Southern California Grading 2019 Anniversary Publication

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CONGRATULATIONS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRADING

50 years

on of Great Service and Support to the California Construction Industry

EPA/CARB Compliant

DBE/WBE/MBE/SBE

24 hour Emergency Service (800) 672-8252 / (949) 552-1859 Serving: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino & Riverside Counties

16402 Construction Circle East Irvine, CA 92606

26340 Lester Circle Corona, CA 92883

www.savala.com

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Above: Part of the Southern California Grading Team Above: Partinof the Southern California Grading front of their Irvine headquarters.

Team in front of their Irvine headquarters.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRADING

GROUNDED IN A 50 -YEAR HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE I N T E G R I T Y

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Q UA L I T Y

THE EARLY YEARS As it turns out, 1969 was a very progressive year for technology and the advancement of the human race in general. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon and hours later, Armstrong became the first person to walk on the big rock that orbits our planet, stating, “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” 1969 also brought about the Arpanet, a network developed under the direction of

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R ES P O N S I B I L I T Y

ARPA (U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency) which successfully interconnected four universities computers to begin building the foundation for today’s internet. The artificial heart was also invented in 1969, as was the ATM, bar-code scanner, and the first battery-powered smoke detector. Looking over your shoulder, you will also note that the first Pontiac Trans Am was offered for sale to the public, along with 8-track cassette players, and The Beatles concluded their eight years together with the release of their

Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary

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Above Left: Bob Cutler, Founder, Southern California Grading at the Irvine headquarters.

Left Inset: Regina Cutler served as Corporate Secretary from 1994 - 2008.

Abbey Road album and their final performance atop the Apple Records building in London. Hippie fashions were all the rage as hundreds of thousands of people converged on to a small rural town in upstate New York dressed in an overabundance of floral patterns.

A new style of flared denim jeans with 18 and a half inch bottoms could be purchased in stripes or a variety of solid colors at just $6.99. Sonny and Cher would make them mainstream in 1970 when they wore them regularly on their variety show. It was a time of new beginnings, and advancements and Southern California Grading was right in the midst of starting something extraordinary.

Kurt Cutler was just 3-years-old in 1969 when his father, Bob Cutler, along with family friend and industry colleague, Bob Kehrer, decided to go into business together. “My dad was a soil engineer at the time, working in the lab for a well-known soils engineering company. Bob Kehrer was an owner-operator, and he and my dad worked on several projects together and became good friends,” says Cutler. “Times were tough back in 1969, and the Bobs were looking for a way to combine their years of experience and start something new that would advance their opportunity

Above Right: Bob Kehrer, Founder and previous co-owner of Southern California Grading.

Right Inset: Nina Kehrer served as Corporate Secretary from 1969 - 1994.

and fortunes.” Bob’s son, Kurt Cutler, was in the middle of it all from the beginning and looked forward to those days when he could join his father on the jobsite and do even the smallest of chores to help the new and exciting venture survive and prosper. “My father and Mr. Kehrer had a simple plan to offer and build upon an honest square deal for every customer.

Quality, reliability and strong customer relations were their mantras and that philosophy and work ethic was instilled in every Southern California Grading employee and continues to this day,” says Cutler. “They set an upper limit of job contracts to nothing over $25,000, thinking that the slow, conservative approach was the best plan during those challenging early days.”

Our country was going through a relatively short and mild recession in 1969 when Richard Nixon was President, followed by a much more severe period of inflation, resulting in a significant slowdown in the housing market. This period began in 1972 and did not entirely end until 1969 • B o b Cu t l e r a n d B o b Ke hr e r t e a m u p t o s ta the early 80s. This complicated rt So ut he 4 Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary r n Ca li f o r ni a G r a din g.

Above & Right: Southern California Grading has long relied on quality Cat equipment and Quinn Company Cat for 50 years. Shown here is a motor grader, dozers and scrapers used on Southern California grading projects.

Approximately 90 percent of their fleet is made up of Cat equipment and attachments.

businesses across America and slowed down growth for many, including general engineering contractors.

“Fate had other things in mind for my dad and his partner, as the business they built together began to grow beyond their original forecast,” says Cutler. “They built a thriving enterprise together and remained partners until the mid-90s when Mr. Kehrer decided to move on to other things and sell his shares in the business to my father."

Southern California Grading has successfully graded tens of thousands of acres on both public and private jobs since their inception in 1969. They forged strong relationships with developers like the Irvine Company back in those early days. Southern California Grading was right in the thick of it, working on a multitude of successful projects from building new roads to mass grading for large commercial ventures in and around Irvine. “It is our job to provide a firm foundation for these projects, and we are proud to be associated with so many high-profile jobs these past 50 years,” says Cutler. “I knew what I wanted to do when I graduated high school in 1985, and that was to work for the family business. I spent my entire childhood watching my father do what he does best while working on weekends and during spring and summer breaks, and there was no question of what my future career would be.” Cutler started off doing everything from takeoffs and estimating to project management, all while gaining knowledge and l ifornia Grading with inflation and slow economy.

