ABC Pelican announces local craft champions, safe member companies and outstanding construction projects

BATON ROUGE, LA. – The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors has announced the details, winners and recipients of its annual Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards and Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) Banquet. The banquet will honor 25 award-winning construction projects, 40 companies’ impressive safety practices and local craft competition winners. These projects, companies and individuals will be honored this Wednesday evening at the L'Auberge Baton Rouge.
 
This year’s award-winning construction projects include the redesign of the LSU Football Operations Facility, the Nicholson Gateway Development, the Falgout Canal Flood Control Structure, the Comeaux High School Performing Arts Academy and the Phillips 66 Lake Charles Gasoline Isomerization Project.
 
Of the 40 ABC Pelican member companies that will be congratulated for their outstanding commitment to safety, 22 of them are at least 680% safer than the industry average. Some of the craft professionals, who competed with about 40 others last Friday in ABC Pelican’s craft competition, will also be recognized as the individuals representing ABC Pelican at the 2020 National Craft Championships.
 
“These construction projects, safety practices and talented people exemplify the best of the best in the industry,” said David Helveston, President and CEO of the Pelican Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. “Construction is one of Louisiana’s strong suits because of the long-term career opportunities it offers, the economic activity it invites and the robust local resources it utilizes. Each award that we present symbolizes the countless hours and endless dedication that the men and women in our workforce commit to innovation, quality, safety and excellence, ensuring that construction remains a pillar of this state.”
 
2019 ABC PELICAN EIC CATEGORY EXCELLENCE AND MERIT WINNERS:
(Excellence indicates first place, merit indicates second place; project video interviews and high-resolution images available upon request)
 
GENERAL CONTRACTOR > MEGA-PROJECTS > MORE THAN $100 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: The Lemoine Company, LLC: Nicholson Gateway Development
LSU’s largest on-campus project to date, Nicholson Gateway Development transformed a 28-acre underdeveloped tract of university owned property into a campus landmark. Completed in just over 20-months, the mega-project created over 1-million square feet of bustling space with zero lost-time incidents.
               
GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INDUSTRIAL > LESS THAN $5 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Cajun Industries, LLC: Shell Convent - Firewater Reliability Compliance
Cajun safely executed Shell’s Firewater Reliability Compliance Project, operating multiple disciplines from land and water to overcome the site’s restricted access. It entailed installation of a major pump structure over Shell’s Firewater Reservoir inclusive of marine, piling, civil and mechanical.
               
MERIT: Performance Contractors, Inc.: Cornerstone – Alkylation Tank Farm Project
Cornerstone’s Alkylation Tank Farm Project was a true challenge with the client expediting the schedule upon award of the project to half of original planned duration. Performance successfully completed the project on schedule, working seven days a week, through the holiday season, without injury.
               
MERIT: Performance Contractors, Inc.: Valero - SRU 30 Waste Heat Boiler Turnaround
The Valero SRU 30 Waste Heat Boiler Turnaround included removing structural columns and beams while still supporting the main structure, along with making one of the largest welds that Performance has ever made at 415 inches.
               
GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INDUSTRIAL > $5 TO $15 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Cajun Industries, LLC: Rubicon AP HyCO
The project at Rubicon in Geismar, La included more than 100,000 manhours and was completed in only 12 months. Cajun completed a challenging project with no recordables, while upgrading an operating plant in difficult space limitations on time and within budget.
               
MERIT: Performance Contractors, Inc.: Westlake Chemical R201-D LCN EDC Cracking Furnace
Westlake updated its EDC Cracking Furnace with a new Linde Modular furnace. Construction of the furnace required 14 critical lifts in an extremely congested live unit and three months of work under confined space conditions.
               
GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INDUSTRIAL > $15 TO $25 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Brown & Root Industrial Services, LLC: Veolia - Burnside Converter Replacement & Capital Expansion Project
Brown & Root completed the converter replacement and major capital expansion project while integrating into an existing chemical process and overcoming a historic high river, complex logistical footprint and accelerated timeline. The project was executed on-time with zero recordable injuries.
               
MERIT: Barriere Construction Co. LLC: Mosaic Uncle Sam Secondary Containment and RCRA BHT Piping Project
The project brought the Uncle Sam phosphate production facility into environmental compliance while remaining operational throughout civil construction of a secondary containment area as well as reconfiguration and repurposing of related process piping and pumps. This project represented Barriere’s first mid-scale mechanical contract.


GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INDUSTRIAL > $25 TO $100 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Performance Contractors, Inc.: Phillips 66 - Lake Charles Gasoline Isomerization Project
To achieve the Lake Charles Gasoline Isomerization Project’s goal of consistently producing premium-grade gasoline for the demanding market, Performance executed civil and general mechanical work simultaneously to meet milestones of the aggressive project schedule.
               
