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www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS March 2020 51 Pressure Pressure Switches High and Low Pressure Differential Pressure Vacuum ATEX Options Flow Meters Mag Meters Oval Gear Positive Displacement Compressed Air Flow Indicators Spinner / Rotor Ball / Flap Visual Scale Temperature Handhelds Infrared Thermometers Logging Temperature Sensors Transmitters Digital Displays Just a Small Selection of our Extensive Range View Our Full Catalogue Online Call Us Now to Discuss Bespoke Options or Volume Discounts Pressure Sensors Transmitters Transducers 4-20 mA Outputs 0-10v Outputs Pressure Gauges Pressure Vacuum Analog / Digital Bar / Psi and More Level Switches Side / Top Entry Float / Tilt Pneumatic ATEX Options Level Sensors Radar Ultrasonic Laser Magnetostrictive Custom Level Solutions Multi Point Switches Brass / Plastic / Stainless Magnetic Level Gauges ATEX Versions Flow Switches Paddle / Inline Piston Calorimetric Electronic Temperature Switches Fixed Ajustable Probes ATEX Options Level Flow Temperature WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE WHEN WE HAVE IT ALL? 01892 664499 www.pvl.co.uk higher workman’s comp claims, and financial losses. The unfortunate truth is that many construction companies do not have a great culture. Leadership must identify what employees want, what the company wants, and how to get there. It takes commitment and time, but it can be done. Poor hiring There’s a saying I like: “When you just hire a pair of hands, you never get a head.” For long-term success, companies must hire people with the desire and ability to grow with the company and help lead. Warm bodies aren’t enough. This can be harder to do when hiring out of a union hall. But even in that circumstance, it’s probably better to pay any show-up costs and ask for a more qualified employee. That’s far less costly than carrying an employee who continues to perform substandard work or has a bad attitude. Poor financial systems This is a big bullet point under the broader topic of capital and financial management. Many construction companies can’t track if they’re making or losing money until the very end of the year. I’ve even seen companies that fail to bill for all or their work because they are so busy completing projects and doing estimates for new projects. Good financial systems are an absolute must so those types of things do not happen. Accounting software can help but won’t solve everything. A good accountant or in-house financial manager may be advisable —one that will provide detailed accounting at least every few months. Inefficient operations Inefficiency rarely happens in big, easily identifiable chunks. Inefficiency typically impacts that company in 10- or 20-minute increments. A good example is a seven- person crew standing around on a jobsite waiting for a truck to show up. Over the course of the year, this type of wasted time can add up to the point that all profitability is sacrificed. Poor customer service A lot of companies do not listen to their customers very well. Companies just focus on completing the work according to the contract. If they get paid, they assume all is good. But remember, construction companies are in the business of serving customers, and that includes good customer service. Family-run corporations These businesses have an even higher failure rate than the typical company. Family-run businesses have a unique set of challenges that generally hurt future generations more than the current generation. This is a complex issue with many facets to consider. Larry Kokklenberg: “Remember, construction companies are in the business of serving customers, and that includes good customer