September 5, 2023
GREEN BAY – Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc. – a one-stop shop for commercial and industrial HVAC, process piping, plumbing and insulation needs – has reason to celebrate.
In conjunction with its 70th anniversary, Hurckman recently honored its 200-plus employees on reaching one million zero-lost work hours with a company picnic at Pamperin Park in Green Bay.
“It’s a big deal,” Safety Director Corey Delwiche said. “Any time you can hang your hat on reaching a number like one million, it says we’re doing something right.”
Delwiche, who has worked at several different contracting companies in the Green Bay area throughout the years, said Hurckman is “unique in its approach to safety.”
Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc. specializes in engineering, design, fabrication, installation and service of complete mechanical systems. Photo Courtesy of Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc.
“Hurckman is not afraid to spend money when it comes to safety,” he said. “In the last six months, we got all of our service technicians trained in the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) 70E Arc Flash standard. They all have their own fitted suits in the case of an arc flash incident. We also purchased a new $7,000 roof cart, which allows easy tie-off when working above our six feet elevated areas.”
Arc flash training, Delwiche said, provides guidance on assessing and controlling the risk of arc flash incidents.
He said it is important for employers to identify electrical hazards, establish approach and flash boundaries, provide appropriate personal protective equipment and training and conduct safety-related work practices.
“Hurckman doesn’t bat an eye on such purchases,” he said. “If we need it, we get it. From management to the field, we have great communication – we support each other.”
Though Delwiche said the safety measures put in place could help Hurckman with reduced costs associated with hospital bills, lost time, etc., it’s not the main reason the company invests in safety.
“We care about our employees and their families,” he said. “If you break your leg at work, you might not be able to go to your son or daughter’s baseball or softball game. We look at our employee’s livelihood, not just the fact they might be losing time at work – we want their home life to be good, too.”
Delwiche said the one million zero-lost work hours equates to about three calendar years.
“That’s about 375,000 hours of work per year, on average,” he said. “The one million hours is no lost time away from the company. Of course, if you have a broken leg, the doctor is going to want you to stay home – ultimately, it’s the doctor’s decision.”
Moving forward, Delwiche said he has another “lofty goal in mind.”
“We want two million work hours without a lost-time accident and zero OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recordables,” he said. “As of (Aug. 24), we’re at a little more than 1.1 million hours, so if all goes well, we’ll reach two million sometime at the end of 2025 or early 2026.”
Brad Hurckman, current president/CEO, said he’s “thrilled at the milestone.”
“What that says to me is, people care for one another – that’s what safety is,” he said. “I’m proud of that number, but there’s no reason to turn the spigot off now – let’s keep going.”
A word from employees
Currently, Hurckman employs a little more than 200, and at any given time, 80% are out on job sites.
“I’ve been at Hurckman for about eight years,” Metal Shop Foreman Joe Vandenelzen said. “We’ve seen a big shift from HVAC ductwork to more industrial-style stuff. We still do a lot of HVAC, but with the heavy-duty work, there are always safety concerns.”
Vandenelzen said hitting the one million zero-lost work hours is a big deal.
Hurckman’s 200-plus employees were recently treated to a safety picnic at Pamperin Park in Green Bay to celebrate one million zero-lost hours. Photo Courtesy of Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc.
“We take safety seriously, and it’s great for everyone to know that,” he said. “It also helps with attracting good talent and retaining employees.”
Cole Dollar, a steamfitter with Hurckman, echoed many of the same sentiments.
“I’ve been here for 10 years overall but about three years working fabrication,” he said. “I started in the marine side of the business, traveled a bit and now I see the growth. I’ve seen all the avenues of the piping side – from fabrication, installation and maintenance.”
Dollar said from the time he started at Hurckman until now, he’s specifically seen the growth in safety.
“As the company has gotten bigger and has more business, there’s been a lot of safety precautions put in place,” he said. “We were pretty small not too long ago, but now that we’re bigger, we have to act bigger, too. A lot of money goes into safety – you want everyone to go home safely at the end of the day.”
Seven decades of growth
Incorporated in 1953, Brad said Hurckman Mechanical has a long history of family lineage.
Brad is the third generation of the Hurckman family to lead the company.
“My grandfather, Frank Hurckman, used to be a salesman during his younger days,” Brad said. “He was a cornice worker who made metal molds for buildings where the concrete could be poured into. He learned the trade in Colorado.”
Franklin and Ann Hurckman are the founders of the company. Photo Courtesy of Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc.
Born in Marinette, Brad said his grandfather eventually moved back to the Greater Green Bay area.
“My grandmother, Ann, was a teacher at Webster (Elementary in Green Bay), and they took her savings to start the company – they started with $5,000,” he said. “It was called Hurckman Metal & Roofing.”
Shortly thereafter, Frank and Ann got out of the roofing business, Brad said.
“They could see heating and ventilation was the way to go,” he said. “St. Vincent Hospital was their first big break as a company – that put Hurckman on the map.”
Further expansion
In 1967, the business was renamed Hurckman Metal Inc.
“My father (John) took over the company about five years later,” Brad said. “When the company was founded, my dad was 10 years old – you could say he grew up around the business.”
In 1983, the company’s name was changed to Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc. following the acquisition of Lindsley Plumbing and Heating Company.
In 1994, Hurckman’s corporate office moved to 1450 Velp Ave., where it remains today. Photo Courtesy of Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc.
The company also acquired the Carrier dealership of Hurckman Heating and Cooling and the TAC dealership of ConTech Network – which are divisions of Hurckman Mechanical Industries.
The transition into the third generation of Hurckman leadership began in 2005 when Brad took over as president.
“The growth of the company has been tremendous,” Brad said. “My father did a wonderful job of merging, buying and acquiring to become a full-service mechanical contractor.”
Being a third-generation Hurckman owner, Brad said the company has options for the future.
“I have two daughters, but they are too young to know if they have ambitions to take over someday,” he said. “Regardless of whether my daughters have any interest, we are grooming great people at Hurckman. My goal is to mentor the next generation – I like to say, ‘Next-gen up.’”
For more information on Hurckman, visit hurckman.com.