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CM Commercial Dry wall, Inc.

Craftsman

Vol. 3 No. 10

August 1982

Oaks Plats®

Prestigious project g®@s w<bU foir ©DO “A beautiful project” is how supervisor Bill Shafer describes the Four Oaks Place, a prestigious office development in the Post Oak area. CDI craftsmen have been on the job at Four Oaks since March. CDI’s scope of work on the four-building complex includes core and lease work, door frames and hardware. Developed by Interfin Corporation, Four Oaks sits on a 20-acre site, a large portion of which will remain open in a park-like area. The 30-story central tower is flanked on the east and west by 25-story towers. A 12-story midrise building will house Interfin’s corporate headquarters. A parking garage, capable of holding more than 4,500 cars, is also planned. Most of the garage will be located underground, with only two floors above ground. "Everything is going fantastic. We are below budget on almost everything. We are looking good on all the codes," says Bill. The east and west towers are topped out, and CDI is 39 percent complete with its portion of the work on those buildings and 20 percent complete with its work in the central tower. The midrise building is just coming out of the ground. Lease work is scheduled to begin November 1 in the east tower. The biggest challenge in supervising the large complex is organizing sequences and maintaining schedules, according to Bill. To meet that challenge he and his foreman worked hard at the beginning of the project in order to develop the proper sequences for the work. “We took losses in the beginning and made them winners later,” Bill explains. In addition, Bill and the foremen meet once a week at the jobsite to

Four Oaks, the prestigious four building complex, rises just north of the Galleria. CDI is doing the project's interior construction which includes work in the 30-story central tower, the two 25-story highrises on each side and the 12-story Interfin building just getting started (far left).

discuss problems and find solutions together. Also on the job are CDI finishers. Mike O’Brien is the field superintendent and John Orlop is the finishing foreman. “I couldn't ask for two better people to work with. They are very cooperative,” says Bill. Bill believes that the key to the success of Four Oaks lies in good, effective communication. “I have the best men in Flouston—foremen and craftsmen. We are a family out here,” he asserts. “We communicate very well. The most important reason for our success is something you cannot put into a contract—faith, understanding and a good relationship between the men.” Dusty Lobb is the carpenter foreman over the east tower, with Johnny King as his labor foreman. John Ingram is the carpenter foreman over the central tower. Bo

Charles is the labor foreman there. In the west tower, carpenter foreman Nick Nunez heads up the work, with assistance from labor foreman Pete Rideau. “All six of these men are very well organized and help me tremendously,” says Bill. “They make my job out there easy." Bill also has praise for job site administrators Lee Jones and Brian Thulis. “They are very professional and do their job very well." In addition, Bill says the helpful attitude and concern of superintendent Glen Brabham, project manager Frank Scuillo and other administrators have been invaluable in the success of the project. “You're only as good as the people around you,” says Bill. “That’s what makes Four Oaks go. We have good people all around.”

From the t@p

Labor e®sts k@y to competitiveness

By Stan Marek Drywall is one of the most labor intensive trades within the construction industry. By this, I mean that of all the direct costs that go into our selling price to do a job, about 72 percent goes toward labor. Since labor costs account for so much, they are the most crucial when we bid new projects. It is absolutely necessary for our estimating department to have accurate labor cost units for every job function we do. In other words, if it costs us 150 per square foot to hang sheetrock, we need to know

that, so that future jobs can take that into account. Essentially, the bottom line is that today's labor costs affect tommorrow’s bid figures. Therefore, how competitive we are in the marketplace with our bids reflect how low our labor costs have been. Obviously, the more productive we are, the more competitive we can be. It’s that simple. Here at CDI we have seen a slowdown in the number of projects to be bid. We have also had to reduce work force by a few hundred

