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CONSTRUCTION
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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 16 H Number 12 H DECEMBER 2018
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A family doctor
Following their Buffaloe
The doctor is in.
Family photo 2002, L-R: Larry Kristynik, the late Glenn Buffaloe and Kurt Kristynik
eing in the electrical contractor business is truly a family affair for the Padilla clan. Joe and Mayra run Electrical Doctor. Joe is third generation electrician. In fact, he was the second youngest master electrician ever in Texas. Joe originally wanted to go into politics, but said he was too honest for that. Mayra runs the office, and it was she that came up with the name, “Electrical Doctor.” After Joe branched out on his own in March 2009, Mayra thought that since Joe was known as the household doctor from taking care of their kids’ various bumps and bruises, that he should be known as the Electrical Doctor. When one is put on hold when they call the Padillas up, a little girl sings their
jingle song. That’s one of their daughters. Joe decided to go solo when he didn’t agree with some of the policies of the company for which he worked at the time. Those early days were pretty rough too, using all their savings to get started. “We started when the economy was in the ground,” Joe remembers. Mayra used to drive around in her personal car with the their name and number on it, trying and attract customers. Now, however, Electrical Doctor has flourished and has six electricians working for them. Customer service and relationships are key for the Padillas. “We don’t want to be that company that works for a customer one time and forcontinued on Page 14
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rue to their family owned and operated business are the Kristynik and Lunsmann families. Buffaloe Floor Covering is a flooring contractor for commercial and residential clients. It all started in 1965 by the original owners, Glenn and Irene Buffaloe. Back then they called the company Glenn Buffaloe’s Carpet Service. Glenn passed away in 2003, but his name and business legacy continue with his daughters. His daughters have co-ownership with each other and their husbands. Larry Kristynik is the current president; Renie Kristynik, Denie Lunsmann and Ken Lunsmann are in ownership positions. Today, the company embraces the fact that they are on their fifty-third year of business as a third generation family
business. Kurt Kristynik, son of Larry and Renie, is the sales and project manager. He started with his family business while in high school, then after graduating college, he learned the company was looking to bring someone else on board. Even though, Kurt was coaching and had thought his career would be in coaching full time, he was happy to join the family business. “I graduated on a Saturday and started work on Monday,” he said. Buffaloe Floor Covering offers more services than it did when it started in ’65. The range of services still includes standard wood floor, carpet and tile, except, now, they also include vinyl plank and minor kitchen and bathroom remodel for continued on Page 14
Pets welcome
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onathan Greene founded J.A. Greene Construction LLC in 2012 with a desire to focus on the private sector of the construction industry. Since then, J.A. Greene Construction has constructed projects for dentists, veterinarians, medical doctors, commercial developers, and restaurateurs, consulting companies, leasing agents, retail center owners and business developers. Dr. Jose Salazar, Magnolia Veterinary Hospital owner, knew just whom to call when he was looking for a contractor with experience in veterinary hospital construction to design and build his new facility. J.A. Greene Construction Services, LLC offers design/build construction and commercial general contracting throughout Texas. They have designed and managed projects in 25 states, gaining a depth and breadth of knowledge that can only come from having completed a
wide range of work for a very broad client base. “We partner with clients to create professional environments that beautifully reflect the client’s unique business, facilitate designed workflow, and enable clients to achieve their goals,” says Greene. Construction began on the new Magnolia Veterinary Hospital in Jan. 2018. The 5,000sf facility was completed in Sept. 2018 in the growing community of Magnolia, TX with a construction cost of $1,400,000. The exterior of the hospital was constructed with pre-fab wood trusses, E.F.I.S, stone and a standing seam metal roof. The interior was comprised of light gauge metal studs, gypsum, vinyl flooring and finished millwork. As always during that time of year, battling the weather was a constant adventure. The construction team had rain Magnolia Veterinary Hospital, 11934 FM 1488, Magnolia, TX
continued on Page 14
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an Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said it best when describing the legacy of HOLT CAT by saying it “started back when horsepower was measured by actual horses.” Truer words could not have been spoken about the five-generation legacy Benjamin Holt started with the design and manufacture of the first continuous tracks for use in tractors, paving the way for heavy agricultural and construction machinery for years to come. Holt’s invention forever changed the world as the use of horse drawn power applications became a thing of the past. On Oct. 26, HOLT CAT CEO Peter J. Holt and President and Chief Administrative Officer Corinna Holt Richter welcomed several distinguished guests, friends and media at the beginning of the 85th anniversary celebration. The event took place at the new state-of-theart HOLT CAT headquarters with opening remarks by Richter. “We’re celebrating a number of milestones today. The biggest one is our organization’s 85 years in business. This weekend we will celebrate with a few thousand of our employees and their families to mark our history and impact in industrial innovation. We’re also celebrating our legacy as the largest Caterpillar
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or more than 70 years, Houston Shell & Concrete (HSC) has been servicing the Houston area. Partnering with CEMEX and as part of its continued commitment to the Greater Houston area, HSC unveiled its new look in November with a new color scheme. “We really wanted to embrace more of the community and the colors of the teams here in Houston that we as a community rally around,” says Carlos Lemus, manager of HSC. The other piece to the unveiling of the new colors dates back to HSC’s history. “The company has served the community for well over 70 years as an operating entity,” added CEMEX Regional President Joel Galassini for Texas and New Mexico. “The original colors of the business were orange and white. So we wanted to keep that part to the history of who we are and where our roots of the business were, and also embrace the ‘Houston Strong’ pride of being part of the Houston community.” In selecting the new color scheme, the CEMEX colors played a role as well.
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
HOLT turns 85
L-R: Phil Kelliher, Corinna Holt Richter and Peter J. Holt dealer in the United States. “We are honored to represent an iconic brand like Caterpillar. It’s really our people who make HOLT who it is and why our customers choose us. We will have an antique tractor show on our campus showcasing many of the products that our ancestor Benjamin Holt developed that forever changed industry worldwide and of course, we are celebrating are newly expanded corporate headquarters building which houses 250 of our 800 San Antonio
employees. “It’s 80,000sf and has state-of-the-art conference and training rooms, collaborative workspaces, employee gym, outdoor walking trail and cafeteria. We are very proud of it. “My brother, Peter and I, feel a great responsibility to ensure that our 2,700 employees have the resources they need to support our thousands of customers across the state. As the next chapter of history for Holt unfolds, we are proud of
Changing of the colors
Houston Shell & Concrete’s newest ready-mix trucks make their appearance in Houston showing off their new colors.
