WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fewer than 15-percent of contractors who participated in a recent national survey reported a key safety indicator score equal to or less than 0.59, further establishing Xcel Mechanical as one of the safest mechanical contractors in the industry, reports Steve Prisk, company safety director.

The findings were published in the 2016 SMACNA Safety Profile / Safety Excellence Awards Program, prepared for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association by the Construction Labor Research Council.

Among the report’s findings: The average number of reported injury or illness incidents, otherwise known as OSHA Incidence Rate, was 2.42—the lowest rate ever reported for the safety program. The average reported Experience Modification Rate (EMR) was .78, slightly lower than last year and the lowest rate in the past decade.

Xcel Mechanical’s EMR Rate of 0.59 is significantly lower than the reported average, “and points to increased awareness, a company-wide culture of safety reflected in our programs and practices, and extreme diligence on the part of our employees,” Prisk said.

In the construction industry, a contractor’s EMR can have a profound impact upon business. Insurance carriers use EMR rates to gauge past cost of injuries and future chances of risk.

A lower EMR rate means lower worker’s compensation insurance premiums charged to the contractor. Lower insurance costs means lower total overhead for the business, enabling the contractor to be more competitive in the bidding process.

“Most importantly, Xcel People are going home to their families each night. That’s really what our safety programs are all about,” Prisk said.

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems is recognized across Southern California as an industry leader in commercial and industrial mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction. Building owners, general contractors and consultants trust Xcel Mechanical to deliver cost-effective, dependable solutions that make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. We specialize in the Aerospace, Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Data Center, and LEED Construction sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT— Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, were among the local and international dignitaries who attend today’s Grand Opening of the new Qantas Hangar at LAX.

Safe to say the new hangar is a big deal.

The Airbus A380 is the world’s largest commercial aircraft, and this new hangar is now North America’s largest A380 maintenance hangar, airline officials said. Xcel Mechanical Systems provided the HVAC, Plumbing and Piping solutions for the $30 million facility.

The hangar is 480 feet by 370 feet and 12 stories tall, big enough to accommodate and service up to four passenger jets simultaneously. In addition to aircraft maintenance, the airline will relocate its Los Angeles-based commercial business team into new office space designed into the new facility.

“The project was released under a General Contractor that we hadn’t done a lot of work with, so we were excited to land it, and to begin developing a relationship with a new industry partner,” said Juan Zelada, Xcel Mechanical project manager.

“We worked closely with the GC and the site team to help bring the design drawings forward before construction got underway. And then, we were able to take a lead on site to keep the project moving. Our field foremen did an excellent job managing their teams through to project delivery, and helped our company deliver this high-profile project.”

Qantas officials said the hangar becomes the only facility in the U.S. designed specifically to hold the behemoth plane, and touted the project as signaling the airline’s commitment to Los Angeles as well as to travelers making long-haul flights between the U.S. and Australia.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Alan Joyce said that while Australia will always be the carrier’s primary maintenance location, “LAX is our next biggest transit point so we’re pleased to now have a facility that reflects that.”

Qantas flies 40 flights per week between Los Angeles and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia. Joyce said the new hangar will make maintenance 20% more efficient because it allows more planes to fit in the facility at the same time.
Joyce said that Qantas also plans to rent out the facility to other carriers at LAX. Air France, British Airways, China Southern, Asiana, Emirates and Korean Air also fly the massive A380 jet for long-haul flights from LAX.

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems is recognized across Southern California as an industry leader in commercial and industrial mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction. Building owners, general contractors and consultants trust Xcel Mechanical to deliver cost-effective, dependable solutions that make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. We specialize in the Aerospace, Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Data Center, and LEED Construction sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

SACRAMENTO, CA — California’s leading construction industry trade journal identified Xcel Mechanical Systems as Golden State’s 6th-largest mechanical and plumbing contractor, and 32nd-largest specialty contractor overall.

The rankings, published in the Dec. 5 edition of ENR California, compared 2015 company revenues submitted by the state’s top contracting firms.

Last October, ENR-California’s parent publication – Engineering News-Record – listed Xcel Mechanical Systems as the 93rd-largest mechanical contractor in the United States.

Also last year, Contractor Magazine listed Xcel Mechanical as the state’s nation’s 81st-largest mechanical contractor.

“These rankings are a testament to our ability to thrive and to grow in a competitive marketplace,” said Kevin Michel, president of Xcel Mechanical Systems. “And it clearly points to our company’s ability to consistently deliver on our promise of quality and value. “We value our clients, and appreciate the long-lasting relationships we have built with key industry partners. It’s all part of our success story.”

