General Motors - Parma, Ohio and Marion, Indiana Stamping Plants Modifications and Additions

These projects mark the first time that Independence Excavating worked with BMC and Ideal, and certainly not to be the last. The work performed was a design-build project, and involved the teaming of BMC, Ideal and Ghafari, the project architect/engineer. Given the nature of these design-build jobs, we were constantly requested to impart our knowledge and expertise to assist the team in meeting project milestones and ensuring that critical performance paths were achieved.

The work at both facilities started in late September 2009 and was successfully completed in early January at Parma and mid- February at Marion. Independence Excavating's contracted work included the following: removal of slab on grade and supported flooring; removal of concrete floors, walls, foundations and piers; removal of select steel beams; design and partial installation of a cantilevered earth retention system; and mass excavation work.

The success of these projects is directly attributable to the skills and workmanship of Independence Excavating's field personnel, which were headed by our superintendents, Larry Mahon at Marion, and Greg "Duke" Reith at Parma. The field teams at each facility were required to work double shifts and clock hundreds of overtime hours to ensure that quality workmanship was performed and delivered on time. Duke and Larry's work performance was exceptional. They not only had to run all the daily facets of the work in strict compliance with General Motors Safety Program, but also had to ensure that the field work reflected the continual design modifications and schedule changes.

In addition to the team cited above, Independence Excavating's project success would not have been possible without the expertise of our sister company, Precision Pro-Cut. Slab sawing, core drilling, and track mounted sawing were all absolute, integral parts of the work performance, and were a hinge point in meeting the press pit design requirements and schedule.