Lean, Mean, Materials Handling Machine

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A fresh look at material handling operations By Ken Cornell Did you know that evaluating material handling operations may provide the key to a more productive, safe and profitable jobsite? And superintendents who embrace change on this front give their companies a competitive advantage. Evolution of safety practices Since the establishment of OSHA in the 1970s, safety protocols and standards have continued to evolve. In fact, the pace of change has rapidly increased with the consistent introduction of new technology and processes that are pushing the industry forward in terms of field operations. Typically, slower to adopt change, construction organizations … Read more

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NFL Chicago Bears’ Halas Hall Modernization Moving Toward Goal

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The first phase of the partial demolition, expansion and renovation of Halas Hall, the iconic Lake Forest, Illinois headquarters of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears, has been completed by Mortenson. Strategic planning and innovative solutions have enabled the team to stay on track in meeting the accelerated project timetable while also accommodating additional scope. Even with the additional work, the project remains on schedule to wrap up in August for the Bears’ return from summer camp. The first phase, turned over on April 1, focused on football operations. It included demolition of part of the original facility and building … Read more

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Flagship Mercyhealth Hospital Houses Only State-Designated Children’s Hospital in Northern Illinois

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Mortenson has reached completion of Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside, a $505-million regional tertiary specialty women and children’s hospital, adult hospital and multi-specialty clinic in Rockford, Illinois, marking the end of the largest construction project in the city’s history. The new facility, which houses the only state-designated children’s hospital in northern Illinois, and a regional perinatal center with 52-bed level III (highest level) neonatal intensive care unit, opened to patients in January. Mortenson prioritized hiring locally and women and minority representation on the jobsite, with more than 90 percent of craft workers living within 49 miles of the … Read more

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Enclosure of Halas Hall Addition for NFL’s Chicago Bears Complete, Expansion & Renovation on Track

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Mortenson has completed the enclosure of the major new addition to Halas Hall, putting it on track to complete the expansion and renovation of the home of the Chicago Bears National League Football team before the start of next year’s football season. The modernization, including the 162,500-square-foot addition that more than doubles the size of the Bears’ headquarters, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, will deliver an expansive, state-of-the-art training center for players, coaches and the entire football operation. Improvements include: 13,000-square-foot indoor turf field with projection screen, virtual reality room and adjacent classrooms for learning and practicing plays Expanding the … Read more

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5S Makes Jobsites Safer, Cleaner and More Productive

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By Mark Jagiello The 17-story Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel, under construction in downtown Chicago, Illinois, recently topped off six weeks ahead of schedule and with 293 days and 90,000 work hours without an injury. While Mortenson implemented an array of innovative techniques to reach this milestone safely and ahead of schedule, the Lean approach known as 5S played a critical role. We use 5S to maintain neat, clean, orderly project sites and work areas improving safety, quality and efficiency. 5S was originally based on five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. It has been adapted in English … Read more

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