Maddox receives m&itcb Layout man Tommy Maddox was presented with a personally engraved Seiko watch, commemorating his tenth year with CDI, at a recent safety meeting at Allied Bank Tower project, where he is currently working. Tommy, who is scheduled to retire in September, has been in the business more than forty years. “He has probably worked on 60 percent of the major high rise work in this town,” comments executive vice president Bruce Marek. During the past few years, Tommy has worked on the Four Leaf Condominiums and Three Allen

Center for CDI. "Tommy has been a tremendous asset to the company,” says Bruce. “He is dependable, he does a good job, and he is there every day. You couldn’t ask for a better employee.” In addition, notes Bruce, Tommy has served as shop steward on many of the jobs he has done for CDI and has helped develop a good relationship between the company and the union. CDI appreciates all of Tommy's hard work and dedication, and wishes him a happy and enjoyable retirement.

people. While this has occured, all has not been for the worse. Our workforce reduction confirmed something that we have known all along—that because of our tremendous number of employees, we carried a lot of marginal producers. With these people on our jobsites, we found that peak productivity was difficult to achieve. Today, however, that is not the case. Those of you with us today, we feel, are our best producers. In fact, we believe that we are now working about the same number of good producers that we had six months ago without the burden of the three of four hundred marginal producers. And, as suspected, overall production has substantially improved. Despite the present economy, we still have the largest backlog of drywall work in the city. We can keep our present work force busy for many months with the work we now # have under contract. And, because our production has improved, we feel good about our competitiveness in the market. All we need now is bid activity to pick up. This largely depends on the recession easing up, interest rates coming down and new projects being developed. Obviously, these items are beyond our control. But, our ability to be competitive when things do break, lies largely on our production costs today. So keep up the good work, and we thank you for your efforts.

CDI

Craftsman Editor: Larry Williams Asst. Editor: Shelley Rogers The CDI Craftsman is published monthly by Commercial Drywall, Inc. for its employees and their families. Employees should send their news contributions to Larry Williams, Commercial Drywall, Inc., P. 0. Box 10686, Houston, Texas 77018.

CDI Sy§t@ms-OaBlas

Oompyter flooring fytyir® l®@ks good Since it began operation in April, the CDI Systems-Dallas access/computer flooring operation has completed nearly 98,000 square feet of raised flooring. “It is the coming thing of the future," says sales representative John Sinayi. “The computer is coming out of the computer room. They are found in almost every office environment. There is more mobility and flexibility in running computer lines, telephone cables and all the other cables necessary to run an office under the floor.” The Dallas operation is responsible for much of flooring for IBM in the metroplex, and has completed approximately 67,000 square feet of flooring for several IBM projects. At present, the access/computer flooring operation is active on two projects-for Texas Instruments and North Texas State University. Work on nine other projects is scheduled to begin by mid-September.

In our business, pleasing the customer is the key to staying on top. It is especially nice when one of our customers takes time to tell us about an outstanding job by a CDI associate. Below is a letter sent to Pat Still of the Interior Systems group from Control Data's Bud Brooks, commending the fine job done by foreman Richard St. Lawrence. Thank you, Richard, for all your hard work and professionalism. asr.tsssff

July 16, 1962

Systems

sarfiVJK'K 77018 Attention:

Pat Still

Ocer Pet

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CDI Systems' computer flooring operations have gotten off to a fast start in the Dallas market. Shown above is a recently completed job at IBM in the Las Colinas development near Irving, just part of some 98,000 square feet of flooring already put in place by CDI.

