We are thrilled to announce that the modular building solutions offered by ModularDesign+ were recognized in their international Innovation by Design Awards program.

This recognition was given to “companies on the rise” that have transformed their relative markets with innovative products and solutions.

“This award recognition is the first international recognition about the amazing work we are doing to transform the construction industry,” says Josh Mensinger, executive vice president. “We hope this recognition is one of many as we expand our capabilities and offerings to our clients in the modular building industry.”

We are pleased to announce the ModularDesign+ (MD+) has won the Most Innovative in Real Estate Award presented by Dallas Innovates and D CEO.

The program honors companies, CEOs, CIOS, CTOs, entrepreneurs, and other pioneers who are helping to make Dallas-Fort Worth a hub for innovation.

MD+ was recognized for its ability to make the construction process more efficient and affordable by designing and fabricating projects in its Dallas-Fort Worth facility then shipping the pre-constructed modules to building sites nationwide.

Below is the full spread article in D CEO, where the winners are featured.

We are pleased to announce that ModularDesign+ is a finalist for D CEO and Dallas Innovates’ The Innovation Awards 2022. Now in its third year, the program honors disruptors and trailblazers in the region’s growing entrepreneurial and innovation communities across categories for individuals and companies.

In the submission, MD+ was able to convey its explosive growth in the past year, contributing to the economic success of the DFW area. They were also able to differentiate their unique approach to modular construction that is changing the industry nationwide. By combining design and engineering with streamlined assembly line fabrication, their process allows 80-85% of a large construction project to be designed and built under one roof. This significantly reduces on-site labor, on-site waste and compresses construction schedules by up to 50%. This translates to valuable savings to the construction industry, environmentally sound solutions, while also providing a safe, quality-controlled environment for the construction workforce.

All finalists will be featured in the January/February issue of D CEO and online at DallasInnvoates.com and winners will be revealed at an awards event in early 2022.

We are thrilled to announce that Joseph (Joe) Ursini has joined MD+ as Vice President of Operations. Joe has over 25 years of management and commercial construction experience. He has held various roles, such as project manager and director of construction before his latest role as a COO & managing member of a construction company. Over the course of his career, he has become committed to work in lean construction theory, and he is dedicated to advancing our industry through technology and process improvement integration.

When he’s not working, he enjoys golfing, the beauty of nature, and most of all, spending time with his family.

We are very pleased to announce that Lee Hopwood will be joining ModularDesign+ as an estimator. Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from Auburn University. He has served as assistant superintendent, project manager, estimator, and preconstruction director in previous positions.

Outside the office, Lee loves spending time with his wife and daughter doing yard work, playing board games, or helping his daughter with her creative activities. He enjoys nature, wildlife, and cooking. He also serves his community through neighborhood outreach and wildlife conservation efforts.

We are pleased to announce that Brian Green has joined the ModularDesign+ team as a Regional Modular Preconstruction Director.

As an experienced modular and prefabricated construction business development professional, Brian has been able to leverage his commercial construction project background and knowledge of modern and evolving construction methods including prefab bathroom and kitchenette pods, non-structural and structural full volumetric modular, as well as prefabricated panelized wall systems.

For over 20 years, he has been part of the conventional commercial construction industry in many facets from initial sales, through project development and project management. Through the years, Brian has developed a thorough knowledge of modern prefab-modular construction methods.

“We are thrilled to add Brian to our growing MD+ team,” says Joshua Mensinger, Vice President of Business Development. “Brian brings a depth of expertise to our growing team that will resonate with our clients and their modular construction goals.”

Brian resides with his family in Southern California and will work directly with various regional CannonDesign offices and with the MD+ Euless, Texas prefabrication facility.

Sean Studzinski, AIA, President of Strategic Initiatives for ModularDesign+, has authored a piece for Student Housing Business, titled “The Five Key Differences in Prefabricated Modular Methods.”

In this piece, Sean explores the differences between two common modular methods; Prefabricated Modular Manufacturing and Prefabricated Offsite Construction. These methods are often confused in the industry and Sean applies these two methods within the context of Student Housing–a fast-growing sector for modular construction.

