Delta Asphalt of Arkansas Anticipates
another Successful Year
The Delta Asphalt of AR team is back to work in full swing. In the April
letting, Delta Asphalt of Arkansas added seven new jobs to its backlog;
June letting was successful – with Delta submitting the low bid on five of
seven jobs, but the final DOT awards have not be released. Currently, the
total jobs booked to complete this year to over 180,000 Tons.
“The state of Arkansas has done a fantastic job allocating funding for
highway construction and the outlook for this coming year is positive,”
John Bennett (Regional Manager) states, “We are building a team and we
have the right people in the right places to be successful.”
The Arkansas annual
construction hosted their
SEASON kick- off meeting,
focusing on cooperation,
communication,
and
safety. The emphasis
was on creating an
understanding that no
one facet of the business
can truly be successful
without the help of all the
others. Regional Safety
Coordinator, Shane Kelly offered insight on some of the new programs
being implemented through the Safety Department. Among these new
programs is the new OTIS (Online Training Information) system which
includes the ability to complete job specific safety trainings online. “We did
a good job last year. This year we should remain focused on safety with
the understanding that it is just as much a part of our jobs as any of the
other tasks we perform each day,” Shane encourages.
Colas ISS held a super-user group meeting SUM14 in Denver in April, and
Delta was well represented. The meeting was informational, giving insight
on some of the new technologies that will soon be available. The group,
as a whole, seemed to be most excited about was the soon-to-be rollout of JDE version 9.1. From the demonstrations that were shown, there
will be an update to
JDE that will change
the usability of the
system in a positive
way,
helping
to
make the system
much
easier
to
navigate and search.
Once the update
is
implemented,
the system should
give users a much
friendlier
and
intuitive environment.
Delta Asphalt of Arkansas would like to welcome Andy Adams to the Delta
family. Andy has come aboard as Arkansas’ new Trucking Coordinator and
brings with him over fifteen years of fleet management experience to our
organization.
Delta’s CFO Announces Retirement
Del Elfrink (Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer) announced his retirement from his position
effective August 1, 2014.
Del, since joining the Delta Companies in September of 1980, has written the play book in regards to Delta’s financial
strategy and direction. His consistent guidance and steady leadership has steered Delta Companies through both
successful and somewhat turbulent economic landscapes. He has been a key contributor in bidding work throughout
the regions, acquiring and divesting company assets and in implementing significant financial system improvements.
Under Del’s direction, Delta has grown from a small independently-owned company, to one of the most respected and
financially successful construction contractors and materials providers in the Heartland. For more than 34 years, Del
has been instrumental in assuring that Delta Companies has been at the forefront of innovation.
Being a CPA, Del has a passion for numbers – in work and in play. In his spare time, Del is quite the sports enthusiast.
His competitive nature works well within the industry: tenacious and always seeking the win. He is an encyclopedia of
irrefutable sport statistics and his leisure activities usually involve a ballgame. It is important to note that in the Delta
Family, Del Elfrink is truly a HALL of FAMER. He is the Del in DELTA. The Delta Family wishes Del and Theresa the
very best.
FROM THE PRESIDENT (CONTINUED)
company in September of 1980. His leadership helped shape the company
throughout these 34 years of service. Del has contributed greatly to the success
of Delta as well as my success as a manager.
June temperatures have verified that summer has finally arrived. Activity is
heating up in all areas – and we continue to pick up construction work in all
states. Illinois has been a surprise with a substantial volume of work in the
lettings.
Weather has caused delays everywhere, resulting in talks about compressed
time schedules. Regardless of allotted time, we should continue to remain
cautious to not let our need to meet schedules blur our commitment to safety.
STOP. THINK. ACT. This simple but effective phrase is appropriate action for
all tasks, not just safety. As schedules and scope of work change, let us apply
the prudent advice to any change to make sure we not only avoid an unsafe
situation, but also do not miss an opportunity to reduce costs and increase
possibility. Have a safe and productive season!
Not every task calls for increased attention, but some do. We must be prepared
to ramp up our effort when the results of an opportunity hinge on our investment
of time and effort.
4
Delta Triangle Newsletter 2014 | ISSUE 2
Delta made significant improvements in 2013 and we will build on those
improvements in 2014. Safety and ethics are values that provide the foundation
for our organization. We will continue to nurture our safety culture and continue
to educate our team about operating ethically. Regardless of the organizational
changes Delta must incur to adapt to changing market conditions, our
commitment to a safe work environment and doing the right thing will never
change.
As we look at 2014 and beyond, I am sure that the economy in general, and
the infrastructure industr y in particular, will improve. I am not sure when!
Growth could be slow and steady. But more often in our industry, the boom
starts with the stroke of a pen. The 2009 Stimulus Bill and Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 provided authority and funding that fueled
infrastructure improvement across the United States and put many Americans
to work. Our legislators, both state and federal, need to find a solution that not
only maintains the existing system, but provides investment dollars required to
compete in today’s world economy. You will be receiving information from this
office that will provide resources for you to contact your legislators. I urge you
to make your voice heard. Our jobs depend on it!