American Builders Quarterly: Issue 35

july/august 2010

Floor-to-Ceiling Design

The best building solutions, from the ground up

Grazzini Brothers and Company

90 years of breathtaking terrazzo installations

BALDWIN GENERAL CONTRACTING Through artistry and innovation, a carpenter’s family tradition lives on in the Pacific Northwest

CORBIN BUILDING, INC. O l d Wo r l d C r a f t s m a n s h i p

Corbin Building and Design is fully equipped to handle both commercial and residential general contracting projects. Our work crews and afďŹ liates specialize in remodeling, housing renovation, kitchen and bath remodeling, and other projects that require General B contracting.

Corbin Building and Design is all about quality and superior customer service. We never forget that we are a service-oriented business. We deliver quality workmanship within budget and on time. Our company will stand behind everything we do if you have any problems with our projects or service; we are committed to making any corrections without questions or hesitation. Our customer delivery package will ensure complete satisfaction.

jcorbin@corbinbuilding.com www.corbinbuilding.com 2345 Park Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94606 Tel: (510) 663-5716 Fax: (510) 663-5718

contents Government Contractors 12 west coast general corporation, a general contractor based in the San Diego area, specializes in complex public-works projects for the government and military.

14 micon constructions has developed a reputation in the Washington, DC, area for quality construction work at affordable prices, including several government projects.

Commercial Contractors 16 mccauley constructors inc. aims to take the construction industry in a new direction by offering more transparent service and placing more emphasis on client relationships.

18 norco construction company has been one of the leading commercial general-contracting and construction-management firms in the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, since 1988.

20 g2 construction inc. thrives as a commercial construction firm in Washington’s Tri-Cities, a region largely unaffected by the national economic downturn.

23 cbd design & construction corp. brings superior design-build services to New York, as certified professionals work with each client to ensure a hands-on approach to the project.

Surfaces 26 elite sufrace innovations, llc, a Texas-based flooring and countertop supplier, has seen phenomenal growth and is quickly becoming a leader in its field.

32 precision carpentry of westchester, inc. has flourished as a full-service carpentry contractor, as it takes pride in its extensive services, quality work, and client relationships.

28 vulcan industrial contractors, headquartered in Alabama, has been

34 cedar siding, inc. supplies mid-range

serving the Southeastern insulation market for more than 60 years, providing a barrage of services to numerous markets.

to high-end homebuilders with prefinished lines of wood and fiber-cement siding that is color matched to client specifications.

30 sharp glass, based in San Antonio, has

36 triangle drywall supply, inc., a

become a major source for commercial glazing; today, it is leading innovation in the industry with a pre-glazed unitized windowwall system.

p. 26 elite sufrace innovations, llc uses top-of-the-line materials, like this Dragon Granite, to create unique surface designs.

family-owned company based in Mississippi, has been providing its services for 33 years, keeping customers up to date on the highest quality products and building methods.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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Flooring 38 superior floor covering, inc., based in Posen, Illinois, installs dynamic flooring solutions, including sheet vinyl, linoleum, hardwood, and others, for a wide variety of projects.

40 johnson floor company, inc. holds an unmatched record of service in the commercial flooring industry, building on a solid family legacy that began 80 years ago.

49 tilden roofing co. inc., based in Elmhurst, Illinois, is a roofing supplier and installer for new and existing construction and luxury residential homes in the Chicagoland area.

52 spearhead roofing’s vast knowledge of the industry, and dedication to staying at the forefront of the latest products, has allowed the Oregon-based company to grow.

42 grazzini brothers & company,

54 academy roofing, inc., celebrating

now in its fourth generation, continues to excel as a tile, terrazzo, and stone specialty contractor, thanks to its ability to adapt to the changing marketplace.

its 10th anniversary, is a family-owned company dedicated entirely to its customers by operating with honesty and integrity.

Roofing 47 metalmaster roofmaster is a family-run, 150-person contractor specializing in large commercial construction and installation of artistically functional sheet-metal and roofing systems.

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56 taylor roofing, which has built a solid reputation for its roofing projects, has won numerous awards for its work, and is now offering green roofing solutions.

58 tri-county roofing, inc., which has doubled in size despite a national economic downturn, serves as a model of the benefits of exemplary customer service.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

Residential Contractors 60 corbin building inc., based in Oakland, has weathered California’s real-estate market by switching gears into the lessaffected commercial sector, while still dabbling in the residential sector.

67 picklo homes is a family-run firm that believes better-quality builders will dominate in the recovery, as it builds on its reputation for high-quality constructions.

Specialty Contractors 71 pioneer cable contractors has continuously and successfully adapted its business model to the ever-changing telecommunications industry.

73 alexander mechanical contractors, based in Kansas City, is a multifaceted firm that performs most of its work on commercial and industrial HVAC and plumbing projects.

contents

p. 62 Cover Story baldwin general contracting, inc., a construction-management and generalcontracting company based in Oregon, provides high-quality work for commercial and residential projects.

76 sun valley electric, inc. has built

84

a solid reputation as one of the premier design-build electrical companies in industrial and commercial installation.

78 flare heating & air conditioning provides product sales, service, main-

86

halo mechanical is a full-service

in New England, is leveraging its energyconservation philosophies into growth in the solar market as it continues to achieve top ratings for quality.

94 thermapure has patented a process

commercial HVAC contractor that is moving progressively towards green technology while remaining dedicated to customer service.

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reputation for quality workmanship on jobs ranging from residential service calls to commercial plumbing work.

crana electric, inc., based in New York City, has garnered a reputation for high-quality work, with projects ranging from corporate fit-outs to mall build-outs.

using Structural Pasteurization to kill allergens, pests, and mold, which are filtered out of the building, ensuring a healthy indoor environment.

96 stutzman services inc., a watermanagement firm, is continuing its efforts to understand and provide new technology and sustainable services while it participates in community outreach.

Green Services

82 wayne maples plumbing & heating, a family-owned company with a 50-year history, has grown and diversified its business by training employees to work on demanding jobs for a wide range of industries.

92 energy electric co., inc., based

grading, asphalt-paving, concrete-construction, and road-rehabilitation work for the State of California, including Los Angeles and Newport Beach.

tenance, air-conditioning, and gas-furnace repair in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area to a large residential market.

80 eaton plumbing inc. has built a

ortiz asphalt paving co. performs

90

Plus

blood hound, inc. is one of the largest private utility-location firms in the country, specializing in undergroundutilities and electromagnetic location.

6 8 10 98

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editor’s note builder’s brief tax tips last word

p. 42 grazzini brothers & company This terrazzo floor, titled “Continuum,” is located in the newly renovated Maxwell Hall lobby on the campus ofWinona State University inWinona, MN. The University was interested in the floor design addressing usage and flow of the space as well as the concept of lifelong learning.The floor evokes movement, the flow of ideas, and the search for information and personal growth.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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editor’s note

2011

Grazzini Brothers & Company is reimagining the traditional use of stone and tile.

W

e at American Builders Quarterly are excited to be covering the building industry at such an influential time. The aesthetics and objectives of construction are changing, and building-industry leaders are discovering new opportunities every day. For this issue of ABQ , we spoke to architects, builders, and designers who are renovating, rehabbing, and reimagining the American building landscape.

Family-owned Baldwin General Contracting (page 62) appears on our cover, and represents that theme of building a structure (and a business) from the ground up. The American economic landscape has, no doubt, created major challenges for builders, as many have had to expand their services and product offerings to ensure a steady stream of work. Yohn Baldwin, founder of Baldwin General Contracting, discusses how he has found a successful strategy for weathering the economic storm.

“One of the favors the economy has done for us is distilling our core competencies,” he says. “When you get down to having to do what you usually do for less, you have to increase your efficiency.” Greg Grazzini, of Grazzini Brothers & Company (page 42), has also seen a silver lining on the volatile building industry. “I enjoy finding new markets that we can be successful in,” he says, “and watching us grow into these markets with new people and new energy.”

As you continue through this issue of ABQ , we encourage you to draw inspiration from these featured designs and developments, and to think about your own standout building projects. ABQ has always covered builders who embody excellence in their fields, and as we launch our first-ever Building Excellence Awards, we will continue that tradition.

I look forward to exploring the best of what the American building community has to offer. As always, we hope the articles in this issue motivate, inform, and inspire your work. Enjoy.

Molly Soat Features Editor

abq Building excellence Awards American Builders Quarterly is celebrating the best in American building and design with the 2011 Building Excellence Awards

The ABQ Building Excellence Awards recognize achievements in architecture, design, and community planning across the nation. Winning projects will receive featured coverage in the July/August 2011 issue of American Builders Quarterly, in addition to prize packages available exclusively to Building Excellence Award winners.

Project submissions must be received by mail no later than October 15, 2010.

Visit americanbuildersquarterly.com/awards for submission requirements, downloadable entry forms, and complete award details.

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builder’s brief awards

Jensen Landscape & Construction Company Wins CLCA Best in Show Award

military development

Companies Join Forces to Design and Build New US Coast Guard Facility

A multifaceted architecture, engineering, and contracting team composed of The OAK Group, Inc. of Camden, New Jersey; L. Robert Kimball & Associates of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania; and Henderson, Inc. of Williamsburg, Virginia, has been selected by the US Coast Guard and the US Department of Defense to design and build a $22.8 million US Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Training Facility in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

San Jose, California-based Jensen Landscape & Construction Company was recently awarded 2009 Best in Show honors from the California Landscape Contractors Association. Jensen, a leading provider of landscape construction and maintenance services in Northern California, won the prestigious Stuart J. Sperber Memorial Sweepstakes Award for quality construction and maintenance work on an estate in Pleasanton, California. This is the second year in a row that Jensen took home this prestigious honor.

“For over 40 years, Jensen has worked in partnership with its clients to construct and maintain beautiful landscapes,” said John Vlay, president and CEO. “Receiving these awards both for custom residential work and commercial installation reiterates our commitment to quality craftsmanship throughout our projects, regardless of the scope.”

Additionally, Jensen Corporation Landscape Contractors, the company’s commercial arm, won Best Entry in Commercial Installation for its work at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel & Spa in Menlo Park, CA. Source: Jensen Corporate Holdings, Inc.

urban development

Modern, Green, and Historic Elements Create a “Paradigm of Urban Living” Earlier this year, Urban Pace—a Washington, DC-based real-estate sales company—completed sales at The Nine, a condominium project in the revitalized Ninth Street corridor, with square foot prices averaging in the mid-$500s. The condos were sold in only six weeks, having been marketed as “the ultimate paradigm of urban living.”

• The OAK Group will provide construction services and will manage the construction project.

• Kimball will oversee the design, architecture, and buildingengineering for the facility.

• Henderson will support the facility with day-to-day contracting and subcontractor management activities.

The facility, which will train US Coast Guard members to effectively perform search-and-rescue operations using infrastructure designed to simulate real-world rescue conditions, will include a military enhanced training system (METS) facility featuring a mock helicopter cockpit, from which Coast Guard members will be trained to eject while submerged in a large pool of water and forced to exit. The project is expected to be completed in 2012.

Source: L. Robert Kimball & Associates

products

SKIL Power Tools Introduces New Flooring Saw SKIL Power Tools, a leader in portable electric-power tools and accessories for consumers and professional construction markets, has developed a groundbreaking flooring saw that saves time, energy, and money by allowing users to make numerous cuts with just one tool— the SKIL Flooring Saw. Drawing from its expertise in cutting and innovative product development, the SKIL Flooring Saw allows do-it-yourselfers and installation professionals alike to leave their benchtop tools in their workshops and upgrade to a multifunctioning saw that makes clean, professional cuts.

Designed to cut through hardwood, laminate, and engineered flooring up to 8 inches wide and ¾ inch thick, the saw smoothly makes miter cuts from 0 to 47 degrees and also quickly transitions to a fixed saw allowing rip cuts to width.

Located near the Convention Center and Historic Penn Quarter, The Nine was developed using forward-thinking principles of sustainability and historic preservation. All materials taken down during rehabilitation were recycled, either within the project itself or for other uses. In addition, all materials acquired for use in the project came from within a 500-mile radius of Washington, DC.

“The ability to make both miter cuts and rip cuts in all wood-flooring types with one saw makes this tool a pioneering product that DIYers and flooring installers are going to appreciate,” said Garth Prince, product marketing manager for SKIL. “Whether your installation project takes you to the attic or the basement, our new Flooring Saw offers the ultimate in cutting innovation.”

Source: Urban Pace

Source: SKIL Power Tools

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

services

corporate sustainability

Georgetown Consulting Expands Services in Supply-Chain Management

Wrigley Earns LEED Silver Certification for Engineering Technology Center

Georgetown Consulting—which offers supply-chain management, green reverse logistics, and telecommunications-system engineering—has expanded its highly respected core practice by forming Fourth Party Reverse Logistics (4PRL) and acquiring partial ownership of TBW Solutions of Alpharetta, Georgia.

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company’s Engineering Technology Center (ETC) in Chicago has recently received LEED Silver certification from the USGBC. Wrigley purchased the 91,300-square-foot ETC in 2005, and refurbished it to house the company’s engineering team, packaging labs, and model shop. With energy, environmental quality, and site improvements in mind, high-efficiency design was applied to the reconstruction.

As a fourth-party reverse-logistics consultant, 4PRL serves as integrator and coordinator of activities performed by in-house and third-party service providers. TBW Solutions holds contracts with both Honeywell and Florida Power & Light to develop smart metering solutions, and is an experienced provider of engineering, furnishing, and installation services, as well as data-management services to the wireless and wireline telecom industries.

Meanwhile, by becoming the partial owner of Georgia-based TBW Solutions, Georgetown Consulting positions itself to capitalize on a worldwide trend in the energy industry—the design and deployment of smart-grid systems for delivery of electric power.

“Our mission is to assure that everything is done in an efficient, measurable, and greenminded fashion,” said Bob Burich, vice president and managing director of Georgetown Consulting and 4PRL. Source: Georgetown Consulting

The ETC building now uses approximately 37 percent less energy and 20 percent less water because of environmentally friendly measures, including: • an advanced energy-management system, which programs temperature settings for reduced energy output during evenings and weekends; • active e-waste recycling efforts, which recycles or repurposes more than 95 percent of all unused electronics; • a white roof, which lowers energy use through the reduction of seasonal heating and air-conditioning; • an eco-friendly exterior-maintenance program, including pest management and landscaping practices; • an EPA Energy Star water-efficiency monitoring program, which reduces water use for the building and landscape irrigation; • energy-efficient lighting and occupancy sensors; • an advanced recycling program, which annually saves 75 tons of waste from entering landfills.

The certification marks the second LEED recognition for the company.

Source: Wm.Wrigley Jr. Company

sustainable mixed-use

Baltimore’s Largest LEED-Certified Residential Development Strives for Gold

The Bozzuto Group—which consists of six integrated companies in acquisitions, construction, development, homebuilding, land development, and property management—is anticipating LEED Gold certification for the Fitzgerald at UB Midtown. The development, comprised of 275 apartments, 24,000 square feet of street-level retail, and a 1,245-space parking garage, would be the most sizeable LEED-certified apartment community in the Baltimore area.

In its bid to achieve LEED certification, the Fitzgerald’s employed the following sustainable strategies: • Energy reduction: along with fluorescent lighting and Energy Star appliances, 70 percent of the building’s electricity will be purchased from renewable sources.

• Water reduction: the project incorporates dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, and low-flow showers, collectively reducing consumption by 40 percent.

• Air quality: in addition to being 100-percent smoke free, all carpets, adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings will meet or exceed low-VOC standards.

• Recycling: during construction, no less than 75 percent of waste has been diverted to recycling rather than to landfills.

• Transportation: the development is located at a light-rail stop and within two blocks of Penn Station; it also offers bicycle accommodations.

The Fitzgerald is a joint venture between The Bozzuto Group, Gould Property Company, NYSTRS, and former Baltimore Raven Michael McCrary, and sits on 4.6 acres of land owned by the University of Baltimore.

Source: The Bozzuto Group

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construction tax tips

Managing Taxes to Maximize Cash With 2010 ushering in a very uncertain tax climate, construction contractors should keep in mind the following tax tips from Grant Thornton LLP’s construction, real-estate, and hospitality group.

1. take a hard look at bonus depreciation deductions.

As an incentive for investment in equipment, taxpayers are allowed to deduct half of the cost of qualifying property in the first year of use, and then depreciate the remaining half of the asset over its normal useful life. For five-year equipment (the most common tax life for construction equipment), this allows a deduction of 60 percent of the asset’s cost in the first year of its life. For contractors in a taxloss position, this deduction increases NOL carryback opportunities. However, pass-through entities such as S corporations or LLCs should be aware that significant individual income-tax increases are possible, which may make depreciation deductions worth more in the future. Careful planning is required to make sure this deduction is right for you.

2. analyze the business structure. For decades, tax experts have advised their contractor clients to organize as pass-through entities. Alignment of corporate and individual tax rates, combined with the ability of an individual investor to minimize capital gains on the sale of a business, made this a solid tax strategy. However, current deficits and potential tax changes may alter this landscape.

In the current tax climate, significant future individual tax increases are very possible, while corporate rate increases are unlikely. As a result, contractors should look at their business structure with an eye toward potential restructuring. The benefits of restructuring may include reducing taxes, reducing liability risks, and aligning structure with business profit drivers.

3. consider future capital gains and dividend tax rate increases. Under current law, capital gains and qualified dividends are taxed at a favorable 15 percent federal income tax rate. This preferential treatment is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010 and individuals (absent a law change) will face higher taxes on these items in 2011. Taxpayers with significant capital gains transactions should work with tax advisers to analyze whether accelerating capital gains and dividends into 2010 is a prudent tax move.

4. determine if the company can lower property taxes.

A property tax review can ensure that real and intangible property is excluded from the personal property tax base. In addition, there

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may be opportunities to lower the property tax valuations on real property. The review would not only generate savings in the first year but also in future years.

5. examine capital asset depreciation methods and lives.

Depreciating fixed assets is one of the most complex aspects of tax law. Understanding and properly applying these rules can accelerate income tax deductions, and these deductions often add significantly to the current tax flow. For contractors who have underreported prior depreciation, recent IRS guidance allows “catch-up” deductions with an automatic change in accounting methods.

6. review deferred compensation plans. Contractors who struggle with profitability often cannot revert to past practices of awarding large bonuses to retain key employees. This is the time to look at additional benefits besides profit-sharing and 401(k) plans.

Nonqualified plans can give employers the ability to pick and choose which employees to cover. Often limited to key employees, a properly drafted plan can provide incentives that align with a contractor’s strategic plan and provide employees a powerful incentive to remain with the company.

7. consider establishing a separate entity to own and lease fixed assets used in the business. Often referred to as leasing or procurement companies, these entities help manage assets and may significantly reduce sales-and-use tax, which is collected and remitted regardless of whether a company is profitable.

8. consider not deferring income. The traditional wisdom of deferring income for tax purposes deserves another look. With many government entities looking for increased tax revenues, new tax policies and rate increases are very possible. At the current time, individual taxpayers are a target. With tax increases scheduled for 2011, taxpayers would be well-advised to consider whether deferring taxable income is still the most cash-efficient option.

“To learn how these tax tips may apply to your contracting business, please contact your tax advisor,” says Todd Taggart, tax partner and practice leader of Grant Thornton LLP’s construction practice.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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Congratulations to Dave Davey & West Coast General Corporation on 25 successful years. We are proud to partner with you and look forward to the future!

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government contractors

West CoasT General corporation Multifaceted general contractor’s challenging public-works projects are met with client satisfaction by francesca cheli dana k. ferrell founded general building and engineering contractor West Coast General Corporation in 1985. Under the company’s banner, Ferrell reemerged into the local construction industry after semi-retiring from another contracting company he had built and sold. In 1987, David E. Davey was hired as an estimator and project manager, one of four employees at the time. Between 1985 and 1995, West Coast General Corporation’s revenue averaged $10–12 million, a significant increase from past years. Ferrell’s extensive experience and knowledge coupled with Davey’s skill set and work ethic quickly moved the company to the forefront of the San Diego-area construction community.

at a glance location: poway and temecula, ca founded: 1985 area of specialty: design-build and engineering services

Today, with Davey now serving as president of the company, West Coast General Corporation has a San Diego office in Poway, California, and a Riverside office in Temecula, California. It employs 40–70 people yearround, and brings in an average of $20–25 million in annual sales. It is a member of the Engineering General Contractors of San Diego and Associated General Con-

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

tractors of San Diego. Recently, the company added the 2009 Public Agency Consortium (PAC) Contractor of the Year award to its trophy case.

West Coast General Corporation is set apart from other contractors by its extensive list of complex and challenging projects. The company primarily targets the publicworks sector and has completed an array of projects for the County of San Diego, local municipalities, the State of California, the federal government, and the military.

To date, West Coast General Corporation has completed $600 million of public and private contracts involving mid-rise commercial buildings, hotels, motels, a major federal courthouse, office building renovations, track and custom homes, freeway and road construction, masstransit and trolley rehabilitation, park and playground construction, habitat restoration, military-airfield and -defense facilities, and border anti-terrorism facilities.

“We target or prefer projects that have elements of difficulty and/or risk to them, particularly in schedul-

west coast general corporation

Left: One of West Coast General’s specialties is park construction.This park was completed at the Chet Holifield Federal Office Building in Laguna Niguel, CA, for the Ziggurat Child Development Center.

ing and phasing multiple users of a facility or facilities,” Davey says. “These projects have the traditional challenges of production and workmanship skills associated with them, but the added element of the demands of accommodating traffic flows, access for users of the facilities—like businesses, utility companies, and local residents—and constructability provide us opportunities for greater competiveness and profitability—not to mention simplifying the impact the project may have on the public at large.”

One of the company’s characteristically challenging projects was the 12th Avenue Park-to-Bay Link project, completed between 2004 and 2008. The high-profile project involved removing and replacing the trolley tracks, overhead high-voltage catenary lines, streets, parkways, and sidewalks, while keeping the trolley, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and the local businesses along the route accessable and in full service. “Logistically, this project was a serious challenge because of all the safety issues,” Davey says. “When you combine rail traffic and vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic in close proximity to one another, the risks are high. Add in completion milestones with drop-dead dates and the risks escalate exponentially. Fortunately, we successfully prosecuted the work without incident.”

West Coast General Corporation also specializes in crushing and producing aggregates for various products.

The company was one of the first contractors in the San Diego area to utilize portable crushing equipment, beginning the practice 20–25 years ago. One project that required that type of work came in 1996, when the company expanded the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, by adding 1.4 million square feet of new apron and taxiway. Working right on the airfield in the flight line meant many restrictions.

West Coast General Corporation completed the project to the satisfaction of the client while utilizing existing concrete and asphalt debris from the air-station landfill.

