On today’s tour, we’re introducing you to our Architectural Retail group. This part of the architectural department actively provides retail design services for new buildings and tenant improvements nationwide, including companies such as Aspen Dental, Verizon Wireless, Goodwill, JC Penny, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Piggly Wiggly, Festival Foods (just to name a few!)… Visit our website to learn more:http://www.excelengineer.com/retail-design

This past Saturday, Excel employees volunteered their time at a Habitat for Humanity project here in Fond du Lac. The crew spent the day installing sheathing, Dupont Tyvek homewrap and exterior insulation for a local family’s new home. Take a look!

Alliance Laundry produces first dryer in their new facility – congratulations to the whole Alliance Laundry team!

Today’s Tour stops in our Architectural department, where we would like to introduce you to our Architectural Food Group. These individuals specialize in the master planning and design of processing plants, distribution facilities and cold storage warehouses for the food and beverage industry. They have a unique approach in understanding the key disciplines of a facility by incorporating our architectural and engineering services; as a result it creates a seamless relationship between the manufacturing process and the building around it. To see photos of projects completed by our Architectural Food Group, visit our website: http://www.excelengineer.com/food-facility-plant-design

Check out the latest coverage of the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday that kicked off the $2 Million early childcare project for St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Appleton, WI. We’re excited to be a part of this great expansion!

The article below from NBC 26 explains more:

By Billy Wagness. CREATED Apr 12, 2015
APPLETON, Wis — A $2 million project in the name of early education broke ground in Appleton Sunday afternoon.

And when finished, city leaders say the Early Childhood Center’s expansion will answer a community’s call for more childcare options in the city’s downtown.

When the new facility is completed this September, St. Paul Lutheran Church and School will be the first in the state to host childcare, and education options, from the ages of six weeks to 8th grade, all on the same campus.

The expansion will more than triple St. Paul Lutheran Ministries’ childcare capacity. It will also expand the program’s services to younger age groups.

“We currently can have 20 children in our center at a time,” said future ECC Director Ashley Steinmetz, “and that’s age range 2-5 year-old’s.”

She says Appleton has strong childcare options, but the need for more services in the downtown area was clear.

“Historically, we’ve been full,” said Steinmetz. “To this day I’m like, ‘we’re full, but next year we’re going to have more openings,'” she added, laughing.

After months of research, St. Paul’s congregation voted unanimously in January to use $2 million in fund-raising efforts to expand their childcare services. On Sunday, even the youngest members of the congregation took part in celebrating the groundbreaking.

Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna says the strengths of a city’s faith-based community helps define it.

“[This is] a strong faith community, being here almost 150 years, in the heart of our downtown,” said Hanna, after delivering his speech at the site before groundbreaking, “and they’re thriving–so much so that they’re making this investment in the children, and the leaders of tomorrow.”

Hanna says a city’s investments are also critical.

“People understanding this isn’t just about daycare,” said Hanna. “This is really about proper brain development in our young people.”

Project leaders say construction on the new facility will help create 75 to 100 jobs while it’s taking place.

And the fun part for workers on the site: many are actually members of the St. Paul congregation, who say they’ll see the payoff first-hand.

http://www.scrippsmedia.com/nbc26/news/2-million-early-childcare-project-breaks-ground-in-downtown-Appleton-299505961.html

Gearbox Express recently broke ground on a new facility designed by Excel.  This new facility is close to 84,000 sq.ft., which is almost twice the size of their old facility.

Based in Mukwonago, Gearbox Express is the only independent company in the U.S. that provides down-tower, wind gearbox re-manufacturing solutions.

Today’s Tuesday Tour of Excel offers a sneak peek at our Architectural Wing. This department is the largest in our building and home to multiple groups who cover a variety of projects for Excel. Stay tuned over the next few weeks to learn more about the different divisions of work in our Architectural Department!