40,000 FT of Pipe for New Jersey Power Plant Excavation

L.B. Foster Company recently completed delivery of approximately 40 truckloads of 10 ¾ and 12 ¾ inch diameter steel pipe to Kansas City-based Burns & McDonnell for use as foundation support in the excavation and conversion of a Newark, New Jersey gas-fired power generating station. The New Jersey construction site has a rich history dating back to the late 1800's as being one of Thomas Edison’s original manufacturing facilities. The construction material was contracted by L.B. Foster from pipe manufacturer, Paragon Industries’ Oklahoma mill, who staged, fabricated end plates and coordinated just-in-time deliveries to the jobsite. The contractor required pipe in lengths of 30 and 40 feet with a wall thickness of .375 inches to be driven as additional foundation reinforcement for new state-of-the-art equipment and ancillary buildings. Burns & McDonnell, the project’s construction management firm, were instrumental in the overall planning, coordination, and control of the project from beginning to completion. “They have worked with us in the past on similar power plant projects, however this is the first time they have taken on the additional role as construction manager,” noted Roman Gwiscz, assistant general manager, piling products.

According to Burns & McDonnell Assistant Purchaser, Steven Johnson, “This order required flexibility from both parties and a great deal of communication. Terms and Conditions negotiations, schedule changes, material quantities, delivery delays and site visits were all part of this development and L.B. Foster was willing to work with us in all areas to make the process as smooth as possible.”

The L.B. Foster team was well represented in the lead up and award of this important energy project. “Our relationship with Burns & McDonnell was fostered as a direct result of lunch and learns and multiple follow-up meetings over the years,” commented Dru Kocina, Senior Client Manager, Construction Products.

Working closely with the client to produce technical information, material recommendations and provide critical jobsite logistics support were Senior Client Manager, Dru Kocina, Assistant General Manager- Piling, Roman Gwiscz, and Product Coordinator, Brandon Reiff. “Dru Kocina was our main point of contact through this order with L.B. Foster and he was able to work around the various project hurdles and help Burns & McDonnell find solutions that would help both parties succeed in completing their respective tasks. Last minute schedule changes and delays from the end user did not make the process easy and Dru kept things on track and worked well with Burns & McDonnell to overcome these challenges. We look forward to working with L.B. Foster in the future,” continued Johnson.