News & Events - Elevate - Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Q&A with Fischer-Idema Excavating

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are local and started out with just a couple of us and an idea – to treat people (both our team members, and our customers) differently. While we are far from perfect we try to do what we say we will do (again for our team members as well as our customers). We have been blessed beyond our what we could have ever dreamed with the team members we have on board that allow our company to thrive and flourish in this business.

How many people work at your company?

25 employees.

Where is your company headquartered?

Alto, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We are doing the earthwork for the CUP expansion and digging/backfilling the utility trench that runs from the Grand Hall along Concourse A out to the new expansion.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

We bring a diverse level of experience and therefore are able to think outside the box for solving things that arise and offer our view on how to creatively solve challenges in front of us.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

While it is definitely a higher stress environment, its also fast paced which makes it interesting. We also enjoy working on a project that we can have a sense of pride in that will benefit the entire community for years to come.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

There is so much planning and coordinating that goes on daily during construction to work together as a group to achieve the end goal of what is seen.

One fun fact about your company?

We worked on the first phase of the CUP building and at that time it was our largest project, since that time our work on the FIS building at the airport became our largest project (by contract amount.)

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Q&A with Bazen Electric Company

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

Founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1957 by John Bazen, Sr., Bazen Electric is a family-owned company serving all of western Michigan. We have a strong commitment to the local community. With a positive work ethic and a solid reputation in the community, the company has steadily grown and now employs over 70 team members. Our knowledge and expertise on a wide variety of projects allows us to provide significant value to our customers. Our dedicated team provides exceptional service with a continued emphasis on quality. While the company continues to grow, one thing remains the same – we treat our employees and customers with the respect they deserve and have come to expect.

How many people work at your company?

Over 70 team members.

Where is your company headquartered?

Grand Rapids, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We are the electrical contractor for the project, supplying all lighting, gear, and all electrical systems for the Concourse Expansion project.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

We look forward to installing a lighting system that gives the concourse an inviting and welcoming feel for travelers both visiting the area, and those returning home.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

We enjoy working with the other trades to complete a project that helps make our community a great place to live and visit, while also demonstrating the talent we have in this community. Our airport is the “first impression” for business and vacationing travelers who come to our city. We are thankful and proud to be part of that “first impression” feel.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

This new concourse expansion has enough wire built into the project to go across Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to Milwaukee, and back to Grand Haven.

One fun fact about your company?

When Bazen Electric started back in 1957, our material/storage warehouse was a chicken coop.

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Q&A with The Bouma Corporation

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are a specialized interior subcontractor that was started by John Bouma in 1950.

How many people work at your company?

220 employees.

Where is your company headquartered?

Grand Rapids, Michigan with an office in Traverse City as well.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We were chosen to perform the exterior framing, sheathing and weather barriers. We were also contracted for the fireproofing and interior finishes.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

Attention to detail.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

Airport personnel are very accommodating and welcoming.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

We want them to know, to look up, and marvel at the barreled ceilings that will be throughout the concourse.

One fun fact about your company?

Bouma Corporation has a sister company that specializes in state-of-the-art prefabbed wall manufacturing.

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Q&A with Central Tile & Terrazzo Co., Inc.

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are a 3^rd generation family-owned flooring business. We have 86 years of experience since our founding in 1936.

How many people work at your company?

40 employees.

Where is your company headquartered?

Kalamazoo, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We are performing the epoxy terrazzo work (type of flooring) throughout the concourse.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

Epoxy terrazzo is an art form that takes years to master, so our workers have to be highly skilled. Our company has been doing this type of work since 1936 and are one of just a few terrazzo companies in Michigan.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

Our favorite part is knowing that tens of thousands of people are going to be walking on our terrazzo floors every year—for a good portion of the next century.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

That 2,600 gallons of epoxy liquid and 80,000 pounds of marble/glass aggregate were combined to make the nine color, beautifully designed epoxy terrazzo floor that travelers will be walking on every day.

