hth companies inc.: The Accurate Approach

Specializing in mechanical and insulation solutions for nearly three decades, hth companies inc. (hth) is a contractor that can handle any project. The company’s highly trained staff prevails over any obstacle and provides quality workmanship for every type of piping, ductwork and equipment insulating project. From new installations to plant expansions to rehab work, hth’s highly competent crew and skilled management team assure the accurate approach.

There are many things that business owners don’t like to hear, but “That’s not in my contract”, tops the list. ¬Tired of excuses from union workers about why jobs weren’t completed, Greg Hoberock founded hth companies inc. in 1984 – ironically enough in Union, Mo. – in order to offer full-service specialty services throughout the Midwest, provided with an impressive safety record that has garnered the company national attention.

Hoberock’s hard work and dedication transformed what was once a one-man firm into a 365-employee company. This evolution established the equal opportunity employer as one of the area’s more significant establishments. The company is now licensed to work in the surrounding states of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio and Oklahoma.

The company offers its clients a wide variety of services. These include a scaffolding division, a general construction division, plus janitorial and industrial waterblasting services. The company is dedicated to better serving its clients, and Hoberock is proud that his firm can handle any and all size projects.

Flexibility – Key to Success

Hoberock describes a project that highlights his team’s flexibility and professionalism as follows: “One of our clients had an industrial corn elevator go down at midnight. We had that 125-foot silo fixed and fully functional within 18 hours.”

Clients of hth depend upon Hoberock’s highly competent work crew, as well as the experienced management team that expertly handles consultations, estimating and project supervision. The company also has experienced crews who are capable of handling plant maintenance. High-profile clients Tate and Lyle, BASF, Grain Processing Corporation, Valero, Poet Biorefining and Monsanto all count themselves as satisfied hth clients.

Hoberock’s general construction division recently tackled an unusual project for the U.S. Army. “We had to build a [U.S. Army] Ranger training facility at the Fort Leonard Wood base in Missouri. We created a massive tower out of telephone poles where they could rappel and swing over openings. It was a difficult job to complete owing to the short time constraints and uncooperative weather, but my guys had it done ahead of schedule.”

The company’s impressive safety measures have also attracted the attention of several awards committees. In 2000 the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) awarded hth the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) Platinum Award. Hth has maintained this platinum level for safety for each subsequent year. In that same year, the Association of General Contractors (AGC) awarded hth a Certificate of Commendation for its excellent safety record. In 2004 the company received a certificate of appreciation for a two-year period without a lost time or recordable injury at Dayton Citric Acid Plant. The company also won the Freedom Fighters Award from the ABC. The company’s current worker’s compensation experience rate (EMR) is 0.76, well below the national average for companies in the construction industry.

“We take safety very seriously here at hth,” emphasizes Hoberock. “We haven’t had any fatalities, and I intend to make sure that it stays that way. We have weekly tool-box meetings and all of my employees are fully trained on how to keep a jobsite safe.”

The company’s knowledge and capabilities are additionally reinforced through partnership with the Construction Financial Management Association, Midwest Insulation Contractors Association and National Insulation Association.

National-level Safety Award

The firm’s notable safety record also includes recognition from the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) (which awarded hth its Safety Award in 2005), the National Insulation Association (which awarded hth the Theodore H. Brodie Distinguished Safety Award – 2009), the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association [MICA] (which awarded hth the Safety Best Practices Award – 2008 & 2009). And hth again attracted the interest of the National ABC in 2009. The ceremony was described by a press release put out by the ABC as follows:

“Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recognized the nation’s safest construction firms at the 20th annual Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel and Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.

“The 2009 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms achieving Platinum status in ABC’s Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program. Selection criteria for the national safety winners included each member’s self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable rates, and interviews conducted by members of ABC National’s Environment, Health and Safety Committee.

“ABC salutes these winners as they have demonstrated their dedication to construction workplace safety,” said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. “Creating safe work environments is a top priority for the association. ABC provides member firms with safety training programs, information and an annual safety training and evaluation process that serves as a benchmark and guide to maintaining an effective construction safety program.”

This philosophy of emphasizing employee well being and maintaining an eye for details has resulted in hth also being honored with ABC’s Excellence in Construction awards. Hth has won its category in the Heart of America Chapter each year since 2003 and won the National Pyramid Award in 2010.

Greg Hoberock knew that he could run a firm that could be flexible, successful and complete high-quality projects on time and on budget. Drawing on his optimism, drive and experience, he founded hth companies inc., and its impressive roster of clients and astonishing safety record continue to act as testament to an independent spirit offering comprehensive consultation, estimating, project supervision and field work.