Precast Inc. - September/October 2008 - (Page 38) we didn’t skimp on it,” he says. For example, he spent about $1 million just on the batch plant. “Since we knew we were building a new plant, we bid a very large project when we were still in the old plant,” says Houk. “In fact, it was the largest project we had ever bid – a $2 million contract in Alaska.” The new facility will be building panels for that project in the near future. Hire the best contractors One reason Houk attributes to meeting the deadline was good planning. “We have a designer on staff, and our construction manager is very in-tune with our precast operation,” he says. Another key was selecting and working with the best contractors. “We didn’t always take the lowest bid each time,” he explains. “We considered the make-up of their companies, communication efforts and so on. Then we ended up with a feeling about one company over another, and not necessarily the lowest bid.” For example, according to Houk, the electrical contractor he selected was a critical key to the success of the move. “They were there from beginning to end, and we couldn’t have made the timetable without them,” he says. “We also hired a general contractor who worked under our project manager, and they were really good, too.” The biggest key to success of all of the projects, though, according to Houk, was the company’s workforce, from top management on down. Once you have determined your reason for expansion and secured the resources for making it a reality, timing and planning are critical for its success. So are people, including contractors, permitting officials – and your own employees. And don’t forget those who have gone before you with similar projects. They may guide you around some nasty pitfalls and help make a huge difference in the final result. Don’t underestimate the time for permits While Wilbert had some time with the Lewiston project, it had a tight timeline with the Spokane project, and an unbelievably tight timeline with the Yakima project. The main problem with the Yakima project was the requirement to be off the old property by Dec. 31, but not being able to get a county permit to begin construction on its new plant until Sept. 8. “Permitting can be a lengthy and complex process, especially with environmental issues, wetlands issues, toxic dump issues, etc.,” cautions Houk. And it can take even longer if the permitting officials exhibit a lack of urgency or are unresponsive to your needs. Still, because of the experience they had gained from their previous projects, Wilbert was able to meet this unbelievable timeframe. “We even shocked the people we were leasing the property from,” says Houk. BOOTH 1609 THE PRECAST SHOW 38 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 | PRECAST INC. http://www.sigmaco.com
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