The Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, has become a landmark in the Coachella Valley. With over 29 tennis courts including two stadiums on 88 acres of land, the massive “tennis paradise” is a site to see among the desert landscape. It is home to the BNP Paribas Open, one of professional tennis’ largest and most respected annual tournaments. As the largest WTA and ATP World Tour tennis tournament in the world, it has earned the unofficial title of the “fifth major.”

Bergelectric was the electrical contractor for the original state-of-the-art facility that opened in March 2000 and showcased a 16,100-seat stadium—the second-largest tennis stadium in the world at the time—and a full-service year-round tennis club. In 2009, the tournament announced Larry Ellison—co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation, a visionary, and a man passionate about professional tennis—would become a major shareholder of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the BNP Paribas Open. His vision for the BNP Paribas Open tournament and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden facilities sparked many exciting changes to the venue and many opportunities for Bergelectric.

Under the eyes of new leadership, the BNP Paribas Open continued to set lofty goals and develop as a world-class international sporting event. One of the goals was to attract over 500,000 fans to the BNP Paribas Open. To help this come to fruition, Ellison and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden management added a second stadium to the tennis campus. Alongside general contractor Watkins Landmark Construction, Bergelectric completed the brand new 8,000- seat Stadium 2 just in time for 2014’s tournament.

After gathering record-breaking crowds for the BNP Paribas Open from 2014 to 2016, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden management called for another major expansion of the Indian Wells facilities—this time, they had a vision of enhancing the overall fan experience by renovating Stadium 1. The new Stadium 1 plans included the expansion of the Stadium Plaza, renovation of all the suites and hospitality spaces, and the addition of 21 new restaurants and concessions.

Bergelectric’s stellar performance at Indian Wells along with their local resources and knowledge of the facility gave the Indian Wells team the confidence to call on them for the Stadium 1 Renovation. When the 2016 BNP Paribas Open came to a conclusion, construction crews—including Bergelectric—began the massive expansion of the existing stadium. “Crews had to start work right after the tournament was over,” said Bergelectric Sr. Project Manager Randy Drinkward. “Like the Stadium 2 project from a few years back, we had to be completely finished with the expansion of Stadium 1 before the next tournament started—delaying the schedule was not an option,” Drinkward continued.

Schedule
The demanding schedule for this project cannot be overstated. The stadium renovation required over 100,000 man hours from Bergelectric within a nine-month period. In order to get ahead of the condensed schedule, Bergelectric took advantage of their Southern California resources—bringing in approximately 120 electricians from San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. “We are fortunate to have such an experienced field crew in Southern California,” said Drinkward. “Having so many highly qualified electricians available from surrounding areas was crucial considering the demanding work hours that were required to keep this project on track,” he continued. Bergelectric crews put in long work days that included overtime and a work week that extended to the weekend. Bergelectric used their vast experience with similarly fast-paced and large-scale projects to assist general contractor Watkins Landmark Construction in developing the schedule. As changes were made, Bergelectric kept advancing the schedule to keep focus on the end goal.

Specialized crews were brought in to help focus on areas of need. For instance, Bergelectric utilized a specialized wiring crew to concentrate on the wiring of rooftop mechanical equipment. With focus on these specific installations for an approximate five-week span, the rooftop crew became a key factor in keeping the project on schedule. Similarly, Bergelectric utilized their Title 24 certifying crew to review the plans, making sure everything was compliant with the latest Title 24 code before installation took place—preventing any possible rework. Other specialty crews utilized by Bergelectric included High Voltage/Medium Voltage Cable Pulling, Earth Science, TopCon Total Station, Off-Site Prefabrication, and their BIM Department. These crews provided focus, ensured quality, and helped to keep the project on schedule.

Weather
Weather in the Coachella Valley brought many challenges to Bergelectric crews throughout the duration of the Stadium 1 Renovation. The summer brought temperatures up to 120º F (averaging 106º), making heat safety a top priority. Bergelectric implemented mandatory water breaks for the entire crew, and large signs were posted on Bergelectric’s job-site trailer that displayed the daily temperature range and the correlating water consumption recommended for each level. Bergelectric also posted information on how to spot the signs of heat-related illnesses and the proper actions to take if somebody on the job site experiences a heat-related illness. The high temperatures on site created a shift in Bergelectric’s daily construction schedule too. Work started earlier in the morning to lessen the amount of hours worked during the peak summertime heat.

Site Logistics
The fast-paced nature of the project led to a massive amount of workers on site (over 500) at one time as all trades were maxing out their resources to meet the schedule. Because of the on-site congestion, it was vital for Bergelectric to implement an effective personnel and material management plan. Bergelectric’s management team assured labor and materials were mapped out by specific areas of activities, kept order, and stayed well ahead of the aggressive schedule. Material management carts (dubbed “Shark Cages”), for instance, were used for efficient material handling throughout the site. Material carts were stocked by Bergelectric vendors with materials for a specific area of work— eliminating the need for Bergelectric employees to navigate the congested job site for materials and expediting the installation process. The use of Bergelectric’s digital labor tracking system to track specific installations and allow management to assess overall production was also crucial during this process.

Budget
On a fast-paced project where the design is progressing on a daily basis, maintaining the budget can be a daunting task. As the price of the Stadium 1 Renovation continued to escalate, Bergelectric was able to offer the owners many value engineering ideas to help drive the overall cost down as much as possible. Value engineering ideas were crucial, and Bergelectric’s ideas in particular brought tremendous value to the project.

Results
Stadium 1 is now 100,000-sf larger and features entirely new seating, a new lower bowl VIP box, and upgraded seating closer to center court. The grandstand “upper deck” seating has been eliminated and replaced with roughly 7,000 individual seats.

