North Coast Concrete
On the move and on the grow for 23 years, the firm is known for its know-how
Bob Dalrymple loved the idea of building structures for a living from the time he was a young child, introduced to the field by his carpenter grandfather. His first idea was becoming an architect, but in school his interests turned to a more hands-on approach, and he joined the carpenters union, beginning a 35-year career in the trades. But one stint with a general contractor found him in charge of the concrete pour, which turned out to be where his heart was.
And it was a strong enough interest to lead to entrepreneurship, with Bob wanting to be his own boss and founding North Coast Concrete. “I’m not quite sure what possessed me at that point,” he laughs.
North Coast Concrete’s year of origins can be seen in its name—1985, the year that North Coast became everyone’s favorite brand. He partnered with Ross Saporito, head of Crest Masonry, and that team lasted until 1990, when he bought out Saporito’s shares in the company.
The North Coast Concrete management team is highly experienced and qualified.
The key team now includes Bob as the major decision maker, construction consultant, occasional site manager, and field safety officer. Bob’s son Brian grew up in the business as well but had no interest in it at first, though he did show an interest in estimating. When he was awarded three jobs in a row, he seemed to
realize his calling, and he is now vice president of the firm, as well as estimator and
project manager.
Bruce DiVaccaro is also a project manager/estimator. Both Brian and Bruce have in excess of 15 years experience providing sound estimates and working directly with each project to obtain the most desirable outcome for the owner.
Bob’s brother, David Dalrymple, is also a member of the company as a project superintendent, making North Coast truly a family business.
Jeff Abfall, general superintendent, has over 10 years experience and has overall field and safety responsibility. His expertise allows for the most efficient use of personnel and materials to accomplish the required task. Making the office run smoothly
is office manager Gigi Trivison. “What makes us successful is our people,”
says Dalrymple.
Thus success means that during the past 23 years, NCC operations have greatly expanded. Concrete Construction, the magazine for the World of Concrete, listed North Coast Concrete as one of the top 100 concrete companies in the country from 1999 through 2006. Its success is attributed to customer satisfaction, quality workmanship, an on-time performance record, and a strong working relationship with both contractors and owners. BXM
The North Coast way
The complexities of concrete are
no problem for these experts
Bob Dalrymple, president of North Coast Concrete, says that more important than company growth, for him, is assuring quality and safety. “We deal with both big and small contractors,” he says. “We want to give the customer the best product. We monitor the work we bring in and give it the best of our attention.”
Word-of-mouth brings in a lot of business, but North Coast also knows that advertising is important to keep the industry aware of his services. “Perception is important,” he says. But Dalrymple will not bite off more than the company can chew, no matter how tempting, keeping any project at under 10% of its annual volume. “I don’t put all my eggs in one basket,” he says.
When he started in construction, “I used to think it was like a Chinese fire drill when the concrete showed up,” says Dalrymple, “and it still is, a little.”
One of his main goals in running his firm was organization. “Communication among the architect, engineer, general contractor and all the trades on the job is key,” he says. This is especially important in
his trade. “Concrete has a very short shelf life,” he says, “it’s not a long
period of time.”
Communication takes the form of prepour meetings with all principals involved, to discuss all aspects of a floor pour including material to be used, placement methods, finishing operations and curing methods.
Other provisos: adhering to architect’s directions, questioning any changes, and keeping things consistent and uniform.
Safe going
But it is the area of safety that is North Coast Concrete’s number one concern; its goal is to maintain the highest level of safety for both employees and customers. The company has developed a comprehensive infrastructure designed to make it not just a company with a safety policy, but also a “safe company.” North Coast also has a stringent “drug-free workplace” policy. Every team member needs a Drug Free Card to participate on any NCC project. North Coast
Concrete implemented its Drug Free Policy in the late 90’s, well before it became mandated by the state.
Technology means learning rules
Concrete is a complex product, Dalrymple notes, and it is no longer “just your father’s concrete.” New additives, new technologies, changes in flowability, and the growth of green building mean that his people have to keep up to date on the ever-changing chemistry of concrete. And then there is the role that weather plays, with heat being an even bigger challenge than cold to the pour. As much as 1/16th of an inch can make a difference, he notes, when it’s in the floor of a warehouse with high stacks and automated picking.
Technology also plays a role on the site—GPS can help determine grades and every point on a site, with graders guided precisely.
To help others know how much concrete and its installation have changed, North Coast works closely with the Ohio Ready Mix Assn. “Other trades promote themselves more than we do,” says Dalrymple. He is also involved with the American Society of Concrete Contractors as a board member, and with the American Concrete Institute, which certifies his finishers. He believes strongly in industry education. “My worst enemy is a competitor who can’t handle a project,” he says, “because it gives the rest of us a black eye.
And everyone needs to bid with the same level of understanding. Don’t underestimate the job.”
Dalrymple sums it up: “Despite the economy, it’s been a good 23 years for us, and we foresee a lot of positive things coming to this area.” BXM
Full array
North Coast Concrete excels at all kinds of concrete projects
North Coast projects over the years include
such high profile work as
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
University Hospitals
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority-Riverside
Park Apartments
The new Heritage Park & Right Field Bar at Progressive Field
Veterans Administration Medical Center-Wade Park
Fuel Tank Relocation
Cleveland Schools
The Hanna Theater, Allen Theater and Ideastream
building at Playhouse Square, a “vital entity in Cleveland”
Plus such complex
performance spaces as
The classrooms of the Sheet Metal
Workers Training Center in Parma.
Cleveland State University Main
Classroom Stairs
The Sanson Produce Company’s storage
facility with its cooler and freezer racks
The Cleveland Range “shake hardener”
shop floor
The pervious concrete installations at
Cleveland State University and Seven Hills’ stormwater relief project
