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Volume 13
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Number 12 H
DECEMBER 2016
Mechanically inclined
Building together
L-R: James Newsome and Ruben Zambrano
L-R: Rahman Rogers, Jeremy Tedrick and Andrew Gardner
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ounder Jerry Busch opened Mesa Mechanical Inc. in 1981. Now retired, Busch is still a part of the company and visits the office on occasion. Vice president Ruben Zambrano joined the company in 1982. Zambrano began working in the field as a construction and sheet metal worker. He worked his way up over the years. Today, Zambrano and Mark Johnson manage the company. “For the past few years we have been very fortunate to have a good work load in the Houston area,” Zambrano said. “There have been several work opportunities in 2016.” Operations manager James Newsome came on board in 2011. Newsome
has 42 years experience in the construction industry. He helps Zambrano run the construction side of the business. “We have quality people working with us and they do a great job,” Newsome said. “We try to get them the resources they need to continue to be successful.” Newsome says if a young person is interested in working in the construction industry, his best advice is to take a construction class and attend apprentice programs. “Several school districts offer construction classes in high school,” he said. “We have noticed the guys right out of high school are eager to learn. continued on Page 18
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eeing potential for growth in Houston, Alston Construction added an office at Haddington Drive in 2013. Radie Stroud II is the preconstruction director and manages the office, Andrew Gardner is the project engineer, Rahman Rogers is the project manager, Ian Farmer is the senior project manager and Jeremy Tedrick is a project superindendent. “Most of our work in Houston is tiltwall distribution warehouses and preengineered metal building projects,” Gardner said. “Things have been so busy lately. Right now we have projects spanning through 2018.” According to Gardner, the company hired three additional people in 2016
and are looking to hire more by the end of the year. Gardner says when employees from different locations across the U.S. visit the Houston location, they will all go out for dinner at a local restaurant. “The last place we all went out to dinner together was Pappasito’s Cantina on Interstate 10,” he said. When the folks get free time outside the office, they enjoy going hunting, fishing and watching football on the weekend. “We have a fantasy football league here at the office, too,” he said. “We keep up with the league when we have extra time.” continued on Page 18
Right on schedule
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.T. Leach Constructors LLC (GT Leach) took its client’s vision and made it a reality with the new ASTORIA Condominiums (Astoria) in Houston. The owner is Randall Davis, DC Partners. According to senior project manager Dallas Hardcastle, the $55 million project took 33 months to complete. The Astoria is a 75 unit, luxury condominium building. The 375,502sf, 21-story condo tower is over an eight story garage. “Many aspects of the exterior were defined on paper as ideas and concepts,” Hardcastle said. “GT Leach had the ability to complete the concepts, and then build the vision of the owner into the real world.” GT Leach managed to pour each floor consisting of 12,600sf of concrete in a single concrete pour which kept the project on schedule. “A restricted site in the upscale Gal-
leria/Uptown district bounded by Post Oak Blvd, Garretson and a 24/7 restaurant neighbor complicated the building process,” Hardcastle said. “GT Leach, along with a superb subcontractor team overcame this mobility challenge while providing a safe environment for all. “All interior finishes are of a high quality which necessities a close relationship between GT Leach and the expert tradesmen selected to install the finishes.” Hardcastle says the Astoria was GT Leach’s first project with balcony pools located off floors 26, 27 and 28. “The balcony pools were challenging in that it was designed to cantilever a concrete box at each corner of the building that was suspended above a patio and pool below,” he said. The four-story building marque is an adaption of the 1924 Esquire Theater in Los Angles, CA. ASTORIA Condominiums (center)
continued on Page 18
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Taking the tour
Construction News JOB SIGHT
Follow the signs
The Brite Lite Signs crew prepares to install a sign at Mattress Firm in Sugar Land. –ab
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L-R: Brian Adams and Juan Flores, Clean Harbors
lean Harbors hosted an open house to showcase its new daylighting and hydro excavation business in Houston at its Genoa Red Bluff Road location Oct. 27. “We are now providing turnkey daylighting and hydro excavation services in the Gulf Coast area,” said Brian Adams, senior vice president of daylighting and production services. “We wanted to take advan- L-R: Mario Ledezma, Joe Ferraro, Mike Mueller, Clean Harbors tage of the nice fall weather to invite our customers out for a barbecue lunch.” Customers from construction companies and engineering and consulting firms were able to check out the Hydrovac trucks on display and toured the refurbishment and repair facility. Clean Harbors is a provider of environmental, energy and industrial services. –ab
Stephen Lott and Jesus Flores, Clean Harbors, greet attendees at the open house.
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 3
A journey to remember
Dear readers
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S
The SES staff celebrates 15 years in business.
urveying Equipment Specialists Inc. (SES) welcomed customers at its 15-year anniversary open house at the Houston location Oct. 28. The SES staff were all in attendance, including Janet Carter Delgado, administrative secretary; Dora Hines, bookkeeper administration; Truoc Nguyen, master technician; Larry Bauer, warehouse/delivery manager; Terry Swann, president and Rudy Meneses, vice president/sales. “We held the open house so we
could thank our customers that have supported us over the years,” Meneses said. “We could not have made it this far with out them.” Meneses says staying committed to customer satisfaction has been key to staying in business for 15 years. “We feel that this attitude is one of our most important contributors to our success and to the success of the customers we serve,” he says. SES provides surveying and construction instruments and supplies. –ab
Customers tour the showroom and enjoy food, drinks and prizes at the event.
Submitted to Construction News
Afternoon tee
L-R: Chris Eakins, Allegion; Dave Carter, Allegion and Dwayne Trahan, AECOM, have a great day on the course at the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Houston Chapter Brian T. Harrington Golf Classic at The Club at Falcon Point Oct. 10. –ab
Houston
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Houston Editor — Abby BeMent — HoustonEditor@ConstructionNews.net — 832-595-0091 Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editorial/Production . . . . . . Reesa Doebbler Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyndi Wright Admin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lacie Cortez Production Manager . . . . . . . . . Sue Johnson Account Manager . . . . . . . . . . . Dana Calonge Construction News Ltd. Home Office P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279 210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960 www.ConstructionNews.net If you are a construction-related company in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend or Montgomery counties and are not receiving a free copy of the Houston Construction News, please call for a Requester Form, or visit our website.
The Houston Construction News (ISSN 15477630) is published monthly by Construction News LTD., dba Houston Construction News, and distributed by mail to constructionrelated companies in Houston and surrounding counties. All submissions should be mailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis. Construction News, Ltd. , dba Houston Construction News, will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time.
©2016 Construction News, Ltd.
ouston Construction News entered the Houston market Nov. 1, 2003. We have covered the good news in the Houston construction industry for 13 years! The newspaper had its beginnings at a surprising place: the kitchen table of Buddy and Reesa Doebbler. The Doebblers had noticed that mainstream media largely ignores this vital segment of the population. Coming from the construction industry themselves, they felt confident that they could remedy the situation. We constantly strive to bring new faces into our pages and to continue to improve the newspaper each month. Houston Construction News remains a “good news” newspaper, reporting the positive aspects and accomplishments that make this industry and its people so dynamic. While we may include occasional statewide and national coverage, we concentrate on the local scene.