The Stadium Plaza—where fans can gather to watch videos of multiple tennis matches—now has an expanded “superwall” that can display up to five matches at one time. The existing open-air portion of the Concourse level was covered to allow the suites on the second level to be significantly expanded, and now includes private restrooms. All of the existing restrooms were upgraded, and restrooms were added to the upper bowl.

Additionally, a 200-person hospitality room, Front Box Club, satellite broadcast studio, fitness center, and club pro shop also made their debut for the 2017 BNP Paribas Open. Other renovations worth noting include a brand new media room, two-story office building for tournament management and staff, and additional commissaries to accommodate the new concessions.

Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant was a marquee addition to the stadium as well. The full-service, 100-seat restaurant overlooks the court, giving fans a great view of the tournament matches. Twenty additional permanent concessions and restaurants were also added, including BS Taqueria, Dave’s Doghouse, Sherman’s Deli, and Melissa’s Produce—just to name a few.

Despite the challenges, Bergelectric was able to come through for the Indian Wells Tennis Garden once again. The project showcased Bergelectric’s vast resources, innovative practices, and experience. “No other electrical contractor in the country can pull off a project like this—not within that time frame,” said Drinkward. “But Bergelectric did!”

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With a unique perspective that has always lived far outside the box that was Bergelectric and a “glass half full” mindset that would seem absurd if it wasn’t contagious, Tom Anderson’s career at Bergelectric has paralleled the company’s rise to national prominence. A true visionary to say the least, Tom has been able to maximize his abilities as a natural-born leader and paired it with grit to rise to the top of Bergelectric’s upper management and eventually take the helm. After a remarkable career that spanned over four decades, seven U.S. presidents, multiple recessions, and an ever-changing industry landscape, Bergelectric’s clairvoyant leader has retired from the Board of Directors. He leaves with Bergelectric on an upward trajectory of innovation, growth, and success.

The Beginning
In the late 1960s, a young Tom Anderson had two choices: college or Vietnam. After enrolling in college, he became an editor on his college newspaper with his eye on a career in journalism. It was during this time, however, that Tom started a family—and his life got more complicated. Married with two children after his junior year, Tom was forced to put the brakes on school in order to provide for his growing family.

In 1974, Bergelectric was a union contractor, new to San Diego, and eager to take on the more established contractors in the area. Bergelectric’s future President, Bob Drinkward—who founded the San Diego office— received a phone call from the local union business manager who said he had a hardworking second-year apprentice named Tom with a young family and struggling to get enough hours due to the carpenters strike. He inquired if Mr. Drinkward would be willing to give him a shot (and a consistent 40 hours a week). Bob agreed to meet the young apprentice and offered him a job on the spot—a decision that would forever change the future of Bergelectric.

At the beginning of his career at Bergelectric, Tom had the good fortune of working under veteran foreman Ken Drinkward. Ken (Bob Drinkward’s younger brother) was one of Bergelectric’s first foremen in the San Diego region and a great mentor to Tom. In fact, Tom still credits Ken with being the best foreman he had ever seen (words he stands by to this day). After taking in all he could from mentors in the field like Ken, Bob Drinkward gave him a chance to lead as a foreman—bypassing the journeyman position altogether. His first project as the lead man was a success—coming in at under 25% labor hours—and his career was off and running.

In 1979, Bergelectric was starting to grow and gain a strong reputation in the San Diego region. Bob Drinkward and John Stratton (general superintendent at the time) deemed it necessary to bring in a second superintendent. When mulling over their choice of candidates from Bergelectric’s impressive list of field leaders, Bob had the foresight to promote a candidate who wouldn’t necessarily be the best superintendent at the time, but the best superintendent for the future—and Tom was the guy. “There were other foremen who were more qualified for the job,” said Drinkward, “but I thought that after a couple of years, Tom would be the best candidate for the future and stability of the company,” he continued. “Berg has always promoted men and women who performed and saw a long-term horizon…I was lucky to be one of those employees,” said Tom.  After landing the superintendent role, a very green Tom Anderson was met with adversity right away at the American Airlines terminal expansion project in Lindbergh Field (now known as San Diego International Airport). The project was running the risk of falling short on labor hours. Tasked with “fixing the problem” by Bob Drinkward, Tom was forced to decrease his field crew and challenge the remaining electricians to meet the demanding schedule. This did not go over well, however, as the rest of the crew quit and went back to the union hall. Scared and a little over his head, Tom assigned mentor Ken Drinkward to the project. Armed with only four electricians new to the job and veteran foreman Ken Drinkward, Tom worked hard by studying plans at night and led crews alongside Ken during the day. With proper leadership and a sheer will to succeed, he was able to finish the project on schedule and under budget despite the dissipated crew. The project showcased Tom’s leadership and willingness to do what it takes to overcome a challenge. It was a real highlight in Tom’s young career and gave him, as well as Bergelectric’s upper management, plenty of confidence in his abilities moving forward. “This project taught me how to dig in and manage,” said Tom.

Moving Through the Decades
Tom was promoted to a project management position in 1982 after a successful stint as superintendent where Tom oversaw projects including schools, shopping centers, supermarkets, military BEQs, public facilities, and commercial projects. It was during this time that Bergelectric had to battle their first major recession in San Diego.

“The early ‘80s were tough,” Tom recalled. “Bob Drinkward was able to retain our employees during this difficult time by negotiating a conversion of all FedMart stores to Target stores throughout San Diego County. He was able to arrange a cost-plus contract for these projects that really helped keep us afloat during those trying times,” Tom continued.

