Story #70 - Surveying Technology over the Years
Story #70 is a look at the Survey team’s technology through the years.
Story #70 is a look at the Survey team’s technology through the years.
Take a look at our some of our notable survey and data capture technology upgrades throughout the years.
1932 | In 1932, engineering and surveying was a manual process. It started with paper and pencil, capturing data and measurements in the field and then drawing out plans and designs by hand.
1972 | Hewlett Packard's 3800A Distance Meter opened a new era in surveying for Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Inc. this past week. It allows measurements to be made up to 10,000 feet with an accuracy of +(0.01 feet +0.01 ft. per 1000 ft.). This instrument replaced the measuring tape when large tracts of land were to be surveyed.
1994 | CADD Department Upgrades Equipment
Adding 5 new CADD stations and replacing its old Calcomp pen plotter with a new HP650C Design Jet color printer reducing printing time from 1 hour to six minutes.
1995 | SSM added state-of-the-art Trimble Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to enhance its surveying capabilities. GPS uses satellite telemetry to obtain precise three-dimensional positions on the earth's surface. Since GPS does not rely on optical line of sight conditions, it can be used day or night, over long distances and under all weather conditions. The use of this equipment is expected increase the efficiency, accuracy, and versatility of our surveying department. With GPS, SSM can provide commercial and industrial clients with land development control, groundwater monitoring well locations, and aerial photography orientation points. SSM can provide municipal clients with three-dimensional networks for municipal mapping and GIS applications.
2007 | SSM purchases its first high-definition scanner. Coined Lucille by the staff, the high-definition laser scanning technology provided a non-intrusive method to obtain three-dimensional geometry measurements and models of existing structures and sites for both large and small-scale projects. Our recent addition of P40 Leica scanner captures 1,000,000 data points in a second.
2012 | SSM purchases its first drone and invests in training/certifying staff as FAA Certified Remote Pilots. We use Drone Flight Services and High-Definition Laser Scanners to obtain 3-D models and measurements of existing structures and sites. This non-intrusive, cost-effective technology saves time while raising the bar for high-definition precision in large- and small-scale projects such as campus master planning, historic building preservation and industrial development or impact sensitive agricultural and preserved lands.
2022 | Our most recent scanner upgrade, the Leica RTC360, empowers users to document and capture their environments in 3D, improving efficiency and productivity in the field and in the office through fast, simple-to-use, accurate, and portable hardware and software.
Story #69 - Telephone Systems
Story #69 reflects on the announcement of a new telephone system - and what it says about SSM.
Story #69 reflects the announcement of a new telephone system - and what it says about SSM.
In July of 1989 SSM announced a new telephone system with the following note:
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Inc. has always striven to maintain the most modern facilities and equipment to support its personnel in order to offer clients the most efficient and cost-effective services. By maintaining the most up-to-date equipment in the marketplace, all of the firm’s clients are benefitted by improved operations and reasonable costs.
The most recent addition to the facilities at the Main Office is a new, computerized telephone system - the ROLM Computerized Business Exchange (CBX). The system was ordered after considerable study and review, from PTC Corporation, and was installed on November 23rd, 1983. The installation of the ROLM Telephone System adds a wide variety of new features to enhance the communications of employees as they deal with clients using the telephone. Features such as Call Forwarding, Transfer, Automatic Call-Back, Speed Dialing and Conference and Consultation Capabilities are time and cost saving tools which will be utilized.
This is the latest investment of the firm in features that keep Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Inc. up-to-date in this ever improving technological world.
It was 15 years later, January of 1995 when another announcement came: Voice mail has arrived!
Voice mail’s arrival earned itself a front-page article on our internal newsletter. The article outlines many ways that voice mail will change the game for SSM and our clients - callers can reach their party with fewer rings and they can leave detailed messaged. Other exciting features included: leaving a message for yourself, setting up a phone distribution list, and replying to messages with a push of a button.
Our internal newsletters are riddled with these types of reports. Ones that, at the time, were game-changing. June of 1972, new, intuitive locks were installed. A few months later, we installed an IBM System III - Model 6 computer. In the summer of 1976, the office installed fluorescent lamps - a forward thinking decision intended to save energy and operating costs. November 1978 - change machines in the lunchroom! In 1981, microfilming to conserve file drawer space. The stories continue - stories of SSM taking the initiative, making the leap to newer, bigger, and better things.
