Member Profile - Utility Contractor Online

MEMBER PROFILEBY JASON MORGAN, ASSISTANT EDITORFueled byTechnology,Supported By FamilyReynolds Inc. Builds a Business on Trust and ReputationFounded inthe mid-1930s,ReynoldsInc. began as oneman’s dream todevelop a mechanicalmethod for welldrilling in the southernIndiana geologicalsetting.With thedesire to providedomestic welldrilling services, JohnL. Reynolds and hisson developed technologyand builtequipment with limitedresources.Today, Reynoldsemploys more than700 people, workingout of sevenoffices throughoutthe Midwest andSoutheast. InSeptember 2005,Reynolds Inc.became a subsidiaryof the LayneChristensen Co. andnow is an integralpart of an internationalcompany,employing morethan 3,000 peopleon five continents.But its latest triumphs have not eclipsed John L.Reynolds Sr.’s back-breaking labor of laying theReynolds’ foundation.“We have always stayed focused on our core businessplan. Everything we do revolves around the water andwastewater industry, and we will continue to do so,” saysMark Accetturo, Executive Vice President of Operationsfor Reynolds Inc.Following the creed of Jack Reynolds, grandson ofJohn Sr., who demanded that “the most importantthing in our business is to make the client happy,”18 Utility Contractor | DECEMBER 2006Reynolds continuesto build the trustand reputationneeded to preservethe family name andcreate repeat business.Jack passedaway prematurely,but his legacy andhis business spiritlives on in a greatnumber of employeeswho have beenwith the companyfor more than 25years.Company GrowthThe companybegan to see significantgrowth in 1965,when the Reynoldsfamily decided tofocus on businessand John Reynoldsand Sons becameReynolds Inc.Centered on watersupply, the companydiversified intopipelines, pump stationsand treatmentplants. It didn’t takelong for Reynolds toacquire and buildlarge rural water systemsthat requiredhigh production without sacrificing quality.Due to its growth, it was necessary for Reynolds toexpand geographically. In 1987, a contract in SpaldingCounty, Ga., was secured, which required more than215 miles of small diameter pipe to be installed inthree years. Reynolds completed this project overa year ahead of schedule and decided that northGeorgia was a good place to establish an office.Since then, Reynolds has built more than 240 projectsin the Southeast and has established itself as amajor player in the region. It is now in its businessIn addition to consolidations, public/private partnerships, alternative deliverymethods and owner-invested utility groups, Reynolds is already adapting toindustry changes by focusing on design-build projects and constructionmanagement agreements.

plan to carefully and conservatively grow into othergeographic areas that have experienced consistentpopulation growth.In the early 1990s, Reynolds became a licensingpartner with Inliner and later acquired the InlinerTechnologies rights in the United States.At the sametime, Reynolds formed a technology partnershipwith Fehlman Grundwauserbaten and began constructionof horizontal collector wells. Both of theseevents put Reynolds on the path to becoming oneof the most recognizable names in the trenchlesspipeline rehabilitation and horizontal collectorwell construction.Reynolds saw the growth opportunities and value inbeing able to service all the water and waste waterneeds of its customer base and seized it.The Inlinersystem allows Reynolds to utilize a trenchless piperenewal method, commonly referred to as cured-inplace-pipe(CIPP), which allows for the repair andrehabilitation of underground pipelines with limiteddigging and excavation.“Trenchless techniques have greatly minimized publicdisruption, while repairing our aging infrastructure,”says Mike Green, Director of Business Development forReynolds.“Advancements in treatment technology haveimproved our abilities and lowered the cost of treatingwaste and wastewater. Engineers have become comfortablewith the technology and recognize the value thatcured-in-place-pipe brings to their projects.”Although technology has fueled production, Reynoldsstill utilizes a massive fleet of equipment, includingexcavators, loaders, dozers, cranes and trucks of everyshape and size. In the past 15 years, advancements oftechnology in the construction industry have dramaticallyimproved Reynolds’ work methods and productionrates. From computer software for estimating and projectmanagement to heavy equipment that is stronger, fasterand more fuel efficient, Reynolds constantly tries to keepits managers and crews equipped with the latest andgreatest products available.Despite the progression of technology and innovation,safety has remained No. 1 at Reynolds.“Safety is a culturethat starts at the top and permeates throughout an organization.Safety is an attitude present throughout. Safetyis a mindset, a determination shared by all employees,”Green emphasizes.“We have an extensive and professionallymanaged safety group that educates and motivatesthese characteristics within our business.Through yearlyupdate training practices and Monday morning toolboxmeetings, safety is ever present on our jobsites.”Reynolds and NUCAReynolds has been a NUCA member for the past 11years. From lobbying efforts in Washington to the educationprograms offered by NUCA, Reynolds has benefitedfrom NUCA since the first day of its membership.Thereare also less visible benefits such as networkingwith other contractors from different partsReynolds utilizes a massive fleet of equipment, includingexcavators, loaders, dozers, cranes and trucks.of the country to gain knowledge and share experiences.Having a watchdog like NUCA in Washingtonthat can be an advocate for the rights of the contractorand allow them to do what they do best, is a hugebenefit for the company.Among Reynolds’ personnel who participate inNUCA,Accetturo has been the most active. He servedas President in 2003 and has been on either theAdministrative or Executive board for more than nineyears.As a result of his efforts, several Reynoldsemployees have participated in NUCA functions andprograms. Jeff Reynolds, President of Reynolds Inc., isa founding member of the Indiana chapter of NUCAand continues to dedicate time and resources to thateffort.Additionally,Accetturo was awarded the NUCADitchdigger of the Year award in 1998 and has alsotestified before Congress in an effort to secure additionalfunding of the Clean Water Act.Views for the FutureIn addition to consolidations, public/private partnerships,alternative delivery methods and owner-investedutility groups, Reynolds is already adapting to industrychanges by focusing on design-build projects, constructionmanagement agreements and creating opportunitiesby expanding its marketing efforts.“Our goal is to be recognized as the nation’s leadingwater resource provider of products, services and technologiesand maintaining an unequaled customer basethrough quality, service and safety,” says Accetturo.“We also maintain a professional working environmentthat allows our employees to reach their career goals.And we try to give back to the industry and communitieswe work in, so that the future leaders of our companywill have a foundation to build on.” UCDECEMBER 2006 | Utility Contractor 19