Build Architecture Awards 2016

2016 Architecture Awards Build 73 Company: Hufcor, Inc. Website: http://www.hufcor.com/ ounded in 1900, Hufcor has been leading the industry from operable walls to the future of acoustical glass wall solutions. Our history for quality products and service continues to be the foundation for exceeding customer needs and creating space for improved and reusable environments. “Over 115 years of experience and the spirit of innovation, teamwork and solving challenges has naturally led us to the design of Hufcor’s award-winning FlexTact tactical training system”, explains Mike Kontranowski, VP - Marketing for Hufcor. The safety of police, firefighters and their respective communities depends on the preparation and training prior to meeting with dangerous field situ- ations. Often expensive and time-consuming, training can be burdensome when staff and departments are sent to off-site locations to receive training scenarios. Hufcor’s FlexTact situational training system is an affordable way to design a multi-purpose training center. “Drawing on the design of Hufcor’s standard products, our Engineering and Sales teams applied minor modifications to meet individualized customer needs”, explains Scott Staedter, FlexTact concept design and ongoing con- sultant. “Using new vertical bulb seals and pass door latching mechanisms, the system can also encompass our flagship Unispan overhead support system, perfect for retrofitting an existing facility.” The first architectural firm to design the use of FlexTact was Schenkel Shultz, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Reconfiguring entire room floor plans within 20 – 30 minutes, instructors and teams can set up simulated room floor plans including hotels, residen- tial buildings and school classrooms. Working within one layout, trainees can then reset the building to reflect a different configuration while instructors review an exercise. This flexibility enhances the training experience, with overhead tracks allowing trainers to quickly set up new floor plans and training scenarios. “The FlexTact system helps to create real-life scenarios by simply resetting the panels. This system comes as close to reality as any situational training I have experienced and trained in”, says Training Officer/ PFC Keith Holmes, Ft. Pierce, FL Police Department. “Hufcor’s FlexTact system also improves our firefighter and rescue training sessions tenfold by allowing quick and easy configurations”, says Ron Priv- ett, Assist Chief, Fort Wayne Fire Department. “Trainees no longer memorize their rescue routes, and every exercise is different.” Ultimately, when it comes to protecting our public safety heroes and the communities they serve, the innovation, expandability, and versatility of Hufcor’s FlexTact system helps with thoughtful, intelligent training. Safer approaches to public safety ultimately saves time, money, - and most impor- tantly - people’s lives. Best for Operable Walls - USA & BUILD Product Innovation Award: FlexTact™ Hufcor, Inc. a global company, headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin combines the strength of engineering and design to drive creative innovation in flexible space solutions. We invited Mike Kontranowski to talk us through the company and why it’s leadership and innovation has led its current success. F AR160119