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Commercial Drywali, Inc.
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Craftsman
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February 1984
Interior coordinator 11
\M\®w role emerging for CDI A new role for CD I is fast emerging in Houston’s construction industry, that of interior coordinator. Building owners and developers are finding that CDI’s expertise is valuable in the coordination of the total interior buildout. “In interior construction, almost everything revolves around the walls. The work of electricians, plumbers, glaziers, and carpet people all rely on walls going up so they can do their part," says director of construction Hoagy Cannon. “We’ve found that the more input we have in the construction schedule and sequencing of crafts, the smoother the entire job runs — basically because what works well for us works for the other crafts and consequently the owner or developer as well."
Given this situation, CDI is becoming more involved in interior coordination. “At the Galleria, for instance, we’re responsible for everything," contends Hoagy. “We furnish numbers for our part of the work then get bids from other subs for the different aspects of the job. Once these amounts are approved by Gerald D. Hines Interests we’re in complete control - planning the job, scheduling the crafts and following up to make sure everyone is doing their part.” George Speaker, CDI’s Galleria supervisor, says he spends up to 90 percent of his time in a coordinating role. 'Td say more than half my time is spent just with the other subcontractors," claims George. However, CDI’s interior coordinating role is not limited to the
nepubhc Bank Center, supervisor Mike Pennington (left) discusses plans for a lease with carpenter foreman Danny Smith while Lamar Haas installs top track background. in the
Galleria remodeling group. At Republic Bank Center, CDI’s Mike Pennington coordinates new leasework in the 56-story building. “I guess I’m a lot like a superintendent for Hines," says Mike. “I work closely with Hines’ construction manager Jerry Lea in scheduling the work and overseeing the construction of the leases. I take care of all the work orders as well as the punch out for all the crafts." Mike sees several advantages of doing work in this fashion. “First, it gives Hines one man to go through rather than several working for several different companies. There seems to be fewer problems because they rely on my knowledge of the job, the work and how it needs to go together. “The subcontractors seem to like it because they can relate better to me as another subcontractor. I also think they respect mine and CDI’s expertise in interior work,” contends Mike. “It takes a lot of work to do it this way but it helps things run smoother over the long haul. It keeps me running. I answer a lot of questions, and have to deal with a lot of people. But, I’m happy that Hines has such respect for CDI." According to Hoagy, the company will likely continue to grow in the area of interior coordination. “It’s a natural thing. With our expertise, I don’t think anyone else could do it better or be more effective at meeting construction schedules. These things save money. And in today's market that’s the name of the game," claims Hoagy.
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‘Search for Excellence* L©ss©hs f© b>© learned from successful corporations Old fashioned values. The right stuff that great companies are founded upon. Values that direct the destiny of each person involved. In 1980, two men, Peters and Waterman, wrote a book based on their experiences and interviews with several of our nation's top corporations. It was entitled In Search of Excellence and became an instant best seller. It makes excellent reading and has something for everyone. The book marks a new earnestness in American business, a new emphasis on old-fashioned values like respect for people, product quality, and serving the customer well. Some consider these basics truly radical, yet many have known them to work well. Values are the backbone of a business. I like to think that this is especially true at CDI. We have strategic planning committees that chart our corporate course. Our organization is set up to utilize that strategy and produce results. The values we hold as a company create our corporate culture - part of
which is respect for individuals. This was the major theme of the excellent companies studied in the book. Men and women in the companies became the primary source of productivity gains. There was a prevalence of tough-minded respect for the individual and the willingness to train him, to set reasonable and clear expectations for him, and to grant him the right to step out and contribute directly to his job. One other basic we must nourish as a company is product quality. Our goal is to be a quality organization and do a quality job. That means doing our job well, and being proud of it for years to come. As we achieve that quality, growth comes as a result. The third basic and probably the one most critical at CDI is serving the customer. Service means sales. Each of you, field or office, is our best salesman. Doing a job to the best of your ability and better than anyone else helps customer satisfaction and that means more
work. The most important management fundamental that is ^ being ignored in the business community today is staying dose to the customer, to satisfy his needs and anticipate his wants. The lessons we learn from reading books such as In Search of Excellence are many. So much of what we do is no different than the strategies employed by successful corporate giants. Awareness of those three basics - respect for the individual, product quality, and serving the customer - is what separates the best from the rest. Please join with me in a continuing commitment to our own search for excellence.
