California 14, July 2, 2023

Fast Cars, Trenching Take Center Stage at SCCA Event

Trench Shoring Company hosted the Southern California Contractors Association’s annual Inland Empire Summer Kickoff BBQ on June 7 at the family’s Malloy’s Race Car Shop.

Attendees were entertained by a live DJ and enjoyed a tap truck, barbeque, desserts and raffle prizes, but the highlight was Tom Malloy’s personal collection of race cars and memorabilia.

Malloy’s Race Car Shop is a “field of dreams” of sorts for Malloy, according to his son, Ryan, who along with his three siblings, now owns and operates the shoring company founded by Malloy.

The “dream” began for Malloy when he purchased an Indy style race car that was driven by AJ Foyt and sponsored by Trench Shoring in 1988. The collection now includes

dozens of cars, including a 1981 Penske PC-9B that won the Indianapolis 500.

The development of Malloy’s Race Car Shop is as steeped in California’s racing history as Trench Shoring is the California construction industry.

Tom’s father, Emmett Malloy, built Carrell Speedway in Los Angeles (Gardena) in 1946 and was the owner of a car that raced 1950s, including the Indianapolis 500. So as a young man, Tom was able to hang out with some of the “legends of racing” and thus began his love for racing and eventually the collection of these iconic cars and memorabilia.

Malloy began collecting in the 90s and houses his collection at Malloy’s Race Car Shop in Corona, just around the corner from one of 11 Trench Shoring locations.

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Tom Malloy (R) and his youngest son, Ryan Malloy.

An overview of Malloy’s extensive race car collection, where Trench Shoring Company hosted the Southern California Contractors Association’s annual Inland Empire Summer Kickoff BBQ on June 7 at the family’s Malloy’s Race Car Shop.

see TRENCH page 8

Wright Credits Early Mentors for SoCal JCB’s Success

A heavy equipment career that began with an internship at a Cat dealership during the Great Recession has morphed into a dealer principal position for a 36-year-old California man.

SoCal JCB’s Caleb Wright has leveraged what he calls “great early mentors” to a bright future leading JCB’s sales and support efforts in the huge Southern California market. Wright became Dealer Principal just last year, but has the enterprise on a pace for 60 percent growth in his 12 months.

Wright has been in the heavy equipment industry for nearly half of his life: 17 years. He credits his early mentors for instilling the love he has for the heavy equipment industry and his early success running his own dealership. His passion for the industry began at the age of 16 at an independent auto shop in Carmel, Ind., and then to a college internship at MacAllister Machinery (CAT) in Indiana. His time at MacAllister was “life-changing,” according to Wright.

“MacAllister Machinery was, at that time, a well-respected Cat dealer in Indiana, but had not yet become the business they eventual developed into,” Wright said. “It was clear there was something great happening and I was so fortunate to be a part of the unique entrepreneurial environment. I watched how they navigated the recession in a way that resulted in an explosion of growth. During my internship, I worked in the service department and then worked for the director of service operations where I was introduced to Lean Six Sigma methodologies and, before I knew it, all of the things that I learned had real application.”

Upon graduation, MacAllister was quick to offer Wright a permanent position.

“MacAllister was my home,” Wright said. “I thought I’d be there forever.”

“Forever” lasted 14 years, at which time Wright and wife, Christie, decided to pursue their dream of living and working in

California. An offer to become general manager of RDO Equipment in Riverside made that dream a reality in 2020.

Wright attributes the move to RDO to his wife’s more “adventurous spirit” and that they try to make decisions based on future regrets and they knew we would regret not taking a chance. “If we were going to make a move, now was the time while our children were under 5.

“Similar to MacAllister, I’m grateful for the opportunity and experience that RDO gave to me,” Wright added. “I was able to lead my own dealership effort, all five phases: parts, service, sales, rental and technology. I was 33 years old, and that team rallied around me, a new young leader, running a very large business.”

But when JCB reached out, the idea of owning his own dealership with a good manufacturing partner in JCB was another

potential future regret that the Wright’s just couldn’t pass by.

“The thought that I could be in control of the culture, taking care of employees and customers in my own way, was exciting,” Wright said. “I also believed in the future of JCB in the US with the company investing heavily in manufacturing facilities and parts distribution throughout the country.”