Year after year, SSM has navigated game-changing decisions, world-changing events, and life-changing innovations. We’re proud to be an organization that has always been on the side of making the leap, taking the challenge, and doing what we know is best for our people and our clients.
Today, we operate in a hybrid workstyle combining both in-office and remote team members. It’s a concept that would have been foreign to us so many years ago as our new telephone system was put into place. But our digital infrastructure, our company-wide commitment to cutting-edge technology, and our leaderships’ passions for a happy team and happy clients - have all led to our capacity to once again, jump into a game-changing advancement in how we do work at SSM.
In looking at our workplace today, we can’t help but think about those words from 1989: Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Inc. has always striven to maintain the most modern facilities and equipment to support its personnel in order to offer clients the most efficient and cost-effective services. By maintaining the most up-to-date equipment in the marketplace, all of the firm’s clients are benefitted by improved operations and reasonable costs.
Story #68 - Taglines through the Years
Story #68 is a look at our taglines throughout the years.
Story #68 is a look at our taglines throughout the years.
The more things change... the more they stay the same.
Here’s a look at SSM taglines through the years. Improvements here and there, and yet the same message stays: At SSM, we solve problems.
“Spotts, Stevens and McCoy - Where attitude makes the difference!”
The bottom line at Spotts, Stevens and McCoy is performance. That’s what sets us apart. Whatever the assignment, we approach it with a creative mind oriented toward cost effective solutions. Our objective is to exceed your expectations with a degree of excellence equal to our name.
“SSM Offers More”
When you come to Spotts, Stevens and McCoy for consulting engineering, planning, and scientific services, you expect and deserve professional competence. We offer the people with the degrees, the professional registrations, the technical proficiency, and the experience which qualify them for your assignments.
Land, water, air, buildings – Spotts, Stevens and McCoy engineering brings about livable, useful environments.
Since our roots as a one-man firm in 1932, the goal of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy has been to serve our clients professionally, personally, and efficiently.
“Stepping Beyond the Standards”
We strive to exceed your expectations in professionalism, technical experience and customer satisfaction while providing quality services that enable you to cost-effectively hold your bottom line.
“Thinking. Ahead.”
At SSM we engineer solutions. Always using our minds. Always thinking ahead.
“Our work touches everyday life.”
From the water you drink to the air you breathe to the buildings and communities where you live, work and play.
Story #67 - Boomerang Club
Story #67 is about the value we have in our boomerang employees.
Story #67 is about the value we have in our boomerang employees.
For years we have admired the natural beauty of the boomerang. Thrown in the right direction, nurtured with the correct velocity, and trusted to fly, the boomerang will always return. It’s for that reason that we have opened our arms to welcome our own boomerangs back to their home.
We call them the Boomerang Club. They’ve got a custom SSM boomerang decorating their offices, and they make up a percentage of our SSM team. They once followed the path of the boomerang: left to fly in a new direction and then returned home to SSM. To those employees, we’re glad they’re home.
We know that sometimes great employees leave. While the reasons why may vary, it’s a part of being in business. We also know that sometimes they come back. Over the years we’ve learned that welcoming boomerang employees back to SSM adds value to our organization- extending our mission, expanding our expertise, strengthening our capacity, and solidifying our culture.
From a business perspective, rehiring a previous employee reduces the expenses associated with traditional recruiting and onboarding. But more importantly, while they were away they gained new skills and are bringing that learning and experiences with them. As a result, greater opportunities for SSM and our clients.
At SSM, our people are more than just the work they produce. They are the heart, the passion, and the joy that makes SSM home.
We’re proud to have several boomerang employees on our team. All of which bring a unique value to both our culture and our menu of expertise. Our boomerangs have: solidified our land development department as a fiercely competitive team in the region; escalated their positions to managerial and leadership roles in our company; won industry awards and high-ranking recognitions; presented for community events and real-world learning opportunities; expanded certifications to extend company capabilities; and a whole lot more.