In 1986, Tom’s position became more robust as he worked under Bob Drinkward developing, negotiating, and managing a wide swath of business. It was at this time—only four years after becoming a project manager—that a 36-year-old Tom Anderson was invited to become a stockholder of Bergelectric. “I was very proud to stand for Tom and recommend him to be a stockholder—he was very deserving,” said Drinkward. Together, Tom and Bob formed a great team founded in respect for each other and dedication to growing Bergelectric.
“Tom was always very loyal to me and gave me great support during my career,” said Drinkward. “He was very aggressive at acquiring new work and taking care of customers, while I focused on the operations side of the business—it was a great match,” Bob continued.

Tom and Bob also decided to break ties with the local IBEW in 1986. Though it was considered a major risk at the time, Tom played a key role in shaping a plan that took Bergelectric’s San Diego operation from a union contractor to a “merit-based” contractor. The move sent shockwaves across the industry and set the stage for Bergelectric to expand regionally. “With Tom’s hard work and efforts, the transition away from the union proved to be very positive for the company,” said Drinkward. Bergelectric’s merit-based electricians were able to see a great future, and it opened doors for a more diverse range of project endeavors. “Becoming a merit shop was a true turning point for Bergelectric—it allowed us to grow while others shrank—and it took a lot of guts,” said Tom.

The economy started to move along as the decade progressed. Bergelectric began to grow in the late 1980s and into the next decade until they were stymied by another recession in the early to mid-1990s. To push through this challenging time, Bergelectric was forced to develop more efficient approaches to their installation practices. One of these new practices championed by Tom was an in-house Detailing Division where experienced foremen like Ken Drinkward could coordinate with other trades and detail electrical layouts before the installation. Bergelectric’s Prefabrication Division was developed around this time as well—allowing Berg to streamline and standardize assemblies off site in a controlled environment. Embracing these two departments—so new to the industry at the time—brought Berg to the next level of productivity and efficiency. Tom’s role was essential in developing these innovative practices and making them become standard applications.

Another way Tom pushed Bergelectric through the challenging economy of the ‘90s was to further diversify Bergelectric’s markets and territories. For example, Bergelectric pursued prison projects in remote locations like Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Sherwood, Oregon and the California State Penitentiary Corcoran in Corcoran, California—territories that were very remote and completely off Bergelectric’s radar at the time. “I believe these ‘risky’ projects were necessary to survive and keep a stable management team and our world-class electricians intact,” said Tom. “We paid more attention to high-risk projects and had generally good results.” These large-scale/remote projects not only helped to keep Bergelectric afloat during the poor economic times, they created even more opportunities for Bergelectric moving forward.

Berg’s success on projects outside of Southern California helped sharpen Tom’s vision of developing a national presence for the company. In the late ‘90s, Tom became focused on the possibility of opening regional offices in cities outside of California. He got pushback from Berg’s board at the time, as they did not initially share his aggressive manner of expansion. However, with Bob Drinkward’s backing, he was able to open the Las Vegas office in 1999—Bergelectric’s first regional office outside of the state. “The Vegas office was a test for me,” said Tom. “We were able to land a profitable project, showed success, and the board gave me a greenlight to expand…maybe it was more of a yellow light. Bob Drinkward supported the effort and we were able to pull it off.”

As the new century began, Bergelectric started to grow both in gross revenue and national footprint. Under the leadership of Tom, Bergelectric opened up regional offices in Portland, OR, Denver, CO, and Orlando, FL. Tom was promoted to executive vice president around this time—continuing to push Bergelectric to have a greater national presence. Bergelectric acquired projects in new markets too, including several large-scale tribal gaming facilities in Southern California and the acquisition of various projects in Arizona that prompted Bergelectric to open another regional office in the Phoenix area. The early 2000s saw an upward trajectory of growth, and in a few short years, Bergelectric went from $200 million/year in gross revenue to a $500 million/year. Everything was looking up…until the economic crash of 2008.

The 2008 crash once again inspired Tom to find creative ways to push Berg through the tough economic times. He continued to expand nationally during the recession—opening offices in Austin, TX, Raleigh, NC, and Sacramento, CA. Tom pursued projects from coast to coast and was again willing to take on riskier endeavors. Berg also acquired large-scale projects with lengthy project durations capable of outlasting the economic slowdown. Key projects during this time included multiple facilities at Fort Bliss, TX and the $101 million Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, CA. “We were able to stand tall during the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, which decimated our industry,” said Tom.

Much of the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis still lingered into the 2010s. Market and financial challenges included tight margins on projects, a sluggish private sector, a shrinking federal-project sector, and increased costs for healthcare. Despite these obstacles, Berg experienced growth with sales reaching $600 million in 2012. Through Tom’s optimistic leadership, Bergelectric remained innovators during this tough time. The continued focus on productivity and efficiency led to a high level of service to both their employees and clients.

2012 also saw the changing of the guard as long-time Bergelectric President Don Briscoe retired and Tom Anderson became the new president/CEO of the company—quite a title for the young apprentice just trying to “make hours.” As president/CEO, Tom continued his push for new ways to grow Bergelectric. He initiated joint venture projects with competitors—once again breaking away from Bergelectric’s typical approach and leading them into unchartered territory. Joint venture projects included large-scale military facilities in remote areas like the massive Offutt Air Force Base Replacement Facility in Nebraska and the Fort Bliss Replacement Hospital in Texas. By teaming with the competition, Tom was able to reduce Berg’s financial risks and expand the size of projects Berg could successfully manage and complete anywhere in the U.S. To date, Bergelectric has grossed in excess of $400 million in joint venture contracts.

Improving the Industry
In 2007 Tom became president of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Diego Chapter. Throughout his career, Tom set aside time to get involved with organizations like the AGC and was passionate about advancing the construction industry. During his year as AGC San Diego president, Tom was proud to offer internships to lower- income high school students and help lay the groundwork for industry scholarships. He always sought to create more opportunities through education and saw it as essential to advancing the construction industry as a whole.

