Do you like our new look? As you flip through this edition, you’ll see some design changes. We wanted to give these pages a fresh look. Even magazines need a new wardrobe sometimes. Thanks to our designer Deb Churchill for making these spiffy changes. 

This year marks the 125th anniversary of NECA and the magazine you hold in your hands. We’re excited about the chance to celebrate where we’ve been with a very special NECA history section starting on page 90. Then, a futurist, an industry leader and an economist (ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR’s own Chris Kuehl) walk into an article by Gregg Voss to discuss the future of the electrical construction industry. Check out “Full Steam Ahead” on page 96.

Following that example of collaboration, Katie Kuehner-Hebert writes about why it is so important for an electrical contractor to have a seat at the table early on in a project. “Collaboration at Its Finest” is on page 26. Jared Christman takes this topic even further to argue that ECs should become partners, not just subcontractors. ECs can bring their expertise into a project early, which can cut down on RFIs and wasted time. Turn to page 36 to read “A Little Help From My Friends.”

So we had trains in the futurist article, but we also have cars in this issue. On page 46, Andrew McCoy and Fred Sargent ask an interesting question: What if buildings were more like cars? Fred and Andrew take us back to Henry Ford’s assembly line in 1913 and introduce us to “The Father of Modern Architecture.” Find out what all of this history has to do with prefabrication today and the answer to their titular question.

Continuing with our transportation theme, Susan Bloom profiles Escondido, Calif.’s Baker Electric, the company that worked on eWolf, the country’s first electric tugboat. The team navigated some unique challenges as they created a custom electrical switchyard and charging port. Read more in “Rocking the Boat” on page 56.

There are high office vacancy rates in many cities, and homeownership is out of reach for many Americans. Is there a solution that can solve both of these problems? The answer is, well, it depends where you live. In “Home Is Where the Office Was,” Susan DeGrane talked to contractors and experts around the country to understand the office conversion market. New York and Los Angeles have an appetite for such work, but many other places in the country do not. Where does your area fall? It’s on page 74. 

We’re grateful for the many years we’ve been around to give you a look at what’s happening in our industry. Here’s to the next 125 years.