“We moved on one of our portable rock-crushing spreads and processed 80,000 tons of concrete and asphalt debris that had accumulated in the base’s landfill over the last few decades, and manufactured all the aggregate base materials for the project,” Davey says.

government contractors

number of employees who have been with the company for more than 15 years, and even more who have worked for us for over 10 years,” Davey says. “Each member of the company wears a number of hats. Project managers often have worked in the field and performed as estimators; superintendents often double as project managers and have estimating skills; all of us have become contract legal experts in some fashion or form as a part of our risk management. We call it our ‘Spartan approach’ to efficient productivity. It makes for employees with a clear sense of achievement and worth.” abq

a message from california bank and trust West Coast General Corporation has enjoyed a long, prosperous banking relationship with BobWhitelaw of California Bank & Trust (CB&T). CB&T ranks among the largest banks headquartered in California with more than 100 locations throughout the state.The bank provides clients with financial expertise and direct access to decision makers.

Building outstanding relationships, one client at a time.

Proud to support our long-time client, West Coast General Corporation.

For more information about how California Bank & Trust can help you, contact:

Davey credits his employees for both the financial success and good standing of the company. “We have a

Robert Whitelaw Senior Vice President (619) 593-4418 www.calbanktrust.com Member FDIC

government contractors

Micon performed extensive window replacement at Langston Terrance inWashington, DC.

micon constructions Small firm finds significant growth through large-scale projects in Washington, DC by sheena harrison

ever since he was a child, samuel akinwande knew that he wanted to be a builder. As the son of a general contractor, he used to watch his father and dream of starting his own construction company. That dream became a reality in 2000, when he founded Micon Constructions, a Washington, DC-based construction firm that has grown to work on some of the largest projects in the nation’s capital, Virginia, and Maryland.

Micon performs general-construction, constructionmanagement, program-management, and corporate services. The company has worked on a wide range of projects, such as renovating the US Attorney General’s office, constructing offices for the US General Services Administration, and providing improvements and energy-efficient upgrades for housing developments operated by the District of Columbia Housing Authority.

at a glance location: washington, dc founded: 2000 employees: 8 average annual sales: $5 million

Micon is certified under the US Small Business Administration’s 8a Business Development program and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Minority Business Enterprise program. Micon’s reputation for doing solid work at costs that clients can afford, as well as its certifications, have allowed the company to gain clients and revenue during the last several years. “Quality is what I stand for,” Akinwande says. “My goal is not

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

about money. I want my work to be something where people look at it, are happy, and say, ‘Who did this?’ I want them to see the transformation and be amazed.”

Prior to starting Micon, Akinwande was working for a Baltimore-based construction firm when he decided that he wanted to try his hand at entrepreneurship. For three years, he worked alone on small projects in the Washington, DC, area. Then Micon received its first breakthrough—a contract to build a new roof for District of Columbia Public Schools.

Akinwande says Micon almost didn’t receive that first contract because the price it quoted was about half the price quoted by a company that the district had worked with for many years. That low price prompted the district’s facility manager to call and ask whether Micon had the capability to do the roofing job. “I said, ‘I can guarantee you that this roof will get done, and we’re going to do it well,’” Akinwande says. “The inspector did not feel too comfortable at the time, but we did the job and everything went perfectly. From there, that was how we started getting more work.”

Today, Micon has eight employees. The company’s revenue has grown steadily to $5 million in 2009, up from

micon constructions

government contractors

Quality is what I stand for. My goal is not about money.

I want my work to be something where people look at it, are happy, and say, ‘Who did this?’ I want them to see the transformation and be amazed. —Sam Akinwande, Owner & Founder

about $1 million in 2004. Growth like this suggests that while Micon is a smaller company, the firm has the potential to become much bigger. In fact, Akinwande has turned down some contracts that have been offered to Micon during the last few years because he wants to maintain a gradual, controlled growth for the company.

This year, Micon’s projects include a new $50 million, five-year contract with the District of Columbia Housing Authority; a $12 million, four-year contract with the Washington, DC Department of Housing and Community Development; and repairs and restoration of the loading dock and ramps for the Washington Convention Center. Micon is also considering the possibility of doing

international construction projects. In addition, Akinwande expects Micon will generate revenues of about $10 million in 2010—a number that may increase since the company has bid for additional projects that may come through this year.

As Micon continues to build its revenue and reputation, Akinwande says the company will work to maintain its values of performing quality work for cost-efficient prices. He believes Micon’s emphasis on doing each job correctly and on-time will bring continued growth for the company during the next several years. “Everybody knows that there is no cutting corners in what we do,” Akinwande says. “We just have to do it right.” abq

Established in 1981, Quality Elevator Company, Inc. has been, and remains, a turn key type of company that strives to maintain and improve vertical transportation. Quality is one of the fastest growing independent elevator companies in the D.C. Metropolitan area and currently holds multiple government and commercial elevator contracts.

Quality provides customers with the necessary engineering to maintain and upgrade all building systems, including electrical, mechanical and life safety components.

On-time job completion is not only important to the customers, but is also something Quality Elevator prides itself on!

Phone: 301-779-9116 Fax: 301-779-4716 WWW.QUALITYELEVATOR.COM

Quality Elevator GSA Schedule Contact

GS 2010 06F0074S american americanbuilders buildersquarterly quarterlyjuly may/august /june 2010 1515

Co. Inc.

One of McCauley’s recent projects is a FedEx Express Package Center in Grand Junction, CO.The 25,000-square-foot pre-engineered building houses a complete package center, with offices and a reception area for FedEx.

McCAULEY CONSTRUCTors inc.

General contractor provides commercial clients with hands-on service and trusting relationships by laura clark

in 2005, leon mccauley decided he wanted to to $10 million. And the company offers myriad services, including interior finish and remodeling, site developtake the construction industry in a new direction. With ment, and building construction. almost 20 years of experience at the time, McCauley wanted to offer clients a more transparent option for “We look at projects from different standpoints,” Mcdoing business. The idea of an open policy was the backbone of his then newly formed company, McCauley Cauley says. “We like to work with the end user of the building instead of third-party managers and consultants.

Constructors Inc. “We have an open-book, hands-on They’re not necessarily attached to the project.” He goes approach with clients, where they’re on our side of the on to say that the company places the decision in the table,” says McCauley, who serves as president of the clients’ hands. “We offer a detailed cost level to educate company. “We’ve seen that owners want to know what they’re getting, what it’s costing, so they can make edu- clients and let them decide, versus a lump-sum number and then moving forward,” he says. “I’m a very hands-on cated decisions. I equate it with buying a car, where you owner, and I also want to do that to understand the cliget to see a list of options and then you decide.” ent’s vision.” That’s because, for McCauley, it’s all about building a trusting relationship with the client. “Business McCauley Constructors, a firm that offers commercial is business, but business is also about relationships,” he and light-industrial construction management and gensays. McCauley reiterates that his company works so that eral contracting, predominantly serves Colorado, with each party gets what they need out of a project, and that offices in Windsor and Grand Junction, as well as in his approach applies whether the project is a negotiated the surrounding states of Wyoming and Nebraska. And private deal or a public bid.

McCauley’s diverse portfolio of projects ranges from a FedEx Ground facility to the restoration of the WindThat inclusive attitude has perhaps triggered the compasor Town Hall, built in 1905. In addition, McCauley ny’s rapid growth. Presently a $15 million business, McConstructors’ building projects range from 1,000 to Cauley Constructors also “started out great,” McCauley 100,000 square feet, with values ranging from $10,000

at a glance location: windsor, co employees: 14 area of specialty: commercial and light-industrial construction management, general contracting average annual revenue: $15 million average annual projects: 10–12

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

commercial mccauley constructors inc. contractors

says. “Our first year, we made $10 million. We jumped out there and took work to build the business.” That, he says, is an important first step to building a successful business—going out and finding work.

However, not ready “to let the company jump out of control,” McCauley Constructors’ second year focused more on management, and the company scaled back.

“We’re not chasing revenues but projects, relationships,” he says. That’s not to say that revenues haven’t grown steadily over the past five years. The company itself has grown in several respects. What began as a one-man enterprise is now a 14-person operation. “We started out at 3 or 4 projects per year, and now we do 10–12,” McCauley adds.

That pace has been consistent despite a national economic recession, specifically in the construction industry.

But that hasn’t daunted McCauley or his team. “We’ve chosen as a company not to partake in the recession,” McCauley quips. “We’re not letting it affect business.

There are projects out there. We regeared business from private- to public-bid sector in municipal markets.” To date, the company has found public projects, including four libraries, the Town Hall renovation, and various buildings, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

This Breeze Thru Car Wash in Fort Collins, CO, is one of many projects by McCauley Constructors.

But when it comes to advertising and marketing, McCauley admits that he doesn’t spend exorbitant amounts to promote his business. “We rely on past clients to make referrals—these are the people you want to have,” he says. “The facts are the facts; there’s no sugar coating.

The best advertising you can have is the last project you built.” And with the growing list of projects and satisfied clients, McCauley Constructors’ work certainly speaks for itself. abq

All Phase Construction LLC

1004 Canyon Dr., Windsor, CO 80550 Phone: 970. 217. 0631 allphaseconstruct@gmail.com

“Servicing all your Construction Needs” RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION “Framing, Windows, Decks, Basement Finishes, Doors and Hardware, FRP, Specialty products, and much more.” american builders quarterly july/august 2010

All Phase Construction 1/2 page.indd 1

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commercial contractors

The beginning stages of Norco’s commercial buildings.

NORCO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY General contractor thrives in private sector with high client involvement in all projects by daniel casciato

from hanging out on the construction sites when he was a kid to helping manage site development for his father’s growing general-contracting and construction-management company, Jonathan Comer’s interest in construction began with an infatuation of watching the buildings on these sites steadily rise during the course of a project. As a child growing up in Summersville, West Virginia, he would accompany his father, Chuck, president and founder of Norco Construction Company to work whenever he could. He started working for the company at the age of 18, right out of high school.

at a glance location: summersville, wv founded: 1988 employees: 19 area of specialty: general contracting, construction management

Today, as site coordinator, Comer, 25, oversees and coordinates all of the site work for the company. He

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

hopes that the experience he has gained from his years working in the field will help him in this new management position and will prepare him to follow in his father’s footsteps and assume operation of the company.

“I love being in this business,” he says. “I knew when I was a kid visiting the sites with my dad that when I grew up, I wanted to stick around this industry.”

His father started the company in 1988, soon after working with a group of local Summersville developers working on the North Side shopping area. On this 80-plusacre development, Norco constructed a Lowes, Walmart store, Food Lion, a variety of food-service establishments, two large motels, several office buildings, a retail-strip center, and a car dealership. “We haven’t been active in

norco construction company

We pride ourselves in being an owner’s contractor, with the owner’s needs first and foremost in our minds.

—Jonathan Comer, Site Coordinator

the public-sector projects,” Comer says. “We have been fortunate to stay busy in the private sector.”

Norco builds a wide variety of projects, including medical, hospitality, retail, educational, food service, and renovations. Since its beginning in 1988, Norco has successfully completed more than $90 million worth of construction projects in its market area. Over the last two years, the company has expanded its operations to Ohio and Pennsylvania, completing new Microtel Inns in these states. As a member of the American Building Association, the company self-performs most of its steel erection and all of its foundation work at its job sites.

Much of the company’s success comes from its core philosophy: to be as honest as possible for whomever it is working for. “We pride ourselves in being an owner’s

A Norco worker on the job.

contractor, with the owner’s needs first and foremost in our minds,” Comer says. “Performing quality work and customer satisfaction are the main focuses of the company. We feel that if we perform our work cost effectively, and in a timely manner with good quality, then we can use those projects as our advertisement with future clients. Dad has always said, ‘We only produce three or four products a year—let’s make sure they are good ones.’”

There are many aspects of the job that Comer enjoys, but above all, he enjoys coming into work knowing that each day will be different. “I come into the office and go off to different job sites and every building is different,” he says.

“It’s not the same thing every day. Every day brings you something different.” Comer also enjoys the camaraderie among the staff. “We’re like one big happy family,” he says. “We all get along, are very tight-knit, and enjoy hanging out together.”

Harkening back to his days of watching the steady progress of a building’s construction, Comer now likes to document each project with weekly pictures and updates for the owners. “In our opinion, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we want to show the owners the progress we are making each week,” he says. “We also keep daily reports and a log of how many hours each crew worked, what the weather was like, and what was accomplished on that day. We do this on every project. It helps and makes the owner feel more involved. It’s also good for our records. In case there are any problems, we can pull up the photos of the week and see what happened.”

And despite a sagging economy, Comer still sees a bright future for Norco. “The coal industry is big here, and when it’s down, everything else seems affected by it,” he says. “So for now, we just want to hang on and make it through this rough time of the economy. We have to stay at a level where we can compete. Our goal for 2010 is to sharpen our pencils and meet with new architects and developers and get our name out there, and hopefully continue competing and doing good work.” abq

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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commercial contractors

commercial contractors

Left: G2’s range of projects includes an upscale dental office.

Architect: ALD Architects.

as high as $200,000, depending on what exactly G2 is doing—Gunther says that the profit margins are higher because of the company’s efficiency.

Gunther founded G2 with his wife, Ami, in April 2004.

He had previously worked for a local contractor in Washington’s Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland) and worked his way up to superintendent; but over time, he decided he wanted to strike out on his own. Today, G2 exclusively works in commercial construction, “mostly for bonding reasons—to keep our bonding rates low, which keeps us competitive,” Gunther says. Typically, Gunther subs out between 60 and 70 percent of the work on a given project; G2 self-performs excavation, carpentry (which it considers one of its strongest areas), concrete foundations, reinforcing steel, and smaller wood framing.

The firm has eight employees in the field and four in the office, with the vast majority of its work being performed in the Tri-Cities, though it will occasionally venture out around a 40- to 60-mile radius.

G2 Construction inc.

Commercial-building specialists offer services to an array of projects by david hudnall

in commercial construction, sometimes the small jobs have the most potential for personal and professional fulfillment. The smaller jobs allow builders to connect with clients, learn about their goals, and contribute to the vision they have of their business. “That’s why we really like tenant improvements,” says Doug Gunther, co-owner of Kennewick, Washington-based G2 Construction Inc. “We like going into these 1,500to 3,000-square-foot spaces and turning an empty shell into a dentist’s office or a cell-phone store into a tanning salon. And we work quickly, turning the place around, because the clients want to get the business up and running as soon as possible.” And although the projects are smaller financially—they can be as low as $15,000 or

at a glance location: kennewick, wa founded: 2004 employees: 12 area of specialty: commercial construction

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Location has been opportune; so far, the Tri-Cities commercial-construction market has largely escaped the pitfalls of the national economic downturn. As a result, G2 has been keeping busy. In late 2009, Gunther and his crew got underway with work at the Ben Franklin Transit, the public-transportation authority in the TriCities. G2 is building a two-story, 20,000-square-foot new administration building, and an 11,000-square-foot addition to the maintenance building, including two new bus lifts. (The $5.5 million project was funded in part with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus money.) “And when [the clients] move into the new two-story, we’ll remodel the old building into a clerical office,” Gunther says.

Charter College, which opened a branch of its campus in Pasco in 2009, provided more opportunities for the company. G2 performed a 10,000-square-foot tenant improvement for the college, followed by an additional 10,000-square-foot addition of classrooms, computer labs, testing stations, and administration labs. Phase one took 10 weeks, and phase two took 9 weeks, Gunther says.

A remodel of the family birthing center at Kennewick General Hospital, another recent project, took roughly 17 months. G2 built a Class-2 nursery for the hospital, adding intensive-care units, birthing rooms, and a remodeled nurse’s station. The $3 million project had

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Above:The Kennewick General Hospital Birthing Center.

Architect: ALD Architects.

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There’s a satisfaction in working with people and helping them achieve their dreams through what you’ve built. —Douglas Gunther, Co-Owner

to be broken up into two phases to keep the hospital functional during construction; the second phase was the remodeling of the existing birthing rooms.

For the Advanced Medical Isotopes Corporation, G2 built a facility that houses a linear accelerator, which is used to produce medical isotopes that are injected into the bloodstream to help detect cancer cells. Another unique project involved ballistic-window replacements at the Federal Marshall’s building in Richland, where the company installed bulletproof windows.

A family owned business since 1986, Riggle Plumbing, Inc. has developed a reputation for providing top quality, efficient, reliable service.

We are experienced in every aspect of plumbing, from service repairs and new homes to large commercial and industrial jobs.

Our staff at Riggle Plumbing, Inc. is dedicated to excellence and integrity in the services we provide to our customers.

As for the future, Gunther predicts more of the same.

“There’s a satisfaction in working with people and helping them achieve their dreams through what you’ve built,” he says. “We truly enjoy what we do.” abq

6508 W. Deschutes Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336

www.riggleplumbing.com

Ph: (509) 735 - 3916 Fax: (509) 735 - 1136

PANZNER Demolition and Abatement

PLASTER MASTER, INC. IN BUSINESS SINCE 1991

Exterior Wall & Finish Systems Cement Stucco Spray Fireproofing

Over 80 Years of Experience

Three Generation - Family Run Business

Specializing in:

Asbestos Abatement, Lead Abatement, Mold Remediation, Complete Building Demo, Interior Demo, House Demo, Fire Clean Outs, Boiler Removal, and Roll-Off Containers.

Phone: 631-581-4151 Fax: 631-581-4163 panznerdemolition@yahoo.com

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Intumescent Coatings

CONGRATULATIONS CBD Design & Construction Corp. on your recognition.

We are proud of our strong partnership.

P: 631-724-5634 F: 631-724-5628 27 Montclair Ave. Suite 5 St. James, NY 11780

wsplastermaster@aol.com www.plastermasterinc.com

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING - DESIGN HVAC INSTALLATION SHEET METAL PIPING GENERAL TECHINCAL SERVICE BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYSTEM ANALYSIS SERVICE CONTRACTS

www.pyramidac.com 90 East Jefryn Blvd., Deer Park, NY 11729 | Tel: 631.242.3355 | Fax: 631.242.4621

cdb design & construction corp. department

CBD’s completed P.C. Richard & Son’s high-end kitchen-interior display in Southampton, NY.

CDB Design & Construction Corp.

Providing excellent customer service with a hands-on approach in the commercial sector by laura judy

salvatore capitano jr., president of cbd Design & Construction Corp., has grown up in the commercial construction industry. His father, Sal Capitano Sr., was part of a partnership that established the company in 1967 under the name Construction by Design. When the Capitano Sr. retired in 2000, Capitano Jr. took over the company under its current name.

And Capitano now runs the company, along with partner Steve Fontana.

CBD provides design-build services for the private commercial industry. “We work strictly in the private sector, and we do everything from retail to industrial to medical buildings,” Capitano says. “Basically, we do everything but bridges and tunnels.” The company, which currently has 10 employees, works on projects in Long Island and throughout New York City. “We’ve been in the same office since 1980,” Capitano adds.

One of the company’s largest repeat clients is P.C. Richard & Son, a chain of electronics retail stores. “We’ve

done several of their stores around the New York area,” Capitano says. Some of CBD’s other clients include Volkswagon, Honda, Computer Associates and Metropolitan Life. In addition, it has designed and built banks, office buildings, and restaurants.

Although the company works in the busiest city in the country, Capitano says that competition is not a major problem. “We’re a niche-type company,” he says. “We work off of referrals, so our competition is usually fairly low.” Because most of the company’s work comes from repeat customers and referrals, CBD has been able to stay strong in a slowing economy. “The construction industry tends to lag behind the rest of the economy because projects take so long to develop and finance,” Capitano says. “Our slowdown has been about nine months to a year behind everyone else’s. But we see things picking up right now, with more bidding activities.”

at a glance

location: hauppauge, ny founded: 1967 employees: 10 area of specialty: commercial design-build average CBD takes on anywhere from 10 to 20 projects each year. annual sales: “The number of jobs we do varies from year to year,” $10 million+

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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commercial contractors cdb design & construction corp.

CBD’s portfolio includes this newly remodeled Honda automotive dealership in St. James, NY.

We’re very detail- and service-oriented, and we believe that you can never spend too much time with a client.

—Salvatore Capitano Jr., President

Capitano says. “Some years we do fewer large projects and more smaller ones, and vice versa.” Currently, the company brings in about $10 million annually. It has a stable base of vendors with whom it has formed solid relationships over the years, and these relationships have helped all parties keep working. “They’ll help us with their prices on a big project, and we’ll stick with them on a smaller project, even if they aren’t the lowest bidder,” Capitano says. “Quality, dependability, and track record are always key factors.”

In order to maintain its solid reputation in the industry, CBD provides excellent customer service. “We’re very detail- and service-oriented, and we believe that you can never spend too much time with a client,” Capitano says. “Our hands-on approach takes clients from the initial estimate through the completion of the project.”

Also, because Capitano is a licensed engineer and Fontana is a licensed architect, the company brings an added level of professionalism to all of its jobs. “Each client works with one of us directly throughout a project,” Capitano says. “If there’s an issue on a project, we don’t just go to the owner with a problem. With our professional backgrounds, we are able to go to them with a quick and practical solution, which ultimately saves them time and money.”

Because the company has been around for so long, it has seen many changes in the industry over the years. “Tech-

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nology has changed drastically,” Capitano says. “With the aid of computers and online information, designing is an entirely different process now, and the communication aspect of running a business has changed so much. We used to set our work schedule the night before so we knew where everyone would be; now we’re all in touch with each other and our clients at all times.”

As CBD Design & Construction Corp. moves forward, it plans to stick with the practices that have made this second-generation company so successful. “In the future, we’re looking at slow and steady growth,” Capitano says.

“We’re not looking to outgrow and outpace ourselves; we want to continue to take on projects that suit us, as well as the customer. That way, we’ll be able to maintain a hands-on approach, just like we’ve been doing for the past 40-plus years.” abq

a message from darr construction Congratulations to Sal Capitao for the recognition by American Builders Quarterly. Sal’s attention to detail and his knowledge of al trades make him a profound leader and we are proud to be a member of the CBD Design and Construction team.

Darr Construction has been serving the Nassau & Suffolk County areas of Long Island as a Site Improvement, General Contractor for over 25 years for the private and public sectors.We are insured and bondable.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

DARR CONSTRUCTION

Site Contractors NYS WBE

870 Sylvan Ave Bayport, NY 11705 Website: www.darrcorp.com

Equipment Corp.

Site Improvements General Contracting Excavation Land Clearing Drainage Sewer Watermain Equipment Hire Demolition

Tel: (631) 419-1801 Fax: (631) 419-1808 Email: darrcons@darrcons.com

Changing the Face of the Earth, One Site at a Time ...

Elite Surface Innovations is the nation’s leading supplier and installer of cut-to-size granite countertops.Doing business with Elite Surface Innovations means that you’re working with a team of suppliers, fabricators, importers and installers dedicated to delivering a high quality product at lower-than-expected prices.

Multi-Family & Commercial, New Construction & Renovation 4500 Ratliff Ln., Suite 113 Addison, Tx. 75001 Phone: 972-606-9667 ● Fax: 214-594-8830 www.EliteSurfaceInnovations.com

surfaces

Elite Surface Innovations’ work at this Dallas home features a 2-cm New Tunas Green countertop, with an undermount sink.

The company used a 3-cm Red Dragon Granite countertop, with an undermount waterfall sink, for this home in Alexan City,TX.

Elite Surface Innovations, LLC Countertop specialists expand business nationwide by jennifer kirkland

adam sumrow, president of elite surface innovations, LLC, loves his job. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing than working in new construction and with our clients,” he says. “My work is such a pleasure.

