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Full-Time vs. Part-Time Construction Management: What Does Your Project Really Need?

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2 September, 2025
In the fast-paced world of industrial engineering and construction management, time isn’t just valuable—it’s money. Downtime during facility upgrades or installations can cost clients millions i...
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Being Efficient with Your Contractor Time

BlogPage2
11 July, 2025
In the fast-paced world of industrial engineering and construction management, time isn’t just valuable—it’s money. Downtime during facility upgrades or installations can cost clients millions i...
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Four Questions That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About an Industrial Engineering Firm

Industrial Engineering Firm
9 April, 2025
Choosing the right industrial engineering firm can either streamline your project—or cost you time, money, and headaches. But you don’t need a mile-long checklist to make a smart choice....
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The Top Considerations for Minimizing Disruptions During an Industrial Capital Project

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9 April, 2025
Capital projects are necessary for growth but are notorious for causing disruptions. In industrial environments, where uptime, safety, and production flow are everything, minor interference can lead t...
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Row of green semi-trucks parked in a fleet under a partly cloudy sky
September 12, 2025

Restoring Structural Integrity for Nationwide Leader in Fleet Cleaning Services

Case Study

Restoring Structural Integrity for Nationwide Leader in Fleet Cleaning Services

CLIENT OVERVIEW

A nationwide fleet cleaning provider operating facilities that accommodate full 18-wheelers, with the Portland, OR location delivering around-the-clock service for commercial trucking companies.

THE CHALLENGE

During a routine facility review, significant corrosion was discovered in the structural members of their Portland facility. The rust could have reduced the load capacity of the building, presenting a potential safety concern.

Key challenges included:

  • Speed of response – deteriorating steel required immediate stabilization.
  • Complex coordination – multiple specialists (structural engineers, fabricators, installers) had to be aligned.
  • Permitting hurdles – Portland’s rigorous approval process required expert navigation to maximize efficiency.
  • Downtime management – a necessary shutdown required an optimized schedule, strategically incorporating additional upgrades to maximize value.
Interior construction site showing scaffolding and rusted steel support beams beneath an insulated ceiling

THE SOLUTION

T&M Design was brought in to lead engineering oversight and construction management, ensuring the project moved quickly and safely.

Step 1: Immediate Stabilization

  • Installed shoring to support the roof and prevent further risk.

Step 2: Assembling the Right Team

  • Engaged Twin Peak’s Construction licensed structural engineers to design replacement structural members.
  • Coordinated with Swan Island Sheet Metal to produce and install new I-beams.

Step 3: Navigating Permitting

  • Managed drawings, documentation, and approvals through Portland’s permitting system, reducing potential holdups.

Step 4: Maximizing Downtime Efficiency

  • While structural replacements were underway, T&M recommended bundling additional improvements to avoid future disruptions:
    • Interior structural replacement – five major members, wall and ceiling panels replaced with stainless steel designed for water-heavy environments.
    • Exterior upgrades – asphalt and concrete replaced to improve truck turn radius and withstand heavy vehicle loads.
    • Site drainage improvements – re-graded the lot to eliminate pooling and route water into a proper drainage system.

THE RESULTS

  • Structural Integrity Restored: Replaced rusting members with stainless steel, extending facility lifespan and reducing long-term maintenance risk.
  • Operational Reliability: Completed the project in two months of scheduled downtime.
  • Optimized Site Performance: Exterior improvements enhanced truck flow and prevented costly pavement damage.
  • Client Confidence: the commercial truck washing facility now operates with a more resilient facility that will serve for decades to come.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

This project demonstrates how T&M Design’s Dedicated Expertise, Embedded Support, and Eye for Impact deliver results that go beyond solving immediate problems. By combining structural restoration with site enhancements, we helped this commercial truck wash avoid costly future disruptions and extend the lifecycle of a critical facility.

Ready to extend the life of your facility while maximizing downtime efficiency? Schedule a free consultation for clarity and confidence on your next project.

Schedule a free consultation
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September 2, 2025

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Construction Management: What Does Your Project Really Need?

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Construction Management: What Does Your Project Really Need?

Managing an industrial construction project safely, on time, and within budget comes down to one key decision: Do you need full-time oversight or is part-time management sufficient for your project’s needs?

Getting this wrong can be costly. We’ve seen minimal oversight appear effective until unexpected complications arose, causing delays that could have been prevented. We’ve also seen clients over-invest in full-time management for straightforward projects where it wasn’t necessary.

