Prime Contractor Credits MWBEs for Success in Houston

By: Enzo Mungu

Portland Utilities Construction Company, LLC (PUCC), a City of Houston prime contractor, is dedicated to the trenchless pipe rehabilitation industry, rehabilitating and replacing pipe totaling almost two million linear feet in 17 states and the District of Columbia. PUCC uses both cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) and pipe bursting methods, and has played a significant role in some of the largest and most prominent pipe rehabilitation programs in the country.

Founder Ernie Woodcock, who had worked in the underground utility business during the mid-1960s installing mostly water and sewer lines, started PUCC as an open-cut contractor, installing new water and sewer mains. In 1996, after discovering and promoting pipe bursting technology – a trenchless method of replacing buried pipelines – the company found new opportunities all over the Southeastern United States and other areas of the country. Today, PUCC has expanded from its headquarters in Portland, TN to satellite offices in Knoxville, TN and in Houston.

REPRESENTING THE HOUSTON TEAM: From left, Project Manager Francisco Guerra, Administrative Assistant Vanessa Hernandez, and General Manager Steven Ham.

Since it won its first City of Houston contract in 2009, PUCC has consistently received outstanding contract closeout ratings, often exceeding its required MWBE participation goals in sewer and wastewater projects with the Houston Public Works department.

“In making sure we attain great MWBE participation and meeting goals as it related to subcontractors, we share our processes, occasionally pay early, and generally treat subcontractors as an extension of our company,” said Michael Woodcock, vice president of PUCC.

“Specifically in Houston, we subcontract complete work orders whenever possible to provide a good-sized amount of work in one area. We also endeavor to keep the workflow steady and consistent, allowing subcontractors to plan and schedule the work in the most efficient way possible,” he said.

Because of these best practices, Woodcock said PUCC subcontractors have remained loyal team members who can be depended upon. PUCC also recognizes the invaluable role MWBE subcontractors have played in company’s entry to the Houston market.

“We have been particularly blessed with our MWBE subcontractors in Houston, where the mentoring goes both ways,” Woodcock said. “Our MWBE subcontractors were instrumental to our success in getting started in the City by sharing local knowledge for suppliers, other subcontractors, methodologies, and experiences. Probably the most important benefit of the MWBE program in Houston has been the lasting friendships forged through the shared blessings, blood, sweat, and tears of working side by side with our MWBE partners.”

For subcontractors seeking successful, long-term relationships with primes, PUCC attests communication is key.

“They should do their best to be as selfsufficient as possible, but not be afraid to ask for help or advice. They should also endeavor to treat the relationship like a partnership and always remember trust is hard to earn and quickly destroyed,” Woodcock said.

At the end of the day, the relationship between primes and subs goes both ways.

“If a subcontractor is not benefitting from its relationship with a prime, it will be a short-lived relationship,” Woodcock said. “Primes should always understand that a good subcontractor who is loyal and dependable is worth his or her weight in gold. Appreciate relationships for the high value that it brings to an organization, and remember the ‘golden rule’ of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Learn more about Portland Utilities Construction Company, LLC at pucc.org or follow @PortlandUtilities on Facebook.