December - Construction News

Transcription

Covering the Industry’s News
Texas
Style
San Antonio Austin
Dallas/Fort Worth
P.O. Box 791290
San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290
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CONSTRUCTION
™
The Industry’s Newspaper
www.constructionnews.net
(210) 308-5800  P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio TX 78279  11931 Warfield San Antonio TX 78216  DEC 2009  Vol. 12  No. 12
Hill Country adventure
Strength in numbers
Kids from San Antonio Youth Centers begin their adventure.
The Silva family
“A
mazing!” is the adjective Cindy
Niznik, Niznik Concrete Contractors, used to describe the
Take a Kid Kamp’n and Fish’n trip to
Leakey, TX, Sep. 18-20 for children from
San Antonio Youth Centers (SAYC).
“We got to stay at Singing Hills at the
H-E-B Foundation Camp,” Niznik, event
organizer, said. “We had 91 people. It
was the coolest Kamp’n trip.”
The September event was hosted by
Urban Concrete Contractors, the highest bidder at the 2008 Niznik Charity Fun
Shoot.
“They did all kinds of activities,”
Niznik said. “They got to go camping,
hiking and fishing. The fishing was
great.”
According to Niznik, the kids also rotated through group activities of swimming, kayaking and arts and crafts as
well.
“I had the best volunteers this time,”
she said. Included among the volunteers
was a youth group from Victory Assembly of God that assisted with music and
skits on Saturday night.
“We had a live band, and all these
great teenagers came and mentored to
them and made it into a real cool churchtype deal,” Niznik said. “I really saw the
younger kids interact and respond better
to these younger adults, versus us.”
Niznik said the children, ranging in
age from 8 to 15, enjoyed the food as
continued on Page 17
I
ronman Construction and Painting –
the name implies power, and with
good reason. Owner Robert Silva and
his family are into fitness and pumping
iron.
“A lot of his friends know him as ‘Iron,’
so that’s where the name came from,”
said Annette Silva, Robert’s wife. “He is
actually in personal training right now
with his younger brother, Paul Silva, who
is our project manager. Paul is training to
be a UFC fighter. It’s the Ultimate Fighting, cage fighting, beyond boxing.”
But strength is also evident in the
Silva family itself, with a strong construction industry background.
Robert’s father, Benito Silva (father
of nine), introduced his six sons to paint-
ing. He passed away recently but left behind a legacy of strong family ties and a
hard work ethic.
“Benito, back in the early ‘70s and
‘80s, was known here as the old-fashioned painter,” Annette said. “He had all
the vans and all the painters (which were
his sons) and he would drive around passing out fliers and knocking on doors.
Back then there wasn’t any Internet, so it
was all word of mouth.”
Over the years, the brothers ventured out on their own into various areas
of construction – plumbing, carpentry
and painting, under the Silva name. Robert and Annette decided to focus on
painting and construction, without the
A Legend is born
W
ith the help of SBS Construction, first-time business owners
Ruben Ramirez and Sergio Garza have realized a dream of owning their
own collision repair facility.
The businessmen had both the location and the concept, but no idea how to
get Legend Collision Center at 11720
Culebra Road constructed and open for
business, according to Dave Morgan,
SBS. So they turned to the design-build
general contractor based in Boerne.
The result is a state-of-the-art auto
collision repair facility of almost 20,000sf
of production and administrative space,
with an environmentally friendly twist.
One of the goals of the project was
to ensure that this new facility met and
exceeded all environmental standards of
the auto collision industry, Ramirez said.
The main focus involved the specifications for the paint application area.
“Legend met their objective by being the first auto collision facility to utilize
the combination of a water-based refinishing system, two spray booths and a
specialty-engineered air system,” Ramirez said.
“The combined efforts and experience of the engineers and suppliers in
sharing their data, and the layout design
developed by SBS, resulted in a paint environment that virtually eliminates contaminates in wastewater and drastically
reduces VOCs (volatile organic compounds) released into the air.”
With SBS’ experience as a metal
building contractor, the team was able to
assist the Legend Collision management
group with design suggestions to more
efficiently utilize their interior workspaces and develop better access to their repair and body shops. SBS also provided
A contemporary exterior
Page 2
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2009
Opening doors
W
L-R: Chance Stout, David Williamson and Rick Vaughn
hen Chance Stout and David
Williamson decided to close
their tattoo shop and pursue
construction full time, it proved to be a
profitable move.
They teamed up with family friend
and construction veteran Rick Vaughn
and formed Quality Remodel (QRSA
LLC).
“My grandfather had been doing this
all his life,” Stout said. Vaughn worked
with Stout’s grandfather, as did Stout
through high school and summer breaks.
He continued part time with construction while running the tattoo shop, but
realized the real future was construction.
“The tattoo shop doesn’t make a lot
of money,” he said. “It’s a party. It was
something fun to do.
“Since then we went from being a
ragtag company and running a business
out of a home, to getting an office and
going from five or six men to running 30
men,” Stout said. “We have been grow-
G
ing and growing, but most of our growth
has really been in the last five years.”
Quality is a finish-out company, but
they also do specialty items like doors.
They recently installed 6,600 doors at the
Grand Hyatt in downtown San Antonio,
the largest door project in city history, according to Stout.
“We had a lot of contacts in the business that had been around a long time,
especially with the family. A lot of the
people I am working with worked with
Rick and my grandfather back then.”
With the company’s success, the trio
has been able to support community
projects like building a children’s ministry
addition at Stout’s church, Vista Community Church. Vaughn also volunteers for
the Wheelers for Warriors program, a
group that takes injured soldiers on fourwheeling outings.
Quality Remodel (QRSA LLC) is a complete finish-out contractor. –kf
Gold star evening
iving thanks to clients,
subcontractors and
suppliers in the construction industry, Joeris
General Contractors toasted
the season with the Seventh
Annual Starry, Starry Night
Holiday Celebration Nov. 18.
More than 400 guests
were treated to a buffet, beverages and the music of The
Groove City Band, under the
stars at the Joeris corporate
office. –kf
L-R: Mike Welch, L&M Steel; Jose Del Bosque
and Ray Fehner, KCM Cabinets.
L-R: Mark Christensen and Jeff Jendrzey,
Comfort-Air, share a few laughs.
Buffet line entertainment
Page 3
Family framework
PUTZ AROUND TOWN
JC Putz here . . .
Fishy or what?
Where are my sunglasses?
Chardae
Mollere-Rodriguez,
daughter of Annette Mollere, Easy
Drive, was the winner of Most Spots category at the recent TSPS Hook Line and
Surveyor Fishing Tournament at the coast
with this 36-in red.
Looks like Maria Monita of HCA likes
a bright lipstick-red color for her new office. And is that a picture of her being put
on the wall by Jamie?
The fish was supposed to have had
20 spots, so either the spots are on the
other side of the fish, or they gave her
credit for the polka dots on her bathing
suit. Of course, there is also the possibility the surveyors can’t count.
A funny thing happened
This past September Cindy Niznik,
Pattie Gamez and Kim Olson cooked for
the kids at the Take a Kid Campin’ event.
All had settled down Saturday evening
when Cindy walked through the kitchen
quarters to the dining hall and was met
face-to-face by the biggest raccoon she
had ever seen.
As she ran back, the other girls were
cracking up at the scene. Could they
have planted that coon?
With that, I’m out’a here.
Prescription for success
The new Texas MedClinic Stotzer location
T
exas MedClinic’s new facility in the
Westpointe Shopping Center is not
a carbon copy of the other nine
branches in San Antonio, says its owner.
The Stotzer Clinic at Highway 151
(Stotzer Freeway) and Loop 410 has a new
exterior look and is going green.
“We also are
adding a photovoltaic array on
the roof so that we
will have solar
power,” said Dr.
Bernard T. Swift
Jr., Texas MedClinic owner. “This is
our first time doing this. We are
Dr. Bernard T. Swift
going to have two
different applications. One is for the electrical component, and the other is for hot
water heating.”
Dr. Swift is considering water reclamation in the future, with a cistern for
landscape irrigation, so infrastructure
piping was installed during construction.
The Stotzer clinic will also have a
concrete parking lot instead of the usual
asphalt. “The long-term maintenance issues are substantially less,” Dr. Swift said.
“It’s pretty much the same look, although we changed up the color of the
exterior façade. The brick color is a little
softer and warmer – gray and brown
tones instead of all brown and tan.”
The 7,350-sf facility, with a scheduled
opening of Dec. 1, was built by Middleman Construction Company and designed by DHR Architects.
“It will be a prototypical facility like
our others, staffed with two full-time and
a number of part-time physicians as well
as about 12 to15 support staff.
“We are going to practice occupational medicine and urgent-care medicine as we do in our other facilities. We
also will have a travel clinic providing
overseas immunizations, as we do in our
other locations.”
For the construction industry, the
patient focus includes work injuries,
physicals, drug testing and occupational
consults. Texas MedClinic has expanded
to 10 locations in San Antonio, one in
New Braunfels and one in South Austin.
–kf
2
K-R: Debra, Joe and Donna Seabers
008 was a big year for Seabers Services, a family-owned and -operated welding contractor.
“Business was slow, so we took the
opportunity to make some changes,” said
Debra Seabers, president. “We certified
as a Woman owned and Small Business
Enterprise (WBE/SBE). We obtained an
acre of land and a 3,500-sf facility located
in Southeast Bexar County on Hildebrandt
Road, in which we built a welding and
fabrication shop and moved our offices.”
Another family member also joined
the company in 2008. Eric Lehman is the
son-in-law of Fred Seabers, Debra’s husband. Fred manages project planning
and field operations.
“Working with family is really no different than working in an office with coworkers, but the benefits are huge,” Debra said. “We are able to call upon each
other’s expertise without fear. We lean
on each other when personal issues affect our working hours, and we can call
each other at home any time of day or
night. The flip side to that is that we do!
We are Seabers Services 24/7, whether
we like it or not!”
Joe Seabers and his wife, Donna,
are key members of Seabers Services, as
well. Joe also manages projects and field
operations, and Donna is the office and
payroll manager.
Brothers Joe and Fred were independent rig welders in the 1980s and 1990s
for SAWS, CPS and TxDOT. The two couples saw an opportunity to offer a better
service to general contractors by becoming subcontractors. Debra incorporated
the company in 2000, and she and Donna
restructured Seabers Services to take the
business responsibilities out of the welders’ hands and into the office.
“We offer welders an opportunity to
work without having to track down jobs,”
Debra said.
Seabers Services supplies welding services on large construction projects across
Texas. –kf
Page 4
P
A little bit of Vegas
articipants and guests at the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Casino Night
and Construction Industry Awards Nov. 12 experienced a range of emotions.
The event at the San Antonio Airport Hilton featured the fun and excitement
of casino games, but concluded with a heartfelt awards ceremony.
As part of a special presentation before the crowd of 400, Joyce Tinch, wife of the
late Ace Tinch, HCDT Insurance, and his daughter, Amy Wood, presented an award
named in Tinch’s honor. The Ace Tinch Service Provider of the Year Award went to
Lone Star Reprographics. Tinch’s agency won the Service Provider Award three times
during his membership with AGC. Tinch passed away earlier this year. –kf
The Ace Tinch Service Provider of the Year Award: Lone Star Reprographics Inc.
Specialty Contractor of the Year:
Alterman
Supplier of the Year:
Architectural Division 8
General Contractor of the Year: Bartlett Cocke L.P.
Submitted to Construction News
To a new home
The Bubba Moeller Award for Outstanding
Service to Zac Harris of Joeris General
Contractors Ltd.
Architect of the Year: Marmon Mok LLP Architecture
Surrounded by the historic architecture
of the Pearl Brewery, San Antonio
Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and guests toasted
the official dedication of the 5,200-sf
Center for Architecture on the first floor
of the Full Goods Building Nov. 12.
Both the AIA and the newly christened
Architecture Foundation of San Antonio will occupy the space. More than
200 guests enjoyed a cocktail party
and tours of the facility.