Growth for Wright is about responsible growth and adding employees where needed. Since taking over the dealership, Wright has gone from 18 to 24 employees. Wright plans on “adding a new technician every month this year, and as we keep doing that, we’re able to take care of customers in a way that we have not in the past.

“We prioritize problems and engage and don’t think that problems are going to solve themselves,” Wright added.

As an owner, he engages fully. Wright compares running SoCal JCB to “big dealerships in the 60s, if you had a problem, you would call the owner, because you knew him and he would gather the team and solve the problem.”

Wright realizes that can be more challenging as companies get bigger, but it’s a philosophy he drives into each member of his SoCal JCB team.

“That is our advantage as a small business,” Wright said. “We don’t want our internal challenges to become a barrier to our customer’s success. It is our responsibility to be outward focused and provide solutions.”

Wright admits that this is about “legacy.”

“I don’t come from family business, but what I come from is parents that are wise, committed, engaged and incredibly present in my life,” he said.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had a lot of unique experiences in my life, experiences that a lot of people don’t have and, because of that, I feel a responsibility and a need to pay that forward,” he said. “This is a 100year commitment that my family is making, what we hope will be our legacy.”

Wright is very close with his parents, who still reside in Indiana.

“My dad only understands a portion of this world, but he is still the person that I call weekly, at my highs and my lows,” Wright said. “My parents are part of the SoCal JCB team in that way.

“I truly believe good things happen when good people come together and work hard, and that’s what’s happening at our dealership.” Wright added.

And Wright is excited for the future of SoCal JCB.

SoCal JCB has two locations: 14675 Valley Blvd., Fontana, Calif., 92335 and 14480 Alondra Blvd., LaMirada, Calif., 90638 

(All photos courtesy of SoCal JCB.)

Dealer Principal of SoCal JCB, Caleb Wright, and his six-year-old son, Judah.

(L-R): A portion of the Fontana team includes Michael Madrigal, parts advisor; Art Ramirez, parts associate; Cristina Padilla, accounting assistant; Rodrigo Duran, service manager; Vic Munoz, technician; and Noah Lira (apprentice). This team has worked tirelessly to increase sales and customer service objectives at this location.

The La Mirada location is the newest location for SoCal JCB. Caleb Wright has the enterprise on a pace for 60 percent growth in his 12 months on the job.

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VCES Receives First Portable Electric Voltstack e-Charger

Volvo Construction Equipment & Services (VCES) California achieved a significant milestone in job site electrification by becoming the first Volvo Construction Equipment Dealer to receive Portable Electric’s Voltstack e-Charger. The news comes on the heels of the two companies announcing a partnership to offer the Voltstack e-Charger to support the off-grid charging of Volvo electric equipment across its 245 Volvo dealerships.

Volvo’s new ECR25, L25 and other electric equipment are great assets for construction job sites. However, the challenge of recharging these machines on remote job sites can often lead to downtime and lost productivity. The Voltstack e-Charger is a rugged, reliable, off-grid mobile charging solution which allows customers to recharge their electric equipment on any job site. By providing a complete solution for electric

equipment charging, the Voltstack e-Charger ensures equipment uptime and enables ROI, thereby increasing the adoption of electric equipment on construction job sites. Its ability to cater to a wide range of electric equipment requirements, such as boost charging, setting up temporary charging off-grid, or providing recharging services whenever needed, make the Voltstack e-Charger a significant addition to VCES California’s equipment offering.

“We’ve always thought of California as a leader when it comes to transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable future, and VCES California is proving that to be true,” says Keith Marett, CEO of Portable Electric. “Not only will these units help recharge Volvo electric equipment, but they will also help reduce a remote job site’s reliance on fossil fuel generators and supplement it with clean, quiet power.

“Electrification is a key enabler for sustainable construction, and Volvo is taking a leadership role in the industry to drive this transition,” says Ed Galindo, e-Mobility Lead at VCES California. “We’re proud to offer a range of electrified products to help customers reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals. By combining innovative technologies like the Voltstack ecosystem with our deep expertise in construction, we’re working to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone.”

