CDI
Craftsman
Commercial Drywall, Inc. Volume 2, No. 4
February 1981
W was good, ’81 may be better
CDI6state ©f the company’ revealed
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The year 1980 was seen as one of tremendous growth, success, and accomplishment for CDI while the year ahead is filled with optimism, and at the same time, great challenge. These were the views expressed at the January supervisors’ breakfast, a meeting used by CDI to review 1980 and preview 1981. The meeting was held for the benefit of some 50 top CDI job supervisors and foremen to share with them the "state of the company" as it moves into a new year. CDI president Dick Phillips, sales and estimating heads Stan Marek and Alan Jezek, and production leaders Bruce Marek and Hoagy Cannon discussed their specific aspects of the business and what they expect for 1981. "1980 saw some of our greatest achievements,” said Dick Phillips in looking back at the past year. "The Houston economy was strong despite national economic problems, and as a result the company's economic status achieved record levels.” Dick noted several major achievements including the opening of our Dallas office, our renewed success in San Antonio, and the continued development of Operation 3P with the supervisors' training course at the University of Houston, the orientation program for new employees, Project S.A.F.E., and the numerous barbeques and steak dinners awarded to budget beaters. Dick also mentioned several company milestones reached last year, specifically the purchasing of our own computer system and the completion of key projects such as First International Plaza, Three Allen Center, Greenway Condominium I,
Alan Jezek (left) and Stan Marek use a flip chart in showing CDI supervisors and foremen the company's current backlog of work The sales review and preview was part of a "state of the company '' message presented at the January's supervisors' breakfast
and the Marriott, Hilton, and Meridien hotels. "Growth was another major happening for all of us,” continued Dick. "For instance, our paint department really blossomed with a 560 percent growth over the previous year, and now employs its largest work force ever. In addition, company growth as a whole measured a 43 percent increase, with more employees now than ever before.” Dick concluded his summary of 1980 by relating our accomplishments in terms of lineal feet of drywall put into place. “If all of our drywall were laid end to end in 4x10 sheets, they would stretch from Houston to Denver — the equivalent of 1,220 floors of work, or 25 50-story high-rise buildings.”
Following Dick, Stan and Alan discussed the outlook for 1981 in the areas of sales and estimating. According to Alan, CDI moves into this new year with the largest backlog of work ever. "While this is the case,” said Alan, “we are continuing to look closely at almost every major project that comes up because the construction industry is an ever changing business.” “This change,” said Stan, “will require us to become more aggressive in the sales area. Due to the economy, competition for jobs has increased substantially and will continue to do so. In order for us to continue our momentum, we must keep our prices where the market dictates. This may mean taking some (See CDI, p. 2)
From the top
How do y@y rate as an inwestment?
by Dick Phillips One of my jobs is to continually evaluate the progress that our company is making in its various activities. And, in carrying out this process, it is important that I continually change the vantage point from where I look. That is, if I always look at the company from a sales point of view, I am only going to be able to evaluate sales. Or if I am only going to look at it through production, then I can only evaluate production. The trick is to continually look at us from different points. And, in this process, I look at every part of this company as an investment. I think that all of us should look at ourselves as investments. Take me for example. The company pays me to perform certain duties which are
reasonably clearly defined. I need to examine the results that I am giving back. The company is incurring a cost in allowing me to perform my job. Am I giving them a return on their investment sufficient that they would want to continue investing? You should ask yourself the same question. Let’s look at another illustration. We have just hired an apprentice carpenter, for example. And, we are now making a terrific investment in this person. First, we give him certain basic tools and he enters into the investment because he also buys certain tools. We send him to one of our jobs. A journeyman carpenter now starts taking time to teach this person; and for days, months, and year, valuable time on the part of
CDI ©yfil©©k g©©d for 5S1 (From p. 1) jobs lower than we would like,” commented Stan. Overall, the outlook in the sales area remains bright, both concluded, as the number of new projects coming up appears stable. But, in an environment that changes so quickly, both expressed the necessity to keep a close watch on the market. On the production side of the business, Bruce and Hoagy discussed several topics, the most important being the need to constantly improve ourselves and our methods of work. “This need for constant improvement is what Operation 3P is all about,” said Bruce. “We face many challenges as craftsmen in our industry and we must constantly look for ways to work smarter, so that the company can remain competitive in the marketplace.” “Operation 3P is a 10-year plan for the 80’s, a vehicle for us to cut our labor costs so that we can continue to enjoy the working environment we have today. To accomplish this, we need to concentrate our supervisory efforts in five areas:
