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CDI

Commercial Brywall, Snc.

Craftsman

^January 1984

Doing it all

Servo©® [k®^ ft® CDI remedefag sy©e®ss Amidst an overall slowdown of construction activity in Houston, one area of CDI heading in the opposite direction is remodeling. The company currently maintains remodeling crews in three locations — Greenway Plaza, downtown and the Galleria. Perhaps the reason for the upsurge in this area of construction is the unique role CDI plays in the daily operations of these business centers. Together, the three crews service more than 60 buildings ranging in size from the single story to 75. And, service is the key — from handling the smallest problem for a tenant such as fixing a lock on a door in a minute’s notice to turn keying an entire floor from demolition to rebuild, all while the tenant continues his daily business affairs. In the case of Hurricane Alicia, it meant working around the clock for several days, covering broken

CDI's Mike Celaya is shown here installing the acoustical ceiling tiles at the MCI lease in the Ben Franklin Savings building.

CDI installed 7,000 square feet of computer access flooring at the MCI lease. Pictured above is Ben Pope installing the flooring panels.

windows, cleaning out debris and ultimately rebuilding and repairing the damage. For CDI, the Galleria is currently one of the busiest of the remodeling groups. Under the direction of George Speaker, the crew has grown to average about 35 craftsmen although it peaked at better than 50 in 1983. At the Galleria, CDI works for Gerald D. Hines Interests which developed many of the buildings in the area. From their base in Transco Tower I, CDI crews span out covering work in some 22 buildings including the Galleria Mali, Post Oak Central and the City Post Oak complexes, as well as a host of buildings that line the west loop and Westheimer. According to George, CDI serves as an interior coordinator on the vast majority of the work. “Well do the partitions, ceilings, doors and frames

ourselves. But we also secure the subs for the electrical, plumbing, carpet and other necessary crafts." George says that he spends much of his time dealing with these other subcontractors and with the building managers. “I rely on my foreman and leadmen to handle our part of the work," comments George. “I've got some good ones and all of them work with their tools." Carpenter foremen include Richard St. Lawrence, who troubleshoots and handles the maintenance and other quick turn-around duties and Cliff Barnes who oversees the outlying larger jobs. Other key carpenters include James Morris, Mike Menslage, Donald Murphy, Jim Rutledge, Robin Jones, Juan Alanis, John Auld, Larry Driskell, Robert Sandell, (see Remodel, p 8)

From th® ft@p

Escetamg® of tastes® teas fe)eoii@fD©oaD By Stan PJarek Earlier this month several members of our management team took advantage of an opportunity to exchange information with E.F. Brady Company, a large drywall company located on the West Coast. One of my first realizations from the meeting was you can never stop learning. When you go through life thinking that you know your business and the way you've been doing something for 15 years makes it right, you’re in for a rude awakening when you realize that someone else can do it as well and in many cases even better. During the two intensive days, many areas of operation were dissected and discussed by the teams involved. One of the more surprising discoveries was that E.F. Brady went through a 30 percent decrease in volume during 1982 and 1983, very similar to what we are facing now. We asked what their approach was. They indicated that they did basically the same things we are doing now. That is, looking at new markets, increasing productivity,

eliminating inefficiencies in the field and office and taking a serious, detailed look at the overhead structure. As one member of the overhead team aptly stated, “In a downturn in business, you can’t increase prices, ^ you must find a way to reduce cost.” The important thing is that they were in a recession and emerged a stronger, more efficient contractor. As we would say, leaner and meaner. As I watched the teams interact and exchange points of view, it amazed me that our companies were so similar. Having developed more than 1500 miles apart, the similarities showed the importance of basics and being fundamentally sound, the basics are part of both our philosophies. What impressed the California company most about CDI? Our strengths in field accountability through our job cost systems received acclaim. They were impressed by our motivational approach to getting the job done,

not by necessarily working harder, ^ but by working smarter. And, one of the most important ideas they took home with them was the importance of telling the men and women who are the producers in the company thanks for a job well done through recognition and awards. What do we hope to gain from the exchange? Besides the knowledge gained from their experience of a down market, there is a tremendous potential for gain in areas such as diversification into new markets, improved and more efficient computerization, and better communication with branch offices, just to name a few. As far as the future is concerned, we hope to visit our friends from the West Coast soon and continue our exchange of ideas. One thing that continued to surface through the comparisons is the obvious pride and professionalism that each of you in the organization has exhibited in doing your job. Ours is a people business. And, the people with CDI k make this company what it is. "

