Today’s business environment is rapidly changing, requiring companies of all types and sizes to continually transform in order to remain competitive, achieve business growth and meet their goals.
It’s no different for utility construction companies. Finding ways to remain competitive and achieve growth are some of the hardest things to do. We’ve profiled many contractors in Dig Different, and one of the biggest pieces of advice we hear is that companies need to show smart growth.
SMART GROWTH
Growth isn’t bad, but it could be if you don’t plan for it. We’ve all heard about companies growing too fast, only to shut down soon after because they lost jobs and couldn’t afford to keep their equipment or staff.
Nor-Cal Pipeline Services grew the smart way — by planning for it and not taking the big risks. The California-based company, profiled in this issue, started in 2007 by doing small jobs with one combination vacuum truck. Five years later, the company was operating with 27 trucks and 75-plus employees, and it now has 150 employees.
The company saw its initial growth come when it took on a large highway project in Los Angeles. That job required the company to add to its fleet. Instead of purchasing outright and having the risk of equipment sitting idle after the job, the company acquired hydrovac units through rental-purchase options. The renting option helped the company get on its feet quickly, without a big financial burden.
The jobs kept coming in, however, and the trucks didn’t sit idle. Company owners, Dave Jaeger and his son, Dave Jaeger Jr., planned and protected the company during its growth and saw it prosper.
EASY GROWTH
One of the easiest ways for a company to grow is by doing good work. Your company needs to do consistent, safe and good work if it wants to continue to grow. That starts with the employees and the tools you have.
The employees need to be properly trained on the equipment being used, and they have to want to continue improving. A good employee will know that if they do great work, the company will get more work and then the more secure their job is. Start pushing that message through to your crews.
In order to do that superior work, though, they need the right tools and equipment. You’ll see plenty of that equipment in this issue. This is our Annual Buyer’s Guide issue, and we’ll give you a glimpse of lots of the equipment available for your company.
You’ll see vacuum excavators, drills, pipe bursting equipment and a whole lot of other equipment throughout this issue.
ANY TIPS
Do you have any tips for contractors trying to grow their companies? What have you learned along the way that you can share with others? Call me at 715-350-8436 or drop me an email at editor@digdifferent.com.
Enjoy this issue!
