Tanglewood Construction
Seamless Processes Mean Great Quality at Tanglewood Construction
Randy Moen, President of Gilroy-based Tanglewood Construction, got his start 25 years ago as a carpenter working framing contracts. Moving into production housing, he evolved his company into one that specializes in production residences and large commercial complexes. Implementing his vision with the help of company leaders like Dennis Elliott, Vice President, Tanglewood is a framing contractor cast from a different mold than the competition.
"The traditional framer I saw in the past is usually a hot- headed guy ranting and raving out there, demanding things be done his way," reflects Randy. "We're different. We very much believe that you have two ears and one mouth so you listen twice as much as you talk. We want to hear what other people have to say." This calm, professional business approach lets his team discover how Tanglewood quality production techniques dovetail best with what the customer is trying to accomplish. This approach also fosters mutual respect and pays off with repeat business. Working down the peninsula, throughout the Bay Area and into the I-5 corridor, Tanglewood looks for the right customers to work with. "Very few of our customers are one-time customers. We look for people we can have a decades-long relationship with."
(Photo by Bruce Schneider)
This dedication to relationship building begins even before a project is awarded, with Randy's willingness to review documents and collaborate with architects while plans are in the design stages. The industry trend is to shop final plans around to framers, which gives competitive pricing. "What this misses, though," Randy points out, "is that big cost savings can be had by getting input before those plans are finalized."
Once a contract is awarded, Tanglewood starts within 48 hours with planning meetings and a formal pre-job planning process that deconstructs the project, spotting potential problem areas before any work begins. The goal is to streamline every production step behind the scenes so that there are no delays or unforeseen snags on the job site. Pre-planning is so critical to the Tanglewood process that, as Randy notes, "We couldn't imagine building homes without it."
The right equipment for the right job. (Photo by Bruce Schneider)
Quality product through quality people. (Photo by Bruce Schneider)
Other formal systems-controls have been put into place that form the backbone of Tanglewood's rapid, high-quality production work. Their quality control program is a fundamental process that informs every aspect of how this company works. A regular program of back-checking - self-check of work done, then a second check by QC professionals - ensures that any errors are caught immediately and thus not duplicated in subsequent builds. "When you're building 100 units," says Dennis, "you don't want to catch a problem seven units in." This is in keeping with the Tanglewood philosophy of "Do it right the first time." A second set of eyes always reviews every step of every production process, radically reducing error rates and the "do-over" steps that many companies utilize the pick-up phase of construction for.
Similarly, the delivery of materials and supplies is a stream- lined process, developed in close collaboration with exclusive suppliers who provide special pricing rates to Tanglewood. It is essentially a just-in-time delivery system, guaranteeing that the right materials are on site at the right time. It is this well-developed capacity that enables Tanglewood to work successfully with crews and laborers; they are trained in the company's way of doing business and their work is very closely monitored. Because material is on site when and as needed, there are rarely unexpected delays or schedule slippage, as too often happens in less tightly controlled work environments.
(Photo by Bruce Schneider)
This production speed coupled with high-quality work depends as much on quality labor as on the system's processes themselves. Tanglewood has cultivated a well-trained cadre of labor - many of whom have been with the company over a decade - who follow their time-saving, quality-assurance practices to the letter.
"Be it right or wrong," says Randy, "we have a system and demand that our people adhere to it. And technology allows us to do that." From project management tools to electronically integrated order systems with vendors and suppliers, Tanglewood utilizes technology in every way possible to streamline processes and remove human error from the equation.
(Photo by Bruce Schneider)
Tanglewood's stringent safety program is another way the company controls costs and ensures a job stays on track while protecting the workers' safety. A safety program put in place six years ago was developed in conjunction with OSHA consultation, and is of such high quality that they are being considered for one of OSHA's top awards for workplace safety. The company's insurance costs are reduced, representing large cost savings to customers, because of their excellent quality and safety record.
That labor is indoctrinated into this safety program and living it every day on the job is indicative of Tanglewood's attitude towards employees. "What we supply more than anything to a project is labor," notes Randy. "Our labor is the best we can find, and we're willing to pay for the best." Quality of labor in a framing company is a critical element, for complaints about construction problems often point to a single lackadaisical employee, rather than a bad supplier or other source. From safety to training to production methodologies, Tanglewood strives for the highest caliber of engagement from its people.
(Photo by Bruce Schneider)
"Crews that don't want to work our way are gone right away," says Dennis. "What we wind up with are the good crews, and that's a result of our training and our monitoring."
Tanglewood Construction, Inc. can be reached at (408) 847-1884 or visit them on the web at tanglewoodconstruction.com . They are located at 8505 Church St. in Gilroy, Ste 3.
June 2006 Builder Architect Edition Issue
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