Home Improvement
Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 7, 2020 •
A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal
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August 7, 2020
Clients benefit from innovations offered by builders, contractors by Michelle Leach
The use of technology and innovations to conventional processes has been accelerated in all “worlds,” and the residential improvement and remodel corner of the construction space is not an anomaly as firms meet demand in a new environment. “It appears the state of Nebraska has been incredibly resilient during what will be a year that lives in history for our nation,” said Anne M. N. Klute, president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors Cornhusker Chapter, one Fischer of 69 chapters for the national construction industry trade association that represents 21,000-plus members. As an essential industry, Klute noted how construction prevailed through the pandemic and as portions of communities throughout the country dealt with damage related to protests. “Most of our members who work in the residential space perform service work,” Klute added. “So, [they] have really continued to be relevant throughout.” The industry and, notably, ABC members, have always had a “strong focus” on safety, Klute said. “Members have modified safety policies to follow the CDC and health directives of the state,” she said. “Our goal, pandemic or not, is to send our teams home safe to their families every night, and we have rose to the challenge of positive social distancing and the extra needs for PPE.” Additionally, Klute said, both the Cornhusker chapter and ABC national organization has continued to support membership through webinars and web meetings on the latest safety and productivity initiatives. “Although COVID-19 gave all of us a number of challenges, we were able to stay upto-date and keep our jobsites functioning,” she said. “New safety programs were needed, as well as additional PPE and sanitary measures.” And, Klute added, safety is just one of ABC’s key initiatives; the organization also supports apprenticeship training, government affairs and workforce development. “Our mission at Buildertrend is to change how the world builds,” said Vice President of Consumer Success Eric Fischer. “Historically, the construction industry has been slow to adopt technology, which makes pen and paper our biggest competitor. Too many professionals
A contractor uses Buildertrend software to manage the job site. (Photo courtesy of Buildertrend) rely on paper notes, text messages, emails play key roles in ensuring safety of the team and spreadsheets to manage project timelines, and project profits.” scheduling and client updates.” Cloud-based features allow for storage of Its all-in-one project management platform contracts, the tracking of project details, and was born. instantaneous sharing of updates. “Homebuilders and contractors can stream“Being able to easily access files means a line their processes to eliminate costly delays, contractor is prepared and protected in the event reduce dead days and improve productivity,” of a dispute regarding a contract or completed he said. “Documentation and communication work,” Fischer said.
Fischer noted how its software presents a long-term solution to keep the industry going and growing amid social distancing. “With simple scheduling features, contractors can comply with COVID-19 safety measures by limiting the number of employees on a job site and avoiding overlap between subcontractors,” he said. “Schedules can be shared with the tap of a button with the team as well as clients.” Should the need for contact tracing arise, Fischer said, Buildertrend’s digital daily logs track who Polich was on the jobsite, and when they were on site. “Construction companies can store and share policies for sanitizing tools, accessing safety gear and self-reporting illness within the app,” he said. “Teams can reference those documents anywhere, anytime from their personal devices.” For homeowners, the digital experience supports their peace of mind. When they feel safe, that presents one of the biggest benefits to Buildertrend’s contractors. “Even before the pandemic, we authored an Continued on next page.
Home Improvement — inside AUGUST 7, 2020
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
$2.00
VOL. 46 NO. 32
Palleton expands productivity with multiple initiatives
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
by Richard D. Brown
CRE Summit goes virtual to guide commercial real estate community through pandemic. – Page 2
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Community building forms bedrock of Jeff Spiehs’ career. – Page 4
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Labor picture a drag on Omaha’s otherwise bustling tech community. – Page 24
Omaha-based Palleton, a 40-year-old family-owned company that builds, renovates and manages pallet needs for some of the nation’s largest food companies, has increased its sales volume by more than 24% in the past five years. The firm has 110 employees with headquarters in south Omaha, plus facilities in Fremont, Council Bluffs and Osceola, Iowa, Austin, Texas, Lyons, Kansas and Minnesota, that are close to major meat packers such as Hormel. Palleton also has a full-function mill for pallet production on the Missouri/Arkansas border. Vice President of Sales Lacy Arteaga, daughter of founder/ CEO Larry D. Meyer, when describing the expansive nature of Palleton, likes to do the math on the firm’s annual production numbers. “The board foot [of production] for our largest customer totals approximately 140,000,000 Continued on page 9.
Vice President of Sales Lacy Arteaga … Automation and innovative recycling systems have enabled the company to increase productivity. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
Right at Home in acquisition mode as in-home care focus gains traction by Michelle Leach
As the world changed, not unlike other organizations, Right at Home shelved ambitious hiring plans but has since circled back around to them, with a renewed focus on its clinical team as the demand for home care services has been accelerated in the present environment. “We had a significant plan
in place to increase staff another 10% to 15% over the course of next year, so we’d go from 82 to 85 people up to 100 people at the corporate office,” said Chief Executive Officer Brian Petranick. “We’re back on that plan. Some of the focus has changed. Some of the people that we thought we would hire in February, the titles Continued on page 9. Owner Nina Austin at That Dog Wash at 14th and Jackson streets … Partnering with local producers and shops to make a positive impact for pets and the planet.
Passionate about dogs, Love Yo Pup founder serves up healthy dog treats by Gabby Christensen
Chief Executive Officer Brian Petranick … From its new headquarters, home care provider renews hiring with heightened clinical services, caregiver support focuses.
Love Yo Pup, a small batch dog treat business based in Omaha with customers throughout the nation, was established with a “farm-to-paw” approach in mind — meaning that each handmade treat is not only humanely harvested, but also crafted with organic and healthy ingredients, according to founder/owner Nina Austin. Austin, an avid dog lover and pastry chef by trade, opened the
business in November 2015. “The journey began when I found out that one of my rescue dogs had some health issues,” she said. “At the time, there were many recalls from major dog food manufacturers and I was tired of being afraid that the food I was feeding my dogs may be harmful. I wanted to give myself and other dog parents peace of mind.” From that moment forward, Continued on page 10.