Reeder News

REEDER Voted 2022 Best Companies to Work For in Fort Worth

August 8, 2022 By Cole Reeder Leave a Comment

REEDER Ranked Third In Small Employers

We said it last year, and we’ve been saying it for years, REEDER is one of the best places to work for in Fort Worth because of our people.

Questions range from employee benefits, to work from home and vacation policies, wellness initiatives, diversity, and fun stuff like office happy hours. Our employees were surveyed anonymously to drill down on how they perceive us. Workforce Research Group then analyzes this information to produce Fort Worth Inc.’s annual Best Companies to Work For in Fort Worth.

Thank you to our REEDER family, who voted for us again this year, and to Fort Worth Inc. for this award. Look at that cover!

2021 Year-end Message From Wes Reeder

December 16, 2021 By Wes Reeder Leave a Comment

Year-end Message From the President

It is hard to believe that 2021 is coming to an end. June 3^rd marked the beginning of my eighth decade on the planet, which is somewhat significant for me. I don’t feel and hopefully don’t act like an old guy, but my perspective on things is reflective of the many miles I have traveled, knowing that there is more in the rearview mirror than there is looking ahead. Perhaps I am more focused on looking ahead now more than ever, which is a good thing.

I remember last year at this time, and despite all the calamity in this world; I remained optimistic. For me it is not about the calamity of the world; all the things I can’t change or control. It is more about being a good steward of the things that I can change and control. It is about doing the best I can one day at a time. Moreover, it is about staying true to my personal values and responsibilities. I tell people, “If your motives are pure…you’ll succeed.” That probably flies in the face of what today’s culture is teaching people…but I’m right. Despite all the hand-wringing and mindless chatter we all witness…there is a calm, cool, and collected way in which to live. It probably starts with waking up each day with purpose and responsibility knowing that you can love yourself…and you can love your neighbor. All the universities in this world cannot teach any of us anything more important to our success in life than that one simple precept.

2021 has been a good year for our company. We have ushered in some new folks, and sadly said goodbye to others. It is the nature of business. It is worth mentioning that we continue to succeed in a very competitive industry. Over the years, we have seen many of our competitors dissolve, but we are still standing; and we are standing strong. Our revenues were down this year, which we expected, but we were prepared for it. I am very grateful to the executive team for navigating through this past year. I am also grateful to each of you who in your position do the heavy lifting for REEDER. It is truly my privilege to be surrounded by so many capable and loyal employees.

2022 will undoubtedly usher in its fair share of angst. We should expect it; but we should not fear it or give it more credibility than it deserves. If we continue to live our lives from our hearts and minds, there is nothing we cannot overcome. John Lennon said, “All You Need is Love.” He said that about 2,000 years after Jesus Christ demonstrated it. I hope in this coming year we can in some small way attain to that most simple yet profound tenet.

God bless you all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…and God Bless America.

Wes Reeder

Case Study: Leveraging the Immediacy of Digital Plan Management with Procore

October 19, 2021 By Lane Reeder Leave a Comment

How Technology Eliminates the Long Walk Back to the Trailer

The Challenge

During a ground-up elementary school build, an electrician’s question for the project superintendent threw a pause into the schedule. The full plan set was needed to answer the question, and that was back at the jobsite trailer. So they started walking. 15 minutes to the trailer, a 25-minute collaboration, and a 15 minute walk back to where they started added up to about an hour’s worth of elapsed project time.

The Solution

Procore’s mobile, cloud-based construction management solution puts all project data in your hands, wherever you are. A single digital plan set—common to all and viewable on iPad or smartphone—puts the project picture in your pocket and goes where you go, while offering a real-time window on project status to the offsite owner.

The Results

Read the rest of the article on the Procore website.

REEDER Voted 40 Best Companies to Work For in Fort Worth For 2021

August 11, 2021 By Lane Reeder Leave a Comment

REEDER Construction was voted as one of Fort Worth Inc.’s 40 Best Companies to Work For in Fort Worth For 2021. It’s an honor to be recognized by our employees! REEDER is one of the best places to work because of our people. It would be woefully inadequate for us to simply say that we are proud and humbled by each member of our team. Each member of the REEDER team makes us better. We are truly blessed to have a construction family where everyone supports our purpose daily.

