Michigan Archives

Commercial Building Inspections

Written by SpringfieldMarch 21, 2014

The National Roofing Contractor Association recommends periodic inspections of your commercial buildings. At Springfield, we know that a well maintained roof that undergoes periodic inspections will last far longer than one that is ignored. Just like you schedule your annual physical to keep yourself healthy, your commercial roof needs an annual inspection to keep “healthy” too. So with spring approaching, it’s time for all Michigan commercial building owners to plan for your annual roof inspection!!

For more information: http://todaysfacilitymanager.com/2014/03/fm-issue-withstand-weather

Vendor Warranties

Written by SpringfieldMarch 7, 2014

The #2 irritant of a facility manager is Vendor Warranties!! Calling the vendor when you have a warranty claim can be verying irritating and time consuming for facility managers. Especially when the vendors don’t want to live up to their warranties and make them difficult to understand what’s covered and what’s not. Make sure you when you are getting a quote for new construction, material, equipment, etc, ask for a copy of the warranty and make sure that their provisions are included in the quote that you will both be signing.

Happily, there are vendors out there who represent products with outstanding warranties. The Duro-Last warranty offered by Springfield Commercial Roofing is one of those vendors and make it very painless to process a claim. Check out all of the warranties they offer: Duro-Last warranty list.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 231-263-5300 if you have any questions on roof warranties.

Roof Collapse

Written by SpringfieldFebruary 28, 2014

Thankfully, no one was hurt when the roof collapsed at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Ogemaw County.

With the heavy snowfall of this winter, it makes sense to call a licensed and insured roofing contractor to remove the snow from the roof of your homes and businesses. At Springfield, we have removed snow from many northern Michigan rooftops this winter. Call us—We can help you with your commercial buildings!

http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1012988#.UxCY3aUo670

Duro-Last Honored Springfield with JRB Award

Written by SpringfieldFebruary 26, 2014

Springfield-2013-JRB-Award-Photo-web_large Springfield, Inc., located in Kingsley between Traverse City and Cadillac Michigan, recently was awarded the John R Burt Award at the annual Duro-Last® Roofing conference in Orlando Florida. This award was based on recognition of outstanding achievement in quality workmanship, customer satisfaction and sales in 2013. We congratulate all of our employees for their efforts to continue to give high quality results even while confronting the elements of the norhern Michigan weather based on our customers needs.

Written by SpringfieldFebruary 19, 2014

Terri Jo Umlor has been appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors. The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) was created by P.A. 270 of 1984 and has broad authority to promote economic development and create jobs. This board approves grants and loans under the Michigan Business Development Program and oversees the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Umlor, who resides in Wexford County, is Chief Financial Officer and Director of Human Resources for Springfield Inc., a commercial construction company specializing in roofing, mechanical insulation, and permanent fall protection systems. Springfield is a family owned business—Terri Jo’s husband, Terry, serves as President and CEO. The company has 32 employees. Springfield is the recipient of many awards including Michigan 50 Companies honoree, Hagerty Small Business of the Year, Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics and many industry related quality awards. Umlor is professionally affiliated with Cadillac and Traverse City Area Chambers of Commerce, Traverse City Economics Club, Traverse Area Human Resource Association, Wexford Missaukee Intermediate School District and National Roofing Contractors Association.

“Serving on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Strategic Fund is a terrific opportunity to represent small business owners throughout Michigan” stated Umlor. “As a small business owner, I understand how challenging it can be to survive during tough economic times.”

Prior to joining Springfield, Umlor worked in education, first as a teacher in the public schools and later as Academic Advisor for Northwestern Michigan College Commitment Scholarship Program and for U.S. Department of Education Talent Search Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Spring Arbor University and has extensive volunteer experience with youth experiential learning through the Michigan State University 4-H Outdoor Adventure Challenge program.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on this board. I love Michigan and am committed to Michigan’s economic growth. As a member of this board, I will draw from my education, along with my present and past work experiences. I am humbled and honored by this appointment.” stated Umlor.

For more information: http://www.michiganbusiness.org/michigan-strategic-fund-msf/#minutes

Written by SpringfieldFebruary 13, 2014

So writing numerous BLOGS mean greater SEO for your company right? Not necessarily. There are no real quick ways to cut to the front of the line in SEO rankings. Google doesn’t like to be “tricked.” The best practice to get into is to focus on content and useful information to our blog postings. Sometimes less is more.

Oh yes, and maybe a link or two. 🙂

For further information on this topic: http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/07/seo-myths.html

Best Regards!

Ladder Safety

Written by SpringfieldFebruary 5, 2014

ladder BE SAFE! BE SAFE! This is the message that is constantly being given by our management at Springfield, Inc.! We are all sincerely concerned with everyone’s safety; of our employees AND the employees of our clients. We have always installed fall protection on the roofs that we are fortunate enough to work on, in the past, only temporary fall protection but now Springfield SmartAnchor™ is available to install permanently if the client chooses. This fall protection system not only protects our employees but anyone that has to access the roof.

We also want to stress that before you can use the fall protection that we put ON the roof, you have to safely GET on the roof. A portable extension ladder is used a large precentage of the time to get on a roof and used multiply times daily which can become to feel to comfortable to the user. The National Safety Council (NSC) recently did a study and found that there are approximately 300 ladder-related deaths and more than 130,000 non-fatal accidents every year. Most of those are from the ladder not being secured; therefore, becoming dislodged, kicking out, or sliding sideways.

If you are contractor, especially a roofing contractor, the best insurance for your company is to implement a ladder safety program for your employees!

– Resource

Stay tuned for exciting news from Springfield, Inc. that will assist your company with your ladder safety! Best Regards!

2nd Place in National Roofer’s Challenge

Written by SpringfieldJanuary 31, 2014

roofer-challenge-photo-resized Springfield Commercial Roofing places 2^nd in National Roofer’s Challenge!

Springfield Commercial Roofing brought home 2^nd place in the National Roofer’s challenge held earlier this week in Orlando, Florida. Roofing companies from all over the U.S. enter this competition each year. It is judged by 5 inspectors from Duro-Last Roofing based upon quality roof installation, safety, and speed of completion. Employees from Team Springfield included Joe Graham of Cadillac and Nick Pascoe of Traverse City. The team was coached by Mike Abeare of Fife Lake. Springfield Commercial Roofing is a division of Springfield Inc. and is located in Kingsley!

So proud of everyone on our Springfield Team!

Fall Protection and OSHA Fines

Written by SpringfieldJanuary 21, 2014

The most important reason for fall protection systems is to protect your employees, but did you know that OSHA fines can be in the $40,000 range for roofing contractors who fail to utilize fall protection systems. Ouch! Now that hurts!

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/338043/483/Roofing-company-faces-48K-in-OSHA-fines

Written by SpringfieldJanuary 16, 2014

“Be bold in what you stand for and careful what you fall for.”

—Ruth Boorstin, writer and poet

Have you recently asked for a bid on a construction project? If so, don’t be afraid to ask questions. A reputable contractor welcomes questions and will enjoy describing the details of the proposed work to you. Ask that any changes (change orders) to the original bid be presented to you in writing and described in detail for you to sign prior to additional work being performed. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions. A reputable contractor welcomes questions and is always working toward educating the building owner with all aspects of the project. Ask for and check references of your selected contractor.