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems is recognized across Southern California as an industry leader in commercial and industrial mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction. Building owners, general contractors and consultants trust Xcel Mechanical to deliver cost-effective, dependable solutions that make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. We specialize in the Aerospace, Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Data Center, and LEED Construction sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

CARLSBAD, CA – The California Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (CAL SMACNA) introduced as its 50th president Kevin Michel of Xcel Mechanical Systems during the organizations four-day annual convention, which concluded here Saturday night.

CAL SMACNA is a non-profit statewide trade association representing more than 600 sheet metal and air conditioning contractors who employ more than 25,000 union employees and administrative personnel throughout the state. The organization focuses on legislative and regulatory advocacy programs and services for its members.

Mr. Michel, who celebrates his 50th birthday this week, has grown Gardena, CA-based Xcel Mechanical Systems into one of Southern California’s most respected commercial and industrial HVAC, Plumbing and Piping contractors since co-founding the business in 1998.

“The 50th anniversary of a great association. It’s 50th convention. And I’m the 50th president on my 50th birthday. And those are just the first 200 reasons why I’m so happy you’ve chosen me,” said Mr. Michel.

“This is an honor, and I’m excited to serve,” he said. “I’m looking forward to exchanging ideas with my fellow contractors and chapter executives, and to us working together on the opportunities and challenges ahead. We work in a great industry with great people. This is going to be a great year.”

Mr. Michel is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and has worked in the commercial and industrial HVAC, Plumbing, and Piping industry for more than 25 years. He graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering before relocating to Southern California to take a job with Meadows Mechanical. There he worked for Ed Banks, who served CAL SMACNA for many years and in whose memory the organization created the Edward G. Banks Award for exemplary service to the association.

“Ed was more than an employer; he was a mentor and a teacher,” Mr. Michel said. “He helped me grow and develop. He taught me a lot about hard work, character, inner strength and common sense. I will always be grateful for that experience.”

Within a year of his arrival at Meadows Mechanical, Mr. Michel was promoted to lead the company’s engineering department. And not long after, with the help and encouragement of his peers and others across the industry, Mr. Michel co-founded Xcel Mechanical Systems.

As president of Xcel Mechanical, he oversees all company operations. He relies on the diligence, professionalism and project know-how of his seasoned team of project managers, engineers, and administrative unit heads to continue steering the company through customer project execution and overall company growth.

“We have been so busy since we began that I haven’t taken enough time to pause, look back and take stock of how lucky I am to run a successful business and have a loving family,” Mr. Michel said. “However, a night like tonight allows that opportunity.”

In addition to his own service, Mr. Michel encourages his senior managers and field teams to take full advantage of the training and service opportunities that local, state and national professional associations provide for their members.

“I always thought I was too busy to join SMACNA, but I didn’t realize this association would make me a better businessman and a better person. To sit on the Board of the Los Angeles Chapter – and later the CAL SMACNA Board – has proven to be one of the best career decisions I have made. Most of the time the other members are my competitors, but all of the time they are truly great friends. I know I can pick up the phone at any time and get great advice from the friendships I have developed here.”

Xcel Mechanical’s operations manager, Scott Burson, is on the Board of Directors of the California Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association, and on the Finance Committee of the Apprentice and Journeyman Training Trust Fund.

“These associations provide opportunities to have a presence, and to get involved,” Mr. Burson said. “We respect our industry. We bring value. And we’re in this to help more people than just ourselves. This is a great night for Kevin. And it’s a great night for CAL SMACNA.”

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems is recognized across Southern California as an industry leader in commercial and industrial mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction. Building owners, general contractors and consultants trust Xcel Mechanical to deliver cost-effective, dependable solutions that make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. We specialize in the Aerospace, Healthcare, Education, Commercial, Data Center, and LEED Construction sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

About CAL SMACNA
California Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (CAL SMACNA) is a non-profit statewide trade association representing over 600 sheet metal and air conditioning contractors who employ more than 25,000 union employees and administrative personnel throughout California. These contractors perform commercial and residential heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; architectural and industrial sheet metal; as well as stainless steel kitchen equipment, manufacturing, testing and balancing, siding and decking. Their range of work is from public works to private commercial and residential projects. Our mission is to provide legislative and regulatory advocacy and program services. For more information, please visit: http://www.cal-smacna.org/

GARDENA, CA – Xcel Mechanical engineeers are wrapping up the all-important design phase of the new Mo Ostin Basketball Center at UCLA, a strategic Design-Build project that will highlight the respected Southern California mechanical contractor’s combined strengths in design and construction.

