“I felt comfortable with John (Morgan). AECON had a very practical, common-sense approach to doing business…very direct.

“John’s proposal was the lowest bid for the work. They (the AECON staff) worked as an integral part of our organization. We made some huge changes and they were able to respond very quickly – and they always brought good alternatives to the table.”

“If we could do it over, I would certainly want more time. We had only six months total. And, (in the future) if it were my business, I would simply go with John. He would provide the best value.”

—Dan Fowler, UPG Facilities Consultant

An interior with guts

AECON created UPG’s interior using a connected series of struts with aerial cross-members, or masts. This series of masts carries complete process services to the base of each strut, and also supports the rails for two high-capacity bridge cranes. Each machine simply docks to a strut, which offers power, material and process hookups. The interior footprint allows for plenty of space around and between the machines for efficient product transportation. Access to every machine from all sides also results in easy operation and maintenance.

A night-and-day difference

The benefits of this new facility started to show as soon as UPG occupied the building. For example, the new electrical distribution system, with properly-sized cable, saved significant monthly costs, from reduced power loss and from less resistance-generated heat. A more efficient cool water supply allows most machinery to cycle at higher rates. The movement of raw material, which had occupied several employees, is now largely an automated task. And, computer network cable nodes at the base of each mast carry CAM instruction data to the machines for lights-out operation.