Sandra Hernandez is the CEO and President of Azul Works, a general engineering contractor firm with decades of construction experience. Along with her partner, Balmore Hernandez, since retired from Azul Works, they have paved the way in the “horizontal” construction industry, with projects of concrete and paving, roadwork, and infrastructure demolition. In the following article, previously completed construction projects and partnerships are discussed.
Construction firm, Azul Works has secured its position as an industry leader by becoming one of the first woman-owned general engineering contractors to undertake major infrastructure projects within the region. As of late, the company has applied its high standards of horizontal and vertical construction to complete a series of projects for Tesla, including asphalt paving, assembly-line construction, CMU acoustic wall installation, and more.
Through their joint partnership with Tesla, Azul Works has been able to improve Tesla’s Fremont plant and contribute to the production of the electric car company’s vehicles. Although the full scope of the project was quite extensive, Sandra Hernandez looks over the final results and discusses how Azul Works continues to implement high-quality standards into all of its work.
Excavation for Rebar and Concrete Prep
When Tesla first reached out to Sandra Hernandez of Azul Works, the electric vehicle company wanted to
expand its facilities southward while still staying on schedule and within budget. This meant that the construction team would first have to excavate the site to remove any obstacles and prepare a foundation for the structure using concentrate and rebar.
This process proved to be extremely important, as it ensured that the foundation of the structure was secure and that there wouldn’t be further issues with the
stability of the structure in the future. The excavation process also helped to rule out potential problems with the surrounding environment, such as underground utilities or other underlying obstacles.
Thanks to Azul Works' great deal of experience and its large fleet of professional excavation equipment, the company was able to complete this stage of the project to the highest standards and in line with local regulations and environmental codes. The excavation stage for the Tesla project was completed without issue and Sandra Hernandez of Azul Works said they were able to prepare the area for the next stage of construction.
Asphalt Paving in General Assembly and Battery Marriage
As well as helping to expand the plant southward, Tesla also requested that Azul Works resurface several sections of asphalt paving in the plant’s General Assembly and Battery Marriage areas. Over time, the paving has worn down, creating cracks in the surface, and limiting access to certain areas of the plant.
This work was carried out using the company’s fleet of specialized paving equipment, which helped to ensure a smooth and consistent finish. After the asphalt had been laid, the team also carried out line painting and other markings to indicate where vehicles should be parked and to create a clear path for pedestrians explains Sandra Hernandez.
The new asphalt surface has helped to improve the efficiency of the plant by making it easier for vehicles to move around the site and by providing a safe and level surface for workers to walk on. In addition, the new surface has also helped to improve the aesthetic appearance of the plant and make it more inviting for visitors.
Casting a New CMU Acoustic Wall Along the Plant’s Northern Border
The north side of Tesla’s Fremont plant is positioned just off a busy freeway, which produces a considerable amount of traffic noise. In order to mitigate this problem, Tesla asked Azul Works to install a new CMU acoustic wall along the north side of the property. This wall was constructed using concrete masonry units (CMUs), which are a type of concrete block that is filled with insulation material.
The CMUs were cast in place and then attached to the existing wall using a special adhesive. The new wall has helped to reduce traffic noise at the plant, making it more pleasant for workers and visitors. In addition, the new wall has also helped to improve the energy efficiency of the plant by reducing the amount of heat that escapes from the building.
Sandra Hernandez of Azul Works said they broke ground on the project in the spring of 2021 and was quick to complete the wall by early autumn of the same year, despite ongoing difficulties of managing a major construction site alongside a major traffic zone. Nevertheless, the project came in within budget and was completed according to Tesla’s requested schedule.
Final Thoughts on Azul Works’ Completed Projects
In recent years, Azul Works has applied its high standards to a number of major projects, including the expansion of Tesla’s Fremont plant. The company has successfully completed all stages of the project, from excavation and asphalt paving to the installation of a new CMU acoustic wall. Thanks to Azul Works’ efforts, the plant is now more efficient, sustainable, and pleasant for workers and visitors.