MERIT: Primoris Services Corporation: Shintech Plaquemine Plant 3
Primoris overcame record rainfall, high river stages and excessive groundwater to successfully complete its work on Shintech’s third local expansion. The project comes nearly 20 years after Primoris performed multiple scopes on the client’s first PVC facility in Louisiana.


GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INFRASTRUCTURE: HEAVY > UP TO $100 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Sealevel Construction, Inc.: Falgout Canal Flood Control Structure
Self-performing 95 percent of the work, Sealevel installed the levees, piles, riprap and automated barge. This infrastructure completes the southern portion of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Plan, providing 1025 linear feet of flood protection for Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.
               
GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INSTITUTIONAL > $5 TO $10 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: The Lemoine Company, LLC: Comeaux High School Performing Arts Academy
The Performing Arts Academy is a 21,350 square foot addition to the existing Comeaux High School. It was completed early and under budget with no safety issues. This Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project required extensive coordination with the owner, architect, and CMAR.


GENERAL CONTRACTOR > INSTITUTIONAL > $10 - $25 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Arkel Constructors, Inc.:  LSU Football Operations Addition and Athletics Nutrition Center
The design assist remodel and 32,000 square-foot expansion of the LSU football operations building, while remaining occupied, was completed on time, with additional major scopes added throughout. Daily coordination with owner, architect, user, and subcontractors made it successful.
                                               
SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR > ELECTRICAL: INDUSTRIAL > $2 TO $10 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: ISC Constructors, LLC: ExxonMobil Fuels and Lubricants Company-2019 Legacy Event
ISC was contracted by the ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants Company to perform the electrical and instrumentation work associated with upgrading the Pipe Stills-9 & HIPPS system (PSLA-9), West Coker (WCDR), Sulfur Recovery (SRLA-400), Feed Prep (PHLA-2) and Tail Gas (TGS) units.
               
MERIT: Triad Electric & Controls, Inc.: Valero Diamond Green Diesel Expansion Project
This project was a world-class construction endeavor that has once again endorsed Triad’s reputation for excellence in the industry. With more than 119,000 manhours performed in a very compressed time frame, this project was completed with a perfect safety record.


MERIT: ISC Constructors, LLC: Marathon Garyville-10/22 Substation Installation Project
This project was awarded to ISC as part of the Substation Replacement Program designed to strategically improve the electrical infrastructure of select process units by replacing single-ended and radially fed substations with new secondary-selective substations fed from Main Substation 35-7.
               
SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR > ELECTRICAL > MORE THAN $10 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: ISC Constructors, LLC: MEGlobal BOOKRAMEG Project
ISC was contracted to perform all electrical and instrumentation scopes for their new world class monoethylene glycol facility in Freeport, Texas. ISC, the sole E/I contractor for the ISBL and OSBL areas, installed all electrical equipment, raceway, cabling, and instrumentation.
               
MERIT: Triad Electric & Controls, Inc.: Shell Tiger AO4 Project
Triad was awarded a $30 million contract for electrical and instrumentation construction for the Shell Tiger AO4 Project as part of a grassroots expansion at Shell’s Geismar refinery. Triad successfully completed 757,698 manhours without an OSHA recordable.
               
MERIT: MMR Constructors, Inc.:  Ethylene Plant Restart Project
The Indorama Ventures Olefins LLC Project consisted of the complete revamp of mothballed ethane cracker. The plant was idled in 2001 and sustained damage during several hurricanes. Over 433,000 safe Electrical and Instrumentation manhours were spent on the multi-year project.


SITEWORK / LANDSCAPE / HARDSCAPE
MERIT: Beard Construction Group, LLC: Drax – LaSalle Bioenergy – Sitework and Rail Yard Construction
Drax Bioenergy awarded Beard a contract to perform sitework and to complete construction of a rail yard at their facility in Urbania, LA. Beard faced several obstacles in the completion of the project, including substandard material, demanding site conditions and permitting delays. Beard performed the work with zero safety incidences and on budget.
               
SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR > SPECIALTY CONSTRUCTION - COMMERCIAL > LESS THAN $10 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Cajun Industries, LLC: Cleco Bayou Vista-Terrebonne T-Line
Cajun installed 128 battered helical piles and steel grillage foundations for six transmission towers by using land equipment and barge equipment resources. This project consisted of a year and a half for conceptual planning and nine weeks of construction.


MERIT: Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC: Four Seasons Hotel and Residences New Orleans – Piles
Boh Bros. was selected as the piling subcontractor for the conversion of the World Trade Center into a Four Seasons Hotel. The project required driving four types of piles with five crews next to an existing building, around an active railroad, and under low overhead conditions while racing a rising Mississippi River and was executed with zero accidents.


SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR > SPECIALTY CONSTRUCTION - INDUSTRIAL > LESS THAN $10 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Group Industries: DOW Fender Control Building
Dow Beaumont’s “shelter in place” facility serves three purposes -- administrative offices, laboratory and control room. Proactively tackling the project, the design-build team determined the most efficient way to create the 100 percent-sealed structure, while battling logistical and design challenges.
               
