75 Construction & Engineering Awards 2020 BUILD BUILD Construction & Engineering Awards 2020 74 stablished in 1974 in a small village near Stuttgart, Germany, Hemstedt GmbH was created by Dieter and Silvi Hemstedt as a manufacturer of high-quality, specialised heating cables. Their business took off and in only four years, Dieter and Silvi had a team of twenty working for them, increasing sales and expanding their product range. Over three decades later, Hemstedt employs more than sixty people and manufactures a range of insulated heating cables designed for domestic heating, cold storage technology and industrial uses. Taking pride in their guarantee of high-quality products bred from innovation and always made in Germany, as well as their short delivery times and great price to performance ratios, it is specifically Hemstedt’s green and sleeveless technology that sets them apart from their competitors. Through the development and manufacture of energy-efficient heating systems and holistic concepts, Hemstedt has gone beyond contributing to climate-neutrality to climate-positivity in the constructions it is involved with. For this ground- breaking and forward-thinking work, Hemstedt has been recognised around the world, most notably in 2018 when Hemstedt’s innovations were acknowledged as sustainable and environmentally protective by the International Green Award. As the firm gains global recognition for its progressive and flexible approach to manufacturing, Hemstedt is taking on more exciting projects. Most recently, Hemstedt took great pride in their first project for a German partner, in which Heating Cables Manufacturer of the Year - Germany Hemstedt GmbH is the family-run manufacturer of insulated heating cables expanding its reach across Europe. Using sustainable green technology that boasts the Hemstedt guarantee of being 100% ‘Made in Germany’, Hemstedt is dedicated to the development and production of energy-efficient heating systems and holistic solutions that contribute not only to climate-neutrality but climate-positive constructions. We went to find out more about how this successful enterprise is staying true to its roots, whilst expanding its reach on a global scale. E Aug20492 Hemstedt provided under-soil heating for a soccer stadium in Saarbrücken, Germany. The firm went above and beyond the call of duty, helping their partner who had less experience than some of Hemstedt’s other clients. Hemstedt aided with planning in addition to the production of the required heating solutions, from which point their partner was able to take over responsibility for the execution. However, as Hemstedt expands its global reach, its commitment to the values of a family-run organisation remain consistent. As Dieter took on the role of Chairman of the Hemstedt management board, the second generation joined the company, as Sabine and Andreas Hemstedt took over as joint CEOs in 1990. As the third generation of Hemstedts now steps up to take their place in the family business, adherence to tradition remains as integral to the Hemstedt ethos as ever. Therefore, every member of the Hemstedt team is consulted when discussing projects, benefiting from the various perspectives and insights gained from years in the industry. The firm ensures success by developing a project plan in accordance with a timeline, and each project is overseen by a project lead who takes responsibility for the success of a project whilst also relying on the products of open and supportive discussions. The result is a reputation for award- winning development and manufacturing that has been built in a region in Germany known for its automotive and engineering- technology industry and is now expanding across the world. Hemstedt is entering another exciting phase of transition, as the two generations who have built the company so far now look to the next generation to continue building this enterprise. With family as an integral element of the Hemstedt brand, the firm will also look to continue developing its own innovation and sustainability, continually investing in reasonable automatization so as to stay competitive for the many years that lie ahead of this established yet progressive organisation. Contact: Mr. Andreas Hemstedt Company: Hemstedt GmbH Web Address: www.hemstedt.de Best Forensic Engineering Consultancy- North Atlantic USA ames Cohen has made a name for himself supporting some of the largest and most well- respected companies in the construction and engineering market over the last 40 years. As a leading expert in engineering forensics, he has helped put cases to rest with his witness testimony and expert consultancy. Through his company, James Cohen Consulting, Mr Cohen helps clients to develop, manage and handle building pathology. He has lent his expertise to insurers, construction and design firms, local, state and federal governments, and law firms. Mr Cohen’s services include expert-level forensic engineering support both post-and-pre claim, as well as witness testimony. He has aided with engineering investigations, repair, building- related insurance claims, emergency response, disaster and hazard mitigation, due diligence and expert requests. An expert on the matter through and through, Mr Cohen has been a guest speaker at colleges, legal forums and many other venues, and also taught at Manhattan College, New York as an adjunct professor. During this time, he taught a graduate-level class on forensic engineering: ‘Introduction to Engineering Investigations’. Even after his teaching days, James Cohen continues to be a mentor. In an effort to share his knowledge and expertise with a wide range of industry peers and up-and-coming engineers and experts, he has acted as a mentor to others and provided his time to multiple organisations interested in the forensic engineering universe. He has a wide network of contacts worldwide, sharing his information and experience. Currently, Mr Cohen is working with multiple large clients, including city governments. One case involves construction defect issues arising from a building restoration with specific regard to roofing whereas another involves wrongful demolition. Among other projects are alleged masonry and stone façade construction defects on behalf of a national construction firm, personal injury claims, and damage due to adjacent construction. Of course, as the majority of his cases involve litigation, the confidentiality of clients and locations is strictly maintained. When looking at a case, Mr Cohen takes a holistic approach. From disaster mitigation to major collapse, to a specific construction defect, for all assignments it is essential to consider multiple scenarios which may have contributed to the issue of concern. Often, as the leading expert called in to analyse and scrutinise evidence and its relationship to engineering, Mr Cohen has to make sure he has covered all bases. In terms of practical work, the current global situation has of course impacted the way that business is done. Where applicable, Mr Cohen has moved his business to the digital. Zoom, GoToMeeting and similar platforms have become part of the daily routine. However, it is imperative that site work be carried out in-person. When dealing with matters of litigation, it is vital that Mr Cohen gets first-hand experience of the situation he will be providing his expertise on. Luckily, in the majority of cases following simple protection processes, such as using the requisite PPE and distancing, has been enough to ensure safety while letting him carry out his investigations as normal. As such, the virus has had little effect on Mr Cohen’s ability to complete projects on time and to his clients’ full satisfaction. Looking ahead, we can expect great things from Mr Cohen. He plans to drive James Cohen Consultancy to even greater heights through alternate dispute resolutions. This will include DRBs, Owner’s Representation, international assistance in mitigation and resolution of construction defect claims. While the firm’s website is currently under construction, it will showcase his accomplishments, his knowledge, and his expertise to an even wider array of clients in the future. Contact: James Cohen, PE Company: James Cohen Consulting Email:
[email protected] J When things go wrong and litigation ensues, you need the dependable, knowledgeable, experienced witness testimony of a professional. James Cohen, of James Cohen Consulting, is one such outstanding expert, helping to shine a light on judicial cases involving engineering and construction work. Aug20664 ®