Shaping the future

Smaller contractors looking to remain competitive in today’s challenging business climate have few avenues for doing so. They can staff up — with the accompanying capital equipment purchases — to handle the additional workload; they can maintain the status quo, hoping their “tried and true” methods still hold up; or they can get turn to technology designed to let users do more with their existing workforce.

Cody Eccard is all about efficiency. As owner of Pleasantville, Ohio-based Eccard Excavating, LLC, he heads up a team of five who specialize in commercial and residential septic installation and repair, excavation, and utilities installation.

Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, The Seney National Wildlife Refuge is, as the name implies, a refuge for a broad range of native and migratory wildlife — some 250 species of birds alone. This opportunity to see countless species, coupled with nature/hiking trails, kayaking, fishing, etc., draws more than 90,000 visitors annually. To better serve the public, a new visitor center is being built to replace one that had served the refuge for more than 60 years. Heading up construction for the nearly 10,000 sq. ft. structure is Olsen & Olsen Building Contractors, Inc., a general contractor based in nearby Manistique, Mich.