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GDI

Commercial Drywall, Inc.

Craftsman

Vo I, 4 No. 5

March 1983

Under Allen and Buck

Quality making millshop growing pact ©fi ODD In recent months, the CDI millshop has undergone tremendous growth. Under the direction of manager Allen Frank and foreman Buck Price, the work force now averages 17 in the millshop with an additional eight in the field as installers. The millshop is responsible for the fabrication and finishing of custom plastic laminate casework. Currently, this work is done for buildings CDI is working on. However, other projects are being considered as the demand for the millshop has increased in recent months. “Our quality has been vastly improved,” Allen attributes the growth of the millshop. "And, our prices are competitive with everyone else in Houston doing the same kind of work. Our quality gives us the edge.” One of the big challenges faced by the millshop is that they are the last of the trades on the job. Accordingly, everything they do is a rush. They start fabrication once the walls are done. The millshop is meeting the challenge of getting the job done in a hurry and maintaining the quality. In September 1981, the millshop moved from its office in Greenway Plaza to its present location near the CDI office. While located in the Greenway Plaza, the work done by the millshop was for Texas Construction. The move allowed them to diversify and, thus, to grow. The design work and shop drawings are done by Steven Wiens and Darrell Bracht and are approved by the project architect before the actual fabrication is done. Two new machines were added to the millshop recently. The dato machine accurately makes the grooves in cabinets and the edge bander automatically applies the laminate edge to the cabinets.

The above reception desk at Olde Discount Brokers in Lake on Post Oak is an example of the millshop's recent custom work.

Previously, the laminate strips were affixed by hand to the cabinets. These machines will help the millshop run efficiently and productively. Projects recently completed by the millshop include a Global Marine lease, all of Westlake III and Lake on Post Oak floors 8 through 10. Currently, they are working on floors 20 through 23 in the Gulf Tower, Continental Resources lease in Lake on Post Oak basement through the fifth floor and six leases at The Park. All millwork is coordinated with the project managers. Future work will included five leases at Four Oaks and more leasework at The Park. Millwork painters Mack Rushing and Robert Delarosa have received

many compliments for their fine work. Architects have said that “they can’t tell the difference between the painting and the laminate." These two painters are able to keep up with 16 to 20 carpenters and according to Allen “beat the budget consistently.” Steve Nyako assists Buck in running the millshop, Michael Pruzinsky, the installation coordinator, ensures the quality of the final product. “Accuracy is essential to our business," comments Allen. “There is just no room for error in cabinet making.” With this in mind, the high quality provided by the millshop will continue and so will the growth of CDI’s millshop.

Cost effectiveness

Comstruotom indystry facing critical oriaSis^gj© by Stan Marek The Association of General Contractors recently conducted its 64th Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. This year's President, Richard S. Pepper, gave a timely inaugural address on the subject of productivity and cost effectiveness. In his message he noted that construction is the nation’s largest industry and provides employment directly and indirectly for more than 20 million Americans. In fact, it is larger than steel, automotive, lumber, plastic, mining, oil, agriculture or any other single industry. Because construction is a service industry, it is assured of a strong future by providing many of our basic needs such as shelter at work and home, support systems for homes and work places, such as streets, water, sewers, etc., and transportation networks for people and the goods they produce and consume. Like all other industries, construction faces the test and challenge of cost effectiveness. Industry management, the work force and the construction industry itself will affect the decision as to whether we will be cost effective and thus compete in this marketplace. The main components of a cost effective program include: • Productivity based on technological changes. ° Productivity based on properly trained workmen. ° Productivity based on sound safety programs. o Productivity based on management exercising the right and responsibility to manage. Mr. Pepper characterized his company’s situation in light of the need for greater cost effectiveness: For more than 50 years my company has engaged its work forces through collective bargaining agreements. I want to continue to do so. That decision will be governed by whether or not employment of unionized workers will enable my company to continue to be cost effective and competitive. There are thousands of other construction firms that provide

employment to union workers who also want to continue to do so. They will be similarly influenced by the collective action of their employees. These are realities of our times that organized labor must accept. Pepper goes on to say owners will exercise their rights by insisting that all who have a role in building their projects use the most cost effective methods. Faced with strong and increasing competition in domestic and world markets from other owners, those who buy our product have no other choice. In discussing the activities of organized labor, Pepper said that international and local union leaders ignore, at their peril and ours, the changes of the past quarter century which make construction cost effectiveness the challenge of our times. They must realize the need to: 0 End strikes in which workers never regain the wages lost. ° End archaic and unrealistic training restrictions. a Roll over existing bargaining agreements. ° Agree that increases that occur after the economic health of construction is restored, be tied to increased productivity. Those who seek unrealistic wage settlements will be dropping empty buckets into empty wells and will draw them up empty from a lost market, said Pepper. To survive as a union contractor it is imperative to heed the warning of Mr. Pepper. Recently a long time leader of the steel workers union summed up the situation. “In order to have a union, you must have a company. In order to have a company, it must make a profit." The recent wage freeze and pay cut for some Houston trades is a step in the right direction to keep CDI and other union contractors competitive. In addition, as a company, we are renewing our efforts to operate at the most efficient level possible. Our sales staff is working longer and harder to bid every job that hits the market. Accounting is using its increased computer capability to give us more timely financial information 2

