Can you believe how fast the summer is going?  Seems like we just get jobs going and the talk quickly changes to “What are we going to do after this (project) is done”?  This is the time safety might take a back seat.  I was talking to a couple of workmen and we were discussing a couple of very preventable accidents that had just occurred.  We all concluded that this time of the season is the worst for complacency.  That’s just not taking the extra time needed for safety being a top priority.  THAT’S NOT GOOD!  The “Close calls” we were discussing could have been much worse and that’s not acceptable.  We all want each of us to go home to friends and family after each days (or nights) work.  There is nothing more important than that.  Period!

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been involved in the Newton Speedway.  What a beautiful facility!  Lots of pride involved in this marvel.  It truly is “The Track We Built.”

There is so much going on in central and eastern Iowa.  Wendling Quarries has worked with such prime contractors as Cedar Valley, Mathy, Carlson, and Flynn, just to name a few.  But do you know who our favorite contractors are . . . ?  Illowa, Pelling and Manatts!  You know why . . .?  Higher standards, better communication, and folks working together.  Not to mention a little competition among us all.  another interesting thing going on (other than the track) is a mega paving job in Des Moines on I235. What a project!  Looks like not much margin for error.  Way to go Manatts Paving Division!  While I was traveling under one of those new bridges in Des Moines, I happened to see our new Grinding Division working away.  Nice looking crew.

Adding to the intrigue is Pelling’s night work on I80 through Iowa City.  Now there are some interesting working conditions.  Safety has no margin of error in this work environment.  The only benefit to this kind of work is that the days just fly by.  (Bad joke!)  Kidding aside, Thanks to those Pelling folks who can, “Do it all.”  You know those workers are watching out for each other.

Those are just a few of the interesting projects being worked on currently.  I also wanted to make sure and thank Russell’s crew for doing some custom crushing for Doud’s Stone.  The work went very well and out true colors shined.  Thank you boys!

In addition, I wanted to welcome some new growth to our family of companies.  In Wisconsin, The Kowalski & Kieler Ready Mix and Quarries have been a large addition to Bard’s normal working area.  They cover the three Wisconsin counties closest to Dubuque.  About 11 Ready Mix plants and now about 20 new Quarries.  I see the teams working together already.  Norris has also grown in Missouri with the addition of many quarries.  Wonderful growth and exciting times.

Lastly, my heart goes out to the Gwin family.  The tragic loss of both Larry and Gaye Gwin, the mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather of many Manatt employees and long term friends of so many in Brooklyn.  They packed church and beautiful service was testimony of the impact they had on so many.  Vickie (and sisters), we all here feel your heart ache and have you in our thoughts.