Mechanical contractor Pro Services Inc. says it believes it can turn market challenges into opportunities by focusing on the continuous improvement of its people and operations.

Although it was founded to provide plumbing and piping services to industrial and light commercial customers, Pro Services Inc. of Portage, Mich., has grown to become a full-service mechanical contractor.

It continues to offer plumbing and piping services, and the company also provides millwrighting, fire protection and heating and cooling services, as well as structural and miscellaneous steel design, fabrication and erection. This allows it to complete many diverse projects, its founder explains.

“We've done many different things for a variety of clients,” says Mike VandeMaele, president and CEO.

“Recently, we've worked on major projects for some local universities, major projects for a couple industrial manufacturing facilities and a rehabilitation project for a pulp and paper facility.

“Working for the pulp and paper industry is one of our strengths.”

With experience and training as a plumber and pipefitter, VandeMaele decided to stop working for other contractors and founded Pro Services in 1987. The operation started small, but eventually grew to provide a range of services to customers in the pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, industrial, automotive and manufacturing industries.

The company explains its services include:

• Process piping
• Boiler installation and repair
• ASME-code welding
• Sanitary and orbital welding
• Production line relocation
• Laser and optical alignment
• Demolition
• Machinery installation, maintenance and repair
• Custom steel fabrication
• Complete design/build services
• Structural steel fabrication and erection
• Fire pump installation, maintenance and repair

Recently, Construction Today spoke with VandeMaele about finding new opportunities, going after new markets and how a company's people can help it meet those goals.

Construction Today: Have you run into any challenges recently during your work?

Mike VandeMaele: Overall, the current economy in Michigan is a challenge, but we also see it as an opportunity. The economy is changing and our traditional customers are evolving, so contractors need to reach out and look at different avenues to try their work.

I am a “glass is half full” kind of person, so I see this as an opportunity to reach new customers and gain experience in different types of work.

Additionally, there are a lot of talented and skilled people who have left Michigan. Finding great employees is a challenge that every contractor faces. It is important to find good people and get them to stay with you.

CT: How do you support your people? Do you provide any training?

MV: We continually look at what we can do to retain the people we have. We truly believe our people are the most important part of our company, and we want to keep them with us.

Right now we are in the middle of adding a wellness program, and we often provide training courses. We strive to add benefits that will help our people personally and professionally.

CT: How do you maintain quality in your organization?

MV: We have an extensive quality control program in place for all of the services we provide. We also have a detailed continuous improvement process. Our continuous improvement committee meets regularly to focus on any issues or areas in need of improvement.