ABCSEMI Issue 1, 2021

8 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. ROBERT CLANCY, OWNER AND OPERATOR OF CLANCY CONTRACTING, INC. year, we had never imagined a world where ‘Zoom meetings’ and mass-conference calls would be the norm, but we jumped in with both feet to better inform our members of the ever changing regulations and restrictions imposed by our government dealing with COVID-19 and, more importantly, what help was out there to see them through this desperate time.” Robert Clancy, owner and operator of Clancy Contracting, Inc. in Casco, ABC SEMI Board member, and new ABC State Chairman, was impressed with how quickly Ledbetter and his team dissected the COVID-19 restrictions and were able to prepare, inform and advise their membership on what was needed in order to conform and continue working in that environment. “When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s initial stay-home order halted construction projects that were not deemed essential, we knew that the impact on the industry was not going to be good,” said Clancy. “Many of us assumed we were done, but Keith and his staff dug in and got us the latest information we needed to prepare our companies to deal with COVID and continue to work safely. And all of us became better acquainted with electronic media and other ways of communicating with clients, our staff, and customers. I, for one, have had my share of Zoom meetings and look forward to getting back to face-to-face meetings and doing the networking that ABC does best.” Despite several obstacles this year that exacerbated construction’s ongoing talent shortage, including workers sidelined by the pandemic, and a contentious national election, many ABC SEMI contractors were still aided by a healthy backlog of projects going into the new year. Many are hopeful for continued growth and announced projects going into the 2021 bid season. “As the economy continues to be reopened, construction activity has recovered somewhat, but the impact of the still very weak economy has meant the delaying and cancelling of planned projects,” said Drew Maltese President of DJ Maltese Construction and ABC SEMI Chairman. “I think like most contractors in our association, we are very optimistic about the coming year—we do expect to be busy, but not what most would consider ‘back-to-normal’ until the fall. Most believe at that point everyone who wanted to receive the COVID-19 vaccination will have done so.” Maltese expects the rebound will not be as lengthy as many expect due to the essential side of most projects being bid and is confident that sectors like entertainment and recreational will see a quick rebound once the virus has been curtailed. Restaurants and entertainment venues will continue to be in demand, but Maltese feels one unintended consequence of the pandemic that forced many companies to have employees work at home will impact future projects in the commercial office sector. “Projections this time last year had a steady growth in the commercial office market,” said Maltese. “But if this last year has shown us anything it is that many companies were just as, if not more, effective when a decent portion of their workforce worked from home. The savings on day-to-day operations and purchased and rented space certainly impacts the profitability and allowed many companies who would have had to lay off or downsize a real viable option to keep their staff at full capacity. This will not be overlooked as business crunches the numbers on just how big an operational footprint they really need when it comes to headquarters and branch offices. I frankly think to a lesser degree we will see educational outlays diminish as more students opt for online learning as well.” In spite of this unprecedented epidemic, ABC SEMI has made substantial strides in 2020 for both its sister trade academy, Southeastern Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA) and retention and growth for membership. Ledbetter and Maltese both echo each other’s praise for the efforts the leadership and staff at ABC SEMI has made under less than easy circumstances. “It was quite a year—I had barely taken the reins as Board Chairman when the COVID-19 pandemic hit,” said Maltese. “Credit goes to Keith who immediately reached out to me and said, ‘this is what we are going to do.’ We made changes across the board and adapted to the demanding needs our members “I think like most contractors in our association, we are very optimistic about the coming year—we do expect to be busy, but not what most would consider ‘back-to-normal’ until the fall. Most believe at that point everyone who wanted to receive the COVID-19 vaccination will have done so.” “Many of us assumed we were done, but Keith and his staff dug in and got us the latest information we needed to prepare our companies to deal with COVID and continue to work safely. And all of us became better acquainted with electronic media and other ways of communicating with clients, our staff, and customers.” DREW MALTESE , ABC SEMI CHAIRMAN A YEAR IN REVIEW