Aug 24, 2021

Star Surveying

Friday Harbor-based Star Surveying is now a women majority-owned business. Star recently brought on Kimberly Bourns as senior surveyor and co-owner to join longtime owner Robert M. Anderson. Bourns is a Professional Land Surveyor with over 20 years of surveying education and experience. She has worked on local projects such as Sound Transit's Northgate Link Extension and Alderwood Water District's survey control plan that included detailed mapping of over 41 locations throughout the district. Bourns previously was a project surveyor with Pacific Geomatic Services (now part of Parametrix) and prior to that was a senior survey technician with W&H Pacific (now an NV5 company).

ABC of Western Washington

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington added Tilford & Associates and City Group Solutions as new members. Tacoma-based Tilford is a notary loan signing agent, and provides administrative support to framing, drywall and flagging companies. It is led by Rhonda Tilford. Seattle-based City Group Solutions provides post-construction, commercial and residential cleaning services. It is led by DeChelle Henderson.

Cascade Windows

Dallas-based private equity firm CenterOak Partners LLC completed the sale of Cascade Windows to Cornerstone Building Brands for $245 million in cash. Cascade Windows is based in Spokane Valley. It is an independent manufacturer of single- and double-hung vinyl windows, sliders and patio doors for the residential new construction, repair and remodel markets across the West. Cary, North Carolina-based Cornerstone makes exterior building components, including vinyl siding, windows, metal roofing and wall systems.

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Hitachi Construction Machinery and Deere will dissolve their joint venture on Feb. 28, 2022, after which Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America will become the regional headquarters (in Newnan, Georgia) for the Americas for all Hitachi construction machinery products and services. Hitachi says it plans to significantly expand its scope of products and services in the Americas, and strengthen its dealer network. In the Pacific Northwest, its dealers include Columbia Western Machinery in Sherwood, Oregon; and in Idaho, Central Equipment in Pocatello and Jerome, and Shafer Equipment Co. in Boise. Alaska dealerships include Construction Machinery Industrial locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.

Aug 17, 2021

ABC of Western Washington

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington added Blue Trident and A/D & Sons Transportation Group as new members. Blue Trident is an architecture/engineering and construction services firm primarily working on federal projects. It has a local office, as well as offices in California and Florida. A/D & Sons is a Vancouver-based transportation and logistical services company.

Ritchie Bros.

Vancouver, B.C.-based heavy-equipment auctioneer Ritchie Bros. announced earlier this month that it will acquire Euro Auctions for about $1.08 billion in cash. Founded in 1998, Euro Auctions conducts unreserved heavy-equipment auctions with on-site and online bidding under the brands Euro Auctions and Yoder & Frey. It has over 200 employees in 14 countries. Ritchie says Euro Auctions has considerable presence across Europe and the Middle East, particularly in the U.K. and Germany, and will serve as a platform to accelerate international growth. Ritchie will finance the acquisition through existing cash and new debt. The deal is expected to close later this year or in early 2022.

MN Custom Homes

MN Custom Homes is donating the proceeds from the recent sale of a Bellevue home to the nonprofit Jubilee Reach for its in-school and community outreach programs. The homebuilder says 34 subcontractors and vendors contributed discounts and donations. MN Custom Homes staff and many of its subcontractors also volunteer during Jubilee's annual Service Days to refurbish homes for the elderly or disabled. Privately owned MN Custom Homes specializes in single-family, infill home sites on the Eastside. It was founded in Bellevue in 2011 by Shaun McFadden and Joe Naeseth.

Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle is giving $2 million to organizations involved in the port's Opportunity Youth Initiative: Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Seattle Goodwill Industries, Seattle Parks Foundation, and Partner in Employment. The port's initiative provides underserved youth with jobs and skills training, with a focus on South Seattle and south King County. Urban League's Construction Trades Program provides youth with hands-on pre-apprenticeship construction training in building tiny homes. Seattle Goodwill and partners operate the Youth Aerospace Program, which helps youth build aviation-related workplace skills and then connects them with aviation jobs. Seattle Goodwill also works with Seattle Central College to provide the Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training program for youth looking for construction careers. Seattle Parks Foundation partners with others to focus on green jobs and maritime careers for youth. Partner in Employment works with Mid Puget Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group to conduct habitat restoration training for youths. Partner in Employment also works with Machinists Institute Youth Academy to provide training in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.