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CDI

Commercial Dry wall, Inc.

Craftsman

Volume 2. No. 2

December, 1980

Project S.A.F.E.

GDI imiffiatos program to rsdu©® aeeodtemiis

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Commercial Drywall has implemented a new safety program designed to cut the company's accident rate by 30 percent within six months. Project S.A.F.E. (Stopping Accidents For Everyone) went into effect with its introduction at the November 11 supervisors’ breakfast. While the goal of Project S.A.F.E. is to reduce accidents, one of its achievements has been to provide CDI with planned, published and promoted safety policy. The need for such a policy comes from the fact # that there has been a steady increase in accidents in recent months. “Reduction of safety hazards,” says Glenn Marek who is CDI personnel manager heading up S.A.F.E., “is a humane endeavor, as well as a sound business practice. It’s certainly no fun getting hurt, and neither is it profitable for the company.” To implement Project S.A.F.E., company-wide mandatory safety meetings have been held to acquaint the program with CDI field employees. In addition, the policy manual has been posted on all job sites so that employees can review it at their discretion. Flard hat and gang box stickers with the project’s green and blue identification colors have been distributed to serve as safety reminders on the job. All jobs are also undergoing random safety inspections with supervisors being evaluated as to the degree of safe working conditions and work habits on their jobs. Already underway are monthly accident reports which indicate the number of accidents occuring on every project.

The graph above reflects CDI's accident rate in recent years. Project S.A.F.E., implemented in mid-November, is designed to cut that rate by 30 percent within six months.

One of the greatest strengths of Project S.A.F.E. is that it clearly outlines safety responsibilities for all levels of CDI personnel from field employees to job supervisors to the safety manager. With these guidelines, all employees should know what is expected of them in regard to safety. In addition, S.A.F.E. provides specific enforcement procedures to help ensure that safe working habits and conditions are maintained. “Project S.A.F.E. has been developed because of the tremendous costs involved with accidents,” says Glenn. “And, unfortunately, everyone pays for these costs. “The injured person pays because workers compensation doesn’t equal his wage, not to mention the physical and mental suffering. “The supervisor pays because his work is affected—his quality may

suffer, his quantity reduced, the job delayed, and his work schedule interrupted," claims Glenn. “And the company pays due to workers compensation claims, decreased operating efficiency, and higher insurance premiums.” Project S.A.F.E. is yet another portion of Operation 3P, the company effort to reduce labor costs by 10 percent over preceding years. The success of 3P could greatly be affected by the success of S.A.F.E. as medical costs alone from accidents exceeded $150,000 last year with indirect costs estimated at four times that amount. As part of Operation 3P, a portion of the gain realized from S.A.F.E. will go to field employees in the way of incentives. Currently, an incentive program is being drawn up that will go into effect shortly after the first of the year.

From the top

Christmas — a toms for caring By Dick Phillips Can you believe it is already December — Already the end of a big year? It seems it was only a little while ago that it was January and I was trying to review our previous year. Time goes by very fast when we all are so busy. I guess the biggest thing about this month is that it is Christmas time. The time for religious celebration, a time for giving, a time for receiving, a time for family, and especially, a time for youngsters. It can mean almost anything to any of us but the important thing is,

like it or not, Christmas is a profound time. We cannot ignore it. It happens whether we want it or not. And somehow, whether we will admit it or not, we all are affected by it. It certainly is a good time for us as an organization to start looking at our lives maybe a bit more openly, more honestly. We have certainly demonstrated to ourselves and to our clients that we are a team of great ability. This ability to use our hands, our tools and our minds has been thoroughly and completely

demonstrated on the jobs throughout this year. But that’s only part of being successful. The other part, that is just as important, is our morality, our integrity, our honesty, and our ability to care sincerely for one another. Maybe this Christmas we can use the festive spirit mixed with a solumn religious, spiritual feeling to create an awareness of ourselves as caring people. This is an opportunity to open ourselves to the people in our lives, especially to tenderly remember our elders, our parents, and take great care with our kiddos. We could also

