Serving The SilMan Community
Issue 05
January 2023
Serving The SilMan Community
Issue 05
January 2023
In This Issue
BUSINESS UPDATE
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
SAFE & SOUND
On The Move
On The Move
Business Update
Photo credit: Matt Anger
Winning Repeat Business
Who loves seeing our beloved clients come back for more? I thought so.
Since our last newsletter, we added three new projects from notable clients who have become regulars. What a wonderful compliment to the work being accomplished by your teammates!
Something New
The SilMan Automated Parking Systems (“SAPS”) team has closed a deal with a new customer, this time in Boston, Massachusetts! The Institution for Savings Bank engaged our team to implement a 49-stall system and solidifies our status as a national parking provider.
Our material handling team also achieved a “first” with a large-scale installation of our Unison Warehouse Control System, supporting a major pots & pans supplier. The project includes Cognex scanners and sortation controls.
From The Field
Back to Our Roots
Photo credit: Tony Napier
There is a lot of SilMan history within the four walls at 45500 Fremont Blvd.
It’s been a minute, but as of January 2023, we’re back!
Our Civil team opened the door for us last year. And now our Mechanical/Electrical superstars sealed our legacy.
SilMan was engaged to install 650 linear feet of overhead conveyor equipment, an extension of an existing line. This new segment of conveyance creates a buffer in order to avoid bottlenecks, due to the volume of cars being produced at the facility.
Scope of work for each team included Mechanical (Steel header columns, modular conveyor equipment, screen guard, seismic supports, ladder access with landing) and Electrical (Power, energize and commissioning, panels (IO, PLC, HMI), wiring, junction boxes, power supply, cable trays).
Schedule
From Richie and Tyler scheduling delivery of SilMan-owned equipment, to Irael and Mike W. ensuring safety compliance, we conquered yet another milestone.
After unloading 7 trucks of Daifuku supplied Mechanical and Electrical material, the team tackled a grueling timetable of 10-hour days, 5 days a week for 8 weeks.
Furthermore, the facility was shut down for 5 days allowing complete access for tie-in to the existing line, final terminations, and finishing touches.
During the Shutdown, our teams ran a 24-hour-a-day schedule, beginning New Year’s Eve through January 4th. Two crews, two shifts, up to 12 Mechanical and 5 Electrical at any given time.
Team
Accomplishments
This was a monstrous amount of time, effort and coordination. Moreover, let’s give a big shout-out to the team for sacrificing their New Year holiday to complete this job.
We also want to recognize the unique contribution of our in-house multi-skilled Mill-trician, Shane Benson + Daniel Barrett. Hats off for being flexible and stepping up to support whatever was needed in the moment: mechanical, electrical, or welding.
Also, notable: this was Tony’s first gig as team leader and he over delivered with ease.
We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that Lindsey processed and managed the back end while ensuring we kept the ball rolling with grace and style at an executive level.
The team also wishes to offer a special thanks to Mike Bucci + Tyde Biggerstaff for their unwavering continued support and guidance for Tony and the team.
No matter the trade, every team member that stepped foot onsite during this project worked willingly and diligently to see this project through and for that alone we acknowledge all of their efforts from commuting to the jobsite to showing up for each other and successfully completing this project, as it can never go unnoticed!
Shellia said:
“This is an iconic moment. Starting with the Civil team in 2022, we’ve now been fully reintroduced to Tesla as a superb team that can execute at a high level.
Furthermore, this demonstration of our processes and capabilities has deepened our relationship with Daifuku – California, and Mississippi – bringing new opportunities to bid for work…and winning it!
Last, but certainly not least, I am forever grateful every day to work with such a cohesive team – from the office to the field. It takes each of us to attain the level of success we’ve garnered with this project and the like. Thank you for allowing me to be of service to such a great company.”
Community Spotlight
Meet Jim Smith
Jim Smith grew up in Toledo, Ohio as the son of a police officer who also happened to have been a Navy machinist and hobbyist. This environment created a young man with an appetite for creating things – like modifying a lawn mower into a go-cart.
He was also hungry to get moving. He finished high school early and joined the Marines at 17 years old and served for 6 years as a Ground Support Equipment Specialist. Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, HVAC…we can see where this is going.
Not surprisingly, Jim went straight from the military to Local 102 Millwrights. His career as a Tradesman took him all across NorCal working side by side with some familiar characters, including Messrs. Mangin, Piazza, and Burns.
His career path also took him into the Union office as a Business Agent, where he has been serving for the past 15 years
Outside the office, Jim loves spending time with his family and is an avid fisherman and hunter. In particular, he has fond memories of an epic trip to Alaska to hunt black bear.
Why SilMan?
Smith is following his heart’s desire to get back to building things. “Joining SilMan has been like a family reunion. I am very excited to be a part of this team, and about the amazing opportunity and growth that lies in front of us.”
Building Futures in San Leandro
MS SAFE in Tupelo
Justin Green on Day One with Garrett
Mike and David at OnTrac, Buckeye
Eric
Harrison
Lizzie
Noah and Jonathan
Javier, Armando, Gregory, Jesse & Richard at Brooklyn Basin
Scott, Ben, Jesse & Irael at Brooklyn Basin
A shiny black SilMan truck at Brooklyn Basin.
Captain Rebata, Duke of Arizona, surveys his realm
Safety Tip
It Takes All of Us
As we begin a new year, let’s recommit ourselves to being mindful of our teammate’s safety, not just our own.
Studies show that 95% of incidences are caused by unsafe acts, and 5% by unsafe conditions. In combination, they can be lethal.
Most risks can be eliminated or controlled by procedures and PPE. However, while some see the value of policies, others may see them as “just another rule.”
So what should we do if we see an unsafe act, but the affected team member doesn’t?
- The simplest answer: if you see something, say something. Even if they balk.
Doing the right thing is not always easy, but it is necessary. In this case, it is hard to justify avoiding a few minutes of social awkwardness compared to seeing a teammate rushed off of the job site on a gurney.
If we turn a blind eye to unsafe acts and conditions, we are choosing to ignore the well-being of others, we undermine the very core of SilMan’s culture: Teamwork, responsibility, and empathy.
What we really need each and every day is an army of eyes watching out for each other, taking care of our family, and being a team with a single mission: to make it home safely every day.
When team members are willing to speak up, lives can be saved and harm can be avoided. We would certainly want the same done for us.
Team Member Jams,
curated by the Safety Team
Dena Gann
Heaven by Warrant
When Matt and Dena were first married, everyone always had a song to describe their relationship. For these lovebirds, it was Heaven by Warrant.
And apparently, it has held up strong!
Over the years they have worked together, raised kids together, and tried their best to give them everything that mom and papa didn’t have.
And through it all, Matt is still her Superman.
Foundations
Reflections On The Way We Work & Connect
Promise [prom-ise] noun
If we started to think of all our actions as promises, would we do things differently?
No matter if you call your work a project, job, or gig, in reality, daily life at SilMan is built on a promise.
Reflecting on the success of 2022, it is clear that our team followed through on many promises. In fact, these fulfilled promises are precisely what our clients purchased.
In this, we see the close connection between promises and trust.
But as we go through our daily routine, it’s not often we consider that our work reflects a client’s faith in our promise. That our actions are based on your word…our word.
Looking Forward
Most importantly, our promises are a base that we can build on. Making good on our word makes us strong, resilient, and impervious to decay.
As we move forward in the new year, let’s be mindful of how we got here: we provide value by committing ourselves to the best possible results for clients, partners, and teammates. To build something worthwhile. Together.
Our Foundation is our Promise.