began working full time in June. Meanwhile, the Dallas lease work Retha Brown, who joined the operations are busy with several company in May, is the new projects. Work continues at the receptionist and secretary for the 50-story Thanksgiving Tower and sales department. Brenda Gibson, Park Central VII, and nears on the job only a few months, assists completion at the Dallas Galleria in payroll and inventory. Office Tower. Beth Chorey has joined the Core work continues at several access/computer flooring operations projects. Craftsmen are working on as an estimator, budgeter and shaft walls, mechanical rooms and project manager. She has been on bathrooms on the lower floors at the Arco Building under supervisor Jerry the job since May 6. Tommy Thompson, estimating Bacchus. trainee, joined CDI in July. And, At the three-tower Stemmons Gary Stewart joined the company in Place, craftsmen are in the early expediting in May. stages of the core work. Supervisor Dudley Chisholm is running 23 men on that job. Core work also BSrths continues at the City Centre II Congratulations are in order to project, where supervisor David several CDIers, who are celebrating Thom is running 16 men and the recent births of their children. achieving remarkable production. Percy Townsend, and his wife, In addition, several new associates Susie, welcomed their first child, have joined the CDI Systems-Dallas Nicholas Alexander, into the world at operation over the past few months. Sandra Njus joined the company last 2:18 p.m. August 4 at Memorial City General Hospital. Nicholas weighed November. She handles all the 7 pounds and 11 ounces at birth unts receivables. Greta Snow is acco and measured 201/2 inches. to the accounting also new Travis Ray Oyler was born to Ben department, where she handles Oyler and his wife, Billye, August 13 accounts payables. She joined CDI at 2:20 p.m. at Methodist Hospital. in February. Travis weighed in at 7 pounds and New to the payroW department is Christine Rupprecht. Christine joined 14 ounces and measured 20 inches at birth. CDI part-time in February, and

> I

Women Gofer's earning plae© beside mem Construction has traditionally been a male-oriented industry. But, like a lot of businesses in recent years, it has seen the emergence of more and more women in the working place. At CDI, this trend has been evident with women in increasing numbers operating screw guns, handling sheetrock, taping joints and rolling paint. The reasons for getting into the business have been about as diverse as the women themselves—better pay, more opportunity for advancement, a preference for working with their hands, the pride in mastering a craft.

The Craftsman talked with three female CDIers to learn their reasons for joining the trade and about some of the special problems they face on the job. Finisher Cheryl Logullo worked for several years as a secretary. After taking three years off for the birth of her son, she re-joined the work force as a finisher. The difference in pay is what made her make the change. Painting apprentice Jannette Yeppez comes from a long line of painters. Her father was a painting contractor much of the time Jannette was in school, and she worked summers for him. When she

graduated from Sam Houston High School last year, she joined the union as an apprentice. She, too cites better pay, along with her family’s strong inclination towards the craft, as her reasons for taking up the trade on a permanent basis. Carpenter apprentice Becky Jones is CDI’s only female carpenter. With one year of apprenticeship under her belt, she looks forward to the day three years from now when she will become a journeyman. Becky grew up in the country, and is no stranger to the hard work of a carpenter. The pay scale also was one of her reasons for choosing her craft, along

Supervisor of the month

Scott Rmy earns July honor Many in the business view condominium construction as the enfant terrible of the trade-exciting and prestigious, but with the capacity for causing a lot of problems. For Scott Ray, July’s supervisor of the month, it’s all in a day’s work. Scott is presently working on the 35-story Parklane Condominium on Hermann Park Drive. He arrived at Parklane fresh from his supervisor duties at the Houstonian condominium. He also served as framing foreman at the Montrose and Four Leaf condominiums, and

worked as a framer at both Greenway condominiums. Prior to joining CDI four years ago, Scott worked in Florida, also in condominium construction. “I like doing condos," says Scott. “I like teaching people how to do the work in them. There is a big difference between building a condo and an office building. A condo is basically done like a custom house. Everything has to be more or less perfect." The Houstononian was the first job Scott supervised. He was brought

Supervisor of the month for July, Scott Ray, is shown on yet another condominium project, the 35-story Park lane. Here, Scott (center) discusses the job with framers Dennis MazeIt (left) and Paul Smith.