communications, teamwork, training, controlling costs, and goal setting." In each of these, Bruce urged every supervisor and foreman to seek ways to improve their abilities. As the number of employees has grown rapidly in recent years, the need for such talent in these fields has increased tremendously. As a start, supervisors were asked to establish goals relating to their jobs for 1981. These goals were to be turned in within a week after which time they would be examined and redistributed to the supervisors so that they could be pursued. Hoagy closed the “state of the company” meeting with several thoughts on how supervisors can and will play an important role in the success of CDI in the coming years. “There’s more talent in this room than there is within any drywall company in the country,” said Hoagy. “We have the talent and the ability. Now we must set our goals, work together, use other's ideas, and communicate. That will be what it will take to get us where we want to be in 1981.” -2-
senior carpenters are poured into \ this young person, teaching him to do his trade. Hopefully, all along the way, at each grade level, some supervisor within CDI makes an evaluation that the results from this apprentice have been sufficient to warrant a continuing investment. The investment, however, does not stop when this apprentice is promoted to journeyman. Neither does it stop when the journeyman is promoted to foreman, nor when the cub estimator graduates to estimator. The investment continues throughout the career of each and everyone of us because we all receive a paycheck on Friday. I believe that it is absolutely necessary that periodically we reflect on the soundness of ourselves as investments. Am I returning the profit to the company? Am I a good investment? Or, am I a marginal investment; or am I taking more than I am giving? Only individually can these questions be honestly answered. And, if the answer is, I don't think I am a very good investment at this time, the obvious question follows—why not and what can I do as a part of the CDI team to make my contribution more valuable? No one likes to be a mediocre or poor performer at anything we do. I guarantee if I judge myself to be anything other than a good return on the investment, I will be taking steps immediately to correct it. How about you?
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CDI
Craftsman Editor: Larry Williams 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.
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Valero, other projects keeping S.A. office busy The 11-story Valero Building heads the list of jobs for CDI in San Antonio. There, CDI has completed the exterior sheathing on the building and now moves into insulation of the exterior walls, shaftwall, and penthouse framing. Serving as foreman for CDI is Wayne Schultze who is leading a crew of approximately 15 to 20 craftsmen. The project is being done for Linbeck Construction Company. Stocking has begun on the 11-story North Frost Center, a project for Lyda Construction Company. CDI is expected to man the job within the next few days to begin the core work on that structure. Stocking operations will also begin on Farinon Electric, a one-story manufacturing facility where CDI will start work in mid-March. The job which includes drywall partitions and ceilings is located in northwest San Antonio and will be a project for general contractor Rogers-O'Brien. Activity is nearly three-quarters complete on the U.T. Flealth Science Center under foreman Pete Williams. Pete has done an outstanding job on the three floors of demountable partitions, doors, and door frames.
San Antonio manager Roy Van Cleave (left) and protect manager Paul Jones review prints of a current protect Paul is a recent addition to the S A. staff where he will be responsible for budgeting, set ups and material purchasing on certain /obs
Just underway is CDI's remodeling of the Alarmex Building where CDI is acting as the general contractor and has subcontracted out the electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and roofing and will do the interior
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partitions, ceilings, and some demolition. Other activity for CDI-San Antonio remains strong with bids out on several low- and mid-rise projects. In addition, CDI has announced the addition of Paul Jones as project manager. Paul will coordinate activities between the office and the field and will be responsible for budgeting, set-ups, and material purchasing for projects. Paul comes to CDI from U.S. Plome where he served as project manager. Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas and a master's in Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Fie is married, and he and his wife Janet have an 11-year-old girl, Elizabeth.
The real difference between men is energy. A strong will, a settled purpose, an invincible determination can accomplish almost anything; and in this his distinction between great men and little men. Thomas Fuller
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Building 060 at the IBM complex in Austin is shown in the photo above. CDI activity there is past the halfway point under Bob Fritz and Terry LaRoche. -3-
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EMPLOYEE NEWS
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Dedicated apprentices reeeiwe belt buckles CDI recognized two outstanding apprentices at its January supervisors’ breakfast. The two, Bruce Dinhobl and Walter Neyland, each received a belt buckle in appreciation for the fine attitude and effort they have shown the company. Bruce is a fifth period carpenter apprentice working at the Greenway Condominium II project. Since joining CDI in June of 1979, Bruce has amassed a near perfect attendance record. In addition, he has been cited by his former supervisor Glen Brabham, as “having a willingness and attitude toward his work far above any which I had seen in any apprentice in my years as a carpenter.” Meanwhile, Walter Neyland, is also a fifth period carpenter apprentice working under Melvin Dillman in the Vaughan Systems area. Among Waiter’s positive characteristics are his dedication to his work and his willingness to do what is asked of him. In addition, field superintendent Ted Hajdik, says, "Walter is a very outstanding apprentice because he cares about his job and takes it seriously. He's always willing to accept challenge. Anything that he thinks can be done, he will give it a ^ ^r try. Both Bruce and Walter display the traits of great apprentices today and the prospect of becoming CDI leaders in the future. The Craftsman extends its congratulation to these two fine men, and wishes each a long and successful career with CDI.
A New Year’s resolution I hereby resolve to remain openminded during 1981 and to accept willingly all of the changes and challenges that are handed me, using them wisely as stepping stones toward my personal growth and success.
Recently named tool and equipment manager. Dennis Yanowski will oversee the purchasing, distribution and maintenance of the thousands of tools used by CDI
From materials to tools
Dennis’ coordinating roles aid to field For the past three years, coordination of material deliveries to job sites, stocking, clean up, and yard labor operations have been under the supervision of Dennis Yanowski. During this time, Dennis has earned the respect of virtually everyone with whom he has worked, from job supervisors and management to those working under him. This respect stems from his conscientious effort, his ability to do his job extremely well, and his excellent attitude. For these efforts over the past years, Dennis was named February's key person for CDI. Within the past month, Dennis has changed positions, taking over as tool and equipment manager for the company. This new job will be no less demanding than his previous position, and is one that requires the special talents which he possesses. Assisting him in this area is Ed Barganier, former job site coordinator at the Four Leaf Towers, Dennis, himself, started his career with CDI in May of 1977 as a job site coordinator at the Greenway East Tower project working with supervisor Jay Richards. He remained there for about five months -4-
before coming into the office as CDI's material handling coordinator. ^ As such, Dennis has maintained W some extremely long workdays with hours of 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus an extraordinary amount of after-hour and weekend work. According to Dennis, weekend work is often necessary in order to use the material hoists on the big jobs during their nonpeak times, which come essentially on Saturdays. In fact, his labor crew stocked materials on 50 of the 52 Saturdays in 1980. In his new position, Dennis will be responsible for all tool purchases and rentals, plus their delivery to jobs, maintenance, and repair. Currently, CDI is in the process of undertaking a massive tool accountability program which will involve both Dennis and Ed. The program is designed to assist CDI in keeping track of the thousands of tools it uses in its day-to-day operations. Dennis is a graduate of St. Pius High School here in Houston and attended both the University of Houston and Sam Houston University, where he studied t accounting. And, he says tha leisure time activities include as much hunting and fishing as possible.