The Voltstack e-Charger is part of the Voltstack ecosystem which means in addition to providing a whole host of charging solutions, the unit can also be used as a source of silent, emission-free onsite power. Crucially, the Voltstack e-Charger can also be hybridized with a fossil fuel generator to provide off-grid power with a “Smart Hybrid” feature. This feature allows the

Voltstack e-Charger to automatically turn on or off a diesel generator depending on the state of charge of the Voltstack e-Charger, providing a hands-off solution for crews to operate and making for a quieter job site while reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. For more information about Volvo Construction Equipment and Portable Electric, visit www.volvoce.com and www.portable-electric.com.

About VCES

Volvo Construction Equipment & Services (VCES) offers a wide range of construction equipment, designed to improve efficiency and productivity on job sites, including excavators, wheel loaders, articulated haulers, and motor graders. The company also provides expert services, such as maintenance, repair, and training, to ensure that customers get the most out of its equipment. 

Family Biz Trench Shoring Company Hosts ‘Special Event’

TRENCH from page 1

Although the Race Car Shop is not open to the public, Malloy “will open it for special events — like the SCCA event or for family events — and he is great about wanting people to see the cars and to interact with them and tries not to make his collection too precious,” according to Ryan.

Tom Malloy opened the SCCA event speaking about Trench Shoring and joked with the more than 150 attendees that since his kids now own Trench Shoring Company, “he is looking for work.”

Malloy also praised his eldest son, Kevin, who “has been running the company for over 20 years,” according to Tom. When Kevin took the reins and Mr. Malloy still owned the company, there were five locations.

“Now there are 11,” Malloy added. “He is not letting any grass grow under his feet. He has done a hell of a job with

the help of his brother and sisters, along with the members that are at the company, we can’t thank them enough for what they do to help contractors and Trench Shoring Company. I’m very proud of that.”

Speaking of his automobile collection, Malloy admitted that, “it has been a ride and that he never could have imagined this. I’ll be sitting in one of those chairs and I look around and I’m waiting for someone to walk in and go ‘Hey kid, get out of here we are closed!’”

The magic of it all is not lost on Malloy, who realizes that “I get a lot of thank-yous and owe a lot of thank-yous to people who have all helped along the way.”

Malloy concluded by encouraging people to get involved with SCCA and the best way forward is knowing that the business is only as strong as its members. It’s important to join forces to help navigate state and union regulations.

Kurt Kroner of Kroner Environmental Services, who serves on the board of directors as vice president of SCCA, lead the pledge of allegiance.

“It is an honor to be a part of this group and to be at events like this with so many interesting and creative people that build world class projects,” Kroner said. “As I drive around southern California, it always amazes me that we are a part of the machinery that builds these projects and I recognize that, not just drive by.”

Greg Salsbury of Salsbury Engineering and programs committee of SCCA, led the group in a prayer.

John Koehr, SCCA current interim executive director, added, “an association is very well served by volunteer leadership and your staff. It’s an exciting time in construction and as I was sitting in traffic in southern California, I was reflecting on the state of our infrastructure and the resiliency of our infrastructure. And it occurred to me, there are a lot of grand challenges and that the people that are going to be solving those grand challenges are here in this room. We are literally ‘in the trenches.’ Right? This is Trench Shoring. The association is here to serve you as members and to help you solve these grand challenges.”

JD Nanci of EBS General Engineering Inc., serving as membership committee chair of SCCA, spoke about the importance of being involved in a committee.

“Membership is the life blood of the association, without you guys as members there is no membership,” Nanci said. Booth sponsors for this event included Recycled Base Materials, USI Insurance Services Inc., Downs Energy and Warrior Machinery.

About SCCA

Southern California Contractors Association (SCCA) is volunteer-led and governed by its members comprised of union-affiliated contractor businesses and affiliate industry providers. You can reach SCCA at 600 City Parkway West, Suite 165, Orange, Calif., 92868 and at 657/223-0800.

photos courtesy of Construction Equipment Guide.)

(All

Andrew Ballin (L) and Tyler Cederoth, both of EBS General Engineering Inc.

(L-R): Ky McLeod, Griffith Company; Brian Platt, G3 Quality; Jonathon Rymer, Trench Shoring Company; and Johnny Rodriguez, RMA Group Inc. Ahron Valverde (L) and Jonathan Valverde of Valverde Construction.

State Creates ‘Strike Team’ for Major Infrastructure Projects

To streamline the process of greenlighting state infrastructure, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order that creates an “infrastructure strike team” to identify and expedite key projects through better coordination among government agencies.

