J.M. Coull breaks ground on 45,000 s/f F.W. Webb distribution center

J.M. Coull recently broke ground for a new 45,000 s/f plumbing, heating, refrigeration, and HVAC distribution center and showroom for F.W. Webb Company. The new facility is designed to meet F. W. Webb's corporate standards, yet is fine-tuned to meet the restrictions of the specific site in Ellsworth. Inside the building there is an office component for the administrative staff and a training room which is used to train local contractors about the latest plumbing and heating techniques. The 3,400 s/f residential showroom, known as the Frank Webb Bath Center, displays all of the latest plumbing fixtures Webb has to offer and is open to the public. An 8,000 s/f "self-serve" wholesale area offers small parts for plumbing and heating contractors. In the back of the building is a 30,000 s/f distribution center which stores large equipment, parts, fixtures, pipes and ductwork. "We chose Ellsworth ME as the site for our newest location because it is the gateway city to downeast Maine," said Charles Slattery, vice president and director of purchasing at F.W. Webb Company. "Whatever happens in Washington County comes through Ellsworth. The people of Ellsworth have shown an amazing resiliency having rebuilt twice after the city was destroyed by the Great Flood of 1923 and the Great Fire of 1933. They are here for the long pull." Since 1866, Webb has continuously serviced its customers in New England and upstate New York. Currently, the Webb network is comprised of over 70 locations offering a complete package of plumbing, hydronics, HVAC, sprinkler, LP Gas Products, biotech, valve automation and pipe-valves-fittings. "We selected J. M. Coull as our builder of choice because they have worked with us to develop a set of building "standards" for us which has resulted in a lower overall building cost with very few changes to the contract and a much higher quality finished product," said Slattery. "They simply build a good building, period." Attendees at the groundbreaking included Ellsworth mayor Gary Fortier, local city managers and building officials, and the president of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, Chrissi Harding. F. W. Webb's architect is Design-Science of Concord, Mass. Other project team members included HL Turner of Concord, N.H., civil and structural; Johnson & Jordan of Scarborough, ME., plumbing and HVAC; Hampden Electric of Bangor, ME., electrical; and Maine Fire Protection of Bangor, fire suppression.