Science First Complete!!!

It has been a good month for Compass Group. Today, our project called "Science First" received what is called a Certificate of Occupancy which means we passed mandatory inspections by the county. Now the project owners can begin to move their office and equipment into the building. Last February, Ron Flick had a telephone conversation with Aaron and Nancy Bell, (the owners)about acquiring the land for their new plant and in that conversation they asked Ron if we could also build the building and by the way could we be finished by December 31st? Well, it is November 16th and we are essentially complete. We began this 25,000 SF manufacturing facility in June....now that is what you would call the fast track...wouldn't you say? Compass Group has a stellar reputation for completing work on time and on budget. I am proud of our team that made this another successful project.

Science First Coming to Nassau Tradeplex

June was an exciting month for Compass Group as we embarked on a new project called Science First (scroll down for picture). Late last winter Ron Flick flew to Buffalo to meet with the owners of the project in order to evaluate their needs and requirements for land and the feasibility of building in the Nassau Tradeplex. It was a perfect fit, and in just a few short months of development and planning, ground was broken for their new manufacturing facility. Another expedited project, Science First is anticipated to be completed in December. The primary structure is "tilt-up" supported by steel framing and will will have 25,000 SF of warehouse with 5,000 SF of office space.

What's going on?

If you look to your right and scroll down, you will see our last completed project, RDL Logistics. Formerly, Scott Trucking, RDL provides full transport services for clients throughout Northeast Florida. Six thousand SF of office space, seven thousand SF of tractor maintenace bays and four acres of paved trucking bays (211 spaces) was completed in a record 5 months (and they said it couldn't be done). Ron Flick, (CGI owner) worked virgorously in conjunction with the Nassau County Economic Development Board, Nassau County Commissioners, and RDL owner David Livesay to ensure that this project would be expedited in all phases of development, permitting from planning through actual construction.

Our First Day in the Blogosphere...is that really a word?

We have spent thousands of dollars over the years on glossy, glitzy newsletters and beautiful pamphlets that take months to produce. Marketers will tell you never to stop marketing your name even when times are tough...in fact, that is when you really need to keep your name out in front of the competition. I completely agree, however, I know for myself that when I receive trifold, bifold, multifold, gold foiled, embossed, personalized pamphlets that say Flick, Lisa they usually serve as contents for our recycling bin or a handy coaster for my favorite non-alcoholic beverage (I am at work, mind you). After checking out our church's blog (http://www.providentiallyspeaking.blogpot.com/) I realized what a great forum (i.e. FREE) this would be to communicate with our clients, subcontractors, employee family members and anybody else who cares what Compass Group is up to this red hot minute.

While Compass Group was not immune from the downturn in the economy, we feel fortunate and blessed that we are still able to hang our CGI banner. Downsizing has made our company a leaner and more efficient machine and we have all cross-trained in functions we never thought we would be capable of doing. Rather than taking a dim and negative look at the economy, we have seen this period as an opportunity; not a time to be discouraged. Positive thinking has become a practice for all of us (thank you Dr. Norman Vincent Peale) despite the gloom and doom of the news (which none of us watch anymore). Faith has been strengthed and renewed.

Our next blog will be about our company's capabilities and current projects. We will follow that with a synopsis of our employees so you will know who I will be talking about in the days and weeks to come.

Thanks for reading. See you soon.