L-R: Greg Papay, FAIA, president Architecture Foundation of San Antonio;
Becky Schenker, AIA, president AIA San
Antonio; Torrey Carleton, executive
director AIA San Antonio;
Matthew Haworth, chairman of the
board, Haworth Inc., whose company
was a major contributor to the creation
of the new center; Chris Schultz, AIA,
former president AIA San Antonio; and
David Lake, FAIA, founding chairman
of the Architecture Foundation of San
Antonio. –kf
Engineer of the Year:
Raba-Kistner Consultants Inc.
Casino games, buffet and prizes
preceded the awards ceremony.
San Antonio
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
San Antonio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathie Fox
[email protected]
210-308-5800
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© 2009 Construction News, Ltd.
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Page 5
Page 6
Richard Briones, Owner
Adobe Contracting L.L.C.
R
ichard Briones, owner of Adobe
Contracting, LLC, spends most of
his time at construction sites like
the Satterfield & Pontikes project at John
Marshall High School on Lobo Lane. He is
a busy man. Work and a big family consume most of his days.
Briones took time out to sit down at
the job site and share his story with Construction News of how he started in the
construction industry as a laborer at 16
years old.
At 16 and a half Briones was a married man, ready to make a living and raise
a family. It was a tough road to get to
where he is today, in both business and
family. He lost a son along the journey to
success.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Mexico. Coahuila, right on the other side of Eagle
Pass. I came here when I was 13 years
old.
Tell me about your family growing up.
I have two brothers that are older
than me, and five sisters. We are a big
family. Everybody is here in San Antonio.
My dad’s name was Tomas Briones
and my mom’s name is Elida Briones.
Did the family move to San Antonio
from Mexico?
When I came here I went to the state
of Ohio and stayed up there for about a
year. Then I came back to Eagle Pass and
then moved to Illinois.
Did you like it up north?
It’s kind of cold, but you get used to
the weather.
Where did you meet your wife, Juanita?
I met her in Mexico. I went to a
Christmas party and we just started talking and she gave me her number and I
called her. I was in Chicago and she was
in San Antonio, so it was like calling each
other every other night, until we got married. We have been married 33 years.
What brought you and Juanita back to
San Antonio?
My wife’s mom was here and she
wanted to come back. So we came back
to San Antonio, and Rick was born after a
year of marriage.
I started working with my father-inlaw. He had a business going. I was just a
laborer. I used to get paid $98.40 for a 40hour week of work.
I had to do something else to support my family. I went to work for somebody else for quite a few years. Then I
went to work for Lariat, Bobby and Mike
Kresta. He was a GC. I stayed there for
about eight years.
Then I moved to EE Roberts and I
stayed there another four or five years. I
moved to another company for two years
and then at that time decided to open
Adobe, 10 years ago.
Tell me about your family.
My oldest is Rick Briones Jr. Michael
James Briones, he passed away recently.
We have three girls: Matilda, Cathy and
Angelica. When Michael passed away
the family kind of fell apart but then we
got back together. Life can take you by
surprise sometimes, but we will survive.
When did Rick join you at the company?
Three years after we opened Adobe,
Rick and Mike came in. This company is
supposed to be all three of us, Rick, Mike
and myself. In the summertime they used
to come and help me all the time. Mike
was 28 years old when he passed away,
but he knew the whole field. He learned
real well.
We have three grandkids with Mike,
one with Rick, and one with Matilda.
What do you do together as a family?
We barbecue all together, stay at the
house with the grandkids. We have
grandkids at the house all the time. The
holidays are coming up. We stay at the
house, for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Those are the days it’s all about family.
Do you have any hobbies or leisure activities?
I used to hunt years back, but don’t
have time now. When you’ve got a family,
if I don’t work, it all stops. I make sure
that we pay the bills and take care of my
daughter, Rick and his family, and I am
still taking care of Mike’s wife and the
grandkids.
Tell me about Adobe. What is the focus
of the company?
Concrete is all we do, all commercial.
We can do it all if they give us a chance.
How much has Adobe grown?
We have about 50 employees. This is
a $1.5 million project [John Marshall High
School auditorium]. We have some other
ones going. The way the economy is going we are very lucky that we have all this
Richard Briones
work.
It hasn’t been easy. When I started
building I started building by myself. I
used to come into the office at 2 o’clock
in the morning and do my estimating. By
6:30 or 7 o’clock leave with the guys and
go to work.
Then I would call in my secretary to
type that up, fax it over and bid it, and
that’s how I would do all this work. I went
like that for two years. Then I said, “I have
to do something else.”
What has made you a success?
I care for my guys because I know I
was there once before, a while back as a
laborer. So I care for my laborers and I
care for my employees. My employees
come first. If somebody needs a loan, or
got sick, we help them out.
I’ve got Frank Kelly. He is out in the
field with me. I’ve got Billy Wallace in the
office. I used to work for Billy. He has
been with me for about a year and a half.
It’s been good.
I do all my pours and I am there all
the time. I just want to get it done and do
a good job.
Is there another project that stands
out in your mind that you are really
proud of?
Judson Stadium. It was over a $2 million job. A job like that, with just three of
us, Rick, Mike and myself, doing a job that
big, it’s hard. And it went so fast.
We got respect from a lot of people.
But then again, there were a lot of people
asking how we are doing it? How are you
making it? We get up early in the morning and go to work. Either we make a dollar or don’t make a dollar that day. We are
just hoping, towards the end, we will
make some money.
I don’t really think about that I am
going to make all this money. No, I just
want to make sure I get things done right
for my guys, my office and my family.
publishing the industry’s news
That money, it will come. Sooner or later,
it will come. Just got to work at it.
How has the industry changed since
you started out?
Before we got burned so many times
by people not paying. That’s how you
learn you gotta have it in writing. There
are some jobs where we lost money because I didn’t do my paperwork right. It
was my own mistake. I used to think, go
out there and get it done and do the paperwork later. Now it’s different. You
learn by your own mistakes. That is the
best school to me. You fall down, get up
and start walking again.
Who would you consider to be your
mentor?
I met this guy, his name was Doug
Medson, and I worked with him for many
years. He was born and raised in Iowa.
This man helped me a lot, for reasons I
don’t know.
Billy Wallace – I have been doing
many things with and yet I’m still learning. There are things we don’t agree on
because I have different ways of doing
things, but in the end, when it’s done, it
works out. And Rick has learned a lot
from him too.
Is there something you haven’t done
that you have always wanted to do?
What I wanted to do is this job here. I
wanted to have a big job, big project and
get it done. Maybe it will open the doors
more for us. It has been rough out there,
but we pray a lot for my family and my
employees. Pray nobody gets hurt.
What would you like to leave behind?
I would like to leave the company to Rick.
When I was growing up we suffered so
much. I would like my kids to have a better life and make it easier for them. If they
need something I want to be able to write
a check for $100 or $1,000. –kf
Texas
Style



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San Antonio
Austin
Dallas/Fort Worth
Houston
Page 7
Grills gone wild
First date
‘T
is the season for hunting and cooking wild
game. Awards were
presented for the best grillmasters in game fowl, wild
hog and venison at the annual
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Wild Game
Cook-off Nov. 19.
Held at the San Antonio
Gun Club, the event included
a Quail Fun Shoot, mixer and
dinner. –kf
Taking a cue from the singles’ scene, the American Subcontractors Association (ASA)
paired up contractors and subcontractors at the inaugural Speed-Dating/Networking Event Oct. 27 at San Francisco Steak House. Eighteen subcontractors each had
four minutes at each of 18 general contractors’ tables to talk about their company.
After the time was up, the subs had 30 seconds to move to the next table. During
the evening, participants were treated to appetizers and beverages, served by the
event sponsors to the tables. “Comments from both general contractors and subcontractors were about the same,” said Heidi Davis, ASA executive director. “Did not
know what to expect (with a name like speed-dating), but felt that the evening was
a huge success, and all are looking forward to next year’s event.” –kf
1st Place Game Fowl, Hansco Demolition
1st Place Wild Hog and 1st Place Venison,
Wortham Insurance and Risk Management
T & D Moravits
CMC Construction Services
Food for thought
The Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) is $25,000 richer, thanks to the construction industry’s appetite. At the finale barbecue lunch event Nov. 6,
at the Clark/Hunt Joint project at Fort Sam Houston, a check for the goal
amount was presented to the WWP. Each week since Aug. 14, a different
subcontractor prepared and served a barbecue lunch at the Clark/Hunt jobsite
for a reasonable fee. All of the proceeds were donated to the WWP.
Above, Urban Concrete Contractors take their turn at hosting the lunch. –kf
Page 8
How to prepare for a ‘hard’
insurance market
So, when do YOU plan to RETIRE?
Patricia Quintana-Perron, MBA, CPA,
Director and Partner
BKD,LLP
San Antonio, TX
Rod Tootle, Producer/Broker
Wortham Insurance & Risk Management
San Antonio, TX
R
etirement signals the end of something and the beginning of something new and different and can be
contemplated at any age. You are probably considering
several questions. Below are a few you might be contemplating.
When will I retire?
Retirement or transition is a personal
decision. Many people have an age in
mind for retirement.
Under Social Security laws, you may
choose early retirement at age 62 and
draw reduced Social Security benefits
(this requires limited earnings; 2009 limits are $14,160 to qualify), full retirement
at age 65 (or up to age 67 depending on
date of birth) or late retirement at age 70
for a premium benefit.
The Social Security Administration
generally pays retirement benefits to individuals who have contributed for at
least 40 quarters of past employment.
When do I need to start planning for
retirement?
You should start planning for retirement as soon as you can financially afford
to set money aside through tax advantaged retirement plans and generally at
least 15 years before retirement.
Many employers offer 401(k) plans,
which allow you to contribute up to
$16,500 for 2009 and 2010. Many other
retirement plan options are available and
should be sized to your business's needs.
Do I have enough money saved for retirement?
Your comprehensive personal financial plan should include education planning, retirement planning, estate planning, asset allocation, risk management,
budgeting and coordinating your investment assets.
You should analyze your current cash
flow needs and your expected cash flow
needs for retirement. In doing so, you
can determine the amount of money you
will need for a comfortable retirement.
What do I do with my business? Can I
sell my business?
During the course of your financial
planning, you will determine what you
need to do with your business.
In many cases, you will find the need
for business continuity through succession. Succession planning should begin
at least eight to 10 years prior to your expected retirement age.
You should assemble a team of professionals with a good understanding of
the construction business, including a
certified professional accountant (CPA),
attorney and certified financial planner.
You should create a plan for your
business’s continuity, including choosing
the right entity type, evaluating buy/sell
strategies (covenants not to compete,
partial retirement, seniority issues), transitioning your business to younger associates or selling your business to another
entity, developing formula approaches to
compensation, addressing risk management, management succession and operational succession.
With proper succession planning,
you can position your business for continuity by establishing methods, timelines
and intermittent goals to get you to your
intended goal.
If I sell my business, what am I selling?
It depends. The answer to this question partially depends on the entity type
of your business (i.e., C corporation, S corporation, partnership, etc.).
You could be selling your common
stock, partnership interests, fixed assets,
accounts receivable, contracts in place,
intellectual property, investments or
goodwill, just to name a few. The way
you structure the sale of your business is
critical since it will determine the tax implications of the sale; tax on such a transaction can range from 15 percent to 35
percent.
Therefore, it is critical to evaluate
your business’s entity type and what you
expect to sell during your succession
planning, so you can design a tax advantaged sales situation.
What is my business worth?
The age-old question! The business
should be professionally valued to determine the selling price. Keep in mind, buy/
sell agreements may dictate how the
buy-out price will be determined. You
should hire a qualified accredited valuator who has expertise and experience in
valuing construction businesses.
Given today’s challenging construction environment, two important points
in valuing construction businesses remain:
1) the strength of the business’s income stream
2) the continuity and expectation
the business’s income will not be significantly affected in the future
As you can see, answering the question, “when should I plan to retire?” is
complicated. Getting ready to retire is
lengthy process that requires your personal attention, knowledgeable professionals and action.
Do not let happenstance decide your
retirement future and that of your business: PLAN IT.
