Cabot Location Receives Excellence In Construction Eagle Award

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Lauren Milliman

Our Cabot Division was recently recognized for winning the Eagle Award at the ABC Arkansas Excellence In Construction Award Banquet on Friday, April 25, 2025 in Hot Springs!  Along with winning the Eagle Award, VSC was also promoted in various publications and releases through the regional construction-related news media. 

The ABC Arkansas EIC Awards are an opportunity for companies to submit their best construction projects to be recognized and celebrated. This program recognizes outstanding projects through a variety of public relations efforts for a chance to win an Eagle Award. 

This year VSC was recognized for the work at the Hostess Distribution Center which represented a significant undertaking, involving the design and implementation of eleven fire sprinkler systems, covering an average area of 44,000 square feet, contributing to a total operational area of 330,000 square feet.  This was a significant and high-profile endeavor, that VSC began in May of 2023.  VSC faced challenges of not only reworking the existing fire protection system but also installing new systems within the facility while working in concealed spaces above frying rooms.  A critical aspect of the project included the addition of a fire pump and pump house to meet the water pressure demands of the new systems installed, which existing infrastructure could not support.  The solution required installation of a new underground supply line to ensure adequate water provision for all newly installed systems. 

The project’s overall timeline began with the design phase in July 2023, installation beginning in August 2023 and substantial completion with final approval tests completed in December 2024.  Throughout this process our team was key to its success.  The estimated design time of 720 hours was focused on the integration of both the existing and new sprinkler systems.  Installation included four crews of installers working 6 days a week, compared to the standard of three crews.  Once piping was delivered, installation began the next day with a total estimated installation time of 7,234 hours.   

Upon completion, the building is now protected by ten wet systems and one dry system, covering a total of 15 calculated areas.  These systems are fed from six different riser locations, equipped with zone manifolds, and supplied by a 2,000 GPM Armstrong Fire Pump operating at 150 PSI. 

Our team was crucial to the success of this project.  Jason Eckard managed communication with the general contractor and suppliers, handled RFIs and addressed scope changes during the design process.  Michael Oaks coordinated hydrant flow tests, prepared shop drawings, and managed all submittals while ensuring field compliance and creating as-build documentation, producing a total of 14 drawing sheets for this project.  Jeremy Rathbun ensured manpower efficiency and maintained project schedules through weekly job checks and safety audits.  James Grable and Jack Shields communicated project needs, assigned daily tasks, and promoted safety standards throughout the installation process. 

A special thank you to everyone involved with this project and to Baldwin & Shell Construction and The J.M. Smucker Co for their recommendations for this award.