August - Construction News
Transcription
August - Construction News
Covering the Industry’s News Texas Style San Antonio Austin Dallas/Fort Worth P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290 PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT #1451 Change Service Requested Houston Dallas/Fort Worth 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 AUG 2011 Vol. 9 No. 8 Preparing for growth It’s great to be 35 L-R: David Woods and Robert McCarthy L-R: Bob O’Brien, Jason Lilillard and Dennis Mason B ack in 1987 David Woods founded a little concrete subcontracting company in Fort Worth and called it Cheyenne Construction Company. Starting with small residential projects the company expanded and grew through the years. On June 14, 2011 a new entity was formed, BDD Enterprises, LLC dba Cheyenne Construction Company, bringing in another principal, Robert M. McCarthy Sr., and the two set a path to grow the company. “I have known Bob for a long time and watched him build a number a successful businesses over the years,” said Woods, who is president of the company. “His track record interested me, and I knew that I wanted his help in building Cheyenne into an even greater company. Together, with our combined experiences, I knew we had the ability to really build the company.” “David and I had talked over the years, probably since 2000, about doing something together,” stated McCarthy who is company CEO. “Actually I was David’s first customer. I started Tarrant Interiors in Fort Worth, which was a store fixture manufacturer and needed some concrete word done. “I built that company from my front I n 1976, David Teague incorporated Ridgemont Commercial Construction and was joined several years later by Raymond Ames. The pair spent the next 22 years building the company. “In 1998, my partner at the time John Haines owned a smaller tenant finish general contracting business in the metroplex,“ said Bob O’Brien who is a principal and CEO of the company. “We were a five million a year operation and it was difficult to attract talent to such a small organization. We had a couple of good years and had made a conscious decision to grow our business.” Haines had gotten to know Ames through Associated Builders & Contrac- continued on Page 14 tors (ABC) and they had a connection in hobbies, sailing in particular. At that point in time, Ridgemont was looking for some people to take the keys. “Succession became important to them and they were trying to find a couple of guys to take the company to the next level. It was about a $22 million a year company at the time O’Brien and Haines purchased it.” The two companies had some similar synergies. Both used the same accounting and bonding firms, not to mention their philosophies on how each went about general contracting. continued on Page 14 Nature’s finest I f you travel 16 miles south of downtown Dallas to Cedar Hill, TX you will find a wonderland that only nature can provide. You have arrived at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center owned by the National Audubon Society. Nowhere in North Texas can one find a greater variety of rare species than in Dogwood Canyon. Tegrus Construction Co., Inc. was awarded the contract for the project which includes a 6,000 sf nature education center located in the 270-acre conservation area. The two million Center was built under the LEED guidelines and called for a completion schedule of 12 months. The major challenge was converting an old satellite station into a nature center while saving, protecting and preserving the existing tree canopy. The foundation is an elevated floor system consisting of concrete drilled piers supporting structural steel beams, The center is built around existing concrete crater bar joist, metal deck and concrete reinforced floor slab. The superstructure is wood frame clad with accoya wood siding and the roof is a standing seam metal supported by pin connected wood trusses and a plywood deck. Many design elements make this development unique. The nature watching area penetrates into the trees and overlooks the existing creek. Sloping glass on three sides for better viewing surrounds this area. The building also cantilevers over an existing concrete lined crater that once housed a satellite tracking station and a second nature watching area consisting of a wood deck platform is built at the bottom of the crater. The site development consists of many recycled materials such as crushed concrete base for the drive areas; recycled concrete for the wheel stops and continued on Page 14 Page 2 Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 The big move Construction News ON LOCATION Heavy duty Jon Wilkerson and Dave Crocker of BAKERCORP in Arlington were shipping out three new 5400gpm sewer bypass pumps the day we stopped by. –bd Construction News ON LOCATION Masters of metal The biggest of 40 to be transplanted A mammoth red oak tree was relocated from its present site on the SMU campus to the George W. Bush Presidential Center site on Friday, Jun. 10. The 45-foot-high tree is the largest of the 40 trees transplanted on the project site. “They don’t make a tree spade large enough for a tree with a 25-foot root ball like this one, so our tree-moving team used a gantry lift system,” said Manhattan Construction project executive Mark Penny. “This gantry equipment has moved the largest trees ever relocated in the world, and it is being used here in Dallas for the first time.” The 50-year-old tree weighed in at 245,000 lbs., and had to travel 2,500 feet to its final location on the north side of the George W. Bush Presidential Center project site. The subcontractor in charge of preparing and moving the tree was Environmental Design. –bd Building has begun Construction News stopped to see Gene Johnston and some of the boys at Johnston Products in Cedar Hill. L-R back row: Gene Johnston, Bill Rush, Bobby Armitage, Phillip Ward; L-R front row: John Herrera, Chris Ashmore , Mike Bramhall –bd The Traxxas and CF Jordan team T raxxas, a leading maker of remote controlled toy hobby cars, and CF Jordan Construction, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Jun. 13 for the new 16-acre corporate campus for Traxxas. The company chose the Craig Ranch Development in McKinney at the corner of Stacy Rd. and Henneman Way for the complex. Housed in three buildings the facility includes a 70,429-sf museum with a 250-seat auditorium, a three-story office building with retail center and a 87,000-sf distribution warehouse. Adding to the beauty and uniqueness of the complex will be two 1.5 acre ponds and two outdoor RC (radio con- trol) race tracks. The Dallas office of CF Jordan is handling the project. “The Traxxas Campus project not only represents a significant project for the North Texas region but for the state of Texas as a whole,” said Corbett Nichter, Executive VP of CF Jordan Construction. “CF Jordan Construction is honored to be selected as the construction manager for such a significant project that will create more than 400 jobs during construction.” The project is estimated to begin August 1st and will take approximately 17 months to complete. –bd Did you know? Advertising in Construction News means you are in front of the industry's decision makers every month? Publishing the Industry’s News . . . TEXAS Dallas/Fort. Worth Austin San Antonio Houston Style Home Office: (210) 308-5800 www.constructionnews.net Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Page 3 Submitted to Construction News Fishing or golf? Industry FOLKS Justin McAfee Director, Client Relations Rogers-O’Brien Construction J Bob Moulder (center), surrounded by members of the Dallas/Fort Worth CFMA chapter, recently retired from MEDCO Construction LLC after 25 years of service. Bob also served as chapter president, was a recipient of CFMA’s National Joe Quigley Memorial Award and has a local award named after him, the Bob Moulder Award, given to the chapter’s Financial Professional of the Year. –bd Submitted to Construction News Fun for the day ustin McAfee was born in Dallas and grew up around Rogers-O’Brien and the construction industry. His grandfather is Pat O’Brien, co-founder, and his father is Preston McAfee, current president and CEO of the company. He currently lives in Dallas and is married with a one-year-old daugher, Caroline. Interests include spending time with family and friends, skiing and taking care of projects around the house. As Director of Client Relations, McAfee focuses on private sector business development and the company’s overall marketing strategies. Primary responsibilities include building long lasting professional relationships while helping developers and endusers during the planning and preconstruction phases of their projects. He has a BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A & M and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. In addition to having a background in construction project management, he is also experienced with real estate finance and development. McAffee is an active member of ULI, TREC and a current board member of the The Greater Dallas Planning Council. “I am currently very interested in leveraging new technologies to improve construction quality and processes,” said McAffee. “The construction industry has long been one of the most resistant industries to change,” he continues. It has lagged far behind the revolutions in manufacturing and, surprisingly, has yet to fully embrace technology. I see this as a critical focus for RogersO’Brien to improve construction quality, schedule along with company performance.” McAfee said, although building activity is still far less than five to six years ago, the Texas market is holding up quite well with major public spending and corporate relocations from less business-friendly states. He believes the healthcare market has made up a large portion of our revenue during the downturn, and that sector continues to grow. He sees this trend continuing, along with interests in both major urban development and ground-up projects over all sectors in the coming years. It appears that McAfee will have a long, successful career and bring innovative ideas into the company, and the industry