Patricia Quintana-Perron is a Regional
WealthPlan Director and partner with BKD,
LLP, with 19 years experience specializing in
tax and financial planning for closely held
businesses. She may be contacted at [email protected]
“W
hat goes up must come down.” Sir Isaac Newton was obviously referring to his theory of gravity; however, the same observation also holds true for
insurance pricing cycles.
The property & casualty insurance
industry alternates between periods of
hard and soft market conditions. There
are times when rates are low, deductibles
are small, competition is ample, capacity
is plentiful, and coverage terms are broad.
This is what is commonly referred to as a
“soft” or “buyer’s” market. Alternatively,
at other times prices escalate, capacity
shrinks, deductibles soar, and coverage
becomes restrictive and difficult to find.
This is defined as a “hard” market.
What causes these market variances?
Several factors, but predominantly they
are driven by losses (claims), reinsurance
capacity, and investment income for insurers. When investment income is high
and catastrophes are low, carriers loosen
terms and lower prices to compete for
premium dollars, which are then used to
invest more heavily. This approach is
commonly referred to as “cash-flow underwriting.” But, if any of the above factors change, it frequently pushes the
market toward harder conditions.
So, where’s the market now? It’s
been soft for roughly five years, but most
carriers indicate pricing is as low as it can
go. No one knows for sure when it will
shift, but most industry experts expect a
hardening within the next nine to 12
months.
While a hard insurance market is always challenging, there are proactive
steps that can be taken now to minimize
the future impact upon your organization.
Emphasize and showcase loss control
This is critically important, particularly within the construction industry.
Employee training, safety, and loss control programs should be up-to-date and
actively utilized. In a hard market, underwriters become much more selective,
and it’s crucial to distinguish your organization. What’s the easiest way insurance
carriers can offset low investment income? Reduce claims. Hence, in a hard
market underwriters shift their focus
from cash-flow underwriting to insuring
only the most safety-conscious organizations.
If you have a great safety and risk
control program, document it clearly so it
can be available for underwriters. If possible, track results to show the impact of
your program(s). If you don’t, get management committed and put one in place
ASAP.
Get an early start on renewals
Be proactive. Depending upon the
size and complexity of your insurance
program, strategic planning with your
agent should begin as much as six months
in advance, particularly if renewal will involve a full-blown marketing effort. If
you are pleased with your current
insurer(s) and program, meet with underwriters early to get a sense of their position on renewal. Armed with this information, you and your broker can determine the extent of marketing effort required.
Consider retooling your renewal
dates
If your policies expire near Jan. 1 or
July 1, consider shifting the renewal date
to a less popular time. Underwriters are
much busier than normal during these
periods, so your account may not get the
consideration it deserves. Use oddball
dates like April 30 or Oct. 31, and try to
use the last day of a month because underwriters often review renewals one
month at a time.
Tune up your loss runs
Have loss runs in tip-top condition.
Get dormant claims closed and have realistic numbers put on those remaining
open. Include summaries on larger claims
and document measures taken to avoid
incurring similar losses.
Prepare for larger deductibles, retentions
Deductibles tend to rise during hard
market cycles. Analyze your organization’s risk retention capability and prepare to assume higher deductibles/retentions.
Pick your partners wisely
Select an experienced firm/agent
that has in-house loss control resources,
knows your business, and is sizeable
enough to be a player when the hard
market emerges. In addition, seek to
partner with a construction-focused insurance carrier with value-added services
that can help you continually improve
your organization’s risk profile.
Don’t be caught off-guard. Shore up
problem areas now, and utilize the aforementioned techniques to better position
your organization to cope with the approaching hard insurance market.
Rod Tootle is a producer/broker and
sits on the Construction Practice Group with
Wortham Insurance & Risk Management in
San Antonio, TX
Page 9
OSHA
Professional liability risk for
contractors: Does assisting with
design cross the line?
Richard L. Reed, Director
Coats, Rose, Yale, Ryman & Lee, P.C.
San Antonio, TX
C
ontractors accept many risks inherent
in physical construction of their projects. Owners, construction management
firms, and design professionals expect
contractors to participate to one degree
or another in the design process.
Does this increase a contractor’s risk?
To what extent is the contractor qualified
to participate in design of a project? Will
the contractor’s insurance cover liability
if the contractor negligently performs
design assistance services? When does a
contractor “cross the line”?
Building information modeling (also
called “BIM”) is increasingly popular for
its use of three-dimensional, real-time,
dynamic building modeling software to
manage design input from all parties on
the project, including the contractor. The
BIM model is a virtual model of the project used to evaluate and manage design
development, within project constraints,
including the schedule, the cost, compatibility and availability of various building
materials and component, and spatial relationships.
Project delivery methods, such as
the construction manager-at-risk and
design-build methods, often require the
contractor and key subcontractors to interface with the architectural and engineering design team during the preconstruction phase to do what has become
known as “design assist.”
Design assist can require or lead to
the contractor contributing to the BIM
model, analyzing and suggesting alternative and innovative design concepts,
and even developing certain design details. This may go well beyond a “constructability review” in which the contractor merely questions observed errors
in a proposed design and comments on
difficulties that may be associated with
procurement of materials and the execution of the construction as contemplated.
The contract should be careful to describe the design assist function so as not
to require the construction contractor to
actually perform professional services
without qualified personnel.
Owners and contractors should especially be careful to observe Texas’ licensing laws. Anyone engaging in the
“practice” of engineering or architecture
must be duly licensed to do so. A contract for professional design or architectural services by one who is not licensed
is void and unenforceable. The consequence of this can be severe.
Parties to a contract requiring professional design services to be performed
by one who has no license may be sur-
prised to find the contract is void, leaving
them with no rights to enforce contract
completion or to recover payment for the
services. To be valid and enforceable, the
contract should include an express requirement that the contractor engage a
licensed professional to perform any professional service for which a license may
be required.
A contracting firm must be licensed
as a business entity under the Texas Board
of Professional Engineers and/or Architectural Examiners to be qualified to provide design services or the firm must subcontract the design services to a licensed
design professional or firm. Texas courts
have found that, in the design-build context, so long as a licensed design professional actually provides the professional
services, there is no violation of the laws
regulating the practice of engineering
and architecture.
Some states are not so lenient, however, and will consider a firm improperly
engaged in the unauthorized practice of
engineering or architecture even if it
hires or subcontracts a licensed design
professional to perform the professional
design services. Therefore, when performing design assist services for projects
outside of Texas, a contractor must be
even more cautious to check the licensing requirements.
Typically, owners require, and owners and contractors rely upon, commercial general liability insurance policies to
insure against liability arising out of a
contractor’s construction work. Such
policies, however, expressly exclude coverage for professional services. So, the
parties to a contract for design assist services should verify that the specified insurance policies will cover the contractor’s negligence in performing such services.
Contractors can purchase Contractors Protective Professional Indemnity
(CPPI) insurance to protect them from
the risk of liability associated with design
assist activities. Insurers now routinely
write CPPI insurance policies at reasonable cost to insure contractors for this
risk. A contractor should consult its insurance broker before agreeing to provide
design assist services.
Richard L. Reed is a director in the law
firm of Coats, Rose, Yale, Ryman & Lee, P.C.,
which concentrates its practice in construction law. Adam Richie, who assisted on this
article, is a lawyer in the firm, an engineer
and also LEED-certified.
More information about the firm is available at www.coatsrose.com.
Every month
people across Texas read
Construction News...
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Austin
San Antonio
Houston
It pays to
advertise!
High visibility apparel
Joann Natarajan, compliance assistance specialist
OSHA
Austin, TX
Q
uestion: Construction employees working on
highway/road construction work zones often risk
being struck by traffic. Do the OSHA standards require
high-visibility apparel for these construction workers?
Answer: Road and construction traffic
poses an obvious and well-recognized
hazard to highway/road construction
work zone employees. OSHA standards
require such employees to wear high
visibility garments in two specific
circumstances: when they work as
flaggers and when they are exposed to
public vehicular traffic in the vicinity of
excavations. However, other construction
workers in highway/road construction
work zones are also exposed to the
danger of being struck by the vehicles
operating near them. for such workers,
section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, 29 U.S.C.
§654(a)(1), also known as the General
Duty Clause, requires similar protection.
The Federal Highway Administration's
(FHWA) recent issuance of a final rule
(Worker Visibility, 23 CFR Part 634)
demonstrates the need for all workers
who are exposed either to public traffic or
to construction vehicles and equipment
to wear high-visibility apparel. Section
634.3 of the Worker Visibility Rule states:
All workers within the right-of-way of a
Federal-aid highway who are exposed
either to traffic (vehicles using the
highway for purposes of travel) or to
construction equipment within the work
area shall wear high-visibility safety
apparel.
The purpose of this requirement, as
stated in section 634.1, is "to decrease
the likelihood of worker fatalities or
injuries caused by motor vehicles and
construction vehicles and equipment...."
In the preamble to the Worker Visibility
rule (Volume 71 of the Federal Register,
page 67792), the FHWA stated:
High visibility is one of the most
prominent needs for workers who must
perform tasks near moving vehicles
or equipment. The need to be seen by
those who drive or operate vehicles or
equipment is recognized as a critical issue
for worker safety. The sooner a worker
in or near the path of travel is seen, the
more time the operator has to avoid
an accident. The FHWA recognized this
fact and included language in the 2000
Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD) to address this
issue.
The FHWA's rationale underlying
the rule well illustrates that the industry
recognizes that construction workers in
highway/road construction work zones
need protection against the hazard posed
by moving traffic. The FHWA's recent
mandatory standard for workers on
federal-aid highways shows that struckby hazards in highway/road construction
work zones are well recognized by the
construction industry. Furthermore, the
standard indicates that a feasible means
of addressing that hazard is the wearing
of high-visibility apparel. Accordingly,
high-visibility apparel is required under
the General Duty Clause to protect
employees exposed to the danger of
being struck by public and construction
traffic while working in highway/road
construction work zones. Typically,
workers in a highway/road work zone are
exposed to that hazard most of the time.
[email protected]
512-374-0271 x232
Page 10
I
Encore:
Faces of freedom
n honor of Veteran’s Day, Construction News featured
some of the many former soldiers who are now working in the construction industry in our November issue. The response was great, and here are more soldiers
whose companies would like to recognize them. –kf
Allison Gragg, outside sales rep for Performance
Contracting Inc., served seven years with the United States
Army Reserves. This photo was taken in 1980 at Fort Jackson,
SC, during Boot Camp and Advanced Individual Training (AIT).
HTCM Robert F. Strobeck, Clark Construction Company,
retired from the United States Navy in 1997.
Rogelio Olivarez Jr., assistant superintendent of renovation,
Clark/Hunt Join Venture, was a 1st Lieutenant United States
Marine Corps. He is pictured in 1996 at the Officers’ Barracks,
San Jose Del Guaviare Colombian Army Base, Republic of
Colombia.
Billy Sanders, an independent welder
contracted by Primo Plumbing and
Comfort Air, entered the Army at age
19 in 1966. After eight weeks of basic
training at Fort Polk, LA, he spent 16
weeks in Army Welding School at
Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.
“I received orders to go to Germany but
volunteered to Vietnam as an E5,” Sanders
said. He served there one year and left
Vietnam as an E5.
National spotlight
Eric Randall, Comfort Air Engineering
service tech, is a veteran of the Gulf War,
Operation Desert Shield. He served 20 years
in the United States Navy, including five sea
tours of duty onboard an aircraft carrier, a
submarine tender, a guided missile cruiser,
a fast frigate and a supply ship. His home
ports were Norfolk, VA and San Diego, CA,
but his travels took him around the globe.
Michael Garnet, Comfort Air Engineering
service tech, served in the United States
Navy onboard the USS Hermitage, USS
Coontz, USS Joseph Hewes, USS Anchorage
and USS Tarawa.
What do you want
Santa to bring?
The San Antonio Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) was
awarded the IEC National Apprenticeship Chapter of the Year Award at the national convention in St. Louis, MO. The award, presented Oct. 24, recognizes an
IEC chapter apprenticeship program that has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in growth and development on both a local and national level. –kf
We are happy to have our grandbaby!