where we have been and excited to share the future with you,” says Richter. The celebration continued as Holt greeted Mayor Ron Nirenberg; District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran; South Central Texas Regional Director for Senator Ted Cruz, Javier Salinas; Southside Chamber President Al Arreola, Jr. and Caterpillar Vice President Americas & European Distribution Services Phil Kelliher as they all presented the Holt family with commemorative gifts in honor of HOLT CAT’s 85th anniversary. The party didn’t stop there. On day two of the 85th anniversary celebration, more than 2,000 HOLT CAT employees and their families from across the state of Texas gathered at the HOLT CAT headquarters for a true day of celebration. The employees and their families were treated to some of the best foods, activities and entertainment. In addition, they were able to enjoy the antique tractor show being held on the HOLT grounds which included a parade and live machine demonstrations. The all day event provided plenty of activities for all including games for kids of all ages. There was rock climbing walls, moon bounces, a giant hamster ball race track, bungee joust, face painting, petting zoo, pony and horse rides and much more. No child could complain they had nothing to do. Even the adults had plenty to keep them occupied. The progression of where HOLT is now and for their future, both in their new facility and the technology that is in all of their new equipment is “just a wonderful balance between the foundational legacy of where we are coming from and the innovative future that we going towards,” HOLT CAT CEO Peter J. Holt stated during the company’s 85th anniversary celebration. HOLT CAT, the largest dealer of Caterpillar equipment headquartered in San Antonio, TX. –cmw
Taking the blue from the CEMEX colors, adding it to the orange and white of HSC, provides the familiar colors of Houston’s community strengths. Of course, as you might imagine, you can’t just change your company colors without changing your vehicles. Along with the new color scheme came two new ready-mix trucks with a third on the way, which are already gracing the streets of Houston. HSC has placed an order for five additional trucks. “We are definitely trying to upgrade our fleet and add some newness to the scene of Houston, our company and be able to serve our customers not only with shiny new trucks, but trucks with new safety features that all our customers will enjoy. Some of those features are backup cameras and things that we enjoy in our cars. We are bringing into our readymix trucks those features that add another degree of safety to the customers,” adds Galassini. Houston Shell & Concrete is a customized concrete, ready-mix supplier in Houston. -cmw
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
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Taking the dirt road
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wning a business has always been Romel Rubio’s goal; Rubio even earned an associate and bachelor degree in business to realize his dream. Not as straightforward for Rubio, however, was deciding what business to pursue. “Houston is so diverse with so many different industries and structures, so I researched what would be a booming industry in the Houston area to get involved with,” Rubio says. “My father has had a concrete company since 1979 and wanted me to take over the company, but I never felt the inclination to do so; I wanted to do something different. My uncle and I worked in dump truck and excavation services and started a company together, but then I decided to branch out on my own.“ With his wife Silvia, who is the company’s vice president, Rubio started Supreme Dump Trucks and Trailers of Houston LLC in 2009. Rubio says there is also a third divine partner who has sustained the company’s success for the past decade. “It’s been a long way coming, but with the help of God, we’ve been able to grow and cross a lot of bridges,” Rubio says. “We honestly could not have done this without Him.” Today, Supreme Dump Trucks and Trailers of Houston LLC is on the site of some of Houston’s most notable projects. “We’re currently working on the old Houston Chronicle Building where the newspaper was established; we’re hauling about 15,000 loads off that consist of old concrete rubble, contaminated soils,” Rubio says. “We’ve also recently worked on the new University of Houston downtown building and Harris County Precinct Four, the new constable station for Tomball.” The company also works on projects outside the Lone Star State. “Right now, we’re working in North Carolina in the port of Wilmington with a company that does disaster cleanup and restoration,” he says. Rubio says his own company’s foray into disaster cleanup is very recent. “We just came back from Panama City with the Hurricane Michael cleanup,” Rubio says. “It was something new for our company because most of the time after these hurricanes, there are roll-off containers or dumpsters dropped off there and picked up within four or five days. But since there was so much construction debris in these areas and
Houston
Editors
Carol Wiatrek Lexie Velasquez
New signage outside 9YARDS offices
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Silvia Rubio and Romel Rubio
they were hit so hard, the need was constant for someone to come in and out and take debris away. We got that knocked out in a couple of weeks.” Rubio says he enjoys being able to help when needed, and equally enjoys “working with so many different types of people, both local and all over the world.” “It’s an atmosphere of seeing something come to life from beginning to end,” he explains. “We’re the first people on the job sites. We help out companies that are excavating material out so we’re laying down the ground for the guys that are going to be coming – the concrete, the plumbing, the electricians. We’re the first ones there and sometimes the last to go out, because there is material that has to be hauled after everything has been put in.” Rubio says the company subcontracts out 90% of the work, but he does have employees, including his younger brother and operations manager Angel Rubio. As the company grows, he depends on them all to help him take his business to the next level. “I would like to expand in the region,” Rubio says. “This year, we’ve been able to go from Houston to Florida, North Carolina and Louisiana to expand more in the southern region. With all of the technology and the industry going every day, we need to be up to speed. We value our customers to the core. To us, they’re everything and I always want to be able to give that extra helping hand.” Supreme Dump Trucks and Trailers of Houston LLC provides dirt work services and transportation. –mjm
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ARCON rebrands
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tan Cromartie founded ARCON in 1991 as the first design-build firm in the Golden Triangle area of Beaumont-Pt. Arthur-Orange, TX. “We provided Architecture and Construction services as an alternative to the traditional design-bid-build delivery,” says Cromartie. In 2000, the firm relocated to the Clear Lake area of Houston with just about every type of project imaginable, from small additions and renovations up to $40 plus million dollar projects and corporate campuses. “Through the years, we have concentrated on listening to what clients had to say about the entire development process. It was clear that customers want a streamlined professional service from the beginning to the end. Up to that point, we thought that meant design and construction, but the key point was, they meant from finding property before design, all the way through to the maintenance of a facility. Hence, our tagline: ‘Dirt To Done.’ ARCON simply outgrew its name because we offer more than just architecture and construction.” On Jul. 23, ARCON rebranded to 9YARDS. “The term 9YARDS is short for the often-mentioned phrase of ‘the whole nine yards.’ While there are a multitude of interesting stories about the origin of the phrase, the message is understood worldwide to mean that ‘It’s everything,’ ‘It’s all there,’ etc. This is much
more indicative of what our firm offers as a bundled, comprehensive delivery or as individual services of real state, architecture/engineering, construction and facilities management. We hired a national marketing firm, Red PR & Marketing, to lead the re-branding. They that sat down and listened to our 28-year-old story and they presented the name. We immediately gravitated toward 9YARDS because it had character and described us at the same time. We’re very happy that we got professional help because we would not have come up with the name, but absolutely love it now. Much like we hope our clients will feel after working with us.” Cromartie further states that the firm purposefully stayed small over the past two decades but are in the midst of growing with their unique competitive advantages and value propositions. “We plan to spread out over Texas and beyond within ‘studio’-based satellite offices versus a large amount of people at one location. We have dedicated ourselves to breaking the mold with a purpose in mind and that is to be an advocate for our clients. Our website does a great job of telling our story and explaining the true value that we bring to the table, but we are always glad to sit down and tell it to anyone interested in hearing it.” 9YARDS is a fully integrated professional property development services firm in Clear Lake, TX. -cmw
Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!
Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
Consider a workers’ compensation deductible
Part III: Plan ahead for accounting for new long-term contracts
Wes Pitts, Sr. V.P. and Southwest Regional Construction Practice Leader for USI Southwest USI Southwest Austin, TX
Scott Allen, CPA, Tax Partner Cornwell Jackson Plano, TX
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our company established the completed contract method of accounting for long-term contracts that are exempt from Code Section 460 because its gross receipts fell under the $10 million threshold. As the company grew, it continued to use this accounting method. It had two very good years in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 average annual gross receipts for 2014-2016 exceeded $10 million for the first time. For contracts that were open in 2016, the company will continue to report income from those contracts under the completed contract method. For contracts that were started in 2017, the company will be required to report under the percentage of completion method in accordance with Code Section 460 for every year until the contracts are complete. However, for contracts started in 2018, because the gross receipts threshold was adjusted to $25 million, those contracts are exempt from complying with Code Section 460. The company will report those contracts under the completed contract method since it is the company’s established accounting method for exempt contracts. Then again, if it was decided that it made sense to report 2018 contracts under a different accounting method other than completed contract, the company will need to file for a change in accounting method with the IRS. The change is not classified as an automatic change; Form 3115 will need to be filed with the IRS prior to year-end. A user fee (currently $9,500) will also need to be paid in order for the Form 3115 to be processed. The bottom line is that companies with three-year trailing average gross receipts under the $25 million threshold in 2018 should do an analysis to determine if a change in accounting method makes sense. The analysis should include the following factors: •
Whether an overall method of accounting of cash or accrual is the most advantageous;
• The amount of taxable income deferred under the various accounting methods for long-term contracts; •
The effect of AMT on the owners’ returns given the new AMT exemp- tions and elevated phase-outs;
•
The expected growth rate for the company and the length of time before it is expected to reach the $25 million threshold.
With thoughtful consideration and planning, the proper accounting method for long-term contracts can result in the deferral of a significant amount of income tax, which will help your company manage working capital more effectively. To select the most advantageous accounting method or to determine if your company should change its accounting method in 2018, controllers and CFOs may need the guidance of a CPA knowledgeable in accounting for long-term contract rules. It helps to get a second opinion to support the right accounting method for your contracts that is both tax law compliant and offers the best potential for tax planning or deferral. For the complete article, Download the Whitepaper: 2017 Tax Law Impacts Accounting for Long-Term Contracts on our website. Scott Allen, CPA, joined Cornwell Jackson as a Tax Partner in 2016, bringing his expertise in the Construction and Oil and Gas industries and 25 years of experience in the accounting field. As the Partner in Charge of the Tax practice at Cornwell Jackson, Scott provides proactive tax planning and tax compliance to all Cornwell Jackson tax clients. Contact him at Scott.Allen@cornwelljackson.com or 972-202-8032.
