Lumber Mill 101

Since 1981, The Lumber Baron has been serving the Bay Area. In addition to offering quality lumber direct to contractors and private individuals, we have built a reputation as a custom sawmill and supplier of hard-to-find reclaimed lumber. Unlike those big lumber stores, we offer a more personalized lumber experience, a trait that is especially apparent when discussing the lumber mill.

Cutting Lumber Down To Size

The lumber sizes used today differ from the dimensions which were once used. Yesteryear’s rough-cut 2x4, for example, has become the 1.5”x3.5” 2x4 commercially marketed today. For remodeling and other applications, restoring the lumber with the same dimensions is imperative and may even be tied into the job contract. The Lumber Baron can custom mill your lumber to meet exact specifications.

Bringing Out The Grain

Reclaimed lumber tends to fade or change color over time. Depending on the application, this weathered look may need to be returned to the original wood grain. At The Lumber Baron, we can resurface your lumber to bring out the original wood grain and underlying natural coloration. We encourage you to take a look at our customer gallery to get an idea of what the true wood grains and colors of reclaimed lumber can create.

For that Special Project

There may come a time when you want to build a custom-designed pergola or install rustic beams inside the house. For those situations, you will be able to get a better quality of material from The Lumber Baron, plus the confidence that we can produce material in larger dimensions than most big hardware stores carry. And because we have access to old-growth reclaimed lumber, your beams can be milled from a single piece of wood instead of using weaker jointed beams.

Having access to a professional lumber mill opens the door to a wider range of home construction projects, and makes remodel and restoration jobs easier to source material for. No matter what your job entails, we suggest coming by The Lumber Baron before you go to those big box stores. The quality of your finished project depends on the materials you use, and our custom milling will serve you well. Call or stop by to find out more.

Light up your Home - Add a Skylight!

Skylights are a home improvement that can have a dramatic impact. They allow natural light to illuminate your home instead of artificial light. But skylights have other benefits beyond a new light source that could have you considering adding a skylight to your home. They can also help heat your home in the winter and some can be opened remotely to increase airflow in your home in the summer. There are many types of skylights for your home to consider depending on what you are looking for and your type of home.

Curb or Deck Mounted Skylight

The most common type of skylight creates a window in your roof. For these skylights, there are two main types – curb or deck mounted. Curb mounted skylights leverage standardized curb, or frame, sizes and the skylight itself is manufactured with roof mounting materials. The standardized curb is attached to the roof and then any number of skylights can be placed into the curb. Deck mounted skylights are manufactured with a frame that directly attaches to the roof. While deck skylights may be easier to install, curb skylights may offer you more options and versatility.

Skylight options for flat roofs

There is a common misconception that if the interior of your home does not have a slanted roof that you will not be able to install skylights. The reality is the opposite. Skylights can be a great way to bring natural light to even the darkest and most isolated spaces throughout your home. This can be achieved with tunneling skylights or by adding a lightwell beneath a standard skylight. Tunneling skylights add a small, low profile window to your roof connected to a reflective tunnel that brings the lights down. Tunneling skylights are easy to install and are ideal for laundry rooms, kitchenettes, hallways, and similar tight spaces that would benefit from a brighter and more vibrant appearance. A lightwell can be added to a flat ceiling in a room to allow light to pass directly from a standard skylight in the roof to the room below.

Choosing and installing the right skylight for you

The skylight that is right for you depends on how much light you want to add to your home, whether you want to be able to open the skylight, the slant of your roof, the wiring and stud placement in your roof, and the specific locations that you want to add natural light. Because of the considerable variables involved, it is best to work with a local skylight specialist to walk through the options with you in order to find the best skylight to fit your needs. Working with a certified skylight installer will ensure that you have the best skylight for your home and that it is installed properly. A properly installed skylight is watertight, avoids wiring and bracing, and reinsulates your home after installation. Skylights are a long lasting and wonderful addition to your home, increasing the natural light and opening up spaces.

The general contractors and home remodeling experts at Mares & Dow Construction can help you add a skylight to your home. With over 30 years experience, our professional team will help you choose the best skylight for your home.  Call us today!

Home Makeover: Adding Skylights

A home makeover often includes replacing windows or installing glass shower and tub enclosures. What many people overlook are the advantages of adding skylights as part of the process. Reducing energy use is one popular reason for adding skylights, but they can also be useful for changing the appearance of a room, for aesthetic effects, and more.