I’m in this for the long haul.” Sumrow is an energetic and ambitious young executive who strongly believes that the company’s personal touch is one of the best competitive advantages it has. “I’ve worked for companies where the owners weren’t actively involved, and it always bothered me,” he says. “I’ve met every one of my clients face to face.

Anytime they are not comfortable, I will go to them and spend as much time as it takes to resolve any issues.”

at a glance location: addison, tx founded: 2007 employees: 72 area of specialty: multifamily and commercial flooring and countertops annual sales: $12 million 2008 sales growth: 33% 2008 employee growth: 23%

Elite Surface Innovations, based in Addison, Texas, was founded in 2007, but the company already has a strong reputation. It specializes in cut-to-size granite countertops, and supplies and installs flooring and blinds to general contractors and developers of multifamily- and commercial-construction projects nationwide. It is geared to larger projects, such as apartment complexes, hotels, resorts, and casinos.

Utilizing the largest suppliers of stone in the United States allows the company to store and install raw materials, as needed, across the nation. “Because of our volume,” Sumrow explains, “our low pricing is rarely threatened.” In the past, most granite countertops were fabricated domesti-

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cally, and many general contractors thought of granite as a high-end commodity only appropriate for luxury homes.

The cost of fabrication was so expensive that it was beyond the budgets of many owners and developers. But, as Sumrow explains, “Overseas fabricating recently became available at a much lower cost. We saw this opportunity and seized it.”

Sumrow’s first job was as a carpet cleaner, but his family has a lot of experience in the countertop and flooring business. Later, he joined a flooring and construction company. “I did the grunt work back then,” he says, “definitely starting at the very bottom and working my way up.”

Sumrow’s ambition and drive meant that he was always looking for better opportunities and learning as much as he could along the way.

Before starting Elite Surface Innovations in 2007, Sumrow was the vice president of another company. Regarding the decision to strike out on his own, he says, “I had to embrace my potential, because I knew there was something bigger out there for me.” So Sumrow started Elite Surface Innovations with long-time friend Dr. Eric Trager and two others with construction backgrounds, Dr. Bruce Wardlay and Dr. Kenny Myers. Initially, Elite Surface Innovations focused on contracts in Sumrow’s native state of Texas, including Domain II in Austin, which features 350 luxury

elite surface innovations, llc surfaces

Eric Trager, owner and CFO (left), and Adam Sumrow, owner and CEO.

Our clients are doing projects outside the state and taking us with them. —Adam Sumrow, President

of future growth, according to Sumrow, is apartment renhousing units, and the Courtyard by Marriott in Allen, a $1 million contract that included all the granite, hardwood, ovation. Because of its high volume, Elite can offer clients tremendous savings. stone, marble, and ceramic-tile installation.

Soon, Elite Surface Innovations became a national business.

While many subcontracting companies have struggled during the recent economic recession, Elite’s sales grew 33 percent in 2009, and the company employs 72 people.

“We stretched our arms out around the whole nation,” Sumrow explains. “Our clients are doing projects outside the state and taking us with them.” Elite installed all the granite countertops in the iconic Denver Tech Center IV in the Colorado capital. Another valued project was the 466-unit Columbia Citi Residential Complex in New Orleans. Despite the economic downturn, Elite has grown at a steady and comfortable pace.

Sumrow takes pride in his company’s reputation for customer satisfaction. Unlike most of Elite’s competition, the company typically offers a no-money-down deal, only asking for payment after the product arrives. “We want to be known as the largest cut-to-size granite company across the nation,” Sumrow says. “We’ve passed up a few opportunities abroad, as we were not quite comfortable taking that step yet, but we know it’s in our future.” Another area

Sumrow wants to be known as the best in the business.

Elite’s winning combination of personal attention to client needs, customer satisfaction, and unbeatable prices promise to make the company the worldwide leader in its field. abq

sustainable options Part of Elite Surface Innovations’s success is its commitment to green construction. Stone is highly sustainable by its very nature, but the company also recently introduced bamboo as a flooring option. Bamboo can be produced in abundance without the harmful environmental impact of cutting down hardwood trees. In addition, Elite uses recycled carpeting whenever possible. A recent example is a large flooring project in Oklahoma that included more than 20,000 square yards of recycled carpet.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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surfaces

Vulcan specializes in home insulation.

vulcan industrial contractors Green preparations prove effective for Alabama-based company by mike altier

as a rule, birmingham, alabama-based vulcan Industrial Contractors rigorously trains all employees before employing them in the field, by conducting ongoing site-specific safety classes and requiring OSHA 10 certification. The training has paid off, as Vulcan posted a 0.74 TRIR in 2009. Foresight such as this is truly characteristic of a great leader. Recently, the company acquired this talent in the hiring of Teresa Magnus as CEO. Originally serving the Southeast, and now serving nationwide, Vulcan specializes in efficient industrial solutions, including thermal, mechanical, and equipment insulation; lead and asbestos abatement; scaffolding; paintings and coatings; fiberglass; sheet-metal roofing and siding; facility maintenance support services; commercial-building erection; and interior build-out services, among others. With the addition of Magnus, Vulcan is expanding its services, offering and leading the industry with proactive green and nuclear certifications and expert training.

at a glance location: birmingham, al founded: 1949 employees: 72 area of specialty: green insulation projects

When Frito Lay wanted to build a LEED-certified expansion to a facility, its mechanical contractor looked to Vulcan in more ways than one. Besides contracting insulation services, Vulcan was also asked to specify LEED-certified materials and processes. This illustrates Vulcan’s opportunities in the evolving green space, and it

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

is also the reason why the company often gets tapped for green projects across the United States.

Currently, the company is working toward LEED accreditation. With that status, Vulcan will be able to play a larger role in working with clients to identify cost-effective ways to LEED-certify existing facilities, as well as new projects. With the tax credits in place to incentivize these types of facility improvements, more owners are looking to consultants to advise on the most cost-effective ways to introduce green concepts into their businesses.

As experts in thermal, mechanical, and equipment insulation, Vulcan offers energy appraisal services, to help identify ways to improve energy efficiency of operating plants, reduce energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A number of managers within Vulcan are IEAP-certified appraisers. The appraisal process involves an inventory of the current insulation and jacketing in a facility, an assessment of the appropriate amount and type of insulation for the process, and a calculation of the energy savings in costs and emissions associated with the implementation of the advised insulation. “Industry experience has shown that 82 percent of customers see a complete return on investment in the first year of operations following the implementation of the insulation

vulcan industrial contractors

surfaces

In 2010, our focus will be on preparation and expansion to prepare for the next wave of construction in new nuclear, biomass, and waste-water retrofits. —Teresa Magnus, CEO

Named one of the Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal, Magnus is quickly propelling Vulcan to the cusp of innovation with strategy and creativity. Add in green initiatives to Vulcan ‘s powerhouse mix and Current research and insulation insiders dialogue supthe company’s new positioning holds even more ground. ports this notion. According to the National Insulation Association’s (NIA) article on energy audits, one audit of “It’s a tight market right now, so you have to be very comtwo large storage tanks (100 feet in diameter each) at an petitive,” Magnus explains. “We’re going to utilize this time to train our workforce, so that when we peak again industrial plant showed that after fitting the tanks with in 2012–2015, we have more people ready and already two-inch-thick fiberglass with an aluminum jacket on specializing in the expanding fields.” abq all sides saved the facility $2.3 million. A similar article recently published by the NIA, “Insulation: Greener Than Trees,” shows that one would have to plant roughly 46 trees to achieve the same carbon dioxide reductions achievable by installing a foot of 350-degree pipe. work recommended by the appraisal, and 94 percent ROI in less than three years,” Magnus explains.

In addition to the green initiative and energy-efficiency appraisals, Vulcan is preparing for biomass and nuclear construction projects. “There are a lot of biomass- and nuclear-power facilities in the planning stages, and with the commitment of the current administration, we’re hoping these projects will move forward,” Magnus says.

“In 2010, our focus will be on preparation and expansion to prepare for the next wave of construction in new nuclear, biomass, and waste-water retrofits.” Also, in addition to developing an NQA-1-certified quality program, Vulcan is leveraging its nuclear experience and focusing on a nuclear-specific quality training program designed to reduce human error. In conjunction with the building trades, it plans to roll out the training program soon.

With efforts uch as these, Vulcan looks to top its lucrative 2009. While many companies cut back on staff and deferred updating their software, Vulcan did the opposite and saw impressive gains. “2009 was one of our best years ever,” Magnus says. “We expanded outside of the Southeast region into the Midwest, completely retooled the company with sophisticated tools and software, and retained all of our frontline supervision, while restaffing the company with knowledgeable and experienced senior managers.”

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department sharp glass

SHARP GLASS

The Medical Arts Research Center—an eight-story, medical-office building located in San Antonio,TX.

Sharp Glass

going to enable everyone to improve their completion dates, and that makes the client happy.”

Innovation and diligence create a bright future for Texas glazing contractor

With a quarter century of experience and a portfolio of projects worth up to $3 million, Sharp Glass has come a long way since its early beginnings. “Basically, I just tripped into this business,” says Sharp, who began his career with a job offer from a high-school friend whose family owned a glazing company. “Once I got in, I found I really enjoyed the glass industry.”

by laura williams-tracy

new techniques in commercial glazing have awarded San Antonio-based contractor Sharp Glass a strong, clear future. The company is among a select few glass contractors in Texas to incorporate a pre-glazed, unitized window-wall system into a completed project.

Typically, aluminum window/wall framing is installed on-site prior to the glass installation. With a unitized system, Sharp Glass fabricates the customized aluminum frames, complete with glass, at its new 40,000-squarefoot fabrication facility. These prefabricated units are being shipped and installed on-site at the South Texas Research Facility, located in the Medical Center in San Antonio. Building the units in a controlled environment, rather than on the construction site, provides better quality control and increases on-site production.

at a glance location: san antonio, tx founded: 1986 employees: 40 area of specialty: fabrication and installation of glass, aluminum, and specialty framing products

“The unitized method allows the glass installation to go faster, thus improving the construction schedule,” says Alan Sharp, president. “Drying in the building is an important step and allows other subcontractors to begin their portion of work sooner. This unitized process is

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Soon Sharp joined PPG Industries, a major manufacturer and supplier in the glass and glazing industry. However, corporate restructuring and downsizing led to the elimination of the commercial-contract department in which Sharp worked. He considered working for other companies but wanted to go into business for himself. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know, but I knew that I wanted to try to have my own business,” Sharp says.

Using his personal savings, he launched Sharp Glass in 1986, putting everything on the line. The economy was in poor shape, and the construction industry in Texas was suffering. At home, Sharp’s wife, Pat, was caring for their one-year-old twin boys and not earning an outside paycheck. “It had to work—I didn’t have a choice,” Sharp says, remembering the chance he took.

“I had this strong entrepreneurial urge to go out and start a business.”

Sharp’s previous employer, PPG, hired his new company to finish the jobs they had not completed, and that work

sharp glass

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I had this strong entrepreneurial urge to go out and start a business… I started with no formal training—I knew how to sell glazing and how to get it installed. I just applied what I knew.

—Alan Sharp, President

jump-started a successful 24-year streak of consistent projects. Sharp pursued all types of glazing work, including work on mall fronts, interior finish-outs, and small commercial retail centers. The company tackled any type of small commercial project, from installing glass on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico to fabricating and installing a steel guard station with bullet-resistant glass atop a water dam.

Gradually, Sharp Glass began to pursue larger projects.

The first big job came in 1992, on Randolph Air Force Base. The job’s general contractor went bankrupt during the first half of the project, and Sharp Glass was quick to take advantage of the opportunity. Sharp was commissioned to retrofit 160 officers’ housing units with commercial-grade window systems.

Then, in 1998, Sharp’s first million-dollar job came: the entire exterior and interior glazing for La Cantera Resort hotel in San Antonio. The project, coupled with an upsurge in new construction in Texas, opened the door for Sharp Glass to take on larger projects in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. By 2006, with construction booming nationwide, Sharp took on a number of multimillion-dollar projects, including an eight-story medical office building, a six-story blast-resistant building, twenty- and ten-story condominiums in downtown San Antonio, and multiple three-story Class A office buildings, as well as some local university work.

The abundance of projects led to the need for more space in order to accommodate the recent growth. So, in 2007, Sharp Glass acquired a 40,000-square-foot fabrication facility, which enabled the company to fabricate multiple projects under one roof.

fabricator and supplier. The company now employs 40 people, including one of Sharp’s twin sons, Kyle, a graduate of Texas A&M University, who serves as a project manager and estimator for the business.

Over the years, Sharp Glass has completed various projects while building experience to tackle just about any type, with its success coming largely from its president’s hard work and dedication to the industry. “I started with no formal training—I knew how to sell glazing and how to getGlass it installed,” Sharp says. “I just applied what Sharp ad FINAL:Layout 2 2/17/10 12:43 PM Page 1 I knew.” ABQ

Oldcastle Glass is proud of our long-standing relationship with Sharp Glass. ®

Today, Sharp Glass continues to serve clients in the education, hospitality, condominium, industrial, and office-environment sectors with glass, aluminum, and specialty framing products. Much of the glass and aluminum Sharp Glass uses in its installations is from Oldcastle Glass and Architecture Products, a regional

1-866-OLDCASTLE (653-2278) • oldcastleglass.com

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PRECISION CARPENTRY

The lobby of the Ritz Carlton Hotel inWhite Plains, NY, features an uplit, barreled ceiling.

Precision Carpentry of Westchester, inc.

Highly specialized carpentry firm adds to long list of impressive, high-profile projects by megy karydes

after working as a union carpenter for several years, Louis Sulla decided it was time to branch out and start his own business. He had made several contacts as president of the cooperative board where he lived, and saw an opportunity to work with building managers as an independent contractor. In 1991, armed with his experience and tenacity, he founded Precision Carpentry of Westchester, Inc., located in White Plains, New York. at a glance location: white plains, ny founded: 1991 area of specialty: drywall, acoustics, metal framing, and carpentry finishes

“Precision is a full-service carpentry contractor providing services for drywall, acoustics, interior and exterior metal framing, as well as rough and finish carpentry,” says Sulla, who serves as president of the company.

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Initially, the company focused on interior fit-outs for building-management companies. As it grew, Precision completed projects at schools, libraries, retail stores, and entertainment centers. After gaining momentum over the years, the company has now added some of the area’s highest profile projects to its résumé: the 65,000-squarefoot Clubhouse at the Trump National Golf Course in

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

Briarcliff, New York; the 45-story, 197-unit Trump Plaza Condominium in New Rochelle, New York; the 35-story Trump Tower Condominium in White Plains, New York; and the Renaissance Square project in downtown White Plains—which consists of two 45story, 175-unit luxury condos; an 11-story, 150-room Ritz Carlton Hotel, Spa, and Fitness Center; and three restaurants (42, BLT, and Via Quadrono).

“As you can see, we have built condos, restaurants, hotels, and retail space,” Sulla says. “I think this diversity will be the key to continuing on our growth path.” Since 1991, the company has enjoyed strong sales figures, topping $28 million in revenue in 2007. Sulla has also noticed a trend towards eco-friendly building practices and is prepared to comply with all LEED requirements.

The company is capable of doing much more than just carpentry, and Sulla and his team’s ability to build solid relationships is what has allowed his firm to grow and gain name recognition within Westchester County.

“Most people do not realize that our expertise goes far

precision carpentry of westchester, inc. surfaces

I would like to see banks loosen up their lending policies towards private development, which has been the backbone of my business and what I believe fuels a healthy economy.

—Louis Sulla, Founder & President

beyond carpentry,” Sulla says. “We can assist with supervision, project management, budgeting, and scheduling.”

Those skill sets, quality workmanship, and solid business relationships are the reasons developers and owners have afforded Precision Carpentry of Westchester the opportunity to work on some of the most recognizable and prestigious projects in Westchester County.

Sulla’s years of experience and professionalism have led to certain expectations for the future of the firm. “In

The Ritz Carlton Hotel and one of two 45-story residences.

2010, I would like to see banks loosen their lending policies towards private development, which has been the backbone of my business, and is what I believe fuels a healthy economy,” Sulla says. He admits that sales in 2009 did not met expectations, but Sulla sees a bright spot on the horizon. He is predicting sales for 2010 to be near $10 million. In the meantime, however, Precision Carpentry of Westchester will continue to do what it does best—great work for some of the best companies in Westchester County. abq

Carpenters Local Union

11

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The proud and professional union carpenters of Local 11 recognize that when you work for Precision Carpentry of Westchester you are working for a company that produces a quality project with on time performance...and for a family that respects you as much as their client.

Check us out on the web at: www.carpenterslocal11.org

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A Cedar Siding employee installs the company’s custom-stained siding.

Cedar Siding, Inc. Prefinished siding and decking supplier offers long-lasting exterior finishes to improve homes’ curb appeal by russ klettke

at a glance location: rochelle, il founded: 1987 employees: 80 area of specialty: finisher and distributor of siding and decking products average annual sales: $20 million

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few elements of a home’s design and construction have as much visual impact as its exterior materials and colors. But if, for example, the cedar siding fails to match up well with the stonework, someone has some explaining to do. When that happens, the architect, the owner, and the builder have difficult decisions to make at a job site. The alternative is to test sections of paint or stain on-site, which can be labor intensive and expensive. On-site finishing always adds a layer of complexity and cost to a job.

Both of these scenarios are exactly what Shawn Enoch, director of sales and marketing at Cedar Siding, Inc., works to prevent. Headquartered in Rochelle, Illinois, and founded by Enoch’s grandfather 23 years ago, the firm prefinishes cedar siding, fiber cement, and composite wood, and also incorporates newer technologies that help to eliminate the expense, color guesswork, and on-site labor costs of a project. “About 70 percent of our orders are for color customization,” Enoch says. “The architect or homeowner can choose any color available.

Sometimes they’ll send us a piece of a stone to achieve a color match. Whatever it takes to get it right.”

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

The company does more than getting the color right.

Cedar Siding also works at fulfilling all of its customers’ needs spot on, an important characteristic to have when industry trends strongly favor the use of cedar siding, creating a growth in sales and popularity. The Web site cites the book GreeningYour Home: Sustainable Options for Every System inYour House, which extols wood because trees are renewable and easily converted to a finished product. In addition, wood rarely shrinks, swells, or warps, even in moist climates, and has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Those characteristics are well suited for this company, whose distribution is largely focused on the Midwest, which sees its share of weather extremes.

Prefinishing the product in a factory instead of on site has a green advantage, as well. “We’re held to strict standards by the EPA,” Enoch says. “How we dispose of waste, what little there is, is much more ecological. And we have migrated to the use of water- and latex-based paints, which has been a major shift.”

Of course, in a challenging economic environment, the company has had to find smart ways of doing business. The

cedar siding, inc. surfaces

About 70 percent of our orders are for color customization. The architect or homeowner can choose any color available. Sometimes they’ll send us a piece of a stone to achieve a color match.

Whatever it takes to get it right. —Shawn Enoch, Director of Sales & Marketing

2258 SmartSide Ad 3.6875x4.9375

2/12/10

2:10 PM

company’s relationships with its customers—lumberyards, building-materials distributors, and other wholesalers— have been a key priority as the company and its competitors battle for a shrunken market. “We’re doing well compared to the industry, by always going after new business,” Enoch notes. “We had the foresight to get more involved with the commercial and remodeling markets.” The firm also is well positioned to absorb business from firms that have discontinued operations in the recession.

New-product introductions have not slowed within this economy, either. The firm is enthusiastic about SmartSide engineered wood, which, unlike real wood, is free of knots and resists cupping and warping. As opposed to fiber cement, it is less likely to break or crack on installation, and it comes in longer 16-foot board lengths, resulting in fewer seams.

In fact, Enoch is enthusiastic about an uptick in the residential- and commercial-construction markets and the newer lines the firm will carry. It is looking at new versions of polyvinyl-chloride trim that can be painted and is proven to endure the test of time. “This is already big on the East Coast, and we expect to sell much more of it in the Midwest,” Enoch says. Also, Cedar Siding is looking at carrying lines of manufactured stone and other complementary products, such as insulation board.

Providing a one-stop shop for already satisfied customers can do much more than simplify their building processes.

Cedar Siding readily offers attractive exteriors that will please the eye for generations to come. abq

The Smart Choice LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding products deliver all the warmth and beauty of traditional wood, plus the durability and workability of engineered wood. Visit us online for details.

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© 2010 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved. All trademarks are owned by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

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An example of Triangle’s specialized drywall work.

Triangle Drywall Supply, Inc. Mississippi-based company uses expertise and quality products to maintain steady business by karen gentry

jeff morgan, owner and vice president of Triangle Drywall Supply, Inc., says the company prides itself on its people who know how to get any job done, from start to finish. “When an individual or contractor calls me, he expects me to give him options and advice and be kept up to date with the new technologies,” Morgan says. “We help them get what they want with the budget that they have and show them the options that are available, so they can pick and choose and get the project to their liking.”

at a glance location: starkville, ms founded: 1977 employees: 40 area of specialty: residential and commercial drywall solutions average annual sales: $4.5 million

For 33 years, Triangle Drywall has been providing services in the Golden Triangle region in Mississippi, which includes the cities of Starkville, Columbus, and West Point. The company handles custom drywall applications for commercial and residential customers. Triangle also opened a new 1,200-square-foot showroom in Starkville in 2002 that features a hands-on collection of the company’s vinyl siding, vinyl windows, and insulation choices.

Since the economic downturn in 2009, Triangle Drywall has leaned more heavily on commercial work, with about

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

70 percent of business coming from commercial projects.

Morgan, though, would prefer a 40 percent commercial and 60 percent residential mix. “Residential is more fulfilling,” he says. “I personally find it very rewarding to make plans and suggestions for homeowners who are putting everything they have into their home. When I see them in a store on a Saturday and they’re all smiles, that’s what I enjoy the most.”

Morgan says drywall that was traditionally made out of gypsum is now made of materials collected from coal stacks.

Making drywall out of recyclable coal waste is a process that started in 1985, at Temple-Inland manufacturing plant in Cumberland City, Tennessee. The process uses waste from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Cumberland plant, keeping Temple gypsum products on the cutting edge of green technology.

Triangle also makes use of bullnose corners that create a rounded corner in a drywall installation instead of the traditional square corner. Morgan says bullnose corners,

triangle drywall supply, inc. surfaces

We help [clients] get what they want with the budget that they have and show them the options that are available, so they can pick and choose and get the project to their liking.

—Jeff Morgan, Vice President & Owner

which came into to the industry in 1995, are more aesthetic and have become more popular in the last 10 years. “It is more expensive, but about 80 percent of the people who are shown the different choices will choose the bullnose corners,” Morgan says. Another new drywall feature that Triangle uses is XP, a National Gypsum Company product.

XP is a mold- and mildew-resistant drywall that hit the market about six years ago. The product is set to eliminate the risk of mold and mildew and is “very important and recommended,” Morgan says.

Triangle has worked on many high-profile projects, including a $600,000 project for the Columbus Air Force Base.