as a whole. He embraces new technologies and focuses on efficiency and quality. –rd Construction News ON LOCATION Hey Sean Painting & Decorating Contactors of Dallas (PDCA) first place winners at Indian Creek Golf Course. L-R: Ed Huerta, Hector Andrade, Pat Fong, Marvin Ward Longest Drive: Chris Parks Closest to the Pin: Chris Parks Dallas Fort Worth CONSTRUCTION NEWS Editor — [email protected] Construction News Ltd. Home Office P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279 210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960 www.ConstructionNews.net Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editorial/Production . . . . . . Reesa Doebbler Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Debra Nicholas Production Mgr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Johnson Sales Representative . . . . . . . . . . Kent Gerstner Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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The Dallas Fort Worth Construction News (ISSN 1547-7657) is published monthly by Construction News Ltd., dba Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News, and distributed by mail to construction related companies in the Dallas/ Fort Worth metropolitan area. All submissions should be mailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space-available basis. Construction News, Ltd., dba Dallas Fort Worth Construction News, will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time. © 2011 Construction News, Ltd. The Mansfield location of RENTAL ONE has two people with the same first name. Wonder if they both answer at the same time? L-R: Sean Winters, Austin Clark, Sean Arnold –bd Page 4 Scott Pittman, President Pittman Plumbing Supply Inc. P & G Plumbing Supply South Inc. TBK Showroom Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 morning and get them off to school or practices with the help of a nanny. I’m very lucky that I have a lot of good people here that come to work early, because I’m a late-night guy. Last night, I came to work at 9 and worked until 12. You just find the time for what’s important to you. I love to hear people who don’t have any kids talk about how busy they are. I just kind of chuckle because they have no clue! I think I can multitask. I don’t sit still very often. Everyone always says, “Scott, you’ve simultaneously got one person on the computer, there’s someone else in front of you, there’s someone you’re talking to on the phone and you’re directing somebody else.” I get 100 emails a day minimum, and I go through 6,000 to 7,000 minutes a month on my phone. And then there’s the paperwork – ugh! I don’t know if it’s my favorite part of my job, but it plays to my strength. How did you become involved in this industry? Growing up, I always thought I would ncircling Scott Pittman’s right wrist is Is it a wristband (or maybe the occasional hot bath) that helps a sleek rubber wristband similar to be a salesman. I enjoyed selling the chocScott Pittman find his balance in life? olate bars and M&Ms to people so that what many baseball players are said my team could play Pee Wee football, beto be wearing these days. In the center glints a small silver disc purported to bring cause I could sell! After I graduated from A&M with an a sense of balance to the wearer. Maybe the thing actually works, or maybe it’s the Industrial Distribution degree, which is involved in this business in some ca- deer. I’m not ready to see all of that yet.” equivalent of Dumbo’s feather, but either really tailored to what I’m doing now, I pacity someday? I said “Fair enough!” I carried the way, Pittman wears it every day, and for went immediately into this industry. I That’s going to have to be their deer back in and sure enough he cleaned choice. I’m defi- that house from top to bottom. When good reason. Balance is what Pittman, a could have gotnitely not setting he’s ready to deal with the deer, he will. single dad and business owner, strives to ten into pharmait up for them, I’m And that house sure was clean! ceuticals, electriachieve daily amidst his sons’ back-to“Coming to work for my dad was setting it up to be back sports practices and the piles of in- cal or air condithe best thing I could have done.” better off finan- That sounds like a fair trade! Without voices scattered across his office. An add- tioning, but I realcially so they don’t the boys, what do you like to do? ed bonus? The sparkle of the wristband’s ly wanted to stay have to worry I love fishing. I caught an 11-foot, silver just might help him attract a few in the same industry my dad, John Pittman, was in. He about some things, and to put them 400-pound Blue Marlin in Cabo San Lumore Marlin to his fishing pole too. started a company in Garland, P&G through school. They’re very intelligent cas, Mexico where I’ve been to five or six Plumbing Supply, and opened Pittman and should go where they need to go. times for fishing. Looking at your new showroom, I just Plumbing Supply 10 years later. I was an But that’s so far down the road. A lot of I went to the Bahamas and caught a have to wonder if the plumbing in outside rep for another company for stuff can happen between now and then. very big Wahoo, although not as big as your own kitchen and baths is as three years, and would go throughout the Marlin. Texas and Oklahoma and call on people Do they enjoy coming to your office to equally fabulous? And I love sports. In college at A&M I It’s not bad! Actually, I live a very like me now – wholesalers – to try to push see Dad work? did a lot of umpiring both on campus and They enjoy the Cokes and the snacks! in the community to make money. products. modest lifestyle. I’ve had them do a few odds and ends What are most important to me are I’ve been to most of the major events my three boys. I’m a single dad and I fo- How did you move from rep to a com- here, but I haven’t really put them to – the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl, the NBA work. cus so much of my time on them. I’m al- pany president? Finals, and the hockey finals, but not the My dad called me one day and said, ways in the middle of what my sons are World Series. The company has tickets to doing. They’re very active. Not only do “At some point we need to talk about What other activities do you partici- the Cowboys, Stars and Mavericks and they do well at school, but they also do succession. I’m getting older. It might be pate in with your sons? RoughRiders games because my customten years down the road, but you need to We like the outdoors, fishing and ers are important to me and I enjoy enwell at sports. There’s Truett, 12, and he plays select make up our mind about coming to work hunting. My dad started that. He liked to tertaining them. soccer for the Comets organization and for me.” And I didn’t know how it was go- hunt and he would take me, so I have carplays select baseball for the Sun Devils, a ing to work out. But coming to work for ried on that tradition with the boys. Being so busy with work and fatherlocal Carrollton/Farmers Branch team. He my dad was the best thing I could have When I was 12, my dad gave me a hood, is there anything that you shotgun that he took the time to engrave. would like to do just for you someday? got two big honors this year; he was done. It says “John Scott Pittman, September 6, I’d like to go to all of the different awarded the “Most Scientific” award at his middle school and was also on an all- Why do you say that? How did your 1981.” So this year when Truett turned 12, baseball stadiums. I think a lot of guys I took that same 30-year-old gun, en- would like to do that, and I’ve been to a academic team competing with teams partnership evolve? We were partners, and I was up here graved his name and the date on it and few of the big ones, like Fenway, Wrigley from other middle schools, taking first place for Social Studies. My middle child running the daily operations of this store. gave it to him. I told him that I took care of and Pac Bell. Dad had a stroke in this gun and now wanted him to take care is Braden, who is 11, 2003 and then I of it and pass it on. I don’t know what I’m Looking back at how much you’ve had and I’m very proud had to take over going to do for Number 2 son and Num- to adjust to in the past few years, how of him for making “Growing up, I always thought I the two stores. I ber 3 son! But that gun meant a lot to me would you sum it up? the Carrollton Allwould be a salesman.” went from being because of who gave it to me. Truett un- Someone said the other day that it Stars playing third on the outskirts to derstood, and he’s base this year, would seem like I having to know ev- really proud of it. which is a pretty would always be big honor. My youngest son is named erything about the business. It was a dif- Braden, my down for the “We like the outdoors, fishing and Kale, and he’s quite the ham and a unique ferent role to take on, from being the middle child, just count but that hunting. My dad started that.” personality. He’s 6 years old and quite the day-to-day guy to being the overall, shot his first deer I’ve always surat age 10 – all on thinking-about-the-big-picture person. jokester. vived. But the his own! - and I The boys keep me busy. And last news of my deyear, I was nominated by my peers as one Did your relationship with your dad told him that we utilize as much as we mise is greatly exaggerated. can of what we shoot. That’s a big lesson of the coaches for the Carrollton All-Stars. change in the process? Definitely we’ve all had our ups and I had a good teacher [in my dad] al- I try to teach them, that we don’t kill to downs. It definitely hasn’t been an easy I coach a select baseball team; last spring I was coaching three different baseball though we’re not a lot alike. He’s very kill. Also, if you shoot it, you have to do ride. But I’d take that ride again. cool, collected and methodical, and I’m everything that comes with it afterward. teams. Pittman Plumbing Supply in Carrollton busy and always going. He’s like the tur- That’s part of the deal is a wholesale distributor of pipes, valves How do you juggle those three busy tle, and I’m the hare. We have two differ- So after he shot it he