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March 1, 2001 |
Contact: Lance
Wallace |
San Francisco Ð During the National Roofing Contractors Association's (NRCA's) 114th Annual Convention and exhibit held Feb. 14-17, L.E. Schwartz & Son Inc., Macon, Ga., won NRCA's Gold Circle Award for workmanship for the renovation of the entire roof system on the Mercer University Administration building in Macon, Georgia. L.E. Schwartz & Son Inc. is owned and operated by Chief Executive Officer Melvin Kruger and his son, Steve Kruger, who serves as company president.
In August of 1999, L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc. began the tedious task of removing all existing roofing material, deteriorated wood decking, flashing and architectural ornamental details and began the fabrication and installation of a totally new roof system. Architectural metal removed from the building was used to create layout patterns for the fabrication of all new components. The total roof restoration replicated the work that had been meticulously handcrafted over 120 years ago. The entire project took one year to complete and more than 40 company personnel contributed their time and talent to the quality and success of this project.
"The variations of the roofing and metal work made this project unique," Melvin Kruger said. "It was more of a reconstruction than a replacement. Our relationship with Mercer over the years made it very special to be a part of this building's history. It was more than just another project to us. We worked hard to live up to everyoneÕs expectations. Our whole organization was very proud to be a part of it."
In the late 1870s, the University's trustees secured one of the nations leading architects, G.P. Randall of Chicago, to design their new administration building. Completed in 1884, the four-story facility was built in Victorian Gothic design, ornamented with three towers, and became a "model of architectural beauty." In 1910 a fire so badly damaged one of the three towers that it had to be rebuilt. Since that time, however, no major renovations to the roof system have taken place.
"L.E. Schwartz and Son did a magnificent job with a highly-complex and artistic project," Mercer University President R. Kirby Godsey said. "Because so much of the existing roof was hand-crafted, they had to go back and recreate and recast it by hand as well. We could not be more pleased with the job that was done and are glad to see L.E. Schwartz and Son internationally recognized for their efforts."
The Gold Circle Awards program annually honors NRCA members and affiliate organizations from around the world. Recipients are recognized by their peers for significant contributions to the roofing industry in one of four categories: workmanship, innovation, service to the community and service to the industry.
For more information about the Gold Circle Awards, contact Kathleen Chmura, NRCA's executive assistant, at (847) 299-9070, ext. 222; fax (847) 299-1183; or e-mail kchmura@nrca.net.
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