Earthcharter

SBA Case Study: Rising Force Construction, Inc.

Friday, 26 February 2010 18:39

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

Company Name: Rising Force Construction, Inc.

Contact: Lisa Montelione
Website:  http://www.risingforceconstruction.com/<
Number of Employees: less than 50
Certifications/Affiliations: ISO 14001:2004 certification
Year Established: 1998
Industry: Construction

Introduction:  In business for 11 years, Josh Geary, the owner is an Energy Star builder and holds a State of Florida Builder’s License registered in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties as well as the City of Tampa. Rising Force Construction is currently building “Green”, energy efficient homes, utilizing only the best and most recent energy efficient products to make the homes earth friendly with the goal of increasing value through energy savings to home owners. The walls have an R value of 24.5 which could save the resident hundreds of dollars a year in reduced heat and air conditioning bills. These homes are not only environmentally friendly, they are being built in the affordable housing market, showing that being “eco-conscious” doesn’t always translate to “eco-expensive”. Working in both the commercial and residential markets, RFC’s experience includes new construction, additions, renovations and remediation/repair work functioning as the building contractor or job superintendent when Rising Force is subcontracted by others. Rising Force Construction has a vast amount of framing experience, installing wood and both light and heavy gauge metal stud framing as well as with structural steel erection, box beams, headers & columns, interior and exterior joist & rafters for load bearing walls; constructing complex ceilings, soffits and bulkheads.

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives (Planet)
 
Technology/Infrastructure: Commitment to economic and environmental sustainability is evident on every Rising Force eco-friendly project.  Whether it is in the materials used or the way in which deconstruction methods are practiced, environmental impact and conservation of time, resources and expenditures are considered.
Practices contributing to these goals are evidenced in part by, but are not limited to:

• using products that are recycled and/or designed to create minimal amounts of waste,
• deconstruction practices that divert items away from landfills,
• choosing locations that support density within the urban areas promoting multi-modal transportation options,
• selecting materials based on their proximity to the project which supports the local economy while reducing green house gas emissions,
• products are evaluated for their sustainability by being of recycled content, their ability to be recycled/reused and their durability.

In addition, RSC saves energy in their offices by temperature and electricity control, switching off lights, using star standards appliances. They also try to use other energy resources like natural gas and passively solar energy. They give importance to using environmentally friendly products and try to reduce emissions to the community.

Materials/Recycling:  They do recycling both in their building materials, project sites and in their office. For example, in their office, they print double sided pages on recycled content paper, reuse paper for draft copies of documents, scan and email rather than fax documents. On construction sites, cans, bottles and scrap metal are recycled, waste material is “Freecycled” or sold when reusable materials is available upon completion of a project. They also purchase material when applicable from surplus auctions.

Products/Services:  Rising Force’s use of an innovative structural insulated panel wall system (SIPS) provides an R-Value of 24.5, an insulating factor many times that of a conventionally built home.  The product, developed by Platinum Advanced Technologies, formerly of St. Petersburg, contains up to 95% recycled steel. This method of framing for the exterior structural walls and interior partition walls means there is virtually no waste during construction.  The wall system was named one of the top five products at the 2007 International Building Show in Orlando by HGTV.  In Florida where wind storms are of great concern to homeowner’s insurance companies, the structure will withstand 155+ mph wind loads without any additional engineering.  Homeowner’s can look forward to lower insurance rates, not only because of its stability, but because it is also termite proof, waterproof, fire and mold resistant. The integrated foam insulation does not emit volatile organic compounds and only low or no VOC paints are used on the interior.  Features such as Energy Star certified appliances, light fixtures and ceiling fans add to the energy savings while front porches and windows shaded by the deep roof overhang promote airflow and passive lighting.
Tampa has placed water conservation on their list of priorities and has the most restrictive policies in the region. There are several water-wise features to the homes. Inside are low flow fixtures and surprising to some, there is no disposal in the sink.  Garbage disposals require a steady stream of running water to operate properly wasting approximately 900 gallons of water per year; they also contribute to the already overburdened City sewage-treatment systems. Saving energy and water, the home includes tankless (on-demand) hot water powered by natural gas.  Outside, landscaping with native Florida plants requires less water and rainwater is collected and stored in rain barrels. An old fashioned ribbon driveway reduces the amount of impervious area allowing rainwater to percolate into the ground rather than becoming stormwater runoff. 

Economic Impact (Profit)

Rising Force is committed to addressing the major issues facing our region: preservation of the Tampa Bay area’s unique environment, energy conservation, job creation, reducing the property insurance burden of residents as a result of risk from storms, and supporting public transportation initiatives. By concentrating on urban infill new home construction and renovation of existing residential and commercial properties, Rising Force has managed to succeed during the ongoing economic downturn that has practically decimated the construction industry in the region.  The continued success of Rising Force can be attributed to innovation of the services provided to clients and to conservation practices employed during the demolition and construction process.
Because of the economic downturn RFC’s profitability reduced considerably the past two years. They reduced their expenses by recycling/reusing and increasing maintenance of their tools and inventory rather than replacing items worn out from overuse and under maintenance. Unfortunately, like many construction companies, they have been forced to reduce their workforce, hiring former employees as needed on an independent sub-contractor basis.

Community Commitment (People)

Internal: Over the course of 11 years, Rising Force Construction has employed workers either directly, or through subcontractors, who are re-entering the workforce after incarceration.  It is their policy to offer on the job training, giving them a hand up, rather than a hand out. They have seen little to no recidivism as a result of Mr. Geary setting an example both personally and professionally. 

As a small company, their employee(s) are treated like family.  They often employ men who have shared parental custody arrangements or are single fathers.  Family always comes first, along with the necessity for time off during the work week for doctor’s appointments, school visits and many unexpected incidents related to having young children.  They have gone above the typical employer/employee relationship, on occasion co-signing for loans, or providing housing and food.  As an employer of formerly incarcerated individuals, they have worked with them ensuring they do not repeat mistakes of the past.
They do not discriminate based on gender, race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.  They employ or subcontract with permanent residents of the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and several South American countries, to name a few. They do not base rate of pay on a person’s gender, race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation; pay is based on skill level and performance.
RFC’s employee turnover percentage is zero in the last three years. On the job training is provided as well as personal support to individuals in need. Insurance is available through their employee leasing company. They provide worker’s compensation insurance. 401K/ Retirement plans are not subsidized, but again available through their employee leasing company.

External: Rising Force believes in giving back, having donated services to several charitable organizations.  One example is the build out of the Florida Institute for Community Studies community center operated Dr. Alayne Unterberger in the Town & Country area. Rising Force was a sponsor of Going Green Tampa Bay 2008 assisting with communications, advertising, building displays for USF student organizations and securing donations from area business partners.  Rising Force’s acting development director, Lisa Montelione is very active in the community, serving as secretary of the Terrace Park Civic Association and working with local city and county initiatives for green development.  She was a member of the Tampa Bay Builder’s Association’s green building committee since its inception, a facilitator at the first Green Roofs for Healthy Cities symposium held in the Tampa Bay Area and is currently assisting Habitat for Humanity Hillsborough County, Inc. on their first ever Energy Star Certification for two homes located in Tampa.  She is an active community organizer for environmental issues, civic engagement and political events.  Lisa also writes a blog for Creative Loafing’s Green Community website educating readers on topics ranging from energy efficiency to tax incentives for renewable energy.