said, “Dad, let and fittings with a second location, P&G ent management styles, but they both me explain it to you like this. You see our Plumbing Supply South Inc., in Garland. little lives as well as your own? house there? I will make the beds, I will TB&K Showroom is the company’s latest It’s very intense! I have to keep a work. vacuum and I will load up the car. But I’m venture located inside Pittman Plumbing schedule for all of their practices and I try to fit it all in. I get them going in the Do you hope your own kids might be not coming out there and gutting that Supply. –mjm E www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news Texas Style San Antonio Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Houston Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Page 5 Fraud prevention re-visited Lynne M. Grix, CPA CFE Lynne M. Grix, CPA CFE P.C. San Antonio, TX S everal years ago, I wrote a column for this newspaper entitled “Simple Steps to Help Prevent Employee Fraud”. This column presents a great opportunity to revisit that topic and expand upon the area of fraud prevention. A long standing believe is that all a business needs to prevent employee fraud is a strong system of internal controls. But in reality, internal controls are only part of the answer to fraud deterrence. Owners and managers should take a proactive stance in preventing fraud. New employee training should include some basic antifraud training. After all, fraud hurts everyone. It can impact salary increases, benefits and general morale. Employees should be aware of the controls that are in place because the “perception-of-detection” can help remove the temptation. Do you require your key employees to take at least a full week of vacation at a time? This applies to field staff as well as office personnel. Many frauds require continuous monitoring and/or manual intervention by the perpetrator. By establishing mandatory vacations together with job rotation the concealment element is interrupted. It is important that during the employee’s vacation, another individual performs the normal workload of that employee. Additionally, job assignment rotation can prove invaluable in the case of illness or extended family emergencies that would require an employee to be away from the workplace for an extended period of time. What about control of company credit cards? Personal use of company credit cards has become a favorite way for employees to increase their take home pay. The number of authorized credit card users should be strictly limited. There is no need for more than one individual at each job site to have the ability to charge materials and supplies. A policy should be in place that requires receipts be turned into someone in your accounting department on at least a weekly basis. Receipts should be compared with each credit card statement monthly and this reconciliation should be performed by an employee who does not have access to the credit card. It is also a good idea to have second employee review and sign off on the reconciliation. How about analysis of charges on fuel credit cards? Periodically calculate the total gallons of fuel purchased by each authorized user of the company’s fuel card. Then convert the gallons to an estimate of miles driven and compare the mileage with the employee’s job site assignments. Any unusual fuel usage should be investigated and explained by the employee. If the same employees continually have excessive fuel usage, it’s time to ask questions. How often does your accounting department perform a closed job cost analysis? Most construction companies monitor costs on jobs in progress against budget on a weekly basis. Usually this is part of the project management team’s responsibility. Cost overruns are identified and corrected if at all possible. On a periodic basis, depending upon the size and complexity of your business, have someone in accounting look at a closed/ completed job. Analyze the total labor hours charged to the job versus the original estimated hours, adjust for any change orders, then look at the variances by classification. The information can prove valuable for the next time you bid a similar project and can uncover hours paid that were not worked on the job or even worse a “ghost” or non-existent employee. Double check all material and supply charges against vendor invoices and the original estimates. You could possibly uncover misused of materials or vendor kickbacks. Purchasing and project management personnel should be made aware that there will be from time to time an “audit” of job performance. Remember the “perception-of-detection” can be a powerful deterrent. Lynne Grix is the owner of Lynne M. Grix, CPA CFE P.C. and has over 15 year’s public accounting experience working extensively with construction contractors. Lynne is also a Certified Fraud Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or (210) 259-8243. Recovering an unfortunate cost of doing business: Attorney’s fees Bill Venegoni, Senior Associate Law Offices of James Stanton, LP Dallas, TX I t is an unfortunate reality that legal expenses are an unwelcome, but necessary, cost of doing business. In a much appreciated effort to help small and large businesses alike, the Texas Legislature passed two bills designed to help individuals and companies who need to pursue valid construction-related claims and those who may be caught up in defending frivolous lawsuits recover their legal costs. Both bills were passed in May and each becomes effective Sept. 1, 2011. First, by changing one word to Section 53.156 of the Texas Property Code, the Legislature imposed a dramatic change relating to actions for enforcement of lien and bond claims. Section 53.156 permits a party in a proceeding to foreclose on a lien, enforce a bond claim, or to declare any lien or claim as invalid or enforceable to recover an award of the party’s costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. As currently written, the section states that a court “may” make such an award as is equitable and just. To the dismay of many parties seeking to enforce their lien and bond claims, as well as those who are seeking to have bogus claims declared invalid, courts in the past would typically rule that each party to the case should bear their own legal costs. Court’s have been resistant to award attorneys fees in these cases because they find that most cases do not involve egregious and malicious actions by the parties, and therefore, as legitimate disputes, each party should pay their own legal fees as a cost of doing business. To remedy the court’s reluctance to award attorney’s fees, the Legislature changed the word “may” to “shall.” Here, one small typographical step leads to a giant leap in the recovery of attorney’s fees. Now courts must award attorney’s fees. Keep in mind though the courts still have ample discretion when it comes to awarding attorney’s fees. The statutory language requiring the award to be equitable and just still remains part of the section. Language in the revision also expressly states that a court is not required to assess attorney’s fees for lien claims arising out of residential construction. Curiously, the legislative revisions do not state that the award of attorney’s fees must be paid to the prevailing party. This omission creates the unexpected possibility of a court awarding attorney’s fees to the non-prevailing party. Presumably, this omission gives courts wide discretion in determining the equitableness and fairness of an award. The second bill passed by the Legislature has been dubbed, “The Loser Pays Law.” While the legislation that was passed is not as strong in forcing the “loser” to pay as what was originally introduced, it does begin the process of limiting frivolous lawsuits. Part of this legislation requires the Texas Supreme Court to adopt new rules to dispose of frivolous cases upon the motion of one party and to award the prevailing party its reasonable attorney’s fees. Although the current Rules of Procedure already permit parties to file similar motions to dispose of a case, the motion to dismiss contemplated by the new legislation permits a court to hear the motion and rule without the presentation of evidence. By permitting a hearing without evidence, the new legislation allows a party to assert the motion early in the litigation saving attorney’s fees that would be consumed in the discovery process. Also, by requiring the “loser” to pay the attorney’s fees of the prevailing party, the Legislature is sending a clear signal that filing a frivolous lawsuit has real consequences. Even though these legislative changes will not keep parties from getting wrapped up in the unfortunate and too common world of litigation, they should help lessen the burden of attorney’s fees incurred in the prosecution of valid claims and in the defense of frivolous lawsuits. With these legislative changes, the State of Texas continues to show, “Texas is Open for Business.” Bill Venegoni is Senior Associate at the Law Offices of James Stanton, LP. He practices in the areas of construction and lien law, collections, and general civil litigation. Mr. Venegoni represents owners, general contractors, and subcontractors. He may be reached by telephone at (214) 559-3232 or e-mail at [email protected]. Construction News ON LOCATION Keeping it cool Shaw expands distribution capacity T he distribution operations of Shaw Industries Group, Inc. for the Dallas/Fort Worth area have been moved to a larger facility, located in Coppell, TX. The 263,625-sf facility will house the company’s distribution operations. The new distribution facility at Point West VI will allow the company to consolidate operations for residential and commercial carpet and hard surfaces into one location. The new location also gives the ability to open two showrooms, one for residential carpet and hard surface products and one dedicated to the builder market segment. The facility features 38 dock doors and a full service will call ramp to accommodate multiple customers at one time. Operations at the Point West VI facility began in late July. Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider. –bd They were hard at work but we got four of the folks at Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating in Cedar Hill to pose for the camera. L-R: Jerry Bolding, Aaron Ellis, John Drendall, Mark Perry –bd Page 6 Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Wire and chili do mix You have more exposure to pollution claims than you think Chuck Ashton, Vice President, Sales Independent Insurance Group, Inc. Dallas, TX S ubcontractor X is working in an older building on the remodel of a room. The sub cuts back a water pipe so that new fixtures can be installed. The sub is working on a Saturday and when he goes to cap the pipe he discovers he is out of metal caps so he threads on a plastic cap. Over the weekend the plastic cap leaks and floods the room and a room next door. The claim goes to the builders risk policy and they explain the scope of work as defined in the contract did not apply to the room next door. The builder’s risk policy handles damages to the room where the work was done but they deny the losses in the other room. The owner asks the GC who is going to pay. The sub has a general liability policy and the sub’s insurer agrees the sub was negligent and starts handling the claim. The clean up requires the floor tiles be replaced and that is when they discover the tiles contain asbestosis. The men in space suits are called, and the tiles are removed. The sub’s insurance company says the total cost of clean-up was $30,000 but $16,000 was for asbestosis. That is considered a pollution claim. The insurer pays $14,000 and denies the rest of the claim because of the pollution exclusion on the policy. Now the GC and sub have to find a way to pay the owner out of pocket. Do you store heavy metals, perhaps not as raw material but in a product? For example, after a fire it was discovered the tenant stored molds made of lead. Lead is a heavy metal and requires special handling. The men is space suits came, removed the lead, and the insurance carrier denied that portion of the loss because it was considered a pollution claim. In another claim, a fire department evacuates a building as the occupants begin to get sick and some become seriously ill. They discover a contractor was working on a project next door running a diesel generator. Fumes from the generator entered through the building’s ventilation system. The contractor was sued by the sick employees and the businesses that lost time due to the evacuation. The general liability carrier denied the defense and payment of the claim citing the pollution exclusion. A contractor has a 100 gallon tank of water mixed with chlorine in the back of his pickup which is used to treat swimming pools. The pickup loses control on a major highway and flips over. The tank rup- tures and spills its contents onto the ground. The tank is not properly marked but the owner shows up to explain the contents. The fire department refuses to take any chances because there is no hazmat book in the truck. Traffic is shut down in both directions as the men in space suits are called to clean up the spill. Ironically, the chemical spilled dissipates within 30 minutes and it is an hour before they start to clean the spill but, in today’s terrorism environment, no one can afford to take chances. Pollution materials in transit, except those that leak out of the mechanical parts relating to the operation of the vehicle, are not covered as pollutants under the standard automobile liability policy. A roofing contractor is working on a hot tar roof. Fumes generated from tar kettles and treated roofing surfaces cause irritation to employees within the building. Since coal tar pitch is a potential carcinogen, exposed individuals in the building are worried about their health and file a lawsuit. The roofing contractor is liable for releasing potential carcinogens into the building via the HVAC system. An electrical contractor disposed of project material at a municipal landfill approximately ten years earlier. The contractor was notified by the EPA that he was considered a de minimus potentially responsible party (PRP) and his settlement portion was $180,000. Coverage was denied under his general liability coverage. You may read each of these examples and say, “That does not apply to me.” That is not my point. My point is this, none of these contractors ever expected claims like these would happen to them, and yet they did! If it happens to you; are you prepared? Chuck Ashton is Vice President of Sales at Independent Insurance Group, an agency specializing in Commercial Insurance for Contractors. Chuck can be contacted at [email protected] First place winner Zeb Upton I ndependent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Fort Worth/Tarrant County Chapter held its apprentice wire-off competition Jun. 18 at the chapter office in Fort Worth. The four individuals who competed in the wire-off were recent graduates of the chapter’s four-year electrical apprenticeship program and have worked six year or less in the electrical industry. Prior to the actual wire-off competition, each contestant submitted a letter expressing future career goals along with a resume outlining their electrical experience. They also took a written exam and completed a conduit bending assignment. And finally, each candidate partici- pated in an interview with the IEC Apprenticeship & Training Committee members. Competition winners were: 1st place: Zeb Upton, Fox Electric Ltd 2nd place: Terry L. Wilson, Sodd Electric Company Inc. 3 rd place: Steven Smith, JMEG LP 4th place: Job Kisaka, Cummings Electrical Inc. The winner will go on to compete in the IEC National Apprentice of The Year Competition to be held Oct. 11-14, in Louisville, KY. The winner of the chili cook-off this year was Steve Humphrey Jr. of Humphrey & Associates, Inc. –bd You always remember the name W hen Francis Krebs was deciding on a name for her commercial wood framing company, she and husband Steve really wanted a catchy name you wouldn’t forget. “Steve used to ride Harley’s and his nickname was Seamonster. He said he hated the name when he was younger, but why don’t they go with Seamonsters for the company name. “I said I love it. Let’s do Seamonsters Creations because we create beautiful things.” And the company was born in Oct. 2003 with a very unique name, and a logo drawn by Steve that actually got them a job. “A GC saw our card on a desk of another contractor, Krebs said. He called us and said he wanted to see what a seamonster could to do in construction. We ended up doing a dental office for him and he became a regular client.” Outside of work the family is very active. Steve is 6’3”, bench presses 415 lbs., is a health fanatic and loves to work out. Their living room is now the gym. He is also a member of a mixed martial arts (MMA)team and loves to fight. Francis spends a lot of time with her two boys (8 and 10 years old) doing a lot of different things. They also hunt, camp and fish as a family. Like dad, the Francis and Steve with their sons boys are involved in MMA but Francis likes to watch but not participate. “Something about getting hit in the face doesn’t appeal to me,” she said. The company is also partnering with a church to build houses for families who can’t afford them. They start the first one in October and want to ramp up to five per year. Seamonsters is a commercial wood framing company located in Dallas, TX. – bd Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 August fishing forecast by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Trans Sport Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Ronnie’s Marine, Minn Kota Trolling Motors, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Interstate Batteries, Pure Fishing, Pflueger Reels, All-Star Rods, Mirr-O-Lure, FINS Braided Line and Columbia Sportswear. P redictable pretty much sums up weather conditions for the next month. I guess we really have nothing to complain about, since all we’ve been whining about is how windy this spring has been. Late June and early July brought us some unexpected rain showers. I’ve never seen people so happy as they passed over the coastal bend. It would really make this writer happy if we could get a little more of those showers this month to lower salinity levels in the bay complex and cool things down. Fishing has been pretty consistent for the last few months, except for a few off days during full moon phases. Most of every guide’s clients are going home with fresh trout for dinner and a few fillets for the freezer. Our trout bit continues to be best at first light and during gray light just before the sun gets high enough to penetrate the water. If you think the fish has quit biting, try moving to a little deeper area as the sun rises. Extra Papers? Visit our Website at: www.constructionnews.net Select “Rack Locations” for a complete list of all rack locations where newspapers can be picked up. We do not mail additional newspapers. If you would like a personal subscription ($35 per year, per city) select “Subscribe.” Page 7 Even the slightest depth change can make a huge difference. Some of the areas producing good numbers of trout are the spoils islands between Bird Island Basin and Baffin Bay and the Yarbrough Pass spoils. There are also good numbers of trout coming from the rocks in Baffin and the rocky slough shoreline. One of the hottest bays as this article goes to press is Nueces Bay, also referred to as the Back Bay. Quick limits on solid trout with mixed reds coming off the reefs past second power lines. Low winds and clear water conditions in August will make this bay hard to pass up. For those of you who have been waiting for the redfish to show, the wait is over. Many schools have gathered lately along the shorelines of the King Ranch from Pita Island to the south end of Emmords Hole. However, they are receiving lots of pressure from tournament teams pre-fishing for upcoming tournaments. Best bet for catching these bruisers is to get out early and locate these schools of fish before they are run over later in the day. Use ½ oz. weedless spoons or large paddle tail plastics with a ¼ oz. jighead to make long casts to these fleeing schools of reds. If there are boats already on a school of fish, try to figure out which way they are being pushed and position your boat so that the school will be headed towards you. You should refrain from blowing into a school of fish if someone is already on them. Another option in the upcoming months will be the surf. Typically, winds are low enough in the mornings to sneak out the jetties and soak croakers in the guts along the beach. These healthy silver side trout hit hard and fight longer than ones you catch in-shore. Limits can come quick, as can a rough wave over your boat if you’re not paying attention. To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361949-7359 or 361-813-3716, or e-mail him at [email protected]. Good luck and Good Fishing. Bill Morris of San Antonio caught this 29-1/2 inch trout on a piggy perch near the JFK Causeway. Fish was released after photo by Capt. Steve Schultz. 