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ou’ve seen your Workers’ Compensation premiums rising just on the basis growth of your company (payrolls), yet your controls and claims management processes have only improved and your resulting experience has been good. I want to point out that there are some carriers out there, yes including the market leader in Texas, that are offering some pretty darn attractive deductible credits these days. First off keep in mind this is not a “one size fits all” approach. Generally, to consider a deductible you need to have a somewhat sizeable WC premium, excellent controls and claims management, at least 5 years of experience to back that up, and the ability to post some security collateral. We generally like to look at a minimum $25,000. per person/claim deductible with No Aggregate (i.e. no agg. cap on the no. of deductibles you could have to pay for) because of the deeper credit this brings, which can be close to -25%. If interested, the first thing that needs to happen is your agent needs to conduct an analysis of what it would have looked like at least over the last 5-years of your WC experience – this is really nothing more than a spreadsheet that captures the term, losses under and over, the estimated premium savings, and the differential. If that differential is largely in the black over the term, then it may make sense for you. If the trigger is pulled, you’ll want to place even more emphasis on safety, policies, controls and probably most importantly having a dedicated person on claims management, which we addressed back in the Oct. issue. The collateral could be $50,000., $75,000., $100,000., and gener-
As you grow and try to manage your costs, it is always a good idea to look at all alternative funding arrangements for your insurance program, have your agent help you to learn and understand them, and then you can jump onboard if it makes sense for your company. Wes Pitts is a Sr. Vice President and Southwest Regional Construction Practice Leader for USI Southwest - Austin, TX. 512-6514107, or Wesley.pitts@usi.com
Fall fishing
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he American Subcontractors Association (ASA) hosted their 2018 Fall Fishing Tournament on Oct. 5. Weigh-in and awards luncheon were held at Topwater Grill. –cmw 2018 Fall Fishing Tournament winners: 2nd Place Overall: TDC Waterproofing & Restoration, LLC
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ally in a combination of about 70% Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILOC) and balance in cash, with the amount depending on your payment history, credit history, loss pick and credit on the pick. This collateral is not a working collateral – claims are not paid from it, but rather you would reimburse the Company for claims on a monthly invoiced basis. You’d also want to know going in that because it often takes several years for some claims to be paid and closed, you will continue to be responsible for reimbursing the Company for claims the Company has paid until all claims within your deductible are paid and then closed. Accordingly, the Company will maintain the Escrow Account established by the Deductible Escrow and Security Agreement after the expiration of the policy.
1st Place Trout - Erixon Oliva, Big City Access Holdings, LLC 1st Place Flounder - Erixon Oliva, Big City Access Holdings, LLC 1st Place Redfish - Bruce Crocombe, JE Dunn Construction 1st Place Big Ugly - Lee Aitken, Holes Incorporated
3rd Place Overall: Compliance Safety Consultants
Showing a new wrap
Third generation Colby Long with Long Air Conditioning poses next to one of Long’s newly wrapped vans in Conroe, TX. -cmw
1st Place Overall & 1st Place Women - Raven Mechanical
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
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What to do if you suddenly become involved in a multi-party construction defect lawsuit? Andres Gonzalez, Principal Cokinos | Young San Antonio, TX
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imes are changing. Around Texas, there is an onset of multi-party construction defect lawsuits. In the Valley and recently in Bexar County, various school districts have filed lawsuits. In the current climate of public owners or owners of multi-family housing units, construction defect lawsuits are becoming prevalent. When public owners are involved, the two or four year statutes of limitation do not apply. Instead, lawsuits may be brought ten to twelve years after substantial completion of a project. If your company becomes involved you do not yet have a copy of the citain this type of lawsuit, you need to un- tion or original petition, you may want derstand how to manage the unex- to inform the insurance company of the pected legal costs of defending the pending lawsuit. By doing so, you will lawsuit. Your commercial general liabil- get some time to make sure that you are ity policy should cover your legal costs. covered for the alleged property dam Usually, a commercial general li- age and to get an attorney lined up. ability insurer owes its insured a duty to Once you have been served with a defend the lawsuit and a duty to indem- copy of the citation and original petinify for a judgment when the insured be- tion, send the copy to your insurance comes legally liable to pay (assuming it agent or adjuster. The insurance adjuster is a loss covered by the policy). The duty should hire competent legal counsel to to defend is a very important and valu- represent you and pay the costs of deable benefit. The cost of defending the fense. Those costs include attorney’s fees lawsuit may exceed any amounts the in- and the costs of hiring expert witnesses, surer pays to ultimately settle the lawsuit copying charges, arbitration and meor indemnify the insured against the loss. diation expenses, court reporters, and This is a quick how-to guide for miscellaneous lawsuit-related charges. when you realize that your com- Most commercial general liability polipany is a party in the construc- cies give the insurance company the tion defect lawsuit or arbitration: right to select your defense counsel. If You want to put your insurance there is a particular law firm you would company on notice immediately. If you rather use, you should ask your adare aware of a project where your com- juster if the insurance company will appany will likely get sued, notify your prove your selected defense counsel. Lately, several Plaintiff’s lawyers have insurance company or agent. Even if
Cranes and derricks in construction: Operator qualification Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX
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SHA changed the regulation governing crane operator certification in construction. First, this final rule removes the requirement that crane operator certifications include the crane’s rated lifting capacity. The two testing organizations that have certified the majority of operators have issued certifications by “type” but not “capacity.” These certifications, therefore, would not have been valid without a change to the rule. OSHA has concluded that the capacity requirement for certification is not necessary to protect workers. OSHA is also making permanent the employer duty to ensure that operators are competent to operate the equipment safely. While certification ensures an objective baseline of general knowledge of crane operation, it does not ensure that operators know how to operate a particular crane for a specific task. For this reason, OSHA is revising the crane standard to preserve a requirement that employers assess the ability of their operators to run the cranes they will be using for the tasks to which they are assigned. This employer duty would have ceased to exist without this new rulemaking. An operator can meet OSHA’s certification requirements by obtaining certification from an accredited, third-party crane certification organization. An employer can also comply with OSHA’s standard by developing an employer-audited program and use this program to certify operators it employs. Finally, crane operators can meet OSHA’s certification requirements by obtaining a state or local crane operator license that meets OSHA’s requirements in those jurisdictions that issue crane operator’s licenses. In addition to ensuring that an operator is properly certified, an employer
must also evaluate the operator to ensure that the operator has the skills, knowledge, and ability to recognize and avert risk to operate the equipment safely. This evaluation must be done by a person who has the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to assess operators. Once an operator has passed an evaluation on one piece of equipment, the employer may allow that operator to operate different equipment without further evaluation if the employer can demonstrate that operating that equipment would not require substantially different skills, knowledge or ability to recognize and avert risk. For example, an employer may evaluate an operator and determine that he or she has demonstrated the ability to safely operate a large crane in a relatively complex configuration. If the employer determines that the operator has the skills, knowledge, and ability to identify and avert risk necessary to safely operate a smaller crane of the same type and operating system, in a simpler configuration with a shorter boom, then the operator would not need to be re-evaluated (assuming that the tasks are similar). natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232
been filing very vague petitions. Your company will be named in the lawsuit but there is very little detail about why you were sued. In fact, you may feel it is a frivolous filing simply because it is unclear. It does not matter what causes of action are in the pleading. The pleading may identify negligence, breach of contract, or something entirely different. What does matter are the damages alleged to have occurred as a result of the acts or omissions of the insured or its subcontractors. That pleading, however, is very important to trigger your insurance company’s duty to defend you under the insurance policy. In Texas, an insurers’ duty to defend the insured is triggered based on the “eight corners rule.” This refers to the four corners of the insurance policy and the four corners of the lawsuit. A court will examine the facts in the pleadings, the language in the insurance policy, and determine if the facts could potentially be covered by the insurance policy. The factual allegations are considered without regard to their truth or falsity, and all doubts regarding the duty to defend are resolved in the insured’s favor. If a petition potentially includes a covered claim, the insurer owes the insured the duty to defend and must defend the entire lawsuit. If you are a general contractor, you will want to make sure you have copies of the subcontract agreements and
the certificates of insurance from the various subcontractors. You will want to make additional insured tenders to the subcontractors that have work implicated in the lawsuit. You will also want to tender the lawsuit to the subcontractor’s insurance agent and the insurance companies listed on the certificates of insurance. Often times, a subcontractor may still owe the general contractor a defense and indemnity based on the written subcontract agreement. This may apply even if the subcontractor’s work is not directly implicated in the pleadings. The subcontract agreement may require the subcontractor to defend and indemnify the general contractor for any lawsuit arising from the project. At times, you may receive a reservation of rights letter from an insurer. This generally means that the insurer will provide you with a defense while reserving its right to deny coverage for the reasons set out in the letter, which often includes the application of various exclusions in the policy. For example, if your policy has coverage for property damage, only certain forms of property damage may be covered, depending on the provisions in your policy. You would need to discuss the reservation of rights letter and its implications with your attorney. 210-293-8752 agonzalez@cokinoslaw.com
It’s a big deal
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L-R: Kevin Cornelius, countertop division and Chris Cornelius