An Illusion of Roominess

By allowing natural light into the room, skylights create an air of space, making even a small room feel roomier. Skylights provide an effectively limitless perspective, which allows observers to experience the illusion of being in a more open area. The size, number, and positioning of skylights can enhance or subdue this phenomenon.

Textured Glass for Light Control

Tinted and textured glass can be used to alter or diffuse the light coming into the home. Tinted glass is useful for adding color to otherwise uniform rooms, for example, and textured glass is ideal if you want to distribute the light evenly without pronounced bright and shadowed areas. Textured and tinted glass can be used as the primary glass in a skylight, or it can be installed as a secondary, interior glass layer which increases the energy efficiency of the skylight.

Positioned for Comfort

Just as adding a secondary pane to the skylight can reduce energy costs, the size and location of a skylight has an effect on the comfort level in the room. A technician from Dan’s Glass can help you find the best location and offer options for size and style as well as making other suggestions for increasing the energy efficiency of your home. If you live in an older home, having your windows and doors examined could reduce your heating and cooling costs as well.

Professional Installation Matters

Adding skylights is not well-suited for DIY enthusiasts. The project requires a great deal of specialized knowledge regarding window placement and sealing, as well as the tools and experience to penetrate your roof, attic, and ceiling and leave an appealing job behind. At Dan’s Glass, we want to be remembered for the professional work we do and treat every job with the utmost attention. Since 1979, Dan’s Glass has been serving Concord, CA and surrounding areas. We have built our reputation on workmanship and customer satisfaction.

Adding skylights is one of a full range of glass and window services available from Dan’s Glass. We will also take care of all your interior and exterior glass needs, including door glass, sliding doors, thermal windows, and more. To schedule an appointment, please contact us today.

Preparing your Redwood Deck for Summer Parties

At The Lumber Baron, we take wood seriously and want our customers to get the most out of every project. Wood decks can last a lifetime if they are given an annual cleaning and receive proper care. And with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you prepare your redwood deck for summer parties, weekend gatherings, or whatever you have in mind.

Soft Deck Washes

Pressure washers can be damaging, but a soft wash is usually all it takes to get your deck back into a clean and ready condition. Be sure that the soaps and cleaners you use are designated as environmentally friendly and biodegradable. In addition to cleaning off last years buildup of dust and dirt, a good soap will also help protect your family against bacteria and germs as well.

Apply a Stain Coating

Whether you have a brand new deck with fresh lumber, or a deck built using reclaimed lumber from The Lumber Baron, applying fresh stain can completely transform your deck in time for summer fun. Depending on the lumber you built the deck from, the best stains will range from semi-transparent applications to solid colors that cover most of the natural wood coloration. Staining is not a complicated process, and some stains, especially oil-based types, will double as a wood sealer in the process to help prevent rot and insect infestation.

Seal Against Nature

Even if you are not going to apply a stain coat for color effect, it is a good idea to seal any unpainted wood on your deck once a year. Wood sealers can be applied with brushes and rollers the same as paints and will make your deck resistant to spills, weather, foot traffic, and much more. Be sure to clean the material before you begin, and avoid walking on the deck until the sealer has had a chance to soak in and take effect.

Add Conveniences

Before your summer cookouts get started, you may want to consider adding some conveniences to make your deck more useful. The Lumber Baron will help you match your existing deck material as closely as possible, or offer some advice on which materials offer the best return on your investment. Some ideas for deck upgrades include things such as adding a roof, building a bar, or adding fold-away wooden benches that can be tucked away when not in use.

The Lumber Baron specializes in redwood, and that makes us your go-to location for replacement lumber or material to add a little extra convenience. We carry hand-selected old-growth, reclaimed lumber as well as younger, kiln-fired material grown in modern managed forests. Before you visit one of those big-box hardware stores, visit The Lumber Baron and discover what sets us apart from the competition.

The Importance of Concrete Testing

Concrete design and placement is so safe that we rarely think about concrete safety today.  Through advances in technology, the creation of standards, and the implementation of testing processes, the concept of concrete safety tends to remain outside of general conversation regarding concrete. The basic concrete testing methods developed apply to concrete regardless of the type from traditional concrete to shotcrete to lightweight concrete.