The following questions will help you determine which level of management your project actually needs.

Your Internal Team: Do You Have the Right Resources?

Construction management experience: If your internal staff handles operations or engineering but hasn’t managed construction projects, you’ll need more external support. Most industrial companies focus their expertise on running facilities, not building them.

On-site availability: Construction issues don’t wait for convenient times. If your team is juggling ongoing operations with construction oversight, important details slip through the cracks.

Daily oversight capacity: This means actively monitoring quality, safety, and progress—not just being present. It requires consistent attention and knowing what red flags to watch for.

Your Contractors: New Relationship or Proven Partnership?

Track record together: Working with a contractor for the first time always carries more risk. If you’ve successfully completed multiple projects together, you might be comfortable with less oversight.

Problem-solving approach: Some contractors proactively identify issues and propose solutions. Others proceed without raising concerns until problems become critical. The first type needs less management attention.

Project Complexity: What Are You Actually Building?

Live operations: Projects involving tie-ins to operating systems or work in active industrial environments require intense coordination and safety oversight. The stakes are too high for casual management.

Technical complexity: Complex mechanical systems, specialized equipment, or projects requiring precise coordination between multiple disciplines typically need dedicated management attention.

Timeline flexibility: If delays would significantly impact your operations, full-time management becomes valuable. The cost of dedicated oversight is usually far less than the cost of schedule slippage.

Location and Logistics: The Practical Reality

Distance from your operations: If the job site is more than an hour away, it’s difficult for your internal team to provide meaningful oversight. Remote projects often face unique challenges that benefit from on-site presence.

Project duration: Brief projects (a few weeks) might not justify full-time management, while longer projects benefit from dedicated oversight to maintain momentum.

Making the Call

Generally, full-time construction management makes sense when you’re dealing with:

  • Higher complexity or significant risk factors
  • Limited internal construction management experience
  • Tight timelines or operating constraints
  • Remote locations or longer project duration

Part-time oversight can work well for:

  • Straightforward projects with experienced contractors
  • Flexible timelines and lower complexity
  • Strong internal team with construction experience

Our recommendation: When in doubt, err on the side of more oversight. The cost difference between full-time and part-time management is typically small compared to the potential cost of problems that could have been prevented.

What's Next?

Still uncertain about what level of construction management your project needs? Start with a free consultation.

At T&M Design, we’ve managed everything from simple equipment installations to complex multi-phase industrial upgrades — every project is unique. We’re excited to listen and help you discover the right approach, whether that’s full-time dedicated management or targeted part-time support.

Ready to discuss your project? Contact our team to get started.

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July 11, 2025

Being Efficient with Your Contractor Time

Being efficient with your contractor time

Maximizing Uptime and Minimizing Risk with T&M Design

In the fast-paced world of industrial engineering and construction management, time isn’t just valuable—it’s money. Downtime during facility upgrades or installations can cost clients millions in lost production. Unfortunately, many projects only utilize 50–70% of available shutdown time effectively because of delays in setup, coordination issues, and on-site confusion.

At T&M Design, we believe efficiency is non-negotiable—and we’re committed to making every minute of your scheduled downtime count.

The Problem: Wasted Time Costs More Than Money

  • Inefficient Use of Downtime: When a significant portion of a scheduled shutdown is spent on setup or last-minute coordination, project timelines extend, risking production schedules and budget overruns.
  • Unexpected Change Orders: Poor planning can lead to scope changes and contractor change orders, which delay timelines further and create unexpected costs.
  • Contractor Confusion: Without clear communication and preparation, contractors may face safety hazards, workflow disruptions, or even errors in execution.

The bottom line? Every hour of inefficiency is an hour of lost productivity—and potential revenue.

The Solution: Proactive, Embedded Expertise

At T&M Design, we tackle these challenges head-on with a proactive, detail-driven approach:

  • Thorough Preparation for Contract Execution: We work closely with all stakeholders—including operations, safety, maintenance, quality, R&D, and more—to ensure everyone is aligned before the first tool is lifted.
  • Comprehensive Job Site Preparation: From securing space, tools, and materials to coordinating contractor schedules and staging equipment, we ensure every detail is handled before work begins.
  • Offline Readiness: Everything that can be prepared and assembled off-site is completed and staged for rapid installation, minimizing on-site disruption and maximizing actual work time.
  • Embedded Expertise: Our team members are embedded within client operations, meaning we know the key players, site-specific challenges, and regulatory requirements. This integration allows us to streamline communication, avoid costly delays, and deliver flawless execution—without requiring additional engineering support from the client’s side.

