About 15 months ago, KLH Engineers, a national MEP and technology engineering firm based in Kentucky, spun off Levcon Analytics, which uses data to provide AEC firms with design, construction, and operations advice. By uniting design and building teams, Levcon’s Convergit data integration platform also improves a building owner’s asset management and project execution.
Late last month, KLH spun off another entity. Known as Configure, the now-separate business has been developing a construction marketplace that digitizes supply and makes it easier for designers and contractors to specify, compare, and purchase engineered-to-order products from manufacturers. Configure’s platform is accessible through web apps or Autodesk Revit plug-ins.
PRICING PRODUCTS, MADE SIMPLER
Its conception was born out of the frustration of trying to specify equipment with pricing information being immediately at hand, explains Michael Albanese, a principal with KLH Engineers who, with principal Jeff Leuderalbert, came up with Configure and developed its platform.
Leuderalbert elaborates that during a project’s design phase, suppliers communicate with potential customers within their Revit models, and designers can link products, product data and pricing directly into their models. During pre-construction, Configure matches contractors with local suppliers so they can solicit and compare bids in one platform, and select the package that best fits their project and budget.
Some of Configure’s early customers include Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Green Bay, Wis.; Silicon Valley Mechanical, San Jose, Calif.; and Peck Hannaford + Briggs, Cincinnati, Ohio.
SUPPORTERS FROM INSIDE AND OUT
During Configure’s early development, KLH allowed Albanese and Leuderalbert to leverage the firm’s in-house software team to build their platform. Configure has raised $2 million in a seed round led by TitletownTech, a Wisconsin-based venture capital fund formed out of a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft. Configure will deploy its new capital to expand its software technology and make additional product development hires.
These spinoffs demonstrate KLH’s innovation beyond engineering consultation, says Tavernelli, who implies there might be more to come. “We learned so much throughout this journey and KLH will leverage that experience to continue seeking ways to create new value in the industry.”
Related Stories
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
Gilbane’s Spring 2012 economic report identifies multiple positive economic and market factors
Anticipating increasing escalation in owner costs through 2014.
| May 24, 2012
Construction backlog declines 5.4% in the first quarter of 2012?
The nation’s nonresidential construction activity will remain soft during the summer months, with flat to declining nonresidential construction spending.
| May 24, 2012
Stellar completes St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Day School renovation and expansion
The project united the school campus and church campus including a 1,200-sf chapel expansion, a new 10,000-sf commons building, 7,400-sf of new covered walkways, and a drop-off pavilion.
| May 23, 2012
MBI Modular Construction Campus Launched on BDCUniversity.com
White Papers, Case Studies, Industry Annual Reports, published articles and more are offered.
| May 23, 2012
Gifford joins Perkins Eastman as principal
Design and planning expertise in science, technology, education, and healthcare.
| May 23, 2012
McRitchie joins McCarthy Building as VP, commercial services in southern California
McRitchie brings more than 18 years of experience in the California construction marketplace.
| May 23, 2012
Arizona Army National Guard Readiness Center awarded LEED Silver
LEED certification of the AZ ARNG Readiness Center was based on a number of green design and construction features SAIC implemented that positively impacted the project and the broader community.
| May 23, 2012
New hospitals invest in data centers to manage growth in patient info
Silver Cross became one of the first hospitals to install patient tracking software so families know where a patient is at all times. New communication equipment supports wireless voice and data networks throughout the hospital, providing access to patients and their families while freeing clinicians to use phones and computers where needed instead of based on location.
