MIOSHA 29th Michigan Worker Death of 2017
Written by SpringfieldNovember 28, 2017 We are so saddened to see that MIOSHA has recently posted the 29th Michigan Worker Death of 2017. That death being a 25-year-old roofer from Ludington, MI. “While installing roofing materials on a steep pitched residential roof, the roofer fell approximately 15 feet to the lower level.” He was not wearing fall protection at the time of the fall and later succumbed to his injuries on November 21st.
As commercial roofing installers and fall protection advocates, we cannot stress enough the importance of fall protection when working on elevated areas. Even the most experienced employee can have a minor trip-up that leads to a fall.
We offer facility evaluations to highlight areas in which your facility needs to have fall protection, followed by a proposal of custom solutions that fit any facilities needs; big or small. Please call us with any questions you may have!
Timing Is Everything
Written by SpringfieldSeptember 28, 2017 
Why does my building leak 2 days after it rains? How come my building doesn’t leak all winter and then as soon as it starts to look like spring, it leaks like crazy? Why do I experience roof problems when the parent company is visiting from out of state? Why does my building have “gi-normous” and dangerous looking ice daggers during the winter? Why does a new roof cost so much?
If you have ever experienced any of the above with your industrial/commercial facility, it is time to call Springfield Inc. for a professional evaluation of your building which includes looking at the building envelope, insulation, ventilation, and various other issues. Experienced roofing project managers along with our on-staff professional engineers can help you with an awareness of your current rooftop conditions. Knowing the facts will help you move forward with your capital budget planning and you may be surprised to learn that a majority of our clients can find initial and immediate relief from roofing issues with small, relatively inexpensive repairs. At Springfield, we love to make your existing roof last absolutely as long as possible so that you may focus your money on growing your business and adding employment opportunities to hard working men and women in our beautiful state of Michigan.
Duro-Last Opens A New Plant
Written by SpringfieldSeptember 26, 2017 Springfield is proud of our relationship with Duro-Last Roofing headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan. As a top contractor of theirs in terms of quality installations, Springfield frequently scores in the 99.9th percentile in our post job rooftop inspections performed by the inspectors from Duro-Last. We are happy to report that the outstanding and dynamic Duro-Last roofing corporation has opened a 60,000 square foot facility in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Congratulations Duro-Last! Your products are built to last and we appreciate the relationship with your company that has spanned over 3 decades.
A Cause for Celebration
Written by SpringfieldAugust 4, 2017 YIKES! We had a NEAR MISS – let’s CELEBRATE!!!!
We do not actually break out into a “happy dance” or have a pizza party when we have a “near miss”, but we do actually celebrate the fact that the system we put in place years ago of encouraging our field employees to speak freely to management about near misses is successful. Springfield requires that all near misses are documented and discussed with the management team. This is done in a non-judgmental, non-condescending manner. While Springfield management has learned quite a bit from extensive OSHA and MI-OSHA training and certifications, we sometimes feel that we learn the most from our own employees and their day in, day out experiences of “hands on” construction work. We honor the men and women who work at construction jobs and we hope the attached “near miss” form will help some of you to develop a culture at your workplace where worker safety is embraced and where near misses are treated as opportunities for improvement.
Beat the Heat
Written by SpringfieldJuly 7, 2017
The “DOG DAYS OF SUMMER” are closing in on our talented and physically fit team of construction workers. Our team frequently works without shade which intensifies the heat exponentially. Here are some tips to help you beat the heat
- Drink water early, often and frequently – at least 20 ounces every hour
- When on break, get into the shade or an air conditioned vehicle (if possible)
- Wear synthetic, light colored, athletic clothing that wicks the heat and sweat away from your body
- Come to work well rested and hydrated (note: alcohol consumption the night before work will hinder hydration)
- Take shorter and more frequent breaks
- Take it seriously: Know the signs of heat stress and monitor yourself and co-workers
- Speak up if you notice yourself or a co-worker struggling with any heat related issues
Workplace Safety
Written by SpringfieldJuly 7, 2017 “HONK FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY” signs lined the side of U.S. 31 in Charlevoix after a large 
crane tipped over at a cement plant. No one was hurt. Construction workers from all over Michigan picketed to raise awareness for construction safety. They have reason to be concerned. Without proper precautions, construction can be a dangerous endeavor. Springfield holds its own employees and construction workers everywhere in high regard. We have professional engineers on staff to design, implement, and install fall prevention systems inside and outside of industrial facilities. Springfield Inc. helps clients with rooftop safety programs that keep people safe as well as keeping our commercial clients in compliance with OSHA. We do it all and can help you without costing you an “ARM and a LEG.”
