Successful "Best Practices" Efforts



For the past 13 years, the so-called "G4" group of interior building contractors has been meeting periodically to share ideas and problems. This non-competing group, head quartered around the U.S., is composed of:

The Brady Companies - San Diego
The E&K Companies - Omaha
Mader/Hampshire - Buffalo/Baltimore
Marek Family of Companies - Houston

G4 has facilities and work activity in 20 different metropolitan areas of the U.S.


Scope: During 1999, the G4 expanded its previously informal meetings and brought a seasoned construction executive on board full-time to look into the detailed operating practices of the group members. The initial work scope, beginning in January 2000, was to represent the G4 and perform "best practice" limited operational reviews at each of the companies.

Year 2000: Activity during 2000 has been very brisk. Office/jobsite operational "limited reviews" during the year have taken the G4 representative to Los Angeles, San Diego, Kansas City, Omaha, Buffalo, Baltimore and Houston. He has reviewed field, office and corporate activities during the visits, orally reported on his findings, and further provided comprehensive written reports.

"Top Gun Builders in March"

In addition, six workshop meetings for key personnel of the G4 have been held. Forty employees of the companies, involved as in-charge field builders or functionally with training and safety, estimating/QB/OST, information technology, productivity or purchasing have participated in meetings. All of the meetings have been well received by attendees. Ron Brady, Chairman of Brady, said recently: "We were fortunate to have made the choice we did for a seasoned construction professional to do our survey work. He did a top notch job and we all benefited."

"Much interest in Information Technology during November"

Benefits: As a result of the operational reviews, workshops, and the oversight of a G4 Best Practice Committee, much has been accomplished. Numerous "good or best practices" have been identified, as well as problem areas in need of improvement. "The program work was done in such a way we did not feel overwhelmed, or slighted by, the larger sized companies. We appreciated the no-nonsense straightforward presentation of numerous practical suggestions to our benefit." (Jim Biddle, Chairman, Mader Group)

Through the workshop process, we have also encouraged the building of source networks and relationships among operating personnel of the G4 companies. All of the participating companies have benefited. Kent Vipond, President & CEO of E&K, remarked at our January G4 meeting: "While E&K procedures are well defined and documented, we received value and benefit from numerous ideas and thoughts that surfaced as a result of this work. We are glad we chose to participate."

Marek employees participating in the workshops were Tim Matatall (Houston), Mark Power and Larry Williams (Corporate), Mark Keith (Houston) and Hal Waldrop (Dallas), John Bean (Corporate) and Cecilia Padilla (Houston), Jay Richards (Houston) and David Sparacino (Dallas), John Tant (Houston) and Percy Townsend (Oak Forest) and J. Byron Wake (Corporate).

The Future: Stan Marek, CEO of Marek Brothers: "One of the great benefits of this program was the building of relationships between our G4 managers and staff, further strengthening the long term company relationships that have existed for many years at the executive management level."

At a meeting of the G4 in January 2001, a decision was made to continue building on "best practices", primarily through the several workshop committees created during 2000. "Leaders" from among the groups will direct future emphasis toward selected areas of focus for improvement, with oversight provided by an executive "Liaison". Some changes will be made in committee structure and new committees are planned for the future. Much excitement and enthusiasm was displayed for the past benefits and potential of this effort.