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Quarter 4 - 2005
Family Retreats Ease Tension, Enhance Involvement | Most family-owned businesses are plagued with the problems that naturally occur when office politics combine with family dynamics, says Joseph R. Krusinski, CEO of Krusinski Construction Company, which employs six family members.
In a recent article in the Chicago Tribune’s Small Business section, he explains how family business retreats have helped Krusinski Construction Company avoid the customary pitfalls through better communication.
For example, the twice-annual Krusinski retreats provide a forum where all family members, spouses and children over the age of 14 may air their feelings on any topic in two uninterrupted minutes. The meetings also allow family members who are outside the business to learn about the company first hand and offer their own perspectives.
Leaving the work environment behind and staying overnight at a retreat lets everyone focus on the topics at hand and feel comfortable enough to share their opinions. The Krusinskis go to a resort (past retreats include Lake Geneva and Eagle Ridge in Galena) on a Friday afternoon, hold meetings on Saturday and leave Sunday for family fun. This year, work-life balance was a big issue, while previous years focused on compensation, benefits, estate and retirement planning, the company’s financials, mission, direction and culture.
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St. Charles Bus Facility Completed | Krusinski Construction Company and MTI Construction Services have completed a $3.96 million facility at 901 S. Peck Road in St. Charles, Ill for St. Charles Community Unit School District No. 303.
Situated on approximately 13 acres on the west side of Peck Road, just south of Route 38, the 41,314-square-foot transportation, maintenance and grounds facility will be used to service buses and other school district vehicles.
Construction on the facility began in February, according to Shawn M. Barry, senior project superintendent for Krusinski.
“This building had to be up and running in time for the start of the school year,” said Barry. “Working during a rainy spring, with a strict deadline, we used a cast-in-place foundation wall and added a stone sub base, which reduced the number of days we lost due to rain.”
The building has offices for school district facilities, maintenance and grounds staff. There is parking for approximately 101 buses and 118 cars on site.
Michael J. Metz was the project executive for Krusinski. The senior project manager for MTI was Ernie J. Spina. The project architect was Joel Hestrup of Hestrup & Associates Architects of St. Charles. Nan Newton of Christopher Burke and Associates was the civil engineer.
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Krusinski Hosts Citadel Meeting | Krusinski Construction Company welcomed members of the Citadel Group to its headquarters on September 11-13.
The meetings commenced on Sunday with a dinner cruise for Citadel members, spouses and clients around the Chicago River and downtown lakefront.
On Monday, Citadel principals, business development managers and CFOs met at Krusinski for a full day of meetings. Business development managers discussed topics such as lessons learned, presentation and sales best practices and national client lead sharing.
Principals and CFOs reconvened on Tuesday morning to complete their agenda.
Citadel Group is an alliance of eight “best of class” regional construction-related companies in 15 cities that have joined together to serve the needs of national clients.
The next Citadel meeting will take place in January at Diffenbaugh headquarters in Palm Springs, Calif.
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Eliminate Carbon Monoxide Threat at Work | Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can cause fatigue, headache, weakness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, dizziness, and in high levels, death. CO is odorless, tasteless and colorless, making it difficult to detect, both in the home and office.
According to Shawn M. Barry, corporate safety officer for Krusinski Construction Company, there are steps that employers can take to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in the workplace:
• Educate workers about the sources and conditions that may result in CO poisoning, such as using a heater in a confined space or gasoline-powered engines or tools in poorly ventilated areas. Make sure employees know the symptoms of CO poisoning so immediate treatment can be provided.
• Install a multi gas or carbon monoxide detector.
• Have your building’s heating systems, chimneys and flues inspected annually and cleaned by a qualified technician.
• Ensure that appliances meet local building codes and are properly adjusted and working to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Consider using electric forklifts instead of gasoline and propane-powered forklifts. If that is not possible, improve air quality by opening overhead doors, exit doors and windows.
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Boza Wins DIG Award | Karen M. Boza, office manager, is the winner of the 4th quarter DIG (Diversify, Improve, Grow) award. Boza was nominated for upgrading Krusinski’s server, computers and telephone systems. She also negotiated prices that reduced the company’s overhead costs.
The DIG program was instituted as a way to involve every employee in company strategies for growth and profitability. The award is given to employees who have either submitted recommendations for cost savings, sales leads or productivity initiatives or have worked to further those goals.
As a DIG recipient, Boza received an extra vacation day and a company lunch in her honor. In addition, her name will be added to a company plaque.
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Krusinski Adds Valvano to Team | Krusinski Construction Company recently appointed Dominic W. Valvano as project engineer.
Valvano, 25, of Warrenville, will be assigned to several construction projects including two warehouses in Bedford Park and a 209,120-square-foot expansion to Bridgestone Firestone’s distribution center in Woodridge. He will work directly with Krusinski’s superintendents, project managers and estimators.
Valvano previously completed a summer internship with Krusinski and also worked for HBK Engineering.
He holds masters degrees in architecture and civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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