Towards the end of his career, Tom participated in an electrical contractor peer group—made up of executives from similarly sized electrical contractor companies from around the country. Showing his willingness to reach out to his competition, Tom and the executives in this group were able to exchange ideas and share best practices/approaches—improving Bergelectric’s means and methods, and helping to move the electrical contracting industry forward.

Moving On
Tom stepped down from his duties as president/CEO in 2015 and has since held a position as chairman of the board. As he slowly steps away from Bergelectric, Tom’s story—rising up the ranks as a young apprentice, leading during trying times, using creativity to push boundaries—will forever define the culture of Bergelectric.

Performance is always recognized, even if it takes a while. Dedicate yourself to the long road…it is impossible to measure the impact of stability and loyalty on a career. Use adversity as a challenge to overcome and a stronger, more confident person will emerge. Make as many friends as you can along the way…they will provide a welcome refuge from the rigors of the industry. Lastly, put your family first and your career will follow as a close second—one enhancing the other. Thanks to all in the industry who helped push me to the finish line.”

–Thomas R. Anderson

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Since formally opening their doors in 1880 with 53 students and 10 faculty members, the University of Southern California (USC) has grown into one of the world’s leading private research universities. Now home to more than 43,000 students and nearly 4,000 full-time faculties, USC continues to grow—consistently adding new facilities to their Park Campus (Arts and Education) as well as their Health Sciences Campus.

Like USC, Bergelectric’s roots are located in the City of Los Angeles. Their first office headquarters on Venice Boulevard was just six miles away from USC’s campus. And though Bergelectric is merely half the age of USC (Berg is celebrating their 72nd year anniversary this year), they share a long Southern California history with the prestigious University.

John McKay Center: Bergelectric worked on this 110,000-sf facility (named after USC’s legendary coach) which features coaches’ offices, space for academic services, team meeting rooms, a reception area, state-of-the-art video production facilities, and a player’s lounge.

During the past 17 years, Bergelectric has assisted USC with their campus improvements, additions, and modifications.  It’s a relationship that has covered the spectrum of project types—including healthcare facilities, bioscience facilities, data centers, sporting facilities, residence halls, and classrooms, just to name a few.

“I think Berg’s relationship with USC can be summed up with one word,” said Bergelectric’s Regional Manager Steve Parks, “Consistency!” Over the past 17 years, Bergelectric has maintained the same management staff for the University. Senior managers and field staff alike fully understand USC’s standards and expectations—providing the University with a level of comfort that is virtually unmatched. “Additionally, we have developed relationships with many key individuals at USC‘s Capital Construction and Facilities Maintenance Groups,” said Parks.  “These relationships have been a big part of our success on campus.”

Heritage Hall Modernization: Located in the center of campus and adjacent to the John McKay Center is USC’s shrine to all of their athletic accomplishments–Heritage Hall. The new renovation inlcuded a two-story main lobby, featuring the Spirit of Troy exhibit space that celebrates the multiple NCAA Championships, Heisman Trophy winners, Olympians, legendar coaches, student athletes, and achievements of USC’s 21 athletic teams.

Design Assist Delivery at USC

USC and Bergelectric have drawn tremendous value from utilizing the design assist delivery method. By using design assist, Bergelectric is able to collaborate with electrical engineers during the development of the design—using their vast knowledge of USC’s standards and expectations to help shape the final outcome without sacrificing the project’s bottom line.   “Design assist delivery is where we really bring value to USC,” said Bergelectric’s Vice President of Preconstruction Chris Billig. “We understand the level of quality that USC expects in their facilities and the way they want their projects to be built,” he added. “We have built a level of trust using a method that is backed up by our successes throughout the campus.”

Jill and Frank Fertitta Hall: Bergelectric helped build this new campus facility that provides smart classrooms, lecture halls and 50 breakout rooms for USC Marshall undergraduates.

During the design assist process, Bergelectric continuously reviews the electrical layout as construction documents evolve—ensuring constructability, USC standards, and code compliance. They also monitor pricing at each increment and provide options where needed.  Berg’s experience with the University helps them catch design discrepancies early in the construction process and gives USC the assurance that each electrical design will maintain the high standards that they have become accustom to.

“Having worked in Construction Management for USC for over 18 years, I have come across many subcontractors, none of which have been so committed and dedicated to the quality of work than Bergelectric,” said The USC Village Capital Construction Development Director, William Marsh. “They have continually looked out for the owner’s best interest and see the long-term benefits of providing “best in practice” installations. Berg is sought after in many, if not most, sophisticated projects on campus,” Marsh added.

Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center: Bergelectric helped build this state-of-the-art facility that houses a studio performance space, five medium and small dance studios, a dance wellness center, dressing rooms, classrooms and offices for faculty and administrators.

Adaptability on Campus

Bergelectric’s large pool of California State Certified Electricians, along with their vast resources (i.e. Prefabrication, BIM, regional buying power, etc.), give them the flexibility needed to manage construction schedules that are driven by the student academic calendar. “The school calendar often predicts the start and completion dates of facilities on campus,” said Chris Billig.  “Our ability to provide an influx of manpower to projects on campus really gives us the upper hand in making the construction schedule work for the student body.”

Bergelectric also provides USC the ability to work on the wide range of facilities that occupy both USC campuses. Whether it is a laboratory remodel for USC’s Health Sciences campus, or it’s a brand new classroom and lecture hall facility on their Park Campus, Bergelectric has the resources and depth of knowledge to build virtually anything on campus.

George Lucas School of Cinematic Arts Phases I & II: Bergelectric took part in two phases to build this ground-breaking facility that was funded (in part) by George Lucas.