SSM is a better place to work because of the team members we have.
Story #66 - Food Fun
Story #66 is a look back on the fun we’ve had with food over the years.
Story #66 is a look back on the fun we’ve had with food over the years.
Through 90 years we’ve learned that not everyone will be ecstatic all the time, at the same time. But - if you bring food in, you can get pretty close. We’ve had a lot of fun with food over the years. From cooking challenges to breakfast meetings, and just about everything in between here’s a look at some memories of culinary fun!
Photos include:
National Hot Dog Day
Superbowl Parties
National Soup Day
Fasnacht Day
Company Huddles accompanied with lunch
Outdoor picnics and grilling
Fresh pancakes for breakfast!
National beer day (with pretzels)
Mardi Gras
National Ice Cream day
Story #65 - Trade Shows through the Years
Story #65 is a look at SSM trade show booths through the years.
Story #65 is a look at SSM trade show booths through the years.
Involvement in our community has always been a priority at SSM. But we don’t just mean our local community, we also mean our industry community. Trade shows have been a staple for our SSM team for many years - giving us the opportunity to learn from our peers, connect with our clients and prospects, raise our brand awareness, and overall support the industry in growth and expansion.
We’ve created many incredible business and personal relationships through our involvement with trade shows. And it’s also given us invaluable opportunities to share the SSM mission, purpose, and great work. Today, we attend over 30 trade show events in the year - each presenting their own unique community to connect with.
Enjoy a few photos of SSM’s trade show booths through the years!
Story #64 - Charitable Giving
Story #64 highlights some of SSM’s past projects related to charitable giving and community give back.
Story #64 highlights some of SSM’s past projects related to charitable giving and community give back.
Over the course of 90 years, SSM has taken an active role in supporting the needs and events of our community. We’ve also taken great pride in supporting the passions of our employees. From non-profit donations to collection events - we’ve dedicated our time and hearts to giving back to our community.
Here are just a few memories of our charitable giving through the years.
For many years we participated in the Salvation Army Christmas Sharing program. Through those years we provided gifts for children, expanded to include seniors, and for a few years, departments adopted families in the program and provided Christmas meals and gifts.
We followed a similar initiative and expanded to our geographic communities. In the Lehigh Valley we supported the Holiday Hope Chest Program. Holiday Hope Chests is a national project to help less fortunate children living in the Lehigh Valley by distributing gifts to non-profit agencies serving children.
We also built and filled kits for homeless residents to receive at Opportunity House. Kits included self care and hygiene items such as toothbrushes, soap, socks, and more.
Throughout the years our offices also engaged in nationwide initiatives such as the March of Dimes Blue Jeans for Babies and Daffodil Days and Relay for Life for Cancer Funding and Awareness.
For many years, SSM held a Mini Golf Charity Open. Employee teams, consisting of 2-4 players, paid an entry fee to participate. They also designated a charity they were playing for. Then, miniature golf began! But, it wasn’t just your typical miniature golf course. Our holes were built by SSM team members. And they did not disappoint. Our engineers and designers got more creative and intuitive with their designs every year, putting the golfers to the challenge.
The lowest scoring team won. And what did they win? The pot of registration fees - which all went to their charity of choice. The miniature golf open was a creative way that SSM put charitable giving into the hands of the employees - the things they are passionate about and love to support. Plus, it came with a little bit of fun for everyone!
In 2013, employees teamed up and worked to beautify the Riegelsville Borough Park. The team mulched both play areas, painted the refreshment stand and installed a fence around the parking area.
We’ve also had opportunities to support community initiatives.
When a Borough in our community was upgrading their playground, our team helped, donating the sliding board. The sliding board is still a favorite at the Mohnton Memorial Park, and we’re proud to have provided it for many families to enjoy.
In 2021, our Facilities team provided engineering expertise to support a community initiative. The 18th Wonder “Touch is Essential” public art installation was a recognition of local essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project consisted of 8 sections of high-grade steel that housed 200 tiles each. SSM contributed the design of the steel base structure joined by Reading Truck Body who contributed the fabrication.
