Awards and Recognition

Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:39

County Materials supplies award-winning construction projects

(May 13, 2009) County Materials supplied masonry and concrete construction materials for several award-winning projects recognized by Wisconsin Builder magazine’s tenth annual 2008 Top Projects. More than 500 people attended the awards dinner held April 28 at Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee.

Every year, Wisconsin Builder magazine honors commercial construction’s best with its Top Projects issue and event. The May edition recognizes architects, builders, engineers and project owners for jobs that benefit the community, have overcome challenges and help advance the construction industry. Thirty projects were recognized out of nearly 130 projects that were submitted to the awards program.

County Materials supplied one dozen of the 30 projects that were recognized at this year’s event:

Arrowhead-Weston Line (Wausau to Duluth, Minn.)
·    11,000 yards of ready-mix concrete used to form caissons for power line poles running from the Weston Power Plant to Abbotsford, Wis.
·    Concrete was poured from September 2005 to May 2006
·    General Contractor was Minnesota Power Co.

Fond du Lac Wastewater Treatment Facility
·    192,000 pieces of Bowerston Shale clay brick
·    50,000 units of concrete block
·    General contractor was C.D. Smith Construction Services; Architect was Strand Associates, Inc.

Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center (Milwaukee)
·    Nearly 33,000 concrete masonry units
·    Construction manager was Mortenson Construction

Lakeland School of Walworth County (Elkhorn)
·    187,000 concrete masonry units
·    General contractor was J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc.; Architect was Plunkett Raysich Architects

Landmark Square (Sheboygan)
·    Approximately 3,000 concrete masonry units
·    Design builder was Jos. Schmitt & Sons Construction; Architect was Abacus Architects Inc.

Marquette University High School Renovation & Addition (Milwaukee)
·    40,000 standard concrete masonry units
·    General contractor was CG Schmidt Inc.; Architect was Eppstein Uhen Architects

Milwaukee City Hall Restoration
·    1500 standard concrete masonry units
·    Mason contractor was William Sackerson Construction; General contractor was JP Cullen; Architect was Engberg Anderson

Neuroscience of NE Wisconsin (Neenah)
·    35,000 pieces of Endicott clay brick
·    13,000 pieces of Hebron clay brick
·    General contractor was Miron Construction; Architect was Plunkett Raysich Architects

Oshkosh Sports Complex
·    20,000 units of decorative fullface split masonry
·    Mason contractor was Schelfhout & DeCleene Masonry; Architect was Martin Ganther Group

Potowatomi Casino Expansion (Milwaukee)
·    190,000 units of fullface split block
·    51,000 pieces of Acme/Ochs clay brick
·    30,800 units of standard concrete block
·    Architect was Engberg Anderson Inc.

University Square (Madison), UW Madison campus
·    96,000 pieces of Endicott utility clay brick
·    398,000 pieces of thin clay brick used in precast panels
·    General contractor was J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.

Vorhees Hall on Carroll University (Waukesha)
·    24,270 fullface split and standard concrete masonry units
·    General Contractor was Triad Construction Inc.; Architect was Welman Architects Inc.

Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:35

Oshkosh Sports Complex Earns Honors in 2008 Top Projects Banquet

(May 7, 2009) County Materials shared in the honors as the Oshkosh Sports Complex was recognized by Wisconsin Builder magazine’s tenth annual Top Projects awards dinner, held April 28 at Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee. The project was one of 30 selected by Wisconsin Builder to recognize jobs that benefit their community, have overcome challenges and help advance the construction industry.

The renovated facility features nearly 20,000 units of fullface split masonry manufactured by County Materials. The project broke ground in the fall of 2007 and was completed in the spring of 2008. Mason contractor for the project was Schelfhout and DeCleene Masonry; General contractor/architect was Ganther Construction Group.

Formerly known as Titan Stadium, the Oshkosh Sports Complex was transformed into a $9.7 million complex that is an exceptional venue for football, soccer, track and field, baseball, softball and intramural competition for UW Oshkosh, the Oshkosh Area School District and the Unified Catholic Schools of Oshkosh. With it’s 10,000 seating capacity, it also attracts more regional and national sporting and cultural events to the area. In addition, it’s the largest of its kind, between Lambeau Field and Camp Randall Stadium, and is expected to be used more than 190 times per year.

The original building was gutted, rebuilt with new amenities, and completed in approximately 7 months. The structure features a new plaza entrance, locker rooms for approximately 300 student athletes, coaching offices and classrooms and restrooms. Outside the stadium, everything was redesigned for greater functionality, including expanded concessions, ticket booths, restroom facilities and pre and post function spaces.