Monica and Tino Longoria,
Tino’s Welding
A new president.
Michelle Seward Davis,
Joeris General Contractors
A new president.
Paul Galloway, Alamo Iron Works
A new Congress.
Ben Davis, Beck Readymix Concrete
I want snow. I am going to Vancouver for
Christmas to go snowboarding and if
there is no snow then we can’t ski.
Jaime Cook, Mechanical Reps
Ditto the above two. And world peace.
Vickie Banks,
Joeris General Contractors
I can’t think of anything I really need. Of
course, you always want more money,
but . . . things are going pretty good.
Andy Rodriguez, Mechanical Reps
I’d like Santa to bring me a ticket for a
cruise around the world – and the time to
use it.
Pat Ralph, Alpha Building Corporation
Health, wealth and financial security.
Debbie Mason, San Antonio Masonry
Contractors Association
I’d like a nice fire pit for my yard.
Reyne Foley, Syma Painting
I’d like the Longhorns to win the championship since we already have our tickets.
Oh, and a diamond watch.
Tricia Heck, American Express
I want equality. My wife wants a diamond
watch. I want underwear. Somehow that
is equal.
Jim Heck, FisherHeck Architects
Less stress from my kids.
Liliana Fernandez, HCA
A remodel of our living room is what Santa is supposed to be bringing us.
Jeff Howard, Klecka Electric
For me it would be to get a good-sized
job so that we can prosper.
Mark Lopez, Concepts Construction
A Ford Mustang GT, V-6 engine.
Ashley Hunter, HM Risk Group
I think the same thing.
Efrain Perez, Concepts Construction
I want a lot of work.
Iris Luna, Proficient Constructors
For the family to be all together and to be
happy. That means more to me than anything.
R.C. Contreras, Trico Lift
For everyone to have a Merry Christmas,
because we are in a recession and it hasn’t
been easy for a lot of folks. If we have
more opportunity to work and better
ourselves, it will make the whole United
States and the world a better place.
Jamie Esquivel, J & J Construction
I hope Santa brings me a 50-in. plasma
television, but I will settle for a properous
New Year.
Mike Maloto, Construction News
Page 11
Through
The Years
Hilmar Achterberg
Otto Dukes
Machinery Company Inc.
H
ilmar Achterberg’s eyes light up
when the conversation turns to
his clients at Otto Dukes Machinery Company Inc.
At 94 years old, Achterberg still travels the Hill Country as an outside sales
representative for the company he joined
in 1947.
“People have been really nice to me
and I just enjoy meeting the people that I
call on,” Achterberg said.
“And the customers love him,” said
Scott Johnson, Otto Dukes Machinery
owner since 1983. “He is a man that just
keeps going and doesn’t want to quit,”
Johnson said. “He comes in on Fridays
and turns in his orders and reloads his
truck and goes back out.”
Achterberg and Otto Dukes, the
founder of the company, met at church
they both attended, and Achterberg was
hired not long after the company was
founded. “He became a good friend and
confidant,” Johnson said. “Hilmar worked
in the store and was the store manager
for many years.”
“After I retired and moved up to
Granite Shoals, I couldn’t just sit around
and do nothing,” Achterberg said. “I just
got me a bunch of catalogs and started
calling on people.”
Achterberg has seen many changes
in how business is conducted in 62 years,
but none greater than the advent of the
computer. “He used to gripe at me because we weren’t on the Internet, and he
couldn’t look up his prices,” Johnson
said.
Today he stays up to date on orders
via the computer and customers email
Staying informed
The latest information for the construction industry was presented during the
2009 Construction Conference at The Club at Sonterra Nov. 3. The conference
covered economic updates, federal contracting rules, accounting and IRS
information and green-building initiatives. This is the fifth year for
Padgett, Stratemann & Company LLP to host the event. –kf
orders in.
“Probably the most telling thing
about Hilmar is that after 9/11, and the
economy took a very big hit, we had sales
in the pipeline, but orders started being
canceled left and right. We didn’t really
know what to do with the business.
Hilmar said, ‘I don’t really care. As long as
you give me merchandise to sell, I’ll keep
selling.’ He became our inspiration to
keep going. Basically, we had to keep the
business going because we couldn’t let
him down.”
Achterberg was born in San Antonio
in 1915 to Hilmar Achterberg Sr. and Ida
Achterberg.
“My daddy got killed in the First
World War and I had a sister, Hettie, and
she has passed away now. My mother
raised both of us with a pension she was
getting from the government.”
Achterberg grew up near Fort Sam
Houston and graduated from Brackenridge High School.
“Hilmar goes back to the leather helmet days in football,” Johnson said. He
was a guard for Brackenridge High
School.”
Achterberg did not serve in the military after high school, although he went
in for the enlistment physical exam at
Fort Sam Houston. As soon as the Army
found out he lost a kidney playing football in high school, they sent him home.
When asked what other interests he
had as a youth, Achterberg recalls running
coyotes in South Texas with his uncle.
“That was fun,” he said. “We used to
have these hunting dogs that would run
these coyotes, late in the evening or
night. It was just a sport, chasing them.”
Achterberg’s first job was for the local transit authority as a bus driver and
later he worked as a mechanic.
When he joined Otto Dukes in 1947,
the focus of the company was selling
woodworking and metalworking machinery to schools for their vocational
programs, as well as to military institutions.
Today the company’s focus is mainly
woodworking machinery, and parts and
accessories for old and new machines.
“We are primarily an industrial machinery
company that also sells supplies,” Johnson said. Johnson came to work for Otto
Dukes in 1983 and began buying ownership interest in the company in 1992. He
and wife, Susan, took over ownership in
2002. The company has remained in the
same 8,000-sf building on San Pedro for
most of the 62 years.
Josephine, Achterberg’s wife of 59
years, also worked for the company until
she retired. He lost her to Alzheimer’s.
“Hilmar took care of her until the day
that she died,” Johnson said. “He would
go out and call on his customers, come
back, fix her lunch and go out again and
call on customers.”
Achterberg has two children –
George in California and Jolene in San
Antonio – two grandchildren, and one
great-grandchild. He visits his daughter
weekly.
Today, if you ask Achterberg what he
does for fun, he will say, “I call on customers!” –kf
Networking made easy
The construction industry took advantage of the good weather Oct. 29 at the
Associated General Contractors (AGC) Fall Mixer at the AGC offices.
More than 150 guests were treated to sausage wraps
prepared by the staff of Wilborn Steel. –kf
Photo by Mary C. Haskin, Photographer
Page 12
Page 13
recede, pulling shrimp and other bait fish from back
lakes and tidal flats. Look for bird activity to spark-up
during sunrise and mid-morning feed times and before
and after cold fronts in December and January.
As we make our way into the early stages of winter,
pre-dawn starts are not so necessary. Take your time
by having a good breakfast or that extra cup of Joe and
make sure you have everything you will need for an
extended day on the water. Many days during the winter,
the fish bite might not start till late afternoon. Also
be aware that you will be sharing the water with avid
duck hunters. Steer clear of duck blinds near shorelines
and spoil islands as these outdoors men are masters at
concealing themselves and may unintentionally pepper
you passing by.
Fishing during the holiday
season
by Capt. Steve Schultz
Sponsored by:
Trans Sport Boats, Mercury Outboards, Chris’s Marine,
MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Power-Pole Shallow
Water Anchor, Pure Fishing, Pflueger Reels
All Star Rods, MirrOlure,
Bass Assassin and Columbia Sportswear
W
ow! Can you folks believe that we are in the last
month of 2009? How time flies when you’re
having fun. After some much needed rain in
October, a moderate case of red tide, and a late season
hurricane (Ida) that passed through the Gulf in November,
the Laguna Madre is shaped up for some prime winter
fishing. The turn of the season is finally noticeable and
fishing should improve as both water temperatures and
levels start to drop. This is the time of year when I am
torn between casting plugs for trophy trout and glassing
South Texas brush for Bullwinkle. Either way I’m living a
dream that most outdoors men envy.
Predicting winter patterns can be some what tricky to
say the least. Weather conditions can change every few
days moving fish deeper during falling temperatures
and shallower during warming trends. Higher than
normal tides that have scattered fish should start to
Capt. Steve spent one of his days off fishing with
his wife Jodi and his boys Carson and Connor
pictured above.
As I prepare my wade box for the day, I make sure I have
all the bases covered. Winter fishing requires a slower
presentation and a smaller offering. Top Pups and Spook
Jr’s are at the top of the list. Your favorite soft plastic
should be readily available with either a 1/16 oz or 1/8 oz
jig head. Another bait that I always carry and is the one
that gets the most press is the original Corky and Corky
fat boy. These hard-to-come-by baits are top producers
of trophy trout during winter months. Other lures I add
to the arsenal are the MirrOlure Catch 5 and Catch 2000.
These are proven favorites of mine and I seldom leave
the boat without them.
As I prepare to close, I’d like to thank the good Lord
for keeping us safe on the water throughout the 2009
season. I also like to thank all my clients and friends who
made this season one of the best in the 11 years I’ve
been in business. I look forward to seeing you all for the
2010 season and burn memories that will last the rest of
our lives. Please keep in mind that I get booked up early,
so don’t wait too long to get your dates to me.
Sonny Herring of Austin caught this multi spotted
redfish on a recent outing with Capt. Steve Schultz.
New hunter
Aaron Mosier, son of Greg Mosier, Jones & Carter Inc.,
scores his first deer taken in Medina County. –kf
STEVE SCHULTZ OUTDOORS, LLC
BAFFIN BAY –– LAGUNA MADRE –– LAND CUT
SPECKLED TROUT –– REDFISH –– FLOUNDER
FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS
(361) 949-7359
www.baffinbaycharters.com
[email protected]
U.S. Coast Guard &
Texas Parks and Wildlife Licensed
For information in booking your next fishing trip,
give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-949-7359 or visit
Baffinbaycharters.com. Also please make note of Steve’s
new e-mail address: SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail.
com. Good Luck and Good Fishing.
Page 14
Ken Milam’s Fishing Line
Sponsored by Tropical Marine and Honda Marine
My name is Ken Milam and, for the past 26 years, I have been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on
Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity of getting to know
a good many folks in the construction trade.
Pickup stuck in the mud on the way out to launch
Yeah, it’s kinda like that!
The back side of a pretty sunrise over the dry lake
The front side of the same sunrise over the dry lake
B
oy, the recent rain has sure
been nice. When I was just a big
knuckleheaded kid, I worked on
a turkey farm. I’ll never forget how the
turkey farmers dreaded a good downpour.
It seems that domesticated turkeys, being
the highly intelligent creatures that they
are, will actually look straight up and
watch it rain until they drown. After such
a dry spell, I had to remember the turkey
story to keep myself from just standing in
the rain for the joy of seeing it fall.
We have had enough rain to get the
ground caught up on rainfall and just
about any rain now will get the creeks
running. We still are waiting for the right
rain in the right place to benefit the
Colorado River watershed and bring our
Lake Buchanan water levels up again. We
are about 25 ft. low. The good news is
that Lake Travis has come up quite a bit
and so have a lot of the other lakes. It is
just typical for Texas that we can see such
extremes in rainfall amounts.
We are still fishing and catching. Anytime
we get a little shower and some fresh
water hits the lake the cat-fishing gets
good. The cooler temperatures have
the stripers and hybrids biting pretty
good again, although most of them we
are getting on right now are just a little
bit too small to keep. We are doing a lot
catching and a little keeping. It translates
into lots of action though, and it makes
a good time to get the kids hooked on
fishing.
Now about that picture above: that
is what we guides have been going
through for just about every trip we have
fished in recent months. To get our boats
into the water, we have been traveling a
mile or so across the dry lake bottom to a
natural rock outcropping to launch. Add
a little rain and the lake bottom is full of
little creeks and gullies that are usually
under water. You never know when
the little creek you splashed through a
couple of days ago will be a “bottomless”
pit the next time you bail off into it! Ah,
the perfect end to a perfect fishing trip!