Tin® appreoufe®:: aim underdeveloped resource °^e^ouso™eoffrhrempeobcJethw1thrsl by Charlie Duncan CDI Finishing Foreman

With the space-age times upon us, the quick pace and feverish schedules of everyday life have thrust the construction industry into a seemingly inescapable reality of tight schedules, complex conditions and an infinite set of unenviable tasks. These situations and conditions make the maximum use of all of our faculties and resources an important necessity. One of the most overlooked and underdeveloped resources within our grasps is the apprentice. Whether they be carpenter, finisher, or painter, male or female, they are a lucrative supply of precious energyan untapped resource, just waiting for their talents and ambitions to be used and refined. In our quest for perfection and immediate results, we sometimes tend to overlook the long-range benefits of the apprentice in favor of their immediate conveniences. Let’s face it, an apprentice has more uses than a vegetable slicer with 87 attachments. They can stuff insulation, mix mud, or sand handrails, but if we use them to the fullest of their potentials, and make a diligent effort to teach them the tools of our trade, great benefits can be gathered, and long range profits will be realized. As former apprentices, many of us

can relate to the problems and frustrations an apprentice goes through as he performs his often mundane and seemingly meaningless tasks. From the first time an apprentice picks up a hammer or taping knife, our interest and involvement with him can provide an interesting and exciting learning experience for this craftsman of tomorrow. CDI has always made a firm commitment in support of apprentices and apprenticeship programs. CDI’s support has not just been passive, but has included much direct involvement. We, the journeymen of today and the apprentices of yesterday should follow a similar course, and do all we can to make an apprentice’s experiences on the job learning experiences, so that they might grow as we have grown within the company. CDI has had a successful history utilizing the talents of the apprentice and looks to an even brighter future incorporating their ideas for growth and change. It is up to us to see that, not only is our future solid, but that we help pave the way for others in our trade by giving ail we can to today’s apprentices, because they are the managers and leaders of tomorrow. -2-

whom we work. Let’s look for ways to help them. Go out of our way to say something nice to them or about them. And, let’s be careful not to say things that are bad. Every day through this season let's make a conscientious effort to be a little softer, a little more thoughtful, a little more aware that this company is not anything without all of us. I think we can do that much. We can do it kindly. We can do it with sensitivity. Let’s dedicate Christmas as the time to try and be that kind of person, that kind of group, that kind of company. Christmas is a good time of year for us to grow closer together.

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. O. Box 10686, Flouston, Texas 77018.

CDI-Austin enjoying steady progress CDI in Austin continues steady progress on major jobs and reports the addition of a Motorola facility as a recent project to start up. Motorola is a three-story manufacturing facility under the supervision of Johnny Kovar. Early efforts on that project include heavy gauge steel framing, sheathing, and water proofing. The job is being done for Rick s Construction Management Company. Building 060 at the IBM complex continues its steady progress under the reliable guidance of foreman Bob Fritz who has done an excellent job keeping things running smoothly there. Elsewhere, the Tracor project under Terry LaRoche is well into its work and has become the first Austin job to enjoy a budget beaters lunch. The job earned the destinction of showing the best improvement over last month's budget report. Work at the Brackenridge Hospital job is now centered on the eighth floor of that building under the leadership of David Kovar. The

CDI-San Antonio has received a letter of intent for the core portion of North Frost Center, an 11-story office building located in northeast San Antonio. The job will be a project for Lyda, Inc. with stocking operations expected to begin shortly after the first of the year. In addition to the

Your work shows A company may be spread over the entire nation and employ thousands of people but the average person forms his judgment of it by what he thinks of its products or services. Once made, a bad impression caused by a poor product or service is almost impossible to erase. The impression your work makes on a customer is your company s strongest advertisement.

