Commercial Concrete Finishers/Crew Leaders

Commercial Concrete Finishers/Crew Leaders

Love concrete and the fast paced, challenging commercial work but tired of traveling all over the state and country? We are looking for positive, motivated concrete professionals to join our team. We are a growing family owned business who values our employees.

Skills & Experience we are seeking:

·        Experience with commercial concrete flatwork, foundations and walls.

·        Experience in construction of retail, housing, offices and industrial facilities

·        Ability to understand and interpret drawings and specs

·        Ability to layout foundations, slabs, anchor bolts, walls, bollards, etc.

·        Experience in all aspects of commercial forming and finishing

·        Ability to operate skid steer, buggy, riding power trowel, walk behind power trowel, various screeds, bull floats, hand tools, etc.

·        Ability to interface in a respectful and professional manner with GCs, customers and other employees

We can offer you:

·        Paid time off

·        Simple IRA retirement with company match

·        Profit sharing

·        AFLAC supplemental benefits

·        Ongoing training

·        Other perks including employee of the month, work boot reimbursement, service awards, paid lunch & learns, opportunities for concrete conferences & travel

Must have:

·        Valid driver’s license & reliable transportation

·        Ability to pass a drug test

·        Positive attitude

·        Desire to learn

·        Team player

·        Hustle

      Does this sound like a good fit for you or someone you know? Call or stop by our office south of West Liberty for an application. We'd love to talk to you. Our office number is 937-465-1500 or email robertayoder@yoderconcrete.com. Have a blessed day!

Gearing up for Spring

Wow! It sure felt like spring yesterday, with temperatures near 60 degrees, reminding us that spring is right around the corner. We have spent the last few weeks cleaning and maintaining trucks and equipment so we are prepared when warmer weather sticks around. Here in the office, we have continued to bid projects keeping one crew busy working while many of our guys are resting up for another busy year.  

Did I mention we purchased a backhoe?  It's been on the wish list for a few years.  It will be a great time saver as we are digging more and more footers and trenches for customers, and we can self perform instead of relying on the schedule of an excavating contractor.  Let us know if we can help you.

With that being said, we are ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for concrete finishers and laborers. There is also potential to lead a crew as we continue to grow and add trucks and equipment.  Experience in Commercial concrete, blue print reading and as an equipment operator or having a valid Class A CDL license are all helpful but not necessary. We offer paid sick and vacation time, retirement program, employee of the month and bonus incentives. We pride ourselves in offering training for our employees.  We have two crew members at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas as we speak!  They are having a great experience there.

If you are construction or concrete worker and looking to make a change into a positive and challenging environment, come see us.  We'd love to sit down and talk to see if there is a good fit with our company.  We would love to add you to our family!  Visit our office at 8874 N. US Hwy 68, just south of West Liberty for an application.

Well, it’s snowing again, so it confirms that it is still winter. But the groundhog says it'll be spring soon, right? We are ready!

2015 BBB Torch Award Recipient

Typically we are humble people. We prefer to work in the background and not be in the limelight. However, this is one time that I have to brag a little. Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, the leaders and employees, have received an award, and I have to tell everyone about it!

In 1994 the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio began honoring local business leaders who exemplified the BBB mission of demonstrating their commitment to highest standards of leadership character ethics. Since that first year, twenty years ago, more than 80 central Ohio businesses and nonprofit organizations have been recognized by receiving the Torch award, originally called the Business Integrity Award.

A few years ago I attended a workshop on how to prepare the application for this award.  I learned that there were six principles that needed to be demonstrated on how leaders intentionally work to increase manifestations of their own high character and enfold their employees, customers, vendors and the community within that framework. It was a little overwhelming and I wasn't sure we were ready to apply.  Busyness got in the way, and time passed.

