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Larry Loyd Construction Co. Inc.
Larry Loyd Construction Co. Inc. and Casco Contracting LLC team up on large sitework projects
By its nature, the earthmoving industry is competitive with companies bidding against each other to get coveted projects. There are rare exceptions, such as when Louisiana contractors Larry Loyd Construction Co. Inc. and Casco Contracting LLC team up to complete big jobs.
“We have been working together for probably 12 years or more and have developed a good relationship,” said Chad Hambacher, President/Owner of Abita Springs-based Larry Loyd Construction. “The job we are currently doing near Ponchatoula is a great example. We sat down and developed a plan of how much equipment and how many people we needed and went at it.”
Larry Loyd Construction serves as the general contractor for the sitework on the approximately 60-acre project with Covington-based Casco Contracting as a subcontractor. Both are performing a similar scope of work that includes everything from clearing to finish grade for a new water bottling facility.
“We work really well together, and we don’t really view ourselves as being competitors,” stated Jerrett “Buster” Casadaban, Operations Manager for Casco Contracting. “On these larger projects, it’s easier on both of us. They bring part of their staff, and we bring part of ours, and we do the job.”
The two companies began the project in March and expect it to last about a year. Located next to the Tangipahoa River, the site was formerly wooded and privately owned. Casco Contracting and Larry Loyd Construction teamed up on clearing before commencing bulk earthwork operations.
“The site was fully wooded with a lot of massive trees,” said Casadaban. “After we had those taken care of, we could start moving dirt. It was a low-lying area, so it had to be built up. We hauled in about 100,000 yards of red clay for structural fill, and there will be about 350,000 yards of on-site material that has to be moved.”
Larry Loyd Construction Supervisor Jessie Stewart is overseeing the project and said it’s going as expected.
“The building pad is about 400,000 square feet, and in addition to putting that on grade, we’re building ponds, putting in subsurface drainage, and constructing the subgrade for parking,” said Stewart. “We don’t view anything as strictly Casco’s or Larry Loyd’s. Whatever needs to be done, we get after it together.”
A wealth of experience
Both companies have a wealth of experience to draw from to get projects like this done on schedule. After several years of working for other companies, Hambacher purchased Larry Loyd Construction about 20 years ago to be closer to home because he was starting a family.
At the time, Larry Loyd Construction had been in business for nearly 30 years and was focused on residential subdivision work with about a dozen employees. Today, the company continues to serve southern Louisiana with approximately 40 staff members — including Stewart, who is Larry Loyd’s nephew.
“I actively sought growth, specifically branching out to do more commercial work in an effort to expand,” said Hambacher. “That helped us go from doing about $3 million per year to about $20 million today. We typically have six to eight projects going at one time, and those range from $500,000 up to $10 million in size.”
Casco Contracting is owned by Casadaban’s wife, Jennifer. The company was formed about 15 years ago when he dissolved the business he owned and joined forces with Jennifer. Casco Contracting has a staff of about 20 and typically has four to five jobs on the books at any one time.
“I’ve been moving dirt since I was 17 and bought my own skid steer, so I’ve been doing this kind of work for about 27 years,” said Casadaban. “When we got married, Jennifer was running a truck parts company and wanted to start her own business. I decided to go work for her and run the field operations. Like the business I owned previously, it started out small. I graded yards with a tractor for residential contractors. They asked me to do more work, so we added on services and just kept growing.”
Dealer service leads to loyalty
Casco Contracting and Larry Loyd Construction both rely on Komatsu equipment to complete jobs efficiently. For the water bottling project, the companies are using PC210LC and PC360LC excavators as well as D39PX, D51PX and D61PX dozers. They also rented HM300 articulated trucks from Waukesha-Pearce Industries LLC (WPI) with the help of Sales Representative Philip Derbins.
Casco Contracting and Larry Loyd Construction both rely on Komatsu equipment to complete jobs efficiently. For the water bottling project, the companies are using PC210LC and PC360LC excavators as well as D39PX, D51PX and D61PX dozers. They also rented HM300 articulated trucks from Waukesha-Pearce Industries LLC (WPI) with the help of Sales Representative Philip Derbins.
“We have run Komatsu ever since I can remember; my uncle Larry used it when he owned the business,” said Stewart. “It’s good-quality machinery that lasts and is dependable. We have worked with Philip for a long time, and we were happy to see him stay on board when WPI took over the territory. If we need anything, he’s right on top of it.”
Casadaban added that product support is a big reason Casco Contracting continues to use Komatsu as well.
“We have really good reps here in Louisiana,” said Casadaban. “They take care of us. Phil will do anything for you. He’s helped me determine the proper size of machines to maximize productivity. That high level of service keeps us loyal. We made our first purchase through WPI with his help a few months ago — a D51PX. It’s the latest of several pieces we have bought in the last 12 to 15 years. We get great life out of the machines. For instance, we have a PC210 with 5,500 hours that’s still tight and has its original pins and bushings. All my operators love Komatsu equipment.”
Casco Contracting and Larry Loyd Construction maintain their older machines, and WPI takes care of scheduled services on newer units, including the rented trucks, under the Komatsu Care program for the first three years or 2,000 hours.
“That helps us a lot because it ensures those are done on time,” said Casco Contracting Superintendent Travis Delatte. “WPI is tracking them and calls when it’s time for service. They set it up so that it minimizes our downtime, which is helpful on projects like this where we need maximum production.”
Hambacher said Komatsu equipment has always given Larry Loyd Construction outstanding production.
“I was introduced to Komatsu when I bought the company,” noted Hambacher. “The machines are strong and reliable, so our uptime is great. Combine that with good service, and that’s why I have stayed with Komatsu.”
More joint projects
Due to the excellent work that Larry Loyd Construction and Casco Contracting have done at the water bottling facility, additional work has been added, including running sewer force main from the site and tying it in with the city of Ponchatoula utilities.
“That’s typical for us because we focus on doing work on time and on budget, which has led to a lot of repeat customers,” said Hambacher. “We are typically a turnkey site contractor who likes to control the schedule. Teaming up with Casco on some key jobs like this really helps.”
Moving forward, the two companies’ mutually beneficial relationship will continue to grow, as they already have more joint projects in the works, including some subdivisions and retention ponds. ■
*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.
