|
|
| Every few years every company needs to take a look around its business and do an assessment of their General and Administrative costs to verify that they are doing business in the smartest and most economical way possible. This year ONCORE has put together a group of employees to do just that. We’re looking into everything from our courier service to energy efficient lighting. We have put together a crack team of some of the brightest minds in the office to do a cost analysis of just about everything that ONCORE needs to make this Green Machine run. So far our team has come up with some very clever and inventive ways to save on our G&A costs saving the company almost $100 thousand to date; and as always, BobMac is passing the savings on to you! |
| We would like to take a moment to welcome Jerry Alston to the ONCORE family. Jerry comes to us from another concrete construction firm in Virginia. He brings with him an easy going attitude and 28 years of valuable experience. We’re very excited to have him here and can’t wait to see what he can do. Welcome Jerry! |
|
|
Busy, busy, busy. The ONCORE/Infinity design/assist business is so hot we’ve had to upgrade our building’s sprinkler system! We’ve been awarded yet another Infinity Structure. Building 160, located in Washington DC is a project awarded to us by KBS of Richmond and is our first project for this customer. It’s the 1st of 34 buildings in the Navy Yard. It’s a mixed use facility consisting of condos atop a 100 year old building foundation with retail space on the ground floor. This project is another design/assist by ONCORE. The design assist program is an agreement with customers that if we can get the building reduced to an agreed upon price, ONCORE gets the award. On this particular job, we were able to cut building costs by 19%!! This has been our greatest success yet with this program, and we can’t wait to show our new customer just how we came to be known as the “Green Machine.”
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Building 160
|
Newseum
|
Silo Point Condos
|
| Has all this fervor over our Design/Assist program piqued your curiosity about the program? Are you over budget on your current project’s design? Perhaps we can help. Call ONCORE’s marketing department and see what we can cast in place for you. Contact either Dave Borean, Chief Estimator at 240-694-9902 or Paula Mararac, Director of Business Development at 443-716-5969. Pictured above are some successful design/assist projects. |
With the skyrocketing cost of health care, it seems that everyone is trying to figure out how keep costs down. ONCORE has taken a multi-dimensional approach to the problem attacking the problem from several different angles. First, ONCORE brought on a health and wellness consulting group aptly named “LiveHealthier.” (You can get the full story in our September 2007 installment of “What’s New.”) The team at LiveHealthier has put together a comprehensive plan to positively affect both the office and field employees here at ONCORE. The plan includes a list of “Issues and Risk Factors” including weight management, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, and risk management regarding our employees own personal risk factors.
Second we’ve brought together a focus group of ONCORE employees to discuss ways in which we can internally live a healthier lifestyle during the workday. Among other things, the group has instituted a “Lunch Walk” where employees gather on their lunch breaks to get a nice brisk walk into their usually sedentary day. We’re all very excited about the changes and are looking forward to a healthier ONCORE!
|
| As mentioned in the above article, the “Wow Now” team here at ONCORE has been brainstorming the idea of implementing a “lunch walk” that would serve as a little exercise during our office employees’ normally sedentary days. Shown above is the inaugural walk here in our Bladensburg office. |
|
|
| Johnboy & Chris receive $20 of BobMac's personal money for their efforts and achievements in safety this month. |
There are few feelings more rewarding in the construction industry than to see your hard work and dedication to a cause be noticed by your peers and other members of the construction community. Specifically, ONCORE’s safety regimen is a glowing feather in our Green caps. Recently, our Wyndham project in the National Harbor received acclaim and appreciation from the customer after noticing that our project was one of the safest they have ever seen. Below is a copy of the letter sent to ONCORE’s safety department.
"Bob, we had a safety walk through with the head safety inspector from Balfour Beatty – London, today. Also in attendance were, Division Safety, and [a representative] from our legal department. It was a big deal for us.
The project looked terrific……… very clean and safe. [Our legal representative] commented it was the best looking job she had ever been on.
Our sincere thanks go out to your company and in particular [ONCORE’s], superintendent. With the manpower of 100+, and the amount of work going on right now, this was no small achievement.
As a whole, we all believe this project has been one of the cleanest and safest we have been on.
Keep up the great work and please let John and his crew know we appreciate their hard work.