Each issue highlights a construction project by a local general contractor on the front page. Our in-depth Spotlight interview introduces industry business owners or executives by sharing their personal histories, outside interests and business accomplishments. Your outdoor photos and stories can be published in the Great Outdoor section. Our editorial content explores topics and reports about events you will not read anywhere else. In addition to including statewide and national coverage when appropriate, reporting positive aspects from the local scene is our first priority. I look forward to telling more of your stories in coming months. If you have news that would inform or entertain our readers, please send an email to houstoneditor@constructionnews.net or give me (Abby BeMent) a call at 832-595-0091. –ab
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Mario Rodriguez Sr. Owner Capital Surveying Supplies
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ario Rodriguez Sr. started Capital Surveying Supplies in his garage in 2007. His small business grew over the years with the help of his wife, Blanca, sons, Mario Jr. and Sergio and daughter, Alexandra. Rodriguez says working with his family is the most rewarding part about owning his company. “Knowing that my family could have done something else but decided to back me up really means a lot to me,” he said. “They stayed with me all these years. “Now I have my grandchildren (four girls and four boys) come to the showroom once or twice a week. They are all learning the business.” Capital Surveying Supplies provides surveying equipment and supplies to surveyors, engineers and contractors. Where were you born and raised, Mario? I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I have lived in Houston since 1976. What was it like growing up in Costa Rica? It was fun! I have many happy memories from when I was young. I have great memories of spending time at different beaches and volcanoes with my family. After I finished high school in Costa Rica, I decided to continue my education in Houston. Where did you go to college? I took classes at Houston Community College. I had to learn many things by myself when I first came to Houston. I didn’t know anyone in the city and I didn’t know the language. It was tough and sometimes I felt alone. This experience taught me how to survive. I worked, learned as much as I could and climbed the ladder. What was one of your first jobs when
you moved to Houston? I found a job as a shipping/mail room clerk at RL Sargent Co., a family- owned surveying supply store. I wasted no time making the most of my new opportunity. Founded by Raymond L. Sargent, the company was a well-known business throughout greater Houston area. After he passed away, Mr. Sargent’s widow Inez kept the love for her late husband alive through the continued operation of the business. She was an amazing teacher. I soon began to learn how she ran the business with integrity and honesty. I worked tirelessly to make the most of my entry-level position. I cleaned and refurbished the instrument cases and learned how to repair surveying equipment. I put in lots of elbow grease polishing the metal parts and stained the wooden cases to make them look better than new. I learned everything I could about the service end of the business. I gained experience as a technician, salesman and customer service representative over the years. What was a turning point in your career? A technical representative from Kern instrument company in Switzerland came to RL Sargent Co. to offer a three-day training class for those interested. As luck would have it, I was the only one who showed up for the class. The one-on-one interaction with the instructor, Hans Reider, made a lasting impression and he handpicked me for another training class. The class took place in Switzerland at the Kern manufacturing facility. It was a huge turning point in my career in the surveying industry. After Mrs. Sargent’s passing and many years later, I decided it was time to go out on my own. I worked at RL Sargent Co. for about 20 years. It was important to me to lead the way at Capital Surveying Supplies with the same integrity and honesty that Mrs. Sargent had taught and shown me. What were the early days like at Capital Surveying Supplies? In the early days, customers would drive to my house for supplies. It works for a short time but Blanca and I thought it would be much better to have an office. We decided to move to a U-Haul place in the beginning of 2008. We had more space there but it was awkward with the opening gates. Next, we found an office at the end of a building on W. Sam Houston Parkway North. Last year, we expanded so we were able to purchase the whole property and remodeled the showroom. We also have a training room were we train surveyors how to use the new
Mario Rodriguez Sr. is family man and loves to spend time with his wife, kids and grandchildren.
software, GPS, robotics and data collection. We bring the professionals here for a small fee. What does your family do at the company these days? Mario Jr. takes care of sales and manages employees and Sergio works in the service department. Blanca and my daughter Alexandra handle shipping, receiving and accounting. What has been the key to success, in your opinion? Over the years, I have learned that customer service is what counts. You can’t buy trust - you have to earn it and it takes a long time. What advice would you give a young person who wants to do what you do today? Work hard every day. Never look down, always look up. Learn from the more experienced people who can teach you something. Never take anything for granted. Always show appreciation when people want to help you. This world can be tough and cruel sometimes. Just be ready to not give up. Does your company participate in any industry trade shows during the year? Yes, we recently participated in the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS) annual Convention and Tech Expo in San Marcos. We had the chance to meet a lot of people at the expo. How long have you and Blanca been married? We got married 38 years ago. I met Blanca at a dance before I turned 18 years old. We celebrated our wedding anniversary in October.
When you have time away from work, what do you like to do? I am a family man and I spend lots of time with my wife, kids and grandchildren. I like to watch my grandson play football on Saturdays. His team is in the playoffs right now. If they win, they will go on to play a game at a big stadium. I don’t take many vacations because I have been so busy growing the company. I am working this hard for my kids and grandkids. I want to train them well so they can provide for their kids. I have just started to plan my first vacation in nine years. I told my wife we need to go somewhere and get out for at least two weeks. I have never been to Peru in South America so I have been researching the area. My wife and I want to go see Machu Piccu and hike down to see the Amazon River. We want to do something different and adventurous. What are your plans for the future? I’d like to continue to grow the company and stay up-to-date with the new and improved technologies in the surveying industry, such as robotics and GPS. We built our own GPS network. In the future, we want to make sure we stay competitive in the Houston market and provide the best supplies and equipment to our customers. We want to make sure to treat people the way we want to be treated. It is so important in this business. Personally, I want to teach my kids and my employees to be honest and always tell the truth in every situation. If they do this, everything is going to be all right. This is how I like to do business and I’d like to keep it this way for years to come. –ab
Construction News ON LOCATION
Taking pride in everyday business
The Capital Surveying Supplies team gathers in the remodeled showroom. Chief operating officer Randall Peterson, S&R Waterproofing and Roofing LLC, spends the day at the office. He has worked in the waterproofing and roofing field for 25 years. –ab
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 5
Vibe was electric
Construction News JOB SIGHT
Set in concrete
CenTex apprentice Riley O’Neal wins 2nd place in the National IEC 2016 wireoff competition.
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uring the week of Oct. 26-29, thousands of people from all over the U.S. converged on San Antonio for the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) annual national convention. –cw
Independent contractor Miguel Mendoza does concrete work outside the new Sherwin-Williams paint store near Highway 59 in Richmond. –ab
Construction News ON LOCATION
Champions at work
Texas awards included: Apprenticeship Alumni Award: Joe Chandler, IEC Dallas 2016 IEC National Apprentice of the Year: Riley O’Neal, Great Basin Industrial, CenTex IEC
Joe Chandler
Excellence in Construction Awards Multi-family up to three stories, including senior living: Central Electric (San Antonio); Kent Place Residences Low-Voltage Systems: Central Electric (San Antonio) Service Contractor: Milestone Electric (Garland) Milestone Electric
L-R: Anne Marie Chavera, Michael Laughlin, Philip Flores and Robin Byrd get their day started at Champion Rentals. –ab
Construction News ON LOCATION
Service stars
Central Electric in San Antonio took home two awards.