The upgraded stadium came to fruition because of community fund raising that resulted in $4.4 million in donations. With the new complex, the University has already received national attention by hosting the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Division III men’s and women’s track championships. In addition, the facility is used for the Badger State Games, the state’s High School All-Star Football game, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:32

Masonry plays role in Greater Madison Commercial Design Awards

(May 18, 2009) In Business magazine announced the winners of its second annual Greater Madison Commercial Design Awards at a ceremony held May 6 in Madison. The competition, which awards honors in 13 categories, recognizes the best in new construction or renovation in commercial design and architecture. Winning projects are featured in the publication’s May 2009 issue.

County Materials, with two locations in Madison, supplied concrete and masonry products for 14 of the award winning projects:
University Square
·    2009 Project of the Year and Best in Mixed Use category
·    Utilized Full Brick, Thin Brick Panels and gray concrete block
·    General Contractor was J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc.; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.

Capitol West: Washington Rowhouses, Capitol Court Townhomes
·    Best in Residential Multi-unit category
·    Features colored and gray concrete masonry units
·    General contractor was J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc.; Architect was The Alexander Co. 

Farm and Fleet of Verona
·    Best in Retail category
·    Constructed with decorative and standard concrete masonry units
·    General contractor was Design Structures, LLC; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.

Goodman Community Center
·    Best in Education category
·    Constructed with gray concrete block  
·    General contractor was Vogel Bros. Building Co.; Architect was Eppstein Uhen Architects

National Conference of Bar Examiners
·    Best in the Office category
·    Features gray concrete block
·    General contractor was J. H. Findorff & Son, Inc.; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.

PIKE Technologies
·    Best in Industrial category
·    Features a blend of three clay brick colors, and concrete masonry units 
·    General contractor was Tri-North Builders; Architect was Eppstein Uhen Architects

Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute
·    Best in Health Care category
·    Built with gray concrete block, and Cultured Stone on interior fireplace
·    General contractor was Ideal Builders; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.

All Saints Assisted Living
·    Merit Award in Health Care category
·    Utilized standard concrete block
·    General contractor Horizon Development Group, Inc.; Architect was Architecture 2000, LLC.  

Century 21 Affiliated
·    Merit Award in Office Renovation category 
·    Constructed with Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units and clay brick
·    General contractor was W. Squared, LLC; Architect was Brink, Kolberg & Assoc 

Hampton Inn and Suites
·    Merit Award in Hotel category
·    Features clay brick, decorative concrete masonry units and standard concrete block
·    General contractor was Kraemer Bros, LLC; Architect was Gary Brink & Associates, Inc.

Monona State Bank
·    Merit Award in Office New Development category
·    Features clay brick and standard concrete block
·    General contractor was Bauer & Raether Builders, Inc.; Architect was Strang, Inc. 

Paul J. Olson Elementary School
·    Merit Award for Green-built project
·    Constructed with clay brick and concrete block
·    General contractor was Miron Construction Co.; Architect was Zimmerman Architectural Studios 

Sequoya Commons Phase 1
·    Merit Award in Mixed Use category
·    Constructed with standard concrete block
·    General contractor was Krupp General Contractors; Architect was Bruce Simonson, with SGN+A

UW-Madison Grainger Hall Addition
·    Merit Award in Education
·    Features clay brick, glass block and standard concrete masonry units
·    General contractor was Miron Construction Co.; Architect was Zimmerman Architectural Studios

Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:22

County Materials Supplies Award-winning Hardscapes

(March 31, 2009) County Materials’ hardscape products were recognized during the 2009 Excellence in Landscaping and Hardscaping Awards Banquet held Saturday, March 14 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The banquet, which was presented by the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association and Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association, awarded landscape professionals who successfully and creatively used concrete hardscaping in their projects.

Silver award – Residential category for Hardscape Costs $10,000-$20,000: Kelly Lake Road residence, (Suring, Wis.)
JM Landscaping & Nursery of Green Bay chose County Block® units for engineered retaining walls and Lexington Stone® Pavers to create multi-tiered patios that offer the homeowner more eye appeal and a functional setting for entertaining. Judges were impressed by the site challenges and results of extensive planning and installation. They called this a stunning visual project that shouts good workmanship and engineering.

Bronze award – Commercial category for Predominantly interlocking concrete paver projects:Horace White Park Memorial (Beloit, Wis.)
The City of Beloit embarked on a renovation project for the Horace White Park, which was founded in 1836. Designers and installers created a showcase for an existing monument to Dr. Horace White by using County Block® Retaining Walls for functional seat walls and tumbled Lexington Stone® Pavers for the walkways.  Original landscaping was recreated from historic photographs.

Judges noted the excellent workmanship and visual appeal that draws attention to the monument.

Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:16

Three projects net construction award honors

(March 2, 2009) The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin announced the recipients of its 2008 Projects of Distinction Awards at their banquet held February 18th. The Projects of Distinction Awards Program recognizes outstanding construction projects of all sizes in Wisconsin, and elevates the awareness of quality construction performed by ABC member firms.

Among this year’s honorees are three supplied by local manufacturer County Materials:

West Allis Animal Hospital in West Allis, Wis. (Gold Award - Commercial $0-$2 million category)
Designed to compliment a historic downtown district, the building’s exterior features 6,400 pieces of clay brick, more than 7,000 pieces of Heritage Collection Designer Concrete Brick and 4,000 units of decorative concrete masonry. Inside, SoundCell acoustical-dampening masonry units absorb noise to maintain a quieter environment in the animal care facility. Contractor and designer for the project was Chris Greene, Inc. of Germantown, Wis.

Air Motion Systems of River Falls, Wis. (Gold Award -  Commercial $2- $10 million category)
The new 35,000 square foot facility serves as the headquarters for Air Motion Systems (AMS), a manufacturer of ultra violet (UV) systems for the printing and packaging industries. AMS and the project team are pursuing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a voluntary national rating system for developing high performance, sustainable buildings. Portions of the project utilize structural concrete block and full face split concrete masonry units. General Contractor was Derrick Companies of New Richmond, Wis. Architect was Elliot Architects of Hudson, Wis.

Reedsburg Area Medical Center office and surgery wing addition (Silver Award -  Commercial over $10 million category)
The project consisted of two building plans, one featuring a 26,000 square foot surgical wing addition and remodel of the existing hospital; the second was the construction of a new 37,000 square foot medical office building. More than 21,000 structural concrete block were used on the project, in addition to nearly 110,000 pieces of clay brick for the facade. Contractor was Kraemer Brothers, LLC, of Plain, Wis. Architect was Kahler Slater.

“The winners in the Projects of Distinction Awards Program face some stiff competition,” says Chris Reinhart, marketing director for ABC Wisconsin. “To win an award in this program, you have to be a step above the competition, whether it be in design, quality of work or overcoming some unusual challenges along the way,” Reinhart adds.

Project entries were evaluated by an independent panel of construction experts.

Friday, 01 June 2007 00:00

Architects from around Wisconsin got to exercise their creativity at the 76th annual AIA Wisconsin Convention & Expo on May 16-17 in Madison. Three designers, and County Materials, came away winners.

The American Institute of Architects show’s theme, “Palimpsest: Reclaim. Recycle. Renew.”, inspired a contest at County Materials’ booth. Of more than 150 booths, County Materials won a blue ribbon as the top display for the third straight year. Dozens of architects participated, and each was asked to form as many new words as possible, in 2 minutes, from the word “Palimpsest,” which is a parchment that has been erased in preparation for new writing.

Joe Sokal, of the Department of Administration/Division of State Facilities in Madison, took the top prize by forming 20 new words. Jennifer Cihasky of Becher Hoppe Associates Inc. of Wausau was second, and Matt Hildebrandt of Potter Lawson Inc. in Madison took third.

“County Materials’ personnel is always fabulous,” judges stated. “They always have uncluttered space, and their use of elements created interactive communication between booth personnel and folks who were visiting.”

County Materials operates 30 locations serving the Midwest. The family-owned, American manufacturing company is an industry leader and a diversified supplier of construction and landscaping products for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal project applications.
For more information, call us at 1-800-289-2569

Wednesday, 23 August 2006 00:00

KITCHENER, Ontario (Aug. 23, 2006) – The County Materials men’s fastpitch softball team won its second consecutive International Softball Congress (ISC) World Championship late Saturday night.

County Materials (Marathon, Wis.) went 7-1 against the world’ s best, braving a 4-hour rain delay and a long trip back through the losers’ bracket before dominating Patsy’s (New York City) 7-1 in the championship final. It was the fourth straight finals appearance for County Materials, who avenged a 4-0 loss to Patsy’ s earlier in the tournament and now will hold the world No. 1 ranking for a second consecutive year.

In the final, Andrew Kirkpatrick went seven innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, improving his tournament record to 5-0 as he earned the Outstanding Pitcher honor. First baseman Jarrad Martin had a three-run home run in the finale to go with a tourney performance that netted him Most Valuable Player honors. Kirkpatrick and Martin also earned spots on the All World first team.

County Materials got all the runs it needed in the home half of the opening frame, scoring three on Martin’ s blast. Patsy’s answered with a run in the second before County Materials pulled away on an RBI single by shortstop Nathan Nukunuku and a three-run shot by catcher Patrick Shannon in the third.

For more tournament information, visit www.iscfastpitch.com.