Ca experience out in the field. Times rn he t ou Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary 5 1970s • A challenging time for S

Above: Two generations of Cutlers at the Southern California Grading headquarters in Irvine. (Left) Albert and Bob, (Middle) Bob and Kurt.

Above Right: Kurt Cutler and Steve Toth.

Right: Christie, Kurt, Jenny and Keith Cutler representing two generations of the family business.

were tough when Kurt joined the team full time, and so he took it upon himself to make the rounds, knock on doors, and do anything he could to drum up business during the downturn. Before long, Cutler was bringing back some very worthwhile contracts and his father, Bob Cutler, credits his son’s and other key employee's determination for turning the company around during all of those challenging years. It seems that the two were cut from the same cloth, both being extremely competitive and eager to lead and that would bode well for the future of the business.

have worked and been a significant part of so many memorable projects, including: the new LAX Terminal, The Honda Center, Metro Gold Line Extension, Kaiser Hospital and many more jobs on transportation projects, medical buildings, entertainment arenas, as well as for numerous schools and universities, and on OUT ON THE JOBSITE other industrial and commercial jobs. “We have moved millions of cubic yards of earth throughout Southern While grading and excavating remain the bread and California, but we have a lot of other tools in our kit as butter of what Southern California Grading has done well,” says Cutler. “For instance, we were called on over these past 50 years, they have also acted as the to help out with the cleanup after the Santa Rosa fire general and subcontractor in a variety of other in 2017, and just finished work on a new hospital in disciplines such as: land clearing, over excavations, Santa Barbara.” site demolition, import/export, natural disaster cleanup Cutler credits the relationship and opportunities response, cut/fill, erosion control, placement of BMP they received early on from the Irvine Company devices, general engineering for site development for initially putting them on the map. The company and operated and bare heavy equipment rental. They continued and still works on and off for the Irvine Company, while also taking on some other landmark projects as a result 1978 • Cu t l e r f a m i l y b u i l d s t h e i r b r a n d n e w 2 0 ,0 of their hard work and growing 00 sq .

6 Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary ft. headquar ters in Ir vine.

Congratulations to Southern California Grading Inc. on their 50th Anniversary

Quinn Company is proud to partner with Southern California Grading Inc. - providing CatŠ equipment, parts and service.

Since 1919, Quinn Company has been serving Central and Southern California.

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(951) 686-4560

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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S , SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRADING ON YOUR 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Safety Quality ts

vemen

Berths

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3B 42-14

ro d Imp acklan

714.984.5500 www.griffithcompany.net equal opportunity employer

Value Integrity

Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary

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reputation. The 80s were busy years with grading and excavating projects like the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. “We did a project for Ricoh 2 1 Copiers in the 80s where the Olympic Torch made it to our jobsite in San Marcos. Everybody wanted a photo, and that was quite a day for our team members out on the jobsite,” says Cutler. “One of our largest projects in the late 90s was for 3 4 the Mission Viejo Mall Renovation where we 1). STEVE TOTH hauled off around 300,000 VP/General cubic yards of dirt, but that Superintendent was not what made the job big 2). MIKE MCBEE and memorable.

We were the general Master Mechanic on the $6.7 million project and in 3). KEITH GERDES addition to the mass and fine grading, we Sr. Project Manager 5 also did some concrete work, laid some base 4). JONATHAN RATHMANN and performed underground utility installations.”

Sr. Estimator Southern California Grading also took on a $6 5). JOE KHADER million, 26-acre non-commercial sports complex job Project Manager in 1998 where they moved around 250,000 cubic yards 6). MANNY RUIZ Estimator of Earth with six Cat 657 scrapers, and another one around the same size for the Monarch Beach Hotel 6 around that same period. “If you combine all three phases of our work, I would have to say that the job at the Marriott at Newport Coast Villas in 2000 was our single biggest project at $10 million,” says Cutler.

“It is not about the size or dollar amount that keeps us going or makes us do what we do every workday.

It is our commitment to our core principles of integrity, Below: Equipment Maintenance Team: Mike Vasquez, Mike respect, responsibility, and hard work that have made McBee, Allen Boyle and us the premier provider that we are today. Every job Joey Ferrer. is just as important as the next, and we strive for perfection in everything we do.”

