Liberty Electric Energizes New Manufacturing Facility in Warren

WARREN, Ohio – A high level of expertise and history of quality work is helping Liberty Electric maneuver its latest project at Cleveland Steel Container.

Electricians recently finished the underground infrastructure, but they will be on the job for at least another nine months, according to Nick Clemmer, project manager for Liberty Electric.

“It’s all about timing and making sure every piece is in place,” Clemmer said. “This is a yearlong project, but it’s picking up speed.”  

Industrial Experts Only

Cleveland Steel Container specializes in custom steel pail manufacturing and is expanding to a location on Enterprise Drive. The company also has facilities in Youngstown and Niles, and Liberty Electric has already been doing work at these locations.

“The company liked what they saw, and that got us in with the general contractor. So we bid on this new job and got it,” Clemmer said.

He said the project’s challenges include coordinating with other trades on the layout and engineering issues that demand quick thinking.

“The biggest thing is knowing what to look for, anticipating problems and leaving yourself a way out,” he said.

He noted adjustments like relocating panels to avoid sprinkler lines and embedding conduit before the concrete is poured are essential for staying on track and maintaining compliance.

“When you’re in this field long enough, you develop an instinct. I feel like I’m studying for an exam every day, memorizing the plans and placements.”

Permanent Power Delay

Another issue Clemmer ran into is the delay in getting certain equipment needed for permanent power.

“Because of the long lead times, the project will initially run on temporary generators until late spring, when the high-voltage Viper switch is expected to arrive.”

Clemmer said a transformer will eventually be set up across the road from the building. Ohio Edison will bore underneath the road to run the lines.

The Viper switch allows control over when and how power is distributed throughout the building. The voltage is then lowered through another transformer and distributed to various electrical panels at the facility.

Small Contractor, Big Impact

Liberty Electric has a reputation for handling industrial projects. Even with a team of 10, the company’s reach can sometimes extend beyond Ohio.

“We’re small, but we’ve got the capability to tackle big jobs,” Clemmer said.

In 2023, he worked in Oregon for three months, completing specialized furnace installations.

Clemmer served in the Army for three years before transferring to the trades. He started out with plumbing but later decided to enter the apprenticeship through IBEW Local 64.

“I hit the ground running, and in my third year, they gave me the chance to manage different things.”

Electrical Legacy

Clemmer credits his time in the military for preparing him as a leader. Mentoring young apprentices is also an integral part of his work.

“There’s so much you can get out of this. If you want to work with tools, there’s a place for you. If you want to move up, or own your own shop someday, this is the best place to start.”

Clemmer said there is more than one lane when it comes to the industry.

“Electrical work isn’t just bending pipe or pulling wire. It’s troubleshooting, understanding equipment and keeping things running smoothly.”

These all are skills Clemmer has needed at the Cleveland Steel Container project.

Liberty Electric is a member contractor of NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association consisting of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.

CREDIT: NECA-IBEW.

Pictured at top: Nick Clemmer, project manager at Liberty Electric, secures burial tape on main conduit lines at Cleveland Steel Container. This signals to excavators that electrical lines are present.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.