More States Offering Plant Relocation Incentives

Over the past few years, state and local government have been offering greater incentives for companies to move to their jurisdiction, and plant relocation is on the rise.

Relocation incentive programs shrank during the recession that began in 2008, but now that most of the U.S. has recovered, governments are offering billions of dollars in tax forgiveness and other financial incentives to relocate their businesses. There is stiff competition between states, and job increases in one state come at the expense of another, but plant relocation is growing for contractors like R. Baker & Son.

Like most states, New Jersey and New York both offer relocation incentives. In New Jersey multi-year tax breaks can be worth up to $300 million for eligible projects, and START-UP NY offers major incentives for businesses to relocate or expand in the state while aligning with a college or university.

R. Baker & Son provides comprehensive turnkey service for all phases of industrial and commercial plant relocation in the NY and NJ area, throughout the United States and Canada, Puerto Rico, and overseas. Services include dismantlement and relocation planning, match marking, heavy machinery moving, rigging, relocation, reassembly, reinstallation, and startup. Projects are performed with minimal disruption regardless of scale.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a  Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)  in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.
 

R. Baker & Son

1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

Selective Demolition: Punch Lists Leave Lasting Impressions

Plenty has been written in the demolition industry about planning, equipment, safety, and procedures. Cleanup, punch list and commissioning, however, go largely undiscussed, despite their great significance in determining the success of a project from the client standpoint. This final phase is when misunderstandings, finger-pointing and arguments can arise, and often do. If there are excessive issues during the final phase, customers are likely to “remember” a contractor negatively, and are unlikely to hire that company again. 

During any selective demolition or interior demolition project, walls, ceilings, equipment, piping, and electrical systems must be removed, per project specification, to a clean delineation. This also includes such smaller items as unused hangers, hardware, bolts, etc. If any items, such as doors or light fixtures, are to be salvaged for reuse, they should be cleaned, labeled, and carefully stored. Demolition contractors drawings are often lacking in details, so it is important that a contractor is proactive in pointing out and correcting elements that were missed on the original scope of work, rather than reacting at crunch time after problems have snowballed. 

Contractors should include final walkthrough as part of the Method of Procedure (MOP) presented to the client before a project begins. This walkthrough should occur once the main project objective has been accomplished to check that everything has been completed to the customer’s satisfaction, or if further work needs to be done at this point in time. Punch list items must be documented so they can be tracked and completed in a timely manner. If the work has been done properly and professionally, the punch list should be, ideally, minimal. If the punch list is long and problematic, clients will be left with a bad taste in their mouth, and will be unlikely to rehire or refer.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a  Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)  in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

Metal Recycling

As a demolition, dismantling, and decommissioning contractor, R. Baker & Son is heavily involved in metal recovery and recycling. Scrap metals are divided into two basic categories, ferrous (metal that contains iron) and non-ferrous.  The most commonly recycled metals, by volume, are iron and scrap steel, copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, and stainless steel. 

Ferrous metals, which can be processed and remelted repeatedly, are some of the most recycled materials in the world.  When comparing the steel consumption of the construction industry vs. the amount of recycled steel being produced, more than 97% of structural steel is currently being recycled.  Sources of ferrous metals during demolition are structural beams, plates, pipes, machinery, tanks, tubes, wiring, and shot.  Non-ferrous metals recovered from demolition sites include copper cables, copper and zinc pipes and radiators, and aluminum siding. 

Scrap metal prices are determined by a combination of factors.  These include overseas scrap prices (an estimated 55% of ferrous scrap is exported from the U.S. each year), the domestic market, and supply and demand.  Scrap prices tend to increase when construction and car sales are up.  R. Baker & Son handles over 100,000 tons of scrap per year, which allows us to command top marketplace value.  Scrap revenue credits are passed along to our clients, which can help to substantially offset project costs.

Recycling and/or salvage of construction debris is worth 1-2 LEED points, with a waste diversion rate of fifty percent earning one point and seventy-five percent earning two points.  R. Baker & Son guarantees 100% LEED compliancy on all demolition, dismantling, and decommissioning projects. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a  Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)  in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

Sky Cranes What Do You See?

Tower cranes are used in almost every major city in the world, and they are most easily spotted when you are arriving by plane. In fact, some people judge a city economy by relating the amount of sky cranes hanging over buildings that are under construction as a positive sign for the economy. A good example of this is the New York / New Jersey metro area.

Rigging and hoisting materials are the job of the sky crane, which moves materials such as concrete, sheet rock, studs, glass, duct work and all other supplies to their destination. There is one sky crane operator who climbs a ladder to the top where the cab is located. What you don't see is the numerous rigging crews and professionals whose job it is to properly strap and connect all material safely so that it can be hoisted correctly. There is also another set of rigging professionals that remove the straps and binding when the material gets to the proper location.

Another integral part of the rigging company team are the coordinators whose job entails scheduling all the material deliveries, how they get to the job-site, and how much time is needed to lift those materials to their respective location while scheduling the next load. Without the rigging coordinator there would be complete chaos between the operator and rigging crews, not to mention a construction traffic jam,

The sky crane gets most of the notoriety, but there is another workhorse on the job site called the material lift, which is much like an elevator, it runs at higher speeds up the side of the building but takes no passengers. Rigging service professionals are in charge of the delivery loading and unloading all of the material to and from the material lifts. If the construction project is large enough this effort can require dozens of riggers and several rigging managers to keep things running smoothly.