Sincerely,
Project Manager
Balfour Beatty Construction."
|
| With business booming and all of the work that is already underway, ONCORE has decided that we need to expand our Payroll department. We searched high and low for a candidate that we thought would be a great addition to the team. Finally we landed on young Santy Rivera. Previously this lovely young woman was working in payroll construction for another very large concrete placement firm in the area. Originally from North Carolina, Santy made the move to the DC area recently and seems to have found her niche, here at ONCORE. So far she says she is enjoying herself here and mirrors the comments we see each month in on the “Personalities” page saying that the people here are great and she already feels like “part of the team.” Santy, we appreciate you feeling like part of the “team” and want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the “Family.” |
 |
 |
 |
| A Crowd Steady Approaches. |
Soldier Explaining His Commemorative Coin. |
Onlookers Enjoying the Magic of Concrete. |
 |
 |
 |
| ONCORE Doing What We Do Best. |
Commemorative Coin. |
The Men Who Made it Happen. |
Nothing starts a concrete job off on the right foot like a ceremonious column footing. On March 31, 2008, members of the United States Army, the Army Corps of Engineers, Turner/Gilbane Joint Venture, and HDR Engineering spent a cool, cloudy morning with ONCORE in celebrating the beginning of concrete construction for the new Ft. Belvoir Army hospital. There was a small ceremony which included the tossing of ceremonial and commemorative coins into the first footing pour on the job along with a few pennies for good luck. We are all very excited to get moving on this project and the adjacent parking structures to either side of the hospital. This summer is going to be a busy one for ONCORE but we are anxious to get moving and show Turner/Gilbane why the Green Machine is aptly titled ONCORE!
|
| Celebrating our second award on the Ft. Belvoir Hospital site, ONCORE is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Hospital’s slab on grade. The project the second on this site, as we have already been awarded the two parking structures on either side of the Hospital building itself. The slab consists of about 30,000 cubic yards of concrete and has an aggressive schedule of only six months. The job is starting this month and ONCORE is more than ready to show the Army Corps of Engineers exactly how we came to be known as the “Green Machine!” |
| Every now and again, as a company, there are those moments where you get to stand back and take a well deserved sense of pride in your work. ONCORE Construction recently completeda job in Loudoun County, Va. and immediately after the project was completed, we received a follow up letter from the Senior Superintendent at the GC’s office. The letter was a thank you and accolade complimenting our senior staff and their outstanding efforts in completing a job. In the letter the GC stated: “We set an extremely aggressive schedule, and I’m more than happy to say the project was completed in a superior manner.” The letter goes on to name both of our superintendents and our assistant superintendent, along with our engineer by name thanking them for their outstanding efforts and going “above and beyond the call of duty to make the [job] a huge success.” To all of our staff out in the field we would like to extend a grand thank you and to keep up the good work. We hope to be hearing another demand for an ONCORE soon! |
|
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! ONCORE MAKES FRONT PAGE OF THE WASHINGTON
POST!! …well sort of. The cover story on Thursday’s Washington Post (2/21/08) was “The Awakening’s” move from Hains Point to the
National
Harbor
, Gaylord construction site. In the background, one can’t help but notice the Green Machine’s tower crane over our recently completed project on the site, Building “P.”
|
| ONCORE would like to welcome Dave Borean to the family. Dave is a 30 year veteran of the concrete construction industry who spent the last four years as a senior estimator for one of the larger concrete construction firms in the area. We are very excited to have Mr. Borean as our new Chief Estimator and look forward to a very productive 2008. |
| Well, mark another one down for the aptly named ONCORE Construction. This particular “oncore performance” comes from Bozzuto Construction. ONCORE is providing design assistance to construct an upscale residential building at the UMB Fitzgerald site. The finished product is to be a mixed use facility that will house a retail level, a parking structure, and residential space in a revitalized area near the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. Bozzuto is one of a growing number of GC’s that are seeing the benefit of the ONCORE/Infinity partnership. |
| What better way to start a month than another demand for an ONCORE? Opus has awarded the Fernwood Parking Structure in Bethesda, Maryland. Things have been working out extremely well between ONCORE and Opus, this is one of several ONCORE performances for Opus and we’re looking forward to many more. Thanks to our friends at Opus and as per usual ONCORE will stand and deliver. |
| True to fashion, ONCORE construction is opening 2008 in full force. We’re very excited to announce the award of two new design build parking structures for the hospital expansion at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia. Each of the two 1,100 car parking structures were awarded as part of the BRAC program. For this project, ONCORE teamed up with Desmond & Associates for the design build aspect of the job. We understand that our two creative companies blew the competition out of the running. We’re very excited to get out on the jobsite and show the customer how ONCORE can hold a to a schedule also. |
