FEATURE ARTICLES in this edition include:

Preconstruction in Today’s Collaborative Environment
by Paul Kinsley, McCarthy Vice President, Estimating

Today, a new era of collaboration among owners, designers and builders is creating higher quality structures within budget and schedule constraints. Learn about how new advancements in technology have evolved preconstruction planning and are making a real impact on today’s projects.

Safety First: Are you overlooking the most important part of the builder selection process?
by Gary Amsinger, McCarthy Vice President, Safety

When you begin looking for a construction company for your next project, there’s a crucial qualification that can be overlooked: the company’s safety record. Here’s how it affects nearly every other aspect of a construction job and why you can’t afford to take safety for granted.

Does Your Facility Have a Boiler? Then the EPA’s New Industrial Boiler MACT Rule May Impact You
by Ryan G. Miner, Director of Business Development, MC Industrial and Don Wolf, PE, Principal, Burns & McDonnell

Owners of institutional or industrial boilers will soon be required to comply with new, stricter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air emissions requirements. To determine if these requirements apply to your facility and what steps you need to take to ensure compliance, read on.

See the Summer 2011 Edition  now.

Readers can also view region-specific content by selecting from the drop down menu titled View Other Editions. These include Central, Nevada/Utah, Southern California, Northern Pacific, Southwest, Southeast, Texas and MC Industrial.

Builder’s Innovative Approach Garners National Recognition from Associated General Contractors of America

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. one of the nation’s oldest and largest privately-held construction companies and a 100 percent employee-owned business, was honored last week with a 2011 Education Excellence Award from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

Presented during the AGC Training, Education & Development Conference in Kansas City, the Education Excellence Awards recognize the most innovative and collaborative training and development programs in the construction industry. McCarthy was honored in the category of Supervisor-Executive Management for the firm’s Foundations of Leadership Training Program. This AGC award comes on the heels of McCarthy’s placement on the prestigious 2011 Training Magazine Top 125 list and recognition by Corporate University Xchange for training excellence and innovation earlier this year.

“The key to building great projects is building great professionals,” said AGC President Kristine Young. “McCarthy’s leadership training program is an example of how to turn tremendous talent into outstanding professionals.”

Founded as a family-owned business almost 150 years ago, McCarthy is one of the largest 100% employee-owned companies with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in America today. The firm has long fostered a culture dedicated to continuous improvement, and “Learning” represents one of McCarthy’s six company Core Values. 
 
“McCarthy transitioned from family to employee ownership in 2002,” explained McCarthy Chairman and CEO Mike Bolen. “This significant shift, together with a combination of company growth and retirements of a number of long-time leaders, resulted in our need to more aggressively prepare our high-potential employees for growth. The opportunities at McCarthy are vast and varied, and training these future leaders is an exciting part of our continuing success.”

The McCarthy Foundations of Leadership Program was designed to accelerate the advancement of high performers by challenging them early in their career to take charge of their own development through an orchestrated “peek behind the curtain” at the unique issues faced by the leaders of a multi-billion dollar general contractor. This fast-track approach was also designed to challenge these employees, keep them fully engaged in the company and heighten the overall level of professionalism in the industry.

“Our senior leadership is 100% behind the development of future leaders at McCarthy and actively participate in our Foundations program as instructors,” noted McCarthy Vice President of Human Resources Al Berardi. “We have invested an incredible amount of time to create an active learning experience that is both challenging and meaningful. To be honored by our national association for our efforts is especially meaningful.”

About the Associated General Contractors of America
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the leading association for the construction industry. Operating in partnership with its nationwide network of Chapters, the AGC provides a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest. The AGC represents more than 33,000 leading firms in the industry,  including general contractors, specialty contractors, and service providers and suppliers.

About McCarthy
McCarthy is one of the nation’s oldest and largest domestic general contractors. While a formal McCarthy Training Program had been in place for decades, McCarthy formally launched an entirely revamped training program in 2008 under McCarthy Build U. Unusual in the construction industry and among best-in-class training programs outside of the construction industry, the McCarthy Build U framework provides the company with the structure, alignment, centralization and flexibility needed to personalize training to meet both individual and business needs. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work, McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned.

Over the next two years, all McCarthy LEED AP’s will complete the required 30 hours of training through the McCarthy Green Curriculum to maintain the new credential. Existing green training programs typically focus on design issues. The McCarthy Green Curriculum is unique, presented from the builder’s perspective. This curriculum focuses on what McCarthy and the building team can do during design, construction and operations to have a positive impact on the sustainability of the project.