Thank goodness the customers are
already halfway home by now.
Things really are looking up around
here, though. It is raining again. The
tiny little bluebonnets are sprouting and
promising to bring the Hill Country the
most beautiful crop of wildflowers we
have seen in a while for next spring. We
are catching scads of young, hungry fish
who just need a little more time before
we can start loading them up on future
fishing trips.
Yep, it’s about to get real good. For now
we are just gonna enjoy the Fall. We are
in for our first frost tonight and the bucks
are really starting to be fascinated by the
does and deer hunting is about to pick
up!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
"A lazy Sunday afternoon at the lake...sunbathing, napping and fishing."
C
Born to run
raig Browning, Browning Construction Company Ltd., experienced
the thrill of running in the 2009
New York City Marathon Nov. 1,
along with about 40,000 runners from all over the world.
“It was an awesome experience!” Browning said. “The
marathon included all five boroughs of the city with the final
two miles finishing in Central
Park.”
The 26.2-mile race took
runners through Brooklyn,
Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan
and Staten Island.
“The crowd support was
awesome!”
Browning said.
“Bands were out intermittently
on the course.
“I have run several marathons in the past. However, it
has always been a desire to run
in the New York City Marathon.”
Browning participated as a
Craig Browning, in blue,
charity runner, raising money
pounds the pavement in New York City.
for the American Cancer Society. He was joined in the race
by his brother, John Browning, and his sion in the race was 2 hours, 9 minutes,
75-year-old uncle, Ted Rogers, who lives and Browning finished with a respectable
3 hours, 18 minutes. –kf
in New York City.
The winning time for the men’s divi-
Page 15
Fall fish
Cooler weather didn’t deter these fishermen from heading to San Antonio Bay recently.
L-R: Kevin Haecker, Design Electric; Butch Evans, RODS Surveying; and Jeff Haecker,
Double S. Paving, caught 12 trout, three black drum, three sheepshead and two gafftop. –kf
Happy Holidays
ya’ll!
Page 16
Fishing for a dream
F
Latitude north
Nathan Skjonsby and his 14-ft. kayak
or anyone who has ever caught that
slot red on soft plastic or experienced the thrill of placing in a coastal fishing tournament with a trophy trout,
the thought of becoming a pro fisherman
is never far behind.
For Nathan Skjonsby, an electrical
project manager for Brandt Engineering, the thought has become a reality. He
has been selected to join the pro staff of
Malibu Kayaks.
Skjonsby has been kayak fishing since
2004 in tournaments and for pleasure. “I
go down to the coast every chance I get
and do mostly saltwater fishing,” he said.
“This year I was contacted by a pro fisherman out of Florida about joining the Malibu team. That is a huge honor.”
As part of the pro staff, Skjonsby was
supplied with a new kayak and all the
gear and attire to go with it. “We, in turn,
not only use Malibu kayaks, but wear the
shirts and advertise for them on different
forums and in competition tournaments.
“I signed on with Malibu in September, and in my only tournament since then,
I got a third-place finish. It’s been good
luck for me so far. That was in Rockport in
October. It was a charity event called the
Rockport Yak Attack [kayak fishing tournament]. It sponsors a children’s special
needs camp in Port Aransas.”
In 2010 Skjonsby hopes to compete
in the Xtreme Redfish Trail Series in the
kayak division, as well as the Third Coast
Kayak Series.
Skjonsby has fished in his kayak everywhere from Galveston down to South
Padre Island – the entire coast. He enjoys
the accessibility the kayak gives him to
natural areas where a motorized boat
cannot travel.
“You end up fishing an area a lot
more thorough because you can’t just
start up the motor and go 20 miles away.”
He also said you can see the fish you are
casting for.
The biggest fish Skjonsby has caught
while kayak fishing was a 27-in. redfish.
“Actually, a big fish like that will pull you a
little while. They call that a Texas Sleigh
Ride, if you get pulled by a fish and you
are not anchored. That’s a lot of fun.
They are usually so worn out that by the
time you get them to the boat, the fight is
pretty much over.
“I am often fishing in 3ft. of water or
less, so I can anchor or put a stake down
and stay in one spot. I can actually stand
on the kayak. I use all artificial lures, soft
plastics and topwaters.”
When asked what his biggest challenge is when kayak fishing, he said, aside
from not being able to fish as much as he
would like, “probably watching out for
power boaters. You are pretty defenseless out there. I actually fish out of an extremely bright yellow kayak so I can be
seen as far away as possible. It doesn’t
seem to scare the fish.”
On his most recent outing at Port
O’Connor, Skjonsby caught 10 reds, two
trout, one flounder and a hardhead. “We
probably paddled about 2 1/2 miles before
we started fishing, and it wasn’t very hard
at all. You can cover a lot of territory.” –kf
L-R: Bengie Daniels and Derek Keck on their Eagle River hike in Alaska.
O
ne of the benefits of taking an
out-of-state job assignment is filling your downtime.
Bengie Daniels and Derek Keck,
principals of Latitude Architects, made
good use of free time in Alaska by spending evenings and weekends kayaking,
hiking and spotting wildlife in the wilderness areas.
“We were there for four weeks in
September and October of this year, and
we were working on a joint base realignment project,” Daniels said. “The military
is joining Elmendorf Air Force Base and
Fort Richardson. We were doing building
assessments of all the buildings there on
the bases, evaluating their conditions
and documenting all that stuff.
“We could only work from 7 in the
morning to 6 in the evening, Monday
through Friday, so we took advantage of
the rest of our time. We went as far north
as Denali, which is a three-and-a-half
hour drive.”
Daniels said that while hiking they
observed plenty of wildlife, including
moose, snow rabbits and bald eagles.
“We went as far south as Seward,
which is on the Kenai Peninsula,” he said.
Two of the bigger hikes they completed
(eight and 10 miles each) were at Eagle
River, the trailhead of one of the old Iditarod race routes, and Crow Pass, just
north of Girdwood, an old mine area.
“One afternoon we went to the Matanuska Glacier and walked on it. It’s like
four miles wide by 27 miles long.” –kf
A view of the Matanuska Glacier
Page 17
continued from Page 1 — Hill Country adventure
well. “Pattie Gamez made
her famous enchiladas,
beans, rice and salsa Saturday night.”
Niznik raved about the
camp facilities. “The cooks
– which was me, Pattie and
Kim Olson – were in heaven.
We had a dishwasher and
everything.”
Through the years, the
Charity Fun Shoot has raised
more than $1 million to send
underprivileged kids camping. The inner-city kids are
selected based on a point
system for attendance and
positive behavior at the centers. –kf
Groups rotated activities, which included canoeing.
The fish are biting on the Take a Kid Kamp’n and Fish’n trip.
Page 18
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To request a reprint . . .
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emailed for you to complete and return.
If you have any questions, contact the SA home office at (210) 308-5800
L-R: Jeff Bofferding, Tejas Equipment Rental branch manager; Tom Hennig, territory manager;
and Alex Garza, inside sales
T
he State Fair of Texas in Dallas may
have Big Tex, but San Antonio now
has Tejas and Big John.
Tejas Equipment Rental and sister
company, Big John Portable Toilets,
based in McAllen, TX, have opened a location in Von Ormy, just south of San Antonio.
Founded in 1975 by Mark Musgrove,
the family-owned company expanded to
other Valley locations, including Harlingen and Brownsville.
“We made the move to San Antonio
because a lot of our customers were also
working the San Antonio area and were
requesting us to service that area,” said
Matt Musgrove, president, CEO and son
of Mark Musgrove. “So we had our eye
open for a location, and we finally found
something that was suitable for our
needs and made the move.”
The two-acre San Antonio location
and 8,000-sf building is also the home of
Big John Portable Toilets.
“We are pretty large down here in
the Valley, and it just compliments what
we do,” Musgrove said. “We are able to
be the first on the job and then have a
salesman go right in behind them and
service the account. “We are there from
beginning to end – get the port-a-john
on the site and then rent everything behind it to put the building up. It gets our
foot in the door, and shows them what
we can do.”
Jeff Bofferding is the store manager
and the staff numbers eight at present.
“A lot of the people are from the area and
are experienced staff, which made our
moving into the area a lot easier.
Musgrove hopes to hold customer
appreciation events in the future for both
companies, possibly by spring. “We are
just getting started.”
Tejas Equipment Rentals handles a
wide range of equipment from backhoes
and aerial lifts to forklifts. –kf
Design legends
A
rchitecture at its finest was saluted
at the 2009 American Institute of
Architects (AIA) San Antonio Design Awards dinner Nov. 4 at Pearl Stable.
Many of the projects that received
awards are steeped in the city’s history,
while some projects were designed by
San Antonio architects, but constructed
in other states.
Out of 49 entries from 13 local architectural firms, 10 awards were presented.
Winners are:
Honor Awards
Project: Linda Pace Foundation Offices,
San Antonio
Architect: Poteet Architects LP
Contractor: Rubiola Construction
Project: Armstrong Oil & Gas, Denver, CO
Architect: Lake|Flato Architects
Contractor: N/A
Project: Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ
Contractor: DPR Construction Inc.
Merit Awards
Project: Full Goods Warehouse + Il Sogno, San Antonio
Contractor: Artistic Builders
Project: Wyatt Retreat, Sisterdale, TX
Contractor: James Grisebaum
Citation Awards
Project: CAMPstreet/CHRISpark, San Antonio
Architect: Poteet Architects LP
Contractor: Metropolitan Contracting
Project: El Picoso, San Antonio
Architect: Darryl Ohlenbusch AIA
Contractor: South San Antonio Builders
Project: Urban Segment of the Museum
Reach of the River Walk, San Antonio
Architect: Ford, Powell & Carson, Architects and Planners Inc.
Contractor: H B Zachry Construction Inc.
Mayor’s Choice Award - For outstanding work on publicly funded architectural
projects.
Project: Urban Segment of the Museum
Reach of the San Antonio River Walk
Architect: Ford, Powell & Carson, Architects and Planners Inc.
Contractor: H B Zachry Construction Inc.
25-Year Award - Recognizes architectural projects of significant cultural importance that were completed at least 25
years ago.
Project: Japanese Tea Garden at Brackenridge Park, completed in 1917
Accepting the award were former San
Antonio Mayor Lila Cockrell, president of
the San Antonio Parks Foundation; Bonnie Connor, vice chair of the Parks Project;
and Evangelina Flores, chairman of the
Parks Foundation board of directors. –kf
Page 19
Construction News ON LOCATION
New kid on the block
Supplying smiles
The staff at Williams Supply Company takes a moment away from filling pipe,
valve and fitting orders for a photo. Williams Supply is located
on Guadalupe Drive in Cibolo. –kf
Encotech Engineering Consultants Inc. staff
I
n the early 1980s Ali Khataw, founder
of Encotech Engineering Consultants
Inc., came to Texas with $3,000 in his
pocket and plans to attend college at the
University of Texas in Austin.
“He enjoyed Austin and the United
States so much that he decided to make
it his permanent home,” said Jackie Sartor, Encotech marketing coordinator.
Nearly 20 years later, Encotech has
grown from a one-man show to 20 fulltime employees and has opened a regional office in San Antonio, located on
Sonterra Boulevard.
In March 1990, Khataw founded Encotech, a multi-discipline engineering
firm specializing in structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering,
as well as LEED and sustainable design.
“Mr. Khataw built his company from
the ground up and is truly the epitome of
the American Dream,” Sartor said. “The
firm has already worked on a number of
projects in the San Antonio area, and
with the addition of the new office hopes
to increase its presence in San Antonio
and expand its client base.”
According to Sartor, Encotech believes in rewarding employees for their
hard work. “We take the entire staff out
to lunch on a weekly basis, hold an annual holiday party for our staff and their
families, offer staff outings throughout
the year.”
She said individuals in the company
are involved in athletics, art and music.
In Austin Encotech has received a
number of awards for its projects and
was recognized by the city of Austin as
the 2007 Small Business of the Year.