In April of 2015 I ventured to Columbus, Ohio, again to attend the Torch Awards for Ethics Clinic. Along with approximately fifteen other company representatives, we learned about the history of the award, criteria used for eligibility and judging, and the principles that were being evaluated. The Principles make up the word TRUST!  - Principle #1 Transformation at the "Top;" Principle #2 Reinforce and Build the culture of high character ethics; Principle #3 Unite the Team; Principle #4 Steer Performance within your team; Principle #5 Treasure People; and Principle #6 Enthusiastically Reinvest! in your community.  This time I felt we were much more prepared to tackle this opportunity.  I was also informed that the application process was now online, which sounded so much easier than preparing a physical notebook!  I was thrilled. 

Part of the application process was asking others to prepare a testimonial to include in our submission.  I asked employees, customers, vendors and community leaders if they would be willing to write a letter that would state, in their words, our dedication to high ethics and commitment to people and the community.  I was overwhelmed at the response received.  It was very humbling to hear words of praise and encouragement from others. Instead of one letter for each category requested, I was able to send three letters for each because of the outpouring of our peers. I thank each one of them who took time out of their busy schedule to write letters on our behalf. 

On Tuesday, October 20th, Jeff and I attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration of BBB Torch Awards for Ethics.  It was held at The Ohio State University, Ohio Union in the Archie M Griffin Grand Ballroom.  Four businesses and two nonprofit organizations received the 2015 Torch Awards for Ethics, and ten high school students received the 2015 BBB Students of Integrity award. I would estimate that over 250 people were in attendance for this luncheon. A video that had been prepared by the BBB was shown for each organization receiving an award. (You can view all of the recipients' videos on the BBB website.) We invited guests to join us and were blessed to have four of our peers at our table to celebrate with us.  I want to especially thank Scott Duff from Ohio Ready Mix, Debbie Hill Grimes from Bryce Hill, Hugh Gibbs from White Cap and Todd Hanes from Adriel for taking time to be there.  We appreciate the relationships developed over the years. 

It has been a great journey working with my husband, Jeff Yoder, and building the company we have today. We look forward to continuing the legacy and impacting others through our faith, and will continue to strive for high character ethics in our personal lives and in the business. I love you, Honey!

~Roberta Yoder

Half way there 2014

I just read the opening lines to an article talking about us being halfway through the summer. As a mom, with school starting just a few weeks away, summer seems much further along than "half way."  But in the concrete business, we are only half way through the season. For us here in Ohio, the construction season typically starts around April 1st, depending on how Mother Nature treats us, and winds down around December 15th again depending on the weather. So we are just about half way.

So how is your year going? Now is the time, regardless of how busy you are, to take a look at your business and review how the first half of the year has been.  Are you on track to be profitable? What is your plan for the rest of the year to finish with a strong bottom line?  Here are some tips based on how we review our business this time of year that might be helpful.

Review your Profit & Loss Statement:  In the concrete construction business in Ohio, first quarter financials are never pretty. Winters can be a challenge in which to work, and if we do work, it takes longer and with more resources than it would in the summer. So while I look at the P&L for the first half, I also run it for each quarter and compare it to the previous year.  I review each line to see if there are any significant increases or decreases and then ascertain what caused the swings. For us this year, there has been a dramatic increase in fuel costs. While gas prices are high, they are not significantly higher than last year, but we have been working on projects much further away from our shop than usual, so I can justify it. Are there any other significant differences? If so, can you justify them, or is there something you need to investigate. I look at dollar changes, and also percent changes from last year. I look at each line as a percent of sales to see if there are trends over time. Now is the time to make adjustments for the second half of the year to move that bottom line to the black if not already there.

Review your Balance Sheet:  This is one report it took me a while to understand why I needed to review it. However, once I began to understand what it shows me, I found it to be a good tool to see a snapshot of the business. It will show you your bank balances, how much your customers owe you (accounts receivables,) and how much you owe others (liabilities.)  If you are having someone else do your books for you, make sure you request this report often and review it. It gives you a great overview of your business financials.