that aids in estimating, billing and cost control. Production is constantly stressing training, seeking better work methods, providing the latest and most efficient equipment and has put together an improved safety program. As you can see, it is taking a team effort - a team effort within CDI and a team effort between labor and management within the industry. With all of us working together, we can meet the challenge of the ’80s to be more cost effective and continue to play a role in this vital industry.

10 years service Richard Perales was recently honored with an engraved dress watch for 10 years service with CDI.

CDI Craftsman Editor: Larry Williams Asst. Editor: Maureen MacAuley 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.

Supervisor of the month

John irhacker ©aims Mareh award Having a good working relationship with the general contractor sure helps in making a project successful. This month's supervisor John Thacker has "a super relationship with general contractor H.C. Beck.” Further, John has an excellent relationship with his crews - he treats them how he would want to be treated. John started with CDI in February, 1982 to supervise The Park in Houston Center for the company, bringing with him several years of construction experience. He has worked in the construction field since 1968 in both California and for another contractor in Houston. Despite a few problems at The Park with layout in the retail areas and a great deal of high work, the project under John's direction is running smoothly. The core is scheduled for completion May 1 and CDI is currently ahead of schedule. “Every bit of the credit for this award goes to the people on the job. It’s the people who won the award," says John. “It takes a team effort to make a job successful and I am only a part of that team.” He says that his crews are the best. His general foreman is George Dreves, Billy

Wright is the finishing foreman, Tom Sams his carpenter foreman and his labor foremen are William Marshall and Robert Hargrove. There are about 50 men on the job at The Park completing the core and working on leases in 75 percent of the building. CDI is also doing the four walkways connecting The Park to Houston Center which include furrdowns and side walls. The Park has an excellent safety record with only one accident involving a carpenter since October. They have received the quarterly safety award twice. “CDI has given me the chance to prove myself in the year I have been with the company,” says John. “The Park has been a fun job to do with very few real problems. The biggest challenge for me right now is completing the job by May 1." According to director of construction Hoagy Cannon, John's “super relationship with Beck is a definite asset to the project. He has adjusted well to our systems and has been under budget consistently.” Originally from Dayton, Ohio, John has lived in California and for the last six years has been living in Houston. He and his wife, Marilyn, and three

The Park's supervisor John Thacker was honored as March's Supervisor of the Month at a recent breakfast meeting.

children, Paul, 13; John Jr., 11; and Shannon, 6, reside in Atascocita in north Houston. Although The Park has been keeping him busy, he enjoys fishing and hunting when time allows.

S©@ytag femoDy os awarded Each year, the Houston chapter of Boy Scouts of America awards a local family as its “Family of the Year." CDI millshop employee Bill Cornman and n s family received this award at a recent district banquet of Boy Scouts. The award recognizes service to Boy Scouts as well as service to youth in general. Bill has been active in Boy Scouts since 1977. His wife Cheryl heads a Girl Scouts troup, his son Dor 1 in Cub Scouts. Eight-year-olc^ is a member of Bro' and Cathy, 3 are trc Congratulations tc family. was done by hand.

Project of the month

Gf-Fair Hospital pr@j@©t finishes Traditionally, hospital projects are more difficult and have many more problems than the construction of an office building. However, this month's highlighted project, the CypressFairbanks Medical Center Hospital in northwest Houston, was recently completed with none of the problems usual to a hospital. CDI began construction on the project in June 1982 under the supervision of James Foley. The company did all the walls and thermal insulation as well as the leadlined sheetrock in the X-ray rooms. In this project, CDI crews were faced with the same challenges characteristic in all hospital jobs. There was more plumbing and electrical to work around than in an office building. Further, all work was done at the same time with all the trades working together. “There were none of the problems usual to a hospital in the Cy-Fair project,” says estimator Mike Holland who was the project manager. “There was good coordination between all the trades.” In hospital construction, there are usually many more inspections required sometimes causing delays in construction. However, in this case, CDI had no problems with inspections as most were

The Cypress-Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital was a very successful project for CDI.

architectural inspections. The architects, Page Southerland Page, were “good to work with on this project.” The general contractor of this 178-bed hospital was Manhattan Construction of Houston. The top three floors of the four-story hospital are being used as patient floors with the main floor for operations including the X-ray rooms and emergency room.

