Cupertino Electric Donates $300,000 for Lab in New Construction Management Building at Cal Poly

Cupertino Electric Inc., one of the state's most successful electrical contracting companies, is donating $300,000 to help create a cutting-edge laboratory within a new building planned for Cal Poly's Construction Management Department and College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED).

The new Cupertino Electric Specialty Construction Laboratory will be located in Cal Poly's Center for Construction Excellence Building, which is scheduled to break ground in 2005 and be completed in the fall of 2007. A signing ceremony to formalize the gift will be held Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. in the Engineering West Building (Bldg. 21), B Lab.

The new laboratory will be designed to create an interactive environment for students learning about specialty contracting. Models, sample materials, marketing documents, contracts and other essential items related to subcontracting materials and practices will be used in the laboratory to enhance student learning.

The lab will emphasize both individual and case study-based group assignments drawn from actual projects constructed by industry partners. This will provide students firsthand experience to develop an appreciation for the complexity of the subcontracting industry and the central role that it plays in the success of residential, commercial and heavy/civil construction projects today, said Construction Management Department Head Allan Hauck.

It will also teach students about current trends in productivity and quality management employed by major subcontractors and how to estimate and schedule jobs, he said. Students will have the opportunity to practice the marketing, negotiating and communication skills needed for success in this industry and to explore career possibilities.

The donation is part of the CAED campaign to raise $7.5 million in private gifts to help fund the new building. The college will also receive $17 million in state funds for the project.

"CEI is a proud supporter of Cal Poly's educational vision. The Specialty Construction Lab will create advanced learning opportunities for students, allowing hands-on experience while strengthening their knowledge base and broadening their career options in our industry. What a great way to contribute to the future," said John Boncher, branch manager of Cupertino Electric's San Jose operation.

"We are very pleased with the Construction Management Department's expanding partnerships with the specialty constructors who are critical to the success of our industry," Hauck said. "Increasingly, these contractors are responsible for the majority of work on all projects, and Cupertino Electric has been a significant leader in the broadening role of subcontracting. Its leadership in prefabrication has resulted in significant increases in productivity, benefiting the entire industry. We are proud to have Cupertino Electric join us as a partner in the Center for Construction Excellence."

For details, call the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at (805) 756-7432. For more information about Cupertino Electric Inc., visit www.cei.com.

Contacts: Cal Poly College of Architecture and Environmental Design Ray Ladd (805) 756-7432, rladd@calpoly.edu

Cupertino Electric, Inc., John Boncher, San Jose Branch Manager, (408) 808-8175, info@cei.com