< PreviousEstablished back in 1903, BTEA is an association of associ- ations who have collective bargaining agreements with their respective building trade union affiliations. Within the BTEA, there are 26 associations, three general contractor groups, and 23 subcontractor groups that pay dues on behalf of the 1200 individual member companies. As such a large asso- ciation, BTEA is tirelessly working on methods to allow the construction process to function seamlessly. While tackling the obstacles surrounding advocacy and government affairs is currently dominating BTEA, the association is also kept busy with other key issues, initiatives and programmes. One of the most active BTEA Committees is the Construction Safety Committee, which holds monthly meetings with the Department of Buildings, Fire Department and OSHA repre- sentatives. The Committee discusses common issues and policies, while also being responsible for developing BTEA’s recognized Safety Awards Program. President and CEO of BTEA, Louis Coletti, has more than 30 years’ experience in the building industry and is strongly invested in the safety of all those involved. “When COVID first came about, both the Mayor and the Governor reached out asking to help write protocols. We got together with orga- nized labor and the real estate community then drafted the protocols that were eventually adopted and followed by both the city and the state for COVID. I recall one of my members saying to me how easy it was to do that in New York. He made one phone call to BTEA, and we got everybody together. People sometimes don't realize what we have in the BTEA. It’s one phone call and the organization can touch everybody: owners, labor, subcontractors, general contractors, public officials. We get things done so much quicker.” Outside of the safety committee is a number of other com- mittees, including its Minority and Women Business-Owned Enterprise (MWBE), Leadership Council, and Next Generation Leadership Council. The BTEA has been a long-term supporter of diversity and inclusion and has over 177 MWBE contrac- tors, with 55% of those contractors producing revenues of “The construction industry in New York is essential for the creation of high-paying jobs, a stable middle class and a vibrant economy.” | 40 JULY 2023$5 million or more. The contractor organization emphasizes the importance of next generation workers by finding young talented individuals and integrating them into the association in order to help maintain a steady flow of talent. This is done through the Next Generation Leadership Councill, but talent is found in other ways too. The Construction Skills program allows New York City high school graduates to join appren- ticeship programs, and other mediums such as the BTEA program for returning veterans have also proved successful. BTEA is constantly monitoring its pipeline of workers and unlike a lot of the construction industry, BTEA is not expe- riencing significant trouble recruiting people. However, this does not mean that work is flowing. The issue that BTEA is facing is not with workers, it is with the work itself and being able to provide jobs for its contractors. “The cost of construc- tion in New York City is very high and owners can't get loans. They've asked for tax breaks and the senate, the state legisla- ture, and the city are refusing to give it to the developers. So, you're building no housing and commercial development has been cut back as a result of COVID. We've got a real problem with being able to provide jobs for our contractors and our labor force. That has been a real focus for us.” Payment for work is another issue the BTEA is trying to tackle. Cash flow is key to the construction industry and delays to payments can cause major problems, especially for small minority contractors. Coletti was recently a member of the Mayor’s public reform task force who made nine recom- mendations and asked the state legislature to adopt these. The desired outcome should expedite payment and capital construction processes allowing for companies to flourish, rather than decline. The same issues of trying to advance current projects is also affecting the private sector. Coletti has a theory that this may be down to the loss of people in city government, specifically the buildings department and the fire department. Trying to avail of a building inspector or fire inspector has proven diffi- cult and led to a hold up on jobs according to Coletti. The construction industry in New York is essential for the cre- ation of high-paying jobs, a stable middle class and a vibrant economy. The associations activities are devoted to creating a building environment that meets the highest standards, integrity, cost efficiency, productivity, and value, in order to contribute to improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Coletti is committed to tackling the current government obstacles faced by the association and providing the work BTEA is known for, and while BTEA is part of the construction industry, it is also part of the union sector which comes with certain perks. “We're not having any trouble recruiting people, but everybody I talked to in the non-union sector is saying that they just can't get workers. That’s the benefit of doing work in the union industry. Our wages are higher, which means our costs are higher, but they’re also safer. OSHA gives us the fatality statistics for New York City every year and for about 20 years in a row, 80% of the deaths are on non-union job sites.” Mathematicians often use equations as a very precise way to describe various features of the world. What I am about to propose may seem like a simple and obvious solution to the equation, but to tackle issues such a housing, houses need to be built. Unfortunately, the bureaucracy and politics surrounding housing are acting as a deterrent to the issue and ultimately