Toys For Tots 2009

W. L. French Excavating Corporation is once again an official drop off location for "TOYS FOR TOTS". Sponsered by the United States Marine Corps, our main office is now an offical drop of for new, unwrapped toys for those who are less fortunate.

Please join us in helping those with difficulties this holiday season by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to our office.

Annual Agreements For Subcontractors Availalble Online

2010 Annual Subcontract Agreements are now available online to be downloaded.
Please visit the following link for more information:

www.wlfrench.com/subcontractors.html

W. L. French Excavating Corporation wishes all employees and their families a safe and happy Labor Day and thanks each one for their continued hard work and dedication to our company.



Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic."
dol.gov

On behalf of W. L. French Excavating Corporation, we are sad to inform you all of Paul Lacerda’s untimely passing. He was a wonderful person, employee and a great friend to many people here at W. L. French and throughout the trucking community.

After a courageous battle with Cancer, Paul passed away at home on Tuesday of this week. For those who would like to pay their respects to Paul and his family information regarding his services can be found below.

We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Donna, John, & Nicole and to the entire Lacerda Family. Paul will be greatly missed.

~ The French Family




LACERDA, Paul Francis of N. Billerica, entered into rest on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at home in Billerica. He was 45 years of age. Born in Brockton, Paul had resided in Billerica for many years. He graduated from the Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tecnical High School and worked as a truck driver for the French Corporation. Beloved husband of Donna Lynne (DiPaolo). Dear and devoted father of Nicole L. Lacerda of Billerica, John Michael Lacerda of E. Bridgewater and Heather Lcaerda of East Boston. Loving son of John M. and Jane (Allen) Lacerda of Raynham.Sister of Michelle Sylvia of Lakeville. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Friday from 5-7 p.m. followed by a funeral service 7 p.m. Interment Private. Contributions in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701, or to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Lawrence, MA 01843 would be sincerely appreciated.

W. L. French Obtains License to Transport Hazardous Waste

Boston, MA

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recently licensed W. L. French Excavating Corporation as a Hazardous Waste Transporter.

"Residents of Massachusetts should be pleased to know that Mass DEP only certifies qualified businesses to do this type of work. It was a tedious application process,"
said John Nelson the firms transportation manager. "It is taken very seriously by the State and we take it seriously as well."

"We are pleased to be able to offer another service to our clients and another revenue source for the company. This license is a natural progression for us as we have been hauling soils of all types for almost forty years." Nelson continued.

The license went into effect on June 19th, 2009.

http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/

Work Begins At Hascom Field

Bedford, MA

Work began on the Reconstruction of Taxiway 'E' at Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA.

"We are excited about working on another runway. It is a demanding environment but we enjoy the work."


Ariel photos were taken prior to the commencement of work. Progress photos will be posted as they become available.

French Executes Contract With DCAM For New Project

Boston, MA

Contract documents have been signed for the Middleton Colony site project in Middleton, MA.

Work on this project is scheduled to commence Summer 2009.

WLF Mark's Company's Thirty Seventh Anniversary As We Enter The Memorial Day Weekend

May 23, 2009

This weekend marks the 37th Anniversary of the company's inception. "It has been thirty-seven years this weekend since I started the company....it has come a long way since I bought my first B81," said Bill French, Sr.


Bill French, Sr. photographed above in 1972 next to his Mack DM800. This truck worked for over thirty years before it was retired as an antique.

Bill French, Sr. started the company at the age of eighteen while living in Belmont, MA. "I started out as a one man show. To be named as one of the area's fastest growing private companies by the Boston Business Journal this past April after thirty-seven years in business was an honor. It is my hope to continue to grow and to be successful for the next forty years!"

"To be able to love your job and continue to evolve, diversify, and grow for nearly four decades is a huge achievement," says company President Bill French, Jr. "We are proud of the foundation he created for this company. We are also proud of the name he created."

Bill French, Jr. was named President of W. L. French Excavating Corporation in 2005. Bill French, Sr. assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer. "As we all know the country is currently in a recession. I tell our employees we have been through this three or four times. This is when experience and lessons learned come in to play. When things are good its easy for everyone but only the strong survive when times are tough."

He continued, "You do not stay in business this long without good employees and people around you. I have been lucky to have a strong core group of people who have been with the company for a long time. I have had great mentors throughout my career, people who spent time to teach me things one way; the right way. Over the past ten years my children have stepped up to contribute to the success of the company. It more than I ever could have imagined when I eighteen years old just trying to make a living."

Progress Photos of Logan Airport Night Shift

Boston, MA

Second shift work continues at Logan International Airport. Night photos can be seen below:

French Ready To Start Runway Rehab At Hanscom Airforce Base

Bedford, MA

After being named the apparent low bidder, W. L. French Excavating Corporation is ready to begin work on the Hanscom Air force Base Runway Rehabilitation of Taxiway "E".