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 Page 8 Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 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. The good old days W ell if that don’t just beat all! I just got through watching an attempted cattle round up in the middle of the lake . . . the place that was the lake until a few weeks ago. Cattle from across the Colorado River have succeeded in gingerly stepping across the sloppy remains of the river into uncharted territory. With no more lake or river to keep them in their place, they have headed out for the Wild West! That’s how it goes here tonight. My part of Lake Buchanan is mostly dry these days. It’s a good thing that the other half of the lake still has plenty of water and fish to keep us busy. I have heard folks tell tales about the drought of the 1950s and make comparisons with our current situation. It just got me to thinking nostalgic about the lake. In the 1950s, the economy of Lake Buchanan was booming. It was the first man-made lake in the Highland Lakes chain. If you came from the oil fields of West Texas or the cotton fields of North Texas, Buchanan was the first lake you could get to. Add soldiers from Ft. Hood a little to the north in the mix and the fact that Llano County was the first “wet” county you hit when you got to Central Texas, you had a whole lot of hot, thirsty people looking to have a good time. Entire families would load up and come to stay for days or weeks. Soldiers and oil field workers would come here to spend their precious little time off. It was a very busy place. I remember my wife’s family story about the first set of water skis her daddy and his brothers ever laid eyes on. It seems that a certain young man, who was an acquaintance of the family, brought his brand new boat and some friends to the lake to try out his new set of water skis. Now this was when everybody had seen the technicolor news reels of the Everglades water ski shows. I guess it may have been about the first time anybody every saw an “extreme” sport be- Cow grazing beside Colorado River Water ski show, 1954 cause it was really catching on with the younger crowd. Now anybody that has ever water skied knows that a good teacher makes all the difference in learning the art. Just imagine trying to just go out and do it to impress the ladies all on your own. Needless to say, it didn’t go well. After a couple of disastrous attempts, the young man who was long on cash and short on patience ran the boat up on the bank and stormed up to the car and yelled at his friends and abruptly headed for less embarrassing pursuits. He left the boat there…at the shore…ski rope strung out behind it…skis slowly floating off in different directions. Now imagine four young river rats, raised on the water, witnessing the whole debacle. These boys would do anything they could imagine on the water. By sundown, all of them had mastered getting up on the water skis, with not a single casualty. Before summer’s end, they were giving water ski shows for the local resort guests. And giving their Momma fits, especially the time she caught them going over a homemade ski jump (angled plywood with motor oil on it) with their sixyear-old brother standing on their shoulders! They all survived and grew into men. The drought of the ‘50s passed, so I figure this one will too. Until then, let’s go “save” some of those poor old fishes from our shrinking lakes and pray for rain! Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST! Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Page 9 Hunting season prep work by TJ Greaney W ell here we are in heat of the summer. On most days thinking about hunting or just being outdoors is, well, not very enticing. That being said it is exactly what you need to be thinking about. If you have a place, getting it ready, if you don’t you need to find one and if you are going out of state you better get moving. This time of year is a great time for those with a deer lease to fix the feeders and blinds. There are still opportunities to get in on some before season pricing on blinds and feeders. Spinner plates, batteries and solar panels are always malfunctioning and having an extra on hand is good. When I was in the business I always tried to get folks to standardize as much as they could. Having the same feeders and blinds allows for easy parts swapping and stocking up with the pieces you know will work. Buying bulk feed right now does not make much sense but getting the feeders filled and running does. Get the deer use to coming in. If you are looking for a lease you better plan some road trips now. This tends to be the time of year when most guys start looking and landowner’s prices are high. There are some great places out there and over the last two years there are some that have not been leased or hunted. Be ready to put your money down when you meet the landowner if you are serious about a lease. They get a lot of folks calling and money talks. I have had friends buy into leases they have not thought through in the last couple years and they basically threw their money out the window. The lease was hours and hours from home, the game on the place was scarce or the place was not conducive to bringing their kids out. Think about what it is you are looking for and don’t just settle for any place. A deer lease is a place of memories, comaraderie and where lots of us go to get away from the craziness of our weekly grind. Make it an enjoyable place to go and not one you dread because of the other folks on the lease or the hassle getting there. Travelling to Colorado or another out-of-state location to hunt deer or elk? By now you had to already have your draw in for tags so no sense in chatting about that. There are lots of over the counter opportunities to hunt and you can get in on those pretty easy, Colorado is one of them. You have a lot of planning to do if you are travelling out of state on a self-guided hunt. Breaking in boots and Hunters Safety course, backpack and firearm selection are just a few that make a huge difference on your experience and success. If you just want to hire a guide to hunt a weekend or two this year then you need to book that outing as well. Picking your dates are important to do early so you can get the ones you want. There are so many options today with guided hunts. High fence, low fence, day hunts, trophy hunt and meat hunts. Most of it boils down to how much money you have to spend and how far you want to drive. I highly recommend you check ref- erences on ALL guides and outfitters. I would not book a hunt without doing this, period. Clean your guns, site them in, buy some ammunition to get ready. Did you want to get a new scope? Did you need a new gun? How about your sling or gun case? We tend to put them away and forget the little things that would be great upgrades or that bug the crud out of us. How about that bow string or a new batch of arrows? This is a short list of things we can get done now while it is so dang hot. The internet is a great source for information on all of the things you need to do to plan your hunting for this fall. On the next couple days, when the heat is breaking the triple digit range, go online. Plan and plot, make a list, think about last year and what you want to do for this year. Enjoy the thought that soon the weather will break and deer season will be here and everything gets a little bit better. TJ Greaney is an award winning outdoor writer and hosts the number one outdoor radio show on 104.9 ESPN in Austin, Texas Saturday mornings from 6-8am. Contact him at [email protected] or find out more about the Kids Outdoor Zone Youth Outdoor Adventure Ministry at kidsoutdoorzone.com. Page 10 T Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Another step in Texas Statewide meeting held in Kerrville he Earthmoving Contractors Association of Texas (ECAT) held their 2011 annual meeting in Kerrville at the Y.O. Ranch Resort Hotel and Conference Center June 24 and 25. The statewide affair drew 70 members to the event. John Mueller, state conservation engineer, USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Richard Dee Purkeypile, Purkeypile Consulting Engineer Services, discussed conservation programs and new regulations governing dam-type structures used for impounding water supplies. Bob Turner, rural issues consultant, provided a legislative and special session briefing affecting the earthmoving construction business. Members enjoyed a skeet shooting contest at the Hill Country Shooting Sports Center. J.D. Godby, Godby Construction, Clifton, took grand champion while Michael Sweeney, The Sweeney Co., Ft Worth, received reserve champion. New officers and directors were elected for the 2011-2012 year. Officers are President Dennis Foerster, Foerster Custom Service, Giddings; Vice President Chad Ottmers, Chad and Ronnie Ottmers Construction, Fredericksburg; and Secretary John Frerich, Frerich Materials, Rowena. Directors by District are: Walter Rothwell, Childress (1); Edmund Jenschke, Kerrville (2); Eddie Leatherwood, Dublin (3); Bobby Watts, Decatur (4); Ed Smith, Fairfield (5); J.D. Godby, Clifton (6); Galen Weber, Uvalde (7); Tommy Watson, Cuero (8); Lawrence Krause, New Braunfels (9); Edwin Eckhardt, Fredericksburg (10); Richard Irving, New Braunfels (11); and Clint Krause, New Braunfels (12). Associate Director is Dave Sund, San Antonio. –dn L-R: Lance Charriere and Eric Bunner S kanska USA's building business unit has opened a new office in the Dallas area. Located in Irving at 105 Decker Court, Suite 775, this is the fourth office the company has opened in Texas. “We planted our first permanent Texas flag in Houston eight years ago with the completion of our largest Texas project to date, Reliant Stadium,” said Eric Bunner, project executive in the Dallas office. “Four years later, we opened our second and third offices in San Antonio and Harlingen respectively. Because of our past work with Dallas clients including the Medical Center of Plano, Medical Center of Arlington and the Medical Center of McKinney we were able to develop ongoing relationships with many of the top subcontractors and design and engi- ECAT skeet shooting participants neering firms in the area. So when we were ready to expand our footprint in the state this year, Dallas was the natural choice. Dallas is a global city with a lot of opportunity and a strong economy – we are excited about the opportunity to become a part of this exciting city.” Skanska has overseen more than $150 million in commercial construction in the Metroplex over the past five years with projects in Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Ennis and Las Colinas. “By establishing a presence in Dallas, we expand our overall reach to include another critical population center in Texas that complements our existing offices in Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley” said Brian Freeman, executive vice president of Skanska’s Texas operations. –bd Round ‘em up L-R: Galen Weber, Weber Construction, receives associate membership outstanding recruiter award from Marty Caston. L-R: Tommy Watson, Watson Dozer Service, receives outstanding membership recruitment award from Marty Caston. L-R: Dennis Foerster, Foerster Custom Service, presents Marty Caston, The Caston Company with a plaque for his service as ECAT president. L-R: Apprentice competitors Jonathan Bartlett, Primo Plumbing; Christopher Sproles, Central Texas Plumbing Solutions; Geoffrey Kennedy, TDIndustries; and Ramon Mendez, Lochridge-Priest T L-R: ECAT incoming First Lady, Joyce Foerster, presents out going First Lady Cyndy Caston with gifts for her years of service to ECAT wives as they take care of meeting details. he Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) held its 2011 PHCC Texas Roundup in Buda, TX, Jun. 16 and 17. Over 125 participants attended the event partaking in a variety of activities such as an evening reception, workshops, sponsor exhibits, awards ceremony and the 4th annual apprentice contest. –dn Annual awards Contractor of the Year: Barry Bankler, Gibson Plumbing, San Antonio Associate of the Year: Federated Insurance PHCC Service Award: John Lane, JP Company, El Paso Chapter of the Year Most Net Members: 1st place: Amarillo PHCC 2nd place: Waco PHCC Apprentice Contest Winners 1st place: Geoffrey Kennedy, TDIndustries, Houston 2nd place: Christopher Sproles, Central Texas Plumbing Solutions, Waco Associate member, Steve Caldwell, Bituminous Insurance Co., San Antonio, won a fitting door prize. Caldwell consistently reminds contractors to use assisted devises to prevent back injury. 2011-2012 PHCC Board of Directors Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Page 11 Service Providers Construction site protection on a budget Keith Jentoft, President Videofied White Bear Lake, MN G uard services defending construction sites from vandalism and copper theft have almost disappeared because of tight margins and a down economy; they are simply too expensive. Thankfully, new technology and wireless communications have created affordable alternatives to address residential construction as well as large commercial projects. The article provides a “buyer’s guide” for contractors who want to explore new solutions to the problem of site security. Background Alarm systems have evolved in the past five years. Video cameras, wireless networks, and monitoring services have all evolved and create new options for construction security. Most importantly, things have gotten cheaper and the services have become more reliable. Construction sites present unique challenges. Systems must operate in a harsh outdoor environment with no power, no phone lines, and no broadband. Ideally, the systems should be portable and be able to be changed as the job site evolves. Most importantly, the systems need to do what they promise – protect the site from theft and being vandalized. Video Intrusion Alarms New alarm technology has been making a difference and delivering results. Video intrusion alarms are something new. The concept is to detect intruders and immediately send the video of the intrusion to a monitoring station for instant review and, most importantly, action. The concept goes beyond the typical CCTV camera and a DVR recording the site for later review in the event of a problem. The goal of a video intrusion alarm is priority law enforcement response to a confirmed crime-in-progress. Immediate police response means that vandals are arrested and prevented from damaging the job site. Traditional CCTV Compliance and SUTA – The silent killers in construction Mark Mettille M2 PEO Solutions Flower Mound, TX W hat has changed over the last year? Our national unemployment rate is still extremely high; there are more federal and state regulations and labor laws for employers; gas prices have skyrocketed; there are more OSHA inspectors looking to hand out fines; most companies state unemployment tax (SUTA) rates have increased dramatically; and the majority of construction companies labor costs have increased. Let’s face it; it’s not getting any easier to run your construction business. The good news is Texas has created more jobs than any other state over the past year. NEXT MONTH September 2011 Green Building Trends Call for Ad Space Reservations (210) 308-5800 2011 Schedule Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: Construction Forecast Construction Safety Construction Education Women in Construction Concrete Industry HVAC & Plumbing July: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: Electrical Industry Service Providers Green Building Trends Specialty Contractors Architecture & Engineering Construction Equipment • San Antonio • Austin • Dallas/Ft. Worth • Houston simply provides a recording of the event that is reviewed the following day in the hope of identifying the perpetrators – the damage is already done. The new systems have proven themselves with cops making over 40 arrests in four months in one problem site in Chandler, Arizona. What to look for in a video intrusion alarm? Many security companies provide these new systems from several manufacturers with various options, depending on requirements and budgets. Prices range from over $10,000 for the highresolution systems to under $1,000 for the MotionViewer systems. Key points to consider when looking at video intrusion alarms include: 1. What communications are available at the site? Wired broadband networks deliver the least expensive communications from the system to the monitoring station but the network cables must be installed and they can be damaged and/or cut during construction. The alternative is communications over the cell network which provides the most flexibility and instant installations. 2. Does the site have power? There are video alarm systems that require power to the panel/communica- With all that being said, I like to focus on positive solutions to problems that blue-collar business owners face. I will address a couple key issues, and look at the professional employer organization (PEO) solution that may provide a better and more streamlined way to run your business. Compliance: How many contractors are currently in 100% compliance with the most recent labor laws and OSHA regulations, have their employee handbooks updated yearly, and carry EPLI insurance to further insulate them from employee lawsuits? The reality is less than 10%. tor and there are systems that will operate up to four years on batteries, they require no power. The advantage of the cordless systems is that they can be installed anywhere, regardless of power availability. 3. How large is the construction site being protected? Can you designate mantraps? Analytics systems using cameras with pixel based detection (called analytics) can provide protection in a large area such as a parking lot or field. These will each require wired network connections and will be more costly. Less expensive solutions using MotionViewers (passive infrared, PIR, motion sensor integrated with a camera) protect 40-foot areas or “man traps” at entry points and traffic areas that intruders will follow. MotionViewers are wireless and need no power or communications cabling. 