The company also completed drywall for the former 100year-old Borden Milk plant in Starkville, Mississippi, which was renovated into the Central Station Grill restaurant.

Drywall was suspended from the ceiling from different heights in the $70–75,000 project for the company.

With a strong economy and a traditionally low unemployment rate in Mississippi’s Golden Triangle, attracting new employees can be a huge challenge, Morgan says. “Nobody in high school says, ‘When in grow up, I want to do sheetrock,’” he states. “They want to be a professional ballplayer or something that does not require labor. All of our work is intensive labor.” While Morgan says Triangle Drywall has many long-term employees, some of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years, one of the company’s biggest challenges is obtaining steady work for their team, since the drywall business can be either “feast or famine.”

In the face of all of these challenges, Triangle Drywall has been able to keep its head above water. The company currently employs 40, including Morgan’s brother, Jamie, who serves as treasurer and oversees the drywall operation.

Fortunately, thanks to its fine work and expert service, the

company is able to keep new business coming in, usually juggling about 10–15 projects at one time that range in size and scope. “I try to keep a lot of $20,000 jobs and keep one $300,000–500,000 job going,” Morgan says. “That ensures plenty of work.” With new and innovative products, and exemplary know-how in the industry, it seems that Triangle Drywall Supply’s services are here to stay. abq

Industrial Products, LLC. A Company Built on Service Industrial Products, LLC was founded in 1940 in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, as a manufacturer of rock wool insulation. Over the past sixty years, the company has grown into a full-fledged building products distributor with four warehouses servicing the Southeast United States.

Our product line now includes fiberglass batt, roll and loosefill insulation, cellulose insulation, shingles and roofing products, insulation board products, and housewrap, plus a line of accessories.

Our service is second to none.

Our warehouses are in: Bluff City, TN Columbia, TN Knoxville, TN Smyrna, GA Bartelso, IL. 1101 Nashville Highway Columbia, TN 38401 Phone: 931-381-6161 Toll Free: 800-251-1276 www.service-partners.com

Our Vendors

flooring

Taraflex gym floor at Longwood Academy.

Jesse Owens Entrance.

Superior Floor Covering, Inc. Expanded services in floor installations help Illinois-based company grow by megy karydes

how does one grow a $68,000-a-year business to boast annual revenues exceeding $5 million in a matter of 20 years? Ask Karen O’Connor, who took over the flooring-installation company her husband and two business partners built in 1984. O’Connor is president of Superior Floor Covering, Inc., based in Posen, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, which installs various types of flooring, including resilient tile, sheet vinyl, linoleum, laminates, hardwood, ceramic tile, and carpeting. The company also does inlaid patterns in sheet-vinyl and flash-cove installations.

at a glance location: posen, il founded: 1984 area of specialty: floor installations

contractors she first met knocking on doors are clients with whom she works today.

Another growth strategy for Superior Floor Covering was to augment the company’s service offerings. In addition to standard floor installations, the company also installs complicated designs that need to be cut by hand, creating anything from abstract designs to well-known sports logos at international airports. “We try to price out jobs competitively, and do the best installation we can, with as little punch list as possible,” O’Connor says, adding that some of the jobs the company has completed include Target stores, hospital projects, schools, churches, and nursing homes.

O’Connor proved to be a quick learner when she worked alongside her husband and partners during those early years. “I worked for them and learned how to read Whenever possible, O’Connor uses eco-friendly materiblueprints, without any payment for about two years,” als for installation projects. “We try to follow the speciO’Connor says. “When they decided to close the company, they chose to hand it over to me as my payment for fications on each project and make suggestions for green materials if possible,” she says. “The LEED products are trying to help them out, thinking I would not be able to do anything with it.” O’Connor didn’t take long to prove more expensive and many times are not allowable within the LEED point system because they are made too far them wrong. She was determined to make the company away from the local jobs. Sourcing isn’t the problem; it a success, so she enrolled in some business classes at the is mostly cost of product and manufacture location that local college and began knocking on contractors’ doors.

“This was before fax machines and computers,” O’Connor makes it more difficult on local LEED projects.” says, laughing. “I had to physically present myself to It is likely that her son, Jon, will incorporate more green them and work on plans in their offices.” materials in projects as those materials become more She admits that securing new business was hard initially, accessible. O’Connor is working closely with Jon to take over the business when she retires in a few years. “Jon and she traveled many miles in the process, but she feels the experience was extremely educational and beneficial started out as an apprentice in the union,” she says. “He recently came into the office and started learning the ins in growing the business. In fact, many of those same

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

superior floor covering, inc. flooring

and outs of the estimating process and is also starting to learn what he needs to know to understand contracts and negotiating.” Like his mother, he appears to be a quick learner and is catching on fast. She’s confident that when he takes over the reins, he will be capable of filling her shoes.

O’Connor’s husband, Bob, is still involved in the business, as well. “Bob stuck with me through this and has been—and is now still—running the field of installers we have,” O’Connor states. “He is a large part [of the company], responsible for the quality of work that is done by our installers. Bob is most definitely responsible for the excellent reputation we have with our quality installations.”

Another person on O’Connor’s team who is extremely valuable to her business is Peggy, her secretary. “It helps immensely that my secretary has been with me almost 19 years,” O’Connor says proudly. “She will

have a 10 percent share in the company when I leave.

Peggy has earned the right to have a share in ownership in her future.”

O’Connor is proud of the company she’s developed and has worked hard to earn a solid reputation with her contractors. Additionally, the company is affiliated with numerous trade groups in the area, including the Blue Book of Construction for the Chicago area, the American Subcontractor Association of Chicago, the Chicago Metro Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, and the Chicago Floorcovering Association.

While O’Connor no longer has to go out and knock on contractors’ doors to gain work, she never takes her company’s strong reputation for granted. “Our reputation is one of the most important things we have in this company,” she says. “As intangible as it is, it is and always will be a high priority.” This value is, no doubt, a quality she has already passed on to her son. abq

Superior Floor Covering, Inc. supplies resilient materials from the following categories: vinyl composition tile, linoleum, sheet vinyls, carpet, carpet tiles, rubber flooring, laminates and glue-down wood flooring, using a great many different manufacturers.

Superior Floor Covering, Inc. 14500 S. Western Ave. Posen, IL 60469 Phone: 708.371.0515 • Fax: 708.371.0936 www.superiorfloorcoveringinc.com

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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flooring

Johnson Floor Company, Inc. Hands-on, personal approach drives young business to nationwide success by zach baliva

Left:The St. Luke Renaissance-Greenview Place Resident Dining Room, looking east to adjoining courtyard, showcases carpet tile used for ease of replacement once it becomes soiled.

work gets done in the manner, timeline, and budget they expect.” Customer service, he explains, should become seamless and integrated, helping to make a client’s interaction with the company as easy as possible. JFC has 17 full-time employees and many installers working on a seasonal basis. By retaining talented project managers, Johnson further ensures his clients will receive the best service possible. “Our PMs are very active on site,” he says. “We provide frequent supervision from people who are proactive in solving problems that may arise.”

one might say that flooring runs in jeff Johnson’s family. Johnson Floor Company, Inc. (JFC), based in Countryside, Illinois, was started by Johnson’s grandfather in 1930. His father and uncle incorporated the business in 1951, and Johnson was hired in 1978. He then became president in 1995.

at a glance

location: countryside, il Today, the firm carries a variety of materials such as founded: ceramic tile, stone, wood, carpet, and resilient flooring.

1930 But even though JFC stocks many products, Johnson says employees: that he shies away from focusing on one specific type 17 of flooring. “We consider ourselves a service provider area of specialty: as much as we do a contractor,” he says. “We focus on commercial and the customer instead of pushing a specific product.” For healthcare floorJohnson, customer service is key and versatility is an ing products and asset—customers know they can get more than one kind installation of flooring if a job requires mixed supplies. annual revenue: $9 million 2008 sales growth: JFC works to provide strong customer service in a natural way, instead of promoting specific internal policies.

33% “We want the customer to feel like they are the only 2008 employee person that matters,” Johnson says. “They don’t need growth: to know what happens behind the scenes as long as the 23%

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

In recent years, modular carpeting has catalyzed most of the industry’s growth. Carpet tile is attractive to customers because it is often easier to install and maintain—stains or rips can be replaced without removing the entire carpet. As the industry shifts from broadloom carpet, quality products and quality installations remain paramount. “Carpet doesn’t have value until we install it,” Johnson says. “The service we provide gives the product its value.”

Vendor relationships are also important, and Johnson Floor Company is part of Starnet Worldwide, a partnership of large commercial flooring contractors. Starnet allows Johnson to interact with industry peers and manufacturers on a regular basis to discuss products, trends, and other issues facing the flooring trade.

In decades past, residential units offered JFC big opportunities, but now that market only accounts for five percent of the company’s $9 million annual revenue.

JFC transitioned to the commercial sector during the 1980 recession and has developed a niche in the healthcare industry. Now, the firm is known as one of the best sheet-vinyl installers in and around the Chicago area.

In fact, JFC recently signed a $1.6 million contract for work at Central DuPage Hospital.

johnson floor company, inc. flooring

We consider ourselves a service provider as much as we do a contractor. We focus on the customer instead of pushing a specific product. —Jeff Johnson, President

Although big contracts help his company survive, Johnson says that his firm still works for individual clients.

“We do big and little jobs,” he says. “We still do remodels totaling less than $1,000. The goal is to treat every project the same way and provide a great service at a great value.” Part of that service is helping each client make wise decisions. “We don’t push a certain number of units of one product; we try to help a customer make choices that will suit their needs,” Johnson adds.

Building success in the industry and nurturing client relationships takes patience and commitment (Johnson jokes that he has been working with some repeat customers for longer than the 27 years he has been married), but the effort is worthwhile. The third-generation company is known as one of the region’s best, and the firm is

st. luke renaissance: greenview place St. Luke Renaissance: Greenview Place, a statefunded supportive-living facility in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, showcases Johnson’s client-based philosophy in action. Johnson Floor Company was involved on all the floor coverings for the entire $34.8 million facility, designed to high standards with sustainable features.

Johnson drew on his company’s experience and flexibility to help specify and provide varied materials to meet the project’s specific goals. Recycled vinyl-sheet flooring in the kitchen provides comfort and durability. Non-PVC tilecarpet lends additional durable qualities to many areas. The activity rooms’ no-wax, vinyl plank flooring might seem less eco-friendly than a wood floor, but Johnson argues that the vinyl requires much less long-term maintenance and was a better match for the client’s needs. “When we work on a project, everything is done for a reason,” Johnson says.

poised to continue as a family business as Johnson’s twin sons plan on joining the team. ABQ

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42 american builders quarterly july/august 2010 Grazzini Brothers performed the tile and terrazzo work for the University of Alaska-Anchorage’s Integrated Science Building.

flooring

Grazzini Brothers & Company 87-year-old specialty flooring contractor relies on quality craftsmanship, superior service, and steadfast reliability by daniel casciato

for decades, grazzini brothers & company, a family-owned construction contractor specializing in the installation of ceramic tile, terrazzo, and stone, concentrated most its efforts in its home state of Minnesota. But its previous president and current chairman of the board, Gene Grazzini, knew that to remain competitive, the company had to shift its focus to other parts of the country.

move for the company. During that timeframe, Greg was able to acquire several other projects in Colorado, including work at Coors Field, and soon the company expanded into other parts of the country.

Today, Greg runs the company, which was started by his great-grandfather in 1923. Gene remains on the board and is delighted to see the company continue to do well.

“I enjoy watching the younger generation developing the “In 1992, we had just finished work at the Mall of America, company,” he says. “I had my time of glory, and they’re having their time now, even though I still stick my nose then looked around Minneapolis and St. Paul and didn’t in it sometimes. It’s fun when you’re watching a very see a construction crane anywhere,” he recalls. “I said, successful business continue. They’ve done a great job ‘We need to go someplace else.’ So we bid and were analyzing the competition and the marketplace.” awarded some of the work at the Denver International Airport. I sent my son, Greg, who had just graduated Grazzini Brothers was actually formed in 1920, when from college, out there as a laborer and field supervisor two brothers, Frank (Gene’s grandfather) and August for six months.” Gene’s decision proved to be a wise

at a glance location: eagan, mn founded: 1923 employees: 72 area of specialty: installing ceramic tile, terrazzo, marble, granite, carpet, vinyl tile, wood floors, and industrial floors

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flooring

grazzini brothers & company

Our commitment to customer service, our willingness to work anyplace that the work is, and having the right manpower to complete the jobs on time has made us very successful. —Greg Grazzini, CEO

Grazzini formed a partnership installing cement walks.

In 1923, August and Bill Marcantelli Sr. joined the Grazzinis in business and added terrazzo to their services.

Their belief in the American dream, coupled with their Old World knowledge of craftsmanship and artistry, provided the foundation for what is now considered a premier contractor of tile, terrazzo, and stone. Through the years, there have been many changes and tremendous growth, but the core values of the company have always stayed constant. With every project, customers

Above:Terrazzo installation at Christ the King Church in Minneapolis.

Right: Fogo de Chão, a restaurant in Minneapolis, whose job features imported tile from Italy.

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can expect quality craftsmanship, superior service, and steadfast reliability.

Greg stresses that customer satisfaction remains the company’s top priority. Also, its ability to complete projects to the highest standard, on budget and on time, has allowed Grazzini Brothers to develop strong working relationships that have endured for years. “Our commitment to customer service, our willingness to work anyplace that the work is, and having the right

grazzini brothers & company flooring

manpower to complete the jobs on time has made us very successful,” Greg says. “We also have the experience in our three primary areas of work: tile, terrazzo, and stone. We have the bonding capacity and the wherewithal to complete any project of any size. As a result, in our trade, we’ve been ranked as one of the top five in the country.”

As the company continues to grow, there is some concern about finding qualified, skilled workers—a concern to most companies specializing in tile, terrazzo, and stone. However, to counteract that problem, Grazzini Brothers trains all of its employees on the job. Plus, Greg says that Minnesota has one of the best apprenticeship schools in the country. “Also, the more work you have, the easier it is to attract qualified help,” he says. “We get a lot of good help because we can land the big projects. We strive to keep good workers working.”

As he is now the fourth-generation leader of the family business, Greg says his immediate short-term goals are to focus on sustaining the company’s modest growth, considering the economic conditions in the construction industry. “[In the] long term, we want to have steady growth and diversify in other markets,” he says.

“I enjoy finding new markets that we can be successful in and watching us grow into these markets with new people and new energy.” abq

Left:Terrazzo installation at the International Monetary Fund inWashington, DC.

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

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HAMILL-MULLAN GROUP INC.

The Hamill-Mullan Group is the Authorized Firestone Building Products and Firestone Metal Products

The Leader in Tile and Natural Stone

Representative for commercial roofing in the

Founded in 1947 in Dallas, Texas, Daltile is a nationwide company that manufactures and distributes high quality ceramic tile and natural stone products, including ceramic, porcelain, glass and metal tile, stone tile and slabs, and manufactured stone. Daltile leads the industry with innovative and sustainable products in the marketplace such as its new OutStand Technology™. This patent-pending glaze technique provides tile with unparalleled surface wear and stain resistance while infusing the tile with Microban® Antimicrobial Technology.

Chicagoland market, providing quality Firestone products to our valued licensed roofing contractors. In addition we work with architects, roof consultants, and building owners to provide existing roof evaluations, new roof system selection, specification development assistance, and much more…

For more information about Daltile’s extensive product line, please contact:

Daltile Corporation (214) 398-1411 www.daltileproducts.com www.daltilestone.com www.daltilegreenworks.com

Hamill-Mullan Group, Inc. 7025 Veteran’s Blvd., Burr Ridge, IL 60527 P: 630.887.1225 | F: 630.887.1226

One Of The Largest Commercial Sheet Metal & Roofing Contractors In North America commercial roofing services:

customers: • Design Builders

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• Architectural Sheet Metal

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Fabrication

• Construction Managers

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Metal Roofing • Service & Maintenance • 24-hour

Life Changers International Church

Metalmaster Roofmaster Corporate Office

• Roof Consultants • Developers

emergency response

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Prairie Stone

Mercy Medical Center

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roofing

The company’s temperature-controlled facility and warehouse allows for the custom-fabricating of material to precise specifications for projects of any size.

Metalmaster Roofmaster Family-owned roofer ensures quality by using the latest techniques and technologies by mike altier

with the construction industry’s trend toward bigger, faster, and cheaper commodities, it’s easy to believe the art of craftsmanship is lost forever.

However, a glimmer of hope rests in the family-owned contractor Metalmaster Roofmaster, which is driven with the same pride and passion that sparked its inception in a small basement in 1977.

Started on the shoulders of George Smeja, a talented coppersmith, Metalmaster Roofmaster is now comprised of family principals Gloria, Daniel, and Michael Smeja. The company presently operates a 150-strong workforce with the same original core values. “My father could do steeples and beautiful, elaborate-type work ,” Michael says. “He had the great talent at taking a flat piece of sheet metal and transforming it into a work of art. He was very good at his trade, and it’s this idea of craftsmanship that Metalmaster Roofmaster was founded on.”

Besides having pride in the work being done, the McHenry, Illinois-based company also runs on an infectious passion that lights up its employees, vendors, and customers. After operating from many different loca-

tions over the years, the company designed and oversaw the construction of its state-of-the-art 100,000-squarefoot headquarters and custom-fabrication facility, which opened in 2004. Sitting on a scenic eight acres, the facility is the epicenter of the company’s day-to-day operations, which include estimating, drafting and engineering, CAD, project management, accounting, legal, dispatch, inventory, fabrication, and welding, as well as a full-time auto center to service its fleet of delivery trucks and equipment.

“In the early days, we used to sub out some of the roofing jobs, but we found that the integrity of the project was compromised because the contractors we were working with didn’t share the same level of commitment and desire as we did” says Rick Biosca, Metalmaster Roofmaster’s corporate counsel. “We realized we could best serve our clients by providing a complete scope of work ourselves, from project inception to completion and beyond. To do this, we built a large temperaturecontrolled warehouse that is insured and fully bonded.

It gives us the unique ability to store large quantities of materials, which we can deliver to any job site at a moment’s notice.”

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

at a glance location: mc henry, il founded: 1986 employees: 150 area of specialty: new construction, re-roofing, green roofing, and sheet-metal services average annual sales: $25 million average annual projects: 300

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roofing

metalmaster roofmaster

We realized we could best serve our clients by providing a complete scope of work ourselves, from project inception to completion and beyond.

—Rick Biosca, Corporate Counsel

The trend here is that Metalmaster Roofmaster is not just another company poised to be doing the work it loves. The company truly believes in and yearns for the accomplishment of a job well done, which is evident in its most recent acclamation of the prestigious President’s Club Award, Master Contractor Award, and Inner Circle of Quality Award from Firestone. These awards honor the company’s beliefs and values, which are at the core of everything it does.

For a company that is set in traditional values of “Do it right the first time” and “Our word is our bond,” it is anything but behind the times. In an economy where everyone else is cutting back, Metalmaster Roofmaster is investing even more into cutting-edge technology and employee development. Whether it’s working on projects to achieve LEED certification or aligning with the top green manufacturers, it continues to incorporate the latest trends and quality products into its roofing systems, in order to best serve its clients.

sure our staff is well educated and trained on the latest roofing-system-technology advancements. Every single department here is comprised of specialists in their field, and we will continue to invest and hire only those individuals who can offer value to our company and, in turn, our clients.”

Whether it’s a large department store or a building adorning the skyline of downtown Chicago, Metalmaster Roofmaster’s reputation for quality is embedded in some of the most ornate projects throughout Illinois, along with parts of Indiana and Wisconsin, and in the minds of anyone who has ever worked with the company.

“Throughout our history, we have worked extremely hard at establishing quality relationships so that we have the continued opportunity to work on every project, including those tougher or more sophisticated projects that other contractors may not be capable of performing,” Michael says. “We just work hard and strive to always do the right thing, but we’re also fortunate to have the support of great manufacturers, particularly Firestone.

“We are certainly seeing a trend towards green roofing In addition to offering great products, we have found and other environmentally friendly roofing products that they share the same commitment and dedication to and services,” says Rock Smeja, third-generation family business member and director of marketing. “It’s the way excellence as we do. Loyalty means everything to us; in of the future, and we will do everything we can to make short, our word is our bond.” abq The Metalmaster Roofmaster 100,000-square-foot headquarters in McHenry, IL, acts as a business center and product showcase.

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roofing

Tilden’s CertainTeed Presidential shingles.

Tilden Roofing Co. Inc. Building a reputation of high-quality practices and services by megy karydes

tilden roofing co. inc. is a large niche firm by industry standards, employing 40 and enjoying annual sales figures in the millions; but the Elmhurst, Illinois-based company, started in 1974 by president Keith Tilden, remains a tight-knit group to this day. “I do almost everything other than paperwork and the installation,” Tilden says. “I handle sales and dispatch crews to their jobs.” His sister, Tara, manages the office, and his wife is part of the team, too. The remaining 36 employees are mostly installers, many of whom have been with him for more than a decade.

Tilden Roofing is a roofing supplier and installer for new and existing commercial construction and residential homes in the Chicagoland area. Most of the company’s clients are luxury-home owners, and the reputation Tilden has built for the company has proven to be its key to success. “We’ve been around much longer than other roofing companies,”

says Tilden, citing longevity as an important component to his marketing strategy. The company keeps its name on prospective clients’ radars through its truck signage, placing signs in yards of current clients. It also features a spectacular showcase of completed projects on its Web site that rivals any luxury-home or real-estate Web site.

Although roofs typically last 20 to 25 years, Tilden Roofing has many repeat customers, since the company has been around nearly 40 years. “Our customers are important to us,” Tilden says. “They may own the home, but we feel the roof is ours and it’s our job to make sure it’s perfect. When a new roof is necessary, our customers come back and ask us to do it again.”

Both customers and employees are attracted to Tilden’s strong reputation and year-round work. The company

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

at a glance location: elmhurst, il founded: 1974 employees: 40 2009 sales: $5 million

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roofing

tilden roofing co. inc.

Our customers are important to us. They may own the home, but we feel the roof is ours and it’s our job to make sure it’s perfect. —Keith Tilden, President of Tilden Roofing Company

generated $5 million in sales in 2009, with a projected increase of more than 10 percent in 2010. It does not subcontract any of its work to outside firms, though the company does take on subcontract work. While the company works in the Chicagoland area, where winters can be rough, Tilden says his installers work year-round, and he is proud that his company can keep its installers busy throughout the year. “The guys shovel the snow off the roof and get to work,” Tilden says. Asked if weather is a factor in choosing the most appropriate roofing material, Tilden says it is not.

“We’ve installed architectural asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, slate, tile, ornamental copper, and faux slate,” he adds.

Typically, when homeowners are ready to either install a new roofing system or update their existing roof, they contact several companies to bid on the project. “Rarely during these times does a homeowner call one company to come out and hire them on the spot,” Tilden says. “They are definitely doing their homework and ask for several quotes before deciding which company to choose to do their roof.” But as a well-known roofing company, Tilden Roofing is typically the first to receive new product introductions from major manufacturers. “When new products come out, manufacturers come to us first because we have built such a strong brand name in Chicago,” Tilden says.