Encotech Engineering Consultants Inc.
is a full-service engineering firm providing
engineering design and consultation services in Texas, Mississippi and Florida. –kf
Team players
T
here are many ways
people come together to form a company.
Often they are friends, coworkers or family before
they are business partners.
But rugby teammates?
Terry Adams and Jay
Rudd, partners in Rudd &
Adams Masonry in Boerne,
met while playing rugby in
the early ‘80s in Austin.
“We
became
fast
friends. I feel like he is a
brother to me, not just a
friend and business partner.”
Adams and Rudd
played for the Austin Huns
L-R: Jay Rudd and Terry Adams
Rugby Club and made it to
the national championships in 1993.
“We won the Texas Championship fireplace job, and both quit and started
and the Western USA Championship and our company.”
From building a fireplace, Rudd & Adwent to the national finals,” Adams said. “We got beat in the finals, but it was a ams has grown to about 150 employees.
The largest project to date was doing the
great year for us.”
The friends became partners in 1993, stonework for the Convention Center Exfounding Rudd & Adams Masonry. “Jay pansion to the tune of $4.5 million.
Rudd & Adams recently won Texas
was working for another local masonry Mutual
Insurance Company’s annual
company and I was working with VIA, as
workplace
safety trophy.
their project manager on the Alam
“The award was kind of a surprise,
odome,” Adams said.
“I had kind of mentioned to Jay that but we have a great safety record and we
we ought to go into business together try very hard,” Adams said. “It’s a very
just in passing, and like he is, he thought dangerous business. We do things the
about it, studied on it, and a couple of correct way and we don’t cut corners.”
Rudd & Adams Masonry is a masonry
months later he said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ Then contractor.
–kf
we had to go find some work. We got a
Page 20
Hats off to Rudy
I
Rudy Klein, center, and mechanical contractors representing several generations
n 1976, Alex Haley published a book
called “Roots”; Legionnaires’ disease
struck in Philadelphia; and Chris Evert
and Bjorn Borg were Wimbledon singles
winners.
It was also the year Rudolph “Rudy”
Klein III retired from the U.S. Army and
became the director of the Mechanical
Contractors Association-Sheet Metal and
Air Conditioning National Association
(MCA-SMACNA).
Brian Wilson, Mueller & Wilson, MCASMACNA president, pointed out the
timely details at a retirement dinner for
Klein Nov. 14 at Maggiano’s Little Italy
Restaurant. Along with Klein’s family, the
tribute included many friends from the
construction industry.
“He has been quite a constant
through all those years, and all those
changes,” Wilson said. “Some things in
the world you can count on, and one of
those you could count on around here in
this industry was Rudy Klein.”
One year into his term, Klein hired
Nora Garcia to assist him.
“Mr. Klein was a one-of-a-kind boss,”
Garcia said. “It has been my pleasure to
work with such a nice man, and I will miss
him. After working with him for 32 years,
it is hard to accept that he will no longer
be a part of the MCA-SMACNA of San Antonio. I wish him the very best in retirement.”
Among Klein’s accomplishments
noted at the dinner were the creation of
the Hunters’ Symposium 32 years ago;
the golf tournament benefiting Habitat
for Humanity initiated 16 years ago; and
many educational programs for the
member firms.
Following dinner, new director, Bob
Pisors, handed the microphone to guests
for comments and stories about Klein.
During his tenure, Klein worked with several generations of the companies that
came out to honor him. –kf
continued from Page 1 — Strength in numbers
Silva name, but with the aid of the Internet.
“The new generation is the whole
website and Google and Twitter and Facebook, and all that good stuff,” she said.
“So Robert is trying to keep with the
times.”
Annette is involved with Ironman’s
marketing, and has a strong background
in Internet promotion. She works for
ReachLocal.
“We are now in the process of going
back into some of the high-end commercial work,” she said. “This is the year we
are going to change into not so much of
the painting, but more a GC. We are looking to change our name to Ironman Construction, with our service categories of
plumbing, electrical, painting, and act as
a GC by the end of next year.”
Some of Robert’s brothers are working with him at Ironman. Paul, Eddie and
Benny Silva are Robert’s right-hand men
and oversee projects.
“His older brothers also work with
him, but they are right now living in Louisiana,” Annette said. Rick and Rene Silva went to Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit and are planning to return to the
company.
Robert wanted to follow his brothers
to Louisiana to help out, but Annette had
just given birth to one of their sons. The
Silvas now have three children – Robert
Conrad Silva, 5; Jake Ryan Silva, 3; and
Harly Jewel Silva, 2.
“The reason we named her Harly is
that Robert has always wanted a Harley
(the motorcycle),” Annette said. “But I
told him that he wasn’t allowed to get a
Harley until he turned 50, because I didn’t
want him being reckless with it. So until
then he would have his first daughter (if
we ever had one) be named Harly. So
when his friends asked him does he have
a Harley, he says, ‘She’s at home.’ So no
one knows that he doesn’t have a real
Harley.” –kf
continued from Page 1 — A Legend is born
more efficient designs for
layout of their structural repair, measuring and realignment equipment.
SBS offered design suggestions for the exterior of
the building that enhanced
the presence of the facility
on Culebra Road, according
to Garza. A colored metal
U-panel, local flagstone and
E.I.F.S. were utilized for the
exterior of the building.
“We have had many local residents extend their
Legend Collision Center’s lobby
offers customers a comfortable waiting area.
appreciation of the look
and curb appeal of our collision repair center,” Garza said.
Steve Schiffman, SBS president, and Primary suppliers include Gladwin
Jesse Diaz, project superintendent, led Paint Company, Garmat USA and Ingerthe SBS team. Ramirez and Garza relied soll Rand.
heavily on the team to develop revisions SBS Construction was formed by
to their preliminary design and for cost Steve Schiffman and his partner, David
engineering methods to keep them with- Morgan, in 1995. Based in Boerne, SBS
in their SBA financing budgets.
operates throughout Texas and in Louisi
“We wouldn’t be here today without ana, Mississippi and Florida. SBS mainour new friends at SBS,” Garza said. “Truth tains an office in Louisiana to serve the
be told, the finished building exceeded Gulf Coast Region. Specializing in all
our expectations.”
types of commercial construction, SBS
Primary subcontractors include Su- also operates a metal building design
perior Metal Services, PHI Concrete, D5 and installation company operating as
Enterprises, IES Commercial, Tietze Superior Metal Services. –kf
Plumbing.
Page 21
Construction Equipment
Rocky road ahead
down. I have bought several machines at
good prices. I think everybody is watching their spending instead of buying everything on credit.
Rocky Hill, Owner
Rocky Hill Equipment Rentals Inc.
San Antonio, TX
W
hat is your perspective on the
current state of the construction
industry?
I think we are in for more of the same.
I get the AGC reports and look at those,
and see what jobs are on the horizon.
There is a possibility that things might
look up, but what I see on jobs that are
coming up, it’s all public money.
There is going to come a day of reckoning for that, too. But as far as your private money being spent out there, there
is not any. The developers that have money aren’t spending it, and the ones that
don’t have money can’t get it. When you
look at the whole picture, until the banking industry loosens up and starts financing projects, I think it is going to be more
of the same. Fortunately down here we
have a lot of bases and government, but
there is not enough to keep that many
people busy.
When you get a federal a job down
here, and it’s slow all over the United
States, you have people bidding from all
over, which puts a bind on the contractors that are from here. There is a lot of
competition.
What types of positive changes have
you observed in 2009?
I know from my side of it, equipment
that I buy, it would go up 12 to 15 percent
every six months. Now, manufacturers
are hurting because they are not selling
anything. It’s bringing equipment costs
How is your company dealing with a
slowing economy?
Fortunately, and I am not an expert
and not the smartest businessman in the
world, but I started this business from
nothing 25 years ago. This is about the
fourth recession I have been through,
and this is by far the worst.
After about my fifth year in business
I paid off all my original notes, and I said,
if I ever get out of debt I would do my
best to stay out of debt. The last 10 to 12
years, if I could pay cash for a machine I
would try my best not to finance it.
I don’t have the big overhead, because it has always been my philosophy
to pay for it as you go. We are also watching our expenses real close.
Besides the economy, what are other
hot-button issues in the equipment
industry?
I am finding that more people are
price shopping than before. I don’t think
you have your loyalty customers that you
used to. If somebody is $30 a month
cheaper on a machine, they will go with
the cheaper machine. There are a lot of
national chain rental stores that are discounting quite a bit to get the market
share, and I understand that.
You have too much equipment chasing too few jobs. They are all competing
for market share and it’s dropping the
prices of rental equipment in half or 40
percent.
What would you like to see change?
I would like to see construction go
back up and less of the discounting of
prices in our area. I would like to see
banks and companies start private funding again. I think it’s going to come, but
it’s going to come slow.
It’s not going to be a big bang, and
we wake up and everything’s fine again.
It will be a slow road back.
Specializing in heavy construction
equipment rental, Rocky Hill Equipment
Rentals Inc. was founded in 1985. –kf
Customer service is key
Cory Mancuso, Operations Manager
2-C Equipment LLC
Jarrell, TX
One of the biggest concerns for our industry lately
has been the state of the economy. Other industries have obviously been affected, but why do you
believe the construction industry is experiencing a
slowdown?
I believe that construction in general
has been hit due to the banking situation. Less money is being lent out to developers, and it creates a domino effect:
it affects the developers, which hurts the
contractors, which hurts the subcontractors and suppliers. It affects everyone.
Has any one area slowed down more
than another?
In Austin, we’ve seen the demand for
bigger pieces of equipment slow down.
Our smaller dozers and excavators are
renting out more in the Austin area, and I
believe that it’s because the smaller jobs,
which appear to be less risky, are still receiving financing. However, being a family-run business has allowed us to cross
some barriers and expand into wider
markets throughout Texas.
What are some of the hot-button issues equipment dealers face?
Suppliers now are doing drastic
things to attract customers. We try to stay
ahead of that trend, and we really work
with our customers to give them the best
deal possible.
It’s important to stay competitive
with your rates, which hasn’t been a
problem for us. But giving great service is
always vital for our customers.
Is it difficult to find people who understand the mechanics of large-scale
equipment that 2-C keeps on hand?
Luckily, we’ve had one head mechanic that has been with us since the
start of the company. He knows everything about the mechanical and hydraulic components of the equipment, and he
trains others who want to learn. We’ve
been very fortunate to maintain a great
team of mechanics.
What is the company’s most soughtafter piece of equipment?
It varies with customers. We have a
wide array of equipment from articulated
trucks, excavators, dozers, motor graders,
backhoes, water trucks and compaction
equipment.
However, my personal favorite piece
of equipment is the one that is out on
rent.
What are rewards of this industry?
I enjoy talking to different contractors, learning about the new developments, and listening to details about different projects before the general public
even knows. It is an honor to work with
people who appreciate construction.
What are keys to being successful in
construction equipment?
There are several things: first, always
keeping your customer first. All customers – if they are renting one piece of
equipment or 30 – want to feel that they
are taking their business where it is appreciated. We not only act that way but
we truly appreciate every rental from every customer.
Secondly, maintaining your fleet. You
can’t send something out there that is
going to break down or set the customer
behind. You need to have good quality
construction equipment on hand, and
you need to maintain it.
Communication and honesty are
also key. If you don’t have something that
the customer needs, don’t lead him on.
Make sure they know the truth from the
start.
It’s tough to tell a customer you don’t
have what he needs, but it’s essential to
be honest with them and keep the lines
of communication open.
Finally, always being accessible to
your
current
and
potential
customers.
How do you foresee the upcoming
year for equipment dealers?
We are keeping optimistic. There are
people who are speculating the worst,
but we are staying positive because really, that’s all you can do.
The companies that can grow in this
market are those who think positively,
and they will be in the best position after
we get out of this.
2-C Equipment is a family-owned company specializing in sales, rentals, trades
and buys for large-scale construction equipment and attachments. –va
NEXT MONTH
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Construction Forecast
2010
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July:Electrical Industry
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Page 22
Equipment people
‘tell you like it is’
Andy Hotchkiss, Managing Partner
Alliance Heavy Equipment
Houston, TX
I
n your opinion, what is the current
state of the Houston construction industry?