4. Do you want a “live view” camera? Once the intrusion is detected and the monitoring personnel have reviewed the video confirming the event as a crime-in-progress, the owner/contractor/job supervisor can be alerted and remotely “log in” to a camera on site to coordinate response. This option will require a broadband connection and powcontinued on Page 12 The complicated world of federal and state employment laws continues to bog down business owners who would rather be focusing on their core line of business. The issues involved with properly interpreting and administering such laws as Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and Davis-Bacon Act are not only time consuming and expensive, but can also be extremely frustrating. continued on Page 12 Page 12 Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Service Providers continued from Page 11 — Compliance and SUTA And what about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) also referred to as “Obamacare”? How is your company prepared to deal with it when the final mandates are decided? There are nearly 200 federal labor laws currently enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL), which continue to be modified yearly. How can small to medium sized contractors reasonably keep up with it all? It would take a full time professional HR department to manage this mountain of paperwork. Wouldn’t it be nice to lean on a team of professionals to help navigate the ever-changing landscape of being an employer and the compliance that goes with having W-2 employees? That’s exactly what a PEO allows owners to do. Construction companies who partner with PEOs spend less time pushing paper and more time making money. SUTA: The majority of construction company owners I’ve met with in the past year have shared with me their ongoing frustrations of rising SUTA costs , which have ultimately increased the cost to run their business. SUTA ironically is the only tax that businesses actually have any control over, yet sometimes it’s the most neglected. The down turn in the economy has forced thousands of layoffs over the past two years. Because SUTA is calculated on a three year running average, the consequences of downsizing your labor force one year will negatively impact your SUTA rate for the two following years. Many small to mid-sized owners had no idea how losing just one or two unemployment claims would negatively impact their bottom line and ultimately in- crease their SUTA rate. The SUTA maximum rate in Texas for 2011 is 8.25 percent with the average new company starting out at 2.7 percent. Many owners have seen their SUTA rates nearly double since the economy went into decline. This typically results from mismanagement of unemployment claims or the lack of proper and timely follow up on the initial claim. This is understandable as most owners are usually focused on the things that make their company money, not HR issues. This is where a PEO adds value by handling the unemployment claim, and following up on required paperwork and deadlines during the claim process. Owners who go from a “stand alone” situation to using a PEO usually see a substantial drop in their SUTA rate, which greatly helps lower the cost of running their business. Construction companies who partner with PEOs for help with payroll, workers’ compensation, human resources, and safety/risk management increase profitability by focusing on their core business which grows the bottom line. They reduce time pushing paper, streamline their cash flow, and share the risks and liability that goes with having employees. Ultimately, they have peace of mind knowing that a PEO is helping them manage the ever changing, complex, and expensive world of being an employer. Mark Mettille is the owner of M2 PEO Solutions. M2 assists construction and blue-collar companies with solving employment problems in the areas of Payroll, Human Resources, Workers’ Compensation, and Safety/Risk Management. –dn continued from Page 11 — Construction site protection er to at least one Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera located on the site. 5. Does the monitoring company have experience in the construction market? Many alarm companies specialize in either residential or commercial installations. There are some companies that specialize in construction security and, although they may charge a little more, their monitoring station operators have experience monitoring construction sites. In conclusion, video intrusion alarms have made construction security affordable. Police are responding to alarms confirmed with video as crimes-in-progress and making arrests. Keith Jentoft, President of Videofied, is a member of the Electronic Security Association and chairs the Video Technology Interest group. Jentoft introduced the Videofied product line which won the International Security Conference West "Best of Show" as well as the “Best Intrusion Detector” and “Best Wireless Alarm System” at the 2009 Electronic Security Expo. –dn Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Page 13 Round-Up Darren Sumrall has joined Dallasbased Mayse & Associates Inc. as a project architect. Sumrall is a registered architect with a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University. He brings 19 years of varied project experience to the firm. Travis Parker joins LEMCO Construction Services as Senior Project Manager. He brings over 23 years experience in construction and real estate and will manage new and existing projects for the company. Parker earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Texas State University and completed management programs through SMU COX School of Business. He also holds affiliations with NAICOP, TREC and USGBC. KAI Texas announces the following staff changes: Randy Barnett joins the Dallas office as a Senior Project Manager/K-12 Thought Leader. Paul Verheyden is now the Project Manager at Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport. Gracie Colmenero is a Project Assistant in the Fort Worth office. Turner Construction Company announces the appointment of Steve Whitcraft as its director of commercial and healthcare segments in North Texas. He will be responsible for leading growth, managing project execution and developing staff in this market. Whitcraft is based in Dallas and has 27 years of construction industry experience. Submissions This is a section for brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge as space allows. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Email with “Round-Up” in the subject line (w/digital photo, if available) by the 15th of any month, for the next month’s issue to: [email protected] Corgan has named three employees as associates of the firm: Mark Cardwell completed two summer internships with Corgan as a college student before officially joining the firm in 2006. He has excelled on many projects, focusing on corporate office and mission critical work. He is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Cardwell received a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University in College Station. Jason Hanna has excelled in specialized data center projects for U.S. and overseas clients since joining the firm in 2004 as a student intern. He is an active member of AIA. Over the last five years, he has volunteered his spare time and now serves as co-captain for Hearts and Hammers, a non-profit organization that helps low-income homeowners repair their homes. Hanna also enjoys furniture design and construction. He received his Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Jill Vessels joined the firm in 2004. She is a registered interior designer in Texas and a LEED Accredited Professional. She is an active member of The Real Estate Council (TREC) of Dallas and served on the Associate Leadership Council (ALC). She was also accepted to the Foundation for Women’s Resources Texas Leadership Class, a select group of women demonstrating leadership ability. Vessels received a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Association Calendar Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AIA - Dallas NARI-Greater Dallas American Institute of Architects Nat’l Assn. of the Remodeling Industry Aug. 15: Firm Talk Lecture Series featuring The Smith Group, 6pm reception, 6:30pm lecture, Dallas Center for Architecture, free for members and the public. Members can earn 12 CES by attending the entire series. For more info: www.aiadallas.org Aug. 9: General meeting, 6:30pm, at Elegant Additions, 150 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, 75207. Please RSVP by Aug. 5 ASA North Texas American Subcontractors Association Aug. 11: Happy Hour, Flip’s Patio Grill, 415 W Hwy.114, Grapevine, 76051, 4:307pm, Appetizers sponsored by Lane Gorman Trubitt, Cash bar, GCs and nonmembers welcome Aug. 17: Events Committee meeting, 10:30-11:30am, McGraw-Hill office, 9155 Sterling Dr, #160, Irving, 75063 Aug. 25: Luncheon program, Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, 11am Registration, 11:30am BPI & Legal Minute, noon Lunch & Program, $40 members, $55 non-members For more info call ASA 817-640-8275 or [email protected] ICRI - North Texas NAWIC - Dallas Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction Aug. 26: Texas Hold-em Poker Tournament, 6pm, TEXO office at 11101 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas NAWIC - Fort Worth Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction Aug. 18: Monthly dinner meeting, Colonial Country Club, 3735 Country Club Circle, Fort Worth, 5:30pm networking, 6pm dinner meeting, $32, RSVP to Traci Robinson: [email protected] NTRCA Nat’l Roofing Contractors Assn. Aug. 10: Lunch & Learn, International Bowling Campus, 11:30am-1pm, “Mini Trade Show & Member Appreciation,” $20 members, $25 non-members. Register online: www.ntrca.com Int’l Concrete Repair Institute PDCA- Dallas Aug. 11: General meeting and Technical Presentation: “Successful Coating Applications” by John P. McDonald, BASF. 11am Networking, 11:45am Lunch, Noon program begins, Dave & Busters, 8021 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, $25 members, $30 non-members. RSVP to Mark LeMay: [email protected] by Aug 8. This is an AIA-approved presentaion and certificates of attendance will be provided upon request. Painting & Decorating Contractors of Amer. IEC - Fort Worth Independent Electrical Contractors Aug. 19: 5th Annual Clay Shoot, for details: 817-496-8422 Aug. 11: Sporting Clay Shoot, Dallas Gun Club Aug. 16: Quarterly luncheon meeting, 11:30am-1pm, MCM Elegante Hotel, 2330 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, ,No charge to contractors, non-sponsor associates $30/ person. For more info contact Liz Dykes, 214-4212584 TMC Texas Masonry Council Aug. 10-12: Convention and Golden Trowel Awards Banquet, Fort Worth Hilton Hotel. Visit www.texasmasonrycouncil.org for registration or call Valerie Burkhart, 512799-3870 Have you appeared in Construction News? Call or Email us! There is no charge for stories or photos. [email protected] (210) 308-5800 Page 14 Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Convention time South Texas style T he South Central Wall, Ceiling & Plaster Association (SCWCPA) held its 59th annual convention and trade show in San Antonio June 22-24. The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort was the location where members had a chance to visit the trade show, enter the golf tournament, try their luck at shooting clay and attend the design awards competition. Educational sessions were also