Finishing foremen were Larry Grimm and Steve Hollamon. “Both James and Larry did a good job on this one and stayed within the budget," adds superintendent Jesse| Hajdik. Original estimating for the project was done by Mike and Bob Pigg. The craftsman is pleased to highlight such a successful project and the fine efforts made by CDI crews.

Tid-bits . . . A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others. People who try to command respect are wasting their time. Respect cant be commanded. It has to be earned. A young boy, ready for bed, interrupted a family gathering in the living room. “I'm going up to say my ^ prayers now. Anybody want anything?”

The above dato machine is another addition to CDI's millshop Operated in tht* photo by Steve Nyako. it accurately makes grooves in cabinets. 4

If you are patient in one moment o anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.

Dick Johnson

OaSSersa remodel on %

This month’s spotlight shines on Dick Johnson who handles remodel work in the Galleria/Post Oak area of Houston. A good deal of Dick’s day is spent calling on building managers. It is his job to sell CDI's remodeling work to them and then oversee the actual remodel construction. In the Galleria/Post Oak area, most of the work Dick does is for Gerald Hines Interests and Transco companies. CDI’s construction office in the Geosource Plaza handles most of Dick's remodel work in the area. About 30 craftsmen headed by George Speaker work out of this office. Dick also works with Fred Lay who is the superintendent for remodel for this part of Houston. “The fine efforts of Fred and George and their excellent crews have helped make our remodel division in this part of town successful,” says Dick. Dick took over as head of the remodel division for Gaileria/Post Oak about two years ago. He had started with CDI a year prior to that

eaPabte hands

?n9 Vaughan Wall. His experience Houston^Workin9 with another

cefcg eSfcg°r in d,yWa" and The biggest challenge for me is to make certain that the quality and service that made CDI the best is maintained, especially in the face of mounting competition,” says Dick. And, the crews we have are capable of meeting this challenge.” Currently, Galleria remodel work includes three leases in the Loomis Tower, two leases in the Halbouty building and a myriad of maintenance work in the area. “Dick is highly competent and reliable and does an excellent job for us,” says manager of CDI’s remodel Bobby Spencer. Dick holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Centenary College in Shreveport, La. Originally from Shreveport, Dick has lived in Houston for five years. He and his wife, Joan, live in west Houston with their two sons, 17-year-old Greg and Lee who is 21.

Dick Johnson is highlighted this month for his accomplishments in CDI's remodel work.

Closeup . . .

at superintendent Ted Hajdik

For Ted Hajdik, the workday begins bright and early. At 5:15 he unlocks the gate, makes the first pot of coffee and raises the American flag. “I’m honored to raise and lower the flag each day,” says Ted. “We all should be a little more patriotic and appreciate the freedom we have in America, too often taken for granted.” For six years, Ted has served as a superintendent over remodel work. Currently, he is handling lease work in Lake on Post Oak and Westlake III, all Vaughan Wall projects, the work for the interior systems group and is assisting with Transco II. Whenever renovations are required in CDI’s own office, Ted oversees those. As a superintendent, Ted sees his role as being a coordinator between the estimators and the workers in the field. He locates and arranges for materials, and, if necessary matches new materials to already existing

items. In small jobs, he coordinates the other trades as well as CDI’s work. Ted visits each of his jobsites daily. He talks to both the general contractor and building manager to “see what CDI can do for them and to sort out any existing problems. Having worked with another contractor in Houston for nine years Ted brought with him a good deal of experience. He started at CDI working in the field at Greenway for three months before becoming a fiel‘CD|Jhas good people in the field who can be counted on, says Ted. "The tremendous amount ot leadership in the field makes my job "“way from the job, Ted enjoys spending his weekends working on hfs two ,armS near Sm,‘ H enlo Caldwell. Buildinflofenoe and trees causes tiredness.” 5

CDI’s Ted Hajdik has been a superintendent for six years.

1415 Louisian® in ©arty stegts

Li”®

The five-story atrium of the 1415 Louisiana building, United Bank Plaza, is most impressive says core project manager Wayne Lueckemeyer. The 61-foot high lobby will be a combination of columns and glass giving it a solarium effect. The walls in the elevator area will be of Texas limestone with embedded shapes of seashells and fossils. CDI started this project in August 1982 for general contractor W.S. Bellows under the supervision of Tommy Williamson. Tommy, as well as being the jobsite supervisor, is handling the duties of carpenter foreman with about 25 men on the job. Raymond Pickney is the labor foreman and B. J. Ward is the finishing foreman.