In the computer room of one large corporation a glass case is mounted on the wall next to the company’s enormous new computer. Inside the case is an abacus, an ancient form of calculator. On the case is a sign that reads: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, BREAK GLASS.

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

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The American Subcontractors Association Houston Chapter named its annual Superintendent of the Year at a dinner on January 21 Pictured above (I to r) are Jack Crawford of Tribble & Stephens (alternate), award recipient Lynn Stoever of Miner-Dedenck, and Raymond Sidenblad of L inbeck Construction. This award is given each year to an outstanding superintendent from a general contractor and is voted on by the subcontractors who are members of ASA.

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.

Psymsij mgifijgig@[j* Joy TayBor pays GDI’s foaii fore® cornnInS 0 uS person in every employee^—0th Very important t0 sure that n person who makes time At rPniyr? Checks are out on manager oHiiS J°V Taylor’ who' as payroN rh? e'd Payr0"' sees th^

field Fph ^ ready t0 9° t0 ^ J°y joined iho m°min9' year ai 'ne? the company just a

dlnaS? When the Woll

over 1 non W3S ,qU'te hectic with all the rm P«°pe on field Payroll in ne CDI offices. Today, she is in charge of emnlnwo

Paying some 665 field

cherkQ 6S' n addition to seeing the deDartmaret'timely' Joy oversees the th Pa[tments various functions, sees that the payroll and ail related r®ports are in balance and proofs the edits to be sure deductions are properly posted. “A lot of people think that payroll is the same day in and day out,” says Joy. “It’s far from it at CDI with new jobsites coming on and handling time for smaller jobs.” Joy doesn’t ^^handle the payroll alone; she has ^■hree assisting her who “all do a very good job.” Sherrie Murphy mainly handles computer updating, proofs computer entries, does manual checks for such things as shortages and helps in taking paint department time. Sharon Donnell’s duties include the worker’s compensation report, posting of deductions, preparation of donation vouchers and also taking paint department time. Now working part-time for CDI, Linda Skolaut has the chief function of keeping the field force board updated. Prior to working at CDI, Joy was with the Visiting Nurses Association for eight and a half years, more than four of which were in the payroll department “under a good supervisor who taught me the whole payroll picture. "I felt very comfortable turning the job over to Joy,” says Diane Jones who handled the position before Joy. “She’s great and cares as much __

bugs, were exhausting but it was worth

Payroll manager Joy Taylor is highlighted this month. She is responsible for the entire field payroll.

every minute because I love doing payroll.” The biggest challenges Joy faces are keeping the department running smoothly and making the deadlines. “The problems we had in payroll are fewer now with the field's help in using proper phase codes and we

now have more time to check the payroll.” Joy is a native Houstonian and is currently living in Oak Forest with husband Bruce and children Josh, 10, and Adam, 5. Joy adds, “This is the first job I felt totally comfortable with right away.”

Task groups analyzing overhead CDI has organized a number of task groups to analyze overhead costs in specific areas. The groups, consisting of volunteers, are addressing such overhead expenditures as motivation and productivity, office supplies, employee expenses, public relations, tools, and automobiles and trucks. “With the present lull in construction activity in Houston, our company is facing a decrease in sales volume,” comments CDI president Stan Marek. “In such a situation, overhead as a percentage of sales goes up. These committees

have been set up to find ways to reduce overhead costs so they do not go up as sales come down. "Being conscious of overhead costs is a good idea even with good market conditions because it aids profitability. Being overhead conscious in a tough market is a necessity,” claims Stan. The overhead task groups are presently looking at costs incurred in 1983. Their responsibility will be to make recommendations to management on ways to reduce the costs.

