Lincoln Electric Builds New Welding Training Center
Construction on The Lincoln Electric Company’s (Cleveland, OH) new $30 million Welding Technology Center continues to progress toward a projected 2017 opening. Crews have placed the final beam completing the structural frame of the building on the company’s Euclid, OH, campus. The next phase will focus on the building’s facade, interior, electrical and plumbing work. “Construction is progressing rapidly, structural framing just wrapped up, allowing us to move on to the next phase of construction,” noted John Mueller, the director of facility planning and development. “We look forward to opening the facility later this year.”
Before crews hoisted and placed the beam into position, representatives from Lincoln Electric and other companies working on the project participated in a beam-signing ceremony. On-hand to sign the beam were Chris Mapes, George Blankenship, and Doug Lance from the company’s senior management, members of the facilities team and representatives from Panzica Construction Company, Structura Architects Ltd., and Ironworker Local Union No. 17 also added signatures.
Multiple Northeast Ohio contractors are working on the project, including Contemporary Electric Co., Fire Protection Inc., Geauga Mechanical, Harner Plumbing Inc., Mr. Excavator Inc., Nova Structural Steel, Panzica Construction Company, Phoenix Cement Contracting LLC, and Valentine Contractor Inc. “We are proud to be using tradesmen from the same trades organizations we actively help to train at a variety of sites around the country,” said Jason Scales, Lincoln’s manager of education solutions. “General contractor Panzica Construction Company, Steel fabricator Nova Structural Steel and other contractors on the site employ skilled trades workers that were typically trained on our equipment in their skilled trade schools.”
When this new center opens, it will mark the centennial anniversary of the company’s legacy welding school, the longest operating one in the United States, and further reflects the company’s 100-year commitment to leading welding education and innovation in an era of strong demand for skilled trades. The new 130,000 sq ft facility will double welding education capacity to 180 welding booths and will include high-tech classrooms and seminar spaces. It also will showcase and integrate the latest technologies and solutions into a comprehensive welding curriculum, making it the industry’s most advanced facility of its kind. In addition to training for new and seasoned industry welders, programming will also include train-the-trainer courses and certification activities, as well as resources to support welding training for veterans.