Submitted to Construction News
Planning central L-R: Kristi Garcia and Logan Bell greet customers with a smile at Morrell Masonry Supply Inc., a masonry supplier in Houston. –ab
Construction News ON LOCATION
All in the family
L-R: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) South Central Region held its annual Fall Conference Nov. 11-12 in Houston. Past directors who put the event together were (L-R) Dena Rowland (Fort Worth), Miki Haas (Northshore, LA), Jennifer Swinney (San Antonio), Sandy Field (Houston), Christine Barnhill (Northshore, LA), Julia Campbell (Fort Worth), Laura Culin (Austin), Karolene Pittman (Fort Worth), Luci Roberts (Austin). –mjm
L-R: Jose Rodriguez and his brother Valdemar enjoy working together at Rodriguez Drywall. The company provides commercial drywall services. –ab
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Contractors: 5 questions to start your year Michael Kuchar, CPA, CCIFP Construction Group Shareholder Doeren Mayhew Houston, TX
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eady or not, a new year is just around the corner. As your construction business looks to make it a successful one, consider these five best practices for optimizing your financial position. Are you taking advantage of all the tax savings opportunities available to you? Frequently overlooked by construction professionals, the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit rewards businesses for improvements to their processes or technologies. New and innovative construction techniques, improving an existing building structure and designing and constructing a new facility are just a few examples of projects that may meet the R&D tax credit requirements. The Section 179D deduction is another opportunity to consider. Although more complex to qualify for, Section 179D allows contractors performing qualified energyefficient lighting improvements for taxexempt entities to qualify for the deduction even though the cost of the improvements were paid for by the taxexempt entity. Have you created a budget for the year, and is it realistic? A well-constructed and maintained budget allows you to properly plan your expenses, determine revenue and ensure your financials are on track for each project. While creating your budget, be sure to estimate revenue, calculate upfront costs and account for your monthly expenses in order to get a better understanding of monthly financials. Once the actual numbers are in, make sure to compare your budget to actual costs to determine what changes you need to make for upcoming months or future projects. Stay on track with budgeting and your financials with benchmarking tools and resources available to you through the industry associations. Are you prepared to effectively manage your jobs? In order to keep projects on track and on budget, it’s important to know the job schedule and be prepared. By developing a schedule, you will know in advanced when every facet of the job is to begin, when it should be completed, timing for arranging subcontractors and progress throughout the various project stages. It is also important to keep in contact with your team and to have your group on the same page. Often times your team can provide strategic thinking to help with challenges as they arise and give valuable input on cost cutting throughout projects. This can be achieved by conducting weekly or biweekly meetings with accounting
professionals, management and account managers. Do you understand your financial standing and what the numbers mean? Working with accounting personal to analyze financial statements allows you to catch potential problems early on before they become bigger issues and result in costly losses. Understanding your financial standing allows you to be on the lookout for problematic areas impacting cash flow, such as profit fade, under-billings, change orders and flaws in the billing process. Communicate problems or concerns to your accounting professionals to develop and implement processes to minimize cash-flow risks. Have you taken steps to protect yourself from fraud and scams targeting the construction industry? As technology continues to evolve, fraud also continues to rise. The construction industry in particular is targeted because of the various cost inputs, multiple suppliers and subcontractors. Industry professional suggest establishing internal controls and implementing employee policies and procedures to reduce fraud opportunities. One scam we’ve been hearing a lot about involves a fraudulent email address imitating an assistant or company employee you work closely with, sending an email on your behalf asking for a wire transfer to the account they provide information for. Make sure your policies and procedures include measures to protect yourself from such scams. Once money has been transferred from one account to another, there is very little, if anything, that can be done to reverse the transaction or replace what has been lost. Planning for the unknown of what 2017 holds for your construction business can be challenging. Doeren Mayhew’s specialized group of construction CPAs can help you implement strategies that are just right for your individual needs. Michael Kuchar, CPA, is a shareholder and leader of Doeren Mayhew’s dedicated Construction Group in Houston. A top 100 U.S. firm, Doeren Mayhew’s CPAs and business advisors serve more than 500 suppliers and general and specialty contractors doing business domestically and abroad. For more information, visit www.doeren.com.
What is Surety??? Becky Landry, Surety Manager Catto & Catto LLP San Antonio, TX
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ebster’s defines surety as “a person who takes responsibility for another’s performance of an undertaking.” The first known record of contract suretyship appeared in an etched clay tablet from the Mesopotamian region in 2750 BC.
What is the difference between surety and insurance? Insurance is a device where a group of individuals contribute to a common fund for the purpose of utilizing this fund to pay for losses sustained by these individuals. It is a two party obligation between the insured and the insurance company and assumes there will be a loss. The policy premium is actuarially determined based on aggregate premiums earned versus expected losses. Surety operates on the premise that there will never be a loss. Surety is a three party obligation. One party (Surety Company) guarantees a second party (owner/obligee) the successful performance of a third party (principal/ contractor). Surety is more of a credit function. Sureties collect premiums as a charge for lending credit to a contractor. The fundamental difference between insurance and bonds is that surety companies demand reimbursement from principals in the event there is a loss. A General Indemnity Agreement is a contract between the surety company and the contractor. It obligates the contractor to protect the surety from any loss or expense that the surety sustains as a result of having issued bonds on behalf of the contractor. There are four basic types of contract bonds. Bid bonds assure the bid has been submitted in good faith and guarantees the bidder will enter into a contract at the proposed price and provide performance and payment bonds, if requested. A performance bond states that the principal will build whatever it is that he has contracted to build in accordance with the plans and specifications. A payment bond guarantees anyone supplying labor and/ or materials will be paid subject to the contract provisions. A maintenance bond may be requested upon completion of the project and guarantees against defective workmanship and materials. There are three main components that a surety company looks for in a contractor, which are also known as the Three C’s. Character – what is the moral and ethical nature of a contractor? What is his
standing and reputation in the community? Contractors should be honorable and dependable business people. Have they been in any previous legal disputes is also valuable information. What is their credit history and banking relationship? Do they have a line of credit? Reference letters indicating the size and scope of previous projects are very helpful in providing background information on projects completed. Capacity – does the contractor have the necessary skills, knowledge, manpower and ability to complete a project? Does he have the plant and equipment necessary to perform their contracts? Capital – measurement of the contractor’s financial ability to assume the risks of the business activity. Do they have the financial wherewithal to finance a new project along with their current obligations and any problems that could arise? Corporate and personal financial statements are required to determine the financial strength of the principal and their ability to support the bond provided by the surety company. While not necessarily one of the 3 C’s, but equally important is the Continuity of the company. What happens if the owner of a construction company dies unexpectedly or decides to retire? There should be a formal written plan of succession to complete all projects currently under contract. BuySell Agreements and Key-Man Life Insurance are both good instruments in providing continuity. A contractor should look for a surety producer they can trust, and who has the experience, integrity and knowledge to help a contractor grow. The producer should have a vast knowledge of the construction industry and be an integral partner of a contactor like his banker, attorney and CPA. Becky Landry is the Surety Manager for Catto & Catto, LLP. Her company and agency experience gives her a unique understanding of the surety industry. She can be reached at blandry@catto.com or by phone at 210-222-2161.
Submitted to Construction News
Submitted to Construction News
Making it to the top
World of architecture
TopGolf in Katy was the place to be for Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Houston Chapter members in October. Folks practiced their golf swing and networked with friends in the industry at the event. –ab
L-R: Will Dawson, Trent Stevens, Krista Thomas and Sydney Alfred, VLK Architects, volunteered to talk with high school students interested in architecture at Waller High School’s Career Day Oct. 26. –ab
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 7
Forum-Selection and Choice-of-Law Provisions: Are they enforceable?
