Korellis’ multi-disciplined team unites to roof a unique challenge – a refrigerated Dutch Farms warehouse

No one construction job is the same – buildings, depending on their purpose, demand different skills and trades. With over 60 years of experience in the business, Korellis is equipped to handle those unique challenges as a contractor specializing in roofing, sheet metal, wall panels, and masonry.

Korellis’ portfolio of quality work earned it one of the most unique jobs in the company’s recent history – reroofing Dutch Farms’ distribution warehouse. The company is well known in the Region for filling grocery store shelves with dairy, eggs, juices, and more. Keeping their products cool and fresh before they ship out around the Midwest requires a specialty system with a specially enclosed roof.

“They needed a full tear off all the way down to the metal deck,” said Justin Roark, project manager at Korellis. “We’ve done about 15,000 square feet of deck replacement, all without shutting the building down. It’s one of those jobs that makes you proud to work where you do.”

Korellis called on three of its trades to get the job done; roofing, sheet metal, and masonry and are now a week or two away from finishing the project. In a project of this scale, Korellis’ key to success is a constant stream of communication and smooth teamwork.

“Roofers lead the way since their portion of the work is the largest; they let the managers know whenever they find something that needs the other trades,” Roark said. “In tearing off the existing roof and realizing it’s a little over a 100-year-old building, the roofers found deteriorated masonry and said we had to get masons out there right away to get it taken care of. Everybody’s work follows each other’s, so communication is a big help.”

Just as important as communication between the team is Korellis’ communication with Dutch Farms. Starting with extensive pre-construction visits, Korellis works closely with the food company to address its needs and keep the client informed of daily progress and budgetary notes.

“We’re big on daily reports here, and we give them a daily photo log outlining the work completed,” Roark said. “We also give them a daily log of any change orders. That way, instead of getting them a dollar amount at the end of the project, they get a running total just so that everyone is aware of what’s going on at all times. We don’t pull the wool over anyone’s eyes, and that’s created some of the best relationships I’ve had since I started working in construction.”

On the job site, Korellis’ foremen lead the day-to-day operations. Frank “Frankie” Scardine is the roofing foreman for the Dutch Farms project, meaning he handles the bulk of the company’s concerns and the daily coordination required for such a unique project.

“It’s one of those jobs where you’re always running into something you weren’t expecting,” he said. “I’m the first one that runs into those situations, so I get everyone on track so we can get the job done and get it done right. That means getting the masons out here so they can do their part.”

With the job’s finish line in sight, Scardine is looking forward to adding it to the Korellis portfolio.

“It’s a challenging job, and it’ll be a great feeling to see it done,” he said. “It’s a proud moment. This is a big job, and the amount of work that had to be performed here, with the group of guys that I’ve got, it’s worked out very well. I’ve got great guys and hard workers.”

To learn more about Korellis and to see a gallery of its work, visit korellis.com.