One fun fact about your company?

Central Tile & Terrazzo is one of only four terrazzo contractors in the state of Michigan and one of only around 100 contractors throughout the entire USA.

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Q&A with Dobie Construction, Inc.

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are a woman-owned, family run business on the west side of Lansing specializing in general trades packages and carpentry installation.

How many people work at your company?

We employ only three office staff and have a field crew of 15 people.

Where is your company headquartered?

Our office is based out of Eagle, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

Dobie Construction will be installing the stainless-steel column enclosures as well as the gate podiums.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

We look forward to putting some of the final touches together that will help make this addition pop with our stainless installations, as well as installing the fine wood craftwork of our suppliers.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

The Airport is a critical part of the development of the greater Grand Rapids area. We take pride in being able to help bring the area forward.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

This space is and items within it are more than meets the eye. The installations are more than just decorative, they are also functional.

One fun fact about your company?

Dobie also worked on the ticket booth upgrades previously completed at the airport.

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Q&A with Jelsema Concrete Construction Inc.

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are a small second generation, family-owned company here in West Michigan that prides ourself on quality work completed within the project’s schedule.

How many people work at your company?

15 employees.

Where is your company headquartered?

About one mile from the airport in Kentwood, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We are furnishing and installing all the concrete foundations, floors, and paving for the project. Over 6,000 cubic yards.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

We bring the expertise developed throughout our experience with similar concrete construction projects.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

We are helping West Michigan grow, and grow substantially with this addition. To be a part of that team is one of our favorite parts.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

That this project was originally scheduled to start a year and a half earlier. We originally were the low bid on this project in February of 2020. The day before the board was to meet and approve the project and award contracts, COVID lockdowns forced everyone to stay home. The board postponed their meeting for four months before finally cancelling the project. Then in August of 2021 the project came back out for bid, and we were the low bid again. This time around the board was able to meet and approve the contract.

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Q&A with Johnson Commercial Interiors

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

Johnson Commercial Interiors has been in business for 66 years, and is locally and family owned and operated.

How many people work at your company?

28 employees.

Where is your company located?

Grandville, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

Providing Carpeting and Base Finishes for the new Concourse.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

High levels of detail, and excitement to see a finished project of this scope.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

The opportunity to work at a distinguished facility like Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

It took 17,000 individual pieces to make the custom carpet tile patterns.

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Q&A with Vos Glass

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are a Grand Rapids based glazing contractor servicing Michigan since 1982, providing a full range of products and services to the commercial, residential, and service markets.

How many people work at your company?

90.

Where is your company headquartered?

Grand Rapids, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We are providing the exterior envelope of the terminal expansion. This includes all glass, sunshades, doors, and back up system of the exterior metal panels.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

We are excited to bring our prefabrication experience to this project by use of “unitized” curtainwall. This specialized process has the exterior curtainwall (glass sections of terminal) completely fabricated offsite in a factory setting, and then these units (glass and framing fully assembled) are bought onsite for a rapid building enclosure. This method allows for better quality and faster installation than traditional install methods of assembling all components onsite.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

As a Grand Rapids company, seeing the growth of the Gerald R Ford International Airport has been enjoyable to watch and we strive to be a part of these community impact projects. Also, the view while working at the new terminal is amazing.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

Over 1,000 pieces of glass and over 80,000 pounds of aluminum framing were used in this project.

One fun fact about your company?

Vos Glass provided the glazing on the last Airport project in 2018, the Gateway Transformation Project, which consolidated the Checkpoint and Marketplace.

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Q&A with The Christman Company

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

Founded in 1894, The Christman Company is one of the country’s leading professional construction services firms. Christman has been serving and building West Michigan for more than 30 years and is invested locally with deep roots in the region. Our staff live and work in the communities of West Michigan and take great pride in contributing their skills to the growth and improvement of our area. Christman’s award-winning services include construction management, general contracting, design/build, program management, real estate development, self-perform and millwork services. Our project teams specialize in a variety of construction markets, including higher and K-12 education, healthcare, corporate office, industrial and power, and government. We value our long-time trusted partnerships and are thrilled to be part of the West Michigan community landscape.