A Roadmap for meeting the requirements of the respirable Crystalline Silica Law 29 CFR 1926.1153
John C. Warren, Principal Cokinos, Bosien & Young Houston, TX
Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX
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orum-selection and choice-of-law provisions are found in most construction contracts. You’re probably familiar with them; they generally stipulate the forum for any dispute resolution, and specify the law that will govern. These provisions are often utilized by larger construction companies that work across broad geographical areas to make dispute resolution more predictable, efficient, and/or advantageous. Though they might be overlooked by some at the outset of a new project, they quickly become an important consideration when a dispute arises. The forum for dispute resolution, and the law that will control such dispute, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the outcome of a legal battle. Even the most burdensome forum-selection and choice-of-law provisions, freely negotiated, are generally enforced as written by courts. quires courts and arbitrators to “rigor“Home-Rule” statutes In an apparent effort to protect local ously enforce” agreements to arbitrate in contractors, subcontractors and suppli- accordance with the terms of the coners from being forced to litigate in for- tract. This means for a project in Texas, if eign jurisdictions and/or pursuant to for- the contract has an agreement to arbieign laws, many state legislatures have trate in Louisiana under Louisiana law, enacted “home-rule” statutes to prohibit and the FAA applies, the parties will likely the enforcement of such clauses. Home- have to resolve any disputes in Louisiana. So what does this mean for you? Keep rule statutes generally void, or make voidable, contract clauses which provide an eye out for forum-selection and that the exclusive forum for dispute reso- choice-of-law provisions in your conlution shall be in another state, or subject tracts, as they can play a significant role disputes to the laws of another state. For in any dispute that may arise. If you are instance, Texas has a home-rule statute unsure as to whether they are enforcethat applies to a contract that is “princi- able, consult a construction lawyer for pally for the construction or repair of an advice. John C. Warren is a principal in the improvement to real property” located in Texas. It provides that if the contract con- Houston office of Cokinos, Bosien & Young. tains a provision making any conflict sub- John focuses his practice on all aspects of ject to another state’s law, or litigation/ construction law and commercial litigaarbitration in the courts of another state, tion.John has been involved in cases relatthat provision is voidable by the party ed to petroleum processing facilities, tank obligated to perform the construction. farms, marine terminals, pipelines, convenOver 20 other states have enacted similar tion centers, airports, schools, hospitals, such statutes, including Louisiana, Okla- hotels, federal government buildings, office homa, New Mexico, Florida, and Califor- buildings, condominiums, commercial/retail buildings, roads, bridges, and residennia. To better explain, consider a con- tial construction. In addition to his litigastruction project that is located in State tion practice, John also regularly drafts, reA. The contract, however, has a forum- views, and negotiates all types of construcselection and/or choice-of-law provision tion contracts. John is a frequent speaker that specifies disputes shall be litigated and author on various legal issues within in State B, pursuant to State B’s laws. If the construction industry, and has been State A has a home-rule statue, then the named a Texas “Rising Star” in Construcprovision in the contract designating tion Litigation in 2015 and 2016. He is “AV” State B as the forum and governing law rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review may be void (or at least voidable), and ratings, the highest rating possible. See his State A will then likely be the proper fo- full bio at: http://cbylaw.com/attorneys/ john-warren/ or email him at: jwarren@cbrum and law. ylaw.com. Kelsey L. Walker is an associate at CokiNot so fast - FAA preemption? However, home-rule statutes don’t nos, Bosien & Young that assisted with this always control. If the contract contains an article. She has a B.A. from Texas A&M Uniotherwise enforceable arbitration agree- versity and graduated from South Texas ment, so long as the project involves in- College of Law in 2016 where she was an terstate commerce (likely for most large editor for the Construction Law Journal construction projects), the Federal Arbi- and an officer in the Student Bar Associatration Act (“FAA”) has been held to pre- tion. empt home-rule statutes. The FAA reConstruction News ON LOCATION
1. Determine if the silica standard applies to your employees. Could employees be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above 25 μg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA under any foreseeable conditions, including the failure of engineering controls, while performing construction activities? No: No further action is required under the silica standard. Yes: Choose to comply with the standard using either the: Specified exposure control methods in Table 1, or The alternative methods of compliance 2. Determine what additional requirements you must meet under the standard, based on the compliance method you are following. Requirement
Must the Employer Follow this Requirement
PEL
No
Exposure Assessment
No
Methods of Compliance
No
Respiratory Protection
Yes, if respirator use is required by Table 1
Housekeeping
Yes
Written Exposure Control Plan
Yes
Medical Surveillance
Yes, for employees who must wear a respirator under the silica standard for 30 or more days a year.
Communication of Hazards
Yes
Recordkeeping
Yes, for any employees who are getting medical examinations
The silica standard for construction provides a flexible approach for construction employers to achieve compliance. The standard includes Table 1, which lists 18 common tasks using various types of tools or equipment found at construction sites. For each employee engaged in a task in Table 1, employers who choose to follow the Table for that task are required to fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified in Table 1. Employers who comply with Table 1 are not required to conduct exposure assessments or comply with a PEL for those employees. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232
Past issues of Construction News can be downloaded at www.ConstructionNews.net Construction News ON LOCATION
Triple the knowledge
Early risers
The TAS Commercial Concrete Construction crew works at the new Fort Bend County Justice Court parking lot in Richmond. Crain Group is the GC. –ab
L-R: John Pavliska, Adrian Garcia and Navd Moreno get materials ready for customers at Builders Products Inc. Established in 1955, the company is a distributor of specialty building products. –ab
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
On the right path
Industry FOLKS Saif Aladhami Salesman EZ Floors
S S&B Engineers & Constructors
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ocal high school students learned about the opportunities available to them in the construction industry at the Construction Careers Expo at the Pasadena Municipal Fair Grounds Oct. 27. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Houston Chapter and the Construction & Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF) hosted the event. More than 400 students participated in a variety of hands-on activities hosted by ABC member companies. –ab
Brown & Root
Polk Mechanical
Ref-Chem
aif Aladhami has helped customers find the right carpet, hardwood, tile or laminate for their residential or light commercial projects for two years. Today he works at the EZ Floors location on W. Sam Houston Parkway. “I have really liked working in the flooring business,” Aladhami said. “I have learned so much about all the different types of flooring. I have enjoyed getting to know my co-workers too. They have helped me along the way.” Aladhami works at the showroom and he also goes to customer’s projects to measure jobs. Before he joined the company, he lived in New Jersey and worked in the medical field in Manhattan, NY. One of his first jobs was working in medical transportation as a driver. He picked up clients from their houses or nursing homes and drove them to the hospital. Next, Aladhami studied to become a nursing assistant at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ. “After I graduated I tried to work as a nursing assistant for six months,” he said. “I eventually decided I wanted to pursue another job. I am glad I found a job in the flooring business.” When he has free time, Aladhami plays indoor soccer with his co-workers at EZ Floors.
“We play at an indoor field every Saturday,” he said. “Our team name is EZ Floors. The company owner plays with us, too. “I also enjoy traveling to new places in the United States when I have the opportunity. The last place I went to was the Riverwalk in San Antonio. It was nice!” According to Aladhami, EZ Floors has an annual dinner at the end of January for all the employees at the eight locations around Houston. “We meet at the dinner to talk about work and about goals we have for the New Year,” he said. “The great part about working at the company is the salespeople have a good connection with the installers. “We talk every day to figure out the jobs the installers have completed and the jobs they are working on. Good communication is important in this business. I look forward to working here for years to come!” –ab
One stop tool shop
Turner Industries
Brock
Bechtel
Zachry
L-R: Steve Martin, Steve Fry, Charles Garrison, Natalie Haughton and Bill Haughton
Construction News ON LOCATION
Lining up jobs
Production manager Patrick Robb, Apple Contractors, is busy at the office before the Thanksgiving holiday. The company provides commercial millwork services. –ab
H
& H Tool Service Inc. has added new inventory such as tools and accessories and has more equipment rental fleet in 2016. “We have come a long way since 1991,” said owner Natalie Haughton. “We started out in a garage and from there we rented the backside of an electrical contractors building. We are now located in a building on McAllister Road in Houston.” The folks at the company have enjoyed meeting customers such as electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors over the years. “We have survived all these years by changing with the times and working hard every day,” Haughton said. Haughton works with her brother Bill, Steve Martin, Steve Fry and Charles Garrison. When Haughton and employees aren’t working, they like spending time
going bay fishing in Galveston, deer hunting on a property in the Piney Woods, snorkeling and scuba diving. “I love going scuba diving in Cozumel,” Haughton said. “Cozumel is beautiful and it is inexpensive to go. It is not too far from home.” Haughton says she has also been scuba diving in the Unites States Virgin Islands. “From the first time I went scuba diving, I new I wanted to go more in the future,” she said. Looking ahead, Haughton says she and employees would like to continue to grow the company. “I would like to find a location nearby on a busier street to get more walk-in customers,” she said. H & H Tool Service sells, rents and repairs commercial and industrial tools in Houston. –ab
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 9
regular basis. As soon as the water gets cooler you should notice a better feeding window during morning hours as the sun warms the water throughout the day. Pay close attention to major and minor feeding times and be sure to be fishing an area you have confidence in during these times. Many people make the mistake to relocate to a different spot and don’t realize the bite may be happening while they are moving.