Why concrete testing is needed

There are a multitude of concrete varieties designed for specific applications. Each concrete type has a few basic structural characteristics, such as density and compressive strength, that are major factors in how the concrete will perform.  In general, concrete has a high compressive strength which makes it a great building material. The density of a concrete is important when considering the weight of the concrete being placed and how that interacts with the overall construction specifications. It is imperative that the structural characteristics of the concrete align with the design specifications. Concrete constituents and onsite factors can impact the compressive strength, such as the ratio of water to cement, the amount of aggregate and additives, and even the weather. To maintain construction site safety, the final concrete product requires that testing be completed during placement and while curing to ensure it will meet all requirements of compressive strength and density.

Concrete testing methods

Concrete can be tested when it is still plastic and being placed, but testing can also be performed nondestructively on hardened concrete using different techniques. Inspecting hardened concrete for cracks or inconsistencies in the material can be a non-destructive testing method. Typically, inspection is done with impact echos, ultrasound, as well as visual inspection. This method is suitable for existing concrete construction and helps to troubleshoot problems and understand its internal structure.

Concrete testing process

Years of testing and innovation have led to various concrete mixtures that have characteristics engineered for certain applications. For any given project, the concrete mixture is generally determined more than 30 days before any concrete is poured. The characteristics of the mixture and a sample are reviewed and validated by engineers using their design models of the project.  Each morning when a concrete batch is poured, a sample is extracted. Every few hours throughout the day, additional samples are taken. These samples are checked for density to ensure that the composition meets the predetermined specifications. Additionally, samples are taken from the job site in order to be tested later for compression strength. These tests are conducted usually 7 and 28 days later to observe if the compression strength of the concrete is increasing at the designed rate.  

The Conco Companies mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience, and quality of each project. We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for commercial, educational, public works, and parking structure projects as well as other construction development. Please call or email for more information on how Conco can assist your next project with Confoam™, our cost-saving cellular concrete.

How Concrete Additives Help Concrete Perform Well in Difficult Conditions

Concrete additives change certain performance characteristics of the concrete. Additives are any substance outside of water, cement, and aggregate added to the concrete. These additives are exceptionally beneficial to concrete performance and are classified by function. This includes water-reducing, curing retarding, curing accelerating, and superplasticizers. These additives allow for concrete to perform well in different weather conditions and enable different application methods such as pumping, foam concrete, and shotcrete. The Conco Companies brings their extensive concrete experience to deliver these products and a variety of other concrete services in Portland.

Accelerating admixtures

These additives reduce the curing time of concrete. When curing is accelerated, finishing operations on the concrete can be started sooner. Manipulating the quickness of curing is particularly useful in colder weather, where the cool temperatures slow down the curing process of concrete.

Curing retarding admixtures

These additives cause the opposite effect of accelerating admixtures, instead increasing the curing time of concrete. These additives are helpful in hot weather when the curing time of concrete is faster. Hot temperatures can make it difficult to complete placement and finishing work on concrete before the concrete starts to harden.

Water reducing admixtures

These admixtures decrease the amount of water content needed in concrete to 5-10%. A lower water content creates a stronger concrete when set, and water reducing admixtures facilitate this without requiring more cement to be added. Water reducing admixtures can also reduce segregation of the concrete mixture, improving its ability to flow consistently. For this reason, they can be also used for concrete pumping applications.

Superplasticizer admixtures

Superplasticizers are high-range water reducing admixtures, reducing the required water content 12-30%. This creates a highly-flowing concrete that has a high slump (amount of deformation when placed into a test cylinder) while still keeping its strength. Superplasticizers are often used when high performance concrete is needed but the placement area does not allow for using the standard method of removing trapped air through vibration.

Air-entraining admixtures

Air-entraining admixtures increase the air content of concrete. There are a variety of these admixtures, including foam. Concrete foam is similar in look and feel to shaving cream and creates a low-density concrete. Lower density concretes are exceptional for filling spaces that need insulating or reinforcing, such as insulating roofs, floors, and void filling.

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring experience, expertise and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, educational, parking structures, and other construction development.  Please contact us to learn more about our high-performance, precision-engineered fabricated rebar in the Portland area.

What is Concrete Curing?

Concrete is not like most adhesives or materials that we encounter in everyday life. Most adhesives that we use, such as white glue, strengthen as they dry. Concrete made with a hydraulic cement, such as the common Portland cement, strengthens via a reaction with water. Because concrete needs moisture to strengthen after placement, curing is needed for concrete to attain its engineering specific strength. Curing is the process of maintaining a specific temperature and moisture content range after placement to allow the concrete to develop the designed strength.

