Another option is to use a distributor that has an internal prefabrication department such as Crawford Electric which utilizes licensed electricians and apprentices to build the assemblies. The solutions team is managed by a master electrician, John Barbour, with significant prefab experience. He also constantly studies new products, material management, workflow, manpower, and built one of the first preconstruction departments for a commercial contractor in Texas that included CAD/BIM, estimating, project management, and prefab under one umbrella. Martin says it’s important that electricians do the work as they know the code, get how the installations are being done, and understand the drawings and specifications. They also ensure quality control with consistency and quality checks documented at each step of the process. Prefab is more than just building assemblies.

“Attendees of my SPARK session should take away that there really is a prefab solution for every scope and level of investment,” Martin says. “Some companies used to think they were too small to effectively go prefab, but the number of employees at a company really doesn’t discount prefab. There is likely time savings or dollar savings at all levels.”

To support attendees who require more application information than he can provide in his session, Martin says he’ll have two colleagues on hand for attendee questions. One is John Barbour mentioned earlier. In addition to his primary responsibilities, John helps contractors and other distributors set up their prefab facilities throughout the country. The second is Dustin Chatham who is also a licensed electrician. He handles all material take offs, assembly design, and quoting for the pre-fab team. He has 15 years of field experience in every role from superintendent to QC inspections for some of largest contractors in the state.