| ONCORE would like to have everyone join us in welcoming the newest member of our team, Paula Mararac as our new Business Development Director. Though she will be working as Business Development Director in all of our markets, her focus will be on the Baltimore area. She’ll be doing market research for ONCORE and keeping us up to date with the goings on in the development side of the industry. |
| The holidays are a time when people seek family friends and food and general merriment. It is also a time for community. It is in that spirit that ONCORE participates in the annual food drive with OPUS East, LLC. This year an entire pallet of food was donated by ONCORE to help warm this winter for some of those less fortunate than most. Happy holiday wishes to everyone from all of us here at ONCORE. |
| No sooner does ONCORE close one deal than another opens up to us. Whiting-Turner has just awarded their job, McHenry Row: The Shoppes @ the Fort residential structure ONCORE thanks to our exclusive partnership with Infinity Structures in the DC/Baltimore market. The customer was particularly impressed with the exposed ceiling option that Infinity offers. It offers a loft style concept and the added value of MSR33 insulated exterior wall panels to gain LEED credits and provide extra value to the tenants. The structure contains a 42,000 square foot grocery anchor along with retail space below the residential living spaces. This is just one more project rising among the bustling changes along the Baltimore harbor area. |
| Baltimore is a hotbed of construction activity as of late and ONCORE is stoking the fire. The GC Struever Brothers Eccles & Rouse have just awarded the first building of their $700 million project, Thames St. Wharf. This job is just one more example of how ONCORE’s estimating department provides customers value through advising on building concepts to meet owner performance requirements while combining a creative approach to enhance the building’s frame delivery. The tenant of the new building will be the prestigious financial advising firm Morgan Stanley. Located in the inner harbor of Baltimore, the project is set to start in January of 2008 and ONCORE can’t wait to get out there and show everyone why the call us the Green Machine. |
| Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, ONCORE gives the rest of the industry something else for which to strive: yet another repeat customer. The internationally renowned Congressional Country Club is getting a little face lift. The lifting will be done by our own Bob Mac’s favorite toy; the ONCORE truck crane. Bob Mac’s especially enthusiastic about this job as he’s just taken up golf and is hoping a few onsite visits might improve his game. The Club will be upgrading its pool and making significant changes to the common area. Coakley Williams awarded us the project, despite not being the low bidder because of our creativity with the project sequence. We’re looking forward to getting this project up and running for the customer and we very much appreciate the repeat business. |
|
If there’s one thing that ONCORE loves, it’s proving our mettle. Most recently our scheduling capabilities have been put to the test and we’re very excited about meeting our mark. An apartment building in Falls Church, Virginia has recently sustained rather extensive concrete fire damage and ONCORE has been charged with the daunting task of repairing the apartments in record time. ONCORE was the only sub-contractor capable of completing the job within the tight schedule of only three weeks. The work is going to require shot-creteing and ONCORE has it down to a science. As such, Bovis Lend-Lease has entrusted the work to the Green Machine and we're itching to prove just how good we are.
|
| Well folks, this segment of “What’s New” is nothing new, yet another happy customer has reported that ONCORE’s skills and services are second to none. The Gilbane Building Company recently took the time to report that our Superintendent, Phil Platt and Chief Engineer Bill Fifrick are “very conscientious in their planning/skills, [and] at heading-off problems in advance and [are] fun to work with. These are winning attributes as viewed by other members of the Team.” We thank Gilbane for their compliments and are proud to have employees of such outstanding skill and character. Mr. Platt, Mr. Fifrick, we thank you for your exemplary portrayal of ONCORE Construction’s way of conducting business. |
|
November swells with Green pride as our Silo Point project has been completed. The topping out was a great success and the project itself was a milestone for ONCORE. The converted two grain silos will now be a luxurious condo development. Our own Moris Aparicio is shown above in his green hard hat signing his name to the last beam to be cast on the job. Congratulations to Moris and all of the other ONCORE employees who contributed to making this project one of ONCORE’s “iconic jobs.”
|
As if ONCORE didn’t have enough to be proud of, our own San Dionisio soccer team swept the league championship on Saturday November 10. Our own David Estrada tested his mettle against the finest that the DC area international soccer league could muster and came out unscathed. We’d also like to take a moment to mention Noe Sanabria, the team manager for an outstanding season and full on support from day one.
