Spectrum Engineering is focused on Engineering Partnerships. Our goal is to provide service, yielding the safest, most reliable product for our clients and your customers at the most economical cost. We are dedicated to applying our research, analytical design, construction management, testing and commissioning skills to building long term win/win client relationships.
Let us hit one out of the ballpark for you!  [ Permalink]
 Spectrum Engineering Company, Inc. was originally incorporated in the State of Michigan during 1979 for the purpose of providing high quality electric power engineering consulting, design, testing and commissioning services to municipalities, universities, industrial clients and government agencies. During 1987, operations expanded and the Company became the wholly owned subsidiary of Spectrum Engineering Corporation (Indiana). [ Permalink]
 The founders and employees believe that being privately held is a distinct advantage for our clients. The focus of the business has been and will always remain to satisfy our customers. Publicly traded companies must balance shareholder's interest with their client's needs. Our formula is simple -- our clients are everything! And we're pulling for you! [ Permalink]
Spectrum Engineering was originally founded by Patricia K. Bowles and David L. Bowles, P.E. Currently, Scott Bowles, their son and President of Spectrum, owns 75% with David owning 17% and Patricia holding 8%. [ Permalink]
Spectrum Engineering currently has 20 permanent employees and typically grooms one or two university students as interns who are seeking Engineering or Computer Science degrees. Spectrum intends to maintain a 1:4 ratio of registered Professional Engineers to technical staff.
Our employee breakdown is as follows:
|
Registered Professional Engineers |
5 |
| Other Technical Staff |
10 |
| Accounting |
1 |
| HR Specialist |
1 |
| Administrative Assistants |
3 |
| Interns / Summer Hires |
0 |
| TOTAL |
20 |
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Although the owners can claim their Native American heritage, Spectrum Engineering prefers to win each client solely on the basis of merit and the value that we can bring to your projects. [ Permalink]
Spectrum can qualify as a "small and disadvantaged business", but chooses to win each client solely on the basis of merit and the value that we can bring to your projects. [ Permalink]
Spectrum provides engineering and consulting services in three major fields:
- Electric power engineering and consulting services. The design services include, but are not limited to, Substation, Transmission (typically 69kV, 139kV and 230kV), Distribution, Relay Protection and Control, and Switchgear Rehabilitation. The consulting services include, but are not limited to, Business Planning, Rates and Tariffs, System Planning and Various Studies.
- Fiber Optic engineering and consulting services. The design services include, but are not limited to, Data Centers, Municipal Area Networks, Middle Mile Networks, and Fiber to the Premise designs. The design work includes both Outside Plant, Inside Plant, and Electronics Design. The consulting services include, but are not limited to, Feasibility, Business Planning, Rate, Product, and Service Development, Strategic Planning, and Business Startup.
- Startup and commissioning. Spectrum has the resources and skills to perform field startup testing and commissioning for almost any electric power or fiber based telecommunications project.
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Spectrum services Municipalities, Tier 3 Telecommunication companies, Rural Telephone companies, Rural Electric Cooperatives, Universities, and Private Industries. [ Permalink]
Presently, Spectrum has engineers holding Professional Engineering licenses in nine states: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. [ Permalink]
Spectrum Engineering is blessed with a strong core of skilled, dedicated and loyal employees. The average number of years of service is thirteen years. [ Permalink]
Because Spectrum Engineering is privately held, the financials are not made public. However, it is important to note that Spectrum has very little debt, maintains a strong cash position, and will likely be completely debt free within two years. [ Permalink]
Spectrum Engineering is a member of many electric power and telecommunication associations, including the following:
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
- American Public Power Association (APPA)
- Indiana Municipal Electric Association (IMEA - Associate member)
- American Municipal Partner (AMP-Ohio Municipal Partner)
- Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE)
- Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI)
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- Caribbean Cable Television Association (CCTA)
- American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
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Each project is assigned a project manager who acts as the primary point of contact. The skill level of the project manager is carefully matched to the complexity of the job. In addition to the project manager, Spectrum has a full time Contracts Administrator responsible for all contract issues and project reporting. [ Permalink]
Our purpose is to provide service, which yields the safest, most reliable electric or telecommunications infrastructure to our clients and your customers at the most economical cost. We are dedicated to quality and regularly apply our research, analysis, design, construction management, testing and commissioning skills to build long-term win/win client partnerships and a work environment that values employee innovation, teamwork and pride. We are committed to proving our reputation as a knowledgeable, dependable, resourceful partner in helping our clients to achieve their goals.