Sales: Compare your overall sales to the goals you set, or compare your numbers to last year. Are you growing? Are your sales people or estimators hitting their goals? Do you see a trend that you can build upon? Look at who your customers have been. Are they helping you grow your business?  You may find that you need to fire a customer if they are not helping you move forward.  We are also delving into each project type to determine where we are profitable. As our business evolves based on the demands of the market, we need to know where we can make money and where we fall short. It doesn't make sense as a for-profit business to continue to do work where it is not profitable.

Overhead:  Do you understand your overhead, where it comes from and how to manage it?  Your overhead includes any expenses that are not directly related to the project. If you can charge the expense to a job, it is not overhead but a Cost of Goods Sold (COGS.)  If the expense will be there regardless if you are working on a project, like your rent, phone and electric bills, etc.,  it is overhead. Talk to your accountant if you don't understand your overhead versus your job related expenses. George Headley also explains it well here.

Budget and Business Plan: Did you start your year with a budget and plan for your business?  If not, you can make one for the 2nd half of the year based on what you now know from reviewing your financials. And guess what? - a budget and business plan is a living document that will evolve and change just like your business!  They are not set in stone, so don't get too discouraged if your actual numbers don't match your budget. The budget will need to be adjusted from time to time. These plans are like road maps to success. Sometimes you need to alter your course, but at least you have direction to get where you want to go.

In thinking about being half way there, I am also reminded of someone who suggested that when you move into your late 40's, you still have half of your working life to obtain your goals. I have held on to that thought as I fit that category. The thinking was that you start your working career around age 25 to 30 and stop working around 65 or 70.  It was encouraging to me to think that I still have half of my working life to build my dream. I encourage you to dream big and set goals to make them come true. You may be, like me, only half way there.

So You Want a Decorative Concrete Driveway?

So I hear that you have been dreaming of replacing that old, crumbling driveway of yours. Of course, concrete is the only way to go - you want to do it right, if you are going to spend the money, right? Concrete would be great, but plain elephant concrete just doesn't appeal to you. You want your place to stand out in the crowd. Make it part of the curb appeal. One up your neighbor, maybe? What are the options that can still fit into the budget, you wonder... I am so glad you asked!  The excellent staff at Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC in West Liberty, Ohio are here to help!

A welcoming entrance to your home

Let's talk concrete...Do you want to start fancy or plain? Plain? Ok, let's begin at the beginning with plain old concrete. Regular concrete, delivered by the ready mix plant, will generally be a gray to white color placed with a broom finish and often edged along the sides to give it a smooth finished look.  Control joints, most often placed as saw cuts, are strategically placed where the contractor believes cracking could occur. (Their purpose is to guide the crack to follow that cut. Then you never even know your concrete cracked.  It is hidden in the cut! Cracks don't always obey, so don't be angry with your contractor if a crack decides to take a different route.)

Ok, how can we dress up this plain Jane concrete?  What if we add a few extra saw cuts to give some pattern to your concrete.  Who said you only have to have two or three cuts?  What if you add a diamond pattern to your driveway?  Or maybe a curved pattern like this homeowner wanted.  

Regular concrete with decorative saw cuts

 One step up would be to add integral color to the concrete. The color is added at the ready mix plant and mixed in the large drum while traveling from the plant to your home or business. Color options include grays, tans, browns, terra cotta, reds, and even green. You can keep the broom finish for a less expensive finish (less labor) but still add an upscale touch. Add some decorative saw cuts and you really having something going!

Regular concrete with a keystone stenciled border and apron

Integral color, stenciled border and diamond saw cuts

Another option would be to add a decorative border or ribbons. The less expensive option would be to stamp a brick, slate or stone border around the outside edges of the driveway without adding color or adding just a highlighting release color. My preference would be to add a contrasting color to the border to make it really stand out.  A stenciled brick border is a great option, offered in four different styles (herringbone being my favorite) or there are bushrock, keystone (another favorite) or an 18" flagstone border which is great for that wider driveway.  Color hardener and a release color are added on the stencil to give a great vibrant color contrast to your regular concrete driveway.  "Ribbons" are the same as borders only they are placed horizontally across the driveway, often placed where a control joint would be cut.

