Springfield Archives

Umlor Appointed to Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors

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.

OSHA Reports Top 10 Violations for 2013

Written by SpringfieldJanuary 7, 2014

For the third year in a row, fall protection violations top OSHA’s annual “Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards” list.

The 2013 preliminary list was released by OSHA at the National Safety Council Congress and Expo in mid-September.

Every fiscal year, OSHA conducts more than 40,000 workplace safety and health inspections and then reports on the leading causes of workplace injuries.

Fall protection also accounted for the most violations in 2012 and 2011.

Prior to 2011, scaffolding violations topped the list.

The complete list of OSHA’s Top 10 most frequently cited standards, along with the total number of violations, are as follows:

Fall protection – 8,241
Hazard communication – 6,156
Scaffolding – 5,423
Respiratory protection – 3,879
Electrical – wiring Methods – 3,452
Powered industrial trucks – 3,340
Ladders – 3,311
Lockout/tagout – 3,254
Electrical – general – 2,745
Machine guarding – 2,701

For more information, visit www.osha.gov

Hiring Rates Climb

Written by SpringfieldDecember 30, 2013

Springfield welcomes our 7 newest employees and is happy to contribute, in part, to the job creation statistics in Northern Michigan.

Employers were hard at work hiring in November, signaling the labor market’s gradual healing continues.

U.S. payrolls expanded by 203,000, the Labor Department reported on Friday, a total well above the gain of 180,000 economists had forecast.

The jobless rate, meanwhile, dropped to a five-year low of 7.0%. It had been expected to tick down to 7.2% from 7.3% in October.

The report also showed about 8,000 more jobs were added to […] Read More

Springfield smart flat roof with light pipes

Daylighting Becoming the Trend

Written by SpringfieldDecember 24, 2013

We are hearing more and more about Roof Daylighting becoming the new trend for residential and commercial buildings. Springfield specializes in evaluating commercial buildings looking for ways to give our client energy savings. Daylighting is just one of the things we look to suggest if the building environment will benefit from it. The Roofing Contractor magazine recently had an article about daylighting and mentioned how “Roofing Contractors are the best resource for the skill, connections, and long-term presence needed to make the most of that investment.” We will make sure whether is on an existing roof or a new roof that the warranty is not jeopardized and/or included with the roof warranty. Some of the benefits they mention are:

reduces/eliminates artificial lighting during the day
tax incentives and utility rebates
saves energy and improves productivity/employee satisfaction
reduces greenhouse gases, water and air polution

Their article is urging roofing contractors and consumers both to seriously consider daylighting and explains that there is a daylighting system for every roof. To read their article in its entirety click here then call us for your free evaluation for your roofs daylighting project! 888-469-0059

Roof Study in Oregon

Written by SpringfieldDecember 19, 2013

Portland State University in Oregon is partnering with Walmart to study green roofing and white reflective roofing. Their study will help compare how well each roof type filters rainwater, and whether energy use and heat-island issues can be reduced. Springfield Commercial Roofing is always trying to find better ways to save energy for our customers.

American City Business Journals/Portland, Ore.