If there are two things that ONCORE does flawlessly, they are cast concrete and play soccer. This marks ONCORE’s second championship in the international league and 4th championship overall for the company soccer outfit. We’re very proud of our boys and look forward to next year’s victory. CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
| Aloft Hotel, Dulles, Va. |
Hilton Garden Inn, Dulles, Va. |
St. Alban's School for Boys, Washington, DC
|
Well folks, the Green Machine is at it again. We’ve been awarded three new projects this month for both our cast-in-place concrete and also with our exclusive Infinity Structures contract. The Aloft Hotel and the new Hilton Garden Inn in Dulles, Virginia will be erected as Infinity Structures. Our partnership with Infinity has proven to be an outstanding bargain for our customers time and time again. Saving customers hundreds of thousands of dollars over traditional concrete frames and even slab-on-metal deck jobs, has made for some very happy customers and the word is spreading.
On the cast-in-place side of things, we’ve been awarded a job at the prestigious St. Alban’s boy school in Washington, DC. We’ll be doing some new construction to the existing structure and are very much looking forward to getting started.
|
 |
 |
 |
| ONCORE setting up for the breakaway.... |
Juke to the right...Juke to the left... |
the assist....and....GOAAAL!!! |
 |
 |
 |
| "Gimmie an "O"... Gimmie an "N" ... Gimmie a "C".... |
What screams "VICTORY" better than an on-field group hug? |
All smiles, ONCORE friends, family and team pose for the camera. |
| If there’s one thing ONCORE’s great at, it’s pouring concrete. However, when we’re not pouring concrete we’re stomping the competition on the soccer field. Our own San Dionisio were unstoppable on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the third annual DC United Corporate Cup. Dozens of construction companies from General Contractors to Concrete subcontractors to Painters participated, but only the Green Machine got to put their hands on the trophy. The Green Machine was looking forward to going head to head against some of our competition in baby blue or gray but much to our shagrin, they were eliminated in the first round. Going undefeated ONCORE brought the trophy home with a 7 to 3 win over Palmer Brother’s Painting. Congratulations again San Dionisio, we look forward to next season’s winning record! |
 |
 |
 |
| Attention Salvadorians!! |
Looking happier already, an ONCORE employee is assisted with his Temporary Protective Status paperwork. |
Several stations were set up to accomodate the large turnout. |
 |
 |
 |
| It's almost over sweetheart, you'll be home playing with your friends in no time. |
Happy to have this opportunity, some of the employees spend time in jest while waiting to fill out their paperwork. |
Family first, mothers were invited too. |
 |
 |
 |
| Always gracious, all of our employees and their families were very happy to be assisted. |
Ana Maria Chavez takes time to pose with one of our 300 strong El Salvadorian carpenters |
Quick with a smile, the El Salvadorians are easy to pass the time waiting for their papers to be processed. |
| Last month, in our “What’s New” segment, we made mention of our own BobMac’s meeting with the El Salvadorian Consulate, Ana Margarita Chavez to discuss the possibility of holding a “Forms Fair” for all of our employees and their families. The fair was to try to give something back to the community that has allowed us to prosper. On September 21, 2007, ONCORE’s HR department organized and facilitated of the fair after weeks of planning. Zulma Vasquez, Senia Martinez and Yessica Salinas put in a lot of extra hours and efforts to make this go off without a hitch. We also had a special guest visit from the El Salvadorian Consulate. All in all, the fair was a smash hit. ONCORE would like to extend a very special thanks to Zulma, Senia, and Yessica, without whom, none of this would have been possible. |
|
One of the things that ONCORE is most proud of is its employees. Even in a company with as many great employees as we have, there are some that stand out from the crowd. Matt Kriston exemplifies these characteristics. Matt started working for ONCORE in 2001 as a Quantity Survey Engineer. From there, he moved on to Assistant Estimator, to Estimator and on to his latest achievement as Pre-Construction Manager. All of us here at ONCORE would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our own Sultan of Scheduling, the Lombardi of Legends and the Tycoon of Take-off, Matt Kriston. We’re all anxious to see where you take your career from here. Keep up the good work!
|
 |
 |
 |
| Enthusiastic employees participate in the Portion Distortion presentation by local health experts. |
An explanation of how to deal with oversized portions at resturants. |
Heath experts explain how the new Food Guide Pyramid has changed over the years. |
 |
 |
 |
| "Live Healthier" visits our Rocksprings jobsite. |
Stretching the Live Healthier across as many locations as possible to make sure all of ONCORE understands the importance of healthy living. |
The ONCORE team at Rocksprings gets a few ideas on healthier lunches on a jobsite. |
 |
 |
 |
| Think of it like CandyLand, only with vegetables. |
ONCORE employees get a free lesson on some healthy shakes. |
Family members of employees get some simple advice on how to live healthy. |
When it comes to construction, there is nothing quite as important as having healthy employees. We work in a dangerous profession and safety is without a doubt, ONCORE’s biggest concern for its employees. The rise in health care costs has forced ONCORE to re-think the way that it handles its health care system. In the end a decision was made to help the employees live healthier lives rather than lessen the coverage of the existing health plan.
