Demolition and Renovation

ASSOCIATED BUILDING WRECKERS

“We have faced numerous challenges in the past and seem to overcome these issues through hard work and dedication from the employees,” said Andrew Mirkin, president. “Associated Building Wreckers has survived for almost 90 years because we constantly look to improve our services for the customers.

Completed projects in 2022 range from a hotel renovation project on Main Street in North Adams and an elementary school demolition and renovation in Winsted, Connecticut, to demolition of

Goliath Towers at Six Flags New England in Agawam to the demolition and hazardous materials cleanup at the Fairview and Szot Park pools in Chicopee.

In Springfield over the past year, Associated Building Wreckers crews were involved in the demolition of the former Massachusetts Career Development Institute on Wilbraham Avenue.

In recent years Associated Building Wreckers also took down two iconic buildings known to many, the Hu Ke Lau restaurant on Memorial Drive in Chicopee and the Peter Pan Bus terminal in downtown Springfield.

Both of those brought back fond memories of our community. They are sad to let go, but most people understand that some buildings outlive their usefulness and need to be updated, renovated or go in another direction” Mirkin said. “This helps revitalize the community.

The mission of the company, established in 1933, is to serve customers as a one-stop shop with team of trained, skilled professionals dedicated to safety, quality and dependability in demolition, dismantling, asbestos and lead abatement and recycling.

Associated Building Wreckers offers a one-stop shop for all our clients needs,” Mirkin said. “If you

have a problem, we have a solution. From total demolition services, asbestos and or and residential roll-off dumpster service, portable concrete crushing, underground and above-ground tank removal, we have experts to assist in any situation related to our industry.”

The business has 65 full-time and 20 part-time employees.

Associated Building Wrecking also has a salvage yard that is open to the public. It is stocked with salvage for sale from various buildings the company has demolished or renovated.

“It is best to call ahead if you are looking for specific items, “ Mirkin said. “However, (anyone is) welcome to come browse our yards during normal business hours.”

The COVID-19 pandemic changed daily operations for the company's workforce, most notably the need to wear personal protective equipment as required for COVID-19, Mirkin said.

We have altered our job site activities to meet the PPE requirements, Pre-pandemic all employees reported to the main office in Springfield everyday. Currently we meet with foremen to limit unnecessary expose to the to the office staff, “Mirkin explained.

We also direct our employees with online schedules. This involves all employees to review daily activities and created a smoother transition of job activities.”

The company was able to navigate the pandemic by minimizing the exposure of the field crews and the office staff. The office was able to review daily activities by staggering meetings with foremen and limiting the meeting area to a single room which was disinfected daily.

“Our field crews are typically operating at a distance and travel to job sites was done by having employees travel in personal vehicles.” Mirkin added. Though some employees did get COVID, infections occurred in stages, and the company was able to continue operating through the pandemic.

Still, distance did have a negative impact on morale, he noted. “Employees eventually became frustrated with the distance correspondence (and) camaraderie with others and management,” Mirkin said.

As a result, management now hosts monthly meetings to bring the foremen and the management together to review concerns and future projects, he added.

The business has also adapted to changes in technology by investing in estimating and management software, streamlining its communications via its website, new demolition and abatement equipment and expanding its services related to business as times have changed.

“Our outlook for 2023 is positive,” Mirkin said. “We have several projects ongoing which will give us a nice push into summer.”