Stamped patio with a stenciled border and Compass inlay

Shown next is an inlay that can spice up an otherwise basic look. Decorative inlays are stencils and come in a variety of sizes and can be round or diamond shaped.  The "Compass" is a great addition to the middle of your driveway or patio and makes a great conversation piece.  Just make sure your contractor knows which way is north before they lay the stencil down!  (That is a mistake a contractor will only make once and never forget - yes, we're talking from experience.)


Your next option would be to add a pattern and color to the entire concrete surface.  This could be stamped or stenciled with your base color (either integral or using color hardener) and using a release agent with color creating a contrasting and more realistic look to the pattern.  A variety of patterns and colors are available. Our friends at Deco-Crete Supply  in Columbus and Orville, Ohio have a great website to view photos of decorative concrete, and you can even find their catalog of stamps available. We, at Yoder Concrete Construction, have many of these patterns as well, and all of Deco-Crete's are available for us to use.  

Stamped patio with brick stenciled border

Use your creativity and imagination to add any of these elements to your design. Thrown in a border and inlay to a stamped patio. I would encourage you to browse online for ideas and then call your contractor to get a detailed proposal of how he or she can create your dream project. If you are in the Urbana/Bellefontaine area, be sure to visit our outdoor showroom of decorative concrete samples. We have over 100 options for you to see and touch. What better way to make a "concrete" decision for your project! (Pun intended.) 

8874 N US Hwy 68, West Liberty, OH

If we can be of assistance, let us know! We'd be glad to help in the planning and placement of your next concrete project.

NOW ACCEPTING EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

Two people asked me this morning, "Is Yoder Concrete Construction still hiring?"  My response was, "Yes, we are still accepting applications." The amount of bids we are cranking out is crazy, and the number of people saying that we will be doing work for them this year is amazing.  We are going to need some skilled concrete workers to be able to meet the need of the amount of work. We are so excited about the prospect for this year since the weather has finally gotten warmer. Do you know someone who is looking for work in the Urbana /Bellefontaine, Ohio area?  Do they have some concrete or general construction experience? Maybe you know someone who has their own concrete construction company and is tired of dealing with all of the paperwork and estimating and just wants to do what they love: pour and finish concrete.  At Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, we focus on providing great training for our employees and giving them a great place to work, making them a part of a team creating something in which they can be proud. A lot of companies boast that they have a family oriented environment, and I guess we can do the same thing. Ask any of the employees here. We have each other's backs. 

Want to work in a positive work environment where you can see the results of that hard work at the end of the day? Concrete construction is a great field of work with job satisfaction, and Yoder Concrete Construction is a great employer. Stop in today for an application at 8874 N. US Hwy 68 just south of West Liberty, OH.

So this is who Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC is...!

Interested in Decorative Concrete for your home or business? Curious about who Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC really is? Maybe you drive past our business and love the new decorative concrete sign and display and wonder what is really happening here...

Here is an amazing video that will answer a lot of your questions. And it may create new questions on how we can help create the project you have been dreaming about. 

YCC Video - Click HERE!

Glow in the dark concrete?  Reallly?? Yes, we can do that.
Grain bin foundations and storage facilities, barn foundations and floors, yes we can do that.
Industrial paving, dock installation and repair, trench drains...
City streetscapes and concrete skate parks, YES, we do that too!

Watch the crew in action building the sign in front of our West Liberty, Ohio facility from the ground up.

If you love what you see, give us a call or stop by our shop to learn more. We would love to help create your DREAM project from beginning to end.

Visit www.yoderconcrete.com for more information.

Employee Training a Priority

Greetings from the Arctic!  Ok, it really isn't the Arctic but it sure feels like it here in Ohio. It was 1 degree below zero this morning, warming up from a frigid 17 below yesterday at this time. However, the sun is shining and the snow is a beautiful sparkling white. And spring will arrive soon (I hope!)