Factors in the curing process

Concrete is a mixture of water, cement, air, aggregate, and additives. The components of each of these and their mixing ratios create an extremely wide variety of concrete. Concrete mixes can be designed to optimize many situations such as load bearing, intricate shapes, gap filling, or even underwater construction.  The mixture proportions along with the strength required, the mass of the placed concrete, and weather conditions all impact the curing time of concrete at a job site. For example, lightweight concrete may cure faster than high density concrete.

The curing process

Curing begins immediately after placement and surfacing. The American Concrete Institute recommends a minimum curing time that will attain 70% of the concrete’s specified strength. This is often around 7 days. The main goals of the curing process are to:

Reduce the loss of mixing water from the concrete surface

Maintain the mixing water in the concrete in the first days

Accelerate strength development with heat and/or additional moisture

To keep the mixing water in the concrete and minimize loss from the surface, concrete teams have several strategies at their disposal. Depending on the job site, type of concrete, and other factors, spraying concrete with water, leaving forms in place, and placing wet or impervious coverings can all maintain or add moisture to the concrete. If the temperature at the site becomes too cold, heating pads, coils, or even steam can be used to keep the temperature up for proper curing.  

The Conco Companies

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western U.S. and to bring expertise and incomparable quality to each project. We continue to upgrade and expand our facilities to better serve the growing market for commercial, educational, parking structures, public works projects, and other development. Contact us to learn more about the services from one of the most trusted concrete contractors.

How Concrete Contributes to LEED Certification Points

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is the industry standard for green build construction.  Originally developed in the 1990s by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED rating system was designed to encourage the construction industry to adopt sustainable construction practices and improve indoor air quality. As a major component of any construction projects’ building materials, several concrete construction techniques can be used to earn points toward a LEED certification.

A LEED certification can be one of four levels - basic, silver, gold or platinum - depending on the number of sustainable initiatives implemented and their point value. The rating system is divided into credit categories each with specific implementation line items that have individual point values.  The rating scheme is divided into sustainability credit categories each with specific strategies that earn points when incorporated into a project. The standard is designed to allow for multiple pathways to achieve a given certification rating, letting designers and engineers choose the sustainable practices the are best suited for a given building, climate, and site.

Concrete itself is a versatile building material and can be a solution for many design problems, including sustainability goals. The LEED rating system includes many ways that concrete can contribute to a project to help reach a target certification levels. Including concrete can help a building earn between 25 and 44 LEED points, depending on the building type, site, and climate. The basic LEED certification requires only 40 points, making concrete a go-to material for LEED buildings.

There are several sustainability credit categories that concrete can apply. These include:

If there is contaminated soil, project designers can use cement to stabilize the area to mitigate leaching.

Utilize multi-level concrete parking garages instead of paved asphalt lots. This reduces the footprint of the building, allowing for more natural habitat areas.

Using regional materials and recycling existing building materials reduce the energy costs of the building materials, earning points for the Materials and Resources Credit.

Utilize concrete in walls and flooring to reduce the operating energy costs. Because of concrete's high thermal mass relative to wood and other construction materials, concrete systems can maintain indoor temperatures with less assistance from HVAC systems, earning points in the Energy and Atmosphere credit

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring experience, expertise and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, educational, parking structures, and other construction development.  Please contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help you with the plans to get your next project LEED Certified in the Portland area.

What to Look for when Selecting a Lumber Mill for your Next Project

A lumber mill is a perfect source for specialized lumber cuts and hard-to-find material. For custom countertops, restoration projects, and green construction, choosing the right lumber mill can take a lot of the worry out of getting the job done. But how do you know when you have found the right lumber mill? The Lumber Baron has a few tips to help you make an informed decision.

Knowledge

An in-depth knowledge of lumber is a critical factor. This can be especially important for projects involving reclaimed lumber where you want the history of the lumber as well as a dependable quality of material to work with. We understand the complexities of lumber at The Lumber Baron and work with our customers to provide them with the best material for every project.

Selection

The success of your project depends on using the right type and grade of material. Some jobs call for a bit of edge sapwood, for example, while others are better suited to the high density of heartwood. The best lumber mill will stock a variety of lumber grades and have the capacity to custom mill lumber for special sizes and applications.