He also unveiled plans to introduce a series of 11 trailer legislative bills that would speed up state review processes and reduce time for legal challenges to approved projects.

The move is intended for California projects to gain a greater share of funding from federal legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, Newsom said at a press conference.

He estimates the state will invest $180 billion, including state and federal funding, in infrastructure projects over the next decade.

“It’s about saving time, saving money and addressing bureaucratic malaise,” Newsom said.

According to the order, the strike team consists of state officials who include the secretary of transportation, finance director

and planning and research director. The initiative focuses on projects in areas such as broadband and clean energy supported by the new federal funding laws, according to Antonio Villaraigosa, Newsom’s infrastructure advisor.

The executive order directs the strike team to create working groups geared to expediting projects in transportation, energy, hydrogen, environmental remediation, broadband, water, the federal CHIPS and Science Act and zero-emission vehicles.

The legislative package would promote project delivery strategies such as progressive design-build, as well as permit reform and changes to state administrative records laws and the California Environmental Quality Act.

Peter Tateishi, CEO of Associated General Contractors of California, praised Newsom’s efforts to make CEQA more effective by limiting lawsuits that have in some cases delayed projects for years.

“We look forward to reviewing the proposal’s details and scope and stand eager to partner with the governor and legislators to move projects faster,” Tateishi said in a statement. 

AGC of California Hosts Business Expo for Construction

The Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) hosted its annual Northern California Small Business Construction Expo (SBCX) at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, Calif.

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares headlined the event as the keynote speaker.

“We have great opportunities to fund projects that enhance current partnerships as well as cultivate new partnerships with small businesses and prime contractors,” said Tavares. “With the nearly 800 ongoing construction projects worth nearly $12 billion, we need to partner with the contracting industry and other stakeholders to ensure we can deliver these projects for the people of California.”

Tavares manages a $20 billion budget with a vision for California transportation that addresses critical climate issues and advances a safe, equitable, accessible, sustainable and multimodal transportation system that builds on strong partnerships and robust stakeholder engagement.

AGC of California’s SBCX connects small/underrepresented business (SUB) contractors who are growing their business with resources and experts from across the state, including representatives from public and government agencies, prime contractors and specialty trade organizations.

More than 30 organizations sponsored booths and shared tips for landing contracts, project forecasts for opportunities and more. AGC of California’s SBCX is developed in partnership with presenting sponsors BART, BuildOUT California, Caltrans, the California Department of General Services (DGS) and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. More than 389 people registered for the Northern California SCBX.

SBCX places special emphasis on

making connections between construction industry businesses that are disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), LGBT business enterprises (LGBTBE), minority business enterprises (MBE), small business enterprises (SBE), women business enterprises (WBE) and women-owned small businesses (WOSB).

“AGC of California is dedicated to connecting contractors of all sizes with resources and opportunities so the construction industry is best positioned to meet our state’s needs to build a better future,” said AGC of California Chief Executive Officer Peter Tateishi. “SBCX provides small and historically underrepresented businesses the opportunity to network, grow and contribute their vision and voice to the California construction industry.”

AGC of California members Hensel Phelps, Kiewit Corp., Kiewit Shea Traylor Joint Venture and Turner Construction Co. sponsored the event, along with the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council.

The panel session, “The Importance of Partnerships — Specialty Contractors and Small/Underrepresented Businesses” included Brian Kijanka, regional manager, ISEC Inc.; and Brittni DaleyGrishaeva, president and chief financial officer, Daley’s Drywall, who shared bestpartnering practices. The session was moderated by Miquel Penn, Northern California regional community relations director, Swinerton, and winner of the 2021 AGC Construction Education Friend Award.

The Southern California SBCX will be on Aug. 25 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. 

(All photos courtesy of AGC of California.)

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares headlined the event as the keynote speaker.

California has a $20 billion budget with a vision for California transportation that addresses critical climate issues and advances a safe, equitable, accessible, sustainable and multimodal transportation system.

More than 30 organizations sponsored booths and shared tips for landing contracts, project forecasts for opportunities and more.

The Northern California Small Business Construction Expo places special emphasis on making connections between construction industry businesses that are disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE).

“AGC of California is dedicated to connecting contractors of all sizes with resources and opportunities so the construction industry is best positioned to meet our state’s needs to build a better future,” said AGC of California Chief Executive Officer Peter Tateishi.

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