I have been remiss on posting about the great training our staff has attended over the last few months.  It is very exciting how we are always learning new things to make sure we are offering the best of our trade to our customers. In August our entire staff, except our admin, attended various training sessions at the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) Annual Conference held right in our back yard in Columbus, Ohio. What a great opportunity!  Two of us attended the Rocky Geans' Concrete Construction Business School. This training had two information packed days of everything to do with operating a concrete construction business, from marketing and sales to estimating and job costing and everything in between.  The crewleaders of our business attended "Construction Leadership from A to Z", while the rest of the crews attended seminars on controlling cracking and placing concrete in bad weather. All agreed it was worthwhile training and fun to interact with other concrete professionals.

Safety training is a must in the industry and within our company. We have been trained on a variety of topics this past year including, but not limited to, general safety awareness, hearing conservation, the new Globally Harmonized System and Hazardous Chemicals, operating a fire extinguisher, personal protective equipment, CPR/AED and more.

Most recently, two of our guys attended training at Deco-Crete Supply in Columbus, OH on Vertical and Decorative Overlays.  The guys loved the training and are very excited about what they learned. We now have the ability and skills to overlay flatwork (on the ground) and also on the vertical (on a wall.)  It can be done in a regular broom finish, a knock off finish, stamped, stenciled, or hand carved. And with the freezing temperatures outside, they have been able to use their skills to overlay two walls and the floor in our conference room.  In the photos you can see that they overlayed and stamped the lower section of our conference room in a mountain dry stack pattern and also overlayed, stamped and hand carved the column. All of it was stained and sealed. The floor is the next project with a decorative overlay and an epoxy finish. You'll have to visit our office to see how it turns out!

These finishes would be great in a new or existing basement or around a fireplace. Have you considered cultured stone? We can create the same look with vertical overlays. We'd love to help create your dream home or even your ideal man cave. The possibilities are endless! Do you have an idea for  using decorative overlays? Share them with us!

Merry Christmas Greetings

We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year!

From all of us at Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC

If you are searching for a gift that keeps on giving, I recommend giving a goat (or a pig, or a flock of geese.)  Heifer International is an organization that is fighting to end world hunger by teaching families to raise animals that will keep providing for them on an ongoing basis. They receive life sustaining products, such as milk or eggs, and they agree to pass on an offspring to another person in need. 

Remember Christ's birth this Christmas season. Be Blessed!
~Roberta Yoder

CPR/AED training completed

On August 20th, two of our employees, Josh Legge and Richard Smith, successfully completed a CPR training course offered by the Macochee Joint Ambulance District at the Green Hills Community in West Liberty.  Yoder Concrete Construction encouraged its employees to attend this life saving training right in our community by offering to pay for the course and also by paying their regular wages for the time spent in training. These two employees offered to go, and spoke very highly of the training they received. They also requested to attend the First Aid course offered later this month. 

Thank you to our employees to attending this potentially life saving class, not only for their fellow employees, but also for their family members and members of the community.

Grand Re-Opening July 24, 2013!!

Join us in celebrating our Grand Re-opening at the new location of Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, 8874 N. US Hwy 68 in West Liberty! The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce  will open the event with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Another ribbon cutting with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce will occur at 4:30 p.m.  Enjoy refreshments, door prizes and self-guided tours until 6 p.m.

After 21 years of operating from the family farm south of De Graff, OH, Yoder Concrete Construction finds a new home just south of West Liberty. For President and co-owner Jeff Yoder, "it is like coming home."  Considering the family homestead where he was raised is only three miles away from the new facility, it really is coming home. And it is a location we have been eying for a number of years due to the size and location. It is an ideal spot for our growing business.

One of the fun attractions of the new location has been the yellow sign placed in front of the business. Being right on US Highway 68 is great for visibility. Having an eye catching sign that changes weekly has created quite a buzz in the community. Every week someone comments on the statement placed on the sign. Often we run out of letters, but it doesn't stop us from saying what we want to say, even with letters missing.  It becomes a puzzle to figure out what is trying to be conveyed. Here it appears we ran out of w's, but you understand that we placed a heck of a lot of concrete during these two weeks.  

