Get to know: Chris Hronek
Construction technology manager, Tweet/Garot Mechanical
Pulaski native Chris Hronek is using his natural inclination toward tech to drive digitization in the construction industry.
Out of high school, Hronek pursued a career in the trades as a union sheet metal worker and in 2001 was hired at Tweet/Garot Mechanical in De Pere. Over the past 23 years, Hronek has worked in nearly all the mechanical contracting firm’s departments — from the field to the shop and, now, the office.
“It’s allowed me to look in all directions,” he says. “I’ve lived the roles that I’m trying to help so I can associate better with these teams.”
As a skilled sheet metal worker, Hronek combines his trade expertise with an interest in technology to spearhead the digitization of the fabrication process, specifically focusing on optimizing shop workflows.
Hronek’s efforts were critical in the company’s adoption of STRATUS, a web-based construction procurement, manufacturing and logistics platform that allows users to view 3D models to create spools, integrate with fabrication tooling, generate reports and track materials.
“Utilizing that product, we were able to take what used to be paper drawings, which could be torn or spilled on, and now those shop teams are using monitors to view drawings in a digital format so they are always the most current,” he says. “By going digital, the teams are able to get the most accurate, recent information and they can pull measurements and add their own information with productivity timestamps along the way.”
Hronek’s leadership is being recognized industrywide. SMACNA (The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association) named Hronek its 2024 Innovator of the Year, which recognizes contractors who drive continuous improvement and shape the future of their industry.
“Everything I’m doing is because of people who have helped me along the way,” Hronek says. “It’s rewarding to be acknowledged [by] peers in the industry who I highly respect, for doing cool things and hopefully making life better for those around us.”
— Amelia Compton Wolff
Recycling robots
Tri-County Recycling in Appleton recently debuted new AMP AI robotics technology, designed to efficiently capture dairy containers, laundry detergent bottles, shampoo bottles and other recyclables. The AMP AI Sorting Robots use image analysis to sort recyclables more accurately with higher recovery rates than conventional systems. Three robots were installed last November, and plans are in the works to install a fourth. “Since the pandemic, we have been really short‑staffed,” says Recycling Superintendent Alex Nett. “Those materials were hand-sorted prior to the robots, so without staff, we were unable to collect large portions of those materials. The robots gave us the option to have efficient and reliable sorting at all times.” The robots also collect data that can help identify potential flaws in plant operations and equipment. The Tri-County Recycling Facility serves residents of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties and processes more than 100,000 tons of recyclable material each year.
Oneida Nation on the red carpet
When “Killers of the Flower Moon” star Lily Gladstone walked the red carpet at the 96th Academy Awards last month, she made history as the first Native American to be nominated for Best Actress. Her custom dress, designed by Gucci creative director Sabato De Sarno and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain with his wife Sunshine, featured a cape with floral quillwork completed by a team of Oneida artists. Vogue reported, “To hand-quill the gown’s velvet cape, the Big Mountains assembled a team of Indigenous artists on the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin to execute 216 individual quilled petals.” Artists included Kendrick Powless-Crouch, Jossalyn Metoxen, Seven Oshkabewisens, Dionne Jacobs, Paige Skenandore and Aryien Stevens.
Ultimate party planners
Discover Green Bay is seeking residents to assist with city beautification efforts and logistics ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. “We’re a staff of 14. The Packers have some people dedicated to this, but we’re really hoping the community will grab on and say, ‘Hey, we can redo the flower baskets or the planters on Broadway,’” Discover Green Bay executive officer Brad Toll told WBAY TV-2. The NFL plans to hire 1,800 “teammates” to assist with event duties such as directing traffic and monitoring entrances during the 2025 NFL draft scheduled for April 24-26, 2025. Visit greenbay.com/draft25 to learn more.
