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SOULÉ STEEL NEWS
"WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"
Volume VIII — Summer 1984 — Number 18
SOULÉ ASSISTS IN LOCAL AUTO PLANT
The General Motors Corporation/Toyota Group joint venture to build Toyota cars in Fremont, California, has received a great deal of publicity. There were many obstacles to be overcome in the negotiations between the Japanese car manufacturer and General Motors before the project could get underway.
As General Motors/Toyota wanted to be in full operation by October 1984, the time factor played a large part in the bidding for this "fast tracked job." High penalties for late completion were set out by the companies should the contractors fall behind schedule.
When Soulé, Union City, was advised of the proposed stamping plant (through a select list of bidders), they had to demonstrate their ability to meet very tight deadlines as well as being extremely competitive on pricing. Soulé put in bids with the general contractors who had been asked to bid by General Motors with a deadline of early August, 1983.
The contract was awarded on a joint-venture basis to two contractors, S.J. Amoroso Construction of Foster City, California, and Darin & Armstrong, Inc. J.V. of Southfield, Michigan, with Chin & Hensolt Engineers, Inc. of San Francisco, California as structural engineer.
The general contractor, in turn, selected Soulé Steel Company to be the sub-contractor for supplying and placing the rebar. Although Soulé Steel Company was selected for their competitive bid, as previously mentioned, service and timing were also crucial factors in selecting sub-contractors. The timing factor resulted in a lot of negotiations between the Soulé bidding team and the general contractor.
*Photo: Raft footing being laid — the first stage of the project*
*Photo: Walls and beams being constructed*
(continued next page)
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*Photo: Top slab being installed*
By the time the rebar was installed, Soulé had placed over 3,000 tons at a cost of approximately $2 million, a tenth of the total contract price, within the time confines of the contract. This accomplishment was possible only because all of the various departments involved pulled together to make maximum use of their resources and maintained very close cooperation at all times.
Close cooperation was also maintained with the general contractor via the Project Superintendent, Tom Emprik, and the Project Engineer, Dave Rozakis. They both supplied Soulé with any help they needed, making it possible to sustain a very efficient working relationship and a successful completion of an important project.
The Soulé sales and bidding team was headed by Rick Burns and Bill Duncan, with Harold Knox putting the estimate together. The chief detailer on the job was Caesar Arcangel, assisted by Carson detailers, and Ted Kerber and Ken Hopper of Union City. The whole detailing process was speeded up a great deal by the use of the computer graphics program at Union City. Caesar Arcangel was able to use the graphics program for detailing to expedite production.
While the use of the computer produced efficiency in the planning stage of the project, the two-way radio system in all of Soulé's trucks helped to produce efficiency in carrying out the plans. The radio system allowed the trucking to be very closely coordinated with the fabrication and scheduling departments.
These two assets proved their worth in the early stages of the project. The first challenge for the Soulé team was to install the raft footing containing 1,000 tons of steel which was to be accomplished in only seven days.
Despite rain and a complicated design factor, the Soulé team managed to put together all of the detailing, fabrication and trucking in preparation for a seven-day installation. The Soulé field crew then installed all 1,000 tons within the agreed time limit, setting the scene for an ambitious schedule to complete the massive walls, columns, slabs, precast blanks and site work to keep the project on time.
*Photo: Caesar Arcangel, Chief Detailer*
*Photo: (l to r) Scott Amaral and Mark Neuenschwander*
*Photo: (l to r) Joe Handy, Bob Castro, C.L. Handy and Brian Hartlin*
Other members of the Soulé team who made the successful completion of this project possible were Shop Superintendent Brian Hartlin, Shop Foremen C.L. Handy and Bob Castro, Field Project Foreman C.J. "Buzz" Dennison, and Truck Drivers Scott Amaral and Mark Neuenschwander. These Soulé personnel were responsible for overseeing the fabrication, field and trucking aspects of the job.
The General Motors/Toyota joint venture has attracted a great deal of national interest, and its progress will probably continue to be closely watched. The Soulé staff at Union City was proud to have been a part of this rare venture between an American and a Japanese auto manufacturer, and all of them are to be commended for having achieved such a difficult task within an extremely short time frame.
Well done, Union City.