Sometimes the best way to convince a man he is wrong is to let him have his own way.

There are two kinds of failures: the man who will do nothing he is told and the man who will do nothing else.

Pmject ©f the month

In Bryan, St. Joseph nears ©©mptefio®161 Just a few miles to the north and west of Houston, CDI crews have been busy since last March on a project for general contractor Linbeck Construction. The project St. Joseph Hospital addition and renovation in Bryan. The original building was completed in 1971. Under James Foley’s supervision, a handful of craftsmen are handling the framing, sheetrocking and acoustical and sheetrock ceilings of the three-phase construction. The hospital construction will add about 34 beds as well as a new maternity and intensive care wing. On the first floor, a new chapel was built. The intensive care unit and therapy room are on the second floor while the maternity room is on the third floor. Typical of most hospital construction, there is a great deal of mechanical equipment and plumbing to work around. There is installation of lead-lined sheetrock in the x-ray facilities and more doors and windows than in usual office construction. In addition to these challenges faced by CDI craftsmen, St. Joseph is a working hospital. '‘When we

St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan is currently undergoing renovation and expansion. CDI crews have been on the job since last March.

finish one area of the hospital, we have to pick up and work in another always careful not to get in the way of regular hospital activities,” says James. “We can only do a little at a time.” “St. Joseph is a unique project for us in that we are doing both new construction and remodel work at the same time,” says project manager

Teresa Meshay. “It is going well for us despite having to work around the hospital personnel. It’s always easier if the space is vacant and we can just get in there and finish our work.”

According to James, there were 4 some phases of construction where ", topping out a wall was very difficult as there were so many pipes and

For the second time

Greg Serge honored as CDI’s £©p supervisor

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Outstanding supervisor honors for January went to Greg Sorge who is running the remodel operation at Allen Center, One, Two and Three, the Entex Building and Allied Bank Building in downtown Houston for CDI, a position he recently undertook. A year ago, Greg received the supervisor of the month award for his work as supervisor of the tenant work at Allied Bank Building. “Greg started out 1984 with a lot more responsibility,” says superintendent Luis Soliz. “When we saw a need for a general supervisor over remodel in these buildings, Greg's name came up automatically.” Going back to the Allen Center projects is like going home for Greg. His first jobs as a CDI supervisor

were One Allen Center then Two Allen Center. “It’s going back to projects he knows real well, ones he built originally,” says Luis, “and now, he can remodel those same buildings." Since building the Allen Center projects, Greg has gained more experience and knowledge working on such buildings as the NL Industries complex and the 49-story First City Tower. “When Greg is given a challenge,” says Luis, “he gets right after it and does it well. He is always professional in doing his job and handles the pressures of the job while remaining on an even keel." In his new position with CDI, Greg is handling the work for general contractor Texas Construction as he 4

was while at Allied Bank Building. “Greg has always had an excellent rapport with Texas Construction which will certainly help him,” adds Luis. ‘‘I like what I do,” says Greg. He attributes his success as a supervisor to being able to deal well with people, both his men and the customer. Greg's strength lies in his organizational skills. He knows what type of work is right for his men and assigns them accordingly,” adds Luis. Now that hunting season is over, Greg is getting ready for fishing in his spare time. Greg and his wife, f Kathy, live in Pasadena with their four-year-old son, Charles.

vents in the way of sheetrock installation. “A couple of our guys had to climb up there and crawl over the pipes in order to hang the rock.” Another time-consuming difficulty faced by CDI workers was shooting pins in the old concrete in the renovation areas of the hospital. “In doing both remodel and new construction simultaneously on a job, you have to shift people around to be sure the work is done," says James, "and we had work going on all three floors at once.” “James had prior hospital construction experience running the Cypress-Fairbanks Medical Center last year,” says CDI superintendent Jay Richards, “so he knew what to expect and has handled the pressures of this job well.” Key craftsmen on this project are J.D. Lambrecht, Joe d’Agostino, Darwin Macat, James Nuttall, Bill Currie, James Frey, James Flesher and David Hunt, who are “all doing a fine job on this one ” Hats off go to those who make the two-and-a-halfhour drive each day — James Frey, Darwin Macat, James Flesher, James Nuttall and David Hunt. Bob Piqg estimated the project for CDI Construction is scheduled to be completed for CDI in mid-March.