hris Cornelius is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his company, Cornelius Contracting LLC, in a big – make that bigger – way. “We just finished building a new 10,000sf fab shop right next door to our current facility,” Chris says. “We started building in March and just finished it a month ago. We have some state-of-theart equipment there, and we’re hoping it will be a lot more efficient. We did have to expand our staff a little bit, and we’re probably going to have to add a couple of more positions as we get the bugs worked out of the new machines. That’s our biggest deal to date.” The expansion is a welcome development for the company, which had humble beginnings. Chris started the company out of his garage with his wife Raquel in 1999, and sometimes even operated the business out of the back of his 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. Small bathrooms made up the bulk of Chris earliest jobs, so he prayed that God would increase his income and help him secure his own contract in two years. Two years to the day, Chris signed his first contract for tile work and began working for homebuilders. In 2005, the company expanded into carpet, tile and other flooring types and the next year, provided granite countertops. In 2007, he and Raquel moved the company to an 8,000sf building so that the company could fabricate granite countertops. “Today, we do countertops and every type of flooring – carpet, vinyl, plank – except for stained concrete,” Chris says. “We do tile, engineered wood or old-school, sanded finish.” Along with an expansion of services and space, new faces have cropped up at the office. Chris’ brother Kevin Cornelius works in the business and Rachel, Christina and Hannah – Chris and
Raquel’s grown daughters – have all played a role as well. While Rachel and Christina eventually pursued other roles outside the company, Hannah became more involved as office manager. “Hannah has been with us now for four-and-a-half-years,” Chris says. “I didn’t even know she applied for the job at the company! She started from the bottom and she has really learned the software and the systems; she knows nearly every aspect of the company except for some of the higher accounting functions. It’s a very good thing to have someone that is capable and that cares. We’ve had a conversation about her future plans, but she’s only 23 and isn’t sure yet.” For his part, Chris says he has enjoyed the past 20 years and plans to continue. “A goal when I started was to be the best, but not in an arrogant way,” he says. “I wanted to make a decent living, create good jobs where people could make good money and be the best as far as not having to go back and fix problems. I’m a people person and I love interacting with supervisors in the field, the customers and knowing that we do a good job to make their lives easier. I love being in control of what I do and not relying on someone else; whether I’m dealing with audits or wanting to expand, I have to put my boots on, get out there and do it. It’s an achievement.” Chris still has big plans to go bigger. “We would love to expand a little bit, especially the commercial and countertop side,” Chris says. “I’m trying to find some more potential land or building because we may possibly need to buy some more machinery next year. We just want to keep expanding.” Cornelius Contracting LLC is a Springbased flooring and countertop subcontractor. –mjm
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
Justin O’Neal President of sales and marketing Fair Claims Roofing & Construction The Woodlands, TX
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ustin O’Neal had a lot to say about being a business owner, but it is his modesty that speaks for him. He is no stranger to hard work and his roots are the branches to his success. Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in a little town called Athens, TX which is in east Texas about 30 miles west of Tyler and 70 miles southeast of Dallas/Fort Worth. What was your childhood like? Do you have any siblings? I have a small family and I have a younger sister, who is two years younger than me. We grew up modest and my family was in the garbage business, so I grew up helping with the family business. I helped with whatever needed to be done, either with picking up containers or maintaining the trucks. How old were you when you started to work for the family business? I was 12-years-old. Every summer I’d be working on the truck five days a week. What is your educational background? Some college completed. I actually left college to pursue my career in roofing. When did you leave Athens? I left Athens the same time I got into the roofing business. I actually got into the roofing business and began to commute back and forth to DFW. Then the opportunity came to relocate to the Houston area in 2001. So the year 2001 was technically the year I left Athens.
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efore Tony Batista was putting flooring on the ground, he was busy putting people in the sky. “I was in a totally different industry; I was in the airline business and I was blessed to be in it for my years,” Batista, the owner and president of Floors2Luv says. “I worked for [Eastern Airlines, Aero Mexico and Delta Airlines] and, as I like to say, I was not paid for my looks – I was paid for my brains! My strengths lie in the Latin America market and I did have the opportunity in the airline business to have responsibility in operations, sales and marketing at different times. My final job with Delta Airlines was manager of Latin America sales force. “ Batista, an Air Force veteran, left the airline business in 2008 and “started in this business in a somewhat partnership with someone that was already involved with it,” he says. “We parted ways and Floors2Luv was initiated as a sole proprietorship Sept. 8, 2009.” Ten years later, Batista has grown his company to 10 employees operating out of the company’s original location at 632
What were the early work experiences like transitioning from the family business to your new line of work? I actually got into roofing with just the sales side of it. I did it as a temporary idea and then when I got into it I was expecting it to be a career. An opportunity came from a gentleman I went to church with. He was one of the owners with a roofing company and he commuted back and forth to Dallas every day. As I started working with him I was young, 19, but I was working three days a week (kind of half days) and then three full days with them. And I still worked for my family’s business; we would get done at about 2 o’clock on the garbage business. I would leave at 2 o’clock and drive to DFW. Then I would work from 3 PM to 7 o’clock at night doing estimations. I did very well and had a lot of success. I was earning a pretty good income, especially for my age. At that point I took a risk and told my grandfather that I was going to go a different route rather than the family business. I left the family garbage business to pursue a career in roofing sales. How long did you stay working for the roofing company in the DFW area? I worked for that company and started part time, then went full time three months later. That was when I finished my semester in college. From May to the end of that year into the summer of the following year in 2001, I became the company’s top producing sales person. I was only 20-years-old. That following summer they were looking to branch into the Houston market, so I came to the Houston market with them to be kind of their sales manager. I was going to help start things up for them and we did. We then got relocated. So I commuted back and forth to Houston for about six months and then January of 2002 I relocated myself and moved to Houston. I worked for the Houston branch for about four to five months. Then I had an opportunity with one of the partners, who is now my current partner, Ray Phillips. He had left the company prior and gave me an opportunity to become a partner with him and help start the company that we have today, which is Fair Claims Roofing & Construction. When was Fair Claims Roofing & Construction established? I think our first day of business was April of 2002. We’ve been growing strong ever since. How does one go about making a business owner decision at such a young age?
The O’Neal family L-R: Tristan, Jill, Justin, Kylie and Preston
Obviously, there was a lot at risk, but I had confidence in myself and confidence in the business that I was doing. It was nice to be able to be in a role in a business where I was able to work more with my brain than with my hands. How did you pick a company name? At the time when we went into business, the only thing our company really focused on was insurance related roof replacements. That was our niche when it was a relatively new concept to help consumers with their insurance companies to help get a claim approved. That was where the name Fair Claims came from back then, which is interesting now because we still do that, but it is now a small piece of what we do. Do you have any mentors? Ray, my business partner is my biggest mentor. I’ve also had mentors within the industry. Tell us about your last name, where does it come from? It is an Irish name;. My family at some point came over seas from Ireland. I have not been able to track my genealogy past the civil war era. I’ve been able to track my genealogy all the way back to the Carolinas, from Texas to Tennessee and from Tennessee to the Carolinas; back in the mid 1800s is the last record that I have of someone there. Now let’s talk about your family life, are you married? I am married. I’m actually newly married; I just got remarried about a month ago. Her name is Jillian (Jill). Congratulations to you both!
On the wings of Luv
Tony Batista (middle) with the Floors2Luv team members.
How did you two meet? We met at the gym that we both worked out at. We had been in a class together that a friend of Jill’s invited her to. We met and talked a little bit, then I asked her out and we kept dating. Do you have any children? I do have three children from my previous marriage. I have two boys and one girl. Tristan, 14; Kylie, 11; and Preston, 9. What are some of your favorite family activities? We like to do things outdoors. We like to go hiking. We like to watch sporting events together like an Astros game. I’m also a Cowboys fan, even though I live in Houston; we travel up to Dallas for games. We also like to watch movies. My kids are big movie buffs, so we like to do that with them. What Cowboys games have you been to this year? Jill and I are actually going for Thanksgiving Day. The kids and us will go to the New Orleans game. Do you go to away games? I do, I went to the Philly game in Philadelphia. That was really cool! I go to at least one away game a year. Do you have any hobbies/interests? Mostly just my business, honestly, I’ve been focusing a lot of developing more of a metal secondary company that focuses on metal fabrication. That is taking up most of my time. Fair Claims Roofing & Construction is a roofing contractor for both commercial and residential in The Woodlands, McKinney, Austin and San Antonio. –lv
W. 20th St. Together, the team completes roughly 250 wood, carpet and tile flooring jobs per year. “It takes every bit of effort to ensure that things are done right in your company and that you have to surround yourself with good people to make the business truly work,” he says. “I’m blessed to have a good team around me. I’m pretty dedicated but you need good people. We do quite a bit of work every single year and we receive very good reviews and compliments.” With 2019 approaching and a milestone anniversary to celebrate, Batista is excited about where the company has been and where it is going. “We have to start planning it now, even though it’s a few months down the road, we’ve got to do it up! We’ve got to celebrate!” Batista says. “We’ll come up with something special for our customers. I’m a planner at heart. [The upcoming year] is a big year for us; it’s been 10 years and we plan to do it up. “ Flooring subcontractor Floors2Luv is located in Houston. –mjm
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
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South Texas trophies await you by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Shoalwater Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Diawa Reels, Simms Fishing, ForEverlast Fishing Products, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, JL Marines PowerPole, AFW and AFTCO Clothing
hether you are searching for a trophy speckled trout, redfish or South Texas whitetail buck, we have you covered. From December through February, I will be concentrating on these types of trips and catering to folk’s specific needs. By the time this article is in your hands, deer season will be in full rut and fishing should be getting pretty hot also. Here is a brief explanation of what I’m going to be doing for the next few months. Also, remember that I have gift certificates for that special someone for the holidays. Fishing Trips: I will be splitting my time between Baffin Bay and Port Mainsfield this winter. Baffin trips will be based out of Corpus Christi and depart from Marker 37 marina. These trips will be wade fishing with artificial lures targeting trophy speckled trout and reds. Port Mansfield trip will include accommodations in a luxurious five-bedroom house that will sleep up to 10 fishermen. The Laguna house has all
Trevor Boatright harvested this awesome slick 8-point buck on the Chaparrosa Ranch near La Pryor, TX. Trevor’s buck scored 140” and was guided by Steve Schultz Outdoors.
