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Shook Shines in
Client Satisfaction Surveys
 Our construction professionals work diligently to provide a positive construction experience for our clients. We believe that we need to build trusting relationships, be responsive to client expectations and provide the highest possible quality in order to provide that positive experience.
While we all believe we achieve our goals, we wanted to truly discover how our clients felt about our work. Two years ago, our senior management began to survey our clients in person to learn if we were actually providing the experience we wanted. We developed a questionnaire that focused on a number of topics that were grouped in the key areas of Safety, Communication and Project Management. We used a grading scale of A through F with A being 100% achievement.
We were pleased to learn that we have done quite well meeting our clients' expectations, as we have achieved approval rates of at least 95% in all three key categories! Over the last two years, we have completed surveys on 32 projects, including some that experienced some bumps along the way.
The results are satisfying and reveal that we are very close to achieving our goal of providing a positive construction experience for our clients. We also have received some great suggestions that will help us "fine-tune" our approach.
We look forward to the opportunity to provide a positive customer experience for you, as well! |
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Blast from the Past!
Time Capsules Reveal Shook History
 Loos Elementary School
In May, Shook Construction traveled back in time during the opening of a cornerstone time capsule at Dayton's Loos Elementary School.
Originally buried in 1936, the time capsule contained several items, including a "History of Construction" write-up from the original architect, Walter G. Schaeffer. In this document, we discovered that Shook Construction (then named Chas. H. Shook, Inc.) was the general contractor for that building in 1936! Emil Lang of Shook Construction served as the general superintendent.
And here we are--75 years later--serving as the construction manager (along with our joint venture partner, Touchstone CPM) on the Dayton Public School's current $350 million improvement program. This program includes the $403,000 demolition and asbestos abatement of Loos Elementary School, which will be complete in July 2011. Compare those numbers to the $128,158 it took to build the school in 1936!
 Vandalia Elementary School
Ironically enough, another time capsule was discovered in June! Before Vandalia Elementary School was demolished, a message in a bottle was discovered (a yellowed piece of lined paper inside a 1943 Coca-Cola bottle).
The paper was dated February 3, 1944 and included two names: Conrad Kreitzer and Everett Dailey. After further investigation, we discovered that these two gentlemen also worked for Shook Construction as carpenters.
We are proud of our long-standing relationship with local school districts and of our continued ties within the local community.
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Graduation from Cleveland's First Building Blocks Program
Skanska Shook recently celebrated a success with the June graduation ceremony of 12 companies in the Healthcare Building Blocks Program.
Skanska Shook, a joint venture partnership between Skanska USA and Shook Construction, rolled out its Building Blocks program in Cleveland, Ohio back in November. As an enhanced component to the Cleveland program, the curriculum was revised to focus specifically on healthcare construction, a major driver in the construction market for Cleveland and northeast Ohio.
Building Blocks, an innovative construction training program trademarked by Skanska USA, was designed to provide emerging disadvantaged businesses with an in-depth explanation of the skill sets and processes necessary to successfully grow their construction businesses. Skanska Shook worked for over a year with community partners from City Hall, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals to develop the curriculum and content for the program.
Topics included infection control, interim life safety measures, medical equipment and regulatory agencies. In addition to Skanska Shook's professionals, the classes have been taught by individuals from both University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic, providing a tremendous boost to the overall delivery of the material.
Last year, Skanska Shook conducted the Building Blocks program in Dayton as well and looks forward to the sustainable success of the program in this and many of the other markets in which we work.
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EIU's Renewable Energy Facility Project Nearing Completion
 After 20 months of construction, we reflect on a few items that make this a truly unique and exciting design/build project.
Replacing Eastern Illinois
University's (EIU) 80-year-old coal plant, this new 20,800 SF facility houses two biomass boilers capable of each delivering 40,000 lbs. of steam/hour to the entire campus. Wood chips are used to fuel these biomass boilers - the latest in renewable energy design.
 The impressive process of loading wood into the system is pictured on the right. The 70-foot Phelps Truck tipper can handle up to 60 tons. Wood is loaded into the 250 horsepower hog grinder, which grinds the wood chips into usable size. The fuel storage building is capable of storing 4,000 cubic yards of wood chips. From there, a 44-foot, 52,000-pound traveling screw auger moves the wood chips to one of nine conveyors, which delivers the wood chips to the gasifiers. The resulting steam is then delivered via 1.1 miles of underground pipes running throughout the campus.
This project was originally targeting a LEED Silver certification through the United States Green Building Council (USGBC); however, the project is currently on track for a higher LEED certification: LEED Gold!
The project team included Devon Kellum (project superintendent), Ryan Hayes (project engineer), and Eric Doench (project manager).
The facility is scheduled to be fully operational by July 29th! |
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Message from our CEO
-Frank J. Klein
Over the last 85 years, Shook Construction has had the priviledge and honor to work on countless projects of all types and sizes. We attribute a lot of that work to our ability to build meaningful relationships with our clients, thus allowing us to better anticipate their needs and provide them a project that surpasses their expectations.
In addition, our commitment to fostering healthy relationships doesn't stop with the owner. We also are committed to building relationships with designers, subcontractors and suppliers through a variety of outreach programs. Having a solid and cohesive team in place ensures that communication and quality are the driving forces of a project.
In addition to regularly soliciting feedback on how we're doing, we encourage suggestions on how to improve our quality of service and construction, as well as the overall client experience. Our goal is to attain 100% client satisfaction!
We are proud of our work and are thrilled that our clients are noticing and appreciating that.
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Poll Results!
Last quarter, we asked if your company actively participates in volunteer efforts. 100% of you said YES!
New Poll:
Client Satisfaction Surveys
Click on the link above to indicate if your company conducts client satisfaction surveys.
Results will be posted in our next e-newsletter in October!
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The Shook Commitment
A commitment is only as good as the company that makes it. Building facilities that are economical, reliable, and efficient has been our commitment since 1926.
Our team of construction professionals offers a single-source solution for all of your construction-related needs. Whether it's restoration, site preparation, new facilities, or renovation, Shook has the experience and personnel to provide the highest quality construction services available in the market today. |
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