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15-year Service Presentation
Bob Gebauer (r), Manager, Rebar Division, is shown presenting to John Weakley (center), a Soulé pin commemorating 15 years of service. Ray Ricks (l), Operations Manager, offers his congratulations. John Weakley is a senior Detailer in the Phoenix, Arizona, District Office.
Toby Stahl Nominated C.R.S.I. Chapter Chairman
Toby Stahl was recently nominated as Chapter Chairman for the Concrete and Reinforcing Steel Institute. At a meeting of the Golden Gate Chapter on May 25, 1984, at the Pleasanton Hotel, Pleasanton, California, Toby, who is Production Supervisor at Union City, was initiated into his new position.
Rudy Vazquez Promoted
Rodolfo (Rudy) Vazquez was promoted to the position of Foreman-Melt Shop at the Carson Steel Mill effective May 7, 1984.
During the 16½ years that Rudy has worked in the Melt Shop at the Carson Steel Mill, he has held the positions of General Helper, Bucketman, Second Helper, First Helper, Acting Supervisor, and, prior to his promotion, Furnace Operator.
Congratulations to Rudy on his promotion.
In Remembrance of...
**ANDY FABBRI**, who died on May 17, 1984, at the age of 65. Andy was the son of Joe Fabbri, Soulé's first plant employee, and had worked for the Company for approximately 40 years in the San Francisco plant before it closed.
He was Plant Foreman, working in various departments at different times during his long career with the Company.
The Fabbri family have given many long years of service to Soulé from the very beginning of the Company and continue to do so today. Condolences to them all on the death of Andy.
**GREGORY KEITH** former Soulé employee in the Window Standards Department, San Francisco, from 1951 to 1960, who died in May, 1984.
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Congratulations on 35 years of service to Mary Taylor, Accounting Clerk, Carson Operations Center
25-year Service Award
Mona Davis PBX Operator/Receptionist Carson Operations Center
20-year Service Awards
James Kirk Shop Foreman Fresno
Santos Castillo, Jr. Furnace Helper Carson Steel Mill
15-year Service Awards
Richard Miller Operator Fresno
James Hawthorne Oiler Carson Steel Mill
Ascension Baylen Leadperson/Electrician Carson Steel Mill
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10-year Service Awards
William Talstein Foreman-Maintenance Carson Steel Mill
Fred Obertean Materials Coordinator Carson Steel Mill
Lillian Ames Accounting Clerk Carson Operations Center
Darrell Haywood Shear Operator Salt Lake City
5-year Service Awards
Albert Govan Mill Helper Carson Steel Mill
Roderick McBride Leadman/Fence Post Carson
Florencio Garcia Fab Shop Union City
Congratulations to the following people for whom photographs were not available at the time of going to press:
Joe Allmond — Bundling Crane Operator, Carson Steel Mill — 20 years
Juan Barcenas — Charge Crane Operator, Carson Steel Mill — 15 years
Gerald Davis — Torch Operator, Carson Steel Mill — 15 years
Stanley Lawton — Assistant Roller, Carson Steel Mill — 15 years
Edward Blanchard — Shop, Sacramento — 10 years
Robert Black — Furnace Operator, Carson Steel Mill — 10 years
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Welcome Aboard
Barbara (Bobbi) Bayless Clerk Fresno
Mark Foster Security Guard Carson Steel Mill
Michael Kane Detailer-Reinforcing Carson Operations Center
Caron Dodson Inside Sales Coordinator Reinforcing Carson Operations Center
Mike Collins Coordinator-Building Services Carson Operations Center
Victoria Lomibao Secretary-Credit Dept. Carson Operations Center
Tony Silveira Senior Detailer Union City
Al Ruckert Detailer Union City
Carol Ramirez Order Entry Clerk Union City (transferred from Fresno)
Sheri Davis Clerk Union City
Sabra Cooley Engineering Clerk Phoenix Office
Mary Rivera Engineering Clerk Phoenix Office
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News Items
Union City
Congratulations to Bill Carter (Field Foreman) and his wife on the birth of their beautiful little girl. After 10 years of marriage, the parents proudly announced that Vanessa Brittany Carter was born on April 19, weighing 9 lbs. 11 oz. and was 22 inches long.