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For achievements at Allen Center
Buddy May© named CDI has named Buddy Mayo supervisor of the month for January Buddy, who will soon complete 10 years of service with the company presently heads up remodeling activity in the Allen Center complex which includes One, Two and Three Allen centers, the Hotel Meridiem and the Entex Building. Buddy has called the Allen Centeir home for the past two years, although his participation in the Entex and Two Allen lease work began several years earlier. He first joined the company at the CDC Building in the Galleria area, where he was made a carpenter foreman after only one month. He also worked on Pearlman's and the Ranger Insurance Building prior to his involvement downtown at the Entex Building. Presently, Buddy runs some 35 different remodeling jobs throughout the Allen Center and employs about 30 carpenters. Recently, Buddy's workload increased significantly ^ when Three Allen lease work became ™ his responsibility. Of his 30 men, approximately 17 work in that building. Buddy's ability to handle the special demands of remodeling is evident in the respect he has earned from our client Century Development,
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^ Supervisor Buddy Mayo uses a radio to maintain contact with the 35 /obs which he now oversees in the Allen Center complex in downtown Houston.
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comp^x. A Single stroll through the A Hen Center gets Buddy any number 0 greetings from people as they psiss. Such response from people is an important aspect of his business philosophy. “Your obligations never cease when you are in a situation where you do the work and then remain behind like we do here at the Allen Center," claims Buddy. “You know you’re going to see these people again, maybe work for them again. So, its important to do their work; do it right, and make sure they are happy with it. Otherwise, you just cause yourself a lot of problems." This type of philosophy shows that Buddy is well in control of things at the Allen Center. In addition, it reveals his nature of telling things
like they are, but at the same time, being easy to work with. And this type of attitude has proven successful in eliminating problems on projects by discussing them up front and then working with the client or architect to find the best solutions.
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Buddy credits Allen Frank, CDI estimator on the Century remodeling work, as having a big part in making things better for him. On the production side, he commends Mike Pennington for his more than eight years’ service as his primary carpenter foreman. Buddy, who originates from Hearne, Texas, has been a Houstonian for the past 34 years. He is married, and he and his wife Bobbie have two children—son Shannon age 9 and daughter Destiny who is 7.
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Construction steady for CDI-AystQin Construction activity for CDI in Austin is maintaining a steady pace. In recent weeks, several projects have been completed, but have been replaced with ones just starting out. The Tracor project for which CDI was responsible for drywall partitions, ceilings, and painting have been wrapped up. The Job, under foreman Terry LaRoche, finished in excellent shape, and was termed a “tremendous success’ by vice president and general manager Larry Hanvey. Also recently completed was the Brackenridge job where David Kovar supervised a crew in partition work on the top two floors of that building. Projects getting under way include Building 062 in the IBM Complex. The structure is another manufacturer facility in the complex and will be under the supervision of David Kovar. In addition, the Montgomery Wards store now includes CDI activity on heavy gauge exterior framing of the building. This job, which is expected <°|s being approximately three headed by CDI foreman Gene Doughtery.
Two other jobs have recently started. These are the 15th floor of the Capital National Bank Building and a federal judge’s suite in the American Bank Tower. CDI is serving as a general contractor on the Capital Bank project, subcontracting out the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, while retaining the drywall and ceilings. The job is being headed by foreman Jerry Wilhelm. At the American Bank, Jerry Brooks is supervising construction for CDI. Elsewhere, the Motorola facility continues its progress under foreman Johnny Kovar. A crew of approximately 15 craftsmen are involved in the project which includes heavy gauge exterior metal siding being installed from scaffolding. And, the IBM Building 060 is approximately 50 percent complete. Bob Fritz, who has headed that project, continues to do so as its project manager, while Terry LaRoche serves as carpenter foreman. Some 20 craftsmen are working on the project which includes drywall and acoustical ceilings.