Fight On Into the Future

The Bergelectric/USC relationship shows no signs of slowing down. Currently, Bergelectric is engaged in multiple campus projects that are either in the construction or preconstruction phases—including the recently acquired Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Hall facility.

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AUSTIN, TX, October 10, 2018 Bergelectric’s Austin region won an Award of Excellence (top honors) at the 2018 Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Central Texas Excellence in Construction Awards for their work on the City of Austin Central Library.

Each year, the Central Texas Chapter of the ABC recognizes the contribution of its members to the construction industry through several competitive programs, the Excellence in Construction and Safety Awards (EIC) and the Safety Training Evaluation Program Awards (STEP). Regional winners advance to national competitions.

The Excellence in Construction Awards has two levels, the top honor being the EIC Award of Excellence, and the next level being the EIC Award of Merit. The coveted trophy is an impressive statue of an American Eagle. The EIC strives to honor those who exemplify the highest quality of workmanship in their projects, while upholding a dedication to building projects on time and on budget.

The City of Austin’s new Central Library is a nine-story, 198,000-s.f. new building that is now Austin’s largest-ever public library—double the size of the old library. According to general contractor Hensel Phelps, “The iconic building is defined by a daylight-filled, six-story atrium wrapped by collections and event space.” Library features include: a bridge connecting the library to 2nd Street over Shoal Creek, an underground parking garage, a restaurant and special event center that can hold more than 300 people, an outdoor café, and an art gallery.

Bergelectric was responsible for all aspects of the electrical installation including fire alarm, tel-data, security, CCTV, access control, lightning protection, and paging systems. Bergelectric also provided an empty raceway for the audio/visual system and block-outs for the roof mounted photovoltaic system.

The New City of Austin Central Library features include:

• Book collections displayed to encourage discovery
  • Automated laptop kiosks
  • Interactive art displays including virtual reality
  • Two reading porches and an indoor reading room
  • Views of Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake
  • A bridge connecting the library to 2nd St. over Shoal Creek
  • Landmark public gathering atrium space adjacent to Shoal Creek
  • Cook Book Café with outdoor dining adjacent to Second St. and Shoal Creek Park
  • Recycled Reads Gift Shop
  • Gallery space featuring local and national artists
  • Event center that can hold more than 300 people
  • Parking garage with 200 spaces
  • Bike corral for 200 bicycles

Bergelectric teamed with general contractor Hensel Phelps as the electrical contractor to help make this state-of-the-art library come to life for the City of Austin. Through the use of modern construction technology, the ability work seamlessly with other construction trades, and acute attention to quality control and safety, Bergelectric proved to be a crucial contractor in the project’s overall success.

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SAN DIEGO, CA November 2, 2018 The Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) San Diego held their Excellence in Construction Awards Banquet at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine where Bergelectric received Merit Awards for two projects in San Diego County:  Sharp Copley, and Camino De La Reina (CDLR).  The ABC Excellence In Construction Awards spotlights quality construction projects performed by ABC members and honors projects that are committed to maintaining high performance and safety standards.

About Sharp Copley: Bergelectric was responsible for the electrical design and construction of the build-out of a clinical laboratory and build-out of office tenant improvements at Sharp’s newly acquired 5651 Copley Drive Building, San Diego, CA. The Copley building is now the new home for a consolidated laboratory comprised of Sharp Metro Core Laboratory and Sharp Rees-Stealy Laboratory, along with office space for administrative functions. The project included a retrofit of the existing spaces and addition of a new second floor.

About Camino De La Reina (CDLR): Ten months after the Union-Tribune left their original building to move downtown, its former building in Mission Valley has undergone a radical transformation on the way to becoming a 330,000-square-foot creative office center. Called Ampersand, the two-building complex at Interstate 8 and state Route 163 has been gutted, its presses scrapped. Bergelectric helped to deconstruct the old facility, re-rout the existing electrical, and built the shell for the transformation of this historic building.

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SAN DIEGO, CA  June 8, 2019 Bergelectric’s San Diego Region held their 2019 Craft Training Day (CTD)—providing an opportunity for all Bergelectric’s field employees to participate in multiple training sessions that included: Exothermic Grounding, Total Station Point Layout, Fall Protection, Scissor & Boom Lift, Raceway/Wireway and Box Fill, Bluebeam for iPad, Low Voltage Training, 2014 NEC Update, Construction Drawing, CPR/First Aid, and much more.

Employees also had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with Bergelectric’s upper management and Human Resources personnel (including benefits and retirement representatives) throughout the day while enjoying some common camaraderie with fellow employees. Contests were held throughout the day that included: Vendor Bingo, Screw-Drive Challenge, IDEAL Nationals Qualifying Board, and Legrand Plug-Tail Challenge.  Bergelectric’s generous vendors provided prizes throughout the day including a large raffle at the end of the event.

“This event was huge,” said James Stackhouse—Bergelectric’s San Diego Field Training Manager. “We had nearly 300 field employees participating in over 20 training classes, and over 30 vendors were on site.  It was a great opportunity for our highly skilled craftsmen to advance their education even further. There was a real sense of enthusiasm and Bergelectric pride in the air.”

Bergelectric’s Corporate Field Training Manager, Matt Hook, said “Bergelectric’s Craft Training Days have evolved quite a bit from their start in 2013. From what was once just a “Safety Day” with only safety classes offered, it is now filled with a wide variety of learning opportunities. These CTD events invest in employee development—offering a chance for our employees to hone their skills, develop new skills, obtain certifications, and gain Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Each event offers a wide variety of learning opportunities and training that our field employees are eager to attain, employee recognition, management interaction and support, dozens of local vendors displaying the latest and greatest gadgets and toys, as well as tons of swag. It truly gets better each year!”