comforts of home with a large outdoor deck and cooking area to entertain clients and guests. A two-day minimum is required for the Lower Laguna Madre trips. These trips are also wade fishing throwing lures. If you are interested in either of the winter wade fishing packages don’t hesitate to give me a call to discuss rates and packages. Hunting Trips: Whitetail hunts kicked off last month and are in full swing here in South Texas. I have several ranches to choose from according to the caliber of deer your searching for. Most of my time is spent at the Chaparrosa ranch outside of La Pryor, Tx. This ranch is just shy of 100,000 acres and is considered one of the most premier ranches in the state. We offer low fence, fair chase hunts for deer up to 160” for groups from one to six persons. We also have hog, javelina and quail hunts if interested.
Angler Steve Munoz of Dallas recently caught this 35” redfish in the upper Laguna Madre. Steve was free lining live piggy perch when this brute hit. Photo by Steve Schultz Outdoors.
If you’re looking for a trophy larger
than 160, I have several ranches to choose from in Carrizo Springs and Charlotte Tx. These are smaller high fence ranches that offer whitetail deer hunts for deer that range from 160 to over 200”. These hunts are specific trophy hunts that are priced accordingly with the size of deer taken. I still have several open dates for the 2018 fishing season weather permitting, and my deer hunts are booking up fast. December offers some of the best South Texas deer hunting action during the rut which usually kicks off around the 10th of the month. Don’t hesitate in calling. I have several good hunting dates open. Also, my 2019 fishing calendar is now open. Don’t hesitate in booking your fishing trips because my dates usually go pretty quick, especially during the more popular months. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail. com. Good luck and Good Fishing.
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
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
Wow, what difference a few weeks can make!
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ince I wrote my last article, we have gone from hoping we could just catch some water in the lakes to help us recover from lack of rain in the summer to full on flash flood mode and now the clean-up and recovery work. Here on Lake Buchanan we see a lot of flood water pass through, but we don’t get the flood damage that our lower Highland Lakes can get. Our continuing thoughts and prayers go out to our friends downstream.
If you are like me, you probably had parents or grandparents that would load you up and take you hunting, or fishing, or camping. We were still pretty close to the days when people made their living off the land and still had places to go and enjoy the outdoors. As the old home places have been sold off to become new subdivisions and such, we find ourselves less able to find our way outside and bring the kids. Did you know that the average age of a hunting license holder in the United States is now 62 years old? You have to ask yourself what will happen to the animals and habitats and the world outside over the next couple of decades when we lose those people. If no one seems to notice or care about the world outside our door, who will take care of nurturing and protecting it? I am happy to let you know that there is an organization that is addressing that very problem! The Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation is already at work making the outdoors accessible to our young people again. You can go check them out online at https://www.gootf.com/
After several weeks the lake conditions here are finally settling back to normal. We do have new structure that came in with the flood and old structure that has been relocated, but the water quality is finally getting back to normal. Now the fish can return to their regular feeding patterns for this time of year. The best part is that we can look forward to good lake levels to fish in the New Year and next spring instead of wondering if we would still have places to fish! If you have some fishing time coming up during the Holidays, come on! As we look forward to next year, I want to share some good news with you. One thing that I have always been concerned with is our need to get our young people outside again. With all the indoor electronic distractions kids have these days, and the lack of available opportunities for them to go places and do things, we have a conservation crisis in the making.
“THE MISSION OF THE OUTDOORS TOMORROW FOUNDATION IS TO TEACH OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND TO PROMOTE AND FUND CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE WORLDWIDE.” The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation has already established the Outdoor Adventures curriculum in over 400 schools by partnering with State agencies and conservation organizations to provide curriculum and equipment grants, and provide avenues for teacher training and workshops without charge. 37,000 students are currently enrolled as young people are encouraged to discover and safely enjoy the outdoors.
I urge you to go check it out!
Ranch life
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n November on a cold day in Aguilares, TX, Construction News editor Lexie Velasquez escaped the city and spent a day at the ranch. She shot a javelin with one shot and did some scouting for arrowheads. –lv
Lexie holding the javelin’s ear.
Arrowheads found in Aguilares.
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
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HALLOWEEN PHOTOS
Boyer Inc
Allstate Commercial Flooring
MEMCO Staffing
J.A. Greene Construction
Merry Christmas to all from Construction News KWA Construction
Elite Power
McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
Look at that one
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Another day, another door to install for Ryon Oates.
ometimes we don’t realize how much a door can do for us. Sometimes we don’t know what door to go for, but when you have someone like Ryon Oates who specializes in door installation and helps his customers locate products, you can rest assure your door(s) will be ready to open and close. Oates is the owner of The Door Guys, a door installation company for residential entry and interior doors in Houston, TX. In 2010, Oates was intrigued. He was a master carpenter working with someone doing installs before he started his business. “I found this was something that is a specialty and not many people do. Lots of companies sell doors, but don’t install,” he said. That same year he started his business and since then has installed over 10,000 doors all over the Houston area. Even though Oates doesn’t have an official office location, he prefers it that way because he can take his business anywhere. The Door Guys have been servicing all of the Houston area, while educating
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Antique tractor show
OLT CAT was host of this year’s annual Antique Caterpillar Machine Owners Club (ACMOC) National Show, showcasing HOLT, Caterpillar and other brands of century-old construction and farming machines owned by collectors from across the country. The free public event was held at the HOLT CAT headquarters in San Antonio Oct. 26 -28 with antique machine displays, a machine operating area, daily machine parade, food and entertainment. Approximately 100 antique tractor dating back to the early 1900s were on display. Among the highlights were a 1910-era wooden Holt manufacturing combine, CAT 20 Experimental Tractor from the 1927 World’s Fair and the Holt 120 tractor which is currently on display at the Heidrick Ag History Museum in Sacramento, CA.
their customers with what is trending and available. They also do repairs on old doors, frames and some new construction. Oates utilizes today’s technology and requests his clients email him pictures of the project they need done or fixed. This helps with the diagnostic for the planning. “We usually have doors replaced that same day or within a day or two,” said Oates. Oates has installed numerous types of doors, including storm doors, which come in handy for Houston residents dealing with torrential storms. He can even install doors into a home’s open room with no doors and turn them into an office. Oates said, “We do more consulting for the customer than most, making it easier on the customer and for us as well.” The Door Guys receive a lot of referrals because, “My customers love me and it is because I make things easier for the customer,” said Oates. He sure has a likeable personality and loves his business. The Door Guys is a residential door installation company in Houston, TX. –lv
The live machine operating demonstrations and parade allowed spectators to appreciate the functionality of the machines that revolutionized the world. Also on hand were plenty of restoration stories to tell along with tales of rare finds and where they were found. Along with the old, the newest CAT equipment was also on display. Getting a first hand look at how Caterpillar has evolved and the future it is moving towards was sure to leave everyone in total “ahh!” Collectors of these antique tractors have a great passion for these machines. The ACMOC was founded in 1991 by a small group of enthusiasts who all shared a passion for the legacy of antique Caterpillar machinery. Their mission is to assist and educate not just their members but also the general public on the historic Caterpillar machinery and how it shaped the world. They have chapters across the continental United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. -cmw
Can you imagine operating this beast all day in a field?
1910-era wooden Holt Manufacturing combine
Youngsters get a first hand look at this tractor
The owner of this antique tractor gets it ready to operate.