The new state-of-the-art training and practice facility will be home to the university’s storied men’s and women’s basketball programs. The new two-story, 35,700 square-foot building will include on its ground floor practice gyms, locker rooms and player’s lounges for both teams; a training area and film room; cardio and equipment storage areas; and a public lobby. The second floor will include a weight room; coaches’ conference rooms; staff offices and lockers; and a laundry room.

Mechanical equipment will be located in the basement.

Xcel Mechanical was awarded the HVAC portion of the project. “It’s Design-Build slated for LEED Gold status, and both are in the front of our minds,” said project engineer Joe Camacho. “It is imperative that we design with both a constructability and budget mindset. It’s about balancing superior design with cost and energy savings that can be passed through to the owner.”

Another strong performance will continue to lead to more projects of similar size and scope across Southern California, said Kevin Michel, president of Xcel Mechanical. “We continue to build an impressive resume in the Education sector, and this project provides another opportunity to deliver unique value to a very important client.”

The project rejoins Xcel Mechanical with general contracting partner PCL Construction Services. Industry-leading trade publication Engineering News and Record – California recognized both firms with its prestigious “Award of Merit 2013” for their work on the UCLA Pauley Pavilion Renovation and Expansion Project.

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems is one of Southern California’s recognized industry leaders in large-scale mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction. Building owners, general contractors and consultants trust Xcel Mechanical to deliver cost-effective solutions that make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. We specialize in the Aerospace, Healthcare, Education, Data Center, Government, Commercial, and Entertainment sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

GARDENA, CA – When Steve Prisk walked into Xcel Mechanical Systems’ front door in early 1999, this proud third-generation union sheet metal worker became the new firm’s first-ever sheet-metal man.

“I was superintendent of myself,” he joked.

In the years since, Prisk has worn many important hats at Xcel Mechanical as the company has grown into one of Southern California’s recognized industry leaders in large-scale mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction firms, including overseeing the company’s Sheet Metal Division and also its front-edge Building Information Modeling (BIM) team.

But with decades of construction industry experience under his belt, this former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter crew chief knows that this command might just be the most important of his career.

“My job is to make sure that all Xcel Mechanical employees stay healthy and safe, and go home to their loved ones each day. And in the construction industry, that’s huge,” he said. “We achieve this by doing all we can to create and provide a hazard-free, safe work environment for all employees.”

Prisk said Job No. 1 is to oversee the continued development of the company’s existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program. And just as importantly, to communicate as effectively as possible to all company employees where Xcel Mechanical is succeeding, and where tweaks are needed.

“Communication is the absolute key,” he said. “We have a solid safety program in place. But getting mission-critical information out to the field in a timely manner can be a challenge for safety directors across the contracting business landscape. But we have excellent tools in place, and they are working.”

Important, he said, because OSHA is ramping up its requirements that contractors get certain mandatory postings out to the field – and to job sites – in what can be a very fluid environment. “We will succeed, but our employees must know that we all have a stake in this. All contractors across the country must remain OSHA compliant to stay in business. It is a huge priority for this company, and we will continue to earn high marks on all safety compliance rules and regulations.”

It didn’t always used to be this way.

Prisk said he remembers the days when less emphasis was placed on worker and workplace safety. But those were also the days when, U.S. Labor statistics show, far more U.S. workers were getting severely injured on construction job sites, or worse.

“The entire construction industry is now very aware, because now it affects their bottom line,” he said.

“If our MOD rate isn’t where it needs to be, there are facilities we wouldn’t be allowed to enter, and projects we wouldn’t be allowed to bid. And that would not be good,” he said.

“Every employee has skin in this game. It’s their safety, first and foremost. But it’s time to think of safety as important to our core business as anything else we do.”

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems is one of Southern California’s recognized industry leaders in large-scale mechanical and plumbing engineering, design-build, and construction. Building owners, general contractors and consultants trust Xcel Mechanical to deliver cost-effective solutions that make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. We specialize in the Aerospace, Healthcare, Education, Data Center, Government, Commercial, and Entertainment sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

GARDENA, CA – Xcel Mechanical Systems employees will soon deliver some appreciated holiday cheer at a local children’s hospital in the form of dozens of unwrapped gifts and toys – items donated by employees during the company’s annual Holiday Toy Drive.

Project administrator Lisa Omel said that what makes Xcel Mechanical’s toy drive unique is that so many of the gifts are donated by members of the company’s shop and field teams.

“These are guys who work hard out there, and sometimes far away from the office. And yet they make it a point to come by and drop off a gift for these kids. It makes it even more special,” she said.