We would like to thank all of our sponsors and employees who helped make the San Diego Craft Training Day 2019 so special.

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SAN JOSE, CA  January 24, 2020 Bergelectric’s work on the Sacramento State University Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex won two (2) awards at the Associated Builders & Contractor (ABC) NorCal Excellence In Construction Award Gala on January 24th.  Bergelectric took home top honors for the Specialty Contractor Project between $5 Million and $10 Million category along with a “Greener Tomorrow” Award for the project’s green/sustainable features.

(Sacramento State/Jessica Vernone)

(Sacramento State/Jessica Vernone)

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As part of a design build/integrated project delivery (IPD) team led by Hensel Phelps, Bergelectric designed and constructed the electrical installation at Sharp Ocean View Tower in Chula Vista, CA. This impressive seven-story, inpatient hospital tower was completed at the end of 2019—ahead of schedule and under budget. Within the 106-bed tower, there is a grand two-story lobby on the ground floor, with separate surgery and ICU waiting rooms—placed adjacent to courtyards and healing gardens. Three floors make up the bulk of the tower with patient rooms flanking both the eastern and western sides for views with natural lighting. The central core of the facility houses physician and nursing functions, such as call stations, for quick and effective responses. To further elevate the experience, the hospital’s “redefined dining” is located on the top floor, providing 270-degree views of the ocean and chaparral-covered hills.

From the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA): Design-Build Done Right® Delivered
A key element to the team’s success was building a culture of dynamic problem solving.  According to the Owner, the team was open-minded, collaborative, creative, and executed solutions quickly & effectively. Early collaboration eliminated the need to obtain deferred approvals, which reduced the project review schedule by six months—allowing construction to start one year ahead of time. Contingency savings allowed Sharp Healthcare to significantly enhance and upgrade the building without adding additional cost to the budget. Through multiple user reviews with full virtual and physical mock-ups, over 72 items were identified and revised, more than 100 process improvements were made, and the result was one which included 55 design features to support Sharp’s commitment to be a High Reliability Organization (HRO). Despite being a complex California hospital project, this high-performance team was able to
exceed expectations on shared target goals related to safety, quality, cost excellence and schedule.

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San Diego State University College of Engineering is pleased to announce that Bergelectric Corporation has made a $100,000 gift to support the AGC Chair in Construction Management in the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program. The AGC Chair is being established to attract and retain high level faculty to lead the program.

Established in 2008, the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program prepares SDSU students for successful careers in Construction Engineering and Management. The program offers an undergraduate degree in Construction Engineering and master’s in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Construction. To date, over 300 students have graduated from the program.

Unparalleled industry support has been a guiding force in the success of the program. Due to industry demand, SDSU is expanding the program to offer a major in Construction Management. SDSU worked to get the major approved through the SDSU Senate and the California State University (CSU) system late last year. The new major met all benchmarks. Approvals were made quickly due in part to the excellent curriculum planned by program director and faculty leader, Thais Alves, Ph.D., who serves as the AGC/Roel Chair for Construction Engineering and Management, and because of private gift support for the AGC Chair. 

“We are pleased to support the AGC Chair in Construction Management. SDSU provides a hands-on curriculum that prepares students for real-world work environments,” said Alan Mashburn, Bergelectric CEO. “Bergelectric has been fortunate to hire several graduates that are contributing to our continued success.” 

Bergelectric is a long time supporter of Construction Engineering at SDSU with leadership gifts in the early 2000s that helped get courses and faculty in place that led to the formation of the current day J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program. 

“Strong ties to industry keep the program current and focused on emerging needs of the industry,” Alves said. “We are grateful for everything that Bergelectric does for our program and our students.”

The AGC Chair in Construction Management campaign goal is $2.5 million and to date approximately $1.4 million has been raised. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the AGC Chair in Construction Management, please contact Kate Carinder, Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering at SDSU at: kcarinder@sdsu.edu.

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San Diego State University College of Engineering is pleased to announce that Bergelectric Corporation has made a $100,000 gift to support the AGC Chair in Construction Management in the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program. The AGC Chair is being established to attract and retain high level faculty to lead the program.

Established in 2008, the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program prepares SDSU students for successful careers in Construction Engineering and Management. The program offers an undergraduate degree in Construction Engineering and master’s in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Construction. To date, over 300 students have graduated from the program.

Unparalleled industry support has been a guiding force in the success of the program. Due to industry demand, SDSU is expanding the program to offer a major in Construction Management. SDSU worked to get the major approved through the SDSU Senate and the California State University (CSU) system late last year. The new major met all benchmarks. Approvals were made quickly due in part to the excellent curriculum planned by program director and faculty leader, Thais Alves, Ph.D., who serves as the AGC/Roel Chair for Construction Engineering and Management, and because of private gift support for the AGC Chair.

“We are pleased to support the AGC Chair in Construction Management. SDSU provides a hands-on curriculum that prepares students for real-world work environments,” said Alan Mashburn, Bergelectric CEO. “Bergelectric has been fortunate to hire several graduates that are contributing to our continued success.”

Bergelectric is a long time supporter of Construction Engineering at SDSU with leadership gifts in the early 2000s that helped get courses and faculty in place that led to the formation of the current day J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program.

“Strong ties to industry keep the program current and focused on emerging needs of the industry,” Alves said. “We are grateful for everything that Bergelectric does for our program and our students.”

The AGC Chair in Construction Management campaign goal is $2.5 million and to date approximately $1.4 million has been raised. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the AGC Chair in Construction Management, please contact Kate Carinder, Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering at SDSU at: kcarinder@sdsu.edu.

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San Diego, CA – 09, June 2021 – Bergelectric is proud to be recognized by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for its exemplary safety management systems honoring them with ABC’s prestigious and elite award, the STEP Diamond Level for 2020. 