available as was a ladies program. Friday evening brought a close to the annual event with dinner and the awards banquet followed by a casino night. The association will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year at the same location. –bd 2011–2012 SCWCPA Officers L-R: Eddie McCormick, exec. director; Rick Williams, immediate past president; Michael Vickery, president; Brent Cannedy, vp; Charlie Meador, sec/treasurer Winners of the shooting clay event Trey & Melissa Harris, The Quikrete Companies continued from Page 1 — Preparing for growth porch to 260 employees in a 500,000-sf facility and sold it to Leggett & Platt, a Fortune 500 company.” About a year ago Woods and McCarthy got down to really discussing combining their talents. “I wanted to see Cheyenne become not only a great company for our clients but also one that met the needs of our dedicated employees,” said Woods. The two decided that McCarthy would come in to run the business side of the company and Woods would handle all operations in the field. The partnership now has “owners eyes” in the field, which they feel is a rare thing these days. McCarthy stated that very few companies have the ability or opportunity to reap the benefits of having owners intimately involved in every aspect of a growing company. “We have that winning formula. This should result in great execution in the field and allow us to see a great improvement in our bottom line,” continued McCarthy. “What I have learned over the last 20 years is there is a huge need for great subcontractors in the construction industry who produce great products, are fi- nancially healthy and can do what they say they can do. There is need for every trade to do it well. “When a client hires us we want to take every thing off their desk that they have to worry about for our trade. “What we are trying to do is get all the systems in place to grow responsibly so we don’t lose our reputation for quality. We will build something really strong and as the economy builds we will be positioned well. “We are a five million a year operation now but I see us having $10 to $12 million in sales in 18 to 24 months.” Woods sums up his and McCarthy’s philosophy and goals about the business. “Often Bob has described our goals as one of building our company to be a company not just for the owners, but rather one that was built on total shared employee ownership, pride, and success from the top management and continuing down throughout all employee and staff.” Cheyenne Construction Company is based in Keller, TX and specializes in commercial and retail concrete construction. –bd New executive director T Lake Water Supply. He is he Subcontractors Asactive in Rotary Internasociation of the Metrotional and has served as plex (SAM) is pleased District Governor for the to introduce Pete Snider North Texas District. Snidwho has assumed the duties er is also a founding memof the executive director of ber and vice-chair of the he association. Spectacular Senior Follies Snider recently sold that produces a nostalgic Alco Glass, Inc. in Mesquite stage show yearly. and served as its president Snider lives in Heath, for the past 21 years. He Texas with his wife, Sherry. has also served as presiHis son, Paul, is a senior dent of the American Submanager with Ball Aerocontractors Association, Pete Snider space in Boulder, Co. and North Texas Chapter, (ASA) and has been on the board of directors of lives there with his wife, Beth, and chilthe North Texas chapter of the Texas dren, Sam and Avery. Snider was a co-founder of SAM Glass Association (TGA). Snider was also a member of the Tex- along with the late Norma Mann and as Leadership Council for the National Roy Neu. He is looking forward to seeing Federation of Independent Business, and SAM help the subcontracting industry has been on the Mesquite Economic De- that provided him with a living for many years. –bd velopment Board. He served as a director of the Forney Design Awards Pinnacle Award Winner Kevin Whitfield, Drury South, San Antonio for The Drury Plaza Hotel in the Commercial Exterior EIFS and Interior Plaster First place golf winners: Pat Holland, Scott Young, Mark Koski, Robbin Bostick continued from Page 1 — Nature’s finest A unique environment trail edgings and recycled pipe for the light poles and bollards. The landscaping consists of native grasses and trees and the permanent project sign was constructed utilizing the existing steel pipe cattle guards. David Thomas, president of Tegrus Construction, stated this project was an enlightening and educational project for all involved. The project team included Tegrus Project Manager Bill Smith and Superintendent Royce Weaver. Architect was Tom Dohearty of Cunningham Architects and owner’s representative was Dan Finnell of Brent Brown Architects. Tegrus Construction Co., based in Cedar Hill specializes in commercial and industrial projects and has 12 employees. David R. Thomas founded the company in 1987. Tegrus is in its 25th year of building quality projects throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. –bd continued from Page 1 — It’s great to be 35 Negotiations and involvement with attorneys and accountants went on for the better part of a year. “We were able to get a deal done and it was a situation where the smaller fish took over the bigger fish and we maintained the name Ridgemont Commercial Construction.” These days company principals O’Brien, President Jason Lillard and VP of field operations Dennis Mason lead the company, which has grown substantially in the 13 years since it was purchased. “We are a $65 million a year company these days,” says Obrien. “We did not lose any of our employees when we merged the two companies together.” “The majority of our work today is working with people who have the same philosophy and mindset about building and creating a partnership with them,” said Seth Williams business development executive. “It is pretty astounding to look at some of our history where 70 percent of our work is repeat business.” “We are deliberate about some specific sectors we target but with us, it is really more about relationships,” continued O’Brien. In closing, O’Brien points to the two biggest factors for Ridgemont’s continued success. “We work hard at making Ridgemont a good place to work. We think that at the end of the day our success is contingent upon being a good place to work. If it is not a good place to work those good folks are going to go down the road and work somewhere else. “Also If we have done anything right over here we have hired good people. As a general contractor you have your computer and copy machines but at the end of the day it’s all about the people.” Ridgemont Commercial Construction is based in Irving, Texas and employs a staff of 50. The company is a member of TEXO and USGBC and supports charities such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Lena Pope Home and Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas. –bd Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011 Page 15 Job Sights Company renovates facility SITECH Tejas facilities in Grand Prairie The framing crew from Seamonster’s Creations are all smiles at the new Chase bank location in Mansfield. General contractor for the project is Construction Solutions with Cisi Vasquez running the show as superintendent. –bd A crew from RER Construction, Inc. working on the framing for the new location of Arlington Orthopedic Associates, P. A. location in Mansfield. Brian Colmer is the superintendent for RER and Bernie Wall is superintendent for general contractor FJW Construction. –bd S ITECH Tejas recently celebrated its first anniversary in business. Now the company has another reason to celebrate. They completed renovations to their 10,000-sf facility located at 2615 North Forum Dr. in Grand Prairie. The state-of-the-art facility has a dedicated room for equipment calibration, testing and repair, as well as a dedicated room for training customers on Trimble equipment, noted Steven Huedepohl, marketing manager. General Manager Glenn Swisher, states the company has an additional location in San Antonio. Both locations offer the same services and in-house training for their customers. Commenting on the new Grand Prairie facility Swisher states, “The dealership has done a wonderful job of providing us a facility with warehouse and office space. It was an existing structure with ten bays. It’s a very nice facility.” Swisher noted they have two certified Trimble trainers on staff that provide a combination of classroom and outside field training on the equipment. “Training is very important in my view,” said Swisher. “I was a construction contractor before, so I came from the other side of the business. I think that allows us to bring a different perspective and do a better job servicing the customers by having been the customer.” Commenting on SITECH’s product offering, Swisher states, “It is technologybased equipment. We are trying to set it up where we can get our customers in here, educate them, and make them successful.” SITECH Tejas has six employees in Grand Prairie and eight employees in San Antonio. The two locations cover 118 counties in south, central, north and northeast Texas. Working with Swisher is Sven Hallerman and David Henry, sales representatives; Shea Huckaby, certified Trimble training instructor/modeling specialist, and Tams Mullins, certified Trimble training instructor/sales representative. SITECH Tejas provides construction technology systems for the heavy and highway industry. –dn Have you taken a job site photo you would like to share in Construction News? Call our Home Office @ 210-308-5800 or email the editor: [email protected] Kiwitex, Inc. crew members working at the new In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Las Colinas. Rick Hall is the project superintendent for general contractor PANTERRA Construction. –bd A crew from B & D Metal Erector’s Company works on the roof at the new 32,000sf+ Pepware facility being constructed in Cedar Hill. The general contractor for the project is Nationwide Construction. Steven Mahan is superintendent. –bd Page 16 Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Aug 2011