Our team has taken many opportunities to collect financial and tangible resources for local and nationwide organizations. We’ve supported our clients in their food drives, sponsored collections for our team members’ volunteer groups, stuffed the bus, filled backpacks, and a whole lot more.
We’ve always found new opportunities to support the great things that the people around us are doing. And our team members have never failed to astound us with their generosity and open hearts to great causes.
Initiated in 2018, and inspired by the Returning the Favor show, the Give Back program is an employee-driven program that annually designates and donates a percentage of our profit to give back to the community. Since its inception, we have provided more than $40,000 in community donations.
The concept is simple - find people who are doing something decent in their community and do something decent for them – something that allows them to do more of whatever it is they’re already doing. Every year we invite our team members to nominate the organizations and causes they care about. Our Give Back Club, a volunteer group of team members, gets together and distributes the year’s funds according to our employees’ passions.
Over the years we’ve provided a rescue dog, sponsored a family in need, funded backpack programs, provided funding for grants/scholarships for students. provided hot meal gift cards, and so much more. The best part about the Give Back program is that from start to finish everything is in the hands of our team members.
Over the years, we’ve proudly joined our community in making the world a better place. We’re proud to support our employees’ passions, along with our community’s needs. We’ve always opened our doors for new opportunities to do great things. From sponsoring our clients’ events, to attending our employees’ fundraisers - we believe giving back is a part of who we are.
Story #63 - Agriculture Preservation
Story #63 is about SSM’s experience supporting agriculture preservation through surveying servuces.
Story #63 is about SSM’s experience supporting agriculture preservation through surveying services.
Over the past 20 years, SSM has provided more than 400 Agricultural Land Preservation Easement Surveys. Our team has surveyed and helped to preserve over 30,000 acres of Berks County Farmland.
An agricultural conservation easement is a permanent legal restriction on land development that limits future uses of land to agricultural purposes.
Our survey team provides services that combine land record research and a physical property survey and inspection. They identify existing easements associated with the land and any structures on the property that are present as a result of easements (utility pipelines, roadways, transmission wires and access points on the land). Our team utilizes conventional survey methods, GPS systems along with drone flight data to complete the surveys. Easement Survey plans and legal descriptions are drafted and become part of the final recorded documents for the project.
Story #62 - Farm to Table
Story #62 is about SSM’s support of the food industry from start to finish.
Story #62 is about SSM’s support of the food industry from start to finish.
We Bring Everything to the Table
We aren’t like other restaurants. Well, we aren’t a restaurant at all; we’re an engineering firm. But, we do have one thing in common with your favorite dinner spot: a menu. Have you seen our menu? It’s our carefully curated list of services that is specially designed to not only meet the needs of our clients - but is also specifically designed around the expertise of our team members.
You might know us best for surveying. You come to us every time you have a surveying need. We get it, stick to what you know. (Sort of like that pasta you always order.) Maybe it’s not surveying. Maybe you are hooked on our Municipal Division, or our Electrical Engineering team. But have you ever tried our Structural team? What about our Environmental Group? They’re just as good. And we think- no, we know- you’ll find them to be a reliable go-to as well.
Better yet, try them all. What’s better than a full table?
But it isn’t just about the menu. Because even a great menu doesn’t mean a great meal. At SSM, we say “what we do best, is what you don’t.” We are the fine chefs and crew that pull it all together in a way that can’t be replicated. Tough projects, unique solutions, challenging circumstances- all of these are why clients seek SSM. Bringing everything to the table isn’t just about the food. It’s about the skills it took to get there. It’s about the craft that led the way. It’s about the expertise that stands out above it all.
At SSM, we are a multi-disciplinary engineering, environmental, and surveying firm. We bring everything to the table.
From the Farm to the Table: A Little Taste of SSM
It takes a lot to bring a product to market. Experts in the food industry should focus on just that- food. Because after all, addressing needs such as: regulatory compliance, increased capacity, routine maintenance, and facility expansion shouldn’t take away from doing what they know best.
That’s why farmers, processors, distributors, and even restauranteurs all turn to SSM. We help secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow, and expand operations. By taking the lead on the engineering side, we enable the food industry to focus more on their core business.