The building, bounded by Louisiana, Bell and Milam Streets, is actually four towers together making a cloverleaf design.

CDI began its latest supervisory training program April 5. The course, which consists of eight weeks of classroom instruction and training, works to develop non-technical skills in supervisory personnel. According to employee relations manager Larry Williams, the program covers eight different topics in the Tuesday, Thursday one and a half hour sessions. “We hope to

equip the participants with skills they can relate to and apply directly in their roles on the jobsite. “Because most of these individuals have come up through the ranks based on their technical abilities they may never have been exposed to techniques in planning, communications, leadership, human relations or developing subordinates. These are the areas we will

“So far the project is running quite smoothly," says Wayne. “We have good lines of communication with the general contractor and their superintendent Don Rutledge and project manager Lex James are great to work with." Mike Holland did the estimating on the project and Steve Shockley will handle project management of the tenant work.

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United Bank Plaza at 1415 Louisiana is currently under construction in downtown Houston.

concentrate on in class,” says Larry. Those attending the course are 20 supervisory candidates selected from a list of nearly 60 prospects. “We hope to involve all of them in training sooner or later, but to ensure individual attention we are limiting the size of each class." Those participating in the current program include Charles Howard, Terry Traylor, Steve Boren, Greg Burger, Randy Ozburn, James Hurston, Michael Longtain, Wiley Pierce, Charles Wakefield, Kevin Turnbull, James Rutledge, Henry J. Breaux, Bill Armstrong, Mike Allen, Ken O’Brien, Alan Field, Rudy Martinez, Ralph Stilz, and Brad Buescher.

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The core of the 45-story building is about 40 percent completed. A development of Wortham & Van Liew of Houston, the architects are 3-D International.

1983 CDI ACCIDENT CHART

Mm rihyn

*• «

When rejecting the ideas of another, make sure you reject only the idea and not the person.

20 15 65

JAN

FEB

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

CDI's accident rate for March was 7.9. With an average of 826 employees on the job, there were 22 accidents.

NOV

DEC

A small town paper reported that a newcomer, who had moved there to escape the traffic and congestion of the city, was run over by the Welcome Wagon. It isn't the size of the dog in the fight that counts. It’s the size of the fight in the dog.

Safety council formed .

GDI has formed a safety council consisting of the 11 safety coordinators who represent jobsites of more than 20 craftsmen. The council which meets monthly, provides a forum for disseminating safety information among members. “The council will help us get safety information to the jobsites. In addition, members have the opportunity to discuss their own safety activities. We feel that through this exchange, we can generate more and more ideas on how to make jobs safer for our workers,” says Ron McKinley, safety manager. Since safety coordinators play an active role in safety efforts at the jobsites, serving on the council enables them to learn more about accidents, how to prevent them and how to investigate them. Members of the council include Alan Field, Dennis Alford, Eddie

Sams, Pete Cerda, Ben Oyler, Jim Furr, John Thomas, Terry Traylor,

Mike Hawkins, Paul Styer and Ken Hyatt.

At a recent jobsite safety meeting, safety manager Ron McKinley and Transco ll's safety coordinator Alan Field discuss safety procedures with Transco crews.

CDl-Austin starts third Lockheed project CDI’s work on the Lockheed Manufacturing Plant, the third Lockheed project CDI has been involved in, started recently for general contractor Pence Construction. The company will be doing the drywall, acoustical and paint in the building under the supervision of Terry LaRoche. Work is proceeding on schedule at

the 19-story First City Centre project headed by Johnny Kovar. Completion date is scheduled for August 1, 1983. James Joyner is coordinating all the interior finishing at the Tracor Inc. building. CDI-Austin's paint department recently finished the paint work at the PruCare Hospital Phase II

Sofltoal! team [©©gins play CDI’s softball team has swung into action in Houston city league competition. The team, composed ot CDI field employees, started the season off right with an 8 to 5 win over its first opponent. Two homers, one by Danny Eureste and another by Gary Matatall, aided in the last innin9’ come from behind victory. According to team manager Ernie Herrera journeyman carpenter at Transco II, “we’ve^got a pretty good team. Many of the players are returning from last Ilf team which advanced wel into L nlavoffs before being eliminated, the Playo competition teams

ln ffo game season with .he .op

play

two teams earning a berth in the playoffs scheduled for early June. GDI’s team plays on Monday nights at Kerr Field located near I-45 and Crosstimbers. Exact schedule information can be obtained by contacting Larry Williams at the CDI office. Team members include Robert Tunnel, Jeff Roeder, Gary Matatall, Oscar Reyes, Dennis Ridenour, Louis Bon, Martin Kibby, Joe Garcia, Mario Ramos, Daniel Eureste, Brad Jensen, Greg Garcia, Tommy Underwood, James Underwood, James Rutledge and Adolf Magnon. 7

project. The paint department is working on the Aqua Biology building in San Marcos, University of Texas Federal Credit Union and the Hyde Park Baptist Church Administration building. There is a new face around CDIAustin's office. Sherilyn Deibert recently joined the company as a bookkeeper and secretary.

