton Fire Station #09.

What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

My typical day includes interfacing with our team for project updates and helping develop solutions for project challenges. This involves touching base with our HPM team as well as trade partners and clients/ stakeholders. Generally, we have at least one dedicated project meeting in person or virtually. Days when I am onsite include walking the jobsite with the contractor and reporting meetings with clients.

What is the best part of your job?

The best aspects of my job are getting to learn from clients and trade partners coupled with the opportunity to share this knowledge within our team. I interface directly with various levels of management within the municipalities we support. This exposes me to the many complexities of project management and client satisfaction. There is always something to be learned and my knowledge is ever-growing. This grants me to lead by teaching. Watching team members accumulate new knowledge and develop new skills is immensely rewarding.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment was having run the Dallas Marathon twice. My wife and I are avid runners and love to be outdoors. This was recently outdone by becoming a father. Our baby girl was born October 5^th this year!

Tell us about someone who inspires you. What made or makes this person a great leader?

My Grandpa has always been a source of inspiration both personally and professionally. My Grandfather taught me the importance of hard work and taking pride in what you do. He learned to be a hands-on leader working for the Dept. of Transportation building the original Interstate Highway System. He instilled in me the importance of accountability when leading a team, always teach by example. Grandpa is my inspiration for pursuing a career in Engineering / Construction and someone I am still learning from.

What are the characteristics of a great leader?

I find a great leader is often characterized not by personal success and accolades, but by the success of their team. Simply being a manager is not enough. You must gain the trust of your people, foster autonomy and create an environment centered on learning. A great leader is never too busy to work through a question or spend one-on-one time with their team. A leader’s focus should be providing their team the tools necessary for success.

Learn more about HPM’s expertise in Project/Program Management.

Working Together to Get the Job Done

Posted on April 8, 2021

As program managers, we serve as the eyes and ears of the owner, ensuring that their best interests are at the heart of every decision. We manage all resources as if they were our own – which includes holding designers, suppliers, contractors, decision makers and ourselves accountable to the commitments made. Sometimes, other project partners involved come from previous experiences where working with a program management firm felt more like an additional layer of red tape.

This was the case for Carmon Construction Inc. (CCI), a construction company based in Albertville, Alabama, which had previously worked with firms that either forbid them from corresponding with the owner or architect or added a fee for doing so. When we partnered with CCI on the City of Albertville’s Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater, they found HPM to be quite different.

“To begin, HPM stayed on top of every problem or change requested by the owner, analyzed how it would affect the schedule and produced an independent cost breakdown with written analysis to the architect and owner,” said Carmon Smith, founder of CCI. “This proved to be very helpful. With this being a large project, site-wise, and with the owner choosing to contract with 10 or more separate contractors, orderly coordination of these was almost impossible. HPM did everything they possibly could to coordinate and get each contractor to do their part at the time it was needed.”

The Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater is a big deal in every sense of the word. The park includes five softball fields with one championship field, four baseball fields with one championship field and five multi-purpose fields, each with all-weather turf. It includes a 100,000 plus square foot recreation center with an indoor eight-lane competition pool, multiple basketball courts and an outdoor water park with a lazy river feature.

The park also features four miles of hiking trails, open grass areas, an RV Park and a 7,000+ seating capacity amphitheater equipped to host national touring acts and regional or community events. The 135-acre sports, leisure, wellness and entertainment venue is expected to create more than 1,200 jobs while generating an economic impact of $120 million annually.

No matter the size or scope of any project, clear communication among the various teams involved is a requisite of success. HPM furnished a complete table of contents for close out of the project in the first third of the project and CCI came to consider us as a partner in building the recreation center and amphitheater. The complex program schedule featured numerous logistical challenges ranging from complications due to the pandemic to one of the rainiest winters in North Alabama history, but our teams worked together to ensure that the program was a success.

“Carmon Construction was driving their work from day one,” said Caleb Camp, HPM project manager. “They had strong field leadership, obviously developed over a long career in the construction industry. Carmon Smith held his company to high standards and represented Albertville with class. The City of Albertville has a reputation and history of providing excellence to its citizens, and Carmon Construction delivered the facilities to continue this tradition.”

We strive to be the perfect partner, helping every group on every project achieve its goals. Together with CCI, we put the owner first and got the job done, delivering a remarkable recreation destination to a region that will enjoy its benefits for many years to come.