Mark your calendar and stop by for a quick visit next Wednesday afternoon for our Grand Re-opening. We'd love to see you. Make sure you sign in for a chance at a door prize!

Have an awesome weekend! 

~Roberta

Hiring Project Estimator - Concrete Construction

Good morning on this wet, chilly Wednesday in February in Ohio. Such is the typical weather here this time of year. But the good news is, we have a crew out working this week in spite of it. That is a good sign that spring is right around the corner!  I'm ready, are you?

It is now time to us to begin our search for a replacement for our Project Estimator that departed ways with us late last fall.  Jeff and I have filled the gap during this winter lull (mostly by Jeff, I must admit) but we need to find someone to devote their full attention to this position going into spring and beyond.  We are eager to find a new person to help move our company forward and continue our success in building relationships and providing great customer service.

Below is a description of the position as it is posted on LinkedIn:

PROJECT ESTIMATOR - CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC - West Liberty, OH (Dayton, OH area)  *Note: we are located about 45 minutes west of Columbus and about the same distance north of Dayton between Urbana and Bellefontaine.

Job Description
Compiles bids for commercial, industrial & residential projects. Does quantity takeoffs from blueprints and/or visits site and obtains measurements and data necessary to prepare accurate bids. Negotiates pricing from vendors. Reviews and analyzes estimate to actual for reporting. Conducts special studies by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends. Utilizes web services to locate and track commercial projects and bids on appropriate jobs. Contacts, develops and maintains good relationships with direct customers and general contractors. Confers with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates. Attends meetings to network, develop relationships and generate business opportunities. Assists with project management and scheduling.

The Project Estimator is an integral part of our management team and must be a self directed team player. He/She must have excellent organizational and communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.

Desired Skills & Experience
Must be computer literate with a strong knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Good communication skills both written and spoken are essential. Analytical and statistical knowledge using general mathematical skills with the ability to read and interpret blueprints, specifications and other construction related documents. Must be able to work under time and budgetary pressures. Must be able to meet deadlines. Must be able to interface with all types of people.

Company Description
Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC is a premier provider of concrete construction and related services for industry, business and homeowners. Established in 1991, Yoder Concrete strives for excellence in customer service, responsiveness, and superior quality in materials and workmanship.  We employ ACI certified finishers and maintain ACI standards. We are WBE/SBE, State of Ohio EDGE and Federal DBE certified.  Equal Opportunity Employer

If you or someone you know has the qualifications and characteristics we are seeking, contact me via email at robertayoder@yoderconcrete.com.  We hope to have the position filled by the end of March.  Thank you for your help!

I will post updated pictures of our office relocation/remodeling project soon.  We are almost done and ready to move into the new office space.  Exciting!!
Have a blessed day.

Office / Construction Trailer for sale

Happy February!  All of us at Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, are so excited about our new space in West Liberty, Ohio. We are almost done with the remodeling, and are getting the shop organized. We are in the process of recruiting for a new Project Estimator that will bring new blood and energy to the organization. 2013 is looking to be a fantastic year!

Who do you know that is in need of new office space?  On our farm we have an almost empty construction office trailer that is for sale.  It is a 1990 trailer, and we put new flooring in it when we took ownership in 2007. The main area and one office has stained concrete flooring, and one office is carpeted. One office even has concrete walls! We wired cat5 phone and internet throughout the trailer. This would be great space to get that office out of your home or barn.  There is wall mounted electric heat and AC that works well. There is even a 1/2 bath if you want to hook up plumbing.  Email me for more details at robertayoder@yoderconcrete.com or call 937-465-1500 or 937-508-5003.

 

Best wishes to you. May God shine His peace and love upon you always!

Renovations underway!