In the Win/Win agreement, the following five elements1 essential:
- Desired results (not methods) identify what is to be done and when.
- Guidelines specify the parameters (principles, policies, etc.) within which results are to be accomplished.
- Resources identify the human, financial, technical or organizational support available to help accomplish the results.
- Accountability sets up the standards of performance and the time of evaluation.
- Consequences specify -- good and bad, natural and logical -- what does and will happen as a result of the evaluation.
1. Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1990. [ Permalink]
Having more than 97% client retention, Spectrum Engineering Corporation is cognizant of the value of repeat business. Most of our customers will likely tell you that they consider our rates to be very reasonable given our results. In fact, most no longer shop for our services given the success of our historical rate of return. [ Permalink]
Spectrum has the ability to tailor a pricing structure that works best for the client given the application. Contractual engagements including specified fee, fixed fee, phase fixed fee, time and expense, and cost plus to a maximum are the most popular.
If the project scope is very well defined with a single point of client contact and Spectrum has necessary control of the project, fixed fee or phase fixed fee offers the most value. If the project scope cannot be well defined and time is of the essence, a time and expense pricing structure offers the most value.
The customer is allowed a great deal of latitude with regard to the pricing structure. Our goal is to develop and augment your existing staff so that a cohesive team can complete the projects in a timely cost efficient manner. Generally, most if not all of the your special requests regarding administrative paperwork can be accommodated. [ Permalink]
In fairness to our clients, Spectrum prefers to commence work only after a hard copy purchase order or contractual encumbrance is received. This protects both parties and allows us to remain focused on assignments already under contract. Both the client's control number and Spectrum's nine-digit job number will be used for billing purposes.
Spectrum realizes that occasionally some projects must be started in advance of the contract in order to protect the project schedule. The client may issue a signed letter of intent to award in anticipation of the proper paperwork in order to expedite the project kickoff. Although infrequent, these cases are sometimes necessary. Approval by top management is performed on a case-by-case basis. [ Permalink]
Each project manager is responsible for their project's budget with review from the overall projects manager/contract administrator and top management. The contracts administrator facilitates job cost reporting and works closely with the project managers. The accounting system prompts the user when budgets are exceeded in a task, staff type, phase, or project basis. [ Permalink]
An assigned team usually handles each project. Team members are carefully selected based on abilities and existing workload. With regard to communications, Spectrum prefers a primary single point of contact for each party. The result is usually improved communications and project progress. Spectrum's single point of contact is usually the Project Manager or Contracts Administrator. [ Permalink]
Spectrum reviews internal progress reports prior to every billing to ensure the invoicing is accurate and fair. Some clients request periodic progress reports while others ask that the billing be reported in a format that intuitively reports the progress. The manager compares the actual time spent against the estimated completion to ensure the project stays on track. Real time web access for project tracking is a near term goal. If additional Progress Reporting is required, Spectrum can easily accommodate. [ Permalink]
If there is a change in either the schedule, scope of work, or budget, a Change Order document should be generated to accurately describe any deviation from the original project baseline. The actual form and work flow process is at the client's discretion. Spectrum wants to fit in and complete assignments as if we are an extension of your own staff.
Spectrum's accounting system has the ability to generate 9,999 change orders on a project; each having their own contractual or billing arrangement. To date, no client has ever needed more than four change orders. [ Permalink]
Those involved with the design review the submittals for their discipline. It is the only way Spectrum can be sure that materials ordered will work as the design was intended. Cost and pay submittals are ultimately reviewed and signed by a major stockholder. [ Permalink]
Spectrum generally allows ten working days for technical submittal turnaround. Often the submittals are reviewed within 3-5 days. Spectrum has completed email submittals on a next day emergency basis. [ Permalink]
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