Feature Story

Encompass Brings Single-Source Facility Solutions to Southwest Florida
By Elizabeth W. Pearce

In the midst of Southwest Florida’s unprecedented building boom, construction and facility managers face increasing pressures to complete jobs faster and more efficiently. As vice-president of construction services for Fort Myers-based Chico’s, Dave Deal knows this can be especially daunting on large commercial projects requiring coordination and supervision of different trades.

“Everyone in my business looks for companies that can perform turn-key mechanical and electrical because those trades work on top of each other,” said Deal. “Combining those trades is a lot more efficient, which saves money for the owner or end user.”

Such logic also makes sense to the owners of select trade contracting firms that have become part of national corporations in recent years. Locally, two of the area’s best-known mechanical and electrical contractors were acquired last year by Encompass Services Corporation, the largest provider of facilities systems and solutions in the United States.

As part of U.S. market leader Encompass, Fort Myers-based S.L. Page Corp. and Tri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc., based in Altamonte Springs, now operate respectively as Encompass Mechanical Services-Southwest Florida and Encompass Electrical Technologies-Florida, LLC. Under the Encompass banner, the companies now provide what they could not offer before, namely integrated mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) solutions throughout Florida and nationwide.

With annual revenues of $4.5 billion, NYSE-listed Encompass has more than 34,000 employees operating in some 235 locations nationwide. The company offers a full line of MEP contracting, as well as network services, including installation, maintenance, repair and replacement.

“Actually, it’s our same great people, same great service, only better,” said Mike Papke, division manager of Encompass Electrical’s Fort Myers office. “As part of a national resource network that provides state-of-the-art training, increased buying power and increased field labor resources, we offer our local customers more value than ever before.”

Currently, Encompass Electrical’s Fort Myers office has 185 field employees and a support staff of 21. Statewide, Encompass Electrical has 1,930 employees that are available to Southwest Florida on an as-needed basis. Other divisional offices in Florida include Altamonte Springs, Deerfield Beach, Jupiter, Ocala, Pompano Beach and Tampa.

According to Steve Page, who founded S.L. Page Corp. in 1985 and
is now president of Encompass Mechanical’s Fort Myers office, the new affiliation has been a tremendous boon to customers. “For many of our customers, our ability to offer a complete MEP package from a single source is a value-added convenience,” he said.

Since becoming part of Encompass, Page said his company’s local plumbing division has doubled in size to meet growing demand. In all, Encompass Mechanical’s Florida Region employs more than 800 workers statewide,
including 115 in its Fort Myers office. OtherÊFloridaÊofficesÊinclude Clearwater, Jacksonville, Merritt Island, Orlando and Pompano Beach.

Despite the growth that has accompanied acquisition, the Fort Myers offices of Encompass Mechanical and Encompass Electrical continue to conduct business as usual, according to long-time clients. “One thing that has impressed us is that both companies have retained that personal touch,” said Melvin Engel, president of Boran Craig Barber Engel Construction Company (BCBE) in Naples. “Their management remains the same, they appreciate our account and they do good work.”

That’s quite a compliment considering BCBE has 500 employees and is one of south Florida’s leading high-rise contractors. Currently, the company is working with Encompass Electrical on two 29-story condominiums, Estancia at Bonita Bay and Regent condominium in Naples. BCBE is also working with Encompass Mechanical on The Montenero, a 21-story condominium in Naples as well as The Seasons at Naples Cay condominium and Tower Pointe condominium in Bonita Springs.

 “A value-added benefit of working with Encompass is that they provide integrated services from a single source,” said Engel, adding that competitive pricing is another Encompass advantage. “As a result of their positive attitude, their approach to business and their quality workmanship, Encompass earns the lion’s share of BCBE’s mechanical and electrical work.”

Other major builders echo Engel’s sentiments. “Quality and accuracy are particularly important when workmanship is behind the walls,” said Bill Ford, vice-president of construction for the high-rise division of Naples-based Gulf Bay Construction. As one of the largest developer-builders in Southwest Florida, Gulf Bay coordinates dozens of different trades on the high profile projects it builds in Collier County’s most prestigious communities. In fact, in the company’s high-rise division alone, there are approximately 30 supervisory employees.

According to Ford, mechanical, electrical and plumbing require the most intense coordination. “Using Encompass as a single source makes supervision much easier for us,” he said. “It also improves the quality of construction when trades can work together and help each other as a team.”

Consequently, the company strives to form long-term alliances with a select group of team-oriented trade contractors such as Encompass. “In order to do that, you must have quality subcontractors that are geared toward working together, and who are looking out for your best interests as well as their own,” said Ford. “That’s what we’ve always gotten from Encompass, and that’s why our relationship is so valuable.”

That relationship began in the mid-1990s when Tri-City Electrical worked on St. Raphael condominium, Gulf Bay’s first high-rise in Pelican Bay. “Their performance was excellent then and it has remained excellent since,” said Ford. “And now, as Encompass, it extends to the mechanical and plumbing as well.”

Ford added that it’s especially helpful when contractors such as Encompass participate in the design process and offer feedback to the owner and engineer. “By working together early on in the design phase, Encompass’ experienced personnel can recommend changes in the plans without compromising quality or exceeding the budget. That’s a very valuable service.”

Currently, Encompass is providing both mechanical and electrical contracting for Gulf Bay’s 22-story Cap Ferrat at Pelican Bay condominium in Naples and its 12-story Marco Beach Ocean Resort on Marco Island. Also, Encompass Electrical is working on various Gulf Bay projects within Fiddler’s Creek.

Encompass also offers an Elite ServicePlan, a predictive/preventive maintenance plan that can reduce costs and improve system reliability.

Based on customer satisfaction, Encompass’ Southwest Florida client roster should grow rapidly in coming years. “The fact that we used them on our first building and have used them on every one since certainly says a lot,” said Ford. Adds Deal, “For any future projects, Encompass is the one that I would select for both construction and service.”

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