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into that project when the work was about half-way completed. “It was kind of hectic for a while, but things settled down after a while," he says. He credits the work and effort of labor forman William Jackson, sheetrock foreman Leroy Freeman, framing foreman Chuck Howard and finishing foreman Dale Fowler with much of the success of the Houstonian. Scott explains that as a supervisor, the biggest problem he faces is not letting the other trades adversely affect the work of his own crews. One way to do this, he says is to maintain a good communication with the general contractor's superintendent. “If you just talk to people, you can solve the problem. Screaming and yelling and jumping up and down doesn’t work for me," he says. Scott’s first job for CDI was the Coastal Towers at Greenway Plaza. Since that time he has excelled on every job he has been on. He has always shown an extra effort in anything he has been assigned " says superintendent Glen Brabham. One of the reasons for Scott's success is that he faces every challenge and problem with the best ammunition-his best effort. “Like I told Glen when he asked me to be a foreman at Four Leaf, 'I’ve never done it before, but I’ll do the best I can. As long as I do that, there’s no reason to feel bad or ashamed.’ ”

with her preference to work with her hands. 0 All three agree that the busi nesslike approach is the best way to get male co-workers and foremen to take a woman seriously. “When you first go on a job, you have to let them know what kind of person you are,” says Jannette, who has been with GDI almost a year. “Show them you are there to do your job and to make a living just as much as they are— that you are there to work and not to fool around.” “After I prove myself, I don’t really have any problems,” explains Becky. Most importantly, a woman in this business must be prepared and willing to carry her weight of the work, and all three of them are. “I try not to let the men on the job carry me, because I didn’t go out there to be carried. I will do my part of the work,” says Becky. Where many women fail at this type of work, says Cheryl, is in expecting the men with whom they work to do a lot of their work for ^them “When the guys try to help me jMout, by carrying something for me, ”for instance, I just tell them not to do it, that I am there to work just as much as they are,” she says. Sexual advances and innuendos from male co-workers can also be a problem for women in the field. “Just stand your ground and ignore it, or else it will get to you,” advises Jannette. “Sexual advances can be a problem at first—until you tear into them, and then they stop,” says Cheryl, who has been with CDI two years. Although there are men who remain uncooperative and opposed to having women working by their side, Cheryl, Becky and Jannette say that the majority of the men are receptive to the idea of having women on the job, and are very helpful. “I think it is mostly a matter of who you work with, and I work with some pretty good people,” says Cheryl. “The men have to get used to you as much as you have to get used to them,” explains Becky. “Everybody I’ve worked with has been real helpful.” In addition to going through a

Three of CDI’s female field employees include (clockwise) finisher, Cheryl Logullo; painter, Janette Yeppez; and carpenter, Becky Jones. Their abilities have demonstrated that construction is not just a man’s job.

period of adjustment with their male co-workers, many women who have entered traditionally male-oriented fields have also had to go through a period of adjustment with family and friends. However, Cheryl, Becky and Jannette didn’t really have a problem there. “I guess it was just kind of natural that I became a painter,” says Jannette. Cheryl began finishing work with her husband, and Becky was encouraged to join the trade by her uncle. And, when asked how her 10-year-old daughter feels about having a finisher for a mother, “She thinks it’s just terrific,” replies Cheryl. All three express a desire to see more women join the construction trade. Although there can be some problems, they say they have made many friends among their male co workers and enjoy the work very much. Cheryl says that she feels CDI is more sensitive to the needs of women in the trade that other companies. “It seems like CDI is more women, to give willing to hire ( a more women chance,” she says. 5

Hoagy Cannon r<B©(§ow(es buckle The tables were turned on director of production Hoagy Cannon recently—instead of awarding a belt buckle to a deserving craftsman, Hoagy himself received one. Executive vice president Bruce Marek presented the brass buckle to Hoagy at the supervisors’ breakfast August 10. His knowledge and expertise are recognized and respected by every CDI employee from apprentice to company president. Hoagy, who has 11 years experience in interior construction, will celebrate his seventh anniversary with CDI in September.