Austin budget beaters (l-r) Santos Garcia, Steve King, Terry LaRoche (foreman), Leonard Buzz and Tommy Pruett enjoy a barbegue lunch in recognition as the most improved crew last month.

Brackenridge is expected to be completed sometime next spring. CDI-Austin reports the addition of Pat Lundy as a paint estimator for that office. Pat brings more than 20 years paint experience including time in the field as well as experience in running his own company. He will

help develop paint operations for CDI-Austin with his estimating, sales and budgeting expertise. Pat has a wife, Carolyn, and three children. The Craftsmen welcomes Pat to CDI and wishes him tremendous success as a CDI employee.

core work, CDI has furnished tenant prices for the lease area within that atrium office building.

Resources project for Design Services is approximately fifty percent complete on that demountable partitions job with excellent effort from Bob Windner and Randy Sanchez. A three-story demountable job will soon be getting underway at the UT Health Science building.

In addition, the San Antonio office has received another letter of intent for Alarmex, which will include the remodeling of an existing structure. Work there is also expected to begin sometime following the first of the year. Current activity remains strong in San Antonio with the SASA core work completed and tenant construction in full swing. Elsewhere the 14-story Valero building has gotten underway for Linbeck Construction. That job is approximately five percent complete under foreman Pete Williams. Other activity includes the completion of the Foley's store for Spaw Glass under foreman Wayne Schultze. And, the Human -3-

At the CDI office, Nancy Ellingson has joined the company as a partime receptionist and office person. In January, Nancy is expected to begin full time employment. Richard Lopez who heads up the warehouse operations in San Antonio became a father for the fifth time recently with the birth of a son, John Anthony. John was born November 25 and both mother and son are reported doing fine. Congratulations Richard!

Supervisor of the motnih

GomMmoy pays ®ff for Ray

EMPLOYEE NEWS !

Ted’s group wins steak dinner

CDI’s new budget beater system produced its first steak dinner winner recently when Ted Hajdik’s work group gathered the necessary 100 points for the big meal. Ted’s group, which included nearly 50 carpenters and finishers, won the steak dinner award for themselves and their spouses or dates in just eight weeks, the shortest time possible under the rules. In winning, they took several first and second place spots in the bi-weekly contests with nearly every job actively contributing points. For this, nearly 100 craftsmen and their better halves were treated with a steak dinner at the Trail Dust Steak House. Meanwhile, other work groups progressed toward their own dinner while some enjoyed barbeque lunches. Those winning the lunches included Greenway Condominium II under Glen Brabham, Anderson Hall led by Gary Hall, Four Leaf Towers headed by Daryl Hammons, and Northwest Industrial Park, a paint group led by Ellery Coleman.

CDI’s November award for the outstanding supervisor has been presented to Ray Shelton. Ray, who has always been a steady performer for CDI since joining the company six years ago, recently excelled with his direction of the Alexander and Alexander lease for Urban Development Company. At Alexander and Alexander, Ray headed up a carpenter effort which involved extremely difficult conditions. Through his leadership, the company produced an excellent product involving radius partitions, radius furrdowns, fascia, light coves and other delicate items. Ray, however, has been consistent in all of this work for CDI. He joined the company as a first period apprentice. His talent and ability for drywall became evident early as he graduated as the highest apprentice in his 1977 class. Furthermore, after only three years with the company he was running work. Today, he heads up much of the remodeling work for Russo Properties, a job which entails work in some 15 buildings. And, as always, he continues to produce a high quality effort on every job. According to Ray, his achievements on the Alexander and Alexander work were the result of

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Members of the Ted Hajdik work group drink and converse durin 9 the recent steak dinner banquet they earned under CDI's budget beat er program.

