AFFILIATED CONST.

9/18/07 1:57 PM Page 44

ACS INC.
ACS Inc. has built and upgraded engine
emissions testing facilities and test cells
for engine manufacturers, such as
Harley-Davidson.

Extension of Owners’ Staff

Contractor ACS Inc. of Madison, Wis., leverages the team of architects, engineers and contractors to
complete work on some of the world’s most technically complex facilities.

By Brooke Knudson role in building and upgrading engine emissions testing

W hen ACS Inc. tackles new projects, it doesn’t

view itself as a separate entity from the owner.
Rather, the company “strives to be a profes-
sional extension of the owner’s staff,” President James
Corkery says. ACS, with the aid of its strategic partners,
can provide the design, material procurement, fabrication
and installation/construction of specialized systems for
clients working in science, technology and manufacturing.
“Really, we focus on technically complex projects,” Cork-
ery asserts. “There is a lot of complexity in the research
that is going on. We have a pretty good knowledge base in
terms of systems integration.”
ACS Inc.
www.acscm.com Separately incorporated in 1994, the
2006 revenues: $50 million Madison, Wis.-headquartered company
Headquarters: Madison, Wis. was founded as the construction services
Employees: 90
Service: Contracting spin-off of Affiliated Engineering Inc.
James Corkery, president: (AEI), and is dedicated to delivering turn-
“We believe very highly in pro- key automotive, science and technology
fessionalism and integrity and
we want to work as an exten- research facilities.
sion of [our client’s] staff.” ACS has played an industry leading
facilities and test cells for diesel engine manufacturers in-
cluding Caterpillar, Cummins Engine Co., Detroit Diesel,
General Electric, International Truck and Engine Co. and
global John Deere locations. Other clients include Battelle,
Harley Davidson, Pfizer, Polaris and Whirlpool Corp.
Delivering on Its Promise
ACS’s unique structure allows each customer to benefit
from a customized delivery process. The delivery process
starts by forming the project team: the client, ACS and other
consultants, contractors and suppliers.
ACS then aligns the cost of a project with its specific
scope and budget, giving the client a guaranteed maximum
price. This helps minimize project changes and cost over-
runs. The project then progresses to a final design phase
and into construction, where ACS takes sole responsibility
to interface between contractors and suppliers. The compa-
ny then develops a preventative maintenance program for
the client’s internal staff to ensure the installed systems
will continue to operate at peak performance.

44 ■ CONSTRUCTION TODAY ■ OCTOBER 2007