In the high-stakes world of construction, where precision and efficiency can make or break a project, staying ahead of the curve is essential.
For Lighthouse Electric, a family-owned electrical contractor based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the challenge wasn’t just meeting the demands of a fast-evolving industry—it was ensuring the company could thrive for generations to come.
Faced with the looming “third-generation curse” that dooms many family businesses, Lighthouse Electric turned to innovation and technology as the keys to its longevity.
Central to this transformation was Bluebeam, a digital collaboration tool that revolutionized the way the company approached its work, setting a powerful example of how to future-proof a legacy in an ever-changing field.
Facing the third-generation challenge
Founded in 1984 by Tony Mikec and his sons, Lighthouse Electric began as a small business with a single contract: lighting a church parking lot. Over the years, the company grew into a major player in the electrical contracting industry, completing high-profile projects for business centers, hospitals and even sports stadiums.
Still, as the third generation of leadership stepped into their roles, Lighthouse Electric’s management recognized a common threat.
Family-owned businesses often face significant challenges in sustaining success across generations. Research indicates that approximately 30% of such businesses transition to the second generation, about 12% make it to the third and only 3% survive to the fourth generation and beyond.
Determined to beat the odds, the company conducted a comprehensive audit in 2015 to identify inefficiencies and establish a plan to ensure long-term growth.
“They process mapped the entire thing and looked to eliminate duplicate workflows and streamline their processes,” said Matt Dole, Lighthouse Electric’s director of workforce development, who was close to its digitization effort.
Strategic initiatives for growth
The audit revealed two core strategies to secure the company’s future: prefabrication and digitization.
Prefabrication, the process of assembling electrical components offsite in a controlled environment, allowed Lighthouse Electric to reduce time-consuming, error-prone work on job sites.
Digitization, the second pillar, focused on streamlining operations, minimizing manual paperwork and fostering better collaboration across teams.
Together, these strategies promised to make Lighthouse Electric more efficient, scalable and adaptable to the demands of modern construction.
Discovering Bluebeam
The shift toward digitization began with a practical problem: managing a large-scale buyout of light fixtures. For one project, thousands of fixtures needed to be tracked from purchase through installation, and the team struggled to find an efficient way to organize and monitor the data.
This challenge led Lighthouse Electric to discover Bluebeam, a digital collaboration tool that promised to simplify workflows. Initially used for tracking light fixtures, Bluebeam quickly proved its versatility. The team expanded its use across departments, unlocking new ways to improve communication and efficiency.
“We realized that Bluebeam had way more potential than just tracking light fixtures,” Dole said.
Implementing digital workflows
Transitioning from paper-based systems to digital workflows was no small task. The Planning Department led the charge, creating standardized procedures for Bluebeam use and documenting best practices to ensure consistent implementation.
There were challenges along the way. Employees had to learn new software, adapt to a paperless mindset and fine-tune workflows to match their specific needs. Mistakes were inevitable, but they became opportunities for growth as the team refined its processes.
Unlocking Bluebeam’s potential
Bluebeam’s features transformed how Lighthouse Electric worked. Custom columns and tool sets allowed the team to standardize data entry, which reduced errors and sped up routine tasks. The software’s Studio Sessions feature became a game-changer, enabling real-time collaboration between team members, even when spread across different locations.
This shift from paper-based workflows to digital collaboration not only improved day-to-day operations but also allowed the company to take on larger, more complex projects with confidence. Efficiency, accuracy and communication all improved, creating a solid foundation for future growth.
Scaling for the future
By digitizing its workflows, Lighthouse Electric streamlined onboarding processes, making it easier for new employees to hit the ground running. Standardized procedures ensured that every team member—regardless of experience—could quickly contribute to ongoing projects.
This scalability enabled the company to grow beyond its local roots. No longer confined by the inefficiencies of manual workflows, Lighthouse Electric expanded its reach and took on larger national projects, solidifying its reputation as an industry leader.
Looking ahead: building a sustainable legacy
Lighthouse Electric’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing change. By identifying critical areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions like Bluebeam, the company has not only overcome the “third-generation curse” but has positioned itself as a forward-thinking leader in the construction industry.
The company’s story highlights the importance of technology in shaping the future of construction. For businesses looking to thrive in a competitive landscape, Lighthouse Electric offers a blueprint: embrace innovation, digitize your workflows and never stop evolving.
“We bought Bluebeam in 2016,” Dole said, “and we’re still using it for electrical layout to this day because there just isn’t anything that can capture that much data as consistently and with that level of standardization as Bluebeam. Nothing has come close yet.”
This case study was inspired by Lighthouse Electric’s success story. Read more at Bluebeam.com.