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Supervisor of the month Ray Shelton is shown at work at the Houston Center in between regular supervisory duties on Russo Property projects. Ray has been a top CDI supervisor for the past three years.

some high caliber individuals which ^ made his job easier. These included carpenters John Hardin, Terry Traylor, Lawrence Kubezka, Cliff and Virginia O’Banion, Charlie and Donald Kennerly, and Paul Wood. In addition, says Ray, the finishing effort under his brother Wesley, was the key that helped not only the carpenters, but the painters as well. Ray is accompanied as a CDI employee by four family members—all of whom are top producers for the company. These include brothers Gilbert and Wesley, and brothers-in-law Dean Crawford and Andrew Howard. A native of the Houston area, Ray and his wife Beverly live near Huffman and have an eight year old son, Michael. The family is in the process of building a home there in Indian Shores, but when he can find the time Ray enjoys a round or two of golf. The Craftsman is pleased to recognize Ray for his achievements and his contributions as a CDI f employee. His attitude, talent and ability make him a very valuable pa of the company.

As ‘Outstanding Apprentice’

Tim Coehram awarded belt buckle

At last month’s supervisor’s breakfast, things went pretty much as usual. A supervisor of the month was honored, new business was taken care of, and a couple of men were honored with CDI belt buckles. The unusual thing was that one of the belt buckle honorees was an apprentice, CDI’s first ‘‘outstanding apprentice,” Tim Cochran. Often when we think of apprentices, we tend to forget the vital role they play in our overall production picture. By being dependable, hard working, having a good attitude, and most of all, by possessing a willingness to learn, an apprentice can be an invaluable asset to any job. Tim Cochran carries these attributes with him everyday to Texas Commerce Tower where he has worked since joining the company in June. According to job supervisor Jay Richards, one of Tim’s strongest points is his ability to find ways to work more efficiently and less time consuming . . . meaning higher production. “He always gives 100 percent and he never misses work,” says Jay. The 18-year old Tim who is following in the footsteps of his dad and brother, Bob and Gary Cochran

First period apprentice Tim Cochran displays the hard work that brought him recognition as an outstanding CDI apprentice. Above. Tim hangs board on the 52nd floor of the Texas Commerce Tower.

who also work for Commercial, credits his father for getting him interested in the business. To this date, he has hung coreboard, shaftwall, covered vent risers, and done some framing, apparently enjoying whatever he is asked to do. "If you go in liking it, you’ll like it,’ claims Tim, “but if you go in saying maybe I will and maybe I won’t,

you'll never make it!” When his dependability and hard work are combined with that kind of attitude of being eager to learn, it is obvious that Tim has a bright future with the company as does everyone who makes these qualities part of his daily work habits. Congratulations on a job well done, Tim.

Lyss, Wilson, Ruben get 10-year watetes

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Working 10 consecutive years for any company is outstanding, but to do so for a construction company where the turnover rate is generally much higher than other businesses is truly exceptional. CDI is proud to have recently honored three 10-year veterans — Luis Soliz, Wilson Chambers, and Ruben Rios. Each was presented an engraved watch signifying the company’s appreciation for their service over the years. Luis, who has just recently been promoted to field superintendent, is a top man and has performed in a variety of positions, most recently

serving as supervisor of our Greenway remodeling activities. During much of Luis’ time at Greenway the labor force was under the direction of Wilson Chambers, the second of the 10 year men. Wilson has headed laborers on several projects, and has distinguished himself as a reliable, easy going and dedicated craftsman. Ruben Rios, like both Luis and Wilson, joined the company in 1970, and since has been a productive source of work and ideas. He is currently a carpenter foreman for our Galleria area remodeling work headquartered in the Transco Tower.

Project ©f th® month COMPANY NEWS

Be safe dunning holidays While the Christmas Holiday season is usually a time of joy and happiness, please realize that it can easily become a time of tragedy. The Craftsman urges everyone to remember to use extra caution this holiday season, especially while traveling the highways. The number of automobile accidents increases substantially as more people take to the road and the consumption of alcoholic beverages rises. A little extra safety such as being aware of the increased dangers of driving, and not driving yourself when you have had too much to drink will help preserve the joy of the Christmas season. So, whatever you do to celebrate the holidays, do it with a little extra care. Merry Christmas!