prolonging the housing shortage. Ultimately, the city of New York needs to understand the importance of construction and the value of those who work within it. To simplify the equation even further: Prosperity + progression = a better city, and a better life for all within it. | 41 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY FIONA SHERIDAN A t the heart of the construction industry, two main principles are etched in stone: safety and trust. While hard work and skill are essential factors in success, a commitment to employee protection while investing in neces- sary training and state-of-the-art equipment gives construc- tion companies the opportunity to earn more than just safety accolades—they can forge something vital, a sense of trust. This enables companies to provide a safe worksite while also delivering consistently superior results for clients. One such company with a focus on safety, integrity, and hard work, is Bothar Construction LLC. Named after the Gaelic word for road, Bothar Construction is a major civil contractor that embodies a metaphorical and literal road forward. It is a company with a dedication to safety that goes beyond the bare minimum of regulations. By adopting a proactive approach that secures the wellbeing of its teams while enhancing its productivity and integrity, Bothar Construction can offer its clients successful delivery of high-quality projects, safely, and on time. | 42 JULY 2023| 43 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONBRIDGE & GUIDE RAIL INSTALLATION AND REPAIR HIGHWAY SIGNAGE INSTALLATION ( 585 ) 584-3261 • PAVDRAIN.COM Our employees work on a number of projects, including interstate highways, state highways, county/township roads, and private facilities, to install and maintain guide rail. Nestled in Broome County, New York, Binghamton carries a proud legacy of industry and manufacturing. The city, steeped in a rich history that is centered around hard work, forms the perfect backdrop and home to Bothar Construc- tion. The company offers an array of services, including paving repairs, saw cutting, seal joints, joint sealing, bridge joint repair, milling, drainage, grading, excavation prime, and subcontract construction for commercial, municipal, and state agencies. It goes without saying that this would be next to impossible without a highly-skilled staff and Bothar Construction has over 100 years of collective experience on-staff. Unsurprisingly, the company holds a stellar reputa- tion for quality, safety, and family values and while its work reshapes the landscape of its home city, its influence extends far beyond Binghamton's borders across New York state, to Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. In 1999, Bothar Construction was born as a survival strategy. Rather than attempting to simply make a quick profit, its founders, James E. O’Brien Jr., James E. O’Brien Sr., John L. O’Brien, and John J. O’Brien, aimed to establish a business that would safeguard their family's economic future while providing meaningful employment to their local community. “We were just trying to build something for our family, and it's grown into a place where our family now includes many of our employees,” says Jim O’Brien. However, the path to becoming a well-respected civil contracting company was far from smooth. While starting out, Bothar faced fierce com- petition, steep learning curves, and the nitty-gritty of getting things started. It grappled with recruiting the right people for the job and the hefty cost of the equipment necessary to get jobs done to the highest standard. To add to these significant growing pains, Bothar was rapidly expanding —around 24% every year. This growth, while exciting, piled on financial pres- sure and left the company stretched thin, and fighting tooth and nail to keep its head above water. Faced with these challenges, the owners of Bothar Construc- tion turned to the company’s most valuable asset, family. Together, the O’Brien’s rolled up their sleeves and got to work in building a strong foundation for their growing business and as Jim O’Brien proudly explains, the leadership team has never been far from the jobsite. “All our main people—project “Bothar Construction has over 100 years of collective experience on-staff.” | 44 JULY 2023managers, superintendents, estimators, field engineers— have all started with a shovel in their hand. That's really important and has led to our success because they all know what it takes to succeed at every level.” Creating a successful company will always involve chal- lenges. In the construction industry, it is a guarantee. How- ever, the 2009 economic recession presented a unique set of challenges for Bothar Construction. When the economic situ- ation forced it to redefine its operational strategy, it navigated a potentially hazardous landscape extremely successfully. By adopting a flexible approach, it consolidated and diversified its range of services, while remaining focused on providing its clients with quality work and delivering projects on-time. “I believe that we have been able to be sustainable and suc- cessful due to our commitment to providing customers a completed project, safely, on time and on budget” says Jim O’Brien. This pivot allowed the company to not just survive the economic crisis but thrive. Bothar Construction's resil- ience and agility transformed it from a company performing mill and fills, and crack sealing projects, into a full-service firm capable of bridge work, site work, and box culvert con- struction. As Jim explains, adaptability has proved to be an enduring strength for the company. “It’s very important to adapt to changes. When we encountered these situations, we found the need to diversify. This has played a major role in our growth and longevity. We really are growing into an all-inclusive business.” 