TG Gallagher Featured in The Professional Contractor Magazine
Date: January 6, 2009
By Debbie Swanson
For the Professional Contractor
With a history of customer satisfaction and an eye on construction’s “green” future, it’s no surprise that Cambridge-based Thomas G. Gallagher Co. was recently named to Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.
Founded in the 1940s by Thomas G. Gallagher, the company provides mechanical contracting services to private businesses, with a strong market niche in educational institutions and health care. Services include the installation and maintenance of HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration and fire protection systems. They also provide design/build services to fit the mechanical systems to a project with cost effective solutions.
The industry dedication of the company founder, Thomas G. Gallagher, is apparent not only in the successful business he envisioned but in his dedication to the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts (ASM). Gallagher served as first President of ASM from1950-60. After his passing in the 1960s, the company had a brief leadership under Thomas’ brother, Frank, after which three partners took over: John Heaney, John Huzzey, and Jack McGuire.
Early successes included large industrial clients, such as Polaroid and Raytheon. “We worked on all of Polaroid’s buildings along Route 128 over a period of 25-30 years. Projects ranged from initial construction to multiple revisions, installing and improving their chemical processes by upgrading their plant piping, vessels, and process piping,” reports Brian Potter, President.
Business expanded along with the growth of the healthcare industry, and in 1979, Everett Potter bought out the partners and became President. His son, Brian, took over in 1992 and remains in place today. The company is now in its 58th year of ASM membership.
“You’re in business for tomorrow, not for today.” That was the philosophy Everett Potter passed along to his son, and that commitment continues today. With no traditional sales force, TG Gallagher’s growth rate of 47.4% is based largely on repeat customers and referrals. “We’re very client-focused,” states Potter. “Integrity was one of our founding values, and it remains strong today.”
Embracing the Green Movement
As demand for eco-friendly systems increases, TG Gallagher is making it their business to keep up with the trend. “Systems are always improving, but in the last three or four years people began thinking outside of the box and coming up with (environmentally) better systems, ” observes Potter.
Geothermal heat pump systems are one example. These systems use the earth to reject heat, replacing the need for large cooling towers that evaporate water into the air. Over the past six years, TG Gallagher has installed these systems in projects for long-time client, Harvard University.
Working with Shawmut Design and Construction, TG Gallagher recently upgraded the HVAC, plumbing and fire protection at Harvard’s Byerly Hall. This included installing a new geothermal heat pump system as well as five 25-ton heat pumps that make use of well water and the existing campus steam system in the overall design.
“We’ve been with Harvard since the ‘40s. We’ve done dorms, offices, laboratories, classrooms; some things we’ve worked on there are in their third round of renovations,” Potter comments.
“Harvard is an advocate of green building. Once Harvard makes the move, other universities will follow suit,” Potter states.
Wellesley College is another loyal customer that got a jump on the green movement when TG Gallagher installed a co-generation plant in 1992.
“The system at Wellesley was way ahead of its time. It runs 85-90% efficient, using waste heat for generating electricity, chilled water, domestic hot water, steam, and hot water for heating,” says Potter.
Other shifts the company has seen include increased emphasis on water conservation and improved indoor air quality. There is more demand for grey water systems, which use recovered storm water for non-domestic needs, such as toilet flushing and irrigation. Indoor air quality improvements include exploring the use of energy recovery units to increase outdoor air use inside the building.
Keeping up with LEED
“It isn’t going to go away; more and more projects are going for LEED certification,” states Potter of the shift toward green building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems are widely accepted standards for sustainable green building and development practices.
“It’s a beneficial system,” adds Shawn Guertin, Director of Operations. “As the next generation comes into the workforce, it’s only going to continue. Those workers will have had terms like sustainable design and green building engrained in their education.”
In keeping with that trend, earlier this year Potter passed the exam to become a LEED certified professional, and is encouraging others in the company to do the same.
“Approximately 45 percent of LEED credits a building can get are affected by the heating and plumbing elements. The more knowledge that we have on board, the more productive we can be toward helping clients get their projects certified,” says Potter.
Spotlight Projects
The company recently worked on Boston’s American Cancer Society/AstraZeneca Hope Lodge, which provides free lodging and support for cancer patients traveling to Boston for care. TG Gallagher performed HVAC and Fire Protection services in line with the project’s goal of becoming LEED silver certified.
Ongoing projects include the installation of plumbing and HVAC systems at a new 120,000 square-foot, seven-story building and parking garage at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. This project is expected to be complete in 2009.
Integrity in the Workplace
The company is very team oriented and encourages collaboration between groups. Both employees and subcontractors who come on board are expected to share the company’s values.
“There are no barriers, everyone is encouraged to speak up. There’s a lot of mutual respect and integrity among the workplace,” states Larry Haite, Director of Pre-Construction Services.
“Client satisfaction is number one. We don’t focus on profit, or how a project will make us look, but on client satisfaction,” adds Shawn Guertin, Director of Operations.
As the industry embraces the green movement, TG Gallagher looks forward to expanding their ability to install sustainable mechanical systems. The company has signed several major projects in the Boston area, including Harvard University and Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary.
“Our market niche has remained steady,” reports Haite. “Our philosophy of how to treat customers has led to our growth pattern over the years.”
“The current economic environment will make it challenging to maintain our growth in the next 2-3 years, but client focus and staying on top of industry trends, such as LEED, will set the stage for another 70 years of success,” concludes Potter.