In addition to employee training, McCarthy’s commitment to sustainability requires continual review of day-to-day operations affecting the environment to look for different ways to do the same or more, while reducing the environmental impact. McCarthy has also implemented the following:

Policies—McCarthy has established office, field, wellness and transportation policies to track and reduce the firm’s impact on the environment. These include use of recycled materials and improving fleet efficiency every year.

Carbon Footprint—McCarthy has adopted a carbon footprint methodology, established a company baseline and is working towards a 5% reduction over the next five years.

Leadership—In addition to sustainable leadership at the national level, each McCarthy project has an identified sustainability leader and champion.

“Green building techniques and materials are being incorporated into every one of our projects today, and clients and partners need a builder they can count on,” explained McCarthy Vice President, Quality and Sustainability Chad Dorgan. “The GBCI program provides a consistent framework for our industry and at the same time provides owners with a green standard they can trust. By upgrading all of our employees, we are providing this same level of consistency for all clients nationwide.”

About McCarthy
McCarthy is one of the nation’s oldest and largest privately held commercial construction companies. More than a decade ago, McCarthy formalized a national in-house green knowledge network to capture and build upon the best green practices across the country. Today, the McCarthy Green Team is comprised of approximately 400 USGBC LEED Accredited Professionals (ranking the company in the top 10 for LEED AP’s by Building Design and Construction and among the nation’s Top 20 Green Construction Companies in America by Engineering News-Record). The firm’s resumé of sustainable projects is valued at over $6 billion. Nationally recognized on the Training 125 list for the firm’s outstanding employee training and development programs, McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information is available online at www.mccarthy.com/about/green.

The CorpU Awards salute corporate and government learning organizations that create exciting, impactful programs resulting in measurable improvements in employee and business performance. Since 1999, the Awards, given by CorpU, the leading provider of corporate education research, benchmarking and advisory services for the enterprise learning marketplace, have set the standard for corporate learning.

“The winning programs show how important learning excellence is in enabling companies to execute their business strategy,” said Peter McAteer, CEO of CorpU. “We congratulate them.”

“Operating in today’s business world is more complicated than ever,” commented McCarthy Chairman and CEO Mike Bolen. “Through McCarthy Build U^® we are able to provide our employee-owners with a comprehensive training and development program designed to result in both short- and long-term success. To be included among this year’s CorpU Xchange award winners is truly an honor.”

Founded as a family owned business almost 150 years ago, McCarthy is one of the largest 100% employee-owned companies in America today. The firm has long fostered a culture dedicated to continuous improvement, and “Learning” represents one of McCarthy’s six company Core Values.

While a formal McCarthy Training Program had been in place for decades, McCarthy formally launched an entirely revamped training program in 2008 under McCarthy Build U. Unusual in the construction industry and among best-in-class training programs outside of the construction industry, the McCarthy Build U framework provides the company with the structure, alignment, centralization and flexibility needed to personalize training to meet both individual and business needs.

About Corporate University Xchange
Corporate University Xchange is a private membership of senior learning and talent executives. Founded in 1997, members have access to cutting-edge research, practitioner-tested tools, and expertly facilitated peer-to-peer networking.

About McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest domestic general contractors. Committed to the construction of high performance buildings, the company provides general contracting, construction management, and design-build services for healthcare, educational, commercial, parking structures, science and technology facilities; office buildings; tenant interiors; mixed-use; bridges; and highways. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work, McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information is available online at www.mccarthy.com.

The CAPE program, which emulates the highly esteemed Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program, recognizes organizations that demonstrate superior performance in seven key business areas including leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, process management and results.

Brent Duggleby, chair of the CAPE Council applauded this year’s winners. “The commitment of these organizations to the principles and core elements of the Baldrige criteria is truly inspiring to everyone. Each organization that participates in the process gains and these organizations that are being recognized are exceptional examples of excellence.”

Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the nation’s oldest and largest commercial builders. Repeatedly recognized as one of the safest contractors in America, the firm also continues to raise the bar on construction quality through the McCarthy Quality Without Question Program. In addition, the company’s personalized approach to employee training and development, which garnered McCarthy a spot on the nationally recognized 2011 Training Top 125 list, ensures current employees and future company leaders remain the best in the business.

“A driving force behind all aspects of our success is the commitment to continuous improvement,” noted McCarthy California Region President Carter Chappell. “This commitment provides for superior results for our employee-owners, clients, partners and communities. We are honored to be recognized for the success of these efforts by the California Council for Excellence.