From the farm to the table, here’s a few examples of SSM’s work in the food industry.
Poultry Farming
Structural Design Services | The design of a 275,000 gallon rectangular equalization tank included identifying IBC loading criteria, and calculations for design of CIP concrete walls and base slab.
New Public Water Supply | This water supply development project entailed conducting fracture trace analysis, locating potential well sites, overseeing test well drilling, designing well construction specifications, performing aquifer testing programs, analyzing pump test data, and preparing permit application materials for state and federal regulatory review.
Food Processing
Confectionary Manufacturer | Prepared annual stormwater NPDES site inspection reports.
Meat Processor | Performed various services including health and safety training and environmental audit of plant operations with regard to air, wastewater, hazardous substance, storage tank, and residual and hazardous waste regulations.
Brewing Facility | Performed an asbestos reinspection and mold investigation for potential purchase of an existing brewing facility
Bakery | Survey and civil engineering services for the design of a new 140-space trailer storage parking lot including bedrock depth investigation, stormwater management design, and electrical lighting design.
Warehousing and Distribution
Distribution Center | Provided comprehensive structural, mechanical, and electrical services to convert an abandoned 125,000 SF processing facility into a food products distribution center. SSM utilized high-definition scanning data to create a complete point cloud database in preparation for the retrofit and reuse.
Supermarket | Performed site design engineering services for the expansion to an existing Store. This design-build project included a site survey, creating an existing conditions base plan, developing construction drawings, which included site grading and stormwater management, utility relocation, and erosion and sediment control.
Gathering Places
Restaurant | Provided design of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for the conversion of a former furniture store into the 7,000 square foot restaurant and bar.
University Kitchen | Designed the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for student housing that included the conversion of existing housing units into a new kitchen facility and a serving and dining pavilion.
Story #61 - Around the Monopoly Board
Story #61 is a themed take on some of our historical projects.
Story #61 is a themed take on some of our historical projects.
When we first discovered there was a “Monolopoy Day”, we knew we had to find a way to celebrate. Over the course of 90 years, we’ve certainly been around the board a few times, helping a diverse collection of marketplaces and industries. Every year we love to celebrate the cards we’ve collected! Here’s a few in honor of our 90th anniversary.
Story #60 - Then and Now: Drafting
Story #60 is a look at drafting years ago, versus today.
Story #60 is a look at drafting years ago, versus today.
Then and Now.
It’s safe to say over 90 years we’ve seen a few upgrades. For story #60 we’re reflecting on when drafting & design was all done by hand and the progressions we’ve made since then.
Story #59 - First GIS Project
Story #59 is a look back on the announcement of our first major GIS project.
Story #59 is a look back on the announcement of our first major GIS project.
Excerpt from SSM’s November 1989 Internal Newsletter Newsbeat, announcing the first major GIS contract for the firm.
Last month SSM won its first major Geographic Information System (GIS) contract — with Lawrence Township, NJ. The primary purpose of the project is to prepare updated tax maps which will assist in the Township’s property revaluation. The tax maps will be produced in an electronic format compatible with SSM GIS, in which tax lot information will be added. SSM will provide the township a faster and better way of organizing and maintaining vital tax and property information through the GIS. The project will take approximately nine months to complete.
The use of GIS has grown dramatically in the 1980’s and is now used in many businesses, universities, and governments. It has an amazingly wide range of applications. It is a computer system that ties data to specific locations and can solve complex planning and management problems.
GIS offers municipal officials and private institutions, as well as utility companies, the ability to manage their operations with a data base of spatial information. One of the valuable roles of a GIS is to integrate information across an organization so that it can be shared, interrelated, and used in common among different departments or groups. For example, if a township had to quickly locate all the gas mains and shut off valves in the event of earthquake, they could instantly do so through GIS.
When the GIS is in place, Lawrence Township will, among other benefits, be able to more efficiently and effectively perform tax assessments and planning. In the future, the Township will be able to add more information such as utility locations, at a relatively low cost.
Since this first major contract, SSM has aided our clients with GIS Management for more than twenty years.
Read more about GIS Data Management. Or, check out our GIS Services List.
