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(Top to Bottom) Rod Milich in the excavator, Mike Mansir (owner of Western Laboratories) checks the integrety of the ditch, Rickie Gaunt is in the ditch checking the grade.
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Gaunt Construction Company has begun work on their new headquarters, located in Torrance. The company is putting up two new buildings on the 21,000 sq. ft. lot. Currently Gaunt Construction is doing trench work for the installation of the underground utilities.
Gaunt Construction is a family owned and operated business in the truest sense of the word. Rick Gaunt had been working as a concrete pumper for a number of years when he and his wife, Janis decided to take a leap of faith and start their own business. When the company first opened its doors for business back in 1967 the operation consisted of Rick doing the concrete, framing and finished carpentry work. Janis helped out in every aspect of the business from handling the books, to scheduling and helping out with the clean up. Rick’s parents, Alvin and Margaret Gaunt also helped the beginning company get off its feet by handling painting, finish work and site clean-up.
Initially Rick purchased property along with a business partner and then developed it. After Gaunt Construction had built a number of homes and developed various properties in the Torrance area other contractors began hiring the company to handle work for them as well. Within five years after starting Gaunt Construction Rick had taken the company to the next level. The company now has nearly a dozen employees of which include Rick’s two sons, Rickie and Erick. Erick works full time for the Palos Verdes Police Department and works for the company on his days off. Rickie works fulltime with his father and works part-time as an officer for the Palos Verdes Police Department. Rickie’s wife, Denice helps out with the billing and other office work. |
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(Left) Big Rick’s best friend and Rickie’s mentor, Rod Milich, operates the excavator. |
Currently the company is busy with work on the construction of eight new spec homes in the Torrance area. Each of the homes is approximately 3,000 sq. ft. Gaunt Construction is handling all demo and grading of the property, as well as all concrete work and framing. Rick and his brother, Gary even install the carpet for the new homes. Gaunt Construction expects to have work completed on all eight homes by mid-summer of this year. The company also handles construction work for a number of contractors and developers. JCC Homes is just one of the developers that Gaunt Construction has a solid on-going relationship with doing grading and concrete work. The company also is busy handling a variety of home remodel projects for a number of private owners.
In addition to the construction of their new offices and spec homes, Gaunt Construction handles oil well abatement projects for a number of various companies in the south bay area. The company goes into the site of a former oil well and cleans up the site so that it passes environmental standards thus allowing the company to sell and/or develop the property. Storm Development is one of the oil companies Gaunt Construction has completed numerous oil abatement projects for. The company is currently handling cleanup on a 50 acre site for Storm Development.
Spec work and work in the private sector aren’t the only types of projects Gaunt Construction handles. The company has a history of public works projects as well. Gaunt Construction handled grading duties at the Torrance Airport for two new hangers. This project was for Action Contractors and the City of Torrance. Gaunt Construction has also been involved with the construction of a number of firehouses in Torrance area. In addition to these projects, the company also handling the grading for a 15,000 sq. ft. structure for the storage of all of the lawn maintenance equipment for the City of Torrance.
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Gaunt Construction also owns the former site of the Bill Dominguez Water Company in Carson. The site lies on ten acres. The company is busy handling improvements to the site such as a new and upgraded pump station as well as 19,000 sq. ft. of office space. “This has been an on going project for us,” said Rickie Gaunt. “Considering that we are a relatively small company and the size and scope of the project this will take awhile before we have it completed.”
In order to accomplish the numerous types of projects they are involved with Gaunt Construction has a complete inventory of equipment. Among the many pieces of heavy equipment include wheel loaders, track loaders, dozers, backhoes, skip loaders and excavators. Gaunt Construction has a long standing relationship with Cook Equipment Company in Fullerton. “Cook has been very good in helping us with our equipment over the years,” said Rickie.
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(Top) Rod running excavator. (Right) Rod talking to sales rep. from Cook Equipment Co. about new JCB excavator. (Bottom) Rick Sr. and crew prepare driveway to pour concrete approach. |
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| One of the biggest challenges Gaunt Construction has faced is controlled growth. “Our biggest challenge is keeping up with the work and not growing too big,” said Rickie. “We could put on a dozen employees, but then we would have to lay them off when the work slowed down. We have tried to maintain our growth at a slow enough pace where we can handle it with the crew we have and keep everybody working all the time. The reason we are able to handle the number of jobs we do has a lot to do with how you manage the crew. We are able to handle the same projects that companies two and three times large than us are doing because of our time management.” On the occasions when Gaunt Construction does hit a peak and must put on additional workers the company is fortunate enough to have a number of owner/operators they can call on. “We have some great people that with our company when the need arises,” said Rickie. By handling their work load in this fashion Gaunt Construction has been easily able to take on million dollar contracts that another company might have to decline. “By our success we a re living proof that bigger is not always better,” said Rickie.
Being family owned and operated is one of the things that make a company like Gaunt Construction stand out. “We take a great deal of pride in the work we do,” said Rickie. “I get to work everyday with my father. My name is on the door and I still get to set forms and pour concrete. That’s what is great about my job.”
Family owned and family run makes the difference. Gaunt Construction Company takes care to make sure that every project is handled with the same pride in workmanship that has made the company a success for forty years. After all it is the Gaunt family name and reputation that are on the line with each project the company undertakes. |
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