Texas —
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for everyone? How crowded is the planet? Imagine that every man, woman and child on earth were placed in the state of Texas. There are 4,414 million people in the world and Texas has 262,134 square miles of land area. That works out to approximately 1,700 square feet per person. A family of four would thus have 6,800 square feet - about the size of a typical middle class American home with front and back yards. Every human being on the face of the earth could be housed in the state of Texas in one-story single family homes each with a front and back yard.
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CDI Craftsman Editor: Larry Williams Asst. Editor: Maureen MacAuley
CDIs latest safety poster features labor foreman Ed McDonald pictured above Ed. m his almost 20 years with the company, has not had one jobsite accident He is currently serving as labor foreman at Republic Bank Center leasework.
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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.O. Box 10686, Houston, Texas 77018.
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Austin estimators gearing for city’s growth It has been projected that Austin will be a major growth area over the next few years. And, accordingly, the city will see growth in both residential and commercial construction areas. CDI Austin has already seen the effect of the city’s growth. “This year we are doing a lot more construction than we ever have," says Larry Hanvey, president of CDI’s western division. “It is about a 30 to 40 percent increase over last year.” Austin Chamber of Commerce statistics show that there is a 3.5 percent annual population increase and it is anticipated that this growth will continue. Much of the growth is attributed to the decision by Micro Electronics Computer Company to locate in Austin. According to the Chamber of Commerce, this is bringing other computer and computer related industries into the area. “Just because Austin’s construction industry is seeing a lot of growth right now with new projects on the drawing board, there is a lot more competition for those jobs," says Dave Coburn, Austin’s paint manager. Currently underway for Austin’s paint department is One American Center where CDI is handling all the paint and vinyl wallcoverings. There is on-going paint work on the tenant leases at the American Bank building and the
CDI-Austin estimators are pictured above, (seated I to r) Steve Brown and Dave Coburn, (standing I to r) Fred Marks, President Larry Hanvey, Scott Hall and Nick Sukup.
University of Texas Teachers Center is now underway. “It’s not a growth like Houston's; it's more of a controlled growth Austin is seeing," says Austin estimator/project manager Nick Sukup. “It’s a tough market with so much competition moving in. We are bidding jobs with a lot less profit margins.” Proposed construction in Austin includes some nine million square feet along Loop 360 as well as five
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high-rise buildings in the planning stages. “With so much competition for the new work, our estimators have a tough job ahead,” adds Larry.
March supervisors meeting sehadyled CDI’s next supervisors’ meeting will be held 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 13 at the Brookhollow Hilton. Among the topics discussed will be the implementation of a safety drive aimed at preventing some of the company’s more serious injuries such as falls and problems of the back and muscles as a result of material handling. Dr. Stephen Hotze, a practicing Houston physician, will address the group in these areas. Dr. Hotze served as industrial physician for three years for 6,000 IBM employees. He will discuss the causes and possible preventive measures to some of these serious injuries. Other topics at the meeting will include presentation of supervisor awards for February and March as well as a general update on company activities.
Hanna Barbeira Land ►
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GDI paont gr@yp provides rainbow of Under the rainbow, close to Spring High School and the home of the Goodyear Blimp in northwest Houston, a new family amusement park will open March 31. Cartoon characters Yogi Bear, Scooby Doo, the Flintstones and the Smurfs will be on hand to meet and fascinate those in attendance. Hanna Barbera Land’s rainbow of colors is due to the fine efforts of CDI's paint group under the supervision of Raymond Krolczyk. According to Ray, some 54 paint colors were used throughout the park. “Some of the store fronts had up to six colors alone so this job required careful attention to detail on the part of the painters.” The park, a development of the attractions group of Taft Broadcasting Company, was designed to allow for active participation by children. Amusements include the Hanna Barbera Carrousel, Scooby's Ghoster Roller Coaster and The Showplace, which is a 900-seat multi-use amphitheatre. The Funsonian is a 7500 square foot, science-oriented center while Silly Stix and the HBL Funliner are two large play structures. There will be paddle boats and the Enchanted Forest Restaurant, which will offer an assortment of meals and a live show to appeal to children and families. These and more attractions are compacted into a heavily landscaped seven-acre park core while the entire park is located on a 30-acre tract of land. CDI’s painters started the project for general contractors Jordan & Nobles and Turner-Hasenzahl construction companies about two months ago with an early March completion date. “One of the important things considered when we selected painters for the job was whether or not they were good with the brush,” says Ray. According to Ray, the biggest challenge of the job was that most of the work was brush work rather than spraying which is both time-consuming and requires a great deal of attention to detail. “Another factor in this job was the weather as we had a lot of exterior work as well as the interior of the
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The HBL Funliner pictured above is a large play structure for children at Hanna Barbera Land. CDI painters did the paint work making it look like an authentic ship.