This is, in turn, advantageous to the homeowner, who then has the best products from which to choose. While homeowners usually choose a roofing installer based on reputation and price, past work is an important reference as well. “In addition to our quote,” Tilden continues, “we provide homeowners with a list of past customers’ homes, so they can see for themselves the types of roofing options available from which they can choose.”

Tilden’s strong reputation over the years has helped it become a force in the roofing industry. In fact, another unlikely source for business comes from competitive roofing company employees, which, Tilden says, is quite a testament to his firm’s work. “Other roofing companies refer us to their workers—we’re all too happy to do the work,” he says, smiling. abq

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

Three roofs by Tilden (top to bottom): 5/8” Taper Sawn Cedar, Ludowici Flat Clay Tile, and Vandehey Concrete Spanish Tile.

a message from chris industries Chris Industries is renowned for its custom fabrication and historical reproduction work, but it is also a leader in the distribution of a variety of sheet metal and rain-carrying systems. We work quickly and efficiently in order to offer our customers the highest-quality products at reasonable prices… and we’re local, so we’re right here to support our products and to assist in design for any sized project. Call to see what we can do for you!

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SPEARHEADROOFING “Spearheading Innovation in Our Industry�

P.O. Box 1779 Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541.205.3177

LLC

roofing

Spearhead has worked on a number of unique and challenging projects, including this complete medical facility.

Spearhead Roofing Quality, innovation, and success in the roofing industry by laura judy

at a glance

garrett powless, ceo of spearhead roofing in Klamath Falls, Oregon, has grown up in the roofing industry. “My father started his roofing company back in 1969, as soon as he got back from Vietnam and got married,” Powless says. In the late ’80s, Powless and his younger brother decided to go into business for themselves, and they launched Powless Roofing. About a year ago, Powless sold his interest in the company to start Spearhead Roofing, which specializes in both commercial and industrial roofing.

location: klamath falls, or founded: 1986 employees: 20 large projects per year: 5–10

Currently, most of Spearhead Roofing’s projects are located in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, but Powless works in 26 states, and the company has done projects all over the country. Over the years, his experience in the roofing industry has been significant, both with new construction and reroofing. “We are not as aggressive in the area of new construction, but we have done some extensive new-construction projects with Wal-Mart and Lowe’s in the past,” Powless says. “With most companies,

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we try to work with them directly to come up with a plan that will allow them to get years out of their roofing systems.”

One of Spearhead Roofing’s most recent local projects was for the Department of Forestry in Elkton, Oregon. The Department of Forestry plants seedlings in a warehouse-type building, growing the trees to a mature stage at which point they can be replanted in strategic reforestation efforts. Spearhead Roofing took on a complete reroofing project for the department and repaired years of damage and weathering. The company has also reroofed several local schools. “In the past year, we’ve done about five large projects,” Powless says.

In addition to specialty roofing services, Spearhead Roofing also offers a 24-hour maintenance-and-leakresponse team. “We have about 110 contractors in a database that we have worked with across the country,” Powless says. “Our maintenance division is doing a lot

spearhead roofing

We stand behind what we say we’re going to do, which is extremely important in today’s world. There are a lot of dishonest people out there, and our goal is to prove our integrity by doing the job on time and with the best quality products. —Garrett Powless, CEO

right now, because many people can’t afford new roofs.

This opens up a new avenue to create revenue.”

Because the company does not do much advertising, it relies on repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals.

In the current economy, Spearhead Roofing has begun to focus more on government projects. “There are a lot of government and federal stimulus projects out there right now, and because a company has to be approved to take these on, a lot of the competition from smaller companies is eliminated,” Powless says. When it comes to projects close to home, competition is a huge factor.

“Where you used to see 5 or 6 contractors bidding on a project, now you may see 20, or even as many as 30 or 40,” Powless expains. “In this economy, a lot of general contractors are now looking at doing more roofing work.” In another venture to bring in more revenue, Powless works with a side company, Summit Metal.

“We manufacture metal roofing panels, and that business really helps us survive,” Powless says.

in our industry and keep a close eye on what’s going on,” Powless says. “We try to stay at the forefront of giving clients the best cost and the most up-to-date systems. However, we never use a new product until its performance has been proven.”

One way to stay at the forefront of the industry is to use environmentally friendly products whenever possible.

“Green roofing systems are very popular in metro areas,” Powless says. “We definitely try to step up to the plate with new ideas.” Keeping up to date in the industry is helping Spearhead Roofing stay afloat in a tough economy. “We might be a new name, but we’re generations deep in the roofing industry,” Powless says. abq

The Powless family at the Spearhead company picnic.

Part of what makes Spearhead Roofing successful is the way it treats both employees and clients. “We are a very family-oriented company, and we try to take most of December off each year to give employees more time with their families,” Powless says. But when it comes to clients, Spearhead Roofing does not cut any corners.

“We stand behind what we say we’re going to do, which is extremely important in today’s world,” Powless says.

“There are a lot of dishonest people out there, and our goal is to prove our integrity by doing the job on time and with the best quality products.”

Because quality is so important in roofing, Spearhead works hard to keep a close eye on the latest products in the industry. As a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association, the company is able to follow what the market is doing at all times. “We’re entrenched

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roofing

roofing

One of Academy Roofing’s distinct vehicles outside Chateau Élan, one of the firm’s most prestigious clients.

academy roofing Quality solutions built on integrity and honesty by daniel casciato

according to the better business bureau, roofing contractors receive the most complaints. It’s a reputation earned by predatory contractors and shady companies that pervades the industry. But when residents in Atlanta see distinctively branded yellow Toyota FJs driving on the roads or parked in front of a home, they know right away those vehicles represent the largest, most professional, and most caring residentialroofing contractor in Georgia.

at a glance location: kennesaw, ga founded: 1999 employees: 40 area of specialty: installations for roofing, guttering, leaf protection, and attic insulation and ventilations

Well aware of the stigma associated with roofers, Academy Roofing’s CEO, Warren McGrew Sr., saw a niche for a company whose unique selling proposition is that it actually operates with honesty and integrity. So in 1999, he started Academy Roofing, Inc., a Georgiabased company. Within the first eight months of operations in the Atlanta market, Georgians responded by making it the largest reroofer in that region.

“People really saw something in us, and I believe that it was our code of ethics,” says Warren McGrew Jr., 32, who now serves as vice president of the firm. “We filled a serious void for the consumer searching for an ethical company. We would rather tell the truth and risk losing

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your business than lie to you and have you as a customer, because we believe in the power of repeat business and word of mouth.” The company’s guiding mission strictly adheres to providing superior service, competitive pricing, and quality materials. “We strive to establish and invest in a long-lasting relationship with our customers,” McGrew says.

Two years after its founding, Academy Roofing decided that it wanted to be based in the Atlanta region and have a branch office in Dallas, which it ultimately closed. “We honored all of the warranties and eventually closed that branch because we fell in love with Georgia,” McGrew says. “It’s a good market and a beautiful state.

People here are just as friendly as they were in Texas.”

Academy quickly developed a reputation for its frank and principled approach. “Georgia is a sophisticated market,” McGrew says. “We’ve been burned too many time by flyby-night contractors. People appreciate quality and know the truth when they hear it.”

Known for its residential dominance, Academy’s commercial operations are also highly respected. In addition

academy roofing

roofing

We would rather tell the truth and risk losing your business than lie to you and have you as a customer, because we believe in the power of repeat business and word of mouth. —Warren McGrew Jr., President

to providing asphalt shingles, cedar, slate, tile, and metal “We have an absolute commitment to honesty and inroofs, Academy handles a number of exterior needs such tegrity, and avoid the gimmicks and scams that plague as roofing fixtures, gutters, gutter-protection systems, our industry,” McGrew says. “We are known for being insulation, windows, doors, siding, painting, repair, res- a consumer advocate within the dark industry of roof toration, and much more. In the event of severe storms, replacement.” abq the company provides free, no-obligation inspections and estimates, and is an insurance-claims specialist. It also offers 24-hour emergency service for its customers. a message from from owens corning “When you’re dealing with a roofer, consumers have this We at Owens Corning Roofing are proud to celebrate our 10-year fear of having that job performed poorly, leaks occurpartnership with Academy Roofing. Academy’s commitment to ring, or work being mishandled. That is constantly in consumer education and advocacy earned them our prestigious T:3.6875” the back of their minds, and rightfully so,” McGrew says. Platinum Preferred Contractor Spirit Award in 2008.

“In our ten years of doing business, we’ve proven that we are committed to the relationship that we have with each of our clients. We always strive for excellence in everything we do. Most of our competitors cut every corner possible and when the lack of quality shows up in the form of a leak, they find it is easier to simply change company names and order new letterhead.”

Hats off to Academy Roofing.

In delivering its services, Academy Roofing also offers its customers the Roofer’s Covenant with Georgia Homeowners, which gives customers critical and verifiable information needed to assure customers that Academy is a company they can trust. It commits to everything from providing legitimate workers compensation and general liability insurance to lien releases on material and labor.

T:4.9375”

In its commitment to help ensure consumer protection from unscrupulous contractors, Academy is also known as the Roofing Professor, because it offers consumer tools and education through its online learning center.

Through the learning center, visitors can find contractor report cards profiling more than 200 local contractors, a news center providing media reports on roofing storm chasers and scam artists, consumer alerts providing information on how to choose a contractor, and information on how to avoid contractor insurance fraud, as well as other general information of interest. Ensuring consumers are informed is a large part of the services it delivers.

www.roofing.owenscorning.com 1-800-GET-PINK® THE PINK PANTHER™ & © 1964–2010 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The color PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning. ©2010 Owens Corning.

OC0-297

roofing

The Old Post Office in St. Louis underwent a $35 million renovation, including a Firestone EPDM roof installed by Taylor Roofing.

Taylor Roofing Award-winning company enjoys continued growth with specialized services for high-profile projects by karen gentry

look around downtown st. louis, missouri, and you will find the work of Taylor Roofing on the rooftops of many high-profile buildings. “There are a number of projects we’ve completed in downtown St. Louis,” says Catherine Taylor Yank, president and owner of Taylor Roofing. The company has completed the roofs on the St. Louis Post Office, the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, and the Pointe 400 condominiums and apartments, among others.

at a glance location: belleville, il founded: 1905 employees: 50 average annual sales: $8 million

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The Belleville, Illinois-based Taylor Roofing got its start 105 years ago, when it was named Beibel Roofing Company Inc. When W. James Taylor bought the company in 1963, Taylor Roofing was born. It is now a secondgeneration business, of which Yank became the president in 1988 and the sole owner in 2007. Today, the company provides supplies and installation for built-up roofing, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roof systems, modified bitumen products, and steep roofing, within its three divisions: roofing, roof maintenance, and specialty services.

Amid keen competition in the roofing business, Taylor Roofing has built a solid reputation and is known for quality. The company has won quality, workmanship,

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

and standards-of-excellence awards from major suppliers, including Firestone Building Products and Carlisle Syntec. “We have a long history of doing the right thing,” Yank says. “We take care of our customers, and we actually care that their roofs protect them.”

Currently, the company is thriving with its school, university, and hospital projects. Richard Klene, Taylor Roofing executive vice president, says that the company is doing roof projects for Southern Illinois University’s locations in Carbondale and Edwardsville. “Because of the high quality of work that we offer, we’re seeing continual work in school systems and hospitals,” Klene says. In addition, Taylor Roofing has completed roof projects for many public school systems in the suburbs of St. Louis, and has also dabbled in industrial projects and limited residential work.

With a push for sustainability sweeping much of the construction industry, Taylor Roofing has added green options to its services, helping to benefit clients in the long term. Yank says that more Energy Star-rated membranes are used, typically white membranes for reflective qualities. There is also now more use of roof insulation. “Typically 5–10 years ago, we would use one

taylor roofing

roofing

We have a long history of doing the right thing. We take care of our customers, and we actually care that their roofs protect them. —Catherine Taylor Yank, President & Owner

layer of isocyanurate that would provide a resistance value of about 9,” she says. “Now it’s not unusual to see required insulated values of 30. That’s been a large shift—roof insulation over time actually pays for itself in heating and cooling costs.” Taylor Roofing is also installing more vegetative green roofs, including a Carlisle Syntec green roof for Southern Illinois University.

Another roofing trend, Klene adds, is the use of heat walls in roofing systems instead of glue. Complex and technical roofing systems now require more than just a strong back of roofers. Yank says there is a need to upgrade the roofing profession because of the complex and technical components of roofing systems.

To handle such workloads, Taylor Roofing currently employs a team of about 50. “With the economy the way it is, we have plenty of people available,” Yank says. Klene notes that many of the company’s foremen have been with the company for many years; in fact, collectively, the firm’s employees have more than 300 years of experience. And Steve Michalke, Taylor Roofing senior estimator, has been with the company for more than 40 years.

Roofers Mart & Firestone congratulate everyone at Jim Taylor Inc. and appreciate their support over the years.

Looking forward, Taylor Roofing expects continued prosperity. Despite the down economy accounting for fewer projects, namely in the commercial sector, Taylor Roofing actually grew last year. In the last five years, the company has grown about $500,000 every year, with sales now totaling about $8 million annually. And thanks to the company’s specialized, innovative roofing systems, Taylor Roofing seems to have only positioned itself for continued success and growth for years to come. abq

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roofing

Left: Owner Frank Zeka explains a complete roofing system to a customer in the Tri-County Roofing showroom.

totaling 11 inspections over the first 10 years,” Zeka notes, adding that the company will continue annual inspections for no charge, for the duration of the shingle warranty and at the homeowner’s request.

Tri-County Roofing, Inc. Wisconsin-based company values customercentered goals and a commitment to service by julie edwards

at a glance location: new berlin, wi employees: 45+ employee growth in past year: 30% sales growth in past year: 30–40%

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for more than 30 years, family-owned triCounty Roofing, Inc. has been serving the residents of southeastern Wisconsin with honesty, integrity, and dependability—a successful business philosophy that can be attributed to owner Frank Zeka. “I’ve set and accomplished many goals throughout the years and have come to the conclusion that successful company goals make everyone involved a beneficiary,” he says. “Both I, as a contractor, and the property owner, for whom I provide a service, must benefit. I believe the closer these two are in equality, the stronger my business will grow.” Zeka adds that these certain goals help connect Tri-County Roofing’s growth with property-owner satisfaction. “This belief is why, over the years, we’ve added many warranty programs,” he continues. “To me, warranties back up commitment—they give the homeowner great piece of mind and keep the contractor accountable to quality.”

Indeed, Tri-County Roofing offers some of the best product warranties on the market, including the company’s exclusive 11/10 Warranty, a “second to none” maintenance program with annual inspections and a workmanship warranty for the duration of the shingle warranty. “Following installation, and every year for the first 10 years, we visit our clients to inspect their roof,

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Beginning as a novice roofer, Zeka started his company in 1978 as a one-man operation, initially calling it Frank’s Roofing. In 1981, he hired his first employee, and the company slowly expanded to 15 employees over the next 15 years. Then in the early 1990s, Zeka changed the name of the company to Tri-County Roofing, Inc. By 1995, he had purchased office space, and in 2004, he added a showroom. “We wanted to make it easier for us to help customers make educated decisions about their roof, and the showroom allows us to display the different options available,” Zeka explains.

However, he quickly realized that the popularity of the showroom demanded another renovation; in 2007, Zeka expanded the customer area to almost five times its size, and built an indoor model home and different house-like displays to showcase the company’s products and services. “Our goal was not only to explain what the different roofing products were but also to educate the homeowner on how the different products work together as a roofing system,” he says. The renovation has paid off—since 2007, Tri-County Roofing has more than doubled in size and now employs more than 45 staff members, with six full-time roofing crews and the possibility of adding up to two additional crews this year.

Currently, Tri-County Roofing specializes in residential roofing and offers complementary roofing services, including gutters, gutter protection, chimneys, and aluminum trim. The majority of the company’s projects (55 percent) is made up of existing residential homes, with the remaining projects consisting of mostly new residential construction and multifamily/small commercial projects, along with some residential repair work.

“Our growth is occurring in multifamily and new construction projects, and is happening because of our recent warranty and service philosophy changes,” Zeka says. “At Tri-County Roofing, customer service has always been important, but for the last five years it has become our obsession—we saw a customer-service opportunity that we knew no other contractor was offering and we capitalized on it.” He adds that the 11/10 Warranty gives both peace of mind to customers while also setting the company apart from the competition.

tri-county roofing, inc. roofing

“In our research,” he says, “we have not found another roofing company in our area with a warranty comparable to ours.”

Our Savior’sWesleyan Church in Mukwonago,WI, for which Tri-County Roofing supplied its services.

Zeka also adds that the roofing industry has changed drastically since his entrance in 1978, including more sophisticated roofing systems and products, as well as a better-educated consumer. As a result, he says, Tri-County strives to stay ahead of the trends and new offerings in the industry while staying consistent with the services it offers. “The trend in our industry has been for roofing companies to diversify their business into many other trade specialties and call themselves ‘home improvement’ contractors,” Zeka says. “Our philosophy is very different—we want to remain a true roofing company. We are specialists in roofing because that is what we do all year long. We also make sure that all of our employees go through the annual manufacturer certification, insuring us and our customers of the most skilled roofers possible.”

A self-described goal-oriented professional, Zeka says his company’s goals will continue to center on customers as he continues through his third decade of business. “If I always have [my customers’] best interests in mind, then I am sure my roofing company will benefit,” he says. abq

Family Owned & Operated Since 1978

Residential & Commercial Roofing Gutters & Gutter Guard Protection Aluminum Trim & Insulation

18500 W. National Ave New Berlin, WI 53146 Tel: (262) 679-6100 Fax: (262) 679-6102 www.tri-countyroofinginc.com email: info@tri-countyroofinginc.com

18500 W. National Ave  New Berlin, WI 53146  tel: (262) 679-6100  fax: (262) 679-6102 www.tri-countyroofinginc.com  email: info@tri-countyroofinginc.com

Corbin Building overcame numerous challenges to build this impressive 4,000-square-foot home in Oakland.

Corbin Building Inc. Residential general contractor survives recession through a quick turn to the commercial market by james askew

at a glance location: oakland, ca founded: 1999 employees: 14 area of specialty: residential and commercial construction

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over the course of the real-estate market collapse, few states have suffered the brunt of the storm as much as California. In June 2006, housing starts reached a high of 13,000 before they dropped to a crippling 2,700 in June 2009—a decline of nearly 80 percent. As Josef Corbin, the owner of Oakland, California-based Corbin Building Inc., notes, “There were some parts of California that were ground zero for the real-estate collapse.”

For Corbin Building, like nearly every construction company in the state, the collapse had meaningful consequences. Prior to the crash, Corbin Building divided its work 90/10 between residential and commercial work. As of early 2010, however, those figures had reversed.

Though Corbin is a carpenter by trade, and he admits that he prefers residential construction and eagerly awaits its return, he says that an early and unplanned switch to

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commercial work in 2005 is what has kept his company strong over the past few years. Describing the course of events that led to the switch, Corbin says, “It was just plain, dumb luck.”

Between 2005 and 2006, California’s residential-construction market was a feast for the residential builder, with the rate of development at record highs. And yet, even in the midst of this surfeit of work, Corbin leapt at an opportunity that would, in the end, prove invaluable in years to follow. As Corbin recounts, in 2005, he received a call from Redwood Resources, a local outreach firm for the construction industry, working then for Hensel Phelps, a multibillion-dollar US construction company. The gist of the conversation, Corbin explains, was that Hensel Phelps was looking for local companies to assist in the construction of the Alameda County Juvenile Center, which Corbin estimates was a $300–400 million project. But, rather

residential corbin building inc. contractors

Not only did [Hensel Phelps] provide me with my largest job to date, they also held my hand through the whole process and taught me how to do scheduling, billing, and all the necessary paperwork that is involved with public-sector work.

—Josef Corbin, Owner

than simply looking for subcontractors, Hensel Phelps was also offering to mentor and train these companies in the vast complexities of public-sector work.

“Not only did it provide me with my largest job to date, which ended up being a $2.8 million job for us, they also held my hand through the whole process and taught me how to do scheduling, billing, and all the necessary paperwork that is involved with public-sector work,” Corbin says.

Following the Juvenile Center project, Corbin Building was then geared up and had enough experience to land another major commercial project with yet another giant in the US building industry, Turner Construction. On that project, Corbin Building assisted with the restoration of the Fox Theater, a 1920s Art Deco theater in downtown Oakland. The project involved more than 20,000 square feet of metal framing, which Corbin says was the largest commercial framing job the company has done to date.

Despite Corbin’s gratitude for the commercial work that has helped carry the company along, he remains interested mostly in the residential market. “I would much rather be working on a home,” he says, “and I am only sorry that the residential market has gone away.”

However, it hasn’t gone away completely. In December 2009, Corbin Building completed a $1.5 million, 4,000square-foot Oakland home, built along the famed scenic drive Skyline Boulevard, overlooking Shepherd Canyon, Joaquin Miller Park, and a small slice of the San Francisco Bay. The architect on the project was Oakland-based

Richard Janzen, who Corbin says “is just incredible; he just does phenomenal work.” Corbin Building began work on the project in early 2007, and completed it in late 2009, taking more than 29 months.

The complexity of the project and the length of time it took to complete it was a product of a couple of factors, Corbin says. The first was Oakland’s stringent planning reviews, especially as it pertains to such a famous scenic route as the Skyline Boulevard. On a few occasions, Corbin says, requests for variances or changes to the existing plans became bogged down in lengthy reviews.

The other factor is the site’s location. “The house, if you can imagine, was built right on the edge of a canyon,” Corbin explains, estimating the angle of the slope to be roughly 65 degrees. When passing along the street, the only visible structure of the home is the garage. From the garage, stairs lead down the edge of the canyon 30 feet, before entering the house at its highest point up the slope.

Including the garage, the home comprises five levels descending down the canyon wall, with the two bedrooms at the lowest level.

Whether Corbin Building’s success over the past few years was “dumb luck” or sound forward planning, the the most notable point is that in a decimated housing market, such as California’s, survival is often the measure of success, and as Corbin Building demonstrates, it is only those companies that survive that will be around when the market, at last, returns. abq

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department corbin building inc.

62 american builders quarterly july/august 2010 Precise forming and placing of exposed concrete produced an architectural-grade finish on this high-end residence.

residential contractors

Baldwin General Contracting, Inc. Skilled musician and fourth-generation carpenter builds successful residential-construction firm by jennifer kirkland

yohn baldwin, founder of baldwin general Contracting, Inc., is a formally trained and former professional touring musician. For 15 years, he played guitar and keyboards, sang, led a band, managed the accounting and hospitality aspects, and “did all the things it took to push 12 guys around the United States,” he says. Both as a creative bandleader in the past and as the owner of a steadily growing construction company in the present, Baldwin’s ability to inspire a group of people to contribute to an effort greater than the sum of its parts is what has elevated each his endeavors.

He started off on his own, building cabinets, then doing small kitchen and bath remodels and additions. Once he began getting more work than he could handle by himself, he hired a couple of employees, and in 2005, he incorporated the business.