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COMPANY NEWS
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CDI mourns loss of Cliff 0?Banion CDI was recently saddened with the loss of one of its supervisors, Cliff O’Banion. Cliff, 43, who had many great achievements for CDI died January 16th from an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his wife Virginia, also a CDI employee, and three children — two teenage daughters, Dawn and Donna, and a son, Jerry. Cliff was a 17-year veteran in the drywall business having first started with CDI in 1969. His most recent tenure with the company began in February of 1976. Cliff was known throughout the company as the man to call on when tough wall conditions arose. He was a master at such items as furrdowns, radius walls and atrium work. He was also known for his insistance on a day’s work from himself. Thus, despite running jobs, he always strapped on his tools and worked along with everyone else. He and his wife Virginia worked as a carpenter team for the past two years on a number of projects including Corporate Plaza II, Woodway II, Yorktown Center, Surgical Training Center, Exxon Building and Anderson Hall. In June of last year, Cliff was awarded the distinction as that month’s outstanding supervisor for his work on the Corporate Plaza project and the Surgical Training Center. The Craftsman, on behalf of CDI, extends its sincere condolences to the O’Banion family, as they more than anyone will miss his presence.
The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the problem you had last year.
(Top) Lee Romme (right) discusses activity on the 50-story Placid/Elm building with vice president and general manager Mike Grogan (center). With back to camera is CDI 'er Buddy Trammell, (left) The 14-story Park Central Building It7 is on the way up CDI activity there has begun with layout and framing.
GDI Systems activity growing CDI Systems in Dallas continues to increase activity on all fronts as both the field and the office remain hectic places. In the field, lease space in the 15-story Lincoln Centre is being built out by a crew of about 10 CDI craftsmen under foreman Mike Ryder. Currently, the major thrust involves six different lease areas with plans for additional leases coming right along. In the Park Central complex, remodeling in several buildings is keeping CDI busy, while core work on Building #7 continues under foreman Laverne Chandler. Laverne is heading a six-man crew on the 14-story project which has just gotten underway with layout and framing underway. Meanwhile, the 50-story Placid/Elm -6-
Building has gotten its start. CDI job supervisor Lee Romine is leading a seven-man crew on the core work which now includes layout and some shaftwall. The crew size is expected to grow as the project progresses. In addition to these projects, CDI anticipates the April start-up of Continental Plaza, a 40-story office building in Fort Worth, and the Farmers Branch Bank Building, a five-story structure expected to begin in early summer. While this activity occupies the field operations, the estimating department continues to bid a number of projects in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. These include three large hotels, several mid- and highrise office buildings, plus the Galleria project.
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Project of the month
Oxford Condo chaleng® for GDI grafts 0 In May of 1980, CDI began a major condominium project—The Oxford, a 20-story luxury high-rise complex near the Galleria for Harvey Construction. Now, some nine months later, The Oxford nears completion under supervisor Nick Nunez with only a minimum of news mentioned during its construction and no budget beater wins. But one thing is for certain, it hasn't gone without some outstanding contributions from several CDI craftsmen. In fact, all company crafts were involved in the project and have combined to bring it to its near completion. According to Nick, "we didn’t beat many budgets here, but that doesn't mean we didn't try. Beating a budget takes outstanding effort in an area that you are familiar with. With this project, we had to solve problems along the way, which made it a little tougher for everyone. “We got a bad start early with poor sequencing of crafts. This hurt ^^us, especially during the first 12 ^Pfloors, but after that we held our own. I think everyone learned something working on this project," said Nick. Nick led a carpenter crew of about 22 throughout its duration, while John Samuels headed up a
