St Louis-based Schaeffer Electric Co Inc mastered a condensed schedule to electrify Best Buy, Bed Bath Bath & Beyond and Ulta Beauty in West St. Louis County’s newest major shopping center, Manchester Highlands.

Construction at the shopping center was delayed by the region’s abnormally wet spring. Schaeffer’s $1.2 million assignment—originally planned as an eight-month project—-demanded completion in only five months to meet the November 2008 opening dead-line.

“Meeting the tight deadline required intense coordination and lots of hard work and dedication from my team,” said Preston Highley, Schaeffer project manager. “Fortunately, we were able to work closely with IBEW Local 1 to achieve greater manpower and ensure timely, efficient completion.”

In retail space spanning a combined total of 85,000-plus square feet, Schaeffer installed wiring, conduit, service equipment, lighting fixtures and building automation controls. Best Buy’s facility alone required more than 20 miles of electrical wiring to power display televisions, computers and other floor models. Schaeffer’s crew also put in a Novar building automation system to optimize energy consumption by continuously monitoring store temperature, humidity and lighting, and adjusting building controls automatically.

“We had great confidence in partnering with Schaeffer Electric on this project. It was an easy choice,” said Andy McDonell, project director for Brinkmann Constructors. “Schaeffer’s electricians are always professional, cooperative and deadline-oriented, plus Schaef-fer’s design/build capabilities were essential to this project.”

The 550,000-square-foot, three-tiered, Manchester Highlands shopping center is being developed by Pace Properties of St. Louis. Schaeffer Electric provides a full range of electrical contracting services, including electrical construction, data and communication, light-ing maintenance and exterior lighting. Founded in 1935, the firm also is a leader in the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). For more information, visit www.schaefferelectric.com.