Baldwin is also a fourth-generation carpenter. His greatgrandfather built his own home (as well as houses for his siblings) his grandfather was a carpenter and engineer in the navy, and Baldwin grew up working with his father on fine woodwork and restorations for their family’s home.

The owner of a restaurant in Baldwin’s town—where the band had a house gig—recognized his woodworking abili-

Today, approximately 60 percent of Baldwin General Contracting’s work comes from commercial projects, mostly in the public sector, while 40 percent comes from residential construction—and at grander scales than before. “What we contribute—the added value we give each owner—is effective construction management,” Baldwin says. “We are able to recognize the owner’s priorities

ties and asked him to do some small construction projects there. Those evolved to larger projects and, eventually, a remodel. “Touring and being on the road was starting to take a toll on my family,” Baldwin recalls, so he began to transition to being a contractor in 1998.

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at a glance location: albany, or founded: 2005 employees: 9 area of specialty: commercial and residential construction management and general contracting sales growth in past year: 8%

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residential contractors baldwin general contracting, inc.

We are able to recognize the owner’s priorities and concerns... then respond by rigorously and constantly managing the project. At any point during construction, the owner is fully informed of project, schedule, and budget status. That means they’re happy, and everybody wins. —Yohn Baldwin, Founder

and concerns—schedule and cost, obviously, then quality, features, and detail—then respond by rigorously and constantly managing the project. At any point during construction, the owner is fully informed of project, schedule, and budget status. That means they’re happy, and everybody wins.”

Baldwin speaks highly of his nine employees and his wife, who is also his business partner. “I’m lucky to have such great support from my wife,” he says. “In addition to helping run the business, she sees what I’m going through and can help ease the burden.”

An exciting current project for Baldwin General Contracting is a large glass, concrete, and steel commercial building that will be used for residential purposes. It features 40-foot cast-in-place concrete walls, a 30-by60-foot window wall, 45-foot clear-span I-beams in the main room, solid-steel stairs, and a pretensioned 12-by40-foot clear-span concrete deck, which extends over the timberland forest. The company built the structure on top of a hill, doing controlled blasting to prepare the building pad for construction, and the primary level is subterranean. Sustainable elements include highly energy-efficient HVAC and MEP systems; hydronic, in-floor heating; and a geothermal system.

Built in 1903, the historic Jewel House sat abandoned for 12 years before Baldwin performed a complete restoration of the interior and exterior that included producing custom millwork to match the existing moldings and trim.

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residential baldwin general contracting, inc. contractors

Baldwin General Contracting also recently completed a seismic upgrade to the Majestic Theater in Corvallis, Oregon, on a short timeline. The company quickly found that working in a historic theater that was more than 100 years old presented significant construction challenges.

“We had no crane access, no apparent way to get the components inside,” Baldwin explains. “Working in this building was like rebuilding the motor of a car through the tailpipe.” Site logistics were complex, requiring the company to block off a main city street in its entirety during steel deliveries. Even given these obstacles, Baldwin delivered the completed project on time and on budget.

Fortunately, the weak economy hasn’t affected Baldwin General Contracting. The company has grown 12 percent a year on average, and Baldwin believes 2009 was its best year ever. “One of the favors the economy has done for us is distilling our core competencies,” he says. “When you get down to having to do what you usually do for less, you have to increase your efficiency. That means you get very good at identifying where the inefficiencies are.”

Baldwin plans to continue making his company great and nurturing healthy growth. He says, “I’d like to develop my company into an entity that is self-sustaining and has enough value to outlive me.” abq

baldwin’s eco-friendly practices Built on a long-standing tradition of high standards and values, Baldwin is expanding that tradition by introducing sustainable design elememts.

• Separating construction debris on-site and recycling all wood and cellulose-type materials • Donating all other materials to Habitat for Humanity for reuse • Exercising great care in insulating occupied spaces while working in adjacent areas • Minimizing vehicle trips to reduce company footprint • Advising clients of potential green-building methods and materials during preconstruction

department

baldwin general contracting, inc.

66 american builders quarterly july/august 2010 Custom cabinet detail is important to Picklo Homes.

All cabinets are built of wood, not MDF, and built on-site to client specifications.

residential contractors

Picklo Homes Family-run residential builder is well positioned for an economic upturn by russ klettke

nick picklo believes the current recession can be a positive turning point for builders, as well as homebuyers. One may wonder how, but the premise becomes much clearer when one sees it from the perspective of Nick’s father, Terry Picklo, whom founded Houston-based Picklo Homes in 1981, when it was known as Country Builders Inc. “During the 1980s building bust, my father learned a lot,” says Nick, who serves as vice president. “We survived at that time by swiftly eliminating any on-hand inventory, and by paying off debt as quickly as possible. From that point on, we have been a contract-based custom builder only.” By not building model or speculative homes, the firm carries far less financial risk. It also maintains the capital necessary to build continuously throughout an economic downturn, working only with clients whom have the financing necessary to sign a contract.

Nick sees low home sales as good for both the industry and future homebuyers alike, as the forces of “economic natural selection” are in play: only the strongest will survive. “Competition is good, but I’m referencing the right kind of competition,” Nick says. “We need to

compete against other builders that are on our same level. This pushes us to be a better builder. When the economy fully recovers, the better, stronger builders will be there to start the building boom again. We will be one of them.”

The firm has largely worked in the northwest area of Houston, but it is expanding its territory further north and west, as well as to more outlying markets in Texas, including College Station, Brenham, Livingston, and Hunstville. The firm has also altered the custom-home model a bit, offering prepackaged, prepriced plans that, “if nothing else, helps qualify clients and gives them a base or starting point,” Nick says.

Despite any perceived stigma, it would hardly be a compromise for a homebuyer to select a “used” design. The traditional, contemporary, and transitional themes that Picklo Homes utilizes provide a robust selection. Terry champions classic features, while Nick is versed in more contemporary approaches to homebuilding. Nick’s preference for mixing materials such as stone, slate, granite, and stained cedar shingles accomplishes “cohesion,” he

at a glance location: houston, tx founded: 1982 employees: 3 average annual sales: $5–6 million

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residential contractors picklo homes

Curb appeal is an important part of Picklo Homes’ design. A combination of several styles is perfect as long as they blend seamlessly.This home features a mix of Asian, Mediterranean, and Traditional styling.

Owner Terry Picklo (left) with son Nick, vice president.

says, providing “an aesthetic advantage that blends differ- course. But the key ingredients that have enabled the family-owned firm to survive the boom-bust cycles in ent layers and textures, creating a noteworthy palate.” the Houston area are less tangible. They include: Interior allowances include wood, slate, marble, or stained concrete floors, and solid-surface counters in • financial stability: The firm builds to suit buyers; kitchens and baths for homes that range in price from therefore, it is never overextended. $200,000 to $2 million.

While the surface features are sumptuous, Picklo Homes does not skimp on the mechanical components or the behind-the-scenes actions. As standard features, Picklo Homes offers third-party inspections, AQUAPEX plumbing, and engineered foundations. And Nick states that while green features are rarely requested, homebuyers are eager to hear about energy-cost savings made possible by systems and materials in Picklo Homes.

Open-cell spray-foam insulation, tankless water heaters, highly efficient HVAC components, and energyefficient frame construction are just a few examples of products and practices used by Picklo Homes to enable its clients’ homes to be Energy Star qualified (20–30 percent more efficient than standard homes). The firm is also able to project annual utility costs to buyers— something of particular value to clients who are nearing retirement and will be on a fixed income.

The physical end-product of its work is important, of

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• respect: As a general contractor, Picklo Homes refers to subcontractors as “trade partners,” says Nick, explaining how they are “an integral part of quality control.”

Many of these partners have a 20-year relationship with the Picklos.

• consistency: With experienced suppliers, a steady approach and long-standing position in the industry, customers of Picklo Homes can be confident of getting the house they contracted for.

The consistency factor is illustrated by the firm’s workload in 2009 and early 2010, as Picklo Homes has tripled its remodeling work. However, this may soon change: the Houston market is showing an uptick in housing starts, reports the Houston Chronicle, with as many as 20,000 new homes expected to be built in 2010. For builders who have weathered the recession intact, the quality construction Picklo Homes provides may set the benchmark. abq

picklo homes

residential contractors

Left: Picklo Homes’ use of woods, concrete, and natural stone adds texture and visual appeal to this dining room. wisenbaker builder services, inc.

Since 1970,Wisenbaker Builder Services has served Texas homebuilders with superior flooring, countertop, and window-covering products. Guided by two enduring principles—integrity and reliability— Wisenbaker is known in the builder market as a true advocate for product quality. For more information, visit us at www.wisenbaker.com.

COUNTERTOPS | FLOORING | WINDOW COVERINGS

Helping Build Unforgettable Homes SINCE 1970

Decibels, Inc. is a Full Service Telecommunications Contractor We began in the telecommunications industry in 1972. In 1992 Decibels, Inc. was purchased

by Dennis Snyder, the current owner. Over the years we have seen many changes in technology and have approached each change as a new and exciting aspect of our business. And over the years we have worked with PIONEER CABLE and appreciate their high standards and quality of work. PIONEER CABLE promotes the best in technology in an ever changing industry, and it is our privilege to work with them.

With offices in Oregon and Washington State, we look forward to continuing our tradition of quality installations for many years to come. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the best quality products and prices with the highest quality service available in the industry.

If you would like further information or assitance, please call us at (253) 473-5855, toll-free at (877) 871-9399 or visit our website at www.DecibelsInc.com.

WISENBAKER

1970

Celebrating 40 Years

BU I L DE R SE RV IC E S , I NC .

2010

AUSTIN | DALLAS / FT. WORTH | HOUSTON | SAN ANTONIO W W W. W I S E N B A K E R . C O M

• specializing in custom cable work • quality installation • high speed modems • aerial and underground construction • telephony • mdu pre and post wire • drop burial • commercial / custom installation • auditing / quality control

DECIBELS, INC. P.O. Box 518 Spanaway, WA 98387 | Fax: (253) 565-1888 www.DecibelsInc.com | Phone: (253) 473-5855 | Toll-Free: (877) 871-9399

WE’LL BE THERE WHEN YOU REALLY NEED US Bannon Carlson & Kessel, Inc. has proudly served the Puget Sound area since 1951. BCK offers a full range of insurance products and risk management services for your business, large or small, our team of insurance professional have a combined 302 years of experience.

Working as ONE TEAM to ensure customer success!

(425) 742-3976

Bannon Carlson & Kessel, Inc. is one of Tacoma’s oldest independent insurance agencies, specializing in the Commercial Property & Casualty, Personal Insurance, Employee Benefits, Life Insurance and Surety Bond needs of Tacoma’s business community.

2121 70th Avenue West Suite B | University Place, Wa. 98499 P 253-565-3500 | bckinsurance.net

10819 Airport Road Everett, Washington 98204

specialty contractors

All Pioneer Cable field employees are fully equipped with up-to-date meters and test equipment.

PIONEER CABle CONTRACTORS Northwest telecommunication company grows as industry evolves by joyce finn

steadily as the company and the telecommunication inwhen reggie wight, co-owner and ceo of dustry have grown. Pioneer Cable Contractors now has Everett, Washington-based Pioneer Cable Contractors, Inc., started in the telecommunications business in 1988, multiple offices throughout Washington, and in 2004, the company expanded into Utah. “There have been so he worked as an installer. There were few TV channels many changes and lots of opportunities,” Wight says. and no DVRs, high-definition TVs, or high-speed Internet services. Now, in 2010, his customers have access to “Thankfully for us, this industry keeps giving us more and more chances to prove ourselves.” and needs for all of those amenities and more. Luckily, Wight and his company are keeping up with the times.

Although a majority of Pioneer Cable Contractors’ business is through general contractors, the company Wight and his wife, Robin, who serves as co-owner, does provide other services, including custom installs, bought the 21-year-old company in May 2001. The now wiring, new construction pre- and post-wiring, comfamily-owned business, which started with 25 employmercial, home theater, and surround sound. Pioneer ees, currently has more than 320. In its 30 years in the Cable Contractors is also knowledgeable in rewiring telecommunications business, Pioneer Cable Contracolder apartment buildings and commercial sites where tors has survived numerous cable-service-provider the wiring does not meet today’s standards to support acquisitions and grew with the ever-changing services, the latest technologies. According to Wight, his business opportunities, and technologies. Revenue has increased

at a glance location: everett, wa employees: 320+ area of specialty: telecommunications

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department pioneer cable contractors

Pioneer Cable now has more than 300 company-owned, standardized vehicles to better service its customers.

There’s always going to be a need for better and faster communication, information, access convenience, and entertainment. We’re going to be a part of these changes and opportunities. —Reggie Wight, Co-Owner & CEO

continues to enhance its knowledge and expertise in the industry. “We’ll do anything we’re asked to do, if we’re capable and licensed,” he says.

this to be a profitable marketing strategy. He explains that when he first started in business, it was difficult to find vendors that would extend credit with the new ownership. But now, he says, “We have great relationships with all our vendors. When we need something, they get it to us right away because they know we have a customer waiting for it.”

Wight generally sees an annual uptake in business in July, August, and September, and attributes it partly to students heading back to schools and universities. Additionally, there is an escalation of Northwest home sales in the summer that also increases business. “Today it seems Wight is particularly proud that Pioneer can offer its emeveryone has to have the Internet,” Wight says. “Wheth- ployees medical, dental, vision, supplemental disability, er in grade school, high school, or college, students need and life insurance, as well as paid holiday and vacation days. All field technicians are equipped with upgraded access to the Internet because it’s required for their assignments. Many programs and classes are only available field-strength meters and test equipment (Trilithic 860, CM500ip, leakage detection, and more). In 2009, online. There’s always going to be a need for better and faster communications, information, access convenience, Pioneer increased its fleet by 80 for a total of more than 300 vehicles. Additionally, all field technicians are NCTI and entertainment. We’re going to be a part of these certified and, when hired, must successfully complete changes and opportunities.” Last year was an especially a 6- to 8-week training program that includes classroom busy year for Pioneer, he adds, due to the FCC mandate and field training. The company also has weekly team for digital broadcasting. and safety meetings to update all employees on the most current events, locally and companywide. “Pioneer has Wight also attributes the rise in business over the its up and downs in business, as do other companies, summer months to the mass advertising and marketing but we do our best to limit the downturn exposures as done annually by area service providers. Pioneer Cable Contractors does little marketing itself, since most of its much as possible and focus the employees as much as business is through repeat clients and word-of-mouth re- possible on the future opportunities,” Wight says. “We have day-in and day-out credibility and stand behind our ferrals. In addition, the company has recently started to work and workforce.” abq advertise at trade shows and conventions, and has found

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H&R Block world headquarters, for which Alexander Mechanical installed an extensive HVAC system.

alexander mechanical contractors

Alexander Mechanical Contractors A talented team and diversified portfolio help propel HVAC firm’s growth by megy karydes

bill alexander didn’t plan to build a multimillion-dollar business when he founded Alexander Mechanical Contractors in 1998. But build it he did, and the company’s meteoric growth could reach $20 million in 2010 if the company is able to complete all of the projects it is anticipating this year. “I started the company because, as a project superintendent for a large mechanical contractor, I spent a large amount of time away from home,” says Alexander, who serves as president of the firm. “I thought if I could do this for them, I could do it for myself and spend more time in town. I find now that that was a naïve thought. I started the company with 2 employees; we average 50–70 employees now.”

Alexander has no regrets, though. He is proud that his Kansas City, Missouri-based firm is a full-service union mechanical-contracting company. “We are a certified MBE/DBE contractor and also a certified SDB contractor,” he says, “which has helped us weather the downturn in the economy by performing work for the different federal entities.”

Alexander Mechanical Contractors performs HVAC,

piping-fabrication, and plumbing services throughout Kansas City and the surrounding states. “The majority of our work is performed on commercial and industrial HVAC/plumbing construction projects,” Alexander says. “Our firm is able to provide turnkey design-build solutions or to submit competitive bids on projects designed by other firms.” He also likes to remind companies that meeting budgets are one thing; being mindful of costs, however, is another. “Our strength is working to budget,” he says. “But as contractors, we also know costs—not just initial costs, but a company’s system’s continuing costs of operation and maintenance.”

The multifaceted firm is also conscious of sustainability, as it assists architects in selecting a cost- and energyefficient HVAC design. Through engineering analysis, Alexander Mechanical can develop economical solutions to customers’ needs. “We have in-house engineering resources and a peer-review system for design-build projects,” Alexander says. “Each project is evaluated objectively to determine features that will create an effective design. We then analyze the design to ensure that it is consistent with the construction budget and schedule. Our expertise and capability enables us to

at a glance location: kansas city, mo founded: 1998 employees: 50–70 area of specialty: hvac, pipingfabrication, and plumbing services

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specialty contractors alexander mechanical contractors

Our strength is working to budget. But as contractors, we also know costs—not just initial costs, but a company’s system’s continuing costs of operation and maintenance.

—Bill Alexander, Founder & President

over the country due to an increased market demand.

“We will continue to secure our place in the Kansas City construction market, but because of the number of meAlexander Mechanical’s management staff has more than chanical contractors in the Kansas City market, we will 50 years combined experience in all phases of mechanical continue to broaden our horizons across the country,” he says. The majority of work that the firm does outside work, allowing it to build strong relationships with its of Kansas City is government work—a niche Alexander regular clientele. The firm’s client base mainly includes wants to continue to develop and expand in the coming general contractors, which make up about 60 percent years to help grow the company. of the firm’s business, and the remaining 40 percent of projects are commissioned directly by building owners.

Finally, Alexander acknowledges that a firm is nothing Alexander Mechanical also performs specialty services without its employees, and he sees the important role for other mechanical contractors that are not equipped his team plays in his continued success. “Our employto complete complex projects on their own. ees are the best in their field,” he says. “I’m proud of what we’ve built. We have a great team of professionals While most of the firm’s work is based in Kansas City, in our field.” ABQ Alexander notes that it has been doing more work all perform complete design-build services on a variety of commercial HVAC applications.”

Alexander Mechanical’s portfolio includes this 400-ton chiller plant for an AT&T Data Center.

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ALEXANDER

MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS Alexander Mechanical is a full service mechanical contractor with the expertise to meet your needs in many phases of mechanical work including:

• • • •

Powerhouse Industrial Piping Commercial HVAC Computer Aided Design

• • • •

Retrofit Work New Construction Sheet Metal Plumbing

PO Box 34075 • Kansas City MO 64120-4075 • Tel: (816) 833-0700 • Fax: (816) 833-0760

WWW.AL E X ME C H . COM

Sun Valley Electric, Inc. is authorized to contract electrical installation and repair in the State of Colorado. We here at Sun Valley Electric, Inc. are proud of our accomplishments and strive to exceed our greatest expectations.

LIC # 1900

Woman Owned and SBE Certified Commercial Designing new construction, remodeling and additions to retail stores, office buildings, fuel dispensing stations, theaters, mobile home/RV parks, warehouses, hospitals, healthcare facilities and other structures of a similar design. IT services, phone upgrades, data cabling, security monitoring, alternative energy resources.

Industrial Expansion and new construction manufacturing plants of all types. Municipal water system pumping facilities, valve and regulating vaults, alternative energy design and incorporation to exceed Federal regulations, security surveillance and required Homeland Security installations.

Residential Design built, custom homes with green-integrated data technologies, security, remodeling and additions to buildings for residential occupancy (one, two, three, and four unit family dwellings). Also includes apartment buildings, condominiums and townhouses, mobile homes, and manufactured homes.

Sun Valley Electric, Inc. • 5475 Hwy 86, Unit #3 • Elizabeth, CO 80107-7451 • 303.646.6339 • sunvalleyelectricinc.com

department sun valley electric, inc.

SunValley provides various residential, commercial, and industrial electric installations for many different clients and projects.

sun valley electric, inc.

Powerful and enduring values help guide company to become an industry leader by julie edwards

from its earliest days as an electrical contractor to its position today as one of the premier designbuild electrical companies in industrial and commercial installation, Sun Valley Electric, Inc. has built a solid reputation of upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. The company is backed by a strong husband-and-wife team in Gary and Stephanie Pfeifer, who attribute the company’s 30 years of success to a core set of beliefs, behaviors, and values that have descended through the family’s generations.

at a glance

location: elizabeth, co founded: 1982 employees: 15 area of specialty: The story of Sun Valley begins in 1975, when owners industrial Gary and Stephanie married. A residential wireman, electrical “Gary always felt there was more to the electrical installation for industry than what he’d learned up to that time,” says cities, counties, and municipalities, Stephanie, who currently serves as CEO of Sun Valley. to serve water and Gary continued his training in the electrical industry, and in 1982, the couple established Sun Valley Electric, wastewater needs which was later incorporated in 1985. Gary gained his average master’s license in 1987, and over the next 10 years annual sales: Sun Valley expanded into the commercial electrical $2 million+

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industry. It then began investing in main power distribution, pneumatic and electronic controls, and all aspects of potable and wastewater-rejuvenation systems.

In 2001, the September 11th tragedy brought new opportunities to the company. “The 9/11 attacks created a lot of changes in this industry,” Stephanie says. “Security became a requirement with local, state, and federal government municipalities, and our knowledge in this area established us as a major player in the freshwater and wastewater industries.” By 2003, Sun Valley had nearly doubled in size, and the Pfeifers felt the need for the company’s employees to become more involved in the day-to-day operations, so the company became employee owned. Following this change, Sun Valley restructured, with Stephanie purchasing up to 53 percent on the common stock and title of CEO. In 2005, the company was granted certification from The National Women Business Owners Corporation, a major achievement that brought new opportunities to the company.

specialty sun valley electric, inc. contractors

Stewardship, best people, client-value creation, respect for the individual, and integrity—these simple yet powerful values have continually guided our decision making, as well as our interactions with our clients, and driven our vision to become one of the state of Colorado’s leading companies, bringing innovations to improve the way we work and live.

—Stephanie Pfeifer, CEO

“These changes have taken the company full circle, to the next level of growth,” Stephanie says. “In turn, we have reinvested our revenues in education for our team over the last several years.”

Currently, the company provides residential services, including electrical installation for new construction, renovations, and multifamily housing; commercial services, including electrical installation, security monitoring, and alternative-energy resources; and industrial services, which include electrical installation for manufacturing plants of all types, municipal water-system pumping facilities, and required Homeland security installations. Most of the company’s clients are located within a 200 miles radius of its Elizabeth, Colorado, location.

“Due to regulatory requirements for electrical contractors, we only perform work in states that are reciprocal with our State of Colorado electrical contractor’s license,” Stephanie notes. “We also want to make sure all of our projects provide us an opportunity to exceed not only the general contractor’s expectations but, more importantly, the owner’s, which, for us, means meeting the project deadlines, passing all electrical inspections, and providing quality work by licensed electricians at the highest standards.”

One of the company’s current notable projects is the Black Squirrel Wastewater Treatment Facility, which is being built for the Cherokee Metropolitan District,

east of Colorado Springs. As a greenfield wastewater facility that will treat 4.8 million gallons per day, the $30 million project will have 14 new structures. “This project inspired Sun Valley and its employees to seek more projects of this magnitude,” Stephanie says. “The amount of coordination that was required between the owner, general contractor, engineer, and Sun Valley to complete the project on time has brought a new set of skills to our team.”