ONCORE has hired a team of health experts from "Live Healthier" to come in and teach the company simple ways to take steps in a healthier direction. They were also invited to our annual company picnic where they set up a booth and activities aimed at getting the families of ONCORE employees to think healthier. Finally, perhaps the most aggressive aspect of the new health program is the company’s interest in getting all of our tobacco users to quit before the end of the year. BobMac has offered to incur any expenses related with quitting for our employees. If an employee chooses to use the patch, nicotine gum, or any other method, the tab will be picked up by ONCORE. If employees choose to continue to smoke, they will see an increase in health care premiums, while those who do not smoke will not see that increase. We wish success to all of our employees in their efforts to stop using tobacco and wish to remind them that ONCORE is here to help.
|
 |
 |
 |
| Our "fearless leaders" enjoy the company of one Mrs. Paula Sowers |
In keeping with the tradition of morning stretches, ONCORE's training the next generation Green Machine |
BobMac showering ONCORE family members with gifts of cotton and messages of safety |
 |
 |
 |
| Food |
Food... |
and more food. |
 |
 |
 |
| Gentlemen, assume the position... |
After attending a session on health and wellness that day, the guys decided that there were healthier ways to empty a pie crust. |
In the end, as always, it was all good times and smiles. |
 |
 |
 |
| And what family picnic would be complete without a little face painting? |
Our own Mario Riano, in good spirits under any circumstances. |
It's alright little buddy, after dinner we all know how you feel. |
| One of the great things about working for ONCORE is the family that BobMac has tried to create a family out of a company. This year’s annual company picnic has been one for the record books. With over 1,100 employees and family members present, this was the biggest year to date. The picnic was more of a fair than a picnic really. Complete with a health fair, rock wall, remote control Nascar track, pie eating contest, a custom car show and so much more. There was food, prizes, accolades and general merriment for all. The bar has been set high but next year’s picnic is set to be even bigger! |
|
|
| If there’s one thing that BobMac loves to see in his employees, it’s loyalty. This company has seen a lot of faces come and go over the last 10 years, but these men have stuck with ONCORE from our first lonely night parking structure repair, to our repair team’s pride and joy: The Department of Justice. Above from left to right are Ray Sowers, Pat Weir, Freddie Diaz, Juan Pablo, Jose Hernandez and BobMac. All were given a fine wrist watch to commemorate a decade with the Green Machine. Willie Wheeler, and Julio Zambrano were also awarded, but unfortunately were not able to make it to the picnic. |
|
|
One of the most rewarding things a business can do is to give something back into the community that allowed it to flourish in the first place. A sentiment somewhere between there and a sense of duty have made ONCORE leap at the opportunity to participate in Mayor Fenty’s “Buff & Scrub” program. The program was implemented by Mr. Fenty in an attempt to get all of the district’s schools ready for the upcoming school year by August 27th. ONCORE’s participation was through none other than the DC chapter of the ABC. Superior Concrete, Cardinal Concrete and Aggregate Industries all contributed to the project by donating concrete for the new driveway at the C. Mervin School, while the materials were donated by White Cap Construction Supply.
ONCORE would like to give a special thanks to Willie Flores at W Concrete for furnishing the project with a top notch team of finishers. Your help and contribution to the project and the community are very much appreciated. And finally, a special thanks to our very own Saftey Director, Donald “Yankee” Mackay, who now has a newfound respect for all the woes of our superintendents in the field.