We are pleased to announce that ModularDesign+ has hired Mitchell J. Sklar, PE, MBA, as the Vice President of Design and Engineering. As a registered professional engineer, as well as holding a bachelor’s degree in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology and Master of Business Administration, Mitchell has been able to leverage his project background and situational knowledge of modeling, analysis, design and construction. For over 32 years, he has overseen the development of residential, commercial & industrial structures from concept to completion to help clients navigate the world of modular construction.

“We are thrilled to add Mitchell to our growing MD+ team,” says Joshua Mensinger, Vice President of Business Development. “Mitchell brings a depth of expertise to our growing team that will resonate with our clients and their modular construction goals.”

He is located in our Euless, Texas Office and splits his time between there and his family back in Pennsylvania.

Mitchell says, “Every day is almost a fresh start, as I get to work with a diverse set of individuals and teams on solving their challenges to ensure their products become projects implementing optimized modular modalities strategies.”

We are thrilled to announce the most recent development in our modular prefabrication process. Modular Design+ (MD+), a full-service, modular prefabrication and construction firm located in DFW, TX, has launched our “Modular Welding Program.” This program will provide our clients with more flexibility and stronger, taller structures (up to 20-stories) if desired. The program seeks to be a diverse and equitable workforce, encouraging all who are interested in receiving a welding certification to apply. A worker-led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council meets monthly and advises on promoting those from the program into larger roles within the MD+ company.

The benefits of welding in modular construction

It’s important to know (and ask) how modular companies actually fabricate their structures. Most modular companies in the industry use wood for their structures while MD+ uses a hybrid HSS and Cold-Formed Steel structure. With this type of construction, you have two methods in assembling your structural walls and floors: screwed or welded connection. MD+ wanted better quality structures and also desired to provide clients with the ultimate flexibility that a welded system offers. MD+ evaluates each project to utilize the best connection for the requirements needed for each specific project. That means sometimes we do a simple screwed connection, sometimes a welded connection, and then sometimes a hybrid connection of both.

Why our welding program is the best in the business

We hired Ernest D. Levert Sr. to develop our Modular Welding Program, a pioneer and industry leader. Levert joined Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Division in Dallas, TX in 1986 for projects under NASA and U.S. Department of Defense. In 1996, he was promoted to Senior Staff Manufacturing Engineer and for the past 30+ years Ernest has worked on projects including the International Space Station, multiple launch rocket systems, army tactical missile systems, and space shuttles. In 2002, Levert became the first African American to become the president of the American Welding Society (AWS).

Mr. Levert helped certify the MD+ welding procedures in accordance with AWS D1.1 and Structural Welding Code AWS D1.3. These standards eliminate delays in repair work during fabrication, or worse, structural failure at the job site on the final product. These standards include specifications to the welding standard, welding process, type of weld, weld preparation, pre-and post-heat requirements, weld positions, speeds, poarity and much more. He also set up an onsite testing laboratory so MD+ can internally test future hires’ welding capabilities to see if they meet our required standards.

Diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront

MD+ is seeking a diverse workforce and has taken big steps to ensure all races and genders are treated with respect and have a clear growth path within the company.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that by 2026, the amount of women welders joining the workforce will grow approximately 6% over reported 2016 numbers. In 2016, women made up only 4% of welders working in the country, which was unchanged from the percentage reported in 2010. MD+ is actively seeking not only women welders, but any women who are interested in the construction industry and is thrilled to have fabrication welder, Farryn Giles, on the team. Farryn is an African American female welder which is even a smaller percentage of the women welders in the industry.

“I’m excited for real advancement opportunities here at MD+ and I love the respect I get here as a woman welder from the guys.”
– Farryn Giles (Fabrication Welder)

A worker-lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council was established to ensure conversations around this important topic can be addressed at every turn. The DEI Council is led by Angus Blackhawk, a QA/QC manager and a Native American. The DEI Council also advises management on who to promote from within, making sure employees with exceptional skills are seen and heard and can grow within the MD+ company.