A little reminder The Craftsman would like to remind CDI field employees of the upcoming Christmas party from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, at the S.P.J.S.T. Lodge. The photo above should jog the old memory. i

Atrium j©b not to© fotmgGi for COB When a CDI craftsman thinks of difficult conditions, he usually thinks of radius walls, high atriums, skylights and possibly a few other situations that make a job just a little more challenging. Our project of the month, the Atrium at North Belt, certainly fits the “challenging" category as it has recently kept our CDI workers’ minds and bodies razor sharp. The three-story atrium office building, located near the airport, was a project of Vanco Construction Company. Headed up by carpenter foreman Ben Oyler and finishing foreman Thomas Dwyer, the project exemplified the current architectural trend for more eye-appealing and thus more difficult design. The building included 12 atrium skylights — five large retangular, four smaller retangular, two circular and a semi-circular design. Making these even more difficult to build was the fact that all were located either in the atrium area which ran threestories high or in the stairwells. “Skylights are usually tough enough,” says Ben, “but it's even harder when you have to make something round out of something square." Making things round included not only three of the skylights but also the building stairwells. Each of the two stair areas consisted of radius walls climbing the entire interior height of the building.

Supervisor Ben Oyler poses beneath the atrium skylights in the lobby area of the Atrium at North Belt, a three-story "project of the month. " Ben directed the effort on that complex job.

One of the major eye-catching features of the building was the use of red ceramic tile on the radius stairwells, curved columns, and a reflective pool with fountains. While CDI craftsmen were not involved in this portion of the job, no doubt the overall effect of the building's interior could not have been achieved without the quality, crafted work of our carpenters and finishers.

Besides the skylights and stairwells, other special conditions in the building included “smoke” doors rigged with smoke sensors so that they will close automatically in the event of fire. This measure was required because the buildings design included no corridors in the core portion, also meaning that all walls had to be topped out above the grid.

Those deserving special recognition for their part on the job include carpenters Terry Traylor, Paul Wood, J.D. Lambert, J.D. Gibbons, and Ben Oyler. On the finishing end, Thomas Dwyer, Paul Kennard, Harley Boone, and Wesley Shelton each deserve special thanks for a fantastic job.

Despite the demands of the job, the CDI crews carried out an outstanding job. Their desire for quality even saw some little things happen like changing the design of the skylights to eliminate an unsightly offset, and the centering of mulls on columns where possible.

Their desire to give the best looking job possible makes the future that much brighter for CDI and all of its employees. The Craftsmen urges all of these men to keep the good work going, and extend this thanks for a job well done on the Atrium at North Belt.

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With payroll duties

Ches^l real ‘key’ to field personnel 0

To those in the field, the most important office employee may be the individual who does the payroll. In this case, she’s not only important to the field, but to the entire company. She is Cheryl Wolfe, a one and a half year veteran with the company, holding the title of Payroll Administrator. Cheryl came to CDI from A & S Building Systems, another Houston company, where she handled payroll, bookkeeping and insurance. She joined CDI in the spring of 1979, and since has done an exceptional job in the maintenance of our payroll system for field employees in Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. Doing payroll, though, is a little more involved than one might think. With it comes such little “extras" as verification of employment, maintenance of PRA’s and savings, employee donations, petty cash, union reports (including payments for health, welfare and apprentice training) and quarterly reports required by the government. In addition, there are a dozen or so other small items like the balancing the weekly computer

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Responsibility for maintaining CDI’s field payroll keeps Cheryl’s hands full In a variety of payroll related duties. Cheryl was named CDI’s key person recently for her outstanding /ob as payroll administrator.

teports, making weekly bank deposits for all the offices, processing layoff and termination checks, and maintaining the master employee file with address and dependent changes. For Cheryl, one of the most demanding facets of her job is