REEDER ranked third among employers in the small/medium category of up to 250 employees. Companies and other organizations that enter our contest submit answers to Best Companies on questions ranging from employee benefits, work from home and vacation policies, communication from the top, wellness initiatives, opportunities for advancement, training and mentorship, diversity, to fun stuff like office happy hours. Entering companies also agree to allow their employees to be surveyed anonymously by the Best Companies Group to drill down on how they perceive their employer. Best Companies analyzes this information and produces the annual Best Companies to Work For in Fort Worth.

See the full list, here. Learn more about REEDER and our workplace practices in the print issue of Fort Worth Inc.

REEDER Celebrates 27th Anniversary

February 23, 2021 By Wes Reeder Leave a Comment

27^th Anniversary Notable Events and People in 1994

Johnny Carson, O.J. Simpson, Kurt Cobane, Exxon Valdez, MLB canceled because of the strike, John Candy, Harry Nilsson, Jackie O., Richard Nixon, Kurt Cobain, Henry Mancini, Burt Lancaster

A Look Back at 27 Years

The painted image of an old historic library in Hillsboro, Texas can be seen in the mural in our office foyer. It was the first construction project for Reeder General Contractors, Inc. This year marks our 27^th anniversary since that first project in early 1994. I put the proposal together with a yellow legal pad and a calculator. We did not own a computer, and the only sub-contractor bid I received was for the electrical work. Our bonding limit was $170,000…so I bid the job at $169,000. The man who painted the mural, John Stout, reproduced the historic balusters and handrails by making rubber molds. We experimented with different mix designs which included adding dye to match the existing 90-year-old color. I mixed the mortar, removed and replaced about 13 of the balusters and handrail because I didn’t trust the local mason. They are still there.

We installed an elevator. Twelve laborers spent 10 days demolishing about an 8-foot by 8-foot, 2-foot-thick, 90-year-old concrete floor for the opening. The jack hole was drilled below grade in the basement with a portable hydraulic auger. We hit ground water and after we set the casing, I pumped water out into the street for four months before we could install the elevator – 24 hours a day for four months at 5 GPM amounts to about 864,000 gallons. No permits, citations or citizen complaints.

The project was an historic remodel, so we had to match and duplicate everything. I built the 4-inch thick wood doors in my barn. I had a carpenter helper help me frame, sheetrock and install doors, door hardware, cabinets and the like. I drove from Weatherford to Hillsboro for the 6 months it took me to do the job. Deb and I were the only employees, so we did everything. I don’t recall ever having an OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) meeting, but the architects would visit the project occasionally. I did all of the punch and make-ready work myself. The close of our documents consisted of a roofing and elevator warranty, and the AIA consent of surety. When the job was complete, I towed the office trailer back myself…I was on my way.

That year our gross income was about $200 thousand. I officed out of our home. Last year our gross income was about $82 million; and most of you have seen where I now office. In these 27 years we have been the beneficiaries of great working partnerships, loyal employees and generous friendships. My career begins and ends at Reeder General Contractors, Inc. Deb and I would not have it any other way. Neither of us take it for granted and can only express our gratitude to everyone who is a part, and thankfulness of being Americans. Our freedoms and liberties allowed us to build this company. It is true that life is not fair, however it is more fair in America than it is anywhere else. One thing I have learned also, is that the work goes on. We will always face challenges and setbacks…disappointments and loss; but that is what makes success and winning so much more valuable.

I believe the future is what we make it. Our collective goal should be to build that future with our continued passion, creativity, generosity, dedication and faith in one another. If we can do that…we can do anything.

Cheers,

Wes Reeder

REEDER Helps Fill Empty Plates

February 23, 2021 By Benna Bland Leave a Comment

94,870…that’s the number of people in southwest Fort Worth who received food through Neighborhood Needs in 2020. That’s a lot of groceries!

Discovered through the Tarrant Area Food Bank volunteer calendar, the REEDER team donated time to sort and stock food pantry items. Neighborhood Needs has been serving food and providing clothing free of charge to seven zip codes in Southwest Fort Worth since 1995.

They distribute twice a week and provide a food truck stocked with over 17,000 pounds of goods on the second Saturday of every month. In addition, they support the local schools and apartments across from our facility with food and clothing for the students.

All clothing provided is donated by the local community and distributed free of charge. These clothes help support those with basic needs, job interviews, and school clothes for children.

Interested in volunteering at Neighborhood Needs? Sign up on TAFB’s website, here.