Stephanie adds that Sun Valley’s continued success is the result of a series of five core values that “are enduring and differentiating, and continue to serve us well as an organization: stewardship, best people, client-value creation, respect for the individual, and integrity,” she says. “These simple yet powerful values have continually guided our decision making, as well as our interactions with our clients, and driven our vision: to become one of the state of Colorado’s leading companies, bringing innovations to improve the way we work and live.”

For the future, the Pfeifers are focusing on maintaining the company’s current level of service while establishing a core plan for continued growth, proactively anticipating industry changes, and sustaining the company’s enduringly solid reputation. “Along with our people, our history and reputation are the most precious things we have as a company,” Stephanie says. “When clients choose Sun Valley Electric, Inc., they know they have a contractor they can not only depend upon but can trust to perform to the high standards.” abq

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specialty contractors

Two Flare workers on the roof of a building, working on an air-conditioning unit.

flare heating & air Conditioning HVAC company updates service with add-on replacement projects by karen gentry

at a glance location: golden valley, mn founded: 1980 area of specialty: new residential construction, addon replacement work for existing homes 2009 sales: $4 million average annual projects: 500

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like many other hvac companies, flare heating & Air Conditioning has recently turned to add-on replacement projects to compensate for the decreased number of new homes being constructed. With the tapering off of the housing market in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area, Flare’s focus has turned to add-on replacements and remodeling projects in the commercial sector, says Doug Dormanen, vice president of Flare. The company specializes in on-demand services and focuses on customer service. “We get out there immediately and do different services,” Dormanen says. “We keep up with the latest in the trade industries, whether its in-floor radiant heat or various types of construction.”

Flare has been providing new product sales, service, maintenance, air-conditioning, and gas-furnace repair in the Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area since 1980, when it was founded by Richard Guerre, who is now semi-retired. The company completes about

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500 projects per year, including single-family homes and multifamily residential projects. Most of the projects are in the suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, although the company does travel to places like Menominee, Wisconsin, and Minot, North Dakota. In early January 2010, the company was working on jobs for 20 new projects, including 8 new-construction residential projects.

Flare is Minnesota’s first authorized Carrier Corporation dealership for heating and cooling equipment.

Dormanen says the well-known Carrier brand was the first to offer non-ozone-depleting refrigerants under its Puron trade brand. The company is getting more involved in geothermal heating and cooling systems, which improve efficiency by moving heat rather than converting chemical energy to heat like in a furnace.

The geothermal systems are gaining traction in the commercial and residential markets, in part because of the

flare heating & air conditioning

We get out there immediately and do different services.

We keep up with the latest in the trade industries, whether its in-floor radiant heat or various types of construction.

—Doug Dormanen, Vice President

federal government’s tax credits that cover 30 percent of the project cost. For a project costing $50,000, that’s a $15,000 tax credit; and although geothermal systems are initially more expensive, the payback period is typically about 5–15 years, depending on the scope of the project, says Randy Imker, vice president of Flare.

Another area of Flare’s business that has seen significant growth is in the indoor-air-quality sector. “People are becoming more aware that their indoor air is polluted,” Imker says. Electronic filters, HEPA filters, highefficiency air filters, and air exchangers can improve the indoor-air quality through heat-recovery ventilators. Imker notes that 90 percent of new homes include upgraded air filters with a high MERV rating, which rates the ability of air-conditioning filters to remove dust from the air as it passes through a filter. An increasing number of add-on jobs include products like UV bulbs, to help with bacteria and mold, and more efficient filters.

The White Pines Comfort of Home assisted-living development in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, was a high-profile project for Flare. The project included the installation of kitchen-type air-conditioning, makeup-air, exhaust, and ventilation systems for about 38 units, as well as a ventilation system for an underground garage. The designbuild duties for the project were challenging, with not much room to maneuver, Dormanen says. “We had to try to fit all the mechanical equipment in small areas.

We worked with the architect and other trades to incorporate the design and install the equipment,” he says.

In February 2010, Flare began another assisted-living project in Grove Heights, Minnesota, which includes 42 units in a traditional nursing-home design. Dormanen says the company would like to work on more assistedliving projects in the near future, and with one project already in the works, Flare may have found a new niche.

The service side currently represents about 20 percent of the business, with add-on replacement work

comprising about 50 percent and light commercial and new construction totaling 30 percent. But while sales for Flare Heating & Air Conditioning reached $4 million in 2009, down about 50 percent from the bustling years, Imker says the company would like to see residential construction rebound and to grow its service department, led by Dave Jurek, service department manager. With such thorough and high-quality service offerings, it seems that Flare has positioned itself well for such anticipated growth. abq

specialty contractors

specialty contractors

Left:The Animal Hospital of Polaris is a 16,000-square-foot facilty featuring a radiant-heating system installed by Eaton Plumbing.

and started partnering with other local builders, as well as keeping a continued focus on the expansion of its other existing services and relationships. Some of the company’s new projects and ventures include a new partnership with a local builder who focused on the fourfamily condominium arena, mixed-use retail centers, a 16,000-square-foot veterinary hospital/pet-boarding facility, an 86-unit assisted-living center, and multiple multimillion-dollar custom homes.

Eaton Plumbing inc.

Ohio-based company reaps rewards from hard work and quality service

Like any long-running business, Eaton Plumbing has encountered ups and downs. However, the company perseveres by maintaining a group of dedicated, loyal employees, as well as upholding its commitment to continuing education, to keep all employees up on current codes, rules, and regulations. “Our company has always operated as a family business,” Max says. “Our employees are an extension of our family. We have two men who’ve been with us for more than 30 years, and a majority of our plumbers who’ve been with us for more than 10 years. Their knowledge, leadership, and skill base are irreplaceable.” It is through this level of consistency that Eaton Plumbing has been able to keep some business partnerships with local builders for more than 30 years.

Amber Park is an 86-unit assisted-living facility in Pickerington, Ohio, which required a diverse array of plumbing work, including water lines, underground plumbing, commercial kitchens, handicapped-accessible showers, a beauty salon, a high-efficiency boiler system, and a bathroom in each unit. The $600,000 project was eaton plumbing inc. got its start the oldfashioned way: Plumber John Eaton, who knew from the completed on a stringent schedule that started in fall beginning of his career that he wanted to own a business, 2008 and ended in July 2009. stuck to his values of hard work, high morals, and topquality work, and struck out on his own by starting the “This project required a great deal of thought, knowledge, and a diverse skill set,” Max says. “It required a business in his garage in Westerville, Ohio. The commixed knowledge of residential applications, as well as pany grew through strategic partnerships that began in the early 1990s with some of the Columbus area’s largest some more complex commercial systems. Add in the tight timeline and tight budget, and we couldn’t have builders, and grew along with the homebuilding boom completed this project within all of our builders’ paramof Delaware County, Ohio—at one point, the fastesteters without all of our wonderful employees.” Eaton growing county in the United States. And the county’s Plumbing developed such a positive relationship with wide swaths of farmland quickly became filled with the facility’s developer and operator (Colson & Colson single-family homes, thanks to the available land and easy bank loans. “At one time, we had 20-plus employees General Contractor, Inc., of Salem, Oregon) that Eaton aims to continue this relationship on other future projdedicated to one specific builder,” recalls Max Eaton, ects in Ohio and in other states.

John’s son and current vice president.

by sandra guy

at a glance location: westerville, oh founded: 1974 employees: 16 area of specialty: plumbing average annual revenue: $2 million–2.5 million

Those heady days began to end around 2003, when the housing bubble burst. The company quickly regrouped

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Another recent project was the Animal Hospital of Polaris. The 16,000-square-foot veterinary facility includes

specialty eaton plumbing inc. contractors

Our goal is to stay grounded and to focus on the things that got us where we are today—reliability, honesty, high morals, and hard work. That will allow us to continually diversify our business. —Max Eaton, Vice President

12,000 feet of tubing underneath the major building slab, showcasing radiant heat throughout the building. “It’s the most comfortable heat in the world, and the most energy-efficient way to heat the building,” Max says. The heating system enabled the hospital to market to clients, as it emphasized that their pets housed in the facility would have warm floors, instead of cold concrete.

In addition, Eaton Plumbing also designed a trench drain that runs behind each kennel space. Overhead flush valves are plumbed into the trench drains, much like a flush valve on a toilet. An air-hose tubing material was then run to a nearby wall to allow for simple pushbutton activation. The setup enables an employee to push the button and flush out the trench drains, keeping odors to a minimum and making the kennel-cleaning process faster and more sanitary. Max says that the company created the entire system for the $150,000 project, which was completed in 2008.

workplace standards to take care of these calls,” Max notes.

Ultimately, the company aims to become a one-stop shop by focusing its experienced staff’s skills and its reputation for reliability and high-quality work on jobs ranging from service calls to commercial work to residential building and remodeling. “Our goal is to stay grounded and to focus on the things that got us where we are today—reliability, honesty, high morals, and hard work,” Max says. “That will allow us to continually diversify our business.” abq

Other notable projects that Eaton Plumbing has recently completed are large custom homes—one spanning more than 12,000 square feet and another more than 15,000 square feet—each with very unique plumbing systems and fixtures. “Each house was a great deal of fun to work on,” Max says. “This work allows us to showcase our talents and workmanship in the creation of these very unique systems. Each house included different aspects that you wouldn’t find in a standard home, such as large custom showers that require more than 26 gallons of water a minute, as well as custom beauty salons and unique steam rooms.”

Eaton Plumbing has also created a service department, which has seen business soar by 46 percent in the past three years. The company responds to residential emergencies ranging from ceiling leaks to broken water heaters to improperly draining bathtubs and faulty sump pumps. “We take care to hire knowledgeable, clean-cut, and articulate service technicians who pass federal background checks and adhere to the company’s drug-free

Eaton Plumbing used this Kohler DTV six-port thermostatic valve for a custom-shower installation.

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specialty contractors

Crescent City’s wastewater-treatment facility is one of the company’s many impressive projects.

wayne maples plumbing & Heating Family-owned company diversifies business efforts by zach baliva

although they still consider wayne maples Plumbing & Heating a family business, brothers Rodney, Roger, and Dale Maples have a new understanding of the term. The company began in 1960, after their father, Wayne Maples, got his first job at a local plumbing company. Maples eventually formed his own business, and today, five decades later, the firm has two locations and 50 employees.

at a glance location: eureka and santa rosa, ca founded: 1960 employees: 50

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Maples’ sons joined the business in order to help operate the company as a subcontractor to large general contractors. Three of Wayne’s sons continue to run the plumbing-and-heating business that routinely performs work in many sectors, including the healthcare, public works, education, commercial, and residential markets.

While the last 50 years have brought considerable growth, the Maples brothers still think of the endeavor as a small, family-run business. “We’ve put our trust in individuals to increase our capacity for different projects,” says Dale, who serves as secretary. “We’re not limited to blood, which gives us more options. We’ve

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kept that close-family type of corporate culture, even though we’re much larger than in the past.” His brother Rodney, who serves and president and CEO, agrees, stating that mutual trust between employees and employers is crucial. “We have routine safety meetings where anyone can bring up questions and concerns that always get addressed. This is more than a job; it’s a place where we live our lives,” he says, adding that the company has helped workers navigate personal issues on several occasions. Many of the company’s 50 employees have been there between 15 and 20 years, which the Maples brothers say is rare in the subcontracting world.

Twenty-five years ago, the California-based company decided to diversify and raise overall employee skill level in order to accommodate difficult public-works, education, and healthcare jobs. It also opened a Santa Rosa office to complement its Eureka location and catalyze growth, with work in 2009 ranging from large hospital expansions to high-end motel renovations to intricate wineries to complex wastewater-treatment facilities.

The key to successful growth and diversification, the Maples say, is to focus aggressively on landing certain projects, investing in training, and ensuring potential clients are aware of ability. “You have to be intentional but remain realistic about your limitations,” Dale says.

“We look at our project load once a week and say ‘no’ as often as we say ‘yes,’ to make sure we can provide great service built around our existing capacity.”

The City of Crescent City’s wastewater-control facility illustrates that philosophy and showcases Maples Plumb-

“From our beginning in 1960 as a sole family endeavor of Wayne Maples to our current dedicated team of nearly 60, we still operate like a family. That results in a clear mission throughout the company of delivering a superior plumbing & heating system.

Recognized as the leader in Northern California we specialize in • Public Projects • Hospitals and Healthcare • Municipal and County Projects • LEED® Projects (LEED® AP part of ownership) • Motels/Inns • Private Commercial • Muti-family

General Contractors and developers trust our ability to share and meet their schedules. That’s why they choose the Maples team again, and again, and again….

Dale Maples receiving his LEED AP certification from US Rep. Mike Thompson. Left to right: owner Rodney Maples, owner Dale Maples, founderWayne Maples, and U.S. Congressional Rep. Mike Thompson.

ing & Heating’s abilities. The company was awarded the public-works job for the reputation of its project manager, whose skills and experience at treatment facilities surpass those of his peers. “It’s such a difficult job, with so many complex and integrated systems, that it takes someone who has a very specific talent,” Rodney says.

Those talents were acquired because the Maples team deliberately targeted, won, and comple-ted a much smaller wastewater facility two years prior, using the same project foreman.

Difficult projects are becoming the norm at Wayne Maples Plumbing & Heating. The team recently finished wet-side heating and plumbing for Kiewit-Omaha at Humboldt State University’s Lumberjack Arena and completed work on an 85-unit housing project over a parking garage in San Jose, California, for R. D. Olsen.

Maples’ largest current project is the St. Joseph Hospital Expansion for Skanska, USA. The company’s $8 million portion of the $120 million job is for all plumbing, mechanical, and med-gas work in the facility’s new wing, located in Orange, California. Wayne Maples had recently provided all services for a mechanical room that serves the entire hospital.

A company must rely on knowledgeable and experienced employees to win large jobs. Customer satisfaction is also key—Maples’ repeat clients, like Humboldt State University, have provided consistent work for the firm for more than ten years. Over the last five decades, Wayne Maples Plumbing & Heating has attracted and retained the skilled workforce necessary for success by expanding its definition of a family business. abq

“Celebrating 50 years of professional history in the plumbing & heating industry”

317 W. Cedar Street Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 445-9671 / Fax (707) 445-9725

w w w. m a p l e s p l u m b . c o m

327 O’Hair Ct. Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 585-9977 / Fax (707) 585-8979

The men and women of UA Local 290 Plumbers and Steamfitters and our signatory contractors enjoy an excellent reputation in the plumbing and pipefitting industry. With eleven training centers located throughout our jurisdiction, our highly skilled members keep pace with our ever-changing industry and code requirements.

Contact us at:

www.ua290.org • 503-691-5700 or write to us at:

20210 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin OR 97062

department ortiz asphalt paving co.

The majority of Ortiz Asphalt’s work comes from road-rehabilitation projects.

Ortiz Asphalt Paving co.

Brothers tap into extensive construction-industry experience and connections to perform California’s road-rehabilitation and public-work projects by christopher cussat

at a glance location: san bernardino, ca employees: 45 area of specialty: asphalt paving, concrete construction, and grading for public-works projects average annual sales: $30 million+

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a few years ago, bruce and david ortiz noticed something very interesting. Whenever these two brothers worked for other companies, they found that their assistance and contributions spurred growth. In 2004, the Ortiz brothers decided they could create and run a successful company of their own—and Ortiz Asphalt Paving Co. (OAP) was born. Six years later, Bruce and David have once again proven that their combined knowledge and experience make a winning formula for success.

The road to forming OAP was a bit bumpy, and not everyone had the same optimism and positive beliefs that the brothers had. David Ortiz, vice president of OAP, recalls, “We decided that we could start a company of our own and excel in the industry—but we were constantly told that if we did not have capital of $500,000 or more, that we would fail.” Despite these negative attitudes, he and Bruce (now president of OAP) were

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able to found their company with just $20,000, and they are now looking forward to their sixth year in business during 2010.

The San Bernardino, California-based company mostly performs road-rehabilitation work (for example, placing concrete and repaving streets and highways) for the State of California. “Ninety percent of our work is state-related through CalTrans, and the other 10 percent includes work for various municipalities, such as cities ranging east and west of Los Angeles, from Palm Springs to Barstow to San Diego,” Ortiz says.

Today, OAP’s main business is comprised of public-work services, like grading, asphalt paving, and concrete construction. In addition, the company accepts quotes for all vendors, subcontractors, and material suppliers for jobs, including construction-site management, waterpollution control, traffic-control systems, portable/

specialty ortiz asphalt paving co. contractors

You have to be proactive by getting out there and letting your employees know that your business is important to you.

—David Ortiz, Vice President

changeable message signs, cold-plane asphalt concrete pavement, lead compliance plans, asphaltic emulsion (fog seals), rubberized hot-mix asphalt (GAP graded), and thermoplastic pavement marking and traffic stripes (sprayable), as well as maintaining existing traffic-management-system elements during construction.

Although David contends that there are no truly competitive edges associated with OAP, the fact that he and Bruce both come from backgrounds with 25–30 years of construction experience has definitely helped them grow their company in size and prosperity.

One advantage David will admit to is that, as a result of their many years working in the paving industry, he and his brother have established very personal relationships with many agencies. “This brings a comfort level to both the contractor and agency for which we work, and helps us assure them that our project will produce top quality and be finished on time,” he says.

In other words, the Ortiz brothers’ years of experience and close interaction with these public agencies have produced a strong level of trust.

to be proactive by getting out there and letting your employees know that your business is important to you.”

The Ortiz brothers accomplish this by investing their time and directly transferring their skills and experience to their employees, through one-on-one interactions.

“This allows them to grow much further beyond whatever their knowledge was when they were hired,” David adds.

Though many companies in the industry have greatly struggled through the recent recession, OAP’s reputation of quality and experience has not only helped it stay afloat but has also allowed the firm to retain its workforce size and revenue increases. David sums up the philosophy that has allowed him, Bruce, and OAP to remain a competitive and sustainable business entity: “If you have ambition with a combination of knowledge,” he says, “nothing is impossible.” abq

OAP’s future goals include continuing to provide excellent services to all of its clients. “We also will strive to provide a stable foundation for the next generation of Ortizes to excel in the industry,” David notes. The brothers are currently exploring corporate expansion possibilities in Nevada for 2010, and are close to becoming 8A certified, to perform work through the federal government.

In addition to the significance of having integral professional knowledge and establishing strong business relationships, David also believes that it is very important to promote a cohesive corporate culture that both nurtures employees and openly communicates company ideals. “Most people are out for whatever personal gain they can commandeer,” he says. “You have

Ortiz Asphalt employees at work.

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Helicoptor rig at Contractors Steel in Twinsburg, Ohio.

Halo Mechanical Commercial HVAC specialist advances to green future with in-house fabrication capabilities and continued dedication to customer service by julie edwards

founded in 1995, halo mechanical is a fullservice commercial and industrial HVAC contractor located in the heart of northern Ohio. With more than 37 years in the mechanical industry, founder and president Hans Loos has worked hard to establish a stellar reputation for his company, noting that much of the company’s business comes from repeat customers and referrals.

Loos started in the business more than 35 years ago as a sheet-metal apprentice with the Local 65. Several years later, he became an estimator and superintendent for a local mechanical company, and then branched out on his own after 17 years to start Halo Mechanical. The company was launched in a modest 2,000-square-foot building, and within a year, Halo Mechanical doubled its space. In 2000, the company built a brand-new 11,000sqaure-foot facility, which sits next to an 1800s quarry with a unique history—the land was used by a former torpedo facility for sonar testing.

at a glance location: columbia station, oh founded: 1995 area of specialty: full-service design, fabrication, and installation of commercial hvac systems average annual sales: $4–5 million average annual projects: 60

A full-fabrication and -installation business, Halo Mechanical manufacturers all of the materials it installs.

“We have spent quite a bit of money on automation and technology, and are continuously updating our CAD computer systems and operations,” Loos says. For example, the company recently added a new computeroperated coil line that increased the efficiency of its ductwork production per 5-foot section of duct, from 3 minutes to 15 seconds.

Loos notes that being a full-fabrication business allows the company access to materials, which, in turn, positively affects customer service and satisfaction. “We never have to worry about a supplier delivering the materials on time—we can make what we need in hours, and fulfill a request literally overnight,” he says. “Quick

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turnaround is critical because our clients often have an emergent, immediate need, and we are able to respond in 24 hours or less.”

Halo Mechanical is also known for its custom design work. Loos says that the company can design, fabricate, and install any system to meet a client’s needs. This

specialty halo mechanical contractors

We’re not just an HVAC contractor—we can build anything a customer requests.

If it can be drawn and built from steel, we can make it. —Hans Loos, Founder & President

dedication to responsive service and a flexible approach to design has helped the company acquire several notable projects, including the NASA offices in Cleveland. Some of the company’s projects for NASA have included completely gutting the HVAC in one NASA building and replacing it with a LEED-compatible system.

Other impressive work includes Halo Mechanical’s work on the Aries 10 rocket. “We were asked by NASA to fabricate the model for the Aries rocket, which was a great honor,” Loos says. The model now sits by NASA’s front gate in Cleveland, and Loos was recently invited to Florida to view the actual rocket’s launch. In fact, the company’s design-build capabilities have generated a “secondary” business line. “We’re not just an HVAC contractor—we can build anything a customer requests,” Loos says. “If it can be drawn and built from steel, we can make it.”

For the future, the company plans to move progressively ahead with its focus on green technology, including more LEED-certified installations, and is looking to become a five-star green business in 2010. “Our goal is to present clients with several scenarios, including a LEED Silver rating option,” Loos says. “While green can be more expensive upfront, the long-term cost savings are very notable.”

However, Loos is quick to note that the most important part of business remains a dedication to customer service. “Service is everything,” he says. “Our goal is to have a service vehicle on-site within hours of a client call, and we provide 24/7 service if needed.” He notes that the company once removed and replaced all the units of a medical office building on the Cleveland Clinic campus over an icy winter weekend. This, along with the array of other completed jobs, is a solid testament to the company’s dedication to bring value to its clients. ABQ

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Crana’s electrical fit-outs extend to many projects, including this corporate office in NewYork.

Crana Electric, Inc. Electrical contractor completes high-profile commercial projects with a commitment to quality, service, and skill by sandra guy

at a glance location: new york, ny founded: 2002 employees: 30 area of specialty: electrical contracting average annual revenue: $6 million

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crana electric, inc., which started in new York, has had its share of difficult and trying times. Fortunately, the electrical contractor has been able to grow steadily, transitioning into big-name commercial and retail projects from its residential roots, and winning high-profile jobs with the likes of Costco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshalls, Best Buy, and the New Yorker Hotel.

The company’s history mirrors a classic American success story. Mr. McLaughlin, COO, came to the United States in 1998 from his native County Donegal, Ireland, where he grew up the youngest of nine children.

McLaughlin learned from his father—who ran the neighborhood grocery store—the value of quality customer service, long hours of dedicated work, and the importance of loyalty in keeping customers satisfied.

And in 2002, McLaughlin started Crana Electric, with

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three electricians working out in the field. He closely oversaw the operation, and the company’s skills and dedication to on-time and on-budget work, along with McLaughlin’s hands-on leadership, won the company a series of major commercial projects.