1 BRICK AVENUE, BINGHAMTON, NY 13901 • P: 607-723-4319 E: VACRICONSTRUCTION@ONEBRICKAVENUE.COM SPECIALIZING IN HEAVY HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION BRIDGE REHABILITATION & REPAIRS PUMP STATIONS | STEEL SHEETING MISC STRUCTURAL CONCRETE REPAIRS UNDERGROUND UTILITIES | WWTPS & MORE! ONEBRICKAVENUE.COM | 46 JULY 2023Today, Bothar Construction, built on the foundation of over a hundred years of combined experience, stands as a leader in the construction industry. The company has poured its heart and soul into taking care of its employees—making meaning- ful investments in top-notch safety measures, comprehen- sive professional training, and state-of-the-art equipment. These efforts have earned Bothar the kind of reputation that's hard to come by—this is a company that people feel good about, both working for and doing business with. In Jim’s words, “Our employees are the heart and soul of our operation. Ensuring every one of them clocks out safe and sound at the end of the day is a job we all share—from the management to the workers on the ground.” In December of 2022, in recognition of its exemplary safety record, Bothar Construction was presented the Safety Excellence Award from Associated General Contractors - New York State. This award, its second national award, represents Bothar’s dedication and commitment to a safe work environment for its employees, instilling trust, and confidence among both current and future clients. With such impressive accolades, it is only natural that the company can also boast a number of significant projects in its portfolio. This prowess in the construction industry is exem- plified by the Route 434 Greenway project, the most exten- sive project it has ever undertaken. Situated in Binghamton, the project marked a significant milestone in the company's journey. The project involved the construction of a 2.5-mile multi-use bicycle and pedestrian road. This road connects an existing greenway at Pennsylvania Avenue, enabling easy access to downtown Binghamton, the city’s South Side neigh- borhoods, Binghamton University’s main campus, and an array of businesses, stores, restaurants, and recreational facilities. The project's complexity was undeniable. There were tight time constraints and a great risk of substantial monetary penalties for any deviations. About 820 piles had to be drilled and set, a task that required precision and skilled labor. Despite the complexity, the project was completed within the stipulated time, without any safety losses. This particular project holds a special significance for several reasons. Firstly, it represents Bothar’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for local Binghamton residents while it also demonstrates the company’s ability to handle large-scale, complex projects with remarkable efficiency. In addition to that, the project's completion represents a literal and metaphorical path forward, signaling a new era of connectivity and economic growth for the city. During the project, Bothar Construction made a point to hire local labor. As Jim explains, this was a considered decision in order to benefit the local economy. "We primarily employed local labor and subcontractors. Nearly 90% of the workforce were locals, which kept the money circulating within Binghamton. This local-centric approach was a crucial aspect of the project. We also commissioned a local manufacturer to create over 9,000 linear feet of bike rail. This ensured that the majority of the project funding remained in our local economy, which we believe is truly important." Despite an ever-changing landscape and new challenges by way of technological advancements, funding shortages, inflation, and labor crises, the future for Bothar Construction is a promising one. The company has a rich history to dig into while its proven resilience and adaptability hint at contin- ued growth and success. For Jim, challenges are inevitable, and history has proved that the company is one that can endure the toughest of them. "We have faced each challenge head-on and have come out ahead. I have the utmost respect and confidence in our staff's ability to continue to meet these challenges and any future ones that arise." As Bothar Construction strides forward, it does so in the spirit of its namesake. It is a company that is committed to paving a way forward built on safety, trust, and quality. | 47 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY CAROLINE EBBS I n construction, nothing is guaranteed. Market fluctuations and industry trends mean that companies can never take things for granted. There are two things, however, that if done correctly, can give companies a fighting chance – hard work and good timing. Having grown and developed in the New York construction industry since 1997, Celtic Sheet Metal is clearly doing something right. The company, specialists in HVAC installation and its related equipment, initially worked primarily out of New York’s Lower Hudson Valley, and in the early 2000s expanded into New York City by bidding on and winning jobs in the city. Since then, it’s been a steady pattern of growth for Celtic, with each year bringing new successes and projects. Celtic’s Safety Director, Daniel Von Dollen, believes that the success the company has experienced comes down to some very specific strengths. ‘Our success is down to dedicated people, long hours and persistence’. Ed Dinnegan, a Project Manager at Celtic, echoes this view, adding that strategic decisions and taking opportunities when they arose has played a crucial role. ‘I believe that it comes down to taking advantage of opportunities at the right time.’ Dinnegan also credits the ongoing collaboration with the Local 28 and Local 38 unions in New York with maintaining the high-quality workforce that has allowed the company to succeed. | 48 JULY 2023| 49 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >