Under the Hard Hat

UCANE Board Member Robbie Our Robert B. Our Company, Inc.

ness? Please give us some information on your background and tell us how you started in the construction busi-

Growing up Robert B. Our, III, the grandson of Robert B. Our can only lead you in one direction. I always knew I was going into the family business. I grew up around my grandfather and the business, and was ready as soon as they gave me the chance. In the summers of my teenage years, I worked at the now named Acme Shorey Precast Facility on White's Path in Yarmouth. I was given jobs, like pouring concrete, cutting wire, and cleaning the shop. Each summer that passed, I received more and more responsibility and I loved every minute of it. Once I graduated from High School, I started at Robert B. Our Co., Inc. Starting at the bottom again, I worked in the septic division and eventually I was provided the opportunity to work on my Uncle John's crew as a laborer. During the next 10 years or so I learned so much. He worked me like a rented mule, but I would not have changed a thing. Long days with the toughest of jobs and the toughest of crew mates taught me how to lead by example. We worked on all types of heavy construction jobs; sewer, water, and site construction. How many years have you been with Robert B. Our Co., Inc. and what is your current role in the company?

I have worked for the company for 26 years and I’ve taken on many roles during that time. I have been a laborer, operator, crew leader, and I am now an owner and Vice President. Most of us running family businesses wear many hats on a daily basis. I am always looking at the work load, the long term future schedule, job costing, as well as hiring, and equipment needs, etc.

What types of construction does your company specialize in and in what areas of New England do you pursue this work?

Our company is diversified and specializes in many different types of construction. Utility construction, i.e. sewer, water, pump stations, and treatment plants are a big part of what we do. We also specialize in marine construction. Piers and docks, bulkheads, and dredging make up the majority of marine construction.

The residential division is also a big part of our company. where we specialize in Title V septic’s, septic pumping and maintenance, and site work. The residential division is where my grandfather founded this company and it is still a very important division of our company.

Our area of construction work is primarily in Massachusetts. We tend to keep our sites on projects within a 2.5 hour drive from our office in Harwich. We do a fair amount of our business on the Cape and Islands.

How long has your company been a UCANE member and why did you decide to volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors?

We have been members of UCANE since 2005. Over the years I have seen the hard work that the UCANE staff and its Board of continued on page 39

Directors do to help keep our company and the industry busy and informed. UCANE’s lobbying ability is well respected on Beacon Hill and I have always been impressed with UCANE members often taking their personal time to talk directly to legislators when it comes to funding or when a bill appears detrimental to contractors.

Whether it is keeping an eye on Beacon Hill, keeping us updated on the latest OSHA standards, industry news, or changes to agency regulations, etc., it’s a good feeling that an association and their staff have your back while we’re all out there 10 hours a day keeping a business going. UCANE also offers me an opportunity to meet with some of my peers and develop contacts with a wide range of suppliers and subcontractors that our company needs.

I have joined the Board of Directors to continue learning, to stay up to date on the issues that affect our industry, and hopefully to be an asset to UCANE and its members going forward.

Between COVID issues and supply chain problems, 2021 was certainly a challenging year for contractors. How do you see the New England heavy construction market shaping up for 2022 and what are the biggest challenges contractors might be looking at in 2022?

With the recently signed Infrastructure Bill starting to roll out, I am optimistic that heavy construction will continue to boom for at least the next five years or more. Early 2022 might be a little slow while the federal funding works its way to New England and, hopefully, our city and town leaders are doing what they need to do in order to get their infrastructure projects to spring town meetings.

Despite my optimism, the Robert B. Our Company will proceed cautiously and always be prepared for sudden changes in our market or external issues that affect our business. Some of the biggest challenges I see for 2022 are continuations of what we have been dealing with in 2021, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. As a company we’ll be paying more attention to supply chain issues, material escalation clauses, and completion dates when bidding work. In 2022 we will also be ordering more materials in advance and be expanding our efforts in the hiring process. n