CD/ carpenters at work on the St. Joseph Hospital addition and renovation in Bryan are (left) J. D. Lambrecht and Joe dAgostino

CHAMP rewarding Marriott craftsmen CDI's CHAMP program at the Marriott Hotel continues to reward budget-beating craftsmen. Begun as a pilot effort in September, CHAMP has been well received by members of the Marriott work group. “It’s a good program. It puts the emphasis at the worker level where it belongs, ’ says Marriott supervisor Bill Shafer. “All my people here enjoy it. It’s a way of showing them appreciation when they work hard.” CHAMP stands for Craftsmen Helping Achieve Maximum Productivity. Under the program, craftsmen receive a hardhat decal each day they can perform their work in fewer man-hours than allotted by the budget. With each set of 10 decals, the craftmen receive an award. These range from a T-shirt for the first set of 10 to a windbreaker for the fifth set. After four months of the program, ten craftsmen have earned 100 or

more decals. These include Russell Bohon, Howard Boren, Bernie Dvorak, Geoffrey George, Brent Hammond, Lawrence Lutz, George McFarland, Ian Williams, Paul Cunningham and James Wiegel. “Overall, CHAMP is a good tool. It forces supervisors and foremen to get a little closer to their workers. There’s still a few bugs to be worked out. But, I think it’s a good solid program,” says Bill. CHAMP, which began as a pilot project at the Marriott Hotel, is slated to go into effect shortly at the Tealstone Condominiums. According to executive vice president Bruce Marek, it is hoped that CHAMP can be used on a broader scale within the company. “We would like to use CHAMP on all our jobs, but there is still some fine tuning to be done. For now, we’ll have to consider it on a job by job basis,” says Bruce.

Productivity benefits ali

January's supervisor of the month Greg Sorge is now overseeing remodeling operations in downtown Houston at Allen Center, Entex and Allied Bank Building.

Every citizen is affected by the rate of productivity. It is a pocket-book issue which works this way: when output of products and services fails to keep up with the cost of input needed to produce them, prices have to go up in order for a 5

company to stay in business. On the other hand, when output improves enough to cover added production costs, then prices can be stabilized and inflation checked. This makes each earned dollar worth more.

GDI San Antonio

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Top CDS oraftsmen selected for rJQ>& CDI San Antonio, at its annual field Christmas party, honored top craftsmen for 1983. Journeyman carpenter of the year honors went to Sam Sotelo while the apprentice award went to Frank Campbell, Jr. Paulo Gomez was chosen as the laborer of the year and top painter honors went to Harold Radicke. Each man received a plaque. In addition, belt buckles were awarded to Jessie Gutierrez, Roger Pons, Gary France, Heriberto Villarreal, Richard Pena, Jr., Ray Cervantes and Preston Barragan. Under Gary Schultze’s direction, the Broadway Professional Building was recently completed. The twostory office condominium project utilized CDI’s total interior concept.

General contractor was Carter Real Estate & Development. Renovation will soon be completed on the 22-story Milam Towers in Sa Antonio. Foreman Danny Williams and his crew installed all the concealed spline acoustical ceilings in the building. The project architects described the work done by CDI crews as "outstanding.” Dewitt Churchwell estimated the project while project management duties were handled by Grady Atnip. CDI San Antonio will soon begin construction on the two-story Lacks Furniture Store in San Antonio, a project for Peco Construction. CDI crews will be doing the drywall core as well as building the display backdrops throughout the store.

