Many prospective clients go through a major construction project only once every ten years, most often when their office lease has expired and they decide to relocate. It's no wonder, therefore, that many clients do not develop the in-depth knowledge and experience required to manage complex construction projects involving multiple players and increasingly sophisticated technologies. W&M takes the mystery out of the construction process and paves the way for a project's success by communicating the process to its clients in a helpful manner, which facilitates better client involvement and better client decisions. When ITT Corporation, a global engineering and manufacturing firm, was interviewing companies to build its new 100,000-square-foot headquarters in White Plains, Al Hreha, director of corporate real estate at ITT, had some concerns. "This is our world headquarters, and we wanted it to be just right," says Mr. Hreha. "And this job had some very complex elements." One of the most difficult, he notes, involves the lobby entrance. "The building will have an atrium with a two-story spiral staircase," Mr. Hreha says. "It's a real construction challenge, and we were apprehensive. We were unsure of which manufacturer to choose, and the construction of stairways typically takes a very long time; we were worried that our move-in date would be delayed." W&M Construction provided the solutions by identifying a manufacturer who could not only meet ITT's precise specifications but also meet a demanding delivery schedule. "W&M has been doing a great job - working hard to stay within the budget, working closely with my team, staying on top of the architects, engineers and electricians, and in general, doing the job right," states Mr. Hreha. It's clear from client feedback that these efforts are appreciated. The experience of Jim Spaide, president of The Winklevoss Group, an independent financial consulting firm, is a good example. The firm recently worked with W&M Construction to fit out its 10,000-square-foot high-end office space in Greenwich Office Park. "The construction process is new to me, so when I first sat down with the W&M Construction team, I had many questions," says Mr. Spaide. "The team members were extremely professional, answering all my questions patiently and completely. I was confident that they would do a great job - and they did." The fit-out, which included several high-end offices, a technology-intensive computer room, a reception area and conference center, had to be completed in eight weeks, which is four weeks ahead of the typical timeline. "There was a great deal of discussion, planning and documentation, and the project was finished right on schedule," notes Mr. Spaide. "Our business is thriving because we work closely with our clients before construction even begins," says Tim Yahn, president of W&M Construction. "We pay careful attention to pre-construction planning, which allows us to deliver projects on time and on budget, and without any surprises to our clients." A chief financial officer at a private equity firm in Greenwich can vouch for that statement. The firm recently hired W&M Construction for the second time to work on its second expansion in two years, integrating 13,000 square feet into its existing space. "I have worked with several construction firms on many different projects, but W&M left a lasting favorable impression," he says. "The project team's level of involvement, attention to details and willingness to problem-solve is truly impressive." Specifically, the project entails a complete gut and fit-out of the firm's office. W&M is installing a custom-glass office front and is using specialty materials such as "quiet rock," "quiet wood," and in-wall hardware to eliminate sound transfer. One of W&M's most notable characteristics, adds the CFO, is its ability to work on the intricate project in occupied space. "The W&M team understands our situation, and they have remained 'invisible' throughout the entire process," notes the CFO. "Our business went on as usual." W&M Construction's continuous success derives from its belief in leaving impressions. The firm's goal isn't simply to complete a project and move on, it also sees each job as an opportunity to build a relationship. "The best way to do that is to turn complex projects into manageable ones through advance planning, and provide solutions to challenging issues so they don't become problems," says Mr. Yahn.
Click Here for current newsletter |