STEP is a national ABC program that provides safety benchmarking and improvement tools that has been shown to dramatically improve safety performance among participating companies.  Since 1989 ABC’s STEP has served as a standard for world-class safety management systems for ABC member firms. Companies measure their safety performance and policies through a review of 25 key components with a goal of enhancing safety programs and reducing jobsite incident rates. 

“Safety is in our culture- Work Safe. Live Safe.,” said Steve Parks, Bergelectric’s Chief Strategy Officer. “We are committed to consistently raising the bar when it comes to safety performance and we believe, this level of recognition continues to affirm that safety is more than a program at Bergelectric – it is a part of the core value system that is intrinsic to the employees of our company from top to bottom. We are proud to be recognized by the Associated Builders and Contractors as a Diamond Level STEP Award recipient for 2020 and this honor reflects on our employees’ dedication to our culture of  

“Work Safe. Live Safe.” as well as our commitment to leading our industry in safety.” 

 

About ABC 

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. 

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San Diego, CA – 01, September 2021 – Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world’s brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions and pressing societal challenges. The independent, privately supported institution is constantly modifying its 124-acre campus in Pasadena, California to stay on the cutting edge of its scientific research.

In November of 2017, Bergelectric began design-build preconstruction services on Caltech’s new Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building consisting of an approximately 150,000 square-foot, five-level cross-disciplinary research facility that includes communal lab spaces, centralized working and lounging areas, and a mix of outdoor environments. The new building now consolidates existing multiple administrative, educational, and support spaces into a single location to become the administrative and knowledge center for the Biology Division of Caltech. In addition, a new pedestrian tunnel connects the sub-basement of the new building to the neighboring Broad Center for the Biological Sciences to strengthen partnerships between the researchers of both buildings. The Chen building will serve as the Institute’s hub for neuroscience research.

Project Innovation
Construction at the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building was completed in the fall of 2020. Bergelectric was able to capitalize on their in-house BIM Department and off-site Prefabrication Division to bring an innovative approach to building this state-of-the-art facility. Prefabricated electrical rooms, for instance, were developed and installed by Bergelectric throughout the building. This time-saving practice required exporting enhanced BIM models of each electrical room—provided by Bergelectric’s BIM Department—to their off-site Prefabrication Department. By extracting data in the model and merging it with advanced software, Bergelectric’s Prefabrication Department created all conduit bends and prefabricated each conduit run with precision—from panel to destination. Each electrical room was carefully labeled, packaged, and shipped to the job site for installation.

Similarly, conduit racks were assembled by Bergelectric’s Prefabrication Department based on detailed drawings and rack schedules. Each rack would be carefully labeled and packaged by the correlating “conduit highways.” Assemblies would be delivered to the project ready to install, just as they were needed—making for a convenient on-site installation, saving on-site storage space, as well as reducing installation time.

Light fixtures throughout the facility were assembled and pre-wired by Berg’s Prefabrication Department as well. Not only were the fixtures delivered to the job site ready to install—eliminating the need for on-site storage space—but they were placed into mobile carts that were wheeled around and arranged in locations where installations were taking place. “The light fixture carts were a game-changer,” added DeHaas. “They have been custom made for a variety of fixtures that were installed throughout the building. They made it very easy for our guys to install and prevent potential damage that can happen to fixtures that were in boxes on site.”

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Bergelectric teamed up with CBG Building Company for the redevelopment of UC Davis West Village—the largest student housing community in U.S. history. The housing complex now adds nearly 3,300 beds to the campus, across 1,257 units of apartment-style housing to graduate and transfer students of the University of California at Davis.

The project is comprised of nine four-story apartment buildings along with indoor and outdoor community spaces and recreational fields across 34 acres. A 10,000-s.f. community building now houses a fitness center, multipurpose room, and support services. With its expansive solar electric arrays, each building contributes to the overall neighborhood goal of zero net energy, which means the project is designed to generate as much energy as it uses within a year.

The largest Net-Zero community in North America, the project includes an exterior insulation and finish system for continuous insulation, TPO roofing, high-efficiency split-system HVAC, electric boilers, and net metering from solar panels over the carports.

UC Davis West Village was completed in the summer of 2021.

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Adjacent to the Pike Place Market and on the edge between downtown Seattle and Belltown, Bergelectric in conjunction with general contractor Andersen Construction, successfully completed The Emerald—a new high-rise condominium/mixed-use tower, 41 stories (439 feet) above the Emerald City. The jewel-shaped condominium tower offers five levels of below-grade parking, retail stores at the ground level, and two top-floor penthouses.

The Emerald site has a very small footprint for a building of its height—approximately 94-feet X 100-feet. The tower sits in such tight quarters that as the structure increases in height, the floor plates expand to over 9,100-s.f. by cantilevering over its neighbor, the Broadacres Building, to the south. The Emerald’s expanded floors take on the shape of the shifting street grid pattern.

“Locating electrical gear and conduit routing within the small allocated spaces for the main electrical room and generator presented a challenge,” said Bergelectric’s Sr. Project Manager Alex Yurchenko. “We actually had to swap the rooms—placed the generator in the main electrical room and switchgear in the generator room. Then we worked with mechanical engineer, Holaday-Parks, and provided alternative options to cool the generator in the new location. We tried several scenarios—from a remote liquid cooled radiator, to adding supply duct shafts. We selected on a plan to fully duct the radiator discharge to the exterior,” Yurchenko continued.

Bergelectric’s scope of work at The Emerald Tower included the following systems: Electrical, tel-data, fire alarm, access control, CCTV, Audio-Video, and Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

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CARLSBAD, California, November 19 – Bergelectric today announced that it has been named an Accredited Quality Contractor by Associated Builders and Contractors. Only 229 of the nation’s elite merit shop construction contractors earned the credential in 2020.

