Building News And Georgetown News - FTWOODS Construction, Texas.

Building Relationships...

Several months ago my friend Ted Williamson recommended that I read the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. After reading only a few chapters, I was sold. This book struck me in such a way that I knew immediately that it was exactly the direction that a good company like FTWOODS Construction needs to head. We have undergone many changes over the last 18 months and the time is right to work together to become even better …. Great as a matter of fact. I wanted to share one particular excerpt from the book in the hopes that it might inspire all of us to become better and to approach some level of greatness.

The question that the book poses is this: “Can a good company evolve into a great one, effectively re-grouping its culture and changing its direction once it has been set?”

Author Jim Collins uses the analogy between building a great company and pushing a flywheel. Picture a huge, heavy flywheel – a massive metal disk mounted horizontally on an axle. The disk is about 30 feet in diameter, 2 feet thick, and weighs about 5,000 pounds. Your task is to get the flywheel rotating on the axle as fast and for as long as possible.

You push with great effort and get the flywheel to inch forward a little. You keep pushing and it moves faster. You keep pushing in a consistent direction then at some point … results! The momentum builds, the wheel kicks in your favor and turn after turn it begins to work for you. Each turn building upon work that has been done earlier.

The flywheel image captures the overall feel of what a Good to Great company is like. There is no single defining action, no grand program and not one specific innovation. Good to Great comes about by a consistent process, step-by-step, action-by-action, decision-by-decision and turn-by-turn of the flywheel. This adds up to spectacular results.

In reflection, this is how we must build and continue to build our relationships. From the ones that continue to believe in us to the new relationships we are building today, as individuals and as part of the FTWOODS Construction Team, building our relationships will be achieved through consistent quality, integrity, economy and performance. Good to Great … That’s where we’re going. It won’t be easy – but it’ll be worth it. Come on, let’s go! Thanks Ted.

-FTW

Lee Loving Wins Again!

Field Manager Lee Loving has done it again. In January, Lee traveled to Arlington, Texas where he competed in the Texas State Weightlifting Championships. Lee placed first in his division. He also received the best lifter award for those competing ages 35 and older. His next stop: Nationals in Savannah, Georgia. Lee is coached by his son Rowdy who himself was a junior Olympian.

Career Camp at the Ninth Grade Campus

On Wednesday, January 21st, FTWOODS Construction employees Barbie Sproull, Mandy Moya, Lee Loving, and Mike Chaney visited Georgetown High School’s Ninth Grade Campus to participate in Career Camp 2004. This annual event is intended to expose high school freshmen to the various career possibilities that await them in the future.

The FTWOODS Construction Team had the opportunity to speak to two classes of students. We spent each 45-minute long class period discussing the different employment opportunities available to those interested in the construction industry. Each of us discussed our individual jobs and the experience and education that our position requires. The students asked lots of great questions and we enjoyed our time with them.

Four people posing for picture

Growing Up

FTWOODS Construction continues to grow. We have two recent additions to our team, Mary Dixon and Rick Schiller.

Mary has over ten years experience in contract administration. Her experience includes working for a general contractor, a local sub-contractor and a family business. Mary also has a background in real estate. She recently moved back to Texas from Newport Beach, California . She will be working closely with Patrick Baker, Tony Bagliore and Mike Chaney in our Civil Group. In her spare time Mary enjoys golfing, reading and traveling.

Project Engineer, Rick Schiller is a recent graduate from Texas A&M University where he received a degree in Construction Science. Rick works closely with Ross Schneider and Zeb Robinson. He is a graduate of Georgetown High School. In his spare time Rick enjoys baseball, fishing and hanging out with his friends. Rick will also be playing on the FTWOODS Construction men’s softball team.

Southwestern University Surge Building is Complete

FTWOODS Construction recently completed a 14,400 square foot building for Southwestern University. The two-story classroom and office building features a limestone retaining wall and a 40’ long pedestrian bridge. This new facility meets the energy efficiency standards recently adopted by the State of Texas. The team leading the project included S. C. Inman and Mark Smith. The Southwestern University Surge building was completed in December 2003.

Roger Beasley Volvo Dealership Opens

The new Roger Beasley Volvo Dealership on Interstate 35 in Georgetown opened for business in December, 2003. The dealership is the newest to join Georgetown’s motor mile. This 27,000 SF facility consists of a gorgeous showroom, parts/retail space and a full service shop. The FTWOODS Construction Team managing the project included Ross Schneider and Lee Loving. FTWOODS Construction’s Civil Group self-performed the site work and concrete.

Congratulations to David Stein, the Volvo Team and the entire Roger Beasley Family of Dealerships. We wish you much success on Georgetown’s motor mile.

Emile Elementary School in Bastrop, Texas

FTWOODS Construction has been selected as the new Construction Manager @ Risk by the Bastrop Independent School District. FTWOODS Construction will begin the district’s addition and renovation project this spring at Emile Elementary School. The project includes the addition of a 9,339 square foot cafeteria and 10,060 square feet of interior renovations. Pfluger Associates is the architect. The team members leading the project for FTWOODS Construction are Project Manager Troy Lee and Superintendent Mark Smith. The Emile Elementary project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Watch Out For....

TASUS Texas! The new Toyota supplier has selected Georgetown, Texas for its new home and FTWOODS Construction as the design/builder of their new manufacturing facility. Tasus Texas plans to break ground for their new 50,000 square foot plant on March 18th. Iain Sproull, FTWOODS Construction VP said, “We are excited to be part of the Tasus Texas Team. We are looking forward to working with Walt Barkalow, Bob Burns and Melanie Hart and to building a state-of-the-art-facility that not only Tasus, but the entire Georgetown community can be proud of”.