buildings," says Ray. “And, the work was delicate and detailed." “Much of the work was a sign painter's job rather than a painter's job," adds paint superintendent Jerry Featherston. The excellent detail work was done by CDI painters Gerald Collins, Robert Delarosa, Burt Durochez, Archie Hass, Narcisco Vazquez, Virgil Speicher, James St. John, Marilyn Clifton, Frank Hord, Ronald Webster, Delson Young, James South, Darrell Walker and Larry Hammond. “This job was really interesting as there was something new to do every day," says Ray. “We were able to keep right on schedule with the general contractors." And, the roller coaster was the first one ever painted by CDI painters. Hanna Barbera Land joins the other amusement parks developed by Taft Broadcasting Company King’s Island in Cincinnati, Ohio; King’s Dominion in Richmond, Va.; Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C.;'and' Canada's Wonderland in Toronto. Hanna Barbera Land was designed primarily for families with children aged 13 years and under. Winn Martin estimated the project for CDI while Scott Bauer handled project management duties. 4
CD/s James South applies finishing touches at Hanna Barbera Land.
Truth is not only stranger than fiction these days — it’s a lot cleaner too. Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
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Selling work So what does it takes these days? ^ Everyone knows the market is bad. as information, break-outs, and take“ So, what does it take to sell work offs so we have the best shot these days? If you want to find out at possible,” says Barry. "Plus we’re GDI you need to talk to a few people packaging more jobs with drywall namely Barry Niemann, Bob like Augusta Green, Republic and Spencer, and Mike Holland. United Bank in order to give the Respectively, these three head CDI’s customer the lowest prices possible." paint, remodel and contract sales Barry says they haven’t bid out of divisions. town as much as they could, but are “Selling paint work these days is assisting CDI branch operations in tough. We’ve got some things Austin, San Antonio and Dallas with working against us,” claims paint their work. “We feel like we’re manager Barry Niemann. “There’s covering the market where its fewer jobs to bid on and those that meaningful,” says Barry. We’re not are around are a lot smaller. Most of wasting our time going after work we our jobs are bid jobs and it's hard to know we can't get. And, we’re compete with the open shop when working our tails off going after what price is so important. we think we can." “But we’re doing some things For CDI’s remodeling division differently to get work. I guess the Houston’s depressed construction main thing is we’ve cut prices. And market has had a different effect, we’ve done this in two ways — by “We’re really staying pretty busy, lowering our labor units and by says manager Bob Spencer, lowering our profit margins.” “Like everybody else, weve According to Barry, lowering these reduced our prices. But, we think two items means that communication we’ve continued to stay busy with the field is more critical. And, because of the service, quality and communication within the paint response we give our customers. .department and with CDI’s other We’ve spent years building relationships, both on a personal and sales areas has to be greater. The a company level, with our service market dictates that we be as and quality," claims Bob. efficient as we possibly can." Uiher things Barry’s group is doing Probably the biggest effect of the current market on Bob's group has includes targeting certain markets been the necessity to increase sales and customers. “Servicing our volume. With contract sales down, customers is much more important. We give them what they want as far remodeling will have to contribute more to overall sales volume. “To do this we're doing some new things. First, we're making sure that we’re giving satisfaction to our current customers. From there we can target new ones. We’ve already began by doing work in the Greenspoint area,” says Bob. Another area where Bob sees expansion is CDI’s interior coordinator role. “We’re doing this a lot of places, especially at the Galleria. And it’s proving to be successful.” Bob also says that an effort toward increased efficiency with a greater emphasis on project management is underway. “There’s always room for improvement.” Perhaps the greatest impact of the downturn has been on contract sales, the company’s largest sales Primer fence at Hanna painter Stacy Von KaneI.