“When Mr. McLaughlin started out, he priced the work, helped do the work, bought materials, and proved his dedication with on-time and on-budget performance, and high-quality work,” says Michelle Comar, sales and marketing manager for the company. “Now, with 30 full-time employees, he still keeps his eye on the ball and makes sure everyone follows through from start to finish.”

Comar adds that seeing a project through to the very end is one of Crana’s strongest assets. The process involves “tracking costs carefully, hiring experienced

specialty crana electric, inc. contractors

project managers and qualified on-site teams, and completing jobs on schedule with any problems solved immediately,” she says. “Everyone likes the challenge of each project’s uniqueness, and their ability to solve any problem for the client.”

The company’s portfolio includes notable retailers such as clothier BCBG’s flagship store in New York and the

recent projects the new yorker hotel: Crana’s work involved a $4.8 million entire electrical-system upgrade of the newly refurbished hotel. Crana Electric completed the work in June 2009, which included the complete renovation of this landmark building’s electrical and distribution system; lighting and power; and television, telephone, and data cabling. Crana communicated closely with the general manager in adhering to a schedule of completing two floors each week while the hotel remained open.

the greenwich club: Crana was contracted to do the electrical-system work at the private social club’s Art Deco tower, which consists of 37 floors and 485 residences, in one of Manhattan’s hottest neighborhoods. The work included installing an iPod audio system in each unit, as well as performing the electrical work in the lobby, library, billiards room, skydeck, gymnasium, and courtyard. The lobby features an elaborate dimming system, while the building’s façade is highlighted with illumining LED lighting.

costco wholesale corp. store: Crana installed the entire electrical-distribution, lighting, and power system at Costco’s first store in Manhattan, adhering to a tight timetable that required the entire job to be completed in 16 weeks, ending with the retailer’s grand opening in November 2009. Crana also installed the fire-alarm and power-control systems in the 125,000-square-foot store.

the bronx terminal market: The company installed the electrical-distribution, lighting, and power system at the three anchor retailers (Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Marshalls) located at the Bronx Terminal Market, next to Yankee Stadium. The $1.9 million project covered 119,000 square feet in the historic site. Crana continues to work on the project, completing the electrical systems for three more stores inside the mall.

Judith Lieber flagship store on 5th Avenue, as well as hospitality clients such as the Helmsley Hotel, the Hilton Hotel, and the Carleton Hotel on Madison Avenue. Crana’s work extends to hospitals, universities, bank branches, theaters, and offices of the prestigious Advertising Council and Greenwich Club.

The next stage of growth for Crana is to build upon its current success, expanding its services into building maintenance, fire-alarm, and tel-data systems. “McLaughlin is proud of his invaluable team, both on-site and officebased,” Comar says. “This allows Crana Electric, Inc. to service high-profile clientele in New York.” And with so many high-profile projects already under its belt and more on the way, McLaughlin certainly has something to be proud of. ABQ

a message from the spector group In the 45-plus years the Spector Group has been impacting architecture, interior design, and the construction industry throughout NewYork and the tri-state area, Crana Electric stands out as one of the leading electrical contractors that has committed itself to providing the highest-quality services possible.

green services

Left: A Blood Hound technician collects ground-penetrating-radar data for a subsurface response map.

other subsurface structures, Blood Hound employs all of the latest technologies, including traditional electromagnetic locating techniques; ground-penetrating radar, which assists in finding utilities that are untraceable or have no direct access; vacuum excavation, to safely expose utilities and confirm locations and depth of lines; fiber-optic pipe-inspection cameras; and acoustic detection. “We’re hired to come out and find the unknown,” Mason says, adding the company typically equips its technicians with $40,000–50,000 worth of equipment.

Also, aside from locating utilities, the company performs sewer/pipe-camera inspection, utility mapping, leak detection, fault locating, and utility-damage investigations.

blood hound, inc.

Providing green utility-locating services as the nation’s largest firm in a growing industry by erik pisor

at a glance location: brownsburg, in founded: 1999 employees: 28 area of specialty: undergroundutility/privateelectromagnetic location services average annual sales: $4 million+

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in the relatively young industry of private underground-utility locating, Blood Hound, Inc. has grown into one of the nation’s largest firms, with more than 1,000 jobs completed in 2009. “The private-locator industry is really only 15 years old—there are not many firms like us,” says Mark Mason, owner and president of the Brownsburg, Indiana-based contractor. “Even with the economy, last year was a record year for us [in terms of workload and net sales].”

Founded in 1999—with a sole focus on private-utility locating—the firm has experienced a 40–50 percent increase in annual sales since its establishment, and it continues to expand the number of utility-location-related services it provides. When performing subsurface-utility location for publicly and privately owned utility lines and

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

Because of its track record, Blood Hound services customers nationally and has performed work for a significant number of clients in Indianapolis, Maryland, Texas, New Orleans, and Florida. And jobs can range in price, anywhere from $175 to $108,000, with the company completing more than 1,000 jobs annually. The company has a hand in “any major project in the Midwest,” Mason says, adding the company’s technicians are routinely hired to locate steam lines, geothermal lines, tanks, and fiber-optic network cables.

Blood Hound completes work for a variety of industries, with a significant amount of utility-location work coming from hospital expansion projects, including recent work for the 60-acre Parkview Hospital system expansion in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as well as hospital expansion sites in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. In addition, the firm is consistently hired to perform utility-location work at university, industrial, residential, nuclear-power, and US Army Corps of Engineers construction sites. The firm also worked on Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts, where it was tasked with inspecting all stadium conduits.

Having worked at a number of different construction sites, the firm is well aware of the challenges associated with utility location. “Being that utilities are unregulated, they’re put in the ground in different ways, and we typically don’t have the drawings,” Mason explains.

A number of the firm’s clients represent other subcontractors looking to avoid the downtime associated with stumbling upon an unknown utility. “They’ll have us come check out the area before they start construction,” Mason continues, adding that Blood Hound often

blood hound, inc. green services

The private-locator industry is really only 15 years old.

There are not many firms like us. —Mark Mason, Owner & President

performs locating services for a number of subcontractors on one project.

The demand for Blood Hound’s services can be directly attributed to its technicians’ utility-location success rates. “We’re a unique firm; we self-regulate, certify our technicians, and pride ourselves on quality,” Mason says, adding that there aren’t strict licensing requirements within the utility-locating industry. Therefore, of the company’s 28 employees, a number represent technicians that operate out of their vans. These technicians typically conduct a video survey, and utilize locating equipment and ground-penetrating radar to find utilities

at a site. The technician then creates a map for the customer and remotely submits all findings and data back to Blood Hound’s headquarters.

After a year of achieving more than $4 million in annual sales, Mason expects the company to experience further growth in 2010. He attributes this to the company’s success rate, technicians, and the upcoming volume of rehab-, university-, and medical-facility-related construction projects. “[Private-utility locating will] become a major industry in the next five to 10 years,” Mason says. And, equipped with expert technicians and years of expertise, the company is well prepared for that growth. ABQ

IT’s noT jusT underground...

Blood Hound, Inc. is a subsurface utility Company that was founded in 1999 in Brownsburg, Indiana as a Private electromagnetic (eM) locating company. since 1999, Blood Hound, Inc. has grown to provide: • Services available nationwide

(888) 858-9830 www.bhug.com

• Underground EM Locating of subsurface utilities

• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Surveys which assist in finding utilities that are untraceable and/or have no direct access

• Vacuum Excavation provides excavation without the chance of damaging utilities • Leak Detection for water/air lines

• GPS/GIS Mapping service

• Sewer/Pipe camera inspections

green services

Energy Electric’s specialized services focus on various electrical installations and energy-conserving efforts.

Energy Electric Co., Inc. An early interest in alternative energies pays off for New England-based company by sandra guy

at a glance location: uxbridge, ma employees: 52 area of specialty: electrical-system installations and energy-conserving solutions 2009 revenue: $8 million

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bruce dubeau grew fascinated with solar technology long before solar power was in the public eye.

At age 16, Dubeau worked as an energy auditor for the State of Massachusetts’ Worcester County Extension Service—a job specializing in solar- and wind-power research, involving visits to a technology center at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst. “Our primary job purpose was to teach people how to save energy, which in turn saved them money,” Dubeau recalls. “Many of the business- and homeowners were thrilled to see the savings they could realize after our calculations were given to them. Many went by our recommendations. The work was very rewarding, which led me to focus on the energy field.”

Dubeau returned home to Massachusetts in 1985, and landed a job as an apprentice for a small electrical contractor. Two years later, after cramming in various classes and programs, he passed his first exam, which led to obtaining his electrical-contracting licenses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He then started work for a CVS Pharmacy warehouse. After employees there asked him to do some small in-home electrical work, he started garnering larger projects, including wiring an entire house.

After serving in the military from 1975 to 1978, Dubeau pursued his interest in energy by attending college and taking a job at a solar company in Largo, Florida. There, Dubeau installed solar systems in residential and commercial structures. He learned that many of the problems with the early-era solar systems were electrical in nature, especially in controlling the system temperatures. After

With his side work growing quickly, Dubeau expanded to two trucks and two helpers, then left CVS in 1987 for a job at General Motors in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he attended the many GM schools in pneumatics, hydraulics, Allen-Bradley controls, and others.

However, the plant closed shortly after he arrived, sparking Dubeau’s decision to start his own full-time electrical-

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

realizing this, Dubeau wanted to increase his knowledge about electrical systems, so be became an assistant with a troubleshooter to learn more.

energy electric co., inc. green services

We provide top-quality installations and top-quality management on every job while building long-term relationships. We strive to do the job with a high level of safety and better than anyone else—and we do. —Bruce Dubeau, Founder & President

contracting business, Energy Electric Co., Inc. With the new business, he leveraged growth in the condo and residential markets. By the 1990s, the company expanded into the commercial market, and it continues to grow in the retail sector.

Today, 50 percent of Energy Electric’s revenues come from electrical work associated with water-treatment and -storage plants. The company’s revenues grew to $5 million in 2004, and last year reached $8 million. With the expected surge in medical, municipal, and water-treatment projects funded by federal stimulus money, Energy Electric is forecasting revenues to grow to $10 million this year.

Two recent projects fully demonstrate Energy Electric’s expertise. The first is a $1.1 million electrical installation at the new Baldwin Pond wastewater-treatment facility in Wayland, Massachusetts, which included integrating controls and automation systems into the plant’s central operating system, and furnishing and installing the controls and electrical equipment within tight layout restrictions.

Energy Electric received a 96-percent quality rating for its management and installation work, which it completed in January after 11 months of work. The second project is a $650,000 electrical installation at the Foster Plymouth Middle School in Hingham, Massachusetts, completed in November 2009. Energy Electric designed an energyefficient lighting system that eliminated the need for one ballast per fixture and used a master-slave system, which reduced the manufacturing and shipping costs, as well as the maintenance, of several hundred ballasts. The company also integrated teledata and fire-alarm systems into the building, despite space restrictions and a demanding off-hour schedule.

Energy Electric prides itself on maintaining high ratings for specialized work, which puts the company in an elite group of state-certified businesses that can handle these types of projects. “We provide top-quality installation and top-quality management on the job while building longterm relationships,” Dubeau says. “We strive to do the job safer and better than anyone else—and we do.” The com-

pany also touts competitive prices and superior customer service among its strengths.

Dubeau, who teaches solar-energy installation to his employees, and who is so passionate about conservation that he bans the use of plastic at his company, is returning to his first love by expanding into the solar industry. Energy Electric has acquired a top project manager for its new solar division, and is developing a relationship with several solar manufacturers to expand into the fast-growing industry. He explains, “We are upsizing because this is a time for smart growth.” abq

Condo Developments & New Home Construction Property Management of Apartment Complexes & Highrise Office Buildings

The Luxury You Desire, The Quality You Demand 600 Cass Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895 P: 401.769.1670 | F: 401.762.3020 | www.repm.com

ThermaPure president and CEO David Hedman (right) and Dr. Michael Linford, president of TPE Associates, with the patented Structural Pasteurization equipment.

THERMAPURE An eco-friendly, less intrusive approach to pest and mold removal by laura williams-tracy

at a glance location: ventura, ca area of specialty: structural pasteurization

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just as louis pasteur made food safer by heating milk to kill micro-organisms, California-based ThermaPure has a new technique to make buildings clear of unwanted contaminants. Using heat, ThermaPure is able to rid buildings of mold, bed-bug infestations, termites, and many other unwanted inhabitants. The method works because of a simple biological fact: every living thing, whether human or microbial, has a thermal death point at which it dies from too much heat. In most cases, the temperature that kills the unwanted organisms is much cooler than the temperature the building can withstand. “The concept is simple, but the application is much more complex,” says Dave Hedman, president and CEO of ThermaPure and the co-developer of the concept.

Many building contractors, especially those entangled in litigation over mold damage caused by water leaks, have heralded the technique. Mold gives off microbial spores, which can be eliminated with ThermaPure’s heating technique. “The important message we have for the construction community is that you don’t have to tear a building apart to treat the mold,” Hedman says. “We can kill that mold in place.” But mold isn’t the only target for ThermaPure. The heating technology is being widely used to eradicate bed bugs in hotel chains, dust mites (a common allergen), and termites.

ThermaPure has a patent on the process, termed Structural Pasteurization. By raising the temperature inside of a building to nearly 150 degrees—about the temperature of a dry sauna—allergens, pests, and mold are killed and filtered out of the building. Raising the temperature to 150 degrees for a short period of time does not increase fire risk in the building, says Hedman, adding that by comparison, the flashpoint for paper to catch fire is a far hotter 451 degrees Fahrenheit. “The

Treatment begins with an assessment of what temperature the building can sustain and how fire-suppression systems can be left intact. Then, depending on the size of the area to be heated, technicians use either propane or electric heaters and fans to create convective heat that circulates through the building. A system of thermalimaging cameras and Web-based probes ensure that the building is monitored and heated uniformly. Drying mold and other particles are captured in a filtration sys-

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

temperature we are taking the building up to is simply pasteurization temperature,” Hedman says. “We are way below any temperature where there’s fire risk.”

thermapure

green services

The important message we have for the construction community is that you don’t have to tear a building apart to treat the mold. —Dan Hedman, President & CEO

tem. ThermaPure licenses its technology to contractors and pest-control companies throughout North America, and major clients include ServiceMaster and Terminix. Licensees receive extensive training to educate technicians on the proper procedures and help sales staff explain the service.

ThermaPure’s technology is also effective in lowering VOCs in new buildings. Heating the building raises the vapor pressure in the building and enables technicians to capture VOCs in a filtration process and force them out of a structure. “We’ve worked with some of largest builders of structures where people have become sick from exposure to chemicals such as formaldehyde,” Hedman says. “Using heat, we can greatly reduce the levels of chemicals and make the structure safe.” The company also worked with the US National Park Service at Yosemite National Park to rid several park buildings of rodents and rid the structure of any Hanta virus.

After the animals were flushed out, the buildings were sealed to help prevent reinfestation. The ThermaPure technology, Hedman adds, works for new and existing buildings alike.

Structural Pasteurization is indeed catching on. ThermaPure’s revenues have grown 100 percent in each of the past two years. Hedman says many customers are attracted to the process because it is effective without

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Since the 1980s, Hedman has owned California-based specialty environmental-contracting company Precision Environmental, which he founded while at Stanford University. He now owns more than 30 patents and trademarks related to the ThermaPure process, which has found markets with building contractors who are working to mitigate mold-related issues with buildings.

The company’s heat technology has proved to be a costeffective method of mold abatement, Hedman says, and ThermaPure is currently working with one of the largest developers of university student housing.

using harsh chemicals, such as methyl bromide, which can offer dangers of their own. Ultimately, Hedman, a Boy Scout leader and lover of the outdoors, says he’s glad the technique is safer for people living and working in the buildings. “We are replacing toxic technology, which destroys the ozone and can kill people, with simple heat,” he says. And because of this, it is no surprise that ThermaPure’s cost-effective offerings are becoming more and more prevalent across the country. abq

1930 TERMITE & PEST CONTROL CO.

Owned and operated by the same family since 1930, GOLD SEAL is proud to have provided prompt, courteous, professional services throughout the Midwest for three generations. Our commitment to you has always been and will continue to be QUALITY and VALUE. By allowing GOLD SEAL the opportunity to service you, you can count on us to live up to our reputation. OUR NAME DEMANDS IT!

INDIANA (317) 924-4114

OHIO (513) 233-2847

ILLINOIS (312) 240-0002

KENTUCKY (502) 584-3587

goldsealpest@aol.com • www.goldsealpest.com

department stutzman services, inc.

Left: Stutzman Services was invited by the hit ABC television show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, to provide a creative landscape, well-water system, and state-of-the-art water-treatment system to this home.

technology and to understand what products and services best serve its customers. The concept of trust has been another key to its success. “We gain the trust of our community and make lifetime customers, not just one-time customers,” Rediger says. This accounts for its 25,000 residential, commercial, and industrial clients over the past 44 years.

Stutzman Services, Inc. Oregon well-water-services business diversifies its green offerings and embraces new technology by brigitte yuille

at a glance location: albany, or founded: 1966 employees: 50 area of specialty: plumbing, wellwater systems, landscaping employee growth in past year: 20% 2009 sales: $4.9 million sales growth in past year: 55%

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stutzman services, inc.’s goal is to manage water in every home and business in Mid-Willamette Valley, Oregon, and it achieves this objective one strategy at a time. Founded in 1966, in Albany, Oregon, the company was originally known as Stutzman Pump Service. However, the desire and ability to diversify led to its current name, and the company expanded into fields such as landscaping and irrigation services, water treatment, backflow testing, community water systems, wellwater services, and plumbing. “Oftentimes, business wisdom says to choose a focus and be really good at that one thing. We agree with that, but we have expanded by creating several micro-businesses that are all related, allowing each to remain very good at what they do,” says Kevin Rediger, president of the company, which now has offices in Salem, Sweet Home, and Corvallis, Oregon.

Stutzman’s diversified offerings haven’t been the only business advantage over its local and national competitors. The company aims to stay on the cutting edge of

american builders quarterly july/august 2010

Part of Stutzman Services’ focus has been in expanding plumbing service. The executives have observed many companies leaning toward new construction, which boomed prior to the recession, and they realized the potential to expand in the area of service, repiping, and repair. They decided to work on growing an efficient, timely, and professional state-of-the-art plumbingservice department. New technology is another area of concentration for the company. It has moved to using a variable-speed, pump-drive technology for wells that continuously monitor water demand and adjust the pump speed, to provide the water needed without pressure fluctuations. “We feel this is the best technology to come along in 40 years for well-water systems,” Rediger says. It is expected to extend the life of the pump and provide energy savings.

In addition, more emphasis has been placed on designing sustainable landscapes and outdoor living spaces. The company found that many people weren’t moving out of their homes during the recession; instead, they were improving their residence. “More than ever, people are finding value in developing their residence to create usable and enjoyable outdoor living space,” says Kevin Konzelman, marketing director. “Clients have the opportunity to preview the landscape when visiting the company’s state-of-the-art conference room, and see a virtual reality of the design.”

The company continuously strategized as the recession ensued, and the major topic was how it could use the economic downturn to its advantage. The answer came in a few acquisitions of top-notch companies that fit well with customer service, such as the purchase of Plumbing Plus, Inc.—a leading plumbing organization serving the Willamette Valley area. The acquisitions resulted in a 55-percent growth in revenue. The company also hired more top-level staff such as Journeyman Plumbers—a landscape designer, well-water-systems specialist, and front-line customer-service representa-

stutzman services, inc. department

tive. “The success of Stutzman Services is due, largely in part, to the amazing men and women that make up our team,” Rediger says. “We owe our gratitude to loyal customers like the Mennonite Village of Albany that utilize virtually every service we have to offer.” Other notable projects include the plumbing of a 46,000-square-foot church addition; and designing, constructing, and maintaining a residential landscape, including a 1-acre park-like setting with 700 feet of river frontage.

Stutzman Services is also finding unique ways to reach out to its community. “One of the new ways we’ve reached out recently is to donate 2,000 T-shirts to our local high schools, to unite fans, encourage students aca-

demically, and encourage them to support their athletic events more.” Konzelman says.

In addition to the company’s goal of managing one of the world’s most valuable resources—water—for its Oregon communities, it also plans to grow at least 23 percent by the end of the year. The executives maintain that their great employees, customers, and suppliers have guided the firm’s success and wisdom. “We’re aware that every company says they want to be the best,” Konzelman says. “For us, we understand that success is the result of doing the right thing all the time, and taking care of people. Realizing that we can always be better helps us focus on those goals.” abq

Above:The Mennonite Village of Albany, Oregon, has been a loyal customer for years, utilizing the plumbing, water systems, and landscaping divisions of Stutzman Services.

The life saving solution homeowners and fire safety professionals are looking for.

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simple: An Uponor Residential Fire Safety System is an extension of a home’s plumbing system, so it can be installed quickly and affordably by a single licensed contractor – in most cases a plumber. This benefits both the builder and homeowner. reliable: PEX-a tubing and ProPEX fittings connect quickly and reliably without glues, solvents or torches. PEX-a is the most freezeresistant tubing on the market, and it has a life expectancy of more than 100 years. the industry’s best training + support: More than 100,000 professionals have been certified through our highly regarded factory training courses and on-the-jobsite instruction. Uponor also staffs an in-house design team to create customized sprinkler installation plans that ensure proper sprinkler placement.

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last word

VIP Structures Reimagines Historic Syracuse the metropolitan development association of Syracuse and Central New York (MDA) has chosen VIP Structures to redevelop four prominent historic buildings on South Salina Street, revitalizing this critically important section of downtown Syracuse. VIP will develop the Chamberlin, Witherill, Wilson, and Bond buildings into a mix of residential and retail space that will be known as “Pike Block,” named for Henry Pike, the original developer and builder of the Witherill building.

VIP will build out Pike Block’s 130,000 square feet of space into 87 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 25,000 square feet of street-level retail space. Numerous sustainable features will also be incorporated into the buildings, including rooftop rain gardens, permeable paving, and rainwater recycling. ABQ

Above: Rendering of the new Pike Block on Salina Street.

Below Left: Southwest aerial rendering of the project.

Below: Historic view of the Witherill Building.

“The 300 block of South Salina is the psychological heart of our City,” said Robert M. Simpson, president and CEO of the MDA. “This block will be a symbol that our community can tackle even its most difficult challenges, showing that with patience, hard work and unanimity of purpose, we can achieve our vision for downtown. When finished, this project will be the standard by which downtown Syracuse is judged.

A once-vibrant commercial corridor will be a proud downtown anchor once again.”

Source: VIP Structures

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american builders quarterly july/august 2010

At SW Noble Construction, “It’s All In the Name”.

General

Contractors Serving

West Virginia

SW

NOBLE Construction, Inc. “It’s All In the Name” SW Noble Construction, Inc.

| P.O. Box 69, Daniels, WV 25832 | Office: 304-663-0802 | swnobleinc@gmail.com | License # WV042217

s ma r t , e ffi ci ent l i vi n g

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