"This is our second project at an active airport within the past year," said Vice President Tom Dion. "We are anticipating heavy security similar to what we have seen at Logan, if not greater, due to the military nature of Hascom. Intense security was experienced at The Portsmouth Naval Station in recent months, posing no issue for our employees."


Work is scheduled to begin the first of June 2009.

French Receives NTP From MWRA

Boston, MA

The MWRA issued Notice To Proceed for the Grit and Screenings Hauling and Disposal Contract for Metro Boston.


After being named apparent low bidder, this Notice To Proceed formalizes the contract between MWRA and French.

"This is the largest grit and screenings disposal project in New England," said John Nelson - Transportation Manager. "We are pleased to be working for the MWRA. They are a top notch organization within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Work is scheduled to commence June 2, 2009.

Remobilization Begins At Logan Airport

Boston, MA

Crews recently remobilized at Logan Airport to continue work on the "Centerfield Taxi-Way" Contract.

"We are happy to be back out on the runway," said Bill French, Jr. "This is a demanding project but we have an excellent crew out there working hard all day every day." Second shift work began the first of May 2009. French continued, "We are ready to work around the clock and do whatever it takes to continue to make this a successful project for all involved"

Progress photos from the 2008 season can be seen below.

Photos of 2009 Patriots Day Parade

Arlington, MA

W. L. French Excavating Corporation participated in the Annual Patriots Day Parade this year showcasing three tractor trailer units.

This year's Parade was nearly canceled due to budget restraints. Thankfully the Town pulled through. Patriots Day marks the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Arlington also played a vitale role in the first battles of the revolutionary War and it is an important holiday to celebrate and remember. Photos from the parade can be found below.

W. L. French Prepares For Patriots Day

Arlington, MA

The Annual Patriots Day Parade is set for Sunday April 19th, 2009. W. L. French Excavating Corporation will be displaying three tractor trailer units in this years parade.

"We enjoy this parade because it is in the Town we grew up in, our home town. It is a fun event that we look foward to every year," said Lisa French Kelley. "Now, being held on a Sunday rather than Monday it no longer conflicts with the Boston Marathon - the more people who attend the parade the better. The kids enjoy the trucks and we enjoy showcasing them."



If you are interested in coming to the Arlington Patriots Day Parade:

April 19th Patriots Day Parade, 12:30 pm
Brattle St. to Walgreens in East Arlington
Full info and additional Patriots Day events can be found here:
http://www.town.arlington.ma.us/Public_Documents/F00021DE1/S01480A44-0148A46F?formid=161

Boston Business Journal Recognizes French As "Pacesetter"

Park Plaza Hotel Boston, MA

On April 17, 2009 The Boston Business Journal annouced the Top 60 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Massachusetts as "Pacesetters" at a breakfast held at the Park Plaza Hotel.




Over 2,500 privately held firms were surveyed and /or submitted finanical reports in order to earn a spot on the Top 60 Fastest Growing Companies In Massachusetts.
William L. French, Jr. and William L. French, Sr. at the Pacesetter Breakfast.


The Top 60 Pacesetter's for 2009:

AgencyPort Insurance Services Inc.
AVID Technical Resources
Beacon Hill Staffing Group
Beacon Partners Inc.
Braver
Bullhorn
Cambridge NanoTech
Commodore Builders
Communispace Corporation
Costantino Richards Rizzo LLP
Crossbeam Systems
Davies Murphy Group
Destination Wedding Travel Inc.
DiCicco Gulman & Co. LLP
E Ink Corp.
eClinicalWorks
EdgeRock Technology Partners
Eliassen Group
FableVision Inc.
Feeley & Driscoll PC
Globoforce
Goodwin Procter LLP
Grandstream Networks
High Street Partners
Hill & Partners Inc.
Hollister
IneoQuest
Infoscitex Corporation
Innovative Foods Inc./Goodwives
Integra Technology Consulting
Integrated Design Group Inc.
Kaydon Group/Florence Electric
Kronos Inc.
LogMeIn Inc.
Merchant Warehouse
MindLeaf Technologies Inc.
Nauset Construction Corp.
Reveal Imaging Technologies
S4 Inc.
Schneider Associates
Senior Whole Health LLC
Shawmut Design and Construction
Strategis LLC
Suffolk Construction Co. Inc.
Sullivan & McLaughlin Cos. Inc.
Syrinx Consulting Corp.
TalentBurst Inc.
The Bowdoin Group Inc.
The Brookeside Group, Inc
Verndale
Trinity Building and Construction Management Corp.
Unidine Corp.
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.
Verc Enterprises Inc.
Veroxity Technology Partners LLC
W. L. French Excavating Corporation
W