Dive Brief:
-
The skills a construction worker needs are similar to those of the technicians and mechanics who keep the cars running at drag races, at least one contractor has learned. St. Joseph, MO-based Herzog Contracting Corp. execs are hanging out at race tracks in an effort to recruit that talent.
-
For seven years, the railroad and heavy highway construction firm has sponsored a car driven by Tony Pedregon, a two-time National Hot Rod Association “funny car” champion. Herzog CEO Al Landes, who is also president of the Associated General Contractors of America, explained to Equipment World: “As people who build magnificent things for a living, we have a special appreciation for the incredible skill and persistence required by these teams to make these amazing machines perform at such a high level.”
-
The Association of Equipment Management Professionals also encourages its member companies to tap talent from drag racing crews. AEMP Chairman Thad Pirtle, equipment manager for construction company Traylor Bros. in Alexandria, VA, started his career as dragster technician.
Dive Insight:
“It makes a lot of sense for the association to get involved in motorsports, considering how popular racing is among many of the employees of our member firms,” Landes told the magazine. Pirtle added: “There is a lot of teamwork, quality and reliability in both. Every move has to count. Every move has to be correct. It’s no different from what we do on a construction project. It all comes together in a very condensed version on a race car.”