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“The key for us selling work is being able to rely on the field - the confidence that what we have to bid it for, they can build it,” says manager Mike Holland. ''We’ve reduced the amounts budgeted for labor costs. We’ve cut profit margins substantially. That means we’re banking on the field and project management to bring the job in,” says Mike. Mike’s group is also busy renewing relationships with general contractors which CDI hasn’t work for recently such as Warrior, Mayan, Linbeck and Baxter construction companies. “We’re trying to build relationships and the only way to do this is do work for them." Part of the contract sales efforts includes targeting job where union wage scales are specified. These include public construction jobs such as government buildings, schools and hospitals. And, Mike says that his estimators are bidding a lot more out of town work such as building for the University of Texas in Galveston, a communications building at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and an H.L.&P. project in Limestone County, all under contract by CDI and scheduled to get underway in the near future. Still other sales efforts include better scoping of jobs at the time of bid and to the field plus trying to pick up more items in tenant buildout such as glass, steel doors and other specialties. According to general sales manager Alan Jezek, a great deal of time and effort is being put into efficiency. “We’re working to get some systems down for all of sales from procedures for unit costs and job set ups to work orders and billing. We’re a slave to the market and our biggest challenge is to make sure we’re getting the most we can through greater in house efficiency."
It isn't what you know that counts, it's what you can think of in time. Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.
Dennis Yanowski
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Purchasing manager handles field needs From his start as a timekeeper at Greenway, CDI’s first budgeted job, to delivery operations to his current position as purchasing manager, Dennis Yanowski has indeed grown right along with the company over the past seven years. As purchasing manager, Dennis oversees many departments vital to efficient field operations. He purchases all tools and equipment, fasteners and miscellaneous specialty items as required by both field and office. Shipping and receiving falls under Dennis' jurisdiction as does the tool control program and the Vaughan Wall inventory and warehouse maintenance. “With the assistance of Mike Huegele with the tools, Felix Gutierrez in charge of the warehouse and Vaughan Wall operations, and Patsy Whitehead helping with the tool inventory, my job is made that much easier," says Dennis. “They are a great help in their areas and take the heat off me quite a bit.” “We are a service branch of the company, so it is important that we respond to the needs of the field," says Dennis, "and an awful lot of people count on my performance. "It is my job to provide a timely service at a cost that is satisfactory to CDI's management.” Dennis’ department is in the midst of a reconciliatory inventory of the company tools to make it much easier to verify the location of tools and see what the company tool needs are. “Right now it is important to standardize this department’s operating methods as we work with most other company departments for one thing or another," comments Dennis. “With the estimating department, we provide prices. We provide materials and tools for production and numbers and verifications for billing and accounts payable. “I work with many vendors in doing the company purchasing and have established good relationships and in turn the company receives pretty good service. It’s important that we uphold the company business in doing business." As evidenced by the three mounted bass on Dennis’ office wall,
Highlighted in this issue is CDI’s purchasing manager Dennis Yanowski who handles all the purchasing for the field as well as overseeing the warehouse operation and tool inventory.
he is quite a fisherman. Dennis also enjoys hunting, jogging and playing the guitar in his leisure time. A native of Houston, Dennis graduated from St. Pius High School and attended the University of
Houston and Sam Houston University. Dennis adds, “I’m proud of the company and proud to be a part of \ it."