Mowsmber Attendance Ranking

Project Warn©

100

2 3

99 98 98

I & II Allen Center Yard Laborers Houston Center

98 97 97

6 7

Transco Jesse's Group Ted's Group 111 Allen Center Oxford Condo

96 96 95 94

Jim's Group Jerry’s Painters

94 94 8 9

Greenway 1st International Plaza

93 91

1st City Towers Shell Woodcreek Texas Commerce Plaza Bobby's Finishers Condo I & II Four Leaf Condo

Supervisor ©r Foreman Steve Mayo Dennis Yanowski Cliff Welsh Billy Patrick Fred Lay; Ralph Stilz Richard Perales Jesse Hajdik Ted Hajdik Tom Underwood; Buster Baimbridge Nick Nunez Jim LaCaze Jerry Featherston Dudley Chisholm Roger Warman Jay Richards Bobby Smith Glen Brabham; Mike O'Brien Daryl Hammons

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meeting the varied payroll needs of those with whom she works. For instance, at any one time she may be writing layoff checks for a superintendent, making an employee verification over the phone, and compiling payroll information for Bruce or Hoagy. Such “interruptions," she says, are just part of her job making management of her time critical to meet the deadlines imposed by her payroll responsibilities. And, Cheryl performs admirably in taking care of all of her duties. When away from her job, Cheryl spends a great deal of her time with her children—twins Matthew and Michelle—both just over a year old. With these two, and housekeeping, Cheryl has a busy day seven days a week. In her spare time, though, she enjoys horseback riding, water skiing, and sewing. The Craftsman is pleased to recognize Cheryl as the company's key person this month. Her outstanding job is not only vital to field employees but is important to the entire company.

Belt buckles presented to three craftsmen At the recent supervisor’s breakfast, the outstanding characteristics of dedication, hard work, and a healthy attitude were personified in three CDI belt buckle honorees namely Henry Freeman, Dewayne Kenney and Don Harrison. Henry, who has been with the company for 11 years, is labor foreman at the Allen Center Complex where he is currently heading up a crew of between 16 and 22 men in handling the stocking and clean up. Having to work with three other foremen, Henry’s schedule is extremely demanding, and he has never failed to get the job done. According to labor superintendent Dennis Yanowski, Henry's ability to take care of his problems and to work calmly in a high pressure situation makes him an invaluable asset to CDI.

“He’s one of my best,” claims painting superintendent Jerry Featherston when discussing his foreman Don Harrison, recipient of the third recent CDI belt buckle. For the past several months, Don has supervised the painting operations on the very difficult Alexander and Alexander project located on the Tanglewood Commerce Bank building. While every foreman strives to beat his budget, there are times when operating anywhere near the budget guidelines is a major

accomplishment in itself. Such was the case on the Alexander & Alexander job. Because of the difficult factor that included a large amount of vinyl, cut-up walls, and radius walls, Don’s ability to maintain his crew’s high quality work while operating near his budget is indeed an outstanding achievement. Thanks to men like Dewayne, Henry and Don and all the past belt buckle recipients, CDI employees have fine examples of dedicated leadership to look up to and follow in the future.

100

Ted's Group Jim's Group Jerry's Painters

The second belt buckle recipient for outstanding work performance was Dewayne Kenney. In Dewayne’s almost two-year tenure with the company, he has shown time and time again what exceptional quality can do for the overall job outlook.

III Allen Jesse's Group Condo II Luis’ Group Texas Commerce Tower Four Leaf Condo

Currently, Dewayne is running the Park Springs project where he has his usual good rapport with the general contractor, thereby, helping him and his men to get the job done right and on time.

1st International Plaza Oxford Condo Shell Woodcreek 1st City Tower

CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3705 Piney Woods P.O. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE

PAID HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 2840

Patsy Whitehead 11322 Rousseau Drive Houston, Texas 77065