Henderson Electric Co. emphasizes the relationships it builds with its business partners and its flexible work force. A team approach is key, the company says.

For the recently opened Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, touted as one of the world's largest aquariums, Henderson Electric Co. didn't merely work on the project - the firm lived there.

“We've been here 29 months,” Executive Vice President Rick Anderson said as crews disassembled the company's field office to make way for the aquarium's grand opening on Nov. 23. Henderson had three project managers and five superintendents on site at the aquarium, Anderson says. To help make the aquarium the company's home away from home, Henderson's computer system at the aquarium was networked to the company's computers in its Stone Mountain, Ga., headquarters. The electrical contract for the aquarium exceeded $18 million.

The aquarium features more than 55,000 animals and about 5 million gallons of fresh and saltwater. Approximately 25 percent of the facility's 450,000 square feet of space can be used for educational purposes. The aquarium also features a 17,000-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The aquarium expects two million visitors in its first year.

“We have three 5KV services and also have three 2,000 KW, 5KV generators that provide power to the facility,” Anderson says. Its work at the facility also included providing the wiring in the aquarium's kitchens, ballroom, 4-D Theater and all the interactive features that are included throughout the facility.

Henderson also performed the electrical work for the aquarium's adjacent nine-story parking deck structure, which has room for 1,600 cars.

Although larger contractors may also have sought the work at the Georgia Aquarium, “we feel like we were selected,” Anderson says, “based on our proven track record of performance and quality.”

Water, Water Everywhere
The unique environment provided its challenges to Henderson. “Being in a saltwater environment, our materials had to be corrosion-resistant,” Anderson says. “We used a lot of plastic and fiberglass product in areas where we would normally have used steel.”

In order to understand the unusual scope of this project and how to best solve the unique challenges the aquarium presented, Henderson personnel toured similar facilities in the Southeast, to see how others faced these challenges, and also discussed solutions with Georgia Aquarium staff. “We were able to come up with a system that met their needs and met their budget,” Anderson says. Collaboration involving all parties on a project is not unique for Henderson Electric.

Such is the case with another of its recent projects, the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta hotel, a $100 million luxury hotel project.

The redesigned, 392,000-square-foot hotel has six ballrooms, 14 meeting rooms, gourmet restaurant, health clubs and a 500-car underground parking garage.

During the three-year preconstruction period, Henderson, along with general contractor Hardin Construction Co. and mechanical contractor McKenney's, worked with engineers and designers to develop energy-efficient techniques that will decrease operating costs.

Anderson says a goal of the company is to foster a team environment, where everyone, including contractors and project owners, works together toward the same objectives. With project owners, “we just try to be as flexible as we can,” Anderson says.

Team-Building
It is a primary goal of Henderson Electric to approach each project with the attitude that teamwork is the key to success.

Being considered as a valuable team member is important in forming and maintaining lasting relationships in business. “We know that we are not the largest electrical contractor in town, but we do have the necessary tools to be the best,” he says.

The company states that competitive wages and comprehensive benefits have enabled Henderson to attract and retain “the qualified personnel essential to maintaining the company's reputation of excellence.”

Atlanta Heats Up
Atlanta's construction market has been heating up over the past couple of years. “The condominium market seems to be the hottest thing going right now,” Anderson says.

Henderson was the electrical contractor for the central energy plant that serves the 26-story condominium/hotel project known as Atlantic Station. The Atlantic Station condominium project is part of a 138-acre, mixed-use, urban renewal project.

He adds that even the office market, which has lagged behind other sectors in Atlanta, has been picking up lately. “The future looks bright for us,” he says.

The company expects to see a growth rate of 10 to 15 percent a year in the next six to seven years. The company is expanding its office to add more estimating and project management staff to meet this projected growth.

He expects the growth to continue. “We should be able to continue growing for years to come,” he says. “We feel that we've been able to carve out an area we can fit and grow and thrive in.”