Cutler remembers 2004 starting slow and with very little on the books. “In 2004, we did not have much of any work, and we landed a job at Victoria Gardens that sort of saved the day. It seems like every 10 or so years we seem to face the situation where we are about at the end of our rope, and then something good happens, and I have to say that we have always been lucky in that respect,” says Cutler. “We have enjoyed slow, steady growth over the years with lots of challenges along the way with governmental relations, the up and down economy and the competitors that have come and gone. It has been a fun, rewarding and at times, crazy ride.”

Southern California Grading has completed some large and impressive jobs more recently as well. “We moved around 700,000 cubic yards of dirt out at the MWD (Metropolitan Water District) with six 623B scrapers, just 198 4 • Ku r t Cu t l e r g r a d u a t es hi g h s c h o o l a n d j oi finished the Discovery Business ns th e 8 Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary fa mily business full time.

Center job for the Irvine Company as a subcontractor to Snyder Langston and another job this past November for Mount San Antonio College (Mt. Sac) in Walnut,” says Cutler. “We were on both phases of this project, with the first phase ending in January 2018 and the other in November 2018. We are swamped right now, and we pride ourselves on not just the sheer 3 volume of work, but the professional way in which our seasoned team veterans get it done.”

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THE PEOPLE ARE THE DIFFERENCE

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1). JILL CECIL Controller 2). SHERRI CONSTABILEO Office Manager/Payroll/AP/HR 3). CHRISTIE CUTLER Dispatch & Equipment Rental 4). JENNY CUTLER Accounts Payable 5). TRACY TOTH Project Accountant 6). ROBIN ROYCE Office Project Engineer / Project Management Support

Southern California Grading is no stranger to tough times, but they have always found a way to survive and thrive, even during the Great Recession that began in 2008 and seemed to go on forever. “People have asked what our secret is to have not only lasted but grown and prospered after so many downturns in the economy these past 50 years.

From where I am sitting, it is all about the reputation 6 we have built through good old-fashioned teamwork, determination, and pride that comes from a familyowned business like ours,” says Cutler. “We have the very best working here at Southern California Grading and it is our loyal and capable personnel that stands out the most, along with a tightly managed and paid Below: Southern California Grading's support staff. for fleet of the best heavy equipment available.”

(L to R) Robin Royce, Sherri Constabileo, Southern California Grading has some of the most Tracy Toth, Jill Cecil, Christie Cutler experienced long-term employees in the industry. and Jenny Cutler.

“Many of our team members have been here for 25 years or longer, and Mike McBee (mechanic) has been here since Day One 50 years ago,” says Cutler. “Mike’s sons also work for here, one as a rough grade foreman and the other a blade operator. We have generations of families working here at Southern California Grading and we think that says something about the family atmosphere and value system we all share.” Cutler makes it clear that every individual working at the company makes a difference, and they are all integral to the success and growth of the business. “I wish I could mention everyone by name; they are all so great. It is like a machine, and every component has its purpose, and without it, the machine breaks down. I want to thank Steve Toth, our general superintendent, for the great work he has done to keep it all running smoothly,” says Cutler. “I also want to recognize and thank my wife, Jenny, who has been there for all of us from the pany to Bob Cutler as Kurt Cutler takes on more. m beginning. We were high school co e th f o Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary 9 e 1995 • Bob Keher sells his sha r

Above: Southern California Grading has an impressive fleet of Cat excavators including Cat 336 (Tier 4) and Cat 349 (Tier 4) models.

Their fleet consists of everything from skip loaders and skid steers to excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, dozers and scrapers.

sweethearts and have been a loving team for 35 years both at work and at home. She deserves a lot of credit and praise for her patience and dedication.” Kurt and Jenny Cutler have four children. Their oldest, Christie, is working for the family business overseeing scheduling and rentals, while their oldest son, Keith, works part-time while finishing up high school and will join the company full time when he graduates. Kelly (twin to Keith) is also currently in high school and their youngest, Kenneth, will be a sophmore in high school. “It would be great to see all of our children take this company to even greater heights one day, but we fully support whatever they choose to pursue. They are great and gifted children, and we are very proud of them.”

THE POWER IS IN THE EQUIPMENT

While Cutler makes it clear that it is the people that make the most significant difference at Southern California Grading, he also points out that nothing would be possible without the right equipment to support these hardworking individuals. “Caterpillar has always been there for us from the very beginning.

They supported us in the early 70s and financed us when we needed it most. We started with Shepherd Machinery, and now we are with Quinn Company Cat. Both companies were there for us, and Quinn Company Cat has always remained close by, making sure that we always have what we need and more importantly, what makes the most sense for our unique requirements. Dennis Madden is our Quinn Company Cat 2000s • Early 2000s present a challenge but the c o m sales representative, and he has pa ny bo 10 Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary unces back better than ever.

