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.