Construction of Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater Complete

Posted on February 2, 2021

The City of Albertville, Alabama, announced in January the completion of its new Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater (SMPA), a transformative project that will spur a new wave of economic development and entertainment opportunities in the region. The 135-acre sports, leisure, wellness and entertainment venue is expected to create more than 1,200 jobs while generating an annual economic impact of $120 million.

HPM served as the owner’s representative for the City and played a key role in bridging the gap between multiple contractors during the various phases of construction. We were tasked with coordinating a complex program schedule that featured numerous logistical challenges ranging from the complications due to the pandemic to one of the rainiest winters in North Alabama history. Our team successfully navigated those hurdles while saving the City over $2 million in total project costs—A testament to HPM’s ability to weather any storm and deliver a successful project that exceeds expectations for our client, no matter the circumstances.

“Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater will be an economic driving force that will turn Albertville into a family destination for the entire region,” said HPM Project Manager Caleb Camp. “Whether it was finding new avenues for optimizing performance of the park’s sprawling utility network, or collaborating with the owner and contractors on change orders that would increase overall efficiency and keep things moving, the project partners rose to every challenge. We’re pleased to help the City of Albertville turn its game-changing vision into reality.”

The development will become the area’s premier destination for concerts, conferences, sporting events, private parties and recreational activities, featuring:

– 7,500-Capacity Amphitheater
– Two-Story Recreation Center
– RV Park
– 16 Tennis Courts
– 14 Playing Fields
– 4 Miles of Walking Trails
– 2 Dog Parks

The inside of the 103,000-square-foot recreation center features state-of-the-art basketball and volleyball facilities, racquetball courts, an 8-lane indoor competition pool, fitness center, elevated walking track, and meeting and party rooms. Outside, the complex boasts multiple playgrounds and an outdoor competition pool, as well as a recreational pool and water park featuring a lazy river, wave pool, splash pad and slides. The building’s interior includes tongue and groove decking that spans the entire roof, enabling the facility to properly transfer loads to the structure while insulating and eliminating the need for traditionally low ceilings.

“Early on in this process, it became evident that the massive scope of the Sand Mountain Park project, with its vast multitude of partners—from a largescale design and development team, to two general contractors and a host of sub-contractors, a number of consultants, and so on, required us bringing in a firm that had profound experience in management and oversight at this level,” said Albertville Mayor Tracy Honea. “The city landing on HPM to fill this role didn’t come without much deliberation and due diligence, and I can say that we are very pleased with the professionalism and perseverance they have displayed throughout the project’s entirety. From our great relationship with ‘boots on the ground’ Project Manager, Caleb Camp, to our frequent and available access to HPM executive leadership in Birmingham whenever necessary or requested, we have enjoyed a very impactful partnership with HPM that has proven to be integral in bringing our world-class park to a successful completion.”

HPM Talks Webinar: Putting the Tenant in Charge of Funding + Building

Posted on June 15, 2020

HPM Talks Webinar

Putting the Tenant in Charge of Funding + Building

What happens when a lessee leads the development of its own built-to-suit facility?

You have faced this challenge time and time again. You have specifications which must be met for a facility – size, function, material, design, location. However, you need to keep the capital expenditure or the risk off of your own books.

What if you could find the investors you need at a competitive price but also understand and comprehensively manage the planning, design, and construction process from conception to occupancy?

After working for several mutual clients together and watching successful projects spring up with this “best of both worlds” concept, HPM and Stan Johnson Company (SJC) decided to combine forces to educate clients on this disruptive idea. Although teaching a tenant-controlled development concept is a much longer conversation, Mike Lanier, President of HPM, and Shan Gastineau, Senior Director of SJC, lead a discussion on June 18, 2020 on this novel approach which eliminates the complexity and removes the intimidation often associated with the alternative.

Mike and Shan explored the typical methods of financing and project team procurement for infrastructure growth – which puts the control squarely in a third-party’s hands. They also answered the need to reduce costs, ease pressure on resources, and provide new sources of financing by walking you through the tenant-controlled process-which restores your control over your projects.

To find out about upcoming webinars, subscribe via email to the right of this post.

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HPM Talks Webinar: Reducing Risk on Construction Projects

Posted on May 21, 2020

Reconsidering Owner’s Acceptance of Subcontractor Bonds or Subcontractor Default Insurance During a Pandemic

As we all continue to navigate the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Vince examines how owners need to take a second look at the need of their projects carrying costs for bonds for subcontractors or SDI in order to mitigate risk to construction projects. Don’t leave it up to your general contractor to make these decisions for you during these uncertain times.