Michael Tinajero and his crew recently completed another total interior package. Afton Oaks is a two-story office condominium in san Antonio. He is currently working on the Ashford Oaks project, a 13-story executive office tower. CDI’s work will be the drywall, acoustical ceilings and paint and wall coverings for general contractor Spaw-Glass Inc. For general contractor Joeris & Clauss, Joe Solis is running the 15600 San Pedro four-story office building. “The project is going well for us and running under budget," says project manager Grady Atnip. The scope of CDI’s work is the framing and core work as well as building the atrium planters.

Houston Outlook ’84

Stow year for eonstryefSon as Houston’s economy mpiroves The year 1984 will be a good year business-wise for Houston relative to the past year. This was the concensus of the Chamber of Commerce at the 20th annual

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Houston Outlook conference held January 19. The panel of experts representing Houston’s major industries described the economic performance in 1983 as “miserable by Houston’s standards." Further, 1984 will be a transition year for Houston characterized by slow, improving growth. Nationally, the economic forecast for this year was summarized in the panel's report as follows: ° National economic recovery will continue. ° There will be a decline in the national unemployment rate to 7.5 percent. ° Inflation rate will rest between five and six percent. ° Prime interest rate will remain in a range of 10 to 12 percent. The Houston forecast CDI is concerned with is that dealing with commercial construction, an area where growth will be very slow this year. It is predicted that there will be a marginal increase in 1983’s $2.6 billion in permits issued for 1984. As there continues to be an over abundance of lease space in the larger buildings, this type of construction will be slow. A few larger projects planned for 1984 include the 82-story Southwest 6

Center, a 53-story for Wortham & Van Liew, Centre Two building for f the Farb Co., the 270,000 square foot One Fannin Medical Professional Building and the Houston Chronicle Satellite Printing Plant. It is projected that the high level of retail construction will continue as will construction of medical institutions. The post office plans nine new facilities in the Houston area for 1984 and there are a couple of hotels on the drawing board. In sum, construction will be slower than in years past with few projects planned. Since the construction industry is tied to the overall economic recovery of Houston, 1984 will be a tough year as the city gradually sees economic improvement.

Job security Job security is a major benefit of increased productivity at the workplace. It comes about when a company able to compete because of improved productivity maintains / and expands its level of employment.

Austin work steadf for GDI CDI-Austin activity continues on a ^ . steady basis on several small ^ ■ projects, while One American Center remains the big job. James Joyner and James McAnally are in the early stages on tenant build out at Tracor. This job entails the erection of vinyl wrapped walls plus ceilings. Other crews under Johnny Kovar and Terry LaRoche have completed leases at a Trammel Crow development in Northwest Austin. At One American Center, framers and hangers under Tommy Williamson and Terry Traylor are approximately 40 percent complete on the core portion of the job. Shaftwall is nearing the top of the tower with other parts of the core a few floors behind. The pace is accelerating on the lower floors of the building called the Pavillion. This atrium area includes outside wall conditions plus intricate walls and drops. CDI’s finishing crew is getting its start on the job and will be followed by the painting group.

(I to r) Foreman Terry Traylor, supervisor Tommy Williamson and Austin's president Larry Hanvey examine details at the 32-story One American Center.

Rudy Martinez joined CDI Austin's workforce January 30 as superintendent over the painting operations. Rudy, who has worked with the company as paint supervisor for the past four years, will oversee the entire field paint activity. He will work under Dave Coburn who is manager of the paint division. In addition to One American CDI craftsmen should circle April Center, the paint group will be 28 on their calendars. That day will involved in the construction of the mark the company’s 5th Annual University of Texas Teaching Center. Fishin’ Fools Bass Tournament. Another new face for CDI in Austin The event, which attracted nearly is Stephanie Koehne. Stephanie 200 people last year, including 120 joined the company in early January fishermen, will be held at Fisherman's as receptionist. A native of Waco, Reef Marina on Lake Conroe. she worked for a dentist for eight Tournament coordinator, Larry years there prior to moving to Austin. Williams, says that the 1984 version will be similar to years past. “We will keep basically the same format. The biggest difference this year will be On December 8, 1983, CDI that there will be more trophies suffered the loss of Herbert Hawkins, awarded." 38, a finishing foreman who died of Last year prize money went to the top 20 fishermen along with trophies an apparent heart attack while at work. to the top three spots and biggest Herb started at CDI in April 1975 bass. “This year we want more as a journeyman finisher and had people to walk away with trophies. worked on almost every major After a hard day’s fishing, they project the company has done. He deserve it,” says Larry. was known for his fine quality on “We will start taking entries very difficult jobs. Galleria II, Oxford sometime in March and will keep House, Guest Quarters and the everyone updated through the Greenbriar Atriums were a few CDI newsletter and payroll stuffers.”

