Six Friede & Associates projects were recently recognized at the annual ABC of Wisconsin Projects of Distinction Awards ceremony. Of the 48 projects recognized by ABC, the Friede Team won six gold and silver awards, as well as one honorable mention.

As 2023 comes to an end, it’s exciting for us at Friede & Associates to look at what an amazing year we’ve had, both with our projects and with our organization. From massive apartment renovations (like the 93-unit in downtown Madison and the 108-unit project in Whitewater) to new retail buildings (Cottage Grove Retail and Sun Mountain Spa in the Dells), to major industrial projects (Carr Valley Mauston, Horn Plastics, and Milwaukee Valve), the work has certainly been challenging and fulfilling!

When Greg Hughes is not preparing to get the NFL, Olympics, or PGA Tour on-air at NBC Sports, you’ll find him managing his family of restaurants in Janesville, Wisconsin. Starting with Gameday Sports Bar & Grill in 2007, Hughes has since opened Bazinga Classic Pub & Grille; Barkley’s Burgers, Brews & Dawgs; Genisa Wine Bar; and Jack & Jenny’s, a new dining and drinking experience currently under construction. A Janesville native, Hughes has focused on the revitalization of Main Street, first with the historical renovation of the Italianate building that houses Genisa Wine Bar and now with the aging building next door—the new home of Jack & Jenny’s.

We recently sat down with our Director of Safety & Training Brian Gunder who answered some questions about his efforts to make Friede a safer place to work for all employees. Brian joined Friede & Associates in 2004 as a laborer and completed his carpentry apprenticeship in 2010. He was promoted to Superintendent in 2018 and became the Director of Safety & Training in 2022. His decades of experience in the construction industry mean he “knows a thing or two because he’s seen a thing or two!”

I remember the moment vividly. We had just completed a nine-month-long project at Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in The Dells that included the construction of a new, indoor go-kart track, a swim-up bar, and a boardwalk-themed food venue within one of their waterparks. The project had involved working through one of the coldest winters on record and involved constructing a building in an area that had previously been an outdoor pool area and deck that was surrounded by two wings of the existing resort.

Women in Construction Week is an annual event celebrated in the first week of March. This year, Women in Construction (WIC) Week also coincides with International Women’s Day. This week-long celebration recognizes and honors the contributions of women in the construction industry. Various activities, including workshops, seminars, and networking events provide opportunities for women in the industry to connect, share their experiences, and learn from one another.

There are many factors that influence the cost of construction. Some are obvious: land acquisition, permits, and construction costs. Then there are the future costs or life-cycle costs to consider: maintenance, repair, replacement—the cost of keeping the facility and its systems up and running.

Six Friede & Associates projects were recently recognized at the annual ABC of Wisconsin Projects of Distinction Awards ceremony. Of the 48 projects recognized by ABC, the Friede Team won six gold and silver awards, as well as one honorable mention.

A neglected 45-year-old summer home in the Town of La Valle, Wisconsin, was stripped to its foundation and rebuilt. Why not just construct a new home? The owner loved the view! Sometimes that’s all it takes for the Friede team to get in on the action.

The Friede & Associates team has recently completed two more automotive projects. One is a new shop for David's Certified Auto Repair (DCAR) in Waunakee, Wisconsin. The other is a new location for Topel's Service Center in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

What business wouldn’t choose a building process that offers opportunities to save money, to reduce construction time, to allow customization, to optimize quality, and to streamline the entire experience? No hands raised in the audience? That comes as no surprise to all of us at Friede & Associates. We’ve worked with hundreds of clients over the last seven decades, and those are key advantages that every one of our clients has valued.

Friede & Associates has recently welcomed several new members to our team! Estimator Justin Sornsin, Estimator & Pre-Construction Services Manager Dillon Kieffer, Project Manager Stephanie Walczak, and Reedsburg High School's construction apprenticeship program graduates, Sheldon Craker and Jacob Weber are all incredible additions to our team!

Madison’s Cherokee Country Club is undergoing a massive transformation to become the first PGA Tournament Players Club (TPC) course in Wisconsin—and only the 30th TPC course in the world. The 60-year-old club, built on the edge of the sprawling 5,000-acre Cherokee Marsh, has been renamed TPC Wisconsin and will reopen for play in August 2023.

The new hangar, designed by Integrity Engineering & Design, features an office space, a lounge, a kitchenette, a storage room, and in-floor heating. The 85-foot-wide sliding, stacking door facilitates the plane’s movement in and out of the hangar.

Change is constant in the world of business, even when things are going well. As you progress with your company and expand into more areas, you’ll find that change becomes essential for continued growth.