(Above) Ross Guy & Son, Inc. uses a Volvo EC 460B  excavator
to do mass excavation at the Century City job site.

Ross Guy & Son Inc. is used to taking on tough projects. The company is currently tackling an extremely difficult project in Century City. The project involves the demolition of the St. Regis Hotel, a multi-million dollar high-rise located in the center of the business district on the Avenue of the Stars. Ross Guy is handling the mass excavation and also some demolition of the structure and surrounding buildings. In its place a new very tony condo high-rise complex will be erected. The complex is putting security as a number one priority and will feature state-of-the-art protection that will include both video surveillance and personnel. The individual units will start in the $1 million price range. 

For this project Ross Guy is excavating down some 47 feet. This will eventually be the parking area for the new condo development. The company is removing approximately 50,000 cubic yards of material. Eventually they will import approximately 20,000 cubic yards of material which will be used as backfill for the parking structure and planter walls.
 
Ross Guy began work on the project in September and expects to complete the initial portion of the work in May 2007. Logistically the job is more than a challenge. Not only is the access to the site extremely tight, the hours which work can be performed are brief as well. The company is using two Volvo EC 460B excavators on the project along with Volvo A40 and A35C trucks as well as Super 10 trucks. In addition to the close quarters of the site, the time restrictions are tight by anyone’s standards. Due to the area adjacent to the site being a major business district as well as an extremely affluent neighborhood work must be conducted between the hours of 9AM – 2PM. This narrow window allows for a maximum of 60 truckloads per day. At portions of the site work is not allowed to begin until 10AM and must be completed by 2PM. It goes without saying that there is no work allowed on Saturday.
   
 


(Above & Right) The Volvo EC 210 B removing concrete debris  from the site.

In addition to their excavation work at the site, Ross Guy is also assisting with some of the demolition work as well. The company has demoed the pool house and ancillary buildings along with a wing of the main structure. They are using an EC 210B hydraulic excavator with a grapple and 5000lb. BTI 980 hammer as well as a 10,000lb. BTI

 
2080 hammer for the demo portion of the project.“In order for a job like this to run smoothly you have to work in sync with the demo contractor and shoring contractor,” Ross Guy explained. “Logistically the project is very challenging. We have a 5 hour time frame in which we are able to complete our work. We also are working in a very tight area and I can’t get my Super 10 trucks right onto the site. We load up the smaller trucks and then transfer the materials to the Super 10’s. This type of situation can really be a nightmare if you don’t plan out every detail.”
 
Ross Guy is currently working on another project in west LA. The company is excavating the last vacant lot in Century City.  The site, which has remained vacant for decades, is finally being developed by Charles Pankow, Ltd. Ross Guy & Son is excavating a 37 foot hole that will eventually be the parking structure in a new high-end condo high rise. Work will begin in December and be completed the early portion of 2007. Much like the Avenue of the Stars project this one has very tight time restraints as well. All work can only be performed during the hours of 10AM and 3PM. This allows for only 120 trucks per day. The company is using its new Volvo EC 460B excavator on the job along with its EC 210 and their Volvo L120C loader. Ross Guy & Son has enjoyed a 25 year relationship with Charles Pankow, Ltd. They are currently working on another project for Pankow Ltd. This project is a massive excavation at 9th and Broadway in Los Angeles. This site has extremely tight constraints. A Hitachi EX 750 excavator and Volvo L180 loader are being employed on the project that also includes the installation of wet utilities.
(Above) Ross Guy & Son’s Volvo EC 210B excavator removing demolition debris
with a grapple attachment. (Right) The Volvo EC 210B taking down a pine tree.
The company is going to begin work on a waterline for the City of Oceanside. Ross Guy & Son replaced a 12 inch water main. The project required digging a 1300 ft. bore and a 1300 ft. open cut for a total of 2600 ft. of new main. The site ran adjacent to the San Luis Rey River and is a water transmission main for the irrigation of Capistrano Park. A Volvo EC 240B and an EC 210B were used on the project. Ross Guy & Son also recently completed work for the East Municipal Water District. The company replaced 700 ft. of 12 in. sewer line. Because work took place in the center of Winchester Road in Murrieta Ross Guy & Son was restricted to completing their work at night. The company also just completed work at Flintridge Prep High School in La Canada. Ross Guy & Son handled the excavation for a new building pad and the installation of wet utilities.
Company owner and President, Ross Guy doesn’t mince words when it comes to Volvo equipment. “One of the greatest challenges we face as a company is the rising fuel costs,” said Guy. “Volvo is the best when it comes to fuel efficiency. They burn 15% – 25% less fuel than the same machine or truck by another manufacturer. Nobody even comes close to Volvo when it comes to fuel efficiency.” Ross Guy & Son obtains their Volvo equipment from Mathews Machinery. “We’ve had a long standing relationship with Dave Mathews,” said Ross.
 

In order to handle the atypical project that Ross Guy & Son is drawn to takes top-notch management. David Carney is the company’s chief estimator. Ross described David as “my right hand man.” David has worker with Ross for well over a decade. David’s brother, Roger is a Superintendent for the company and has worked for Ross 8 years. Barry Klein is company foreman on the mainline crew. Barry has been with Ross four years.
 

 

“We like the jobs that have challenges,” said Ross. “We have a great deal of experience dealing with work being conducted in close quarters and contending extreme time restraints. These types of projects are just work as usual for us.” Whether working out the logistics of getting a caravan of heavy machinery into the heart of Downtown Los Angeles or dealing with sewage systems flowing at 4,500 gallons a minute Ross Guy takes it all in stride. “This was something I aspired to do since I was a child,” said Guy.
“I am very grateful to be able to get up in the


(Top) One of Ross Guy & Son’s Volvo EC 460B excavators performing mass excavation. (Above, L-R) Gordy Villa, Ernie Roszi III (Operator), Jessy Snyder (Foreman) and Manual Marfao.

morning and go to work at something I enjoy. Plenty of people don’t have that type of opportunity. I feel very lucky to be doing what I enjoy and being my own boss.” 

Ross Guy & Son, Inc. specializes in heavy equipment rental operated and maintained. Call 951-894-6635. Cc

 

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