MERIT: Cajun Industries, LLC: ExxonMobil Dock 5 Project
Cajun’s accomplishments on the ExxonMobil Dock 5 Retrofit project were due to a state-of-the-art safety program, exceptional due diligence, quality craftsmanship, thorough communication, and flawless execution. Despite difficulties, Cajun completed the multi-phased endeavor in two locations with a successful startup.
               
SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR > SPECIALTY CONSTRUCTION - INDUSTRIAL > MORE THAN $10 MILLION
EXCELLENCE: Cajun Industries, LLC: Zachry @ Lyondell Chemical Company PO/TBA
Cajun was contracted to provide a variety of turnkey deep foundation scopes including design/build for LyondellBasell’s new Propylene Oxide and Tertiary Butyl Oxide Plant in Channelview, TX. Once completed, this will be the world’s largest facility of its kind.


2019 ABC PELICAN STEP RECIPIENTS:
ABC Pelican STEP recipients excel in all areas of ABC’s STEP Safety Management System, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to safety. Participating companies score their level of achievement for each component on a weighted point scale and document their incident rates (TRIR and EMR). Companies receive recognition level of Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Participant based on this data.


Diamond Level Companies: Apache Industrial Services, Ardent Services, Barriere Construction Company, Beard Construction Group, Bengal Crane & Rigging, Brown & Root Industrial Services, Cajun Industries, Classic Industrial Services, Claymar Construction, Insulations, ISC Constructors, Merit Electrical, MMR Constructors, New Industries, PCL Industrial Construction Co., Primoris Services Corporation, REPCON, Southern Earth Sciences, The Lemoine Company, Triad Electric & Controls, Turner Industries Group, and Westgate


Platinum Level Companies: Aggregate Technologies, Arkel Constructors, EXCEL Group, Group Industries, Mammoet USA South, MAPP, Moore Industries, PALA-Interstate, Trade Construction Co., and Worley


Gold Level Companies: APTIM, Bluewater Constructors, Bottom Line Equipment, Ernest P. Breaux Electrical, Kostmayer Construction, Performance Contractors, and SJB Group


2019 ABC PELICAN CRAFT COMPETITION WINNERS:
These ABC Pelican craft students competed in the ABC Pelican craft competition on December 6 at the Baton Rouge Training Center. Some of these craft students will represent the chapter in the 2020 National Craft Championships in Nashville.
 

• First Place in Electrical: Devin Pourciaux, sponsored by Ernest P. Breaux Electrical
• Second Place in Electrical: Seth Oubre, sponsored by Ernest P. Breaux Electrical
• Third Place in Electrical: Kris Simmons, sponsored by Dykes Electric
• First Place in Instrumentation: Zeke Mahaffey, sponsored by ISC Constructors
• Second Place in Instrumentation: Justin Blanchard, sponsored by ISC Constructors
• Third Place in Instrumentation: Ryan Drake, sponsored by Ardent Services
• First Place in Millwright: Austin Pardue, sponsored by Turner Industries Group
• Second Place in Millwright: Lionel Beckett, sponsored by Turner Industries Group
• Third Place in Millwright: Gavin Oldham, sponsored by Turner Industries Group
• First Place in Pipefitting: Dewey Sibley, sponsored by Performance Contractors
• Second Place in Pipefitting: Dalton Newsom, sponsored by Performance Contractors
• Third Place in Pipefitting: Payton Morris, sponsored by Performance Contractors
• First Place in Welding: Trey Hebert, sponsored by Turner Industries Group
• Second Place in Welding: Tristan Acosta, sponsored by Turner Industries Group
• Third Place in Welding: Cameron Garafola, sponsored by Performance Contractors

About the Excellence in Construction (EIC) awards: ABC National’s Excellence in Construction program has become the premier competition within the construction industry that recognizes outstanding construction projects across the nation. The EIC Awards honor the skill and creativity of the entire team--contractor, owner, architect and engineer--responsible for an outstanding merit shop construction project.


About the Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP): Established in 1989, ABC’s Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) is a safety benchmarking and improvement tool that dramatically improves safety performance among construction industry participants, regardless of company size or type of work.


About the 2020 National Craft Championships: ABC presents the National Craft Championships annually to highlight the achievements of the men and women who represent the future of the construction industry. Craft trainees and apprentices travel from across the country to demonstrate their superior skills, training and safe work practices and compete for top honors in their chosen craft. In March 2020, the National Craft Championships will take place in Nashville, TN.    
 
About ABC Pelican: The Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) was incorporated in 1980, covers 52 parishes in Louisiana and is one of 69 chapters across the country. It is a diverse, non-profit, trade association of contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and industry professionals who have joined together to advance the construction industry by supporting their mission, to promote and protect the Merit Shop Philosophy and the principles of the free enterprise system in the construction industry.