Dave Schinckel

Welcome to the 2003 construction season! I hope you all had an enjoyable and healthy winter break. For me, it seemed that winter flew by, which isn't a bad thing if you prefer warm weather over cold. The bidding season was just as suspected - a low volume of projects to bid and very aggressive competitor bids. We have been having some success in acquiring work this winter so I am confident that we will once again fill the season. Usually, I hear of upcoming work that will help fill the holes in our schedules being let as the season progresses. Keeping the pencil sharp with a total commitment to safety, and no wasted efforts in the field will keep us winning bids during another tough economic year.

Safety is, and has been our highest priority for everyone. Insurance costs have increased at astronomical rates. In order to absorb this, we have to raise our bid prices. This can absolutely not happen if we want to continue to be the low bidder. It seems, in the past, safety was taken for granted. Protective wear such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, etc, or proper execution of a task was done only if in the eye sight of safety personnel. Each and every one of you must take part in protecting yourself, your fellow employees and the traveling public we encounter. It may take a little longer to get the proper gear or tool, but it is far better than risking injury. Doing it correctly the first time is far more efficient than waiting around for medical help. If you see a fellow employee doing something that puts them at risk, please point it out. Its not just that person's next years wage increase he or she is jeopardizing, it is yours too! We all contribute to the bottom line!

As I write this article, the subdrain crew has started the season north of Ottumwa. They have approximately 400,000 feet on the books to expand on. I'm hoping to double this amount which would make a good year for them. Some of the sizable projects are as follows: Hardin-Grundy 60,000 feet; Lee 95,000 feet; Guthrie 38,000 feet; Poweshiek 35,000 feet; Polk 24,000 feet (some night work); and Pottawattamie 29,000 feet.

The sealcoat division is starting to fill up. It always seems that we have to get through the frost boils before the cities and towns think about their needs. Virg is out knocking on doors and should have good results with our normal customers.

Some projects on the books for them are: Boone Co. - 20 lane miles of sealcoat shoulder; a subdivision near Pella to widen and sealcoat;Heartland Co-op Nevada; the V.A. Hospital Knoxville; and a good size County project for Page County. I have a long way to go to fill this crew, but we are just getting into the good bidding season for them.

The stabilization schedule is slowly filling up as we get some projects on our own or with some HMA projects. We have a 4 mile foamed asphalt project in Scott County. We have 4 miles of Benton County road to stabilize with emulsion, along with some fly-ash stabilized projects scattered around. There are some good size projects on the horizon to bid and I feel this division will also have a solid season.

We may have some gaps in the schedule to start with, but I am confident we will have a respectable season once again. Remember to use your protective gear, always look twice when backing or pulling into traffic, and lets watch out for each other.