How many people work at your company?

More than 75 employees based locally in West Michigan, and over 485 nationally.

Where is your company headquartered?

Lansing, MI. Regional Office in Grand Rapids, MI.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

Christman is serving as construction manager for the Concourse A expansion project. Our role is not just simply to construct the facility and lead the trade contractors on site, but to work collaboratively with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and design team to develop creative solutions and proactively identify challenges so we can tackle them together.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

We often refer to our people as experts, leaders and partners. From effective project planning, communication and use of the latest technologies to proactive management of cost, schedule and a system of rigid safety and quality assurance, we are focused on ensuring a well-managed construction project. We draw on a foundation of expertise, leadership and partnership to organize and lead the entire team to a successful outcome.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

Given the nature of the Airport’s fast-paced, high-security environment, our team thrives in managing all the moving parts. As local community members ourselves, we know how exciting this project is for travelers coming and going from the region, and we’re thrilled to be a part of bringing the expansion to life. Knowing how critical it is for the Airport to run smoothly even in the midst of a large scale construction project, we account for every detail and are constantly making sure the progress on our jobsite doesn’t hinder any of the Airport’s regular operations.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

Our experience constructing a variety of projects at the Airport over the past decade truly hits home for our team members as we work alongside industry partners to transform the air travel gateway to and from West Michigan. The Concourse A expansion is particularly special because it involves over 34 local business partners coming together to construct a critical project that supports our Airport’s continued growth. This project has created 125 construction jobs and more than 300 new permanent jobs. You might be surprised to learn these additional project facts:

Over 5,000 yards of concrete used
128 tons of concrete reinforcing steel
Over 4,300 structural steel pieces
Over 1,200 light fixtures
100% of removed concrete, asphalt and aggregate are being reused or recycled
All new steel is made in the USA and contains 94-98% recycled steel content
Air-to-air energy recovery units will reuse heating and cooling energy rather than exhausting

One fun fact about your company?

The Christman Company is a fully management-owned company, with every project overseen by a corporate officer who is also a shareholder with a vested interest in each client’s complete satisfaction. Likewise, our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) provides every employee with ownership and a vested interested in the success of each and every project.

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Q&A with Franklin Holwerda Company

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

FHC specializes in heating, cooling, process piping, and sheet metal fabrication with our own state of the art coil line, plumbing, private and municipal water/wastewater treatment plants.

Where is your company headquartered?

Wyoming, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We are a subcontractor to Rite-Way doing sheet metal ductwork.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

Self-performed BIM layout, experienced sheet metal foreman, and crew to deliver top quality air movement for heating and cooling systems.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

Knowing that we are working on one of the best regional airports, and that we are a part of its continuing growth.

What is one thing you want people to know about this newly expanded concourse once it opens to the public?

That many dedicated contractors worked together to add gates for additional destinations and shorter wait times.

One fun fact about your company?

Established in 1898.

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Q&A with Legacy Steel

Please share with us a little bit about you and your company:

We are conventional and pre-engineered steel erectors in the Grand Rapids region.

How many people work at your company?

65 employees.

Where is your company headquartered?

Grand Rapids, Michigan.

How is your company supporting the Concourse A expansion project?

We did the steel erection for Steel Supply and engineering of the Concourse A expansion project.

What are some of the specialized skills that you and your team are most looking forward to bringing aboard this project?

Speed, accuracy, and quality with the complex design of the roof systems on the 3 clerestories.

What’s your favorite part of working on a project at the Airport?

Feeling like we are a trusted company, working behind the scenes in secure areas to make people’s travels in and out of Grand Rapids much more pleasant.

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