In the COVID-19 environment, have you considered the increased risk of subcontract default due to:

• Loss of Productivity?
• Skilled worker impacts such as those who become ill or those who fear working around groups of people?
• Increased project costs due to non – compensable delays?
• Reduced revenue from canceled or delayed projects?
• Owner or project insolvency?

Each of these effects contributes to the overall health of subcontractors which compounded could have far-reaching impact on the success or failure of your construction project. Register today for this complimentary webinar geared toward owners of construction projects. Seats are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Watch the Webinar

Download the Presentation Deck

HPM Talks: What to do with Your Building Projects as a Result of COVID-19

Posted on April 17, 2020

We’ve faced many challenges in the design and construction industry, but navigating building programs through a global pandemic isn’t one of them. As an Owner, how can you set your projects up for success, and what should you be doing to protect yourself from potential risks during these unprecedented times?

HPM hosted a 30-minute webinar where we discussed the impact COVID-19 is having on each project phase – planning, construction, closeout – and what Owners can and should be doing to prepare for the future.

HPM’s team of owner advocates shared thoughts and ideas relating to:
1. Contract language to protect your organization and your projects
2. Inspections & permitting during quarantine
3. Adopting new virtual practices for procurement, approvals, payments, and even systems training

To find out about upcoming webinars, subscribe via email to the right of this post.

Watch the Webinar

Download the Presentation Deck + Q&A

To all HPM clients, industry partners and business associates:

Posted on March 18, 2020

Thank you for trusting HPM to serve you and work alongside you as we manage your capital expenditure projects.

These are difficult times, and the uncertainty that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has imposed upon our families, communities, businesses and projects is unprecedented. At HPM, we share your concerns, and we are committed to the safety and well-being of our clients, industry partners, and employees while we also continue to think proactively to also safeguard your capital building investments. That is why we are closely monitoring and following updates, guidelines, and recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the status of the virus and its impact on the community at large.

Based upon everything we’ve seen from the CDC and WHO and the collective wisdom of our leadership team, we have taken measures in an effort to limit the widespread growth of the virus – or at least the rate by which it proliferates – in hopes of returning to normal business routines as soon as possible.

This virus has significantly impacted many parts of the world, including the United States, affecting all facets of life. This is a rapidly developing situation affecting many aspects of the construction industry, such as supply of materials, equipment and labor both domestically and from abroad. While HPM is proactively taking steps to minimize disruption to our clients and projects, at this point the full impact of this global pandemic is unknown.

Project Sites/Work Environments

HPM has advised our employees to follow the public health authorities’ guidance regarding group gatherings, public spaces, hygiene and travel, and we’ve reinforced existing HPM policies encouraging employees who exhibit flu-like symptoms to stay home and consult with a medical professional. We have asked that our employees follow guidelines for social distancing wherever possible. We’ve limited business travel (suspending all international travel) and encouraged employees to leverage technology to hold business meetings whenever possible. While it is not possible to be completely isolated in our industry, we are looking at ways to accomplish some work remotely while still supporting your projects. We are taking several steps to ensure the safety of working environments as we continue to deliver service to our clients and provide safe and healthy work environments for our employees.

Global Impact on Our Industry

The design and construction industry operates in and receives the benefit of a global economy. Many of the products we use in construction in the United States are of foreign origin. Countries like China and Italy are major producers of common building materials, as well as are other countries. Our people have been working to better understand the supply chains that feed materials and products to your projects to the extent we are able. HPM will work to manage the risk and make you aware of any impacts as the information becomes available. We want to assure you that HPM will take every necessary measure to keep you apprised of this situation and proactively discuss the potential risks with your team.

Our Commitment to You

Our leadership team at HPM will continue to closely follow guidance from the WHO, CDC and local health authorities. As this situation continues to evolve, we will ensure that our client teams are ready to serve you — in the safest manner possible.

HPM’s commitment is to be transparent on matters as they arise with our clients, industry partners, project teams, and employees, and we will work together to navigate this unusual situation. We appreciate the trust that you place in HPM, and as always, will remain steadfast in our resolve for relentless improvement and a focus on our clients.

Best regards,

Mike Lanier

President

lanier@hpmleadership.com

Ryan Austin

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

raustin@hpmleadership.com