Last cast of the year by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Majek Boats, Evinrude Outboards, E-Z Bel Construction, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Aggregate Haulers, ForEverlast Hunting and Fishing Products, MirrOlure, andColumbia Sportswear.
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oodbye fall fishing patterns and let’s make some room for winter trophy trout fishing. As we prepare to close out the 2016 season, we are also getting out our winter wading gear for the beginning of some of the best trophy trout action of the New Year. Anglers that prefer wading shorelines and the popular rocks in the Baffin Bay complex throwing artificial lures, this is your time to shine. Although water levels and temperatures remain higher than normal, it’s just a matter of time before they began to fall as we start getting cold fronts in on a
ter throughout the year. If you are searching for the perfect gift for the outdoors person in your family, I offer gift certificates for your convenience. Give me a call and I can set one up on a moments notice.
wait till all the good dates are gone! To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail.com. Good luck and Good Fishing.
I have already started to fill the calendar for the upcoming 2017 season. Don’t
It is also important to remember that as water temperatures start falling, your presentation should slow down as well. Smaller lures work best finding feeding fish before changing to the larger patterns for wall hangers. Don’t be mistaken - some of the largest trout I have brought to the Boga Grip have come of 3-4 inch soft plastic lures. Wade fishing is usually the norm during this time of the year, slow rolling soft plastics and suspending baits over soft mud and rocks in Baffin Bay. While top water baits land some of the largest specks during warmer months, they will still land some large trout throughout the winter. Don’t be afraid to give your favorite plug a few casts, especially amidst an abundance of mullet. If you catch one of these beauties make sure you handle them with care. Their only protection against predators is their slimy coating. Try to keep them wet while taking photos and never use a towel to handle them, as you will remove their natural defense. Before closing, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I would also like to thank all of my clients who have fished with me in the years past. Another shout out is to all of my sponsors that help make my job bet-
Merry Christmas Y’all! Submitted to Construction News
Life in the fast lane
Junior Wilkerson, Aggreko, wanted to drive on the Texas Motor Speedway track for his 60th birthday in May but didn’t get the chance, so he was excited to attend the Texas AirSystems customer appreciation at the track Oct. 28. He had the chance to drive 10 laps in a real NASCAR with a trained driver. –ab
Trophy tout season is upon us and it’s the most productive time of the year to land a 30” trout like this one caught in Baffin Bay by Capt. Steve Schultz.
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country, You can hear Ken on the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on iHeart Radio
Make your escape!
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he campfire crackled and I gathered my jacket closer around me. Granny was getting to the part where her great grandma Josie and her sister spied the Indian in the tree at the watering hole. Those girls turned tail and flew home as fast as their high-buttoned shoes could carry them, and they could hear the Indian behind them just about falling out of the tree laughing at them! They lived to tell the tale and we still tell it to this day, a century and a half later. If you have ever shared a campfire with someone, you can probably relate to what a special experience it is. It doesn’t matter if it is a deer camp cooking fire or a wiener roasting beach fire, it doesn’t take long for everyone to come close for the warmth and company. Tall tales and outright truths all take on a new life as your gaze is drawn to the flames. We need to do more of this. Now we are finally getting to the time of year when a fire feels good and we get to see friends and family during the holidays and hunting season. Try to get in a little fireside time if you can. It is an elemental part of who we really are and where we have come from. We have come a long, long way from needing fire to survive. It has chased
Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You
Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com
Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!
Submitted to Construction News
Good catch! ParkUSA employees went bay fishing for speckled trout with their coworkers and customers in Galveston Bay this fall season. -ab
L-R: Jimmy, Kaydee and Keith, ParkUSA and friend
L-R: Zac and Ariatna, ParkUSA and customers
away our fear of the night, cooked our food and kept us warm, but we largely have gotten over it. Now television tells us stories, the internet gives us our gossip, and our phones and computers run our lives. I wonder about this technological prison we seem to be making for ourselves. Even old school me sometimes forgets that I can just put the device down, and back away from the screen. We are so blessed to be in Texas! We have access to just about any kind of place you can imagine to get out and explore and play. Go west for mountains and desert sands. Up north you’ve got prairies and Canyonlands. Central Texas has hill country, wildflowers and BBQ to die for. East Texas has forests, lakes and swamps and south Texas has big old deer and beaches…did you say beaches? We have the whole gulf coast to play on! Texas has 94 State Parks that give you access to all of this! Anything you want to do is right outside the door. Fishing and hunting are always popular, but then you have birding and stargazing. You can hard or take it easy, waterski or go kayaking, or just float a lazy river. Make it your own kind of adventure. And most importantly, take a kid with you if you can! Kids today have not known the preelectronic world. If you don’t help them discover the rest of the world they are about to inherit, how can they understand the importance of caring for it and about it. This holiday season, the most important gift you can give might just be the gift of your time and the outdoors. We need to remind ourselves and teach our youth that we are so much more than the devices that entertain and enslave us. Happy holidays! Have some fun and we’ll see you next year!
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 11
Honoring United States veterans
Shooting for a cause
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olunteers, donors and vendors participated in the 3rd annual Andy Allen Clays for a Cure Challenge at American Shooting Center Oct. 14. Company representatives from the Houston construction industry, including Baker Triangle, Trendsetter Engineering, Fast Track Specialties and Gallant Building, attended the event. Highlights from the event included shooting games, a silent auction, a vendor expo and other activities. The tournament brought in proceeds of $50,000 and benefitted The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. –ab
L-R: Timothy Allen and Jeff Gunn
Clunn Acoustical Systems
W
hen folks in the construction industry gather, good things happen. This was the case at the 6th annual Guitars N’s Cars event at the Sam Houston Race Park Oct. 22. Architects, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers and their families attended the charity car show. Clunn Acoustical Systems and
Houston Construction Industry Charities (HCIC) organized the event. The auto show featured a live band, a kid zone, raffle prizes, food and drinks and plenty of cars, bikes and trucks. The event benefitted the US Vets Midtown Terrace. Clunn Acoustical Systems is an acoustical contractor. –ab
John Glaze, Fast Track Specialties LP (right)
Don Humphries
Adaptive Construction Solutions
CertainTeed
Red, white and blue sports cars
The cars on display at the Sam Houston Race Park parking lot.
Big City Access
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
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Boo!
olks at BakerTriangle, Century A/C Supply, Fireproof Contractors Inc., Marek and Rogers-O’Brien Construction wore creative Halloween costumes to the office Oct. 31. They had a spooktacular time! –ab
Fireproof Contractors Inc.
Marek
Marek
Marek
Full house BakerTriangle
United Tool and Fastener
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nited Tool and Fastener and their vendors hosted an Open House at the Houston location Nov. 8. Local customers enjoyed lunch and networked with friends in the construction industry. Vendors such as DeWalt, Reed Manufacturing and Protective In-
dustrial Products had demos and oneday show specials. United Tool and Fastener is a construction supply company offering a range of supplies, tools, and equipment. The company also has locations in Austin, San Antonio and College Station. –ab
Reed Manufacturing
Protective Industrial Products
DeWalt
Century A/C Supply
Rogers-O’Brien Construction
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 13
Who is your favorite athlete? Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. He is my favorite! The Cowboys are playing very well this year and I hope they go far this football season. Kristy Wheeler, Ahern Rentals
My all time favorite athlete is Michael Jordan who played for the Chicago Bulls. I loved watching him play basketball and win championships when I was a kid. Leon Reyes, Action Gypsum Supply
I am going to have to say Ezekiel Elliott who plays the running back position on the Dallas Cowboys. I hope he gets Most Valuable Player! Clacy Lanier, Herc Rentals
My favorite athlete is the competitive swimmer Michael Phelps. He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time. He did great at the Olympics this year! JP Spees, Sunstate Equipment Co.
My favorite athlete is J.J. Watt, the defensive end on the Houston Texans. He does well on the field and helps out in the community too. Billie Rosser, Morrison Supply
Ben Roethlisberger who plays the quarterback position on the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is good! Mike Gage, Metal Building Supply
J.J. Watt with Houston Texans! He is a great athlete and my favorite football player. Thomas Brookshire, Southern Fastening Systems
Luck of the draw
Wildcat Electric Supply employees
Kurt Warner. He is from Iowa, like me, and he went to college at the University of Northern Iowa. He went undrafted and worked at Hy-Vee before going to the Arena League then the NFL. It’s a movie-like career from a guy from a place that I know. Chris Schoonover, Construction News
Construction News ON LOCATION
Work hard play hard
W
ildcat Electric Supply held a 2016 Texas Hold’em Casino Night at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. in November. Employees, customers and friends enjoyed beer tasting and played Texas Hold’em, craps, blackjack and darts during the evening. They also had the opportunity to play the Money Machine. –ab
Wildcat Electric Supply customers and friends taste different beers at the event.
After a busy week at the showroom, Sandy Flores, Hilltop Granite, looks forward to playing recreational soccer with her friends. –ab
Staying determined
Attendees had fun at the gaming tables.
Going above and beyond
L-R: Jesus Amaya and Sergio Gonzalez do a little bit of everything at the shop.
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riginally focused on sheet metal work, Vazquez Sheet Metal & Roofing has worked on more residential and commercial roofing jobs this year. Beronico Vazquez is the owner. Vazquez fabricates in the shop with the guys and other times he does paperwork in the office. He began working in the construction industry when he was 17. “I love going out to the jobsites and having the opportunity to meet different people during the week,” Vazquez said. “Being my own boss is great too!” Vazquez’s cousin Sergio Gonzalez is a roofer at the company. Jesus Amaya is also a roofer. Everyone at the company does a little bit of everything at the shop. “Sometimes we will bring in food from a local restaurant and have lunch together here at the shop,” Vazquez said.
“We like going to watch soccer games in Houston and we enjoy playing recreational soccer on the weekends.” Vazquez says his cousin Sergio coaches boxing for students starting at 8-years-old and older. He coached his 18-year-old son Sergio Jr. from the time he was 13. Although he doesn’t have much time for hobbies these days because he is busy growing the company, Vazquez says he tries to go fishing at the Texas Gulf Coast every chance he gets. “Business picked back up this year, which is a good sign,” he said. “We look forward to 2017!” Vazquez Sheet Metal & Roofing provides commercial and residential sheet metal work, including sheet metal repairs, chimney finishing and metal roof repairs and installation. –ab
L-R: Juan Ramirez and Dionicio Benitez
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he family business Colorstone MFG Inc. has flourished in the Houston market for 15 years. Receptionist Fabiola Lopez has worked at the company for more than a year. She interacts with builders and contractors who visit the yard during the week. “We have stayed very busy in 2016,” Lopez said. “This year we added more Pavestone and different stone shades for our customers to choose from at our yard. “Owner Moe Mirza is always here at the office when someone makes a large order. Other days he goes to the jobsites to take photos of completed jobs.” Juan Ramirez and Dionicio Benitez make and paint cast stone on a daily basis. According to Lopez, the company has had the same location on Clay Road
since the beginning. “The company has stayed in business for 15 years because of lots of hard work,” she said. “Customer service is key in this business. “We are planning a company get together to celebrate the anniversary at the end of the year. We will most likely have a barbecue lunch or dinner.” When the folks at the company have free time, they like spending time with their families, watching Houston Texans play football on the weekend, going hunting and fishing and listening to music. “We look forward to another 15 years in business and beyond,” Lopez said. Colorstone MFG manufactures cast stone products and supplies available for wholesale or retail specialty for builders and contractors. –ab
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Breakfast is ready
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Construction News JOB SIGHT
Heavy metal
ABC members visit company representatives at expo tables.
ocal contractors networked and made new contacts at the Marriott Houston North Hotel Nov. 11. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Houston Chapter held the Membership Breakfast. Members also showcased their services at expo tables during the morning. Peter Beard, senior vice president of regional workforce development at Greater Houston Partnership, Chuck Gremillion, executive director of Construction Career Collaborative (C3), and Roy Watson, chairman of the East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA) workforce development committee spoke at the event. –ab
United Tool and Fastener
L-R: Arturo Ortiz, Nestor Ortuno and Adolfo Garza, Exclusive Service of Texas, install a new metal panel on the entrance of Stripe-N-Sweep Inc. –ab
Submitted to Construction News
Mix and mingle
PV Rentals
The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Houston Chapter held a Schmooze & Mingle event at the Refinery Nov. 16. L-R: Amy Hammond, JE Dunn Construction Co. and Luis Rincon, Berger Iron Works –ab
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 15
Construction Equipment Working to solve workforce problem Brian P. McGuire, President and CEO Associated Equipment Dealers Shaumburg, IL.
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s you are aware, there is a shortage of skilled technical workers, and the construction industry is in dire need of qualified technicians. AED is making strides to quantify this issue and change it for the better through a workforce study in collaboration with the College of William & Mary. Acknowledging that our industry has a problem is the first step. There are many job openings and not enough people to properly fill them. Fifty percent of the responders in AED’s workforce study stated that the inability to find skilled workers hinders business growth and creates inefficiencies in their organizations. This generates a huge domino effect, causing major problems in these businesses.
The impact of this skills gap is great. Businesses affected by it may be losing as much as nine percent in yearly revenue. The ramifications of this calculation, if true for both manufacturers and distributors, will be profound impact for both sectors. It could lead to losses of as much as $2.4 billion for distributors and $180 billion for manufacturers. AED does, however, have an idea why these issues are arising. There have
been a lack of certification and accreditation programs ensuring that college and technical school students are getting the proper education. To remedy this, The AED Foundation Accreditation program is trying to reach as many technical schools and college technician programs as possible to ensure that the necessary education is made available. Our accreditation program assures that students are well prepared for a technical career right out of school and that dealers get workers who are ready for the challenges these careers hold. Continuing education is also important. Technology in this field is ever and quickly changing, and workers must constantly adjust to the new technology. Professional development opportunities such as webinars, self-study courses and seminars provide vital information to keep workers ahead of the curve and prepared for changes in the industry. The AED Foundation provides these opportunities for workers in any depart-
ment of a business, so there are options for everyone. Our researchers at the College of William & Mary are already working to help us further improve career educational programs nationwide. AED’s next study – due out in early 2017 – will investigate what’s happening on at the state level (where all federal career technical education dollars, along with state funds, are managed). By reviewing policies, charting investment levels and documenting the condition of skills-based training in our secondary schools, the new report will provide tools that we can use to bolster and maximize the value of workforce development programs. This industry-wide issue is one that needs to be resolved quickly, and one that AED is aiming to help resolve with our continuous work. If you care about the future of our industry and this issue specifically, AED would appreciate your involvement in our association. –cw
Deere
Link Belt
T
he TCC-1100 110-ton has been well received and is the third in a growing lineup of Link-Belt telescopic crawlers, cementing the company’s presence in the market. Its design focuses on robustness, simplicity and reliability for the general contractor or bare rental fleet owner. It offers an impressive capacity chart at radius that rivals even lattice crawler cranes with a similar base rating. Its full power boom, fabricated from ultra-highstrength steel and formed in Link-Belt’s own facility, makes it fast and east to operate. The main boom is 150 feet (45.7 m) long and incorporates Teflon wear pucks to eliminate boom grease.
For more information on the TCC-1100, contact HOLT Crane & Equipment at 877714-0978.
