Sink job ‘golden’ for University of Minnesota

 

When the ELKAY Technology Center (etc) came online in April 2008, one of the first major orders produced by the new sink facility included custom sinks, water coolers and fountains for the $288.5 million tcf Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The tcf Bank Stadium, an iconic open-air, horseshoe-shaped venue for the University of Minnesota opened in September 2009 for a Big Ten pre-season game, hosted by the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

 

The authorized ELKAY representative sales team of Bongard Corporation, represented by Pete Mayer, Kathy Schug, Ron Bongard and Mike Sides, worked with the local Ferguson Enterprises outside sales rep, Brian Vivier, to win the customized sink, cooler and fountain job for ELKAY.

 

In June 2008, Vivier and Mayer took customized sink concept renderings created by ELKAY Industrial Designer, Jonathan Chong and contract designer, Rachel Julkowski to Bruce and Kelli Akins of Innovative Surfaces, members of the firm installing the countertops for the tcf Bank Stadium project. Later that month, ELKAY custom sink concepts were passed to the official interior designers for the Stadium, and a meeting was held.

 

Project interior designers for the tcf Bank Stadium project, Shawn Gaither and Anne Olsen [Studio Hive; upper levels and suites], and Bob Zakaras [Architectural Alliance; lower levels] wanted fully integrated branding that would prominently display the U of M team logo in new, complementary ways. Chong was instrumental in fulfilling numerous concept drawings for the Stadium designers, which ultimately led to the final design concept, the University of Minnesota “M” logo etched into the sinks.

 

In late June 2008, Gaither, Olsen and Zakaras took the final sink design concept to Mortenson Construction, official construction contractor for the project, and the University Board of Regents for approval. After the “M” sinks were approved, additional conversation also ensued about emblazoning water coolers and drinking fountains with the “M.” Shortly thereafter, the new concepts for cooler and fountain customization were brought to the U of M Board of Regents, who approved this brand-building idea as well.

 

As with any project of this caliber, a number of resources were involved to ensure a seamless execution. In July 2008, ELKAY Plumbing Products Division President, Steve Rogers, along with ELKAY senior vice president of sales, Mark Whittington, ELKAY regional sales manager, Steve Embree, and the Bongard rep team met with the Stadium design team, Harris Mechanical and Mortenson Construction to confirm delivery arrangements for the 149 customized ELKAY products. Subsequently, Vivier of Ferguson worked with ELKAY Technology Center engineers, Harris Mechanical staff, and Schug of Bongard to coordinate all details for the production, transportation and installation of the job’s 111 customized ELKAY sinks, and 38 customized ELKAY water coolers and drinking fountains.

 

In October 2008, Ferguson Enterprises officially entered the purchase order for the tcf Bank Stadium job. During the winter months of 2008-2009, the sinks, water coolers and fountains were produced, shipped and installed in the Stadium. 

As stated before, the entire tcf Bank Stadium project encompasses 149 customized ELKAY sinks, water coolers and fountains. Following is a breakdown of the models and placement within the Stadium.

 

The design cycle time for the tcf Bank Stadium project, from presentation of the final concepts to confirmed models for production was 45 days. The production time for all 149 customized sinks, water coolers and fountains was accomplished in 40 days. The 85-day timeline was well within the etc’s stated goals of compressing prototyping to production and tooling cycle times.

 

“Our team is proud that we have been able to achieve our cost reduction targets, provide unparalleled product variety and consistently accomplish all of this, well within the 90 day cycle time promise,” comments Mike Mestousis, plant manager for the etc in Broadview, Illinois.

 

ELKAY notes that onsite design and technical consulting services are available for customized, commercial etc projects.

Mayer of Bongard reflects, “Everyone, from the project manager to the designers has been extremely satisfied with not only the final products, but the process involved for the design and manufacturing of the sinks, water coolers and fountains. Not a deadline was missed.”

 

The 900,000-sq.-ft. tcf Bank Stadium is on the northeast side of the Minneapolis campus, near the site of the former Memorial Stadium.

 

For more information on the tcf Bank Stadium, visit: stadium.gophersports.com/about_quick_facts.html.