Lee Jones has new duties Effective March 28, Lee Jones assumed the position of purchaser for CDI’s millshop. Reporting to Dennis Yanowski, Lee will do the purchasing of all wood related products for the millshop and the drywall projects. Lee's new office is in the millshop warehouse offices.

He that cannot obey, cannot command.

URBAN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO. 1010 LAMAR. sunt 1E0

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A job well done . . . CDI recently received these letters from customers commending the fine job our crews are doing. It is a real compliment to the company when a good job is noticed. Keep up the good work!

•

HOUSTON.!* 77002-6115

FHONE. (7131650-1974

March 7, 1983

Harch 9, 1983

Mr. Allen Franks CDI Millwork 2117 Judiway Houston, Texa3 77018

Hr. Honey Coinacrclnl Dryvall, Inc. 2201 Ju dluny , Texas 77018

Dear Allen:

Dear Mr. Cannon:

BE:

often forgotten words used to describe Quality and expedience ys'workccn, however some situations denand such cocaaent. The todays workmen, howeve reap onac of your men on a recent Job wo did for Kell ogg Is such a nltuatlon.

Houston Distributing CCTipany writing this letter to ccrplincnt CDI Mlllvcrk on the Job recently leted at Houston Distributing Ccrpany. As you know, all Jobe recoordination and supervising, tut remodel vor k has inherent teristlcs all to itself.

d supervising was handled exceptionally by The coordinating and field Mike Pruzlnsky. Changes to the original millwork scope of work were occur ing weekly and Mike responded to than Lunediatcly and professionally.

After receiving short notice of a Jo b to be completed Jnsedlately, their work was carried out with the utmost proficiency. Hot only were they United by tine, the areo was the executive area for Kellogg with United access for handling and stocking material.

The millwork was of excellent quality, with two areas (the rework of vestibule area and storcage cabinets) turning out exceptional.

be a bull pen to work around, but As you know, an occupied area with the experience and profcsslonall sn shown by your people, Kellogg was on the phone the following nomln g praising <us for a Job well d

The cnly draw bask, and I use the terra loosely, was the scheduling of millwork itcre which had to be field finished, There were situations where it appeared a shop finish, to match existting pieces, with toachup In the field wculd have expedited Ins tallatlon of sore itore (wood base and trim), but these were resolved.

such Individuals, We feel fortunate our subcontractors supply us with ■ there are It helps cake our Job a lot easier. It la nice sonc things you can depend on.

Again, I would like to reiterate the fine job done,, The architect, client and Urban Interiors were very pleased with tthe craftsmanship and this can cnly lead to future Jobs together. Very truly yours, URBAN INTERIOR CCNSTTOCriW COSWK

Thank you, TEXAS CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Ernie Lai Assistant Superintendent EL:agp

Walter S. : McVarish Project Manager NSM/pb

In recent weeks, CDI craftsmen started work on the St. Joseph’s Hospital project in Bryan. James Foley is supervising the project that entails finishing an already existing shell of the third floor of the hospital. CDI’s scope of the project is the drywall, acoustical ceilings and the insulation work for general contractor Linbeck Construction of Dallas. Bob Pigg did the original estimating of the project. According to Bob, the only real difficulty on the project is its distance away from Houston. Further, the hospital is in operation so our crews will have to work around patients.

In addition to the St. Joseph’s Hospital, CDI is working on a couple of other hospital projects. Under the supervision of Eugene Foster, CDI is installing lead-lined sheetrock in the X-ray rooms at Brazos Valley Hospital in Sealy. Eugene is also supervising miscellaneous lease work including a doctor’s office at Rosewood Hospital for Hospital Equities Inc.

Laugh at yourself before anyone else can.

It is better to have one person working with you than three people working for you. It’s hard to tell only one lie. One lie seems to lead automatically to another. It is easy to be critical. The real test is to come up with constructive alternatives.

Group harmony is seldom achieved without personal sacrifice. The future is that time when you’ll wish you’d done what you aren't doing now.

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