|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The $12 million facility – located near Doka’s old facility in Rockdale, about one hour southwest of downtown Chicago – is ideally suited to meet the growing formwork needs of the Midwest region.
“Having provided formwork for numerous major structures in the Midwest, Doka reaffirmed its commitment to that region by choosing a large site that will allow for future expansion. Its proximity to Interstate 55 and the pleasant surroundings were both positive influencing factors. We are extremely pleased with our decision to locate in Channahon,” said Dan Winters, Doka USA CEO.
The new facility offers large office spaces for employees in operations, engineering and sales, as well as an expansive showroom, warehouse, re-conditioning and pre-assembly shop, and customer training center. The 8,200-square-foot office area has space for up to 40 workstations and includes about 6.5 acres of an outdoor concrete-paved storage area, with three more acres that can accommodate future growth.
A two-crane system has been installed that can load trucks outside of the building, as well as move components through the reconditioning warehouse and pre-assembly shop. Using a drive-thru system, the entry and exit into the facility’s yard allows traffic-flow to be very easy and efficient.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other key areas of the new facility include:
Reconditioning warehouse: This area includes a complete mechanical and welding shop featuring numerous workstations, each with its own lift table and jib crane, used to maintain and repair equipment and efficiently and quickly get it back into the field. After using Doka formwork at a jobsite, professional reconditioning stations are provided for used Doka material throughout the U.S. Specially trained staff clean and repair every single piece to ensure they are maintained according to the high Doka quality standards.
Pre-assembly shop: From building typical Top 50 gang forms to custom parabolic pier forms or custom column and beam formwork, Doka engineers and assembly craftspeople help to build this formwork at a local Doka branch. This service affords for just-in-time delivery, reduces on-site storage, and fast tracks the speed of the formwork process.
Training Room: Designed as a resource for contractors and designers, the large-scale training room is ideally suited for educational programs and training.
Showroom: The 4,000-square-foot showroom, which is highly viewable from the outside, will display the latest innovations in formwork technology, including the new Xclimb 60 climbing system and protection screen. The guided system is designed for cost-effective universal use for climbing formwork applications and for ultimate climbing safety for small to midsized applications. Additional showroom displays include: Wall Fromwork: Frami, Framax Xlife, Top 50; Slab Formwork: Dokaflex S, Dokamatic Table with the Table Lifting System; and Climbing and Saftey Solutions: MF 240, Platform K.
“The Xclimb system is a growing solution for the Midwest because of its ability to protect workers from wind, the weather and falling debris,” said Harry Beutel, Midwest Regional Manager. “The ability to show the system in our new facility will be of great benefit to designers and contractors.”
Boasting a contemporary look, the design incorporates the use of exposed concrete. Doka’s own formwork was used to construct the building.
“It’s important that our facility has up-to-date technology and has a unique appearance to present Doka as an advanced and successful company,” stated Beutel.
Construction of the new structure began in early 2007 and was substantially complete by early 2008. The design and construction management team was comprised of two Milwaukee firms — Eppstein Uhen Architects and Site Management by CG Schmidt.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur at 11 a.m. and an open house will occur after the ceremony until 6 p.m. Of note, the CEO of Doka USA as well as special guests from Doka’s headquarters in Austria -- Josef Kurzmann, CEO of the Doka Group and Franz Prinz, Managing Director -- will be in attendance. Further, live formwork demonstrations of Frami and Dokaflex S will be available. A live Chicago Blues Band will be on-hand and lunch/refreshments will be provided. Further, several raffle prizes will be given away, including a Nintendo Wii, iPod Touch and dinner gift certificates.
With its corporate headquarters in Little Ferry, N.J., Doka now has U.S. offices in Baltimore, Md., Channahon, Ill., Lawrenceville, Ga., Tomball, Texas, Riverside, Calif., Las Vegas, Nev. and Fort Pierce, Fla.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