Story #58 - Lancaster Office
Story #58 is the story of expanding SSM’s geographic footprint to Lancaster County, Pa.
Story #58 is the story of expanding SSM’s geographic footprint to Lancaster County, Pa.
In August of 2018, SSM expanded its geographic footprint to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The regional office opened on August 27, 2018. The office is located in the Newport Commons community at 701 Creekside Lane in Lititz, Pa.
The Lancaster office continues to be one of SSM’s 4 offices in Pennsylvania: Reading, Lehigh Valley, Lancaster, and West Chester. Expansion of the SSM footprint in 2018 was a celebration of our investment in a diverse and mobile workforce, fostering future growth. The Lancaster office opened the door for additional opportunities to serve the Lancaster community with our full range of engineering, surveying, and environmental services.
To celebrate the grand opening of the new office, SSM and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony, featuring a local food truck and dessert.
Story #57 - Internship Program
Story #57 looks back on our past, and current, internship program.
Story #57 looks back on our past, and current, internship program.
SSM has employed more than 40 interns/summer/co-ops. We’re proud of the programs we host that support current students in their pursuit of future careers. We’ve also had the pleasure of hosting shadow day programs for students interested in learning more about the engineering field.
Here’s some interesting facts about the internship students we’ve hosted over the years:
They’ve worked in a variety of groups:
Indoor Environmental Quality
Marketing
Human Resources
Surveying
Information Technology
Field Services/Construction Inspection
Water & Wastewater Engineering
Civil Engineering
Facilities Engineering
They were pursuing a variety of degrees:
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Environmental Science/Geology
Environmental Studies
Surveying Technologies
Information Technology
Energy and Sustainability Policy
Civil and Construction Technology
Nursing
Secondary Biology Education
Communications
Social Work
They attended a variety of schools:
Elizabethtown College
Alvernia University
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Temple University
Ursinus College
York College of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania College of Technology
University of Vermont
Drexel University
Berks Technical Institute
Story #56 - Co-Op Program
Story #56 celebrates team members that came to us through a co-op program as high school students.
Story #56 celebrates team members that came to us through a co-op program as high school students.
SSM worked with VoTech for a Co-op program. The program was two-fold in that it helped build student’s skills, provided them work experience, and aided in filling positions for entry-level drafters on our team.
Students involved in the program were learning drafting as a part of their high school curriculum. When they were “job ready”, they were placed in companies hiring for those positions. As a part of the co-op program, students worked with SSM for a period of time, and then once graduated SSM had the option of offering a full-time position.
At SSM we have two current employees that came to us first as a part of this co-op program!
Karen Sandman is a senior designer in our Land Development team. Karen was a part of the program in the early eighties, later accepting a full time position with SSM. Karen is also one of several boomerangs at SSM!
Heather Meyers, Site and Survey CAD Manager with our Survey team was also a part of the co-op program in the early nineties. This led to her full-time hire. Heather is a part of our boomerang team as well, continuing to bring us expertise and passion for the work she does!
Story #55 - Supporting Education in the Community
Story #55 is a look back on SSM’s support of STEM/STEAM education in the community.
Story #55 is a look back on SSM’s support of STEM/STEAM education in the community.
Over the years, SSM has participated in various programs that assist educators from elementary schools, technical schools, and colleges/universities to develop support the engineers, surveyors, geologists, and problem-solvers of the future.
We were part of a Berks Intermediate Unit program that provided teachers a 6-week summer internship program, allowing them a glimpse into careers at SSM, and preparing them for mentorship of their students. Recently, we’ve hosted teachers as a part of the Inside Berks Business Program. This program invites STEM educators to learn about careers at our firm, skills that go with them, and concepts to incorporate in the classroom.
Community Involvement
Our team has also been a part of many community-based STEM/STEAM programs. We’ve been technical experts and judges for science fairs, career fairs, and more. We facilitates/proctored MATHCOUNTS events in Berks and Lehigh County, and even led project teams for summer engineering camps.
Throughout 90 years in business, we’ve consistently welcomed new opportunities to support our community in developing and fostering the love for STEM/STEAM.