Congratulations Southern California Grading on 50 Years!

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Southern California Grading on 50 years of great service to the California Construction Industry

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SPECIALIZING IN ALL SITE DEMOLITION AND LAND CLEARING NEEDS

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Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary 11

Above: Scraper at work on the Del Mar Race Track. Other machines like wheel dozers, backhoes and motor graders are also shown hard at work on a variety of projects throughout Southern California.

taken excellent care of us for the past 20 years,” says Cutler. “Cat equipment has been a mainstay and is certainly worthy of some of the credit for our 50 years of success. The reliability and productivity we get with our fleet of Cat machines are what allows us to meet our commitments and deadlines, and that is what it is all about.”

Southern California Grading has other top brands in their fleet as well, like John Deere and Case. “For certain machines like skip loaders, for instance, our operators prefer the John Deere and Case models,” says Cutler. “We go with Coastline Equipment for

John Deere and Sonsray Machinery for Case. Both of these companies have been great to work with, and we certainly appreciate their efforts and support.”

Southern California Grading currently has more than 30 machines in their fleet including: seven Cat 623 scrapers, a Cat 259 skid steer loader, several Cat 950 and 980 wheel loaders, Cat 14H and 140M motor graders, Cat D8R and D6N dozers, Cat 824B and 824C rubber-tired dozers, Cat CP and CS 433 rollers and a wide selection of Cat excavators, along with John Deere 210LE and Case 570 skip loaders. “We still own and operate the very first scraper that we purchased from Shepherd Machinery in 1974 and we just recently purchased a brand-new Cat 623K scraper from 2017 • Christ ie Cut l e r joins t h e f amil y b usn ess i n Quinn Company Cat,” says Cutler. di sp at ch 12 Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary a n d e q uip m e nt r e nt a ls.

Above: Southern California Grading scraper and motor grader fleet getting the job done at Chemehuavi Airport in 2011. Also shown is a water tower, water tanker, scraper and Cat D8R dozer.

“Good equipment means less downtime, and we pride ourselves on our upgraded, superior fleet that meets all of the strict emission standards. Our utilization is always high, but we also offer our equipment for rent, and you can call Christie Cutler in dispatch at (949) 565-7128 for the right machine at a great rate.”

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

treat people. At times it takes the personal part of doing business out of the equation. As a small union company, we many times feel like we are in handcuffs where we cannot help our people the way we would like to. However, even with these constantly rising new rules and regulations, we find a way to keep the wonderful family atmosphere here at Southern California Grading, and it has been a gratifying experience.” Cutler says that looking ahead into the next few years seems to point to continuing prosperity in the California heavy civil construction industry.

“Knowing that our construction economy is going to

Great things do not just happen or come to you because you are a nice person; you have to work to be successful, and the process often comes with many burdens and challenges. “State regulations are not employer friendly at all, and it has the power to change a Grading part time while finishing high school. ni the way you do business and r o lif a C n Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary 13 2019 • Keith Cutler joins South e r

hold up into the foreseeable future is important for the planning process, but we always remain conservative in our approach and ready for any downturn when it comes,” says Cutler. “It has been a great ride so far and I for one look forward to what the next 50 years have in store.”

Fifty years have come and gone since Southern California Grading’s first years in business, and although to some of us old-timers that was just yesterday, the reality is five decades or half a century is a long passage of time by anyone’s standards. 18,250 days, 438,000 hours, or 26,280,000 minutes. Any way you break it down, an awful lot can happen in that amount of time. Consider the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, which shows that 2019

14 Southern California Grading • 50th Anniversary

prices are 596 percent higher than the average prices in 1969. That meant that $1.00 in 1969 would be $6.96 today, so purchasing a pair of Levi’s jeans at the Gap, which opened in San Francisco in 1969 would run around five to ten dollars back then is now $30 to $60 everywhere else today. Everything changes and nothing stays the same, but the highest integrity, quality, and responsibility will always be the hallmark by which Southern California Grading operates.

Southern California Grading resides in their original offices on Construction Circle in Irvine, a facility they designed and built in 1978. For more information on Southern California Grading, please visit www.socalgrading.com or call (949) 551-6655.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

Southern California Grading Inc.

ANNIVERSARY

Sonsray Machinery is proud to be your partner, may we continue serving your equipment needs for the next 50 years.

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRADING A NNI

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SARY VER

(949) 551-6655

DISPATCH/RENTALS

(949) 565-7128

ESTIMATING

(949) 565-7129

16291 CONSTRUCTION CIRCLE E., IRVINE, CA 92606 For more information contact: Kurt Cutler, Kurt@SoCalGrading.com