July 2022
In each of the contributions I have made to the Voyage thus far, I have written about both the impact of the economy on our business and the value our people play in its success. This contribution is no different, with the exception that the focus on the value of our people has recently taken on new energy and commitment.
Before discussing this reinspired commitment to people, I must report that the supply chain delays, high prices at the pump, inflation, and remnants of the pandemic have drug the economy and us down these past few months.
As healthy as our backlog of future work looks, the ugly truth is that the results of this year’s first half have not been good. Operations did their best to balance meeting budgeted production rates with providing some semblance of regular work for our loyal and hardworking craftspeople. Meanwhile, Estimators have worked diligently to price new jobs in a highly competitive market so that backlogs continue to remain flush with profitable work. All the while, the supporting cast focused a watchful eye on costs while still meeting the needs of crews and the demands of our clients. For this, I am forever grateful.
To say the least, the first part of this year has come with challenges. However, as we head toward a very busy second half, the lows of the first half present to all of us a challenge that will require our performance at the highest level possible such that we turn around the poor results of the first six months and deliver on a positive yearend.
As difficult as it is to write about these poor results and to ask you all for further relentless effort, there are some very positive outcomes that can be shared. First and foremost, I cannot express to all of you how important it is to recognize that we have the backing of a strong balance sheet and the support from our family of Harbor Linx companies. Just as we are committed to building Casey Fogli and CF&T’s future through ongoing investments in new technology, new equipment, and most importantly, all of you, our Parent company and its subsidiaries are just as committed to supporting this future.
With that in mind, I would like to share that in early June, the senior leadership group at Casey-Fogli and CF&T met at 8-Bar Ranch in the high sierras for a two-day workshop that focused on increasing organizational health. Out of this gathering, we not only reinforced our trust in one another and the commitment we share in building Casey Fogli and CF&T’s future as stated above, but we also concluded that by our coming together, we have and will continue to accomplish great things. In fact, our takeaway from those two days has stirred within us a deep-rooted passion of focused energy on coming together as one team in the service of creating more opportunities for everyone. What’s more, out of the workshop, we are now equipped with tools to better deliver on this commitment while remaining accountable to the prosperity of the business.