April 27, 2023
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:
Mission Rock Parcel B:
A tight urban site, a demanding schedule, logistical conflicts and underground obstructions but Foundation Constructors, Inc. makes it work
Read more |
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:
It's Never One Job
In this project spotlight about an apartment complex in Charleston, S.C., John King with Pile Drivers, Inc. shares some history with an important lesson: pile driving contractors need to fight for their market share. Read this story about persistence and value engineering.
Read more |
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STAFFING:
How to Hire: It's Similar to Dating
PDCA member Greg Belpomme with Heron Wolf walks us through the challenges of the modern hiring landscape here are some strategies to help you find your next employee.
Read more |
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CONSTRUCTION LAW:
Differing Site Conditions
What you need to think about before signing a contract this is how to ensure you're protected
Read more |
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TOOLBOX TALK:
Overhead Power Lines
The newest Toolbox Talk from PDCA reminds contractors how to stay safe when working around overhead power lines
Read more |
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Pile Driving Contractors Association
Pile Driving Contractors Association
Posted in PileDriver Magazine.
April 26, 2023
The time is now to register for the Mid-America Meet-Up, a FREE reception and informational happy hour coming to Chicago on May 4, 2023. Contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and civil engineers in the driven pile industry will be gathering at Revolution Brewing from 5:30-7:30 PM CDT. Finger foods and drinks are provided thanks to our sponsors. PDCA members and non-members are invited and bring a colleague. To reserve your spot at this event, please click the button below:
Thanks to our sponsors for underwriting the Mid-America Meet-Up. If you would like to be a sponsor, please secure your level on the registration form.
Pile Driving Contractors Association
Pile Driving Contractors Association
April 25, 2023

(L-R) Ian Vaz, Co-Chair of Steel Sheet Pile Committee, Alwyn McDowall is a Committee Member
Visitors to the PDCA website have access to a variety of technical materials in The PDCA Technical Library. Thanks to the work of the PDCA Steel Sheet Pile Committee, there is ample content for parties interested in learning about technical aspects of steel sheet pile installation and foundations. Because the Committee has been diligent in contributing an abundance of resources related specifically to steel sheet piling over the years, it determined through the encouragement of the Board of Directors, that it was time to reorganize the content and enhance its navigability. In April, the Committee announced that the new Steel Sheet Pile Resource Page under the Technical Library of the PDCA website is live and ready to go.
Here is more information about the Steel Sheet Pile Committee, presently co-chaired by Gerry McShane (pictured) and Ian Vaz, and the work it has done since its inception in 2017:
Scope of Steel Sheet Pile Committee
This Committee is comprised of PDCA members who are professionals in engineering, manufacturing, consulting, installing, selling, and distribution of steel sheet piling for foundation and earth retention purposes. It is committed to educating industry professionals specifically on sheet piling. Also, it works to establish PDCA as a leader in fronting technical discussions on sheet piling. The group shares a collective goal to bring the best technical information to the industry covering a range of topics including, benefits, design and applications, plan review and value engineering, installation, and project expense.
Here is a timeline depicting the resources the Steel Sheet Pile Committee has developed throughout the course of its existence; all of the content listed below is organized and available on the Steel Sheet Pile Resource Page in the PDCA Technical Library.
Timeline
2018-2019
- Sheet Piling Installation Guide
- Steel Sheet Pile Corrosion Guide
- Retaining Wall Cost Comparison Guide
2020
- Sheet Pile Frequently Asked Questions Guide
- Hammer for Sheet Pile Installation Specification Database
2021
- Basic Principles of Hammers for Sheet Pile Installation Guide
- Introduction Presentation on Sheet Pile Corrosion Protection
2022
- Introduction Presentation on Sheet Pile Corrosion Protection (continued)
- Steel Making Presentation and Manufacturing Resources
2023
- Introduction & Discussion Guide on Double Clamp Installation Methods & Cost Comparison (Coming Soon)
- Introduction of Steel Grade Options (Coming Soon)
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Committee Members:
- Gerry McShane, Chair
- James Dempsey, Board Liaison
- Kathy Harper, PDCA Staff Liaison
- Ian Vaz, Co-Chair
- Ryne Allen
- Bruce Colson
- Simon den Tuinder
- Rafael Garcia
- Ethan Liberty
- Alwyn McDowall
- Zac McIntosh
- Hal Mulveney
- Barry Phillips
- Takefumi Takuma
- Andy West
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To visit the new Steel Sheet Pile Resource Page, click the photo sheet pile wall designed by Earth, Inc., below:
Pile Driving Contractors Association
Pile Driving Contractors Association
April 17, 2023

A contingent of the Weeks Marine Houston team hosted PDCA at their offices; standing in the photo were (L-R) Lars Olsen, Mario Wong, Hiram Olvera, Arun Bhalaik, and Chantel George. This was one of several visits to Texas members' offices PDCA made in April. In addition to meeting remarkable, deep foundations professionals at each company, we often encountered interesting displays and/or relics that caught our attention. See the following photos which show some of our unique findings:

Piling, Inc. in Texas City is as unique of a contractor's office as you will find. Founded in 1931 by Eulies Nunez, the company has been family run ever since. Fourth generation family member and current President Kristian Dietel reads a back-issue of PileDriver at his late grandfather's desk. He is surrounded by artifacts from all over the world that Jack Godard collected during his extensive travels. The second-generation owner (shown in the painting on the left) operated the business from 1940-1980, a period of significant growth both in the business and in the coastal Texas region. Randy Dietel is Kristian's dad and current Piling, Inc. CEO. He is a former PDCA President.
(L-R) Civil Engineer Arjin Dogan and newly appointed Director of Business Development Erica Ferens welcome us to JD Fields & Co. Houston office in the award-winning Wortham Tower.
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(L-R) Mac Rotan, Anson Moore, Matt Paradeaux at Apex Steel Pipe pose under the boldly displayed Arkansas Razerback, one of many Hog relics found at company HQ.
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(L-R) Paul Stoll, George Smith, Pablo Cerda, John Miles showed us around the facilities and grounds at Pileco, Inc.
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The company moved into its brand new, Conroe-based headquarters in early 2022.
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On display at their new office is this model of a fictitious jobsite created by longtime friend and former employee Bardo Cuellar.
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(L-R) Noel Gibbings, Chris Barberi walked us around the home office at Flexicore of Texas; in addition to heightened PC/PS concrete pile production, the team was preparing for the annual company crawfish boil marking its 70th anniversary!
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Notable at Flexicore was art displayed at the facility. This impressionistic painting of a rainbow trout hangs above President Kathy Dockery's desk. Q/C dept. supervisor Alvin Bateman painted this and nearly 12 other works on display at the company.
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(L-R) Pascal Bayle, Charley Jewett shared exciting developments at Pipe & Tube Supplies, including the recent addition of new SVP David Toups (not pictured). |

A custom-made, company smoker greets all visitors and feeds the Pipe & Tube Supplies team for various staff functions. |

Not only did fabrication manager Alex Trevino build the cooker, he is also the official company pitmaster! |

Amy Cristiani (L) serves on the PDCA Communications Committee, in addition to fulfilling her marketing duties which support Mark Hunter (R) and the team at THI Pipe and Piling. |

During our visit to the Katy, TX pipe supplier, we noticed a signed/framed Brian Urlacher football jersey dating back to his days as a student athlete at University of New Mexico; Hunter, too played football for the Lobos and proudly displays the memorabilia of the famous alum and NFL superstar. |

Mason Construction hosted PDCA at their Beaumont offices. The team is in the early stages of a significant expansion of a Port Arthur facility that will one day produce sustainable aviation fuel. The project is one of the first initiatives made possible by the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). |

Eric Lincoln at American Pole & Timber is widely known for distribution of timber pilings, notably the 'gun barrel' poles he supplied for a Saudi Arabia project in 2018. He explained to us that his diversified his inventory includes a popular new piling product from Shoreline Plastics (pictured). |
Returning member Julius Taylor (L) of Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. recently moved to a new office in San Leon, TX. When we visited, he was still unpacking his belongings, including two mounted and framed news articles about his company, that published in PileDriver magazine several years ago. |
Pile Driving Contractors Association
Pile Driving Contractors Association
April 10, 2023

Purely by coincidence, PDCA has scheduled a Midwest-based, networking reception on the date many people consider 'Star Wars Day,' May 4th, (
if you're not familiar, think May the Fourth Be With You.) There will be no formal observance of the widely popular sci-fi movie franchise during the PDCA event in Chicago, but if you show up to the gathering with some acknowledgement of the
George Lucas media empire, we won't turn you away. After all, the venue where the reception will take place, Revolution Brewing, is one of Chicagoland's top local breweries and it regularly caters to Star Wars fans from near and far who attend an annual comic and entertainment expo there, (see the accompanying photo, Revolution sponsors 'The Yard,' or the beer garden at this event.)
Back to the
Mid-America Meet-Up, PDCA invites contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and engineers serving the pile driving industry in the Midwest to join us for the FREE reception on May 4th.
If you're feeling festive and want to don your Star Wars gear, show up in a Cubs or Cards jersey, be like Mike, run in like Sweetness, dress like Jake or Elwood or impersonate Al Capone, we won't turn you away. We are excited to hold this event in a crucial region for pile driving.
Members of PDCA and non-members alike are encouraged to attend, but we ask that you please reserve your seat by registering in advance of the
Mid-America Meet-Up. If you are interested, sponsorship for this event is also available. Please see the event flier below and click on it to register or sponsor.
Thank You Sponsors of the Mid-America Meet-Up,
You Are Helping PDCA Grow in the Midwest
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Sponsorships Are Still Available
This event is FREE to the pile driving industry throughout the Midwest, both PDCA members and non-members. PDCA will arrange the meeting venue, appetizers and house beverages. Will you help with the cost at the $1,000 or $500 level? Please click the bill of your choice below:
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"A Driven Pile...Is a Tested Pile"
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Pile Driving Contractors Association
Pile Driving Contractors Association