Service

The best lumber mill can do more than cut and sell lumber. They can also help you determine the best cuts for your job, refinish and mill the lumber to meet exacting specifications, and deliver the lumber to your job site. Some lumber yards only offer a choice of what they have in stock, while the best one for your project can go the extra mile and custom mill to meet your needs.

Experience

The experience of the lumber mill you choose will affect the final outcome of your project. The Lumber Baron is a perfect example of this, with 40 years of experience in the industry. In that time, we have developed close ties with loggers and building contractors alike, and we have worked hard to build our reputation as an industry leader serving the Bay area.

The Lumber Baron has been serving the San Francisco Bay area since 1978. Since then, we have worked hard to build our knowledge and experience so that we can provide our customers with a high degree of knowledge and a lumber selection that stands apart from our competitors. Whether you are looking for high-grade Douglas fir or old growth redwood slabs with a bit of historic value, contact us before you begin your next project.

Get Ready for Spring by Cleaning your Glass

As winter weather begins to give way to spring, celebrate the sunshine with clean windows. It’s a great way to get ready to view spring’s flowers and blooming trees through the windows of your home.  As you clean, be sure to note any scratches or cracks that might hurt the view for spring window repairs.

Cleaning tools

A bucket and reusable towel are your two basic tools. It’s great to use a reusable cloth to reduce waste during your spring clean. While newspaper may have been the cleaning tool of choice at one point, today’s microfiber towels are excellent for cleaning windows. Another choice for cleaning tools is the squeegee. If you’ve ever seen professional window cleaners, then you’ve seen a squeegee in action. A squeegee is a very efficient tool for removing cleaning solution from your windows without any streaks. Simply start at the top using either a zig-zag or top-to-bottom pattern to dry your windows. Remember to clean your squeegee after every swipe to keep it steak free.

Easy to make cleaning solution

If you do not have any microfiber towels available, another way to reduce environmental waste is to create your own cleaning solution. There are two standard ways of creating your own solution: water and dish soap (½ gallon water: 2 tablespoons dish soap) or adding vinegar to your dish soap solution (add 1 cup vinegar to mix). Adding vinegar can help with those particularly dirty windows.

Enjoy the process

Cleaning is not always highly anticipated, but we all appreciate clean windows. Once you’ve decided to include windows as part of your spring cleaning, give yourself the space to have fun. Once you’ve made your cleaning solution and have everything ready to set yourself up for success, try starting in a small window space to get your technique down. Every time there’s a different amount of dirt on the windows and it takes a few passes, you’re getting yourself ready to take on the big windows.  Turn on some music or a podcast while you’re cleaning and make the most out of your time getting ready for the spring sunshine!

Notice any chips or cracks in your glass during your cleaning?  The glass experts at Dan’s Glass can help!  Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get your windows looking better than ever.

If it has been a while since you last visited Oakland, CA, you are in for a surprise.  Over the last few years, Oakland has seen dozens of new construction projects throughout its downtown core and nearby neighborhoods. The Conco Companies have been pleased to be involved in several of them.  

One example is the Brooklyn Basin Parcel B Project, which is a 7-story residential housing project from the developer and owner, the Signature Development Group.  Along with 241 housing units, the 308,270 sq. ft. building includes 3,000 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial tenant space and 241 parking spaces.  The waterfront project is located at the corner of Brooklyn Basin Way and 9th Street and is adjacent to a park.   The building’s façade features a range of materials including concrete, metal siding, cement and glass.

Conco’s responsibilities on the project included providing concrete pumping, reinforcement, formwork, finishing, shotcrete, and Confoam services.  We placed 19,850 cubic yards of Confoam and 8,500 cubic yards of concrete as well as shotcrete.  Conco also provided 1,400,000 pounds of rebar and post tension reinforcement.

Another couple of projects we recently provided concrete services for are the Hanover Waverly and the Hanover Uptown at Valdez Street and 27th Street. Both projects are developed by the Houston-based owner, the Hanover R.S. Limited Partnership. The Hanover Waverly is a 7-story, mixed-use project that consists of 224 apartments and 22,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail.  The architect, TCA Architects designed the contemporary-style structure to take advantage of the curved lot and highlights the building’s location.  The Hanover Waverly also offers below grade parking with 226 parking stalls and has an exterior comprised of high quality materials including stone, brick, glass, metal wall panels and cement plaster.  

