A message from General Excavating...

The current public health crisis has given all of us time for reflection.  At General Excavating, we have renewed our focus on those things we try to do daily to earn the trust of our clients and partners in the A/E/C industry.  We have discussed the challenges that many of our fellow construction companies have faced over the years and how through it all, they continue to thrive and be models in our industry.  Look for a moment at the following (pulled from each company’s website) and their early beginnings;
 

• Commonwealth Electric, Inc. began in the Twin Cities over 100 years ago.
• Harry Waldinger, a 30-year-old Austrian tinsmith, founded Capital City Tin Shop in 1906, which is now known as The Waldinger Corporation.
• Kiewit Corporation traces its history to 1884, when Peter and Andrew Kiewit formed Kiewit Brothers, in Omaha, Nebraska, a masonry contracting partnership.
• In 1956, John E. Olsson establishes John E. Olsson Professional Engineering in Lincoln, Nebraska's Sharp Building, with him as the sole employee.
• John Ernest Dunn (Ernie) founded JE Dunn Construction Company in Kansas City, Missouri in 1924.
• In 1917, the current-day Union Bank & Trust was founded as Farmer’s State Bank.
• George P. Abel, Sr. graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in civil engineering and a goal of starting his own business.  In 1908, with the little bit of money he managed to save while supporting himself and his mother, he purchased small concrete mixing equipment and began what would become an enterprise of businesses known today as NEBCO, Inc.

 
Think for a moment about the world altering events they have seen, persevered through, and grown from: World War I from 1914-1918, Spanish Influenza Epidemic, The Great Depression, World War II from 1939-1945, The Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, Terrorist Attacks, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, and now the Coronavirus.
 
My guess is one key to their surviving and thriving was understanding their most valuable resource was the men and women who performed the tasks their communities needed.  I’m sure during the challenges they continued to emphasize the concept of “doing what they said they would do."  The tough times each generation faces are opportunities to show your clients, industry trade partners, and the communities we live and work in that we are here to stay and that we will be part of the solution to the challenges we face.  
 
How many times have we seen or heard successful individuals or companies mention the importance of the following: Build and foster meaningful relationships.  Treat others fairly and professionally.  Look for solutions as problems arise.  Understand that success is achieved only when we all do well.
 
Of course, there are many other companies in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry as well as countless trade partners with less experience who are practicing some of these same key business traits.  Simple "FUNDAMENTAL" ideas that will help all of us navigate the current challenge and prepare for the next.

Stay safe and be well.