Reviewing specifications, preparing and analyzing bid packages, negotiating contracts, handling purchase orders and more. This is the “science” of procurement. It demands a broad skill set and stringent attention to detail. The “art” of procurement is acquired mostly through experience. It is the knowledge of what to watch for in every step of the process to consistently get the best value on the right equipment and avoid costly mistakes. It is knowing how to make the most of relationships with suppliers. Seasoned procurement professionals more than pay for themselves whether they are part of an in-house department or hired on a per-project basis. Continue Reading →

Joe Kunkle, AIA, PE, LEED AP, Principal Account Executive at SSOE Group, and Lance Mushung, AIA, NCARB, Architect, co-authored this article featured in American School and University Magazine. Kunkle and Mushung, who have over 60 years of combined industry experience, confer on the subject of casework reuse. Whether you’re aiming for a LEED® certified project or significant casework cost savings, the shortcuts offered by this resourceful twosome will lead you down the right path. Continue Reading →

Foreign companies are trending in the direction of the U.S. as they review global site selection options, with suppliers following. Alexandra Segers, International Senior Account Executive / Program Manager at SSOE Group, shares her insight in this article published in Area Development Magazine. Within, Segers discusses some of the important items — including incentives and cost offsets, utility factors, and workforce availability — that are making the U.S. an advantageous area to consider development, with the Southeast U.S. leading the pack. Continue Reading →