The Hanover Uptown is a 7-story, mixed-use project that consists of 253 residential units including studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and more than 33,100 sq. ft. of ground floor retail.  For both projects, Conco provided concrete pumping, reinforcement, formwork, finishing, and shotcrete services.  

Conco is one of the leading suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Since the passage of Ordinance 183893 in 2015, the City of Los Angeles has been busy identifying non-ductile concrete buildings that require seismic retrofitting to come up code.  Along with all of the other concrete services we provide, The Conco Companies is providing professional seismic retrofitting for pre-1978 non-ductile concrete buildings in L.A.  

Utilizing our extensive experience, we have the expertise to strengthen concrete buildings to improve their safety and integrity as well as to preserve the historic or unique design elements of the building.  Our portfolio includes several renowned area projects including the 1920s-era L.A. Hall of Justice, the iconic L.A. City Hall and the historic Rose Bowl Stadium.

The goal of seismic retrofitting is to reduce structural deficiencies and improve the performance of the targeted non-ductile concrete buildings in the event of an earthquake.  Without proper strengthening, these buildings may experience structural failure during and/or after seismic activity.  

In the case of the award-winning concrete seismic retrofit of Los Angeles’ City Hall,  the project required 30,000 cubic yards of concrete, 3,000 tons of structural steel, and 5,000 tons of reinforcing steel. Part of the project included providing reinforced concrete shear walls to strengthen existing masonry walls.  Another seismic retrofit and renovation we were proud to be involved with was the $231-million L.A. Hall of Justice project.  The building had been extensively damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.  During the project, we utilized cost-effective solutions including using shotcrete to construct walls faster and with less material to save both time and money.

To ensure the best outcome as well as to minimalize the costs, seismic retrofitting projects require experience as well as innovative thinking and Conco delivers plenty of both to all of our projects.  In addition to being one of California’s top commercial concrete contractors, we have over sixty years of experience in the industry.  Trust Conco’s expertise to help bring your pre-1978 non-ductile concrete building up to code.  Please contact us to learn more.       

The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

The Conco Companies are proud to report that Conco Pumping was recently honored as a runner-up for the 2017 Subcontractor of the Year Award from the American Subcontractors Association of Southern California.  The awards are designed to recognize the various achievements and contributions the recipients have made in the construction industry.  The ASA is a highly respected organization that embodies ethical & equitable business practices, quality construction, a safe and healthy work environment, and integrity & membership diversity.  This year’s winners were honored at the November ASA’s Awards Banquet.  

The entire Conco organization wishes to extend our thanks the ASA. Furthermore, we are extremely proud of our Southern CA team who brings a high level of commitment to each and every one of their projects.  Conco is also grateful for the support and trust our partners in the construction community continue to place in us, which enables our success.  

The demands for our pumping services in Southern California including the San Diego area have rapidly grown over the last several years.  To ensure our success, we have a large operation in the area including a fleet of concrete pumps and ancillary equipment as well as an experienced team ready to help out on your next project.  

Conco Pumping, which was founded in 1975, is one of The Conco Companies’ largest divisions and successfully operates throughout California, Washington State and Oregon.  Our experienced team has the ability to identify obstacles even before a job starts, and we can successfully handle projects with the most challenging specifications and time constraints.  In addition to concrete pumping, Conco also offers rebar fabrication and installation, formwork, shotcrete, cellular concrete, and trucking as well as Design/Build, General Contracting and turnkey solutions.

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services throughout the Western U.S.  We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products and are now one of the foremost concrete contractors in the region. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, industrial and public works projects as well as parking structures.

The Conco Companies were recently recognized for our concrete services on the new Wilshire Grand Project with the “2017 Charles J. Pankow, Jr. Award” from the American Concrete Institute’s Southern California Chapter.  The Charles J. Pankow Jr. Award was established in 1984 by the ACI SoCal Chapter in honor of Charles J. Pankow, Jr. and is designed to recognize outstanding and innovative use of concrete in construction.  Mr. Pankow was an active member of the Southern California Chapter since its inception and had served as the International President of the ACI from 1980-1981.  

The prestigious award is only given out annually, if, in the judgment of the Awards Committees, a qualified project and contractor are nominated.  Rules for how the award is bestowed include: “One award may be presented annually to recognize an outstanding, collaborative emerging innovation in design, materials, or construction-related research and development. Innovations must be new to the industry. Not more than one award may be given in any one year.”

