C O M P A N Y O V E R V I E W
Bosworth Steel Erectors
Employees Take Priority at B
Bosworth Steel sees investing in employees as an investme Written by: Ian Hanner
Produced by: Alex Hortaridis
s, Inc.
Bosworth Steel
ent in the company
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BOSWORTH STEEL ERECTORS, INC.
The next generation of the company means a lot to Jimmy Kepple and he’s got every confidence that they’ll be able to carry the torch. Kepple is the vice president of project management at Dallas-based Bosworth Steel Erectors, Inc. Having been with the company since 2004, he’s seen Bosworth go through times of plenty and times of economic downturn. Now as a selfproclaimed member of the older generation, he gives more thought to those that will take over when he eventually leaves the company. “The one thing that you can’t 4
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replace and the one thing that you can’t train is experience,” Kepple said. “So what we’re trying to do is take [from] some of the older generation, which I guess I’m considered now, and pass some of those decades of knowledge to the younger generation to shorten the learning curve.” Formerly a part of John F. Beasley Construction Company, the organization was founded in 1995 when John Bosworth and a few other partners purchased company assets and started Williams-Beasley, which would later become Bosworth Steel. While
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Bosworth Steel’s predecessor had already seen a good deal of success, it was no easy task building the company into the trusted and thriving organization it is today. “From day one, the company has had a reputation to maintain,” reads the company’s website. “[John Bosworth] also became responsible for maintaining the legacy of customer satisfaction.” The efforts of everyone at Bosworth Steel appear to have paid off. Kepple estimated that last year the company brought in about $28 million
“We’ve had about three years of drought in the industry with the economic system taking the dive that it took, but that seems to be turning around nicely now” – Kepple
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BOSWORTH STEEL ERECTORS, INC. in revenue. To add to any pride they might feel over their financial success, Bosworth has attracted a number of high profile clients in not just the company’s native Texas, but nationwide. Significant Projects One of their most notable projects is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., slated to open in 2015. According to Kepple, the museum is being built
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MATTERS We provide lifting equipment sales, rentals, service, and parts.
All with industry leading service as our number one priority. 11618 C F Hawn Frwy Dallas, TX 75253
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with two floors below ground and eight above in a heavy cantilever structural system with four interior concrete core walls. Bosworth has been an integral part of the process the whole way as a construction consultant. Bosworth has also been involved in a project for Lockheed-Martin relating to their F-35 aircraft, which is being developed for use throughout the U.S. military. “Lockheed’s expanding their production capacity, specifically for the F-35,” Kepple
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said. “We’re currently finishing up on a component final finish addition [and] looking at a total expansion on the paint building for the F-35. We built the first building for Lockheed in 2007. They’ve got [more] funding now and they’re doubling the capacity of that building.”
or redevelopment of the Browns Stadium in Cleveland,” Kepple added. “Last year we completed the new Cleveland Convention Center. And those were specifically clientdriven jobs there. We don’t normally go to Ohio.”
Next Level Training Plans for Expansion Kepple said he feels none of the Despite the bevy of high profile company’s successes would be clients that Bosworth has been possible if not for the excellent doing business with, Kepple employees that work for them. remains optimistic about the Feeling that the employees are the company’s ability to expand to an company’s greatest asset, Bosworth even greater market. invests heavily in on-the-job “I think we’ve got room to expand. training. In addition to extensive It’s kind of an evolving market,” he safety training that Kepple said said. “We’ve had about three years goes “above and beyond” industry of drought in the industry with the standards, the company also economic system taking the dive that offers a course for employees who it took, but that seems to be turning want a career rather than a job in around nicely now. We’re able to steel erecting. actually look at projects that have “[We] do that through a program a little bit more potential for profit in the company called Next Level margin in them. And of course the Training where we’ll take some of potential for profit margin drives our the brighter, more enthusiastic, desire to go to the national market.” interested, younger guys--and the Bosworth has recently been key word there is interested-- and operating in states that, in the past, we’ll actually try to have them absorb they have had little, if any role in. some of that decades of trial and “We’re also doing the expansion error so that what might have taken w w w. b o s w o r t h s t e e l . c o m
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us four or five years to learn, they can learn in a 30 day class session,” Kepple said. All of this eases any uneasiness Kepple has for once he steps down 8
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from his role. “There comes a point in time that older steps down for younger,” he said. “My hope is that all the work that we’ve done as ‘olders’ transfers
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Company Information Bosworth Steel Erectors, Inc. is an industry innovator in steel construction and modification. From project conception to implementation and completion we lead the way with experience, knowledge, and leadership.
over to the ‘youngers’ and they just take it and improve from there. At that point in time when it’s all running well ... I’ll step aside.”
Founded in 1995, we have been sculpting the skyline with elegance, beauty and grace for hundreds of satisfied clients across the globe. Bosworth Steel Erectors, Inc. can keep your project moving forward and meet your completion date.
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Bosworth Steel Erectors, Inc. 4001 Jaffee Street Dallas, TX. 75216-4023 Telephone: 214-371-3700 www.bosworthsteel.com