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Just what is it that makes L. K. Comstock special? It seems likely that their success has a lot to do with how they treat their customers. "It's a belief in old-fashioned
ideals," according to Peter Pasch, President & Chief Operating Officer. "We are determined to do right by our customers." And a willingness to explore new ideas and try new concepts is also key. Sustainable competitive advantage can only become reality if you look at the same situation as everyone else, but see a different solution. It's this willingness to explore that sets L.K. Comstock apart from the competition. Over its 94 year history, the firm has become one of the largest electrical and instrumentation contractors in the U. S.
Headquartered in White Plains, New York, LKC performs a complete range of electrical and instrumentation services throughout its nationwide operation centers. L. K. Comstock has earned its reputation for expertise in major markets including: transit, commercial, power, instrumentation, manufacturing and data communications.
Embracing technology and continually adapting to the needs of the customer contributes to the success of the company. According to Pasch, "Our clients want one
contractor who can work in a team oriented approach. We are expected to handle the job from start to finish. And it makes sense. Given the technology available today, and the individual expertise of our partners, a seamless approach to a project is most effective."
Representative of the type of work performed by L. K. Comstock, is the installation of the electrical power supply and distribution systems at the new Terminal One,
a 634,000 square foot passenger terminal under construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The project presents LKC with a host of diverse project management and coordination challenges. It involves the installation of power, lighting, generator and control systems. It includes a system for melting snow, a docking guidance system, and much more.
For the Terminal One project, performing the electrical installation around the work of other trades required extraordinary coordination. LKC had to work hand–in–hand with the baggage handling system vendor to install that system. And when the design of the ticket lobby posed challenges to the installation of the circuitry, LKC worked closely with the architect and engineer to install a system without detracting from the esthetics of the structure. Slated to open for business by the beginning of summer 1998, Terminal One is a prime example of L.K. Comstock's ability to make it all fit.
The industry is evolving to the point where a contractor often provides professional services. Whether it's reading engineering specifications or going over job–site
drawings, L.K. Comstock recognized the potential exposure inherent in these services and felt it was time to add professional liability coverage to their insurance needs. Comstock looked for a partner with credibility and reliability and chose CNA/Schinnerer's Contractors Design Liability Program to protect the assets of the
firm. "We felt we should go with an industry leader, a company experienced in design liability and knowledgeable about the contractor's role in construction," said Matthew S. Ponticelli, Risk Manager. "CNA/Schinnerer proved to be the partner we needed to help share these potential exposures."
This information is provided by Victor O. Schinnerer & Company, Inc. as the program administrator for the CNA Professional Liability Insurance Policy for Design Professionals. The CNA/Schinnerer Program is the Commended Program of The American Institute of Architects and the National Society of Professional Engineers.
In each issue of Constructive Comments we answer questions on important contractor issues. Do you have a question you would like answered? Please submit all questions to: Attention: Constructive Comments, at info@schinnerer.com or fax to 301-951-5444.
This article is taken from Constructive Comments, Vol. 1, No. 3. The contributing editors are Michael C. Loulakis and Owen J. Shean, shareholders in the Washington D.C. area law firm of Wickwire Gavin, P.C. They can be reached by phone at (703) 790-8750, or by fax at (703) 448-1801.
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