Phoenix
*Photo: Newspaper clipping from the Metro section — "Chowing down"*
Ray Ricks, Operations Manager, was recently featured in a local newspaper under the heading "chowing down." The newspaper, The Phoenix Gazette, reported that "Raymond Ricks of Laveen forgoes a fork to eat his steak Thursday night at a campsite northwest of Phoenix. Ricks is a member of the Bill Williams Mountain Men — who arrive in Phoenix today from Williams to participate in the Jaycees Rodeo of Rodeos, which starts Wednesday. This is the 15th annual trek on horseback Ricks has made with the group."
Fresno
Dorothy Hartley, Secretary, became a grandmother for the first time. Her new granddaughter is Amber Lynn Waters, born to Janet and Robbie Waters.
Carson
We are keeping a close eye on Ralph Garcia's golfing expertise. Leonard Diyco will confirm that Ralph hit a 72 on a par 68 golf course on May 5. Congratulations to Ralph.
Congratulations to Marilyn Magee and Leonard Diyco (both in the Carson Reinforcing Division) who were married on March 10, 1984.
Marilyn and Leonard spent several days in Las Vegas following their wedding. They are planning a three-week trip to the Philippines in December to visit Leonard's immediate family for their special honeymoon.
Congratulations to Barbara Burnham, Carson Personnel, and Gary Hoehn, Carson Steel Mill/Maintenance, who were married on March 17, 1984.
Gary's parents came from North Dakota to share this special event and Barbara's sister and four brothers took a part in their wedding ceremony.
Barbara and Gary spent several days touring the islands of Maui and Oahu on their honeymoon.
Salt Lake City
On June 1, 1984, at 7:45 a.m. (to be precise), Mike Callaway, Shear Operator, and his wife, Shelle, became the proud parents of a baby girl. Her name is Jennifer Ann. Jennifer is the youngest of three children. Mike and Shelle also have a son, Robert, who is 4 and a daughter, Lisa, who is 2.
*Photo: Congratulations to lucky Gene Luna, Shop Foreman. On March 24, 1984, Gene and his wife, Connie, were the winners of $18,000 on a $1 keno ticket.*
Sacramento
Dick Lewis, District Manager, and Diana Wailing were married on April 7, 1984, in a private ceremony in his home. Afterwards the couple honeymooned in San Diego and Palm Desert.
Congratulations to Dick and Diana.
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Triple Retirement
*Photo: (l to r): Lee Soulé, Ken Hopper, Karl Mellquist, Stanley Soulé, and L.J. Pagan*
*Photo: Stanley Soulé, Sr., with his wife, Anne, sitting next to him is pictured presenting L.J. Pagan with his retirement plaque*
*Photo: (l to r): Anne Soulé, Stanley Soulé, L.J. Pagan, Delores Pagan and Jim Soulé*
*Photo: (l to r): Ken Hopper, Mrs. Mellquist, Mrs. Jean Hopper, Mrs. Delores Pagan, L.J. Pagan and Karl Mellquist*
On April 24, 1984, at the World Trade Club in San Francisco, a dinner was held to honor the retirement of three Soulé veterans. With a joint total of 108 years of service, L.J. (Noonie) Pagan, General Field Superintendent, Ken Hopper and Karl Mellquist, Reinforcing Engineering Detailers, said goodbye to their friends at Soulé.
All three worked for Union City before their retirement. L.J. Pagan spent 26 years with Soulé, Ken Hopper spent 38 years and Karl Mellquist spent 34 years.
Everybody at Soulé wishes each of them a long and happy retirement.
SUMMER 1984 ISSUE
**SOULÉ NEWS**
Published Quarterly by the SOULÉ STEEL COMPANY 1910 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 151 Walnut Creek, California 94596
HOWARD SOULÉ — Editor in Chief
DARLEEN HUCKINS — Editor — South JOHN ROGACHENKO — Roving Reporter BARBARA HOEHN — Carson JOANNE TRICOLI — Phoenix JACK KELLY — Denver LYNN LABER — Sacramento DOROTHY HARTLEY — Fresno PETER SOULÉ — San Francisco SHERRY ARROYO — Helper LORRIE BURTON — Salt Lake City DEE ENGELBERG — Los Angeles ROBERTA NEWCOMB — Union City DIANNE JACKSON — Walnut Creek