Allan Smittlh

Dallas ©stDmat©^ tariidtos variety ©ff duties For Alan Smith, chief estimator for CDI Systems-Dallas, every day presents a new challenge. As chief estimator, Alan is responsible for overseeing the work of eight estimators in the Dallas operation. In addition, he bids and serves as project manager on various major projects. “I am never bored with my job. There is so much to do that the time just flies by,” explains Alan. “I am active all the time. The more challenge the better.” In addition to the variety of work, Alan says he also finds the jobs themselves to be an interesting part of his work. “I enjoy the prestige of the work. I like doing the major office buildings,” he says. In his two years in the Dallas office, a large portion of Alan’s time has been spent with the Galleria Mall project. He also worked up the bids for several of CDI Systems-Dallas’ major projects—the 50-story Thanksgiving Tower (formerly the Placid Oil building), the 40-story Arco Building and the 14-story Park Central. Alan was with CDI in Houston three years before he joined the

Heading the CDI Systems estimating department in Dallas Is Alan Smith. Alan, who has served CDI for more than a year in Dallas and three in Houston, works closely with his group of eight estimators in handling the busy Dallas/Fort Worth bid market.

Dallas office, where he served as an estimator and project manager. Some of his Houston jobs are the 55-story Interfirst Plaza, the Galleria Guest Quarters Hotel, the 3D/lnternational building, the Houston Dow Center, and the J.C. Penney and Montgomery Ward stores in Greenspoint Mall.

Alan holds a degree in Aviation Administration, and has attended the New York Institute of Technology and Florida International University. Altogether, he has 11 years in interior construction. In his time away from work, Alan enjoys taking short trips, exploring the state.

Project of the month

Austin ©raftsmen pull together ©n Lockheed job A dynamic effort by CDI craftsmen in Austin has earned the Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. job project of the month honors. Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. is a subsidiary of the Lockheed Corporation. The Austin plant is its newest and most technologically advanced plant facility. When the entire plant is completely operable, it will develop and produce a six foot long pilotless airplane, called a Drome, capable of flying behind enemy lines and surveying the area. CDI-Austin has played an important role in assisting Lockheed in getting this important project underway, with phase one of this military defense operation recently completed. The completed portion is a 240,000 square feet building located in south Austin at the

intersection of Ben White Blvd. and installation of the 300 doors and IH 35. frames. CDI paint foreman Johnny According to CDI western division Rodriguez was responsible for president Larry Hanvey, the heading up all the paint work on the Lockheed plant was an especially project. challenging job due to the extremely The size of the project and the tight construction schedule. The large scope of work made this one schedule was made even more of the largest projects ever for CDIdifficult when inclement spring Austin. At its peak, 58 Austin weather and delays by other crafts craftsmen were on the job at caused CDI-Austin to move its Lockheed—the largest concentration original starting date back by three of craftsmen ever to be assigned to and a half weeks. Despite the one job in the Austin area. Those delays, the Austin crews were able craftsmen pulled together to to finish the project on time and overcome the demanding within the budget. construction schedule and produced Johnny Kovar headed up the high quality work on the prestigious carpenter crews on the project. Terry project. La Roche helped supervise the Says field superintendent Danny carpenters and laborers. Nick White Kaiser, “The job would never had supervised the installation of the been the success that it was had it 100,475 feet of accoustical ceilings. not been for the tremendous team James McAnally supervised the effort put forth by the CDI crews.” 6

CD!~Austin

Craftsmen receive belt buekles Austin craftsmen Tim Wynkoop and Johnny Samora were recently awarded CDI brass belt buckles in recognition of their outstanding job performance and ability. Tim was recommended for the award by foreman Jerry Wilhelm for his outstanding work at the La Costa project. “Tim is a well-rounded craftsman whose general knowledge of the trade had proved to be very valuable on the job,” says Jerry. In addition to his valuable job skills, Jerry points out that Tim works well with all his fellow employees and has a good attitude toward his job. Johnny, a paint foreman, is presently overseeing all the paint work at the lease finish jobs at the American Bank Tower. In an average week, he will oversee five to seven leases at one time. Johnny joined CDI shortly after the Austin paint department was formed in 1980. Paint department manager Pat Lunday says he is especially pleased with the consistently fine work Johnny has produced over the years. CDI-Austin appreciates the fine work done by these two valuable and able craftsmen. Meanwhile, work in Austin remains steady as craftsmen continue work at 1982 CDI ACCIDENT CHART