During the course of constructing the Wilshire Grand, Conco set a world record for the largest continuous mat pour that required appoximately 2,000 truckloads of concrete and took 20 hours of continuous pouring.  In total, crews laid down more than 21,200 cubic yards of concrete over 7.1 million pounds of reinforcing steel.  We also purchased and used a new state-of-the art electric pump to help us pump concrete 650 feet horizontally and then 1,125 feet vertically in order to reach the highest levels of the skyscraper.   Furthermore, as the pump was electric, it was both quieter and cleaner than a diesel pump.

Conco wishes to extend our thanks for all of the support and trust placed in us by our trade partners and the construction industry. Along with Conco serving as the concrete contractor, the other recipients of the award include the Wilshire Grand’s owner, Hanjin International Corp.; general contractor, Turner Construction Company; structural engineer, Brandow & Johnston and Thornton Tomasetti, and concrete supplier, CalPorland Ready Mix.  

At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products. Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Source: asce.org/templates/award-detail.aspx?id=401

The Conco Companies are proud to report that one of our recent projects is the Second Place Winner of the American Concrete Institute’s 2017 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards in the High Rise category.  One of only 12 winners internationally, the Premiere on Pine (formerly known as 815 Pine) is a 42-story tower that highlights the structural and technological advancements made in the concrete industry over the last several years.  

This year’s winners were recognized at the “Celebrating Concrete Innovation and Excellence Across the Globe” Awards Gala that took place during the ACI Concrete Convention and Exposition.  In addition to Conco  serving as the concrete contractor for the Premiere on Pine’s project, the team included owner and developer, Holland Partner Group; architect, Weber Thompson Architects; general contractor, Holland construction Inc.; engineering firm, Cary Kopcznyski & Company; and Concrete Supplier, Stoneway Concrete.

The Premiere on Pine is constructed with high-strength concrete and reinforcing steel to create maximum floor space for the small site and is the first building in Seattle to have a specified concrete strength of 15,000 psi in its columns.  This allows the high-strength columns to be smaller than those in similarly sized buildings. Another innovation was to place the concrete continuously through the slab penetrations, which eliminated the need for concrete puddling around the columns.  

The building is the tallest residential tower in Seattle, WA and offers residents a range of amenities including a hotel-inspired rooftop sky lounge and five levels of above-grade parking and five-levels below. In addition the apartment units offer spectacular views of the Cascades, Puget Sound and downtown Seattle.  

Conco was pleased to be selected for this unique, challenging project as well as to be a part of such an exceptional team.  We are extremely honored to receive the ACI’s 2017 Excellence in Concrete Construction award.  

The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

The Conco Companies is seeking an experienced Safety Director to provide safety leadership to over 1,200 employees for our Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado locations.   The individual will be responsible for helping to minimize and manage the legal and financial risks associated with an integrated subcontracting construction company.  The job includes overseeing Conco’s OSHA Compliance, our Fleet Safety Management, and Environmental Compliance.  

In terms of our OSHA Compliance, Conco’s Safety Director will be responsible for developing and communicating policies and procedures in compliance with OSHA as well as federal, state and local rules and regulations.  The Director will also assist the estimating department with pre-bid safety planning, pre-bid qualifications, and development of corrective action plans.  He or she will participate with project teams on pre-construction safety coordination planning, and then put together a pre-project hazard assessment.  

Conco’s Safety Director is also in charge of developing and effectively implementing safety strategic planning initiatives as well as leading executive, regional and divisional safety committees.  Additionally he or she will plan and implement company and site specific policies for construction safety and general industry facilities and other duties as stated on our job posting.    

Along with OSHA Compliance, the Fleet Safety Management responsibilities include continuous improvements to the company’s fleet safety program to ensure compliance to D.O.T. regulations and company policies.  As our Safety Director you will develop, audit and improve, and implement driver safety training as well as maintain our fleet safety manual and more.  

The Environmental Compliance aspect of the job requires applicants to have a QISP. A QSD or QSP is preferred and experience with the CERS program is also preferred.  

The position’s minimal requirements include requiring a CHST; and ASP, CSP, CIH are preferred, along with 10-15 years of safety experience.  Candidates should be capable of identifying known potential exposures and recommending the corrective actions.  We prefer that applicants have a Bachelor’s degree in safety management or a degree in a related field.  Please see Conco’s website for the complete job description and information on how to apply.  

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S.  We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Colorado.