|
|
|
| One of the things that ONCORE really tries to impress upon our employees is that it does care for them. We have a very large population of El Salvadorian and Honduran immigrants both in the field and in the office. In the spirit of taking care of family BobMac met with the El Salvadorian Consulate, Ana Margarita Chavez to discuss the possibility of ONCORE’s hosting a “Forms Fair” to help our employees and their families with their Temporary Protective Status forms. The Fair will be held in our warehouse to help our employees and their families understand how to fill out their Temporary Protective Status forms. The forms tend to be complicated and written in English which causes many immigrants to pay as much as $400 for a lawyer or their church to fill out these forms for them. The Forms Fair will not charge any of our employees or their families for the service and will provide them with important information for future forms as the Protective Status is only good for 18 months at a time. |
|
|
If there’s one thing that ONCORE takes more pride in than its performance and safety record, it would be its employees. Of the 500 men and women who work for ONCORE, 72% are of El Salvadorian or Honduran decent. It is for this reason that ONCORE makes it a point to participate in the organization “Americans United.” Americans United is a program spearheaded by Myles Gladstone, president of HR at Miller and Long. Myles goes down to El Salvador four times each year to educate and enrich the lives of El Salvadorians. Each year ONCORE donates $5000 to this program which ultimately pays for one of Myles’ trips and the supplies that he takes to the people. While in El Salvador, Myles teaches adults and children about the benefits of clean drinking water and food; he also explains and answers questions about birth control, along with women’s rights and place in El Salvadorian society. The importance of self-esteem in both men and women is another focal point. On his first few trips down to El Salvador, Myles spent a good deal of time teaching some of the local teenagers how to go about educating their fellow El Salvadorians on the aforementioned subjects during his absence.
Myles’ first journey was in 2001 after the 2nd earthquake, and he has been going every three to four months since. His last trip was in May of this year and he is planning to be back in South America come November. When asked why he started and continues to participate in this program, Myles said simply that there’s no way that the construction industry could be where it is today without the contributions of the El Salvadorian population here in the United States. He feels personally, that his family would not be where it is today without that contribution either. This is ONCORE and Miller and Long's way of saying “thank you” and upholding a sense of duty to the people. ONCORE is very proud of all of Myles’ efforts and has been happy to make our contribution to this worthy cause.
|
|
|
| Bill Shakespeare once said, “What’s in a name?” Well, apparently everything. We have had yet another demand for an ONCORE. After wowing the customer at Sidwell Friends School with our impressive speed and ability, they’ve called back to have us spruce up their athletic fields, sidewalks and various other places around campus. Stay tuned for more, we’ll be making periodic updates to this project as the dates get closer to kickoff.
One good turn deserves another and the customer for our Georgetown Park job simply couldn’t wait to go another round of repairs with our very own Pat Wier, who celebrated 10 years with ONCORE this year. The customer was simply blown away with Pat’s professional attitude and his unparalleled workmanship. Pat’s crew was headed by non other than January’s Personality Spotlights: Juan Pablo, Jose Hernandez, and Ulysses Gonzales. Thank you all very much guys. Thanks to your hard work and loyalty, we keep hearing that awesome demand for an ONCORE; a sound that BobMac would set as his ring tone, given the opportunity.
|
|
|
It seems like every time we turn around here at ONCORE another series of congratulations are in order. Recently ONCORE graduated 16 employees from the OSHA 30 Hour Construction Industry Outreach Training program. The OSHA 30 hour is designed for anyone in the construction industry, but is geared more specifically toward safety directors, foremen, superintendents and field supervisors. With their new degrees, each of the superintendents and general foremen pictured above have been recognized by OSHA for a mastery of OSHA compliance issues. BobMac is very proud of all of our graduates and his pride shines through whenever he gets to mention the fact that we have graduated over 30 field supervisors from the OSHA 10 and 30 hour and another 43 from the OSHA 10 hour. Congratulations to you all, we're all very proud of you.