The La Costa project is one of several jobsites underway for CDI in Austin. The drywall job has gone remarkably smooth under the direction of foreman Jerry Wilhelm.

three large projects and several smaller ones. Drywall work continues at the La Costa and Sweco projects. Craftsmen are on the job doing lease finish work at the American Bank Tower and American Bank Plaza. The Austin Paint Group has just signed a contract for Phase II of the

Mew safety program gets results

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Prucare medical complex for Faulkner Construction. Paint work is winding up at the Hyde Park Baptist Church. Mike Griesemer was recently named foreman. He will be supervising the lease finish work at the American Bank Plaza.

CDI’s new safety incentive program has gotten off on the right foot, according to safety manager Ron McKinley. “We reduced our accident rating by 41 percent from June to July,” said Ron. July was our first month in our new incentive program and the results were remarkable." In July, CDI experienced 17 compensable accidents which resulted in an incidence rating of 7.6. The previous month saw 35 accidents and a rating of 13.5. “We’re really quite pleased with the efforts everyone has given towards safety.” Ron noted that the company has established a goal of achieving an incidence rating of 10 for every quarter. “The 7.6 is certainly a good start toward beating our goal.”

CDI-San Antonio

Work continues @ra s®w©raH proj®©te Work continues at a steady pace at Cline's Landing condominium project in Port Aransas for CDI-San Antonio. That project is now running 16 carpenters and 24 finishers and painters. San Antonio manager Roy Van Cleave predicts the drywall portion of the work will be finished by mid-September, with the painting winding up in November. Ceiling installation continues at the 12-story Gill Plaza Building. B.F. Barrow leads a crew of seven men there. In early September, CDI-San Antonio will begin Vaughan Wall installation on the first five floors of the project for owner Gill Savings.

Shop foreman named CDI foreman Paul Buck, San Antonio manager Roy Van Cleave, Spaw-Glass Newton “Buck” Price was recently named shop foreman of the CDI cabinet shop. Buck, who has been with CDI for 18 months, started with the cabinet shop when it was part of the Greenway Plaza operations. When the shop was expanded and moved to its present location, Buck helped set up the shop and organize the move. As shop foreman, Buck oversees both the woodworking and formica operations in the cabinet shop. He says he has been building cabinets for a living for the past 12 years. He maintains a wood shop at home, where he creates artwork and builds special furniture items.

superintendent Ron Cimano and CDI Systems western division president Larry Hanvey discuss the progress of the work at Cline's Landing, two seven-story condominiums located on the beach at Port Aransas.

At the 10-story Corporate Square, Bob Winder is heading a crew of 13 for general contractor Barlette Cocke. Work at the 16-story Forum office building, including drywall and ceilings continues. Joe Solis and his crew are putting the finishing touches to the South Texas Building, a 13-story remodel job for Spaw-Glass. Seven leases are underway at the 40,000 square feet Galaxy Building for Melmc Investments under foreman Roger Filly. Donald Buck is busy heading up the tenant finish out at two

projects—the Northchase, a 70,000 square feet office building for Beeson Properties, and the 200,000 square feet Courtyard shopping center in New Braunfels. Work is coming to a close at the Rand building, under foreman Mike Tinajero. CDI is doing the sub flooring framing and door frames on that project. In addition, Sam Satelo, a carpenter and two-year CDI-San Antonio veteran received a belt buckle for his outstanding job performance. Sam is currently on the South Texas Building remodel job.

CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3539 Oak Forest Drive RO. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018