Very often in construction there is a dichotomy between productivity and safety and they’re mutually exclusive. At Bergelectric, we make sure the message that we send to our employees—and what we practice—is the safest way is the most productive way. I believe our safety values/culture has helped elevate Bergelectric to achieve this prestigious recognition.

– Rob Moreno, Bergelectric Sr. Vice President

Launched in 1993, ABC’s AQC program provides recognition to world-class construction firms that have documented their commitment in five areas:

• Quality
• Safety performance
• Talent management
• Craft and management education
• Community relations, inclusion, diversity and equity

“Accredited Quality Contractors are the types of companies I want to work for and do business with because of the priority placed on world-class safety, culture, workforce development, innovation, diversity and quality,” said 2021 ABC National Chair of the Board of Directors Steve Klessig, vice president of architecture and engineering, Keller Inc., Kaukauna, Wisconsin. “Congratulations to the leadership and employees of Bergelectric for your daily commitment to corporate and community service; you exemplify the merit shop philosophy and what’s best about ABC membership.”

In earning the AQC credential, each member company commits to world-class safety by achieving Gold, Platinum or Diamond level in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System. Founded more than three decades ago, STEP dramatically improves safety performance among construction industry participants, with top performers achieving incident rates more than eight times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average.

AQC members also take the following pledge:

As an Accredited Quality Contractor, our company is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality construction services, and we care deeply about our employees and the communities in which we build. We are proud to be part of the construction industry and are dedicated to the principles of free enterprise. We commit ourselves to serve our communities and provide our employees with the skills they need to work safely and productively in order to meet the needs of our clients.

AQC is recognized by Construction Users Roundtable, an organization founded by leading construction project owners.

About ABC: Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 69 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.

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Bergelectric, under the direction of Swinerton Builders, has successfully completed the Block 162 project—a 33-story Class A office/mixed-use high-rise addition to Denver’s downtown skyline. The 1.1 million-square foot glass tower includes state-of-the-art office space which can easily be adapted to accommodate the tenant’s requirements.

The tower offers a lobby and retail spaces on the ground floor, along with offices on the 11th through 30th floors. The 11th floor features a fitness center, lounge and an outdoor deck space. Parking is available on floors three through ten, as well as three below ground levels.

Block 162 is the second high-rise building completed by Berg in downtown Denver for the past five years (1144 15th Street tower was completed in 2017)—two of the tallest towers in the city since the 1980s.

Among the many challenges that came from building high rise projects like these is the lack of “lay-down” space for Berg’s electrical equipment. Their project manager carefully coordinated Berg’s equipment to be delivered as needed and depended on Berg’s Prefabrication Department to assemble and store components off site which eliminated their need for space on the congested jobsite. Block 162 had a very ambitious timeline—two years from start to finish. Even with an aggressive project deadline, Bergelectric has successfully completed the Block 162 project.

“Our in-house BIM Department was key in keeping this fast-paced project on track,” said Sean McMahon, Regional Vice President. “They flawlessly coordinated all of the busway and switchgear risers which was crucial for high rise projects like this. The BIM Department also assisted in developing the final bill of material for the large conduit and feeder risers,” he added.

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The latest addition of Bergelectric’s Power Source Magazine is here. Click the link below to gain insight into many of our latest projects across the country along with a tribute to our Diamond (75th) Anniversary.

Power Source Winter 2022 Issue

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Bergelectric has been working under the direction of Hensel Phelps on South Terminal C Phase 1 since May of 2018. The 822,000-s.f. Airside Terminal for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) will feature 15 gates with a flexible configuration that will serve both international and domestic flights, accommodating up to 10 million passengers annually. The terminal can hold all different types of aircraft ranging from narrow body, jumbo to super jumbo. The three-floor facility will be adjacent to the South Airport APM Complex and Intermodal Transit Facility.

The Airside Terminal for GOAA is near completion and Bergelectric has been involved since the preconstruction phase.

“We have used an extensive amount of BIM on this project,” said Bergelectric’s Regional Vice President, Garret Smith. Bergelectric’s in-house BIM Department is anticipated to work approximately 20,000 hours on coordination efforts that include trench layout, equipment layout, deck inserts, prefabrication spool drawings, and as-builts. “Our BIM Department has really gone to the next level for us on this project—from the utilization of cutting-edge software to the advancement of our prefabricated components,” Smith added.

Bergelectric’s BIM Department used BIM 360 Design, a cloud-based service which connects project teams with centralized access to project data. By utilizing BIM 360 Design, Bergelectric has been able to work on the OIA South Terminal C project from various locations across the country via cloud servers, enabling the team to see changes to the model instantaneously, from any location.

GTP Wireworks is another technologically advanced software that Bergelectric’s BIM Department has been utilizing. This software enables Berg’s team to sync their single-line feeder schedule to their equipment families in Revit. It allows them to supply a live single-line diagram within Revit that monitors conduit totals between equipment—including loads, bends and quantities.

Bergelectric opened up a new 8,500-s.f. prefabrication warehouse near the airport to accommodate the massive amount of prefabrication components that are being installed at South Terminal C. Prefabricated components include lighting control panels, custom switchgear ‘skids’, and overhead conduit racks. All prefabricated assemblies are built at the off-site warehouse using models from Bergelectric’s BIM Department.

Despite a few unforeseen challenges that have included minor damage from a hurricane, alligators on the jobsite, and a few jobsite shutdowns due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Bergelectric’s work crews have strived to keep this massive project on track for GOAA.

Substantial completion for South Terminal C Phase 1 is currently scheduled for February 2022.

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