Whenever I see a sky crane I think of all the people involved with helping it run smoothly, the organization skills, the manpower and the specific link it has to the economy and improvement.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

In Need Of Good Riggers

With the Dow Jones Index hitting a record high of 18k in December and low inflation rates being reported at 1.3%, the signs are also looking up, as the construction industry is projected to see more balanced growth in 2015.

Construction jobs declined nearly three times as much during the last recession than it did during the 1981 recession. This was also due in large part to many workers retiring or  going into different related fields and lines of work. Now that construction is picking up again, there is a skilled labor shortage that is concerning.

Rigging is one of those skilled trades that is struggling to find qualified personnel. The labor shortage is enough of a concern that some developers and large construction companies are cautious when making commitments for large projects. The skilled labor shortage can have a serious effect on overall project cost, schedule and quality.

Rigging requires crane operator training, heavy equipment training (with various types of machinery), safety training, equipment maintenance, knowledge of physics, geometry, electrical and mechanical as well. Equipment and materials cannot get to their destination,  set in place safely and on time without rigging and riggers. Which is why a skilled Rigger is in high demand in almost any location.

It's unfortunate that many of the young people in America have looked away from skilled trades as unemployment is high for young adults. Many experienced Riggers can earn a good six-figure salary in major cities from New York to Los Angeles. Rigging requires 4 to 5 years of apprenticeship and study, while working with an experienced rigging contractor.

The good news is that after many years of recession, things are finally looking up. The not-so-great news is that we are in dire need in the workforce for experienced construction professionals. The laws of supply and demand will pay accomplished Riggers higher salaries which will raise prices accordingly. The lesson for the rest of us is to not look away from skilled trades, but to look towards them.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a  Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)  in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311

Web: http://www.rbaker.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Demolition.Rigging

Essential PPE: Hard Hats

Because there are a myriad of potential hazards in the rigging and demolition industry, wearing the proper protective equipment is imperative to protecting worker safety. Head injuries, which can prove fatal or cause permanent impairment, are particularly dangerous, so one of the most important pieces of PPE in an R. Baker & Son crew member’s arsenal is the hard hat.

In general, protective headgear should always be worn in situations in which there is risk of falling or moving objects, fixed objects such as pipes or beams on which one might strike their head, and/or risk of accidental contact with electrical hazards. For construction, rigging, and demolition workers, these hazards are always present and hard hats should be worn at all times. At minimum, hard hats should be resistant to penetration, capable of absorbing the shock of a blow, water and burn resistant, and should display clear instructions for use.

There are three industrial classes for hard hats. Class A headgear provides impact and penetration resistance and electrical protection up to 2,200 volts. Class B is designed to provide maximum protection against electrical shock, up to 20,000 volts, as well as impact and penetration protection. Class C offers lightweight impact protection and does not protect against electric shock. R. Baker & Son workers typically wear Class B hard hats.

Hard hats require regular maintenance and daily inspection to ensure they meet or exceed safety regulations and standards. Headgear that is perforated, cracked, or otherwise deformed should be discarded and replaced, well as those that show loss of surface gloss, chalking, or flaking, which can indicate excessive exposure to heat or chemicals. Suspension systems that appear damaged or worn must be promptly replaced. Always replace a hard hat that sustains an impact, even if damage is not visible.

R.Baker & Son, All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-222-3553
http://www.rbaker.com
http://rbaker.com/demolition-contractors-new-jersey.php

R. Baker & Son in New Jersey: Utility Safety During Demolition

Demolition in New Jersey requires considerable planning when it comes to utilities. Before R. Baker & Son begins a project, multiple above-ground and below-ground utilities must be considered and identified, and may need to be shut off, disconnected, and/or relocated in order to perform demolition.

Prior to starting demolition, each utility company must be contacted. Local representatives or field engineers will be assigned to the project and may require submission of drawings, applications, and/or permits pertaining to the individual utilities. For example, electrical lines will need to be shut down, relocated, tested, and reenergized under the supervision of the electric company, who may also need to notify nearby customers of power interruptions. Similarly, water lines may require that valves be shut down and verified that they hold, and pressure taken off the line and locked out for worker safety. Gas lines may need to be shut down, pressure relieved and purged of all residual gas, and verified before work can commence.

Fiber optic cables and cable TV also require coordination with the utility companies. Fiber optic cables carry significant amount of data, and a severed line can affect service to thousands of commercial and residential customers. Damage to TV cables can cause outages for numerous customers as well.

Utility representatives will mark where underground utilities are located with paint and flags to prevent accidents and unnecessary interruptions. The most common method for locating utilities is using a tick tracer or sensitive metal detectors to locate piping or electrical lines. Though drawings and as-builts are valuable aids in locating utilities, it should be noted that there may be inaccuracies, and sometimes these drawings have been misplaced and can’t be located. Also, easements that give utilities a right of way to exist are often unmarked, and as NJ is the most densely populated state, there is an increased chance of accidental damage to utilities.

Lastly, when removing utilities during demolition, it is important to preserve all meters and return them to the utility company. For more information on utilities during demolition, please contact R. Baker & Son at 732-222-3553. 

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Web: http://www.rbaker.com