As I sit here, I listen to the buzzing and pounding of saws and hammers. Yesterday it was the roaring of a dump truck, skidsteer and compactor. We have purchased gravel, lumber, nails, paint brushes, rollers and cans (and cans and cans) of paint. Renovations are finally underway here at our new location in West Liberty. This is the first week we have been able to pull a few guys from the concrete crews to work on the new place. In the shop, shelves have been built and walls are being painted.  A drain was placed in the driveway and new gravel spread. A shed is even being expanded, all done to make room for all of our vehicles, equipment, tools, forms, concrete blankets and various materials. It has been a flurry of activity. 
 

Here in the main office, we have cleared desks out the "showroom" section to begin the first phase of office remodel. Next week we will begin to tear into the various shades of siding and roofing from the previous tenant to make room for a reception area, two new offices, and a conference room.  Mary, our admin person, was moved into a little office that is barely larger than a closet, but we assured her - it is only temporary.

I spent the good part of a day this week trying to locate websites on which we are listed to make sure our company information is updated since the move.  I still have a long way to go, but I think I have a good start.  The way I found to catch each one of them is to go down my list of passwords.  For each website on which I have "claimed" our business listing, I have created a password.  What a great way to find them again!  It is going to take quite a bit of time to update all of them. I am also finding that I should have done this on a regular basis. Many of them were pretty outdated. I would encourage you to review your listings as well.  You want to make sure your customers are seeing the most current information for you and your business.


We are planning an open house and ribbon cutting in March once renovations are complete and warmer temperatures are in the forecast more often. I will keep you posted when it is scheduled.  I hope to you see you then! In the meantime, feel free to stop by and say hi.  Just pardon the construction. :)

A Christmas Greeting for You

Thank you!!  We want to take this opportunity to thank each of our customers over the course of the year and those from past years as well. We would not be where we are if not for YOU!  We also want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May God bless you and your family.

~Jeff, Roberta and the entire staff

WE'VE MOVED!!

Yes, it is official. We've moved our office to West Liberty, OH!  It is a location where we have always dreamed it would be.  We are right on US Highway 68 just south of West Liberty. Don't look for a sign; we haven't change it yet. It still says "Lattimer Custom Installations," who have relocated their office to Urbana.  Installing a new temporary sign is high on my list of priorities while we decide on a more permanent one. We're still getting organized, but for the most part, we are up and running. You should come visit us!  We would love to have visitors. However, don't be surprised by the various shades of siding and roofing on the interior of the office thanks to the previous tenant. A remodel of the office space will be a great winter project for our guys should old man winter shut the concrete business down for a time.

Make the change in your phone books and databases. Our new information is as follows:

Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC
PO Box 605
8874 N. US Hwy 68
West Liberty, OH  43357

Our website and email addresses are still the same.

You know, one of the highlights of the move is that we are only a mile from Mad River Farm Market who sells Hemisphere Coffee Roasters coffee and expresso drinks. They also make great deli sandwiches and salads. That is definitely a move in the right direction from our location in the country. I'd better put myself on a budget, or I could be in trouble.

Piqua Skate Park update

I hear you are asking for an update on the Piqua Skate Park and want to see some photos.  Here you go!

The Piqua Skate Park project, for Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, dates all the way back to October of 2009. The City of Piqua Parks and Recreational Department submitted a request for bid "Skate Park - Design and Build of Plaza-Style Skate Park." In coordination with Karen Beasley from Beasley Architecture in Bellefontaine, OH, we submitted a proposal to design and complete this project. We had just completed the Urbana Skate Park in June of 2009, and the community and skaters were very pleased with the outcome. Being local, as opposed to bidders from as far away as California, we felt very capable to complete the project for Piqua using local companies and employees. However, the project was tabled due in part to funding issues.
 
The project resurfaced the spring of 2012 when a local benefactor chose to help the community fulfill their dream of a having local, quality concrete skate park for their youth. The chosen site was at Pitzenbarger Park on South Street next to the city pool and behind BK Root Beer. After several discussions, contract reviews and meetings, a plan of action was chosen, and we finally broke ground on Monday, July 9, 2012.