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
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THIS TH MON Jan: Construction Forecast Mar: Construction Education May: Concrete Industry July: Electrical Industry Feb: Construction Safety Apr: Women in Construction Jun: HVAC & Plumbing Aug: Service Providers
A bullish outlook Brian McGuire, President & CEO Associated Equipment Distributors Schaumburg, IL
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ssociated Equipment Distributor members are reporting a strong year across North America on both equipment sales and equipment rentals, but as with any industry, challenges remain. The greatest strategic challenge facing the construction equipment industry is the scarcity of skilled technical workers. The industry’s technician shortage is costing AED members more than $2.4 billion per year in lost revenue and economic activity. Preparing workers for well-paying careers will ensure that U.S. companies can seize new business opportunities, making the United States more competitive in the global economy. Earlier this year, AED commended the President for his leadership in addressing the nation’s skills gap. Businesses, schools and government officials must collectively commit to tackling the technical workforce shortage, and the president’s executive order was a positive step toward giving students and workers the necessary skills to thrive in today’s economy. Another challenge is in the area of tariffs. AED was joined by eight other major construction industry organizations on separate letters to Senate leadership and the Trump administration opposing the recently implemented tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from Canada, the European Union and Mexico. Other
signatories were the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, the Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance, the American Concrete Pipe Association, the National Utility Contractors Association and the National Asphalt Pavement Association. In the letter, AED and its construction industry partners cautioned policymakers that the tariffs will only exacerbate delays in manufacturers meeting customer equipment demand. Due to the booming economy, manufacturers were already having a difficult
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
Sept: Green Building Nov: Architecture & Engineering Oct: Specialty Contractors Dec: Construction Equipment
time producing equipment needed to meet the demand of AED members and their customers. It’s unclear yet whether the steel tariffs have caused a production decrease. However, manufacturers, particularly companies making specialized machinery and attachments, are increasing prices creating an inflationary effect in the industry. The longer the steel tariffs remain in place the more detrimental the impact, as equipment will get more expensive, reducing demand and likely hindering growth in the broader construction industry as the cost of doing business increases for contractors and other users of heavy machinery On a more positive note, soon after being sworn into office, President Trump imposed a limit on regulations requiring two to be cut for every one issued, dramatically improving the regulatory environment. At the Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency and others, major rules promulgated during the Obama administration have been repealed or are in the process of being revised. However, we do anticipate rulemakings in the future that will impact the construction equipment industry, although hopefully in a positive way. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has commenced a rulemaking to examine and modify hours-of-service regulations that we anticipate will provide some relief to AED members. Additional-
Bobcat
Link-Belt 228 HSL
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ink-Belt Cranes Presents the 228HSL – 130-ton Crawler Crane.
• • • • • • • •
M2-Series T650 compact track loader
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he M2-Series T650 compact track loader from Bobcat offers a variety of performance, operator comfort and visibility enhancements to help increase operator productivity and provide enhanced machine uptime protection. Cab comfort is enhanced with an automatic ride control option and new front and rear cab isolators, door seals and side screen dampers to reduce vibration and noise. A redesigned top window improves visibility with a 34 percent in-
crease in open area. This is beneficial when loading material into a high-sided truck. Also available is an optional side lighting kit for increased visibility when working when it’s dark. A reversing fan option allows loader operators to temporarily reverse the cooling fan direction (for several seconds) to blow dust and small debris from the radiator and rear screens. This helps minimize downtime and can reduce the cooling area cleaning frequency.
Caterpillar
ly, the Internal Revenue Service continues to issue guidance and rules related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. AED looks forward to working with all lawmakers, regardless of political party, to pursue pro-growth policies that expand equipment markets and lower our members’ cost-of-doing business. During the past two years, AED has laid the groundwork to engage Republicans and Democrats in Washington, positioning the association to work on a bipartisan basis regardless of party control. Divided government provides a unique opportunity for Congress and the president to work across the aisle to solve the biggest issues facing the United States, such as rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. While there is a degree of uncertainty about what the leadership in the new congress will look like, as far as AED’s legislative agenda goes, there’s early optimism about one of the equipment industry’s top legislative priorities - infrastructure investment. Other areas of bipartisan compromise could be workforce development and ratifying the renegotiated NAFTA (known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canadian Agreement). Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental and support of equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications. -cmw
• • •
Link-Belt 228 HSL
45’-235’ Main Boom 30’-75’ Jib Cummins Tier 4 Final 106,150 lb Total Counterweight, easily transportable, and self installing/removing 119,541 lb Transport Weight (Base Crane, Side Frames and Base Boom Section). 44,565 lb Available Line Pull Self-Erecting – Easy and Quickly Link-Belt Exclusive Vision Package (Swing, Hoist and Rear View Cameras) Walkways, Catwalks, Guard Rails Link-Belt HSL Capacity Limiter Virtual Wall Auto Stop
If you are looking for a crane that is an upgrade to your 110-ton crawler crane but still want the ease of transportation and set up, the New Link-Belt 228HSL–130-ton crawler crane may just fit your need. The 228HSL has already developed a strong foot hold in the Texas Crane market not only as a great contractor’s crane, but the Link-Belt 228HSL has even started to make a name for itself in the Oil Patch. Features that add to safety and ease of operation leave the competition behind. Take a look at this exciting and productive new crane.
Contact Holt Crane and Equipment 877-275-1520.
Cat 259D Compact Track Loader Unmatched Performance & Comfort
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o matter the size or model, every Cat® Compact Track Loader features a suspended undercarriage for superior traction, extra comfort, exceptional stability, longer track life, & lower ground pressure. Easy-to-use pilot-operated controls keep you more productive throughout the work day. Our high performance powertrain, and advanced hydraulic system, can handle the toughest working conditions. The Cat® 259D CTL with the reliable
Cat® C3.3B turbocharged engine delivers solid performance & requires no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). When coupled with this powerhouse & the suspended undercarriage your operators will sit in the finest work station available to make long days seem shorter. HOLT CAT® has a large inventory of new and used Cat machines, Cat certified technicians and 24/7 Parts availability. Call today for special financing 877705-4619 or visit HoltCat.com.
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
THIS TH MON
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
To represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact HoustonEditor@ConstructionNews.net (210) 308-5800
NEXT MONTH (JAN 2019) Construction Forecast
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Case C Series Mini Excavators
GEHL RT165 compact track loader
M2-Series T650 compact track loader
M2-Series T650 compact track loader
ore power. More productivity. More value. Introducing the C Series, CASE’s expanded line of mini excavators that now includes six models from 1.7 to 6.0 metric tons. These compact excavators are ideal for use in tight spaces and applications such as general and residential construction, landscaping and utility work. C Series mini excavators provide parallel, unobstructed operation near obstacles, tree lines and foundations thanks to their zero, short-tail or conventional swing design and independent center swing boom that can be offset left or right within an operating range. Offered in zero tail swing, short-radius or conventional configurations, C Series
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mini excavators feature an adjustable boom with the ability to offset left or right to work closer to buildings and obstacles. The CX17C features a variable-width undercarriage and adjustable blade capable of passing through most common gates and for working on confined jobsites, close to buildings and in developed areas. C Series mini excavators provide parallel, unobstructed operation near obstacles, tree lines and foundations thanks to their zero, short-tail or conventional swing design and independent center swing boom that can be offset left or right within an operating range. Contact ASCO for more information at 800-687-0008 or ascoeq.com.
Genie
enie® trailer-mounted Z®-booms feature an outstanding operating envelope, making them ideal to reach jobs high and low. With easy-totow mobility and simple pictograph controls, Genie trailer-mounted Zbooms take productivity to new heights. Operating envelope of a Z-boom — reaches up, over and out. Genie towable boom lifts provide safe lifting solutions to contractors and homeowners and an excellent return on investment for rental store owners. The Genie TZ™-50 boom has a working height of 55 ft 6 in and horizontal outreach of 29 ft 2 in. Up-and-over clearance is 22 ft. Along with the primary jib boom, the articulating jib boom provides an additional 4 ft 1 in (1.25 m) of horizontal reach and 135° of working range to position the platform above or below horizontal. This machine also has a 500-lb platform capacity and a weight of 4,400 lb. The Genie TZ-50 lift offers outstanding “up, out and over” capabilities in a compact, lightweight package that is easy to maneuver in congested work areas. An assortment of options and accessories means the Genie TZ-50 lift can be customized to meet jobsite needs. Other advantages of the Genie TZ-50 lift include: * Compact, narrow design is easy to maneuver in congested work areas
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he Gehl RT165 compact track loader takes performance to the next level. Designed with compact dimensions and operator’s choice of controls—joystick, Tbar, or hand-foot—this machine is ideal for many applications in the rental, landscape and construction industries. It was also built on an adapted R165 skid loader chassis for 85% parts commonality, another benefit for rental companies. The Gehl RT165 can power through the toughest jobs. It has a 69.3 hp Tier IV Yanmar engine, packed with plenty of lowend torque, and a robust lift-arm that can reach further and dump higher. The RT165 offers an operating capacity of 1,650 lbs. and a maximum lift height of 119.6” when fully raised. In addition, a low operating weight of only 8,020 lbs makes this machine easy to transport. Top Features of the Gehl RT165: • IdealTrax™ Automatic Track Tensioning System • Multiple control choices: Pilot Joystick, T-bar, Hand/Foot • Yanmar Tier IV 69.3 hp (51.7 Kw) engine at 2500 rpm providing 179 ft.-lbs. of torque • High-flow auxiliary hydraulics available with 30.1.5 gpm flow (121 L/min) • Multiple track widths and tread patterns
• Low operating weight of 8,020 lbs. (3638 kg) which expands transport options and provides low ground pressures for high flotation • Compact machine width of 66” (1676 mm) with a narrow undercarriage and overall machine height to ROPS at 77.5” (1969 mm) • Excellent breakout forces: • 4,230 lbs. (1,919 kg) tilt • 5,060 lbs. (2,295 kg) lift • Hydrostatic 2-speed drive system • Standard triple flange, maintenance free bogies • Excellent service access to maintenance components: • Large engine cover is hinged and positioned by gas-springs to assist with lifting and hold in place. • Swing-out rear door allows full access to filters, fluid reservoirs and other maintenance components. • Swing-out cooler provides improved access to the engine bay area. • The ROPS/FOPS assembly tilts rearward with a gas-spring and latches safely in place for easy internal access to the pumps, hydraulic valve bank and drive motors. For more information contact H&E Equipment Services at 877-700-RENT.
Yanmar
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* Ground and platform controls utilize symbols to simplify operation * Optional Drive and Set™ feature lets you drive the unit from the platform when fully lowered * Easy access to batteries — just release the clamp and remove the cover * 359˚ non-continuous turntable rotation * AC power to platform * Illuminated outrigger indicators * Tilt alarm/sensor For more information contact H&E Equipment Services at 877-700-RENT.
he SV100 is the largest excavator model YANMAR offers, with a 72-hp Yanmar diesel engine, 21,550-lb operating weight, 14-ft, 10-in. digging depth and a width of 7 ft, 7 in. The SV100 is in the top of theclass for performance in the 8-10 T segment. This model is in the SV series, which are the ultra-tightturning YANMAR excavators. This means a minimal turning radius in both the front and rear and adds versatility on a tight worksite. The SV100 comes loaded with standard features. Second 2nd PTO function comes standard, which enables the thumb to remain functional while also using other hydraulically-driven attachments. Also standard is the SAE to ISO control valve and 5 years of the SmartAssist Remote monitoring system. This system allows you to monitor up to three months of operational history. Because this state-of-the art system centralizes control of machine operation information and maintenance support information, it’s never been easier to maintain a timely, efficient service process. All YANMAR excavators from the ViO25 to the SV100-2A come standard
with Yanmar’s quick coupler design. The quick coupler significantly reduces the time to change excavator attachments and can be done from the comfort of the operator’s station. Earlier this year, YANMAR set a new industry standard with a 4 Year / 4,000 Hour ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty that comes standard on the SV100, and all YANMAR excavators. This new standard in the industry is a bold statement of YANMAR quality and shows the confidence Yanmar has in its product. For more information, contact H&E Equipment Services at 877-700-RENT.
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
Page 13
Association Calendar
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors Dec. 4: ABC/CMEF Political Action Committee Christmas Party, Okra Charity Bar, 924 Congress Ave., 6-9pm. Dec. 5: Cycle Bike Build 2018, NRG Center, 8400 Kirby Dr., 5-8pm. Dec. 11: 2018 PAC Pork Butt Fundraiser, ABC Houston, 4910 Dacoma St., 12-3pm. For more info, call 713-523-6222. AGC Associated General Contractors Dec. 6: Celebrating Safety & Vets Holiday Happy Hour, Cedar Creek, 1034 W. 20th St., 4:30-7pm. For more info, call 713-843-3700 AIA American Institute of Architects Dec. 8: 10th Annual Gingerbread BuildOff, City Hall’s Hermann Square. For more info, call 713-520-0155 ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers Dec. 11: Branch Meeting & Holiday Toy Drive, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Ave., 5-7:30pm. For more info, email info@ascehouston.org ASSP American Society of Safety Professionals Dec. 6: ASSP & AIHA Gulf Coast 2018 Holiday Social, Dave & Busters by The Galleria, 6010 Richmond Ave., 6-9pm. For more info, contact Jeron Quincy at jeronquincy@ymail.com Dec. 7: North Section Holiday Social, The Goose’s Acre, 21 Waterway Ave. #140, The Woodlands, TX. 12-3pm. For more info, go to northsection@gulfcoast.assp.org CFMA Construction Financial Mgmt Assn Dec. 5: December Social Event, Bowlmor Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd., 5-8pm. For more info, cfmahouston@gmail.com FPA Foundation Performance Assn Dec. 12: Meeting, Mr. Harry Nguyen, Hess Club, 5430 Westheimer, 4pm. Dec. 12: Meeting, Dr. Robert Lytton, Hess Club, 5430 Westheimer, 5pm. For more info, call Vicky Bonds at 713-6994000 HAGA Houston Area Glass Assn Dec. 6: Christmas Party and Casino Night, Westwind Club, 5905 Guhn Rd., 6:30-10pm, Guest Admission $40. For more info, call Dorothy Gurka at 281849-8293 HCA Houston Contractors Assn Dec. 7: HCA Christmas Party, The Houstonian Hotel, 111 N. Post Oak Ln., 6pm.
For more info, contact Jeffrey Nielsen at jnielsen@houstoncontractors.org or call 713-349-9434 IEC Independent Electrical Contractors Dec. 5: Christmas Party & Open House, IEC Auditorium, 601 N. Shepherd Dr. #350. For more info, contact Kandi Lankford at sradmin@iectxgc.org or 713-8691976 MCA Mechanical Contractors Assn Dec. 19: Lunch Meeting/Christmas Holiday Lunch; HESS Club, 5430 Westheimer, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, call 281440-4380 NAWIC National Assn of Women in Construction Dec 1: Guitars & Cars, Sam Houston Race Track, 7575 N. Sam Houston Pkwy., 126pm. Dec. 11: Membership Meeting/Christmas Dinner, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 2019 Post Oak, 5pm. For more info, go to www. nawic-houston.org PHCC Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Gulf Coast Chapter Dec. 5: Christmas Party Social, Happy Hour & Appetizers, Redneck Country Club, 11110 W. Airport Blvd., Stafford, TX. Guest Admission $30, must be purchased in advance online: http://gulfcoastphcc. org/events.html. For more info, call 281702-2955 SETX NECA Southeast Texas Chapter Nat’l Electrical Contractors Assn Dec. 1: SETX NECA Annual Meeting & Christmas Party, Galveston, TX. For more info, call 713-977-2522 SFPE Society of Fire Protection Engineers Dec. 11: SPFE 2018 Holiday Party, Platypus Brewing, 1902 Washington Ave. #F, 4:30-7:30pm. For more info, go to www. sfpehouston.org TSPE Texas Society of Professional Engineers Dec. 17: TSPE Holiday Party. For more info, contact Loretta Lau at llau@jonescarter.com WCA Women Contractors Assn Dec. 6: Casino Royale: Hard Hats & Heels, Kim Son, 2001 Jefferson St., 6-10pm For more info, contact Sandra Janak at 713807-9977 or email director@womencontractors.org
Construction News ON LOCATION
Posing while waiting
L-R: Chris Scully and Devrin Sanders of Unique Plumbing Inc. pose for a photo while picking up supplies in Conroe, TX. -cwm
s
Submitted to Construction News
Round-Up
Freese and Nichols Inc. is please to announce: David Hunn, PE has joined the Freese and Nichols family as a senior project manager for water and wastewater treatment projects. With more than 32 years of experience handling water and wastewater projects for private and public clients, he will be based in the Pearland office. Hunn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M Univ. -cmw Jason Ward, PE has been designated as the firm’s Transmission Discipline Leader in the firm’s Houston office as a result of his success as a manager of several major projects. He has over 12 years of experience primarily handling pipelines and pump station projects for Texas municipalities, water districts and river authorities. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M Univ. -cmw Dustin Pope, PE has joined the Freese and Nichols family. Experience in managing multimillion-dollar military construction projects throughout the Middle East, Pope is being trained as a project manager in the firm’s Houston office. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Engineering from Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology. -cmw
Carlos Quintero, PE has joined the Freese and Nichols family as a senior project manager. His area of expertise is in large-diameter pipelines. He will be based in the firm’s Houston office. He holds a MBA and MS in Finance from the Univ. of Houston-Clear Lake and Master degrees from the Institute for Hydraulics and Environment in The Netherlands and Universidad De Los Andes in Columbia. -cmw Murali Erat, PE has been promoted to Associate. He has been with Freese and Nichols for 12 years and has led several Houston projects. He will based in the firm’s Pearland office. Erat received his MS in Environmental Engineering from Oklahoma State University and his Bachelor of Engineering from the Univ. of Madras. –cmw Brian Gettinger, PE has joined the firm as a Tunneling Services Leader. Gettinger will influence his expertise to expand the firm’s capabilities on complex underground excavation projects, including water, wastewater and storm water engagements, and transportation and other initiatives requiring trenchless technology. He will serve as a project manager based in Houston/Pearland and holds a Master’s in business and finance, a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City . -cmw
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
JOB SIGHTS
MAREK employee Manny Hernandez doesn’t get distracted while painting the exterior of the MEMCO Staffing headquarters building’s front entrance. -cmw
continued from Page 1 — Electrical Doctor gets about him,” Joe said. Electrical doctor wants to expand into HVAC and solar power, as well as to start a training center for new electricians. Joe says that the new crop have a hard time knowing how to use all the tools of the trade, and he wants to pass on the skills that have been passed down to him. “You’d be surprised how many young kids that don’t know what a basic Phillips screwdriver is,” Joe said. What’s also important is hiring the right caliber of person. “I can teach you to be an electrician,” Joe said. “I cannot teach you to be a better person.” This ties in with what Joe’s grandfather, a military man, taught Joe: Always take care of your 6, meaning, take care of the guy who takes care of you, who’s watching your back. “We have gone through, in the last nine years, over 200 electricians to get our six” that currently work for them, Joe said. It was Joe’s grandfather that instilled the work ethic in him and need to have impeccable integrity.
Hence, word-of-mouth referrals are paramount for Electrical Doctor. “We live by those,” Joe said. “To get a recommendation from a happy customer is priceless.” Electrical Doctor’s customer base is roughly 35 percent residential, 20 percent commercial, and the rest industrial. Coming up in the ranks of electrical doctors is Joe and Mayra’s 15-year old son, who shows the aptitude to follow in the family’s footsteps. With Mayra running the day-to-day ops from the office, and their crew of six scattered around the Houston area, the Electrical Doctor stands ready to fix whatever ails your house or business. The guys have gone up to Conroe and down to Galveston to do so. Not only is the doctor in, but he makes house calls too. The Padilla family has a long history of solving your electrical problems and getting you back on your feet. They have your 6. Electrical Doctor is a contractor in Pasadena. -dsz
continued from Page 1 — Buffaloe Floor Covering
L-R: Edardo Agulara, Rico Guiterrez, George Sanchez and Robert Rodriguez with A Absolute Plumbing work on a broken water line at the corner of Bissonet and Locust Streets. -cmw
Construction News ON LOCATION
Fasten-smile
commercial and residential. “We work with the every day homeowner to multifamily, hotels, commercial build outs and new construction in commercial and residential,” said Kurt. There are two locations for Buffaloe Floor Covering. You can find them in Houston at the same location they’ve been at since 1980 or you can also visit them in Cypress. As far as their service area, Kurt says there is not a part of town they don’t go to. “We’ve had commercial and residential jobs take us to Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.” Primarily they service greater Houston and Galveston. Their employee count is 10, six salesmen and four other team members with various staff roles. They have 15-17 installation crews for various materials at any given time. The salesmen are also the project managers for their own jobs. “We are with the customer from start to finish going through everything with the job.” Recently, they worked on 80 to 90 large town home units. They also worked on a couple of office buildings, where they did an excess of 20,000sf of ceramic tile. “We’ve done a couple of auto auction houses, which are gargantuan,” added Kurt. “Also a lot of commercial build outs, especially after the hurricane.” Buffaloe Floor Covering crews are
still working on jobs that are hurricane related, which range from houses that were torn down to those that were gutted. A large amount of crewmembers helped their communities in various ways, including demolition. “As a group we had some survival guilt to an extent because of the whole deal. In the grand scheme of things, it is our way of getting back out there and getting to work to help the people who had to deal with the destruction. We were able to get back to both offices by Wednesday of that week. We had crews going out that Friday to assist with demos,” said Kurt. Everyone at Buffaloe Floor Covering works together and as a token of appreciation Kurt says every year they give a Christmas ham to all of their installers. Kurt also shares something the family has discovered while transitioning their paper files to digital. “One of the funny things that we’ve found over the years are notes that my grandfather kept in every single file. The things that showed up in some of the files were packages of cheese crackers, packages of Fig Newton’s and we’ve even found cash in some of them.” Buffaloe Floor Covering is a flooring contractor in Houston and Cypress, TX. –lv
continued from Page 1 — J.A. Greene Construction
The Fastenal team in Conroe, TX poses for a photo when Construction News pays a visit. L-R: Ethan Galer, Kira Hilliard, Makenzie Walters and Tiffany Plunk. -cmw
Construction News ON LOCATION
To say “hello”
Jose Aguilar with R. Reyna Carpentry in Conroe, TX takes a short pause from sanding custom made cabinets he is working on to say hello to Construction News. -cmw
every day in the month of February. Working to maintain a viable working schedule created the biggest challenge for J.A. Greene’s team. Greene’s team with the help of CDA Architects designed the building to meet the client’s budget with required content to be a successful veterinarian. “It is truly built to suit the customers every need and will allow them to perform services at the highest level,” adds Greene. In addition, the building is designed in such a way that as the client’s business grows; future expansion can be easily obtained without disrupting day-to-day operations. As design builder, J.A. Greene
Construction married design and construction services from the onset of the project to streamline the entire building process. This allows them to take responsibility for the project, budget, design, schedule and functionality, making it easier to remedy any problem that arose. Project Manager Morgan Miller, Interior Superintendent Jim Harrold and Exterior Superintendent Jimmy Gibson had a very fluid transition of responsibility. Passing critical information to all parties made this project run smoothly, on time and within budget. J.A. Greene Construction is a full-service general contractor in Houston, TX. -cmw
Houston Construction News • DEC 2018
Page 15
Locktoberfest
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ctober is synonymous for Oktoberfest, bringing communities together to partake in old German beer-style festivals. For Acme Architectural Hardware, October offered a little different, yet similar opportunity. The folks at Acme Architectural Hardware hosted their own version, Locktoberfest.
The Acme team transformed their parking lot and yard into a raging festival ground with a large tent, tables and chairs where guests enjoyed plenty of food, drink and raffle prizes for a funfilled time. Vendors were on hand to display the latest and greatest of their product lines and engage in one-on-one conversations with customers and friends. –cmw
Long line of Luphers
Lupher Boys- Top Row (L-R) : Cody Garrett, c/o A.B. “Smokey” Lupher, PE, RPLS, Robert J. Lupher, c/o Bill Lee Lupher, PE, RPLS, William Barris Lupher, PE, Austan W. Lupher, RPLS, Jacob J. “Jake” Lupher, RPLS, Lee G. Lupher, RPLS Bottom Row (L-R) : All 4 sons of Bill Lee Lupher, PE, RPLS - Robert A. “Bob” Lupher, RPLS, T. Trigg Lupher, RPLS, Mark W. Lupher, PE, RPLS, Karl H. Lupher, c/o Bill Lee Lupher, PE, RPLS
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he Luphers have it on good authority (The Texas Board of Land Surveyors to be specific) that their family has more registered licensed land surveyors than any other family in Texas. The claim makes sense: The Lupher family began land surveying in the Lone Star State six generations ago, beginning with Alfred Barris Lupher PE RPLS. Today, the tradition has continued with Bob Lupher RPLS and Lee Lupher RPLS founders of professional land surveyor firm Lupher LLC. It has also carried on in Trigg Lupher RPLS, the soon-to-be retiring president of American–Lupher Land Surveyors Inc.
“Over the years, as one family member was ready to retire, the company didn’t necessarily sell out to another outside entity,” Bob explains. “We always passed it down, although maybe the name changed slightly because of industry standards.” The Luphers say the reason land surveying attracted so many of their kin is because it served as a great (and wellpaying) first job that taught them skills like blueprint reading and drawing. It’s also a way to test out a career interest during college. “As Trigg is preparing to cut back and retire, the nephews are now starting to
Lupher PE’s- (L-R) : Bill Lee Lupher, PE, RPLS (Deceased), William Barris Lupher, PE, Mark W. Lupher, PE, RPLS, A.B. Lupher, PE, RPLS (Deceased)
come to Lupher LLC to work for us while they go to college,” Bob says. The list of Luphers goes on, but it is far from being complete. Jake Lupher works for a competing firm in Houston. Austan Lupher is licensed and works for Pape-Dawson. Cody Garrett (a Lupher on his mother’s side) is working toward his registration at Lupher LLC. Robert James Lupher Is working on the field side of the surveying business and also
Overhead view
serves as the company’s accounting manager. William Lupher worked for the company before joining Halff Associates. “That sixth generation will be riding the coattails of the past five generations,” Bob says. “I haven’t attached too many names to the sixth generation because they’re not all here yet, but within 10 years, they’ll end up being here.” Lupher LLC is a land surveying firm in Houston. –mjm
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Houston Construction News • DEC 2018