Speaking of pride, ONCORE is very proud to announce yet another contract award! Most recently, ONCORE was awarded the Wyndham Hotel, located at the National Harbor in Baltimore. We are very excited to report that this will mark our third award in this massive undertaking and it will be the largest concrete frame on the premises. With most of our competition already on site, we can't wait to get out there and show them how the Green Machine gets a job done. Who knows, maybe they'll join us for our morning stretching! |
|
|
| July 1, marks the onset of ONCORE's annual Hawaiian Shirt Day Fridays in the summer. All employees are invited to participate, and each week, Yankee Mackay and Martin Wetzler decide which is the best Hawaiian shirt. Last week's winners were Dean Weymouth and Jorge Turcios, pictured above. The winners recieve a $35 gift card to Giant food. Every week will have a new winner, so before you get to work on Friday dig in the back of your closet, break out the loudest shirt you can find try to catch Yankee or Martin's eye! |
| Well, here we are again. Another month goes by and yet more tidings of good news for ONCORE Construction. The Green Machine was awarded yet another job. Clark Realty Builders awarded the North Tract Lofts to ONCORE which are located in a congested part of Crystal City, Virginia. The project features a below grade parking structure that sits atop a foundation mat. The job contains about 20 thousand cubic yards of concrete and ONCORE is anxious to cast it in place. The North Trac Lofts are considered a great success for us and we can't wait to start work. |
|
|
For all of the employees, one of the most beneficial things about working for ONCORE Construction is the continued support of its employees' professional education. Most recently ONCORE graduated five employees from the ABC Craft Masters Training program in the Concrete Form Building field. The apprenticeship lasts for two years and we are very proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our new grads. The graduates in the picture above from left to right are, Salvador Lopez Otero, Jose Del Cid, Carlos Serrano, and Rene Villefuerte. David Flores also graduated but could not make the graduation ceremony.
ONCORE graduates six to eight employees from these training courses each year and we are very happy with the results. ONCORE stands firmly behind these third party, ABC approved training courses as they lead to the safe and high quality work that we put in place. In fact, we stand so firmly behind them, we have paid the education costs of 32 ONCORE craft workers in this program since 2000. Ultimately, the benefits of these continuing education classes are a more cost effective crew that allows ONCORE to offer our services at a lower price to the customer.
|
|
|
| On Thursday May 24, Bob MacDaniels and Damian Crook escorted Jack Young, VP of China Construction around ONCORE's jobsite at 1099 NY Ave. The above picture was taken by Bob Wang of China Construction. After a very informative session with Damien and BobMac, the ONCORE crew and the China Construction crew shared a few laughs and business strategies. We are very much looking forward to working with their already very successful team here in the US. |
Soccermi!!
On Saturday, May 5th, San Dionisio beat Real Mar y Plata who took 4th place in last year's MD tournament in a 3-0 shut out. Sunday San Dionisio emerged victorious with another shut out at 1-0 against last year's VA league champions, La Alianza. Way to go guys!! Our next match will be Sunday May 13th at High Point High School in Beltsville, MD. Like always, admission is $5.
|
|
One of the great things about working for ONCORE is the fact that the company takes care of its own. This entails so much more than simply writing paychecks every week. Things like the Odyssey Cruise and the annual ONCORE Company Picnic are a couple of ways for the company to say "thank you" to all of its valued employees. Over the years it has been noticed that there was a great deal of enthusiasm for soccer amongst our employees. In an effort to give something back to the employees, ONCORE decided to sponsor a soccer team in the adult league, La Copa Taca.
Though the team is not entirely comprised of ONCORE employees, there are eight players that don the green hard hats during the day. The team practices twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. for the games on Sunday. ONCORE has sponsored a team since 2003, and ONCORE's San Dionisio has reigned as champions for 3 of the last 5 years. We look forward to yet another promising season this year. Games are held at High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland and admission is $5.
The winner of La Copa Taca tournament at the end of the season gets flown to a location out of state or even out of the country to play one game with a professional team in the International league. Just three years ago, the winners were flown to Georgia to play a game with the Jamaican National soccer team in the Georgia dome.
To bring cause to all of this gushing, the eight players who work for ONCORE are Carlos Hernandez, David Estrada, Rene Villafuente, Pedro Vasquez, Jose Guevara, Saul Garay, Erick Marinez, and Noe Sanabria who is also the coach. These illustrious eight put a lot of energy and effort into work everyday and for that we thank each of them. For the heart and love that they put into doing ONCORE proud on the soccer field, we salute you.
|
Here ONCORE, its company policy to keep our employees educated and on top of their game regarding everything from safety to skill sharpening. ONCORE regularly holds classes for Bobcat licensing, equipment control and safety. Most recently, our Chief Engineer, Bill Fifrick, conducted one of his monthly training classes on proper use of a Total Station for our field engineer helpers. This particular class was designed to teach the helpers how to make sure that the instrument was working properly and accurately; and to explain exactly how and why these precautions need to be taken every day. These continuing education classes are a way of showing our commitment to our employees and our commitment to making an investment in their careers. Classes like this are just some of the reasons for our particularly low turnover rate, as our employees realize that they are valued members of a family who truly wants to see all of its members succeed and grow.
|
If there is only one thing on ONCORE's agenda that is more important than pouring concrete then it is the safety of its employees. Oncore has been leading the industry in the safety movement for years. From an ONCORE employee's first day, safety training and the corporate expectation of safety are top priorities. Before any employee can start working on a job site, he or she must complete a four hour safety orientation session that includes how to check and properly use all of the safety equipment on a job site. Oncore has also worked with the safety equipment manufacturer Miller, in the development of the Miller edge, an anchor system for tying off and fall protection.
