A 3,000-acre mega complex will house the production of next generation electric pickups and advanced batteries.
Challenge
Other types of conduit such as SCH 40 PVC are commonly used for large-scale underground duct bank construction projects, but at the time, PVC conduit pricing and lead times were on the rise. This project required a significant amount of electrical conduit—1 million feet underground. Materials and installation costs had to be considered. In addition, the project would span several years so product availability, on-time delivery and swift installation would be critical.
Solution
After acknowledging the high costs and long lead times of other materials, project managers recognized the need for options. Enter fiberglass conduit. Not only was it durable, long-lasting and nonmetallic to support a dense cabling environment, it offered installation advantages and was budget friendly for the large project. Labor costs are a major consideration for a massive project like this one. Champion Fiberglass® conduit’s light weight and gasket joining system that requires no glue make it a faster install than PVC conduit, where gluing adds significant installation time.
.png?sfvrsn=62cc2af5_1)
In addition, Champion Fiberglass worked closely with the customer to ensure product deliveries were consistent. They also conducted regular training sessions with contractors about products and installation best practices to facilitate a seamless installation.
Results
A project of this magnitude requires not only quality products but clear, responsive communication. This ensured deliveries and installation progressed at a faster pace. Using Champion Duct®, the major auto manufacturer experienced an efficient installation compared to PVC and reduced material and labor costs with a strong, durable conduit option that provides a lower total cost of ownership.
Champion Duct® benefits:
> Lower materials costs
> More efficient, lower-cost installation over PVC SCH 40
> Expedited installation due to gasket joints and lowest man-hour installation rates for most diameters of electrical conduit, per NECA Manual of Labor Units (NECA)
