BUILD February 2017

78 BUILD / February 2017 , Pioneering Productive Work Environments As a part of the USA Construction Excellence Awards, BUILDMagazine has recognized IES Commercial, Inc., Commercial & Industrial Division. The Commercial & Industrial Division has been operating within the USA electrical andmechanical industries for over 18 years. IES Commercial, Inc.’s Commercial & Industrial Division is owned by the parent company IES Holdings, Inc., (“IES,” also f/k/a Integrated Electrical Services, Inc.). IES is a NASDAQ-listed holding company that owns and manages diverse operating subsidiaries, comprised of providers of industrial infrastructure services to a variety of end markets and is currently operating through four segments: Residential, Infrastructure Solutions, Communications and the Commercial & Industrial Division. Residential provides electrical installation services for single- family housing and multi- family apartment complexes; Infrastructure Solutions is engaged in providing electrical and mechanical solutions to domestic and international customers; Communications provides technology infrastructure services to corporations and independent businesses throughout the nation. The Commercial & Industrial Division, being the focus herein, provides electrical and mechanical design, construction and maintenance services to the commercial and industrial markets in various regional markets nationwide in certain areas of expertise. Employee safety is the cultural foundation of IES – ‘nothing we do in our industry is worth a life’ is the mantra of the company, and by it there is a determined, striving and ongoing effort to review safety values through in depth assessment. This begins with each new hire orientation training class, and prior to commencement of all other training classes. IES is also an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Women, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. “Since it was established, the division has experienced multiple changes over the years,” says John Werner, President – IES Commercial & Industrial Division. “Two primary changes we have encountered and continue to address are lower volumes of new entrants into positions for skilled trades/construction management and rapidly changing technology.” “Our recruiting approach has adapted by determining the value of acquired skill sets within our markets, and by establishing training to develop required skill sets of new entrants in addition to offering competitive merit compensation, a wide array of benefits, training and development opportunities, quality leadership and supervision, and advancement opportunities in support of acquiring the skill sets needed to facilitate and maintain our growth.” In response to rapid technology changes, John is also instigating means by which the company can achieve faster, more reliable communications, effectively by creating and transmitting vast amounts of detailed information in seconds, resulting in the implementation of multiple security protocols. Keeping up with these constant changes in software and related hardware operating devices is a particularly essential focus for the company to be able to remain competitive as time goes on. The company’s approach is through a combination of internal training and development programs, including outsourcing more specialized training as needed for end users. “I am personally a strong believer in requesting input and participation from employees, and in ‘taking it to heart’ by reviewing the input received from them to develop solutions together,” John says passionately. “Setting a clear vision of our business objectives and the actions required to meet these objectives forms a synergy to move the business forward, by inspiring employee creativity through ignition of a purpose and passion, which in turn fosters growth. Also, a highly-valued reputation of an organization is its most valuable asset which is consistently in need of being protected through the favourable actions of the organization. Consistency builds credibility, and in turn, credibility allows a business to experience longevity.” “Our construction projects aim to conduct daily or weekly employee safety talks depending on size of the project to reinforce awareness of safety among themselves and others on the jobsite,” comments John. “Our safety managers are generally certified safety professionals who perform regular equipment condition/placement safety checks and weather-related employee physical condition checks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) checks – to include fall protection harnesses, confined space training, etc. , to support utilization and training on proper wear of PPE as required in addition to all other safety duties including as trained first-responders, and accident investigators, and also to support consistent adherence to IES Safety Policies and project/client- specific safety requirements.” The company’s experience yields an exceptional safety rating that is recognized throughout the construction industry, which permits the company to be much more competitive in demonstrating a high level of commitment and management support. This is essential for the company to be able to perform regular, much-needed maintenance of a very competitive bonding surety capability, as well as 1611BU04