labor group of three. Joe Robins supervised a dozen finishers and Rudy Martinez is currently leading about 20 painters. For Nick, The Oxford House had outstanding performances from CDI craftsmen Charles Barbour and Allen Jones on the layout and framing of ceilings and window sills. In addition, Dale Russell, carpenter apprentice, did a super punchout job making way for the finishers. Also, Nick noted the outstanding work of John Samuels and his labor crew which consisted through most of the project of Johnny Harris, Octavia Cruz and Al Jones. "These three," says Nick, “handled materials and clean up for all of the other CDI crafts and blew the insulation on the walls as well.” For the finishers, Joe Robins recognized Al Garcia for his amazing efforts in sealing two 20-story air shafts in the building. Al worked from a swing lowered into the approximately 2' x 3' shafts. His only entrances were on floors 2 and 20. He carried an extension light with him and was handed material through small grill openings on various floors. For the painters, supervisor Rudy Martinez has headed up a crew
The Oxford condominium project with supervisor A//crt Wunez and finishing foreman Joe Robins is nearing completion. The 20-story job one of constant challenge for all CDI crafts. -7-
which has averaged about 20 craftsmen involved in painting and wallcovering on the project. According to Rudy, the job has demanded a great deal and he says, “there won't be anything else to learn about painting after this, I think we are seeing everything there is right here." Rudy and his crew’s work includes the painting of ceilings, doors, and door frames on the interiors, and plaster balconies on the exteriors. Ceilings are being blown with acoustical spray while all walls not getting paint are receiving wall covering—anything from paper to suede and vinyl. Assisting Rudy on the job are foremen Ignasio Banuelos who heads up the wallcoverings and Manuel Rodriguez who is coordinating the painting under Rudy.
e ws Here's a look at some of the things that have been happening at CDI in recent weeks: Robert Farley remains at home recovering from his fall while on the job for CDI . . . Glen Brabham has taken the reins at Four Leaf Condos exchanging roles with Daryl Hammons who is taking over Glen's former position at the Greenway Condominium II . . . CDI has a new paint runner, Ronnie Anderson who is getting acquainted with the city and our operations . . . Dennis Yanowski has moved from coordinating materials and labor operations to tool and equipment management . . . Mike Huegele has taken Dennis’ old position and Ed Barganier, former job site administrator for Four Leaf, is assisting Dennis . . . Lee Jones has moved from Condo II to Four Leaf as job site administrator with the new Joe Lozano now working at Condo II . . . Dave LeTourneau has been named the company's controller replacing Barry Barnard who is moving up the corporate ladder to vice president of finance . . . Roland Roe has resigned as finishing superintendent has been replaced by new comer Tom Stephens.
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PaloterSj TCI earn dinner Two work groups, CDI's painters and the Texas Commerce crew, each won a budget beaters’ steak dinner as a result of their production efforts in recent weeks. The paint group, under superintendents Jerry Featherston and Ben Boatright, accumulated the 100 points necessary for the dinner from a variety of jobs including Shell Woodcreek under Robert Farley, J. F. Merrill lease led by Carolyn Cimrhanzel, 9990 Richmond under Tommy Whitten, Voss Ten and Alexander and Alexander supervised by Don Harrison, as well as others. In addition to the hard-working painters, office personnel in the paint department attended the dinner including its manager Al Jones and estimators Robin Cravey and Brian Landry. Two weeks later, the Texas Commerce crew numbering close to 100 were treated to the Tumbleweed dinner for their fine efforts on the 75-story project. Jay Richards led the carpenter's efforts with help from foremen Paul Hering and Mickey Hyatt. The finishing operation was led by Michael Hannah, while the laborers were under the direction of James Chambers. Also participating in the Texas Commerce dinner were several guests from the project's general contractor, Turner Construction Company, and its developer Gerald D. Hines Interests.
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(Top photo) Members of the CDI Paint Group place orders with a Tumbleweed hostess at (he recent steak dinner banquet honoring their accomplishments in recent months. (Bottom) Some of the Texas Commerce Tower work crew are shown with their wives and dates at the dinner acknowledging their efforts on the 75 story pro/ect
CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3705 Piney Woods P.O. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018
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