Mrs. Omel researched local charities for this year’s Toy Drive and selected the award-winning “Child Life Program” at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. “Child Life” specialists there plan individualized and group programs to help children of all ages adjust to their hospital stay so that it is a more positive healing experience.

An important element of the program includes maintaining five themed playrooms located in different parts of the hospital, each with its own inventory of toys, books and games.

Xcel Mechanical President Kevin Michel said community programs like this are a double-win. “We’re proud of our employees, and it’s great to see their initiative and community spirit hard at work,” he said.

“And while there are more worthwhile causes than we could possibly support, we strive to be a good neighbor and help where we can. And how better than to bring joy to some deserving kids during the holidays.”

About the Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach provides specialized pediatric care for children and young adults, with conditions ranging from common to complex — as well as maternity care for expectant mothers — all under one roof. Only five percent of all hospitals are children’s hospitals, making them unique not only to children’s health care needs in the community, but across the region. Miller Children’s is one of only eight free-standing children’s hospitals in California. For more information, please visit: http://www.millerchildrenshospitallb.org

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems designs, builds and services commercial and industrial HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping systems for clients across the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. Our cost-effective solutions make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. Our resume includes large-scale implementations across the Aerospace, Commercial, Data Center, Education, Entertainment, Government, and Healthcare sectors. For more information, please visit: www.xcelmech.com

WESTWOOD, CA – UCLA’s Fall Quarter begins on Thursday, but a rush of new and returning students have already arrived, greeted by the familiar and the new – including a gleaming new engineering building which now anchors UCLA’s esteemed Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science (HSSEAS).

UCLA Engineering VI is a two-part new construction project located in the heart campus, designed to accelerate the highly-regarded engineering school’s “ever-increasing leadership role in developing technological solutions to the world’s environmental challenges,” according to university officials.

The 60,000 square-foot North Wing, or “Phase I” is complete and ready to receive arriving students and faculty. The building’s second and final construction phase, a 90,000 square-foot facility that will ultimately connect to the North Wing, broke ground in March and is expected to be completed in 2017.

The new, state-of-the-art engineering complex will house labs for research into renewable energy sources, next-generation semiconductors, nanotechnology, and new materials for healthcare and other applications, as well as the B. John Garrick Institute for the Risk Sciences, and a technology-enabled 250-seat learning center. It will be home to the UCLA computer science department and the engineering school’s start-up incubator, the Institute for Technology Advancement.

UCLA Engineering VI was designed with advanced water- and energy-efficiency systems, and the school is seeking LEED Gold or LEED Platinum certification. As part of the overall effort, Xcel Mechanical Systems was hired to implement an end-to-end HVAC solution for the new building.

“This was a very important project for all stakeholders,” said Xcel Mechanical Project Manager Juan Zelda. “We understand how the client intends to use this building, and how fundamentally critical it is that all systems work to their precise designed intent.

Xcel Mechanical Systems has many years’ experience implementing cost-effective mechanical solutions at major research universities, colleges and K-12 campuses across Southern California. Xcel Mechanical teams have worked in new and existing campus buildings, classrooms, research facilities, arts & entertainment centers, and marquee athletic complexes.

“This is a highly technical, highly sensitive environment.” Zelda said. “We were up to the challenge, excited throughout the project, and proud of what are delivering to the client,” Zelda said.

The $130 million building is being funded by prominent donors, HSSEAS, the university – and also a $6 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, according to the school’s website.

Richard Cavanagh, director of the special programs office for NIST, emphasized in the story the importance of far-reaching research into renewable forms of energy and methods of reducing energy consumption.

Cavanagh said the Western Institute of Nanotechnology on Green Engineering and Metrology, a research center that will be housed in Engineering VI, is “a near and dear partner to what we want to see happen in this country.”

For more information about the project, please see: http://issuu.com/uclaengineering/docs/magazine_spring_2015_fa4

About the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, established in 1945, consistently ranks among the top 10 engineering schools in public universities. In the last decade, the school’s teaching and research enterprise has grown and expanded greatly with a 30 percent net increase in the number of full-time faculty and a 70 percent increase in the undergraduate and graduate student population. Most significantly the research revenue of the school has grown more than 100 percent from approximately $50 million in 1997 to $110 million in 2011. For more information, please visit: http://engineering.ucla.edu/

About Xcel Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Xcel Mechanical Systems designs, builds and services commercial and industrial HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping systems for clients across the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. Our cost-effective solutions make buildings more comfortable, energy efficient, and easier to manage. Our resume includes large-scale implementations across the Aerospace, Commercial, Data Center, Education, Entertainment, Government, and Healthcare sectors. For more information, please visit: https://xcelmech.com/