Wacker
T
he John Deere 1050K was designed and built with state-of-the art tools and techniques. Boasting more power and weight than the J-Series model it replaces, the 1050K Dozer delivers the performance you need for mining, quarrying, road building, and other large-scale applications. When you compare it to other crawlers in its class, the John Deere 1050K is the obvious choice. From the ground up, the completely redesigned 1050K features a John Deere PowerTechTM engine with the superior power-to-weight ratio to provide the traction needed to push more material.
Dual-path hydrostatic transmission allows you to push a full load through turns without losing material, unlike torqueconverter transmissions on competitor machines. Other enhancements include an EPA Final Tier 4 (FT4)/EU Stage IV diesel engine for work in nonattainment areas. And a new EcoMode that regulates engine rpm to burn up to 25-percent less fuel. Plus the visibility, operating ease, responsiveness, and reliability you've come to expect from our crawlers. This dozer is loaded with all the fatigue-beating amenities an operator needs to get “in the zone” and become more productive.
Leica
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his mid size dumper features a 6,600 lb (3-metric ton) payload capacity, power swivel material handling and hydrostatic permanent four-wheel drive as standard. The hydrostatic drive system offers user-friendly controls, eliminating the need to change gears. The 3001 offers superior performance, the drive system automatically provides torque when and where it is needed. With no clutch to wear or gears to grind, hydrostatic drive eliminates the high parts and labor costs associated with replacing these components. ROPS and heated cab versions are available. • Operator station is easily accessible
from both sides for added convenience. • Swivel bucket allows material to be unloaded on either side of the unit for ultimate versatility. • Four-wheel drive provides perfect traction in difficult terrain. Articulated steering with central hose routing allows for tight turning radius and protection of the hoses. • Dashboard displays a full range of dials/ indicator lights such as fuel gauge, low fuel warning light and parking brake light for operator convenience. • Engine cover lifts high giving excellent access to all the service points
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eica Geosystem has introduced the world’s first self-learning MultiStation Robotic Total Station. The Leica Nova
MS60 brings together all available measurement technologies in one instrument, including 3D scanning, robotic total station capabilities, and GPS connectivity. To further meet the demands of ever-changing work sites; the MS60 multistation combines the latest measurement technology with the world’s first self-learning targeting recognition environment, ATRplus. With the use of dynamic laser control, history logs of reflected laser targets and tighter sensor synchronization, Leica’s ATRplus technology ushers in the latest generation of robotic total stations and the one and only MultiStation capable of continuously adapting to a changing environment.
Page 16
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Construction Equipment Xtreme
Snorkel
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he new Snorkel S3219E provides 19feet of platform height from a 32-inch wide chassis and can lift 550 lbs. Nonmarking tires and saloon-style entry gates are fitted as standard. It is part of the new Snorkel hydraulic drive electric slab scissor lift family that was launched earlier this year. The family includes four models: S3219E, S3226E, S4726E, and S4732E. Designed for the rental industry, the S3219E is packed with innovative features that benefit both the rental company and the operator. The new dual shear design scissor stack features oversized pins to increase stack rigidity and increase the life of the machine. The platform is made from 12-gauge diamond plate, eliminating the need for grip tape. The S3219E’s 36-inch roll-out deck extension has telescopic rails meaning that the operator can utilize the maximum floor space of the platform whether stowed or extended. Upper controls are hard mounted to reduce theft and the lower controls are positioned in the rear of the chassis, allowing easy access when machines are parked side-by-side. A control panel for loading is located on the external toe board of the machine, allowing the operator to ‘walk’ the machine onto a truck without needing to be inside the platform. The lifts have a gravity-actuated, over-center active pothole protection system that does not rely on springs or hydraulics. The kingpins have been enhanced by a factor of eight, to eliminate breakage, especially from forklifts when moving the machines. The S3219E has a 90° steering design. Efficient maintenance is an important factor for rental companies, and the Snorkel scissor lifts feature an ‘inside-out’ twin door tray design which makes ser-
vicing the equipment light work. The smaller door trays also carry less weight, meaning less strain on the door hinges. The tray is housed in heavy-duty ¼ steel that provides additional protection to the machine’s electrics. The chassis features a solid plate underneath it to protect the undercarriage and a flat top to ensure that any debris falls onto the ground during power washing and does not remain within the machine. With 25% gradeability and a long duty cycle per charge, the new Snorkel series of electric slab scissor lifts are designed to deliver a long working life with minimal downtime and low maintenance costs. The lifts are now in production and are available to order. To find out more about the Snorkel S3219E, contact Ahern Rentals at 800400-1610 or visit www.ahern.com.
X
treme Manufacturing’s XR4030 heavy-duty rough terrain telehandler can lift up to 40,000 lbs. Designed for lifting large loads, the XR4030 also boasts up to 30 ft. of lift height and a forward reach of up to 16 ft. 4 in., maximizing its use for many applications across the jobsite. Xtreme Manufacturing telehandlers’ feature a solid steel plate chassis, high quality components and a reliable Perkins engine, making them ideal for working in tough conditions, such as large construction sites, as well as oil and gas, utilities and mining applications. The XR4030, like all Xtreme telehandlers, is designed to get the job done safely and efficiently. Standard features, such as 360° operator visibility from the cab, and an integrated boom lift point to support suspended loads, help to mini-
mize the risk of accidents. Long life boom rollers are maintenance free, and reduce boom chatter for smoother operation when positioning a load. Xtreme operator boom controls are designed to permit the operator to keep one hand on the steering wheel at all times. The Xtreme XR4030 is designed to be the ‘swiss army knife’ of the jobsite, with its lift capacity and reach providing a solution for most jobsite lifting applications. The XR4030 can further be customized with a range of attachments, which now includes a new pipe & pole grapple attachment that can lift pipes and poles up to 7 ft. diameter, with a lift capacity of up to 35,000 lbs. The Xtreme XR4030 is available to order. To find out more about the Xtreme XR4030, contact Ahern Rentals at 800400-1610 or visit www.ahern.com.
Bobcat
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obcat® compact excavators are your smart choice for general excavation and site preparation projects. Bobcat excavators offer more exclusive features to help you be more productive and maximize your uptime. At Bobcat of Houston, find the industry's largest excavator lineup and find your ideal combination of dig depth, arm configuration and tail swing style. Smart options – such as the only clamp-ready extendable arm, the unique Pro Clamp system or Hydraulic X-Change – solve your unique jobsite challenges. With more than a dozen approved compact excavator attachments, Bobcat can maximize your versatility and limit the need for multiple machines. For more information, contact Bobcat of Houston at (866) 414-8236.
NEXT MONTH January 2017
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Oct: Specialty Contractors Nov: Architecture & Engineering Dec: Construction Equipment
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Page 17
Round-Up
Construction News ON LOCATION
Demolition day
Daniel Gaitan has joined Stantec as a senior designer in Stantec’s architectural practice within the Buildings Group. Gaitan has designed for public and private clients for nearly two decades – with a specialization in the healthcare industry. Gaitan graduated with his Bachelor in Architecture from the University of Houston.
Assistant manager Martin Rodriguez takes care of business at Precision Demolition. The company has provided interior, selective and wrecking demolition for commercial applications since 1999. –ab
Construction News ON LOCATION
Submissions
Round-Up
Stone goals
Charles Hamel has joined the GLMV Architecture Houston office as a senior architect. Hamel received his Bachelor of Architecture from Texas A&M University.
Cliff Santellana, Ron Jacobson and Mike Kasper have joined Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing in Houston. Santellana and Jacobson are the Santellana new project estimators for roof maintenance and leak repair. Kasper is a project coordinator in the waterproofing and caulking department.
