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CONSTRUCTION
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Merry Christmas
The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 21 H Number 12 H DECEMBER 2018
HOLT turns 85
Tres foundations
L-R: Phil Kelliher, Corinna Holt Richter and Peter J. Holt
L-R: Brian Holt and Richard Reed of Foundation Support Specialists
S
an Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said it best when describing the legacy of HOLT CAT by saying it “started back when horsepower was measured by actual horses.” Truer words could not have been spoken about the five-generation legacy Benjamin Holt started with the design and manufacture of the first continuous tracks for use in tractors, paving the way for heavy agricultural and construction machinery for years to come. Holt’s invention forever changed the world as the use of horse drawn power applications became a thing of the past. On Oct. 26, HOLT CAT CEO Peter J. Holt and President and Chief Administrative Officer Corinna Holt Richter welcomed several distinguished guests,
friends and media at the beginning of the 85th anniversary celebration. The event took place at the new state-of-theart HOLT CAT headquarters with opening remarks by Richter. “We’re celebrating a number of milestones today. The biggest one is our organization’s 85 years in business. This weekend we will celebrate with a few thousand of our employees and their families to mark our history and impact in industrial innovation. We’re also celebrating our legacy as the largest Caterpillar dealer in the United States. “We are honored to represent an iconic brand like Caterpillar. It’s really our people who make HOLT who it is and why our customers choose us. We will have an ancontinued on Page 3
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oundation Support Specialists (FSS) is run by three men, each one lending his gifts and talents to the company. Brian Holt is the construction expert. “I grew up in the business,” he said. He jokes (but not really) when he says, “I’m 42 years old and I’ve been around [construction] for 42 years.” In 2016, Brian saw an opportunity to get involved with a company called Earth Contact Products. Holt knew construction, but not the business side of running a business. Thus, he contacted his long-time friends, the brother team of Richard and Adam Reed. Adam provides the marketing expertise for FSS, while Richard handles the office, which includes the finance portion.
“All three of us have our own unique talents,” Richard said, “and this is such an amazing thing we’ve got going on because we all do what we’re best at, and it’s working out for the benefit of everybody.” Holt agrees that each person in the company has their role to play. “We don’t micromanage” when it comes to division of labor. He goes on to say, “My father always taught me: Do what you’re good at and have other people do what you’re not good at. I’m not good at the finance side of it. But even if I was, I wouldn’t have time for it!” FSS is headquartered in San Antonio, but also has an Austin office. It handles foundation issues in central and south Texas, all the way down to the Corpus continued on Page 21
State-of-the-art
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hen ASCO Equipment was looking for a contractor to build their new sales, parts and service facility, they wanted a contractor that had extensive experience in working with privately owned companies. Hooker Contracting Inc. has been involved in the construction industry in South Texas since the mid ‘60s. A lot has changed since 1965 when H.V. Hooker founded Hooker Contracting. Today, the company is owned by Scott Shaheen and other employees. The employeeowned company specializes in designbuild projects for private companies throughout Texas. Hooker began work on ASCO’s new sales, parts and service facility in June 2017. The project team for Hooker Contracting included Project Manager Scott Shaheen, and Assistant Project Manager Yvonne Masters. Project Superintendent Steve Jimmerson oversaw the
$9,500,000 project and turned the keys over to ASCO in July 2018. The project site was once the old Keller Materials facility. The Hooker team began work with the demolition of the former Keller Materials office and warehouse space to make room for multiple site improvements. Once demolition was complete, construction of an approximate 21,000sf new showroom, office and parts warehouse space began in addition to approximately 25,000sf of new service bays and a new wash rack building. This project provides ASCO, which is the largest Case Equipment dealer in Texas, with a state-of-the-art facility to better serve their customers. Construction materials and systems included conventional steel framed structures as well as pre-engineered building systems, natural stone and stucco veneers, metal wall panels, metal and ASCO Equipment’s new sales, parts & service facility located at 1920 SE Loop 410.
continued on Page 21