Bass tournament set for April 28

Ben Oyler (standing) and Lynn Pounds install gyplap on exterior window conditions at the One American Center.

projects on which Herb ran the finishing operation. When he first joined the company, Herb served as shop steward. His most recent job at CDI was as foreman in the City Post Oak area under George Speaker. The Craftsman, on behalf of management and every CDI employee extends its sympathy to the Hawkins family. He will certainly be missed as a valued CDI employee.

Mike Celaya, Ben Pope and John Speaker. "These individuals are the ones you need for remodeling. Any of these people can do almost any job, do it right and work well with the tenant,” claims George. The laborers too are a special group, says George. “Foreman Dimas Gonzales and his men — Gerald Green, Glaucus Jefferson and Henry Freeman — all know the material, cleanup demands, and other skills that remodeling requires.” For the finishers, Al Garcia serves as foreman over Jaime Galindo, Mark Elvarade and Millie Kasprzak. "You can’t say enough about these people. They do a tremendous job working around conditions requiring them to pay close attention to the cleanliness of their work," says George.

The painters too, must take extra caution to insure their work doesnt make too much of a mess or inconvenience for the tenants. I hese include Jeanette Yeppez, Robert Felton and Roland Cloutier. “What you would have to say about these people is they’re versatile. They do touch up, stain, paint and vinyl. And they do it good.” It’s no secret that for a remodeling operation to be successful there has to be teamwork. “You’ve got a large number of people who depend on one another for coordination, cooperation and communication to meet the hectic schedules,” comments George. At the Galleria this includes CDI’ers from George’s supervisor Fred Lay to the primary estimator Dick Johnson to the project administrator Charles Boyd.

Goal-setting: key to productivity A study done on improving productivity has found the key is goalsetting. Other incentives such as behavior modification and job enrichment are basically useless if there are not specific goals for the employee to aim for. Effective goals should be well defined, challenging, even difficult but never impossible; impossible goals are frustrating, not productive.

But managers also have responsibility for improving productivity. This includes providing rewards of some kind when goals are reached. Managers must also be supportive; not coercive or intimidating - that’s antiproductive. Being positive, understanding and goal-oriented will likely get productivity off to a fast start.

"We all play a part and I don't think we could get by without all of us working together,” claims George. "We know that the name of the game is service and we work hard to make sure that the customer and the tenants get the best possible. I think that philosophy is what has helped us prosper here at the Galleria.”

Around CDi. . . With the beginning of the new year, several CDI employees are undertaking new challenges and there are a few new faces around. Bryan Grant is CDI's new runner... Mike Huegele is now handling the tools in addition to coordinating yard materials . . . Mark Hester is assisting Mike in the tool department . . . Frank Scuillo moved to San Antonio as general manager of CDI’s San Antonio office . . . Mike Holland is now overseeing the entire contract sales department. Barry Niemann is now manager of CDI Houston's paint department... Rudy Martinez has moved to Austin as paint superintendent . .. Kevin Turnbull will soon be off to San Antonio as paint superintendent... overseeing the accounting operation in San Antonio now is Diane Jones from the Houston office . . . James McShan is a new company addition supervising the installation of computer access flooring ... Jim Fox is now handling Vaughan Wall sales for CDI .

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

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