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Seagate Technologies
Technology is a fluid concept in a competitive industry where the smallest of details can mean the difference between a scientific breakthrough and being left in the dust. And no company knows this better than Seagate Technologies LLC - an internationally acclaimed data storage technology leader. The union construction industry mobilized advanced preparation and training to meet the needed, for example, steamfitters union officials hired the region's top welding expert to teach special training sessions. They also bought top-of-the-line equipment and materials so union workers would learn with the best resources.

This attention to detail is reflected in Seagate's $40 million premier research center, located along the Allegheny River. This five-story, 200,000-square-foot facility includes 30,000 square feet of cleanrooms with a vibration-dampening desing that allows precision fabrication on a nanometer scale.

The 24,000 square feet of laboratories are equipped to hold advanced tools and machinery, such as magnetic, atomic force and high-resolution scanning electron microscopes, precision spin stands and a focused ion beam. Even the communication systems are state-of-the-art, including sophisticated conference rooms, a 265-seat auditorium and a computer network tied together with more than 17 miles of fiber optic cabling.

Throughout the project, union contractors and craftsmen were lauded for their attention to quality, safety, service, timing and management, and for providing savings wherever possible. Specifically, Seagate officials were impressed with work on istalling capital equipment in the demanding, diverse, high-priority environment of cleanrooms. As a special tibute, the mechanical contractor was given the "Best in Class Supplier Award," which Seagate has awarded to vendors or suppliers only three other times in recent history.

Seagate Technologies

"In June of 2002, Seagate Facility Managers from around the world honored Ruthrauff's engineers and mechanical contractors with there "Best in Class Suppliers Award." This prestigious awad recognized the combined contributions and teamwork that made this very unique and challenging project a success and a model for future high-tech business opportunities in the region. Congratulations on an outstanding achievement!"

David G. Faller
President & CEO
Ruthrauff Engineers/Mechanical Contractors

"One of the first things they asked us us about the infrastructure: 'Are there people who know how to do the process of piping and support for this kind of project?' My answer is YES, and it is locally based. The steamfitters stepped right up to the plate."

J. Todd Pfeifer
Facilities Director
Seagate Technologies LLC