Eckstrom says he expects California Drywall's crews to use only cordless screw guns and routers within the next year. This greatly aids in efficiency, he says. Eliminating the cords not only increases productivity, it greatly enhances safety, he adds.

Safety Culture

Six years ago, California Drywall posted a worse-than-average 1.24 experience modification ratio (EMR)—a way of measuring safety. As a result, the firm hired a full-time director of safety, who is assisted by another full-time safety professional.

Hard hats, gloves, glasses and vests are now required on all sites. Weekly meetings review every incident or near incident. The contractor established an awards and incentive program and instituted safety training in Spanish as well as in English.

The effort has paid off. Last year, California Drywall recorded an EMR of 0.40, one of the lowest in the nation. The firm's federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable incident rate was 1.87, against a national average of 4.6 for drywall contractors. Last year, the company received Cal/OSHA's Golden Gate recognition for its Foundry Square III project in San Francisco.

"For us, safety is not a business objective, it's a cultural value," says Greg Eckstrom, the company's vice president. "This distinction is important, as a business objective can change, while a value doesn't. This value and our commitment to it enables our employees go home safely each and every night to their families. Our goal is performance—but never at the cost of anyone's safety."

Philanthropy is another core value at the firm. For more than 20 years, company principals and employees have contributed cash donations up to $30,000 annually to the nonprofit Martha's Kitchen in San Jose, which provides free meals.

Eckstrom, whose 13-year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2006, also led an effort by the company to donate $30,000 annually to Diabetes, Youth, Families. Employees also volunteer to feed and aid the disadvantaged and homeless in San Jose at Boccardo Family Living Center and Julian Street Inn.

"We thrive as a company by giving back," Bowles says. "It's something we should do, and we feel it is natural to want to do that."