Jacobson
Kasper
This is a monthly section for brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge, as space allows. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Email (w/digital photo, if available) by the 15th of any month, for the next month’s issue (published 1st of each month). Email info to appropriate city issue, with “Round-Up” in the subject line: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio: saeditor@constructionnews.net Austin: austineditor@constructionnews.net Dallas/Ft. Worth: dfweditor@constructionnews.net Houston: houstoneditor@constructionnews.net
Submitted to Construction News
Honoring safety President Sophia Su oversees operations at the Stone Future Inc. Houston location. The company provides both standard and cut-to-size granite countertops, vanities and sinks. –ab
Association Calendar
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC
CFMA
Associated Builders & Contractors
Construction Financial Mgmt. Association
Dec. 7: CYCLE Bike Build Dec. 13: Pork Butt Fundraiser and PAC Christmas Party For more information call 713-523-6222
AGC Associated General Contractors
Dec. 7: Safety Professionals Appreciation Event and Happy Hour, 3pm, Cottonwood, 3422 N. Shepherd Dr. For more information call 713-843-3700
AIA American Institute of Architects
Dec. 3: 3rd Ward Bicycle Tour Dec. 10: 8th Annual Gingerbread Build Off, 10am, City Hall’s Hermann Square, 900 Smith St. Dec. 17: Rock Building Stones: Downtown Geology & Materials Tour Dec. 31: Buffalo Bayou Walking Tour For more info: www.aiahouston.org
ASA American Subcontractors Association
Dec. 1: Building Leaders Development Group Happy Hour, 5:30pm, Karbach Brewing Co. Dec. 15: No General Lunch meeting in December For more information call 281-679-1877
ASCE
Dec. 6: Social, 4pm For more info: www.houston.cfma.org
CSI Construction Specifications Institute
Dec. 15: CEUs for Procrastinators and Holiday Party, United Way of Houston For more info: www.csihouston.org
FPA Foundation Performance Assoc.
Dec. 14: Monthly meeting, 5pm, The HESS Club For more information: www.foundationperformance.org
IEC
Local companies including Slack & Co., Aggregate Technologies, Quadvest and Bortunco received safety awards at a Houston Contractors Association (HCA) luncheon held at the Junior League of Houston in late October. Congrats! –ab
Submitted to Construction News
Ready, set, network
Independent Electrical Contractors
Dec. 21: Monthly meeting For more information call 713-869-1976
MCA Mechanical Contractors Association
Dec. 21: Membership meeting and Christmas Party, 11:30am, The HESS Club For more information: 281-440-4380
NECA National Electrical Contractor Assn.
Dec. 3: Annual meeting and Christmas Party For more information call 713-977-2522
American Society of Civil Engineers
WCA
Dec. 8: PE Luncheon, 11:30am, Terracon, 11555 Clay Rd. For more information visit www.ascehouston.org
Women Contractors Association
Dec. 1: Hard Hats and Heels, 6:30pm, Hilton Garden Inn, 14919 Northwest Freeway For more information call 713-807-9977
Associated General Contractors (AGC) Houston Chapter members met at Crisp Bistro in The Heights for a Happy Hour Mixer in November. L-R: Kimberly Derry, Jones|Carter and Andy Richardson, Wurth House of Threads –ab
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
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Morning exercise
Clark Condon employees recently laced up their running shoes to run in the RunHouston 5K. –ab
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Finding a rhythm
continued from Page 1 — Mechanically inclined “In addition, on the job training is positive for anybody. You can start at a low level but you can finish at a high level in this business.” Qualities Zambrano and Newsome look for in employees are honesty, clean cut, willing to work hard, dependable, and willing to grow with the company. “We provide training programs so our employees can be better qualified for the type of work they do,” Zambrano said. During the year, the company sponsors local golf tournaments and is a member of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Houston Chapter and the Associated General Contractors
(AGC) Houston Chapter. Hobbies employees like on the side include fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time with family. The company has an annual employee appreciation party in the fall or spring. Employees are rewarded for their hard work at the event. “We are planning to keep growing in the future,” Zambrano said. “We have not stopped growing and we’d like to continue doing what we do best.” Mesa Mechanical is a full-service air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilation contractor specializing in construction, service and plumbing. –ab
continued from Page 1 — Building together A few projects the company has worked lately are the Beltway Crossing Northwest, Advanced Auto Parts Distribution Warehouse and Napa Auto Parts Distribution Warehouse. “We look forward to starting on more projects in Houston and the surrounding areas this year,” Gardner said. “We want to finish the year out strong!”
Alston Construction provides general contracting, design build and construction management services. Founded in 1986, the company also has offices in Allentown, PA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas; Edison, NJ; Nashville, TN; Newport Beach, CA; Reno, NV; Sacramento, CA and Seattle, WA. –ab
continued from Page 1 — Right on schedule
The LJA Engineering Inc. staff (group on the right) took part in the Greater Houston ALS Walk at the University of Houston in early October. –ab
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Many thanks
The entrance
The Gilbane Building Co. Katy project team enjoyed a trade appreciation luncheon at a Cy-Fair project in November. –ab
“GT Leach along with a select group of artists and craftsmen have produced a stunning entry way into one of Uptown Houston’s premier addresses,” H a r d c a s tle says. “Working with DC Partners was a collaborative effort that resulted in producing a architecturally classic building for the Houston skyline.” Founded in 1998 by Gary T. Leach, GT Leach specializes in new construction of high-rise condominiums and lowrise condominiums and historic renovations. The company has completed projects
over the years including historic renovations, condominiums, loft residence units, hotels, major mall renovations and expansions, retail centers, parking garages, movie theaters, health clubs, distribution centers, service centers, office buildings, detention facilities and specialty facilities. –ab Senior Project Manager: Justin Johnson, GT Leach Senior Project Superintendent: TJ Pavelec Architect: Page Architects
Submitted to Construction News
A day in the park
Thousands of families came out to Buffalo Bayou Park to the 10th annual KBR Kids Day in October. Highlights from the event included entertainment, music and hands on activities. KBR is an engineering, procurement and construction company. –ab
Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
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One can at a time
howcasing their creativity, engineering, construction and architecture firms participated in CANstruction Houston at CityCentre in November. The teams designed and built sculptures made entirely of canned foods. At the close of the CANstruction exhibition, all of the food used in the structures was donated to the Houston Food Bank. –ab
Best Use of Labels: 30th Anniversary of Super Mario Brothers - HOK/DPR Construction
Most Needed Items and Best Meal: We Can Houston - Perkins + Will
Structural Ingenuity: Tackle Hunger Inventure Design/Scott + Reid Best Sign and Juror’s Favorite – Professional: Meal of Fortune - PhiloWilke Partnership
Juror’s Favorite: Guardians of the Hungry: Booker T. Washington High School/Mentor: Abel Design Group
Souper Bowl H4 Architects & Engineers/Carl Wunsche Sr. High School
Honorable Mention: Food is a Bear Necessity - Kirksey / Turner Construction
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Training day Honorable Mention: Snorlax Gotta Feed ‘Em All - Cobb, Fendley & Associates
Construction News JOB SIGHT
Set into action An ironworker concentrates while working on the training tower at Humble-based Adaptive Construction Solutions (ACS). ACS hires military veterans, trains them to become ironworkers and contracts them out to local general contractor and steel erection contractor partners in the Gulf Coast region. –ab
The Oxford Builders Inc. crew does work at a clothing room at the Angela House in Houston. –ab
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Houston Construction News • Dec 2016
Slice and dice
L-R: Jeffrey Abel, Abel Design Group Ltd.; Dare Lovett, Abel Design Group Ltd.; Janis Brackett, Kirksey Architecture and Jarrett Ewing, HOK
H
ouston architecture and design firms Abel Design Group, HOK and Kirksey Architecture participated in the Good Shepherd Golf Tournament at The Clubs of Kingwood Nov. 7. The firms will design a new campus for Good Shepherd, a residential treatment center in Tomball that supports and
counsels at-risk boys between the ages of 7 and 17, Building New Foundations hosted the tournament to raise funds for the construction of the campus. Plans are underway to break ground on the Good Shepherd campus in 2017. –ab
Abel Design Group, HOK and Kirskey Architecture golfers meet at The Clubs of Kingwood.