The T&M Design Difference: Results That Speak

With our approach, clients gain:

  • Maximized Uptime: Projects are completed on schedule, minimizing production interruptions.
  • Budget Control: Avoiding unnecessary change orders and ensuring accurate budget forecasting.
  • Safety and Quality Assurance: Proactive coordination reduces risk and enhances safety compliance.
  • Embedded Support: We integrate seamlessly into your team, delivering results aligned with your goals.

See the Results

When your process isn’t running for 24 hours, the cost can be staggering. By partnering with T&M Design, you protect that revenue and gain a trusted partner dedicated to making every second of downtime count.

Getting Started with the Right Industrial Engineering Firm

You don’t need to be an engineer to choose the right engineering firm—you just need to ask smart, revealing questions. The right answers will uncover a lot more than brochures ever will.

If you’re looking for a firm that can:

  • Manage the full project lifecycle
  • Understand your facility and industry
  • Offer flexibility and technical staffing
  • Support you long after the design is done

Let’s talk about your next project. Contact T&M Design today.

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Industrial Engineering Firm
April 9, 2025

Four Questions That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About an Industrial Engineering Firm

Four Questions That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About an Industrial Engineering Firm

Choosing the right industrial engineering firm can either streamline your project—or cost you time, money, and headaches. But you don’t need a mile-long checklist to make a smart choice.

You just need to ask the right questions that reveal how the firm works, what they offer and whether they’re the right fit for your goals. So, here are four questions that, when answered clearly, will tell you almost everything you need to know.

1. Can you support our project from concept to implementation?

Industrial projects don’t move in straight lines. They involve design, vendor coordination, construction management, safety planning, start-up and sometimes even training.

A good engineering firm does more than just hand over drawings—it stays involved through every phase of the project.

Why it matters:

  • You avoid communication breakdowns between design and construction teams.
  • You reduce the risk of rework or delays due to incomplete planning.
  • You benefit from a firm invested in the functionality and longevity of what it builds—not just delivering a design and walking away.

At T&M Design, we provide full-scope services—from initial design and modeling to construction oversight, startup assistance and customized training programs. We stay engaged throughout your project’s lifecycle.

2. Do you have experience with facilities like ours?

Industrial engineering isn’t one-size-fits-all. Designing for a food processing plant vastly differs from working in pulp and paper, petrochemicals or primary metals.

You want a team that doesn’t just understand engineering theory but also understands how systems function in real-world, high-demand environments.

What to look for:

  • Proven experience in your specific sector.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements and operational standards.
  • The ability to design with maintenance, safety and production flow in mind.

T&M Design has been serving industries like food processing, petrochemicals, wood products and power generation for over 30 years. Our team doesn’t just understand the design—we understand the floor, the process and the people who make it run. 

3. How flexible is your team?

The best projects are adaptable—and so are the best engineering partners.

If your needs shift mid-project or need to scale quickly, the right firm will have the resources and processes to provide support without slowing you down.

What this reveals:

  • Whether they’re equipped to handle real-time challenges.
  • If they can offer high-quality technical staff for short or long-term support.
  • If they understand how to manage change without compromising safety or scope.

At T&M Design, our team is known for our flexible, technical staffing solutions. We provide maintenance-friendly, cost-effective support tailored to your production and project schedules—no bloated overhead or unnecessary delays.

4. What happens after the drawings are delivered?

This is where many firms fall short. Once the paperwork is submitted and the checks clear, are they still around?

A great engineering partner remains involved—offering process support, implementation help, training and technical assistance even after the main scope is finished.

Why this matters:

  • You get continuity, not confusion.
  • Your staff knows how to operate and maintain the systems.
  • You have someone to call if you run into an issue down the line.

At T&M Design, we believe long-term relationships build better outcomes. That’s why we stay available for follow-up, troubleshooting and ongoing support. We even provide custom training to get your team up to speed—because success doesn’t stop at delivery.

Getting Started with the Right Industrial Engineering Firm

You don’t need to be an engineer to choose the right engineering firm—you just need to ask smart, revealing questions. The right answers will uncover a lot more than brochures ever will.

If you’re looking for a firm that can:

  • Manage the full project lifecycle
  • Understand your facility and industry
  • Offer flexibility and technical staffing
  • Support you long after the design is done

Let’s talk about your next project. Contact T&M Design today.

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