Pumping the stairs

The design that was chosen was very similar to the skate park built at Melvin Miller Park in Urbana, OH. Since we were familiar with that design, it would be easy to recreate it again in Piqua...or so we thought. The park in Urbana was built into an existing hill making the slope for the ramps and stairs a natural flow into the land. The site in Piqua, however, was FLAT. Over 2000 ton of stone has been hauled in and placed. Twelve foot retaining walls were built to hold in all of that stone and dirt. An extra set of stairs on the outside of the skate park was built to make access from the parking lot easier. The layout of the land added an element of challenge to the project that we did not have in Urbana. We, of course, are succeeding in accomplishing a three dimensional work of art using concrete on a flat surface.

Progress as of September 7, 2012

Building a Volcano

Above is a photo of work being done at our shop just yesterday to build the frame for the volcano. This is just one of the features yet to be built. The guys took it to the jobsite today for construction. We have this and a few more features to build, and then we can begin placing the flatwork around the features. Our portion of the project will soon be coming to a close. I am told that the city and the benefactor are very happy with our work and excited about the progress. They are very anxious to take possession of the park and schedule a grand opening, especially since fall is here and winter will soon be upon us. Our plan is to have the project completed by the end of October.

Check our Facebook page for updates on this and other projects by Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC!

Now EDGE Certified

After months of researching, making copies, meetings, making copies, completing forms, making copies, and more meetings, Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC is now EDGE Certified.  For some of you, this may mean nothing. For others, it may be a benefit. For us, it is an opportunity for company growth and for furthering our business into new and larger sectors.

EDGE stands for Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity Program. In the words of the State of Ohio:  "As its name suggests, the State of Ohio’s EDGE program provides an EDGE to small businesses by Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity in public contracting. EDGE is an assistance program for economically and socially disadvantaged business enterprises. The State of Ohio developed the program  because it is committed to making all state contracts, services, benefits and opportunities available  without discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or  ancestry.The state recognizes the need to encourage, nurture and support the growth of economically  and socially underutilized businesses to foster their development and increase the number of qualified competitors in the marketplace." 

For Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, it is opening doors for us with businesses and markets that we have only begun to visit. We are excited about the opportunities it may bring to us. Being a small, rural business that is woman owned and operated in the construction field, it can be challenging and intimidating at times. (I would love to tell you a story from just last night, but it will take me a little off topic, so I'll stay focused.)

What does it mean for you? If you are a general contractor or public/state funded entity that has a goal to utilize state of Ohio suppliers who qualify under the EDGE program, we may be of benefit to you. We not only help you meet your goals, but more importantly, we offer quality concrete construction and service that will assist you in completing your construction project. 

In either case, we would love to assist you in your next construction project where concrete is needed. Visit our website at yoderconcrete.com or you are welcome to email me at robertayoder@yoderconcrete.com.  How may we help you?

Fair...Job Fair, that is

Many of my business friends and colleagues have displays set up in the Merchant's Building at the Champaign County Fair this week (August 3-10th.) Although I plan to visit them sometime later this week, I will be at a fair of a different type. Tomorrow, August 7th is the 2012 Logan County Job Fair. It is being held at Ohio Hi Point Career Center from the hours of 10:00am - 2pm.  It is being sponsored by Ohio Hi Point and the Logan County DJFS and is open to the public. Bring your resumes. Dress is business casual and children need to be left with a child care provider so you can focus on job seeking.

Stop out and see me. I will have a slideshow of various projects that we have done and applications, of course, for those seeking employment. Let me know if you read this post. See you there!

Keeping Each Other Safe Pays Off

The employees of Yoder Concrete Construction, LLC, were honored with a safety award from the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation at the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce's Safety Council meeting on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Roberta Yoder, CEO, received the award for the employees. The award was given for two different categories: 100% Award for having zero injuries or illnesses resulting in a day or more away from work in the previous calendar year and also the Group Award for the lowest incident rate in our group. This is the second of such awards received in recent years. In 2008, the employees of Yoder Concrete received the 100% safety award and also the Achievement award for 25-percent reduction in incident rate from the previous year. The employees are committed to watching out for each other and keeping each other safe. Congratulations to everyone!