PAST PRESIDENTS
John Parker (of Parker Marine Contracting, Inc.; Parker unfortunately passed away in 2015) with past PDCA
presidents Harry Robbins (center) and John King on the way to a Yankees/Mets game at Yankee Stadium
Phone: 985-643-0690
Specialty Piling Systems
is now a division of
601-268-1105 | greg@masonforestproducts.com
Continuing a tradition as the premier supplier
of plywood cushions for all shapes and sizes of
concrete piles – square, octagonal, round and
especially cylinder piles – solid or hollow.
www.PileDrivingCushions.com CajunPD@gmail.com
Phone: 985-707-7353
There are also many more types of deep foundations and
ground improvement options than in years past.
JK: The industry has changed. I’m not sure if it’s better or worse.
I think contractors are more involved now; one thing that I like to
do is ask questions that make owners or GCs go back and ask the
alternate foundation providers. We’re fighting back more.
BD: Many people know of my disillusionment with the industry in
general. Any trust that used to exist between all contractual parties
in the industry has been thoroughly broken. Contracts don’t mean
a thing anymore. Payment practices are absolutely unlivable. Even
some of our best customers over many years have lost their ability
to award subcontracts based on cost and merit. We see unfair risk
allocation practices by owners and GCs that hit the piling subcontractors
the hardest. Ignorance by engineers is still rising in the
form of bad plans and specifications.
On the bright side, PDCA continues to fight the good fight in
the advocacy of all of its members. Being a member of PDCA and
sharing experiences keep me going and make me want to support
PDCA. Technology is also continually improving production and
safety with every year that goes by.
DC: There have been a lot of improvements in materials with
more sections for both driven piles and sheets coming to market.
The king pile system and similar innovations have made piles
and sheets more competitive. Rapidly increased and improved
software and computer capabilities have made programs such as
32 | ISSUE 4 2020 www.piledrivers.org
/www.PileDrivingCushions.com
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