Things are extremely slow these
days. It seems like there is more funding
for public or government jobs. Road construction is doing fairly well.
I think the smaller contractors are
suffering greatly. Our business is primarily parts and service and supporting
those types of customers.
Our customers say they are lucky to
get a bid on a job nowadays and that
they are not running at the same level
they were during better times.
They are dealing with reduced staff
so they have been bringing a lot of their
repair work internally. We are seeing
some aftermarket parts business increases because customers are looking for alternatives to going back to the original
now is primarily getting work. When
there is no work, there are limited opportunities.
equipment manufacturer or the dealer
for parts.
Do see any new trends?
I feel as though we may have hit the
bottom. I don’t feel our recovery is going
to be V-shaped. We are probably not going to see any drastic increases in recovery. I think it is going to be more of a Ushaped and a flat recovery.
I think people need to get acclimated
to the way things are now because it will
be this way for a while. I recently heard a
well-accredited forecaster speak at construction industry conference and his
thoughts were the same on the U.S.
economy.
What are the challenges in your industry?
A challenge for our business right
What is the best part about working in
the equipment business?
I enjoy working in the equipment
business because the people are straightforward. They tell you like it is. There are
no false pretenses behind anyone.
conferences and are involved in the Independent Distributors Association (IDA)
and the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).
We stay up to speed with industry
news by having conversations with other
members and reading newsletters.
Do you have any advice for a young
person who wants to work in the
equipment business?
Typically, a young person should
start at a smaller construction equipment
company. He could work as a helper
around the jobs and also participate in
technical training school.
It would also be beneficial to hire on
with a dealer as a helper. It is a process.
The key thing in our industry is experience.
What is on the horizon?
It is going to be a long and slow recovery. I think the little bump we got
from the stimulus packet offered out is
creating somewhat of a false bump. I
don’t see it sustaining and I think we are
in a bit of a deflation period that is not
going to last too much longer.
What are the keys to success?
Don’t borrow too much money at
this time – if you can find anyone to lend
it to you. Banks are putting a strain on
things by tightening up their lending
practices. It is important to stay in a good
cash position.
How do you stay up to date in the industry?
We attend construction industry
Established in 2000, Alliance Heavy
Equipment provides heavy equipment
parts and services. –ab
uncertainty has impacted our business.
Margins have eroded for both our
customer base as well as our competition
making it more challenging to do what
we do and do it well.
Sunstate has increased its fleet in the
Texas-Oklahoma region, particularly as it
relates to aerial. We have also expanded
our footprint in existing markets as well
as reaching out to new markets. Those
areas include Dallas/Fort Worth, Tulsa,
Buda, Killeen and metro Houston.
most people that work in this business
say they are in the equipment industry, I
have always held the opinion that we are
in the service industry and equipment
happens to be our product. I believe that
attitude is a key component in being successful.
In addition, any rental company is
only as good as its employees. At Sunstate, we have created a culture that permeates throughout the company. When
our phone rings, every employee has the
same goal in mind: Take care of the customer. That sense of urgency and pride
starts with the owner of the company,
Mike Watts.
Margins have eroded
John Sheehan, Sales Manager
Sunstate Equipment Company
Carrollton, TX
H
ow would you describe the state of
the industry?
The construction industry is
experiencing a tumultuous period
fueled by an unprecedented state of the
economy.
We have seen construction projects
in the early stages come to a halt, typically
due to funding issues.
With the state of the construction
industry, it is more important than ever to
leave no stone unturned. Managing your
assets is more important in this difficult
Komatsu
time than ever before.
What are the major changes in the
industry in recent years?
At Sunstate, we see technology as
the most influential change. Information
is being dispersed more quickly
and to more people. In addition, the
consolidation of information and the
customers’ ability to use the Internet to
help them understand what we do has
moved the whole industry forward.
Most recently the economic
K
What are the rewards of the industry?
Our rewards come in the form of
compliments from our customers.
We take pride in our ability to
seek out hard-working, intelligent, and
committed employees. Everyone in our
organization has a sense of urgency that
is unparalleled.
What are the keys to being
successful in the industry?
When asked what you do for a living,
omatsu America Corp. recently introduced the Hybrid PC200LC-8 excavator into the North American
market.
This excavator uses a newly developed electric
swing motor, power generator motor, capacitor and diesel engine.
Komatsu developed its hybrid system to work on
the principle of swing energy regeneration and energy
storage using the Komatsu Ultra Capacitor system.
The kinetic energy generated during the swingbraking phase is converted to electricity that is sent
through an inverter and then captured by the Ultra Capacitor. This captured energy is then discharged very
quickly for upper structure rotation and to assist the engine as commanded by the hybrid controller when ac-
Established in Phoenix, AZ, in 1977,
Sunstate Equipment Company sells and
rents tools and equipment to construction,
industrial and special event companies.
–mjm
celerating under workload conditions.
When compared in tests with the same model
standard hydraulic excavator, the hybrid model reduced fuel consumption by approximately 25 to 40
percent, depending on the application.
The hybrid model is powered by the turbocharged
and air-to-air after-cooled Komatsu SAA4D107E-1,
which provides 138hp. With an operating weight of
43,643 to 47,260 lbs., the excavator has a bucket capacity of 0.66 to 1.57 yd3.
It is also equipped with KOMTRAX technology
that sends information – such as operating hours, fuel
consumption, machine location and machine utilization – to a secure website for analysis.
Page 23
Caterpillar
Ditch Witch
D
T
itch Witch’s most powerful directional drill, the
JT100 Mach 1 is equipped with a 268-hp engine.
The machine is designed so that rotation, thrust,
and drilling fluid flow can operate simultaneously at full
power.
The power of this model allows for the addition of
two optional features. One is an onboard crane, which is
used to load and unload pipe boxes, anchor the unit,
and handle downhole tools, especially drill pipe. Directional drills without an onboard crane require additional
equipment, such as an excavator, to perform these functions.
The other optional feature is an onboard anchor
system – an exclusive Ditch Witch equipment option –
that stabilizes the machine on virtually any terrain. Directional drills without this feature typically have to be
anchored to another heavier piece of equipment, such
as a backhoe or track hoe, to maintain stability during
drilling
operations.
Difficult conditions are not limited to the surface:
below ground is where the majority of directional drilling challenges lie, such as rocky soil. Ditch Witch says
that JT100’s heavy-duty, double rack-and-pinion thrust
drive is field-proven to push through the longest, toughest bores. Instead of a three-speed gearbox, the drill has
an infinitely variable rotary drive that can match spindle
speed and torque.
he Cat D7E Track-Type Tractor uses an electric drive
system that delivers 10 to 30 percent greater fuel
economy, greater productivity and lower lifetime service costs, compared with conventionally designed
crawler tractors of equal weight and horsepower.
The overall efficiency of the new model results from
its ability to better deliver engine power to the ground.
This efficiency means the D7E can use a smaller engine
than comparable competitive machines, yet it can outperform them. In addition, the engine runs in a narrow
speed range (1,500-1,800 rpm) to further reduce fuel
consumption and extend engine life.
Electric drive eliminates the torque converter, powershift transmission and related drive shafts used in allmechanical designs. Eliminating these components significantly lessens cooling requirements, decreases the
number of moving parts and reduces the volume of fluids required.
The care Caterpillar used in designing the operator
station is apparent in the details. The cab’s single center
post, for example, aligns perfectly with the exhaust
stack, air intake and single blade-lift cylinder to enhance
forward visibility, and the angled door and mating side
panel allow excellent sightlines to the blade. Interior
sound level is a quiet 73 dB(A), and an integrated display
screen provides a range of machine status information.
New Holland
Bobcat
R
anging from 140 to 205hp, with standard blade
lengths from 12 to 14 ft., New Holland Construction
motor graders are engineered to perform in every application, from ripping and rough grading to precise
and accurate finishing work.
The operator’s cab is mounted behind the articulation point, providing an excellent view of both ends of
the working blade, and enabling the operator to maneuver and respond quickly.
With heavy-duty, box-section construction, the
rugged frames of the G140, G170 and G200 (pictured)
motor graders are designed to endure the most rigorous working conditions. Durable front axles stand up to
the toughest grading jobs and oscillate up to 19 degrees
to manage rough terrain. An extra-long wheelbase
helps delivers an exceptionally smooth ride.
Featuring thin corner posts and doorframes, and
more than 62sf of glass area, the cab on New Holland
motor graders provides an excellent view in all directions. An integrated sunshade reduces glare, and standard front and rear windshield wipers/washers ensure a
clear view. Interior and exterior mirrors help the operator keep tabs on any activity behind the machine.
N
ew Bobcat M-Series skid-steer and compact track
loaders feature the most significant design changes
undertaken by the company.
This new design enables the operator to accomplish
more work through performance and durability enhancements that provide more power and keep the loader
working longer, while increasing operator comfort.
The first M-Series models are the S630 skid-steer
loader (pictured) and the T630 compact track loader.
The S650 and the T650 came out in August and additional models will be available in the future.
The hydraulic systems on the loaders have been engineered for higher standard flow and pressure that give
attachments more power to work more quickly. Hydraulic
horsepower has been increased more than 15 percent.
Bobcat increased the size of the cab by 10 percent,
redesigned the interior to allow operators to adjust the
environment to their individual preference and improved cab pressurization.
Keeping dirt and dust outside the cab keeps the operator clean and prevents fatigue. The loaders have a
best-in-class pressurized cab, with a new one-piece seal
that goes all the way around the door and fits into a special curved pocket. This pressurization minimizes the
dirt and dust that might enter the cab.
Vögele
V
ögele America Inc. has a new “clean sheet-design”
Vision Series of pavers.
Models include the 10-ft. tracked Vision 5200-2 (pictured) and 10-ft. wheeled Vision 5203-2, and the 8-ft.
tracked Vision 5100-2 and 8-ft. wheeled 5103-2. Together they represent the highest evolution of asphalt paver
design to date, and are quieter, cooler and more productive than either competing pavers, or Vögele America
predecessor models.
Operators are benefiting from outstanding forward
visibility, with unparalleled all-around visibility without
turning. The slope of the machine and hood has been
designed so the operator can see the sides, the hopper
and the conveyors in the back without having to move
around. The operator stations swing out from both edges of the machine, for superior visibility to the sides, behind and into the hopper.
Self-diagnostics are built into the new pavers. Fluid
levels and other inspection points need not be checked
each day. Instead they are monitored from a display
panel, part of the Vögele Ergo-Plus ergonomic design
for enhanced productivity.
Self-tensioning conveyors have hydraulic cylinders
that keep them adjusted. Like the paver’s self-diagnostics, the self-tensioning conveyors permit the crew to
spend less time working on the paver, and more time
placing hot mix asphalt.
LiuGong
L
iuGong Construction Machinery North America’s
new 816III Wheel Loader is designed to be compact
in size while maintaining the necessary power to get a
variety of work completed.
The wheel loader has an operating weight of 12,346
lbs. and comes standard with a 1.0 cubic yard loader
bucket. The bucket breakout force exceeds 12,000 lbs.,
which helps contractors get through even the toughest
of materials.
For added versatility, the machine comes with a
quick coupler as standard equipment. The loader is
powered by a Yanmar (Tier III compliant) engine, which
produces 64 hp.
“LiuGong’s dealer network is extremely excited by
the introduction of this compact wheel loader,” says Ron
Hargrave, president of LiuGong North America.
The 816III is a smaller version in terms of size to the
line of larger LiuGong wheel loaders, which range up to
65,000 lbs in operating weight and can support up to a
7.0 cubic yard bucket.
Page 24
John
Deere
Link-Belt
T
J
ohn Deere’s G-Series motor graders offer users a
choice of console-mounted
industry standard controls
or armrest-mounted industry standard fingertip controls, as well as features like
cross slope control, automatic differential lock and a
rearview camera.