Responsible for CPR training, Bobcat licensing and organizing ONCORE's monthly safety meeting keeps Yankee Mackay (see Personalities tab in site navigation bar) pretty busy when he's not making visits to job sites to ensure that the safety standards set forth by he and the company are being upheld.
One of the things that sets Oncore apart from our competitors are our daily stretches. All employees are required to do approximately 10 minutes of stretching as a group each morning before beginning work. This is done for several reasons; first, it is done to promote the health and well being of employees, as without them, no job could be completed. Secondly, it has significantly reduced the number and severity of muscular injuries on job sites and finally, it brings co-workers together as a group and allows them to communicate goals on a daily basis for the projects.
In the coming year, Oncore is trying to address several things. "The number one concern for obvious reasons is to make sure that every employee goes home to their family after a hard day's work in good physical condition," says Mackay. In an effort to keep up with this goal, Oncore will maintain its continuing education and training of our foreman in the OSHA 10 hour. This will also be done in a Spanish language format for those of our Latino foreman, performed by Ameriga Strache, an authorized OSHA 10 hour trainer. Also, Oncore management employees will undergo a 30 hour safety training provided by Patricia Falls who is the owner of First Line Safety. Finally all of our drivers will have to complete a driver's education class in February, hosted by Jim Harper of Harper Associates. All of this will be done above and beyond our regular safety training sessions in CPR/First Aid, NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) and Qualified Riggers.
On top of being ONCORE's chief safety operator, Yankee is also the 2007 ABC Metro Safety Committee Chairman as well as the 2006/2007 Mid Atlantic Construction Safety Conference Treasurer.
When asked what Yankee was the most proud of when it comes to ONCORE's safety standards, his answer was simply: "I personally am proud of the commitment from the executive level right down to the labor force with regards to safety. Safety is a team effort, watching and looking out for the health and well being of one another so that we can be able to educate, provide for and spend time with our families safely."
|
|
 |
|
Level
|
Members Recruited
|
Gift
|
| Entry |
5
|
Plaque, Lapel Pin, Golf Shirt |
| Merit Bronze |
10
|
Varsity Jacket, Lapel Pin |
| Merit Silver |
15
|
Plaque, Lapel Pin |
| Merit Gold |
20
|
Desk Set, Lapel Pin |
| Presidential |
25
|
Plaque, Lapel Pin (Ruby), Article in ABC Today |
| Hall of Fame-Bronze |
50
|
Plaque, Lapel Pin (Emerald), National Hall of Fame |
| Hall of Fame-Silver |
75
|
Coach Document Portfolio, Lapel Pin (Saphire) |
| Hall of Fame-Gold |
100
|
Swiss Army Watch, Lapel Pin (Diamond) |
| Never missing an opportunity, Bob MacDaniels (Silver Level & 2005 Beam Club Member of the Year) has made it his mission to bring as much support and credibility to the ABC as possible. |
Click Here to Download an Application
In the Summer 2006 issue of Mid-Atlantic Construction
|
 |
ONCORE has been ranked the #2-concrete contractor in their listing of Top 50 Specialty Contractors in the Washington Metropolitan Area. |
 |
The Entire ONCORE Fleet
|
 |
In an effort to better serve our customers, ONCORE has added new equipment to our arsenal: A 420 E/C-H Liebher Tower crane with state of the art safety features was added to our fleet. Another Mack Truck with a 42 ft. boom lift that can pick 5600lbs to load/off load materials and also serve as a roll off trash truck. We can't get Bob Mac out of it!!!! An All Terrain, 10k, all wheel drive forklift. Bob Sloper's favorite piece of equipment.
|
Congratulations to us! ONCORE was awarded The 2005 Concrete Contractor of the Year by ABC's Metro Washington Chapter. The trophy is proudly displayed in our lobby.
|
Copyright 2007 ~ ONCORE Construction, LLC. ~ All Rights Reserved
4703 Webster Street, Bladensburg, Maryland 20710
Phone (301) 927-7700 Fax (301) 927-7931
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