“We are pleased to be recognized as a CAPE winner along with other prestigious recipients including premier healthcare and education institutions,” added Chad Dorgan, McCarthy vice president, quality and sustainability. “McCarthy’s integrative and team-based approach to quality, our community, and our employees has positioned us as best-in-class, not just in construction, but in all industries in California.”

About the California Council for Excellence
Founded in 1992, the California Council for Excellence is a nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to helping California-based organizations achieve world-class results through the principles and criteria of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The organization oversees programs such as CAPE™ and the California Team Excellence Awards.

About McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the nation’s top domestic general contractors and one of California’s premier builders.  In addition to Newport Beach, McCarthy has offices in San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Dallas; Houston; St. Louis and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned.

“While many companies are cutting back on training in the current economic climate, McCarthy continues to expand our focus on employee development,” explained McCarthy Chairman and CEO Mike Bolen. “This commitment ensures our builders remain at the forefront of the construction industry. To be included among the Training Top 125 companies in a diverse array of industries is an outstanding honor.”

Lorri Freifeld, editor-in-chief of Training magazine added, “The 2011 Training Top 125 application focused on tying training to achievement of strategic corporate goals and showing demonstrable results. As always, it was a difficult task to choose the winners from the many excellent applications we received. Congratulations to the 2011 winners, who continue to blaze new paths in training design, development, delivery, and measurement.”

Founded as a family owned business almost 150 years ago, McCarthy is one of the largest 100% employee-owned companies in America today. The firm has long fostered a culture dedicated to continuous improvement, and “Learning” represents one of McCarthy’s six company Core Values.

While a formal McCarthy Training Program had been in place for decades, McCarthy formally launched an entirely revamped training program in 2008 under McCarthy Build U. Unusual in the construction industry and among best-in-class training programs outside of the construction industry, McCarthy Build U is a personalized approach to employee development. Core tenets of McCarthy Build U include:

• A shared commitment on the part of each employee to begin their training and development on (or even before) Day 1;
• A belief that in addition to full-time professional trainers on staff, all employee-owners, from Chairman/CEO down, is a trainer who has valuable knowledge to share;
• A focus on blended training vehicles, including instructor-led programs, self-paced online training, hands-on experience simulations and on-the-job training makes the program truly comprehensive;
• A well defined development path with significant flexibility based on personal needs;
• A development philosophy based on the notion of a two-way street. McCarthy will provide every tool and opportunity for learning and the employee must actively take control of their career and development.

“The McCarthy Build U program provides a balance of structure and flexibility to help each employee meet their individual development needs in alignment with company business objectives,” noted McCarthy Vice President of Human Resources Al Berardi. “This comprehensive approach helps ensure McCarthy builders remain the best in the business.”

About the Training 125

Now in its 11th year, the Training Top 125 ranking is based on myriad benchmarking statistics such as total training budget; percentage of payroll; number of training hours per employee program; goals, evaluation, measurement, and workplace surveys; hours of training per employee annually; and detailed formal programs. The ranking is determined by assessing a range of qualitative and quantitative factors, including financial investment in employee development, the scope of development programs, and how closely such development efforts are linked to business goals and objectives. More information about the 2011 Training Top 125 Award winners may be obtained online at www.trainingmag.com.

About McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest domestic general contractors. Committed to the construction of high performance buildings, the company provides general contracting, construction management, and design-build services for healthcare, educational, commercial, parking structures, science and technology facilities; office buildings; tenant interiors; mixed-use; bridges; and highways. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work, McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.

INDUSTRIAL

“Although slip forming is not a new technology, these being some of the largest in the world carry a great deal of risk if not done correctly. MC Industrial has delivered what they promised … a quality team and quality workmanship.”
—Russell Wiles, senior vice president, Ste. Genevieve Project, Holcim (US)

On a stretch of Highway 61 in Ste. Genevieve County, the world’s largest single-line cement plant is underway for Holcim (US).

The landscape leading to the site is fairly unremarkable until you travel further and crest the hill. From there, 13 behemoth silos appear in the valley below. Climbing toward the sky at 10 inches an hour, each silo was slip formed. Once slip forming starts, the process can’t stop. More than 350 MC Industrial tradesmen worked 24/7 for 13 to 17 days at a time to complete each set of silos; the widest, 207 feet tall by 150 feet in diameter, the tallest, 275 feet tall by 80 feet in diameter. The plant will begin producing 12,000 tons per day clinker in 2009. MC Industrial is a wholly-owned subsidiary of McCarthy. Architect/Engineer: T.E. Ibberson, Hopkins, Minn.