“With the G-Series, it’s not ‘one size
fits all’ – you’re free to choose the control
style that makes you the most comfortable and productive,” said Kent Stickler,
product marketing manager for motor
graders, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “And every grader has a steering
wheel, no matter which control pattern
you pick.”
Using extensive customer input and
the D-Series as a platform, Deere has introduced six G-Series models, ranging
from 185 to 275 net hp, each engineered
for increased productivity, reliability, durability, serviceability and low daily oper-
ating costs.
There’s also a choice of ground-engaging tools. G-Series graders are available with a front- or mid-mount scarifier,
or a rear ripper/scarifier.
Each grader has been engineered
with a convenient transmission, hydraulic
and differential filter bank for fast access.
There’s also ground level fueling and a
swing-out cool-on-demand automatic
reversing fan standard on every model.
“If you work in a dusty environment
or one prone to debris, the standard auto
reversing fan is going to save you time
and maintenance costs,” Stickler said.
he TCC-750, designed and built from
the ground up in Lexington, KY, has
the same features and hydraulics as LinkBelt’s lineup of telescopic cranes. The CE
compliant 8675 features outstanding maneuverability and capacities, and rugged
simplicity.
This model has a completely sealed
lower and hydraulically retractable side
frames for easy transport and onsite flexibility. The retracted gauge, good for
transport or work, is 8.4 ft. Two additional
working modes at 11.9 ft. and, fully extended, at 14 ft. add jobsite versatility.
And depending on local restrictions, it
moves in either one or two loads.
Link-Belt’s exclusive four-section,
full-power formed boom with greaseless
Teflon wear pads adorns the crane. Boom
length is 38 to 115 ft. with a maximum tip
height of 121 ft. Optional equipment includes a 35 to 58 ft., two-piece, on board
lattice fly with offsets of 2, 15, 30, and 45
degrees. The maximum boom and jib
length is 179 ft.
Case
SkyTrak
T
he newly introduced
Case crawler dozer delivers more performance, a
lower overall operating
height and weight, and superior maintenance features that boost productivity.
The 650L retains the
features of the Case crawler
dozer line, such as hydrostatic drive that delivers
precise variable power turning, a comfortable operator compartment, choice
of undercarriage options and superior
maintainability.
The 74 net horsepower Tier 3-certified, four-cylinder, 4.5-liter turbocharged
Case Family IV engine has electronic fuel
injection for maximum fuel efficiency
and easier starts in cold weather. A highpressure common-rail injection system
delivers excellent combustion. A charge
air cooler reduces emissions and provides
a cleaner and more efficient fuel burn. The lower operating height allows
S
the 650L to work around low overhangs,
while its lighter weight is ideal for work in
soft soil conditions. The shorter track
means easier turning, making the machine extremely maneuverable on the
job site. The compact size also makes the
crawler dozer easy to transport from job
to job.
“Case also offers a 90-inch blade for
more precise work in confined job conditions,” said Ion Warner, senior director of
marketing. “This allows for operation between buildings with narrow lot lines.”
kyTrak telehandlers are
available in five models
that offer lifting capacities
from 6,000 to 10,000
lbs., lifting heights to 53 ft.
2 in., and horizontal reach
to 39 ft. with outriggers
down.
The SkyTrak Model
8042 (pictured) has an
8,000-lb maximum lift capacity with a maximum lift
height of 41 ft. 11 in. and a
1,800-lb. maximum lift capacity at a maximum forward reach of 26 ft. 7 in.
Other features include:
• Drivetrain using axles with heavyduty inboard wet brakes for longer disc
and pad life, limited slip front differential
and a fully modulated power shift transmission.
• Weatherproof controls and functions in the redesigned cab allow for
greater operator productivity and comfort.
FOR LEASE
Office/Warehouse
with Yard
6000 SqFt
Total
Location
13313 Western Oak
San Antonio, TX
Contact
Gary Wade
210-695-3451
• No hydraulic valves under the cab,
and no requirement for hydro-filled tires.
Key functions that are standard on
this model include:
• The patented Stabil-TRAK rear axle
stability system
• Auxiliary hydraulics for added versatility with the use of many SkyTrak attachments.
Page 25
Association Calendar
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News
ABC
Construct A Kid’s Christmas
Associated Builders & Contractors
Dec. 3: Construct A Kid’s Christmas Gala,
Alzafar Shrine Temple, 6-11pm
Dec. 4: Construct A Kid’s Christmas Toy
Drive, Construction News offices, 11931
Warfield (corner of Nakoma and
Warfield); 10am-2pm
Unless otherwise noted, all events are at the
ABC offices, 10408 Gulfdale.
Dec. 7 & 21: New Employee Orientation,
8-11am; will cover safety issues, employee
responsibilities and the construction process; $45 person
Dec. 15: First Aid Certification, Engineering Safety Consultants office, 12758 Cimarron Path, Ste. 127, 5:30; $20 ABC/BX
member, $30 non-member; class limit 12
Dec. 16: CPR Certification, Engineering
Safety Consultants office, 5:30; $20 ABC/
BX member, $30 non-member; class limit
12
Dec. 16-17: OSHA 10-Hour, 1-6:30pm,
construction industry safety and health
topics; $200 ABC members, $250 nonmembers
For more info or to register for all classes
and events, call the ABC office, 210-3421994 or visit the website at www.abcsouthtexas.org.
ACCA
Air Conditioning Contractors of Amer.
Dec 15: Board of Directors meeting,
O’Krent Abbey Flooring Center, 2075 N.
Loop 1604, 4:30pm
Dec 17: Membership meeting, Embassy
Suites, 7750 Briaridge, 11am
AGC
Associated General Contractors
Dec. 8: First Aid-CPR, AGC office, 9am3pm
Dec. 10: Holiday Open House with
CMAA, AGC office, 4-7pm; hors d’oeuvres
and drinks will be served. Ericatures will
be on hand to provide some addition
fun; Casual dress
Dec. 17: Safety and Health Committee
meeting, 11:30
Dec. 18: Board of Directors’ meeting,
The Petroleum Club, AGC office, 8am
Jan. 11: General Membership Luncheon
and Installation of Directors, Sunset Station, noon-1:30; guest speaker: Congressman Henry Cuellar
For more info contact AGC office 210349-4921
ASA
American Subcontractors Association
Dec. 8: Webinar, Topic: Subcontractor
Default Insurance – Risk Management
Swan or Duckling
For more info contact Heidi Davis
[email protected] or 210349-2105
Dec.16: Board of Directors meeting,
11am; 2010-2011 Board of Directors Installation, 11:30am
MCA–SMACNA
Mechanical Contractors Association
Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Assn.
Dec 2: Joint Industry Fund Forum and
Business Meeting, Oak Hills Country
Club, 11:30am
Dec 16: Christmas Luncheon, Oak Hills
Country Club, 11:15am
HCA
NARI
Hispanic Contractors Association
Nat’l Assn. of the Remodeling Industry
Dec. 2: Board of Directors, Doubletree
Hotel, noon
Jan. 9: HCA Board Members Retreat,
noon
For more info on events and classes, or to
RSVP email [email protected]
NARI SA meets monthly for general membership meetings, with mixers, and
Roundtable discussions. For more info on
events visit http://www.narisanantonio.
com or call 210-499-4694
IEC
Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction
Independent Electrical Contractors
Dec. 11: NAWIC Christmas Party-business
meeting, Honey Creek Ranch, 26226 Hwy
46 West Spring Branch; networking 5:30pm,
dinner 6pm; $15 per person; catering by
Bubba’s Smokehouse (a la cart 6:30pm)
Reservations required, contact Jennifer
Swinney 210-695-8701 ext 101, jswinney@
esc-safety.com or Sandee Morgan 210-4025423 ext. 3379, [email protected]
Unless otherwise noted, all events are at the
IEC office
Dec. 2: Barbecue Committee meeting,
11am
Dec. 3: Holiday Open House Committee
meeting, 10am
Dec. 11: IEC Holiday Open House/Casino
Night/Board Installation, 6-11pm
Dec. 15: A&T Committee meeting, 11am
NAWIC
SAABE
San Antonio Association of Building Engineers
Dec. 16: Membership meeting, Board
Elections and Year-end Awards, Embassy
Suites Hotel, 7750 Briaridge Dr., 11:30am
SAMCA
San Antonio Masonry Contractors Assn.
Dec. 10: Annual Holiday Celebration,
Awards Banquet and Casino Night, Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch, 6pm; $60 person includes buffet dinner, open bar and
casino games; non-members welcome;
for more info or reservations contact
Debbie at 820-606-5556 or email samca@
satx.rr.com
SDA
Society for Design Administration
Dec. 4: Christmas Party, hosted by Stella
Bustos, Spectrum Lighting
Dec. 5: Annual Retreat, hosted by Jessica
Hamm, president elect
TSPS
Texas Society of Professional Surveyors
Dec. 3: Chapter 11 Board meeting, Jacobs
Engineering, 12-1pm
Dec. 10: Chapter 11 Christmas Party, BJ’s
Restaurant / Brewhouse
Jan. 7: Chapter 11 Board meeting, Jacobs
Engineering, 12-1pm
Page 26
Costume carnival
Halloween proved to be a lot of fun again this year as many in the industry dressed
up at their offices Oct. 30. Construction News collected these shots. –sj
Ridout Barrett & Co. and Effective Resources
In the jungle, the mighty IBTX jungle
Builders’ Exchange of Texas & VBX
Follow the yellow brick road at Catto & Catto
C&C Culinary Cuties have the office
smelling of fresh-baked goodies!
Padgett Stratemann & Co.
CMC Construction Services
The Swine Flu roams the halls at IBTX.
Dancing Queens of the ‘60s and ‘70s
at Engineering Safety Consultants
The IBTX Witches Gone Wild win the department contest.
Aargh! The IBTX Buccaneer Babes
The Vampire Vixens of IBTX
Y-M-C-A. The Village People at Catto & Catto
Job Sights
Workers from Wilborn Steel Company and Howell Crane & Rigging Inc. maneuver the
new Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center sign into place. Guido Brothers Construction
Company is the general contractor for the project. –kf
L-R: Leo Pollaro, Capital Concrete Pumping, and Armando “Flaco” Martinez, Adobe
Contracting LLC, prepare to pour columns at the new John Marshall High School Auditorium
site off Eckhert Road. Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. is the general contractor. –kf
Jesse Rodriguez, Robles Services Group, moves material from the Aggregate Haulers’ truck
on the site of the future Robles Services Group headquarters on Guadalupe Drive in Cibolo.
Robles provides subcontractor services such as demolition, excavation, site preparation,
paving, utilities, concrete and environmental remediation services,
but it is also the general contractor for the project. –kf
Jeff Howard, Klecka Electric, rides the Trico Lift boom to the top of the tree
at The Children’s Shelter on Woodlawn Avenue. Both Klecka and Trico
donated their services for the tree construction project. –kf
Page 27
Page 28
Night
vision
Do “eye” see the ball?
T
he construction industry will find
any reason to play a game of golf.
Masonry contractors donned
glow-in-the dark necklaces and hit lighted balls at the first San Antonio Masonry
Contractors (SAMCA) Night Golf Tournament Nov. 12 at the Alamo Golf Club.
“They even had glow sticks on the
flags, but golfers still got lost,” said Debbie Mason, executive director.
Roger Schmelter, Headwaters Construction Materials, thought he was on
the 13th hole, but he was actually on the
17th hole, according to Mason.
Winners are:
1st: Headwaters Construction Materials
team – Greg West, JDK Associates; Ricci
Pozzi and Rod Tootle, Border Construction; Tim Theis, Theis Engineering
2nd: Nunzio Previtera, Integrity Insurance Agency; David Canchola, American
Aggregates; Tom Harmon, Elms Harmon
Macchia LLC
3rd: Mr. Henry’s Masonry & Stucco Supply team – Alex Lerma and Jose Espinoza,
Mr. Henry’s Masonry & Stucco Supply;
Sergio Alvidrez, CSC; Diego Lopez, Diego
Lopez Law Offices
Closest to the Pin: Nunzio Previtera
Longest Drive: Diego Lopez –kf

December - Construction News

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