By Tammy Boone

Bob Kobold and his brother, Marvin, have built a steady business over the past 24 years installing curbs, gutters and sidewalks for new residential developments throughout the Inland Empire of California. Prior to starting Kobold Construction, Bob and Marvin worked for another construction company where they had each worked about fifteen years. They decided to start their own company because they didn’t see where they could advance any further with the company they were working with.

Bob remembers that they started with small structures and drainage boxes when they first started the company. They soon began doing what they’d done at their former company, concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

Kobold recently completed a two-day job for Lennar Homes in San Jacinto. The Kobold crews placed 4,000 to 5,000 lineal feet of curb and gutter in this new residential development. Kobold had 14 employees on this job. Bob says that the job was average for the company in every way: average size and average complexity. The biggest challenge was the extreme heat that all of California experienced in July. Kobold worked for Lee & Stires Inc., a grading and paving corporation.

“It was extremely hot and hard on the crew,” Bob says. “It was important for them to stay hydrated.”

The Kobold crew used one of two Gomaco GT-3600 Slipform Paver      machines, equipped with interchangeable molds, that they own. Bob says the company owns two pavers so that they always have a back up. They purchased both machines from Terry Equipment in Fontana, Ca. Also on the project were a 210 John Deere skip loader, one-ton trucks and two flatbed trucks. Superior Redi-Mix supplied concrete and the crews placed 220 cubic yards each day.

Kobold Construction uses a Comaco GT-3600 Slipform paver on the curb and gutter.

The Gomaco GT-3600 Slipform Paver is known for simultaneously trimming and slipforming. According to Gomaco’s website, the company sells more curb and gutter machines than any other type of machine. A major consideration in the design is quick and easy job-to-job mobility. The machine also features All-Track Steering that enables it to pour a true radius as all of the tracks can turn as the paver maneuvers through the radius.

Some of Kobold’s more memorable jobs, Bob says, are the bigger ones. When the Ontario Mills Mall was being built, Kobold Construction installed all the curbs and gutters for the parking lot. The project was different because the company had never done a mall parking lot before. They ended up working on the project off and on for several months.

Other big jobs the company has completed are for Pulte Homes in Victorville and Shea Homes in Riverside. Kobold Construction placed 30,000 lineal feet of curb and gutter for Pulte Homes and 45,000 lineal feet of curb and gutter for Shea Homes.

Some of the challenges Kobold Construction has faced over the years involve retaining good people. Because they are a non-union company, that is sometimes a challenge.

(Top) A Kobold Construction back finisher completing the curb job. (Above) Filling the curb machine with cement.

“The jobs are the easy part,” Bob says. “Employee turnover means more time spent on training.”

Another challenge involves scheduling.

“Because we’re working on four or five jobs at a time, the scheduling is always changing up,” Bob explains. “We have to be flexible and shift crews around all the time.”

Bob is glad that he and Marvin started their company. He says they are a lot further ahead than when they first started and the company is going to provide them a comfortable retirement. Bob sees both he and Marvin retiring within the next five or six years. He says they intend to leave the company to their siblings and other family members.

“I think the company’s at the size we can take it to,” Bob says. “I hope they can keep it going and take it bigger.”

Bob feels that Kobold is not that big of a company—they employ 30 to 40 men—but they do quality work and get it done fast.

“We stick with a job until it’s done and stand behind our work,” he adds. “Not all companies will go back after a period of time and fix any problems with their work, but we are always willing to fix any problems that arise.”

Kobold Construction’s office is located in Ontario, California, and the company completes projects throughout the Inland Empire, including Riverside and Victorville. Bob runs all field operations, as well as completes the scheduling. Marvin runs the office. Bob’s nephew, Michael Kobold, is the company’s general superintendent and runs part of the fieldwork under Bob’s supervision. He also runs all the work when Bob is gone.

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is headquartered in Miami, Florida and is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds all types of homes in communities that cater to various lifestyles, such as urban and golf course communities. Lennar builds homes in 20 different states, including several areas in California.

For more information on Kobold Construction, call (909) 986-8866. Cc

Superior ready mix delivering concrete to the job.