Industry Axis

With the launch of a new name and a new logo, Needham DBS, formerly Needham & Associates, is sharpening the company's focus on providing time and cost savings while maintaining high-quality work for contractors and owners.

Jeff Needham, CEO of the company said, "Needham has integrated Design Build Steel, formerly a sister division, into the fold of services we provide. Our industry needs more hands-on engineers, someone who can take the project from concept, to design and detail, and to the field, making sure there are no gaps. Our structural steel framing systems and design-build delivery system provide contractors with precious time so they can focus on construction. Needham DBS was an early adopter of BIM and uses Concurrent Design and Detailing to accelerate construction schedule. Time, higher industry quality standards, and low project cost all come together for our clients."

Karen Hand, P.E. gave a 2 Hour Presentation titled “Tips for Successful, Profitable and Safe Projects...From the Desk to the Field” at the Johnson County Contractors Licensing Seminar. The seminar was held at the Overland Park Convention Center on October 24, 2016. The seminars are held twice each year. Contractors are required to take coursework to maintain their contractor licenses in Johnson Country. The presentation was sponsored by CPG, Concrete Promotional Group.

Abstract: As a structural engineer I have noticed a concerning decline in quality of design and construction documents. The purpose of the presentation is to address areas of concern and bring those to light so that you can plan for more successful projects. Thinking big picture in addition to narrowing in on details can allow you to view projects differently.

I am always surprised how owners select the structural engineer for a project. 

Very often the selection is based on a long-standing, trust-worthy relationship.  This approach is most similar to the selection of an attorney, accountant or other professional service.  The personal relationship remains a valid way to approach the engineering selection process.

In a May 26, 2015 The New York Times article titled “A House of Worship, Converted",  Andrew Keh describes the resurgence of minor league baseball in South Bend, Indiana.  The focus of the article is the conversion of a Jewish Synagogue into the South Bend Cubs team store.  It is a fun article and a great example of repurposing an existing building.

Contained in the article is another story, the construction of the team training facility that is behind right field in the articles' photos.  This typical looking building is not really typical at all.  It took the creative engineering skill of the Needham DBS staff in Fort Wayne to "pull one out" in the bottom of the ninth.  When a major pre-engineered building company had to back out the contract for this building due to their delivery problems, Ancon Construction of Goshen, Indiana, called on Needham DBS in the ninth to "pitch hit".   And boy did they!

The Warren Theatre is a beautiful art deco inspired Hollywood Glam theatre, featuring 18 cinema screens and extraordinarily lavish architectural features and vibrant colors.  At $20.9 million, the project is both the largest and most elaborate movie theatre in the country. The project was completed in December 2014.

Exterior walls for the auditorium “wings” and the taller central core structure utilized load-bearing tilt-up panels.  The tilt-up concrete was self-performed by Crossland Construction. The structural design was based on a redundant cellular diaphragm concept, similar to its sister project in Moore, Oklahoma, which withstood an EF-5 tornado in May 2013. 

Needham DBS 2016 Advertising Campaign - Ad 2

Jeremy Stech joined Needham DBS in January 2003 after graduating with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Architectural Engineering Technology from Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska. In August of 2004 he began taking courses at Johnson County Community College using the tuition reimbursement benefit that Needham DBS offers. The coursework would establish a foundation to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. Jeremy worked full time, got married and started a family while taking one or two classes each semester. He applied to and was accepted to KU School of Engineering and in January 2012 he began the rigorous engineering coursework.

After several hard years balancing work, school and family, Jeremy graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from KU in December 2015. He graduated with honors and was recognized by the civil engineering department staff, receiving the “Outstanding Graduating Senior in Civil Engineering” award and was nominated for the Locke Award.

Needham DBS 2016 Advertising Campaign - Ad 1

Karen S. Hand, Needham DBS, Appointed to ACI Committee 551

Karen S. Hand, Needham DBS, was recently appointed to the ACI Committee 551, Tilt-Up Concrete Construction.