I blame the board. Where is their loyalty? Bob works for the board. A decision of this magnitude would have to be signed off on by them. Alberici, S.M. Wilson, McCarthy, HOK, Canon, do they really think there is a lack of talent in the Contracting, Engineering, and Architecture industries here? This is so disappointing, and strange that it seems like such a personal choice. If Bob Clark wants to live in Chicago that's fine, but the board should have some sand and stick with St. Louis.moorlander wrote:Very disappoiting decision Bob.
To me this comment is disingenuous. While St. Louis might not be "world-class" when compared to Chicago, St. Louis practically built Clayco. Ironically, Clayco was able to grow as large as it is while it was based in St. Louis."In addition, for a growing company like ours to be in a world class city attracting the best and brightest young minds in our industry matches with our goals and objectives."
And from a tax standpoint, I would think it would be cheaper to keep the HQ here.arch city wrote:^Clark still could have made St. Louis part of a dual headquarters. This is one example of how Clark could have paid respect to St. Louis instead of selling it down the river.
Prior to acquisition by RockTenn, Smurfit-Stone, a much larger firm than Clayco, was dual-headquarted in Creve Coeur and Chicago.
The CEO of Smurfit-Stone lived in St. Louis.
Clark could have done the same - especially with 700+ local workers.
Pretty sure its a private company, so there is no board, there are partners, but no doubt Bob controlled the company, the only vote that really mattered. This is disapointing, but I think the reasons for the move have more to do with Bob's personal feelings and desires than "St. Louis not attracting talent" (I do realize we have a problem with this, I just think its not the case here)wabash wrote:I blame the board. Where is their loyalty? Bob works for the board. A decision of this magnitude would have to be signed off on by them. Alberici, S.M. Wilson, McCarthy, HOK, Canon, do they really think there is a lack of talent in the Contracting, Engineering, and Architecture industries here? This is so disappointing, and strange that it seems like such a personal choice. If Bob Clark wants to live in Chicago that's fine, but the board should have some sand and stick with St. Louis.moorlander wrote:Very disappoiting decision Bob.
I say take advantage of the business in Chicago, however, give your company a dual headquarters. If Clark wants to live in Chicago.... fine, but don't make it seem like you are doing St. Louis a favor by saying the firm remains committed to St. Louis, when it has demonstrated otherwise.DogtownBnR wrote:I'm not at all defending him, but I do anticipate the St. Louis
office remaining a major part of the company. I am hoping that them moving their HQ gives other local St. Louis based companies a better shot at winning work with the BJC's and Wash U's of the world, where Clayco has had the upper hand. This move falls into one of those unique categories. You can't blame local government or anyone here for the move. Clark had it in is mind that he was moving to take advantage of his business connections in Chicago.
I am sure they will chase plenty of work here locally. I just wonder
what operations will be run out of St. Louis versus Chicago. If Clark gets
his wish, they will have enough work out of Chicago alone, to justify the office.
THIS!beer city wrote:Also - Clayco in CHI - downtown in the Loop - cool! Clayco in STL - bland tilt up building tucked away in suburbia - If you want talent - plan for talent
I'm not that airport savvy, but it seems companies hide behind air travel as a justification for relocation. Clayco is a pretty regional company. Even if they plan to expand nationally, doesn't Lambert still have direct flights to every major city in America? Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, Denver, LA, San Fran, Phoenix, Seattle, Cincy, Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, DC, Philly, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Boston, NY, Memphis, Salt Lake, Nashville, Milwaukee, all have non-stop service to Lambert. Where exactly do they want to go that they can't get to from here? It seems like a red herring.quincunx wrote:Perhaps we should subsidize our airport more over other things
I agree 100%. Conversely, flying out of Chicago doesn't fully eliminate the chance that you won't have to connect through another city in order to get to your destination.wabash wrote:I'm not that airport savvy, but it seems companies hide behind air travel as a justification for relocation. Clayco is a pretty regional company. Even if they plan to expand nationally, doesn't Lambert still have direct flights to every major city in America? Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, Denver, LA, San Fran, Phoenix, Seattle, Cincy, Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, DC, Philly, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Boston, NY, Memphis, Salt Lake, Nashville, Milwaukee, all have non-stop service to Lambert. Where exactly do they want to go that they can't get to from here? It seems like a red herring.quincunx wrote:Perhaps we should subsidize our airport more over other things
^Thanks for the information, but I am not sure the information is completely accurate.dredger wrote:^ In terms of scale, scope and revenues McCarthy and Alberici are national companies first and foremost. McCarthy is one of the leading hospital/health builders in the country where as Alberici strengths is in fabrication, think the large sea gate project as part o of the New Orleans hurricane protection plan. In reality their is very little regional work for them other then the major bridge jobs that are happending at the moment. For McCarthy and Alberici the talent question has as much to do with experience willing to travel and then pickup and move after a multiyear project is completed.
Tarlton and SM Wilson are the local companies that might see some uptick, but you also have to realize that Clayco is just as much a developer as a general contractor. Their margins and revenues are tied to real estate just as much as it is in vertical construction. I think that plays into an end game of getting revenues, connections, and so forth to a point that Clayco is a worthwhile acquistion target as I don't see a legacy chain/family behind Bob Clark as you see with some contractors
"Chicago is simply the best location for the company given our growing national and international design and engineering business,” Clark said. “The pro-growth, pro-business leadership of Mayor Emanuel, the incredible commitment to the city’s infrastructure and transportation hubs (both Midway and O’Hare Airports) is second to none in the United States. In addition, for a growing company like ours to be in a world class city attracting the best and brightest young minds in our industry matches with our goals and objectives." Source
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... ition.htmlPrivately held Flintco is the 22nd-largest construction firm in the nation, while Alberici ranks 11th, according to recent construction trade magazine listings cited by the New Mexico Business Weekly.
