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.

 

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Springfield shingle roof replacement

DIY – watch this video and Do It Yourself (DIY)

Written by SpringfieldJuly 13, 2017

All of us on social media have seen these do it yourself instructions ranging from removing unwanted facial hair to building a backyard volcano for your kids.  From taming a wild dog to making lasagna that will even impress your grouchy mother-in-law.  Sadly, there is a vast amount of DIY roofing information circulating around on social media.

Please call Springfield before trying any DIY roofing!  Working on elevated, uneven surfaces is a dangerous and life threatening endeavor.  While DIY is fine for learning how to knit a sweater or tie-dye your old tennis shoes, your safety and life is worth more than the cost of our FREE estimates.

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Springfield photo of Dog shaking water off

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

 

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Springfield at dinner

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.

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Springfield CPR Training

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

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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.Springfield 2013 JRB Award

Complete Duro-Last® Press Release for Springfield Award

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Closeup of man shoe. Man stepping from a yellow ladder on to a white roof. Ladder is secured by a Springfield Ladder Anchor.

LadderAnchor Press Release

Written by SpringfieldFebruary 22, 2017

January 29, 2017
Orlando, Florida

Loews Pacific Universal Resort in beautiful Orlando, Florida was the site for the 2017 Duro-Last Roofing National Sales Seminar and Awards banquet.  Springfield Inc., a long time winner of quality contractor awards and numerous awards for sales volume climbed another run on the ladder to success with the introduction of the LADDERANCHOR.

The LADDERANCHOR is their recently patented device that attaches to roof making it impossible for a ladder to slip and fall.  This product was developed by Springfield Inc. in efforts to keep their own employees safe.  Duro-Last Roofing, a progressive roofing manufacturer and supply company noticed the product while doing rooftop inspections of Springfield products.

“We are honored and pleased that the LADDERANCHOR was selected as a featured product for the 2017 Sales Seminar” stated Nick Jacqmain, Springfield President.  “We love partnering with Duro-Last to help keep workers safe.”

 

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Singing Our Praises

Written by SpringfieldDecember 23, 2016

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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

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Springfield fishing trip2

Friends and Co-Workers

Written by SpringfieldOctober 20, 2016

Maybe it’s possible to have a successful business without being friends, but who would want to?  Springfield employs local northern Michigan men and women – many who have known each other since childhood.  It is also common for our crew members to actually personally know the building owners we serve with our roofing, mechanical insulation and fall prevention systems.  Keeping family traditions at home and creating and maintaining friendly traditions at work, creates a positive and fun work environment. Springfield employees, along with their families, are friends who support and help each other out both at work and when not at work.

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Safety director Josh Walton, Field Manager, Matt Brucker and CEO, Terry Umlor share a few moments together before Matt’s wedding

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Monthly safety meeting and breakfast

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Engineering Tech, Eian Richards, Field tech, Chad Allen, Project Manager, Jason O’Polka, and field Tech/CDL driver, Steve Johnson share a cold beverage before the company fishing derby

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cadillac chamber of commerce

Come to the Cadillac Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on October 6, 2016

Written by SpringfieldOctober 5, 2016

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Pictured above:  Josh Walton, Safety Director and Jason O’Polka, Project Manager

Check out our booth at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Thursday October 6th the WEX in Cadillac, Michigan. We will have knowledgeable staff on hand to discuss roofing, fall prevention, and our newest patented innovation the LadderAnchor™  – a device that secures the ladder to the rooftop eliminating those scary “white-knuckle-hold-on-for-dear-life” close calls that all ladder climbers have experienced at one time or another.  Admission is FREE and we hope to see you there!

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