COD to focus on serious accidents This year CDI will focus on preventing lost-time injuries as part of the company’s Project SAFE program. Lost-time injuries are those that prevent a worker from returning to duty the first full work day following an accident. Historically for CDI these have included falls, injuries to the back and other material handling injuries. In 1983 the company experienced 328 jobsite accidents. Of these, 120 or 37 percent were lost-time. However, these accounted for 96 percent of CDI's worker’s compensation costs. “Lost-time accidents are a relatively small number of injuries that make up a large number of dollars," says safety manager Ron McKinley. “Until we can eliminate these injuries we cannot effectively manage our workers' compensation costs." Of the lost time accidents in 1983 32 percent involved falls, 48 percent
involved back or muscle strain from material handling, while the remaining 20 percent were an accumulation of miscellaneous injuries. “As you can see, it is extremely important that we find ways to prevent these types of injuries." Ron says that such an endeavor will get underway in March when a formalized program aimed at preventing lost-time injuries will be unveiled at the supervisors’ meeting.
The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you’re born and never stops until you get up to speak in public.
/ Insincere praise is worse than no praise at all.
isolation jog saving Mm® at Aipha Tower An innovation developed by CDI supervisor Bill Patrick is paying big ^ftydividends on insulation work at the Alpha Tower. Bill engineered a cutting table, that cuts in half the time spent trimming and installing thermal insulation on the 32-story project. "The budget was real tight so I knew I had to come up with something to make money on the job,” claims Bill. ”1 built the first table, positioned the insulation to be cut and discovered it didn’t work. But, it didnt take long with a few revisions that I got it working like a charm.” What Bill developed was a table jig on which the insulation could be easily unrolled, measured and then cut to the proper length for installation. This process eliminated Carpenters (I to r) Steve Demers and Scott Sonsel cut insulation using the jig cutting of the insulation by hand developed by Bill Patrick. The device has greatly reduced the time required for insulating the 32-story Alpha Tower project. using a utility knife. According to Bill it takes less than two minutes to cut between decks is being handled by the budget.” a roll of insulation using the jig where four carpenters and a laborer. Those who deserve the credit for as conventional techniques take These individuals are completing making Bill's innovation a success more than twice as long. more than a floor a day. According include carpenters Scott Sonsel, The entire 32-story building which to project manager Jim Smith, “we Steve Demers, Pete Bulot and requires the thermal insulation at all took the job pretty tight and these Freddy Munoz, plus laborer Ronnie ^^exterior walls as well as fire safing guys are doing phenomenal beating McNeil.
Projects upcoming Here’s a look at upcoming drywall core jobs for CDI in the next few months: a four-story art Menil Collection museum to start in March; Montagne - a two-story community center in Beaumont to start in March; UT Cancer Center - a seven-story research facility to begin in March; Baylor College of Medicine - a njne-story research facility to start in MSb Luke's - a four-story hospital expansion to start in April, Southwood — a one-story hospital to start in March; Bank at Sage Plaza - a two-story bank to begin in March; UT Nursing — a four-story medical qrhool to start in late summer; Multi-Use Support Facility - a c fivestory medical building to start in April; Houston State University i Sam ’"Communications Building - to start in April; and, and Power Houston Lighting ' County power facility to limestone
begin in April. CDI’s paint department will be handling some prestigious projects in the months to come. In May, CDI painters will start seven floors at the St. Lukes Hospital expansion.
Herring Hall at Rice University — three floors to start in April; Augusta Green - 12 floors will begin in April. Sugar Creek Bank Building - 12 floors will start in September.
Understanding consumer english The marketplace speaks its own language. To protect themselves consumers need to become fluent in the following consumer terms: Free - Buyer beware; free items have a way of costing in the long run. Only a few cents a week - Usually adds up to being more expensive than it seems. Be sure to figure out the item’s cost when paid in full. Sale - Investigate. Some stores have continual sales which are really promotions at regular prices. Lifetime guarantee - Question this. Whose lifetime, yours or the product’s. Just sign here - Never sign before reading slowly and carefully. It might be a binding contract.
Charity - Or is it? Check it out with the Better Business Bureau or local consumer agency before contributing. Secret cure or remedy - Ask your doctor before trying. “Secret” may be harmful or that appropriate treatment gets delayed. You wouldn’t like the advertised product. Let me show you something better. This is called baitand-switch. It is illegal. Natural - Often means more expensive without being better than similar products processed differently. Now you’re ready for the marketplace. Caveat emptor, that is, buyer beware.
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CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3539 Oak Forest Drive RO. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018
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