Arizona Contractor & Community Fall 2015 V4 I3 | Page 89
Operator Steve Johnson running Cat 112 Blade, 1970s.
Candelaria’s wife came up with the
company name by combining the two first
names, RoBil.
In 1975, RoBil Contracting purchased
an Allis Chalmers grader from Bill Bickes of
Bickes Contracting, who had bought two
identical graders. Interesting features on
the grader are the hydraulic rams, add-on
fabricated rear ripper section, electric
starter, dual hydraulic pumps, and the lack
of a cab to obtain maximum visibility.
Initially, RoBil Contracting attracted
business by going door to door. However,
after they paved Carl Osborn’s driveway
on Camelback Mountain in January 1969,
referrals for additional subcontracting jobs
ensued. The two men did all the work
including estimating, running equipment,
and raking asphalt. RoBil Contracting and
the projects they completed became
larger. The company was an asphalt
contractor for 37 years in Arizona until
Candelaria and Sudbrack retired and sold
their assets to the next generation.
Richard, Candelaria’s son, renamed
RoBil to Sharp Creek Contracting, Inc. in
2004. Richard emphasizes the tradition,
knowledge, and work ethic of RoBil
Contracting when he trains new
Bill Sudbrack shoveling asphalt out of
Layton box, 1970s.
employees. Learning how grading and
paving was done in the past is one of the
keys to the success of Sharp Creek
Contracting. Others have noticed their
excellent work. “Of all the grading and
paving contractors we have used, Sharp
Creek is by far the best,” Frank Pettit, Vice
Steve Johnson mixing dirt for a building pad
with Cat 112 Blade.
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