Education Programs
In addition to our community support, we are proud to provide curriculum resources and opportunities to school districts through our Energy and Sustainability services. Our Energy team has worked with several schools in providing energy audit experience and education. The service includes a full-scale curriculum for teachers and experiential learning for students. Students participate in an energy audit of their school building and receive the opportunity to learn more about energy efficiency and building operations. Likewise, the school receives the prized data collected during the audit as opportunities for improving their efficiency and energy use.
Story #54 - Celebrating Families
Story #54 celebrates SSM as a family-oriented firm.
Story #54 celebrates SSM as a family-oriented firm.
At SSM, we believe in a lot of things. We believe in making the world a better place. We believe in quality work with meaningful purpose. We believe in doing the best we can to be the best we can. We believe in professional integrity, cutting-edge technology, and environmental responsibility.
There’s another thing we believe in at SSM. We believe in family. SSM is not just a family owned and operated firm. We’re a family-oriented firm as well. We’re a firm that pays attention to our team members, and also pays attention to the ones they love most.
Over the years we’ve sent college care packages, held gingerbread competitions, enjoyed special guests on virtual calls, celebrated holidays, bought girl scout cookies, held picnics, hunted for easter eggs, hosted baseball games… you name it. But what makes us unique is we don’t do it because we should. We do it because we care. We do it because it matters.
When we talk about our 90th Anniversary celebration, we talk about the things that make SSM unique. We know that SSM is a better place to work because we invest in the whole person - the person you are when you’re at work, and the person you are when you’re away from work. Our 90 stories series is a celebration of stories that define who we are and how we got here. This series simply wouldn’t be complete without a story about family.
We’re grateful for 90 years of celebrating family with our team - the milestones, the memories, and so much more.
Story #53 - Families that Work Together
Story #53 is about our family teams that work together at SSM.
Story #53 is about our family teams that work together at SSM.
We’re proud to be a family-owned and operated firm. From the roots down we celebrate the SSM family and the families that make up our SSM team. But when we say family-operated, we don’t just mean our ownership. Over the years we’ve celebrated many family duo’s within our SSM team. Check out some of our parent-child, husband-wife, and even in-law duos that are currently a part of the SSM team!
Story #52 - Then and Now Indoor Environmental Quality
Story #52 is a “then and now” of our environmental services team in the field.
Story #51 is a “then and now” of our environmental services team in the field.
Then and Now!
When Charles Stevens left private industry to become a partner in the firm, he brought over 24 years of environmental engineering, air pollution and industrial hygiene experience with him. Today, we still offer many services in that same arena.
Our environmental field services group supports our teams and clients with services such as:
Hazardous Materials Surveys for Buildings
Indoor Environmental Quality
Geologic Services
Environmental Sampling
Permitting and Regulatory Compliance
Financial and Grant Development and Administration
Story #51 - Godiva
Story #51 is a second “sweet” project profile
Story #51 is a second “sweet” project profile
It takes a lot to make and market a product. It also takes a lot to assure regulatory compliance as well as address needs such as increased capacity, routine maintenance and facility expansion. That's why manufacturers of everything from chocolate to steel turn to SSM when it comes time to secure prime locations, plan more efficient warehouses and distribution centers, conduct feasibility studies, upgrade utilities and building systems, improve traffic flow and expand operations. By taking the lead on the facilities engineering side, we enable manufacturers to focus more on their core business.
Production lines, filling lines, blending and mixing operations, conveyor systems, drying ovens and other equipment related to the food industry often require engineering solutions to hygienic handling problems, air contamination, and waste treatment and disposal. SSM has designed product conveying systems; exhaust systems to handle nuisance dust, toxic fumes, and fugitive particulates; and other processes and equipment.
2002 | Godiva Chocolatier Inc.
SSM completed an air permit application for installation of a new coating process in the Reading facility.
SSM prepared SPCC plan and record drawing preparation for storm and sanitary lines.
SSM provided engineering services to design a CO2 reduction system for the packing and cold storage operation to reduce the CO2 levels to within the acceptable range, while still providing the temperature conditions required for the space without sacrificing operational efficiencies.
Looking for another sweet bite? Read about a project we did with the Hershey Company! Read about it here.