1775 Old 6 Road
PO Box 535
Brooklyn, IA 52211
Phone: 641-522-9206
fax: 641-522-5594

Mike Manatt

The 2002 construction season is finally coming to a close. It has been a tough season to end because of the lousy weather, rain and cold. But to the troops credit, they have done a fine job getting most jobs sold.

I would like to highlight and review the year 2002, or better known as “a tough year at the bidding table”. Jobs were going for nothing. Starting in the spring, we didn’t have much work on the books. We worked hard all summer long bidding projects and building those we already had as efficiently as possible. We ended up with a decent year by doing just that.

Ponch and crew had their big job in Hardin County. The weather did not cooperate and we will have to finish next spring. We hired a new PCC paving crew foreman, Rick Hudson. Rick has done a great job fitting in and managing the crew.

Crews hard at work in Hardin County

Mike and crew have been everywhere. They are just finishing Dayton Road in Ames. The crew has been from Audubon County to Dubuque with many jobs in between.

Brian and crew have seen the world. Last spring they headed to Arkansas to Paradigm over six miles. The lucky devils get to go back next spring and do it again. The prime contractor from Arkansas called me and told me our crew did an excellent job and they can’t wait to have them back. We also had two other Paradigm jobs in Audubon and Keokuk Counties.

Crushing in Clarksville, Arkansas

Kenny and crew spent a good part of the season in Audubon Co. They helped the Paradigm and finished the rock for the prime asphalt contractor, then finished the slope and shoulders. They did a great job with very little support from the home office. Way to go Kenny!

Jeremy and crew finished the Brooklyn Bridge job and Keokuk County.

Monte and crew had three projects this year; Newton Prison Release, Mitchellville Rest Area and Dayton Road in Ames. It seems the Dayton job was a design-built project because of all the changes.

Lonnie and crew were busy helping Dave Schinckel’s division in Baxter and Sully.

The jobs would not have happened without our estimators and project managers, Graham, Jason and Jeff. This is the first year I can remember Duane in the office more than in the field.

Thanks to all of you for a fine job!

We have been notified that we are finalists for the ACPA Excellence in Concrete Pavement Awards. The national award was for East 13th Street 2000/2001 Arterial Street Rehab Program in Ames, Iowa. Kudos to Spoon, Mike and crew for a fantastic job! This project is just west of Tom’s main office.

Electronic bidding, the wave of the future, is here now. We no longer go to Des Moines to bid DOT jobs. We do it in the comfort of our offices. As of January 2003, there will be no more lettings at the Marriott. This winter we will have training for our estimators on a new estimating software package, Bid-2-Win. John Beaderstadt has spent over 2 years perfecting the new system. Hopefully, by March 2003 letting, we are all on Bid-2-Win. This will also tie-in to our new accounting software with Bidtek. We should have a lot more capabilities with this system.

We tried to sell the Brooklyn Bridge on E-bay this summer, but alas, no takers, so we tore it down. Sure was exciting for about three weeks around Brooklyn.

Our new building across the road is done and everyone has moved in. A great job by Al Heintz and committee to build a modern, new facility for QC, Tire Shop and Products! Just when we think we are done, we come up with a new idea. Starting next month we are going to build a new 12 person computer lab. This will be above the QC area with all the training for the new Bidtek and Bid-2-Win programs, plus the normal computer training by Jamie. It was felt a larger lab was necessary. This should work out great.

All summer, I looked out my window and saw a huge rock pile with weeds growing out of it. That has changed considerably this fall. We are in the final stages of finishing an addition to our existing truck parking lot east of the main building. We will have tower lighting and the extra room will be great.

Last Tuesday the Newton, Grinnell, and Colfax locations had their company Christmas Party. What a treat to see Wally Kalinay there. He looks great and soon he will have the operations to finally close his wounds from his accident. Wally tells me his goal is to be ready for work come next spring. Keep it coming, Wally.

This has not been a good year for safety. We have had to many bad accidents. Our insurance company has lost money on our account for too many years and our new rates are going to the moon. This is something that just can’t keep staying the same. We need to change! We need to be safer in every aspect of our jobs. We need to be responsible for ourselves and for others. We have initiated more programs to put safety at the forefront. At least two new safety committees have been established, the Brooklyn shop and PCC paving. Greg Ollinger is working on new programs for truck safety and training. Safety needs to be our number one priority.

Well, I have rambled enough. I would like to thank all our employees for a job well done. Also, thanks to their families for allowing us to have them for the long hours away from home. Hope everyone has a great holiday season and we’ll see many of you next year. God Bless!