Johnson Controls wins historic honor

J. Lawrence Lee (left), chairman of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers History and Heritage Committee, presents a plaque to Dave Myers, president of building efficiency for Johnson Controls, to honor the invention of the automatic control system. Photos and image submitted by Johnson Controls Inc.

The invention that served as the foundation of the largest public corporation headquartered in Wisconsin is now a historic landmark.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated Johnson Controls Inc.’s automatic temperature control system as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in May.

The 1895 invention by Johnson Controls founder Warren Johnson helped launch what is now a multibillion-dollar building controls systems industry.

“The technology of the 1890s has come a long way since they had to bang on the pipes to alert custodial staff that it was too hot or two cold,” said C. David Meyers, president of building efficiency for Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, in a statement. “Professor Johnson’s invention has evolved into the modern controls industry, including refrigeration, fire and security systems for commercial, residential and residential buildings.”

Since its inception in 1971, ASME’s History and Heritage Program designated nearly 250 historical mechanical engineering landmarks, heritage collections or heritage sites, according to the New York-based organization’s Web site. Each ASME landmark represents a progressive step in the evolution of mechanical engineering and its impact on the quality of life.

Time for a rule change

Rhoades

Wisconsin’s Department of Administration wants to change agency rules to let contractors submit bids for state construction projects electronically, a move that makes one Hudson legislator happy.

State Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, said a law requiring bids for state construction projects to be submitted in print hinders contractors in her constituency.

The closest DOA office to Hudson is about 60 miles away in Eau Claire, she said in a release.

“I think it will be a great opportunity [for area builders],” Rhoades said of the rule change. “Finding a way to compete is difficult. This gives you access with the click of the button and now they will be able to compete like everyone else.”

David Helbach, administrator of the division of state facilities for the DOA, said the current system favors contractors from the Madison area, and the change should make things more equitable for everybody.

Rhoades said the rule change was part of a jobs creation act, authored a couple of years ago, that was intended to streamline and simplify government.

Public comment was scheduled to end on the rule change June 15. Rhoades said the change will go into effect unless a state legislator objects to it.

Helbach said he expects electronic bidding to begin no later than early fall.

— Stories compiled by Lawrence Silver

Headquartered in sustainability

Hoffman LLC’s new headquarters is in a renovated building in downtown Appleton. The company favored rehabbing an old building over new construction because it wanted to save on building materials and energy use. Photo submitted by Hoffman LLC

Miron plans to start construction on a 46,000-square-foot expansion of its corporate headquarters this month. The addition is being built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. Rendering submitted by Miron Construction Co. Inc.

Construction of new buildings requires the use of many materials and much energy. So rather than start from scratch, two Wisconsin construction firms worked off existing buildings for new headquarters.

Hoffman LLC moved into a renovated space in downtown Appleton in May. Also in May, Miron Construction Co. Inc. announced plans to expand and renovate its headquarters in Neenah.

Paul Hoffman, owner and chief executive officer of Hoffman LLC, said the company decided to renovate an existing building to save on the materials and the associated energy required for a new building.

“We were able to use the current building’s infrastructure while adding limited interior walls, high-performance lighting and connections to the existing cooling system,” Hoffman said in a statement. “In addition, this highly productive work environment is provided without adding any new parking capacity as the adjacent parking ramp is being used.”

Miron planned to start construction of its 46,000-square-foot, $6 million expansion in June.

The addition will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and will include outdoor sunshades on the glass walls and a significant amount of daylighting.

The company said the expansion should reflect the numerous green initiatives the company incorporates into its culture.

“With this new addition, we are able to grow and integrate these capabilities even further into our business strategies and support our regional efforts as well as numerous recently acquired national accounts,” said Tim Kippenhan, vice president of Miron, in a statement.

Hendricks

Hendricks’ spirit lives on with entrepreneurial award

Ken Hendricks’ spirit will live on.

The Wisconsin Technology Council decided to rename its Seize the Day award to honor the founder of building materials giant ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit.

Hendricks died in an accidental fall in December.

The award recognizes entrepreneurial leaders who have been crucial to Wisconsin’s economic growth.

Hendricks is a past award winner.

“Our steering committee was thrilled that members of the Ken Hendricks family agreed to extend his legacy to include the Seize the Day award,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, in a statement. “We believe he epitomized the spirit of the award, which is not given for technical innovation but for innovative leadership — the ability to take hold of business opportunities and transform them into success.”