Duro-Last, Inc. Admiral Club Award for 2016
Written by SpringfieldMarch 28, 2017 Duro-Last®, Inc. Honors Springfield Construction with Admission to the Admiral Club
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN – In recognition of outstanding achievement in quality workmanship, customer satisfaction, and 2016 sales volume, Duro-Last, Inc. recently welcomed Springfield Construction to the Admiral Club. Inductees were honored during Duro-Last’s National Sales Seminar held at Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida, January 29-31, 2017.
“Every year at the Duro-Last Sales Seminar, I am reminded of how our contractors are “Best in Class,” and Springfield Construction is a perfect example of that,” said Duro-Last Chairman of the Board Jack Burt. “Springfield Construction has been consistently going above and beyond for their customers with high-quality work and integrity. We are excited to see what they accomplish in the next year as an authorized Duro-Last contractor.”
About Duro-Last, Inc.
Known as the “World’s Best Roof®”, Duro-Last, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of custom prefabricated, thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems. Factory controlled custom prefabrication eliminates up to 85% of field seams, resulting in lower on-site labor costs and easier installation. This highly sustainable and extremely durable roofing system is leak-proof, virtually maintenance-free and resistant to chemicals, fire, punctures, and high winds. Over two billion square feet of Duro-Last membrane has been installed throughout North America. Duro-Last is headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan with additional manufacturing facilities in Grants Pass, Oregon; Jackson, Mississippi; Sigourney, Iowa; Carrollton, Texas; and Ludlow, Massachusetts. For more information on Duro-Last, call 800-248-0280 or visit www.duro-last.com.
Learning From Each Other
Written by SpringfieldMarch 17, 2017 “If you are going to ask someone for their opinion, you need to be willing to listen.” Terry Umlor, CEO and founder of Springfield Inc.
Northern Michigan Winters tend to slow down the progress of roof installations. While we do get a few nice “roofing” days in January and February, the Springfield management team is challenged to keep our dedicated and faithful field employees’ busy helping at the shop to minimize/eliminate having to lay them off during the dead of winter. One successful project has been developing our training program. Our field employees serve as our best consultants for this endeavor.
Many facets make up the Springfield training program. Certainly OSHA training, equipment certifications, and scheduled hands-on sessions are key components. However, LISTENING and LEARNING to feedback from our field people is perhaps the most critical component of The Springfield Training Program. We learn our “best practices” from the folks making it happen in the field. Because we listen and learn from our installation team, our training program manual will never be found covered with dust sitting on the back shelf of the storage closet. It is a living, breathing, moving set of documents used frequently and updated regularly
Springfield Inc. Earns Prestigious “Platinum Contractor Award”
Written by SpringfieldMarch 17, 2017 January, 2015
Springfield Inc. is proud to announce receipt of prestigious “Platinum Contractor Award” from Duro-Last Roofing of Saginaw, Michigan. This achievement has placed Springfield in the top 3% of Duro-Last contractors in the nation. Springfield has been installing the highest quality roofs utilizing made-in-Michigan materials since 1985.
Springfield, Inc., located in Kingsley between Traverse City and Cadillac Michigan, recently was awarded the John R Burt Award at the annual Duro-Last® Roofing conference in Orlando Florida. This award was based on recognition of outstanding achievement in quality workmanship, customer satisfaction and sales in 2013. We congratulate all of our employees for their efforts to continue to give high quality results even while confronting the elements of the norhern Michigan weather based on our customers needs.
Singing Our Praises
Written by SpringfieldDecember 23, 2016 
Springfield had the opportunity to re-roof the Leelanau School this past summer. Our work crews enjoyed spending time on this project—-in beautiful Glen Arbor in the midst of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. We were pleased to receive the following email from Jon Friley, Head of School regarding our work. A portion of his email is listed below.
“I thank you ALL very, very much!
We had our first significant rainfall last night and this morning. I looked down every hall and classroom – NO LEAKS!!………..Thank you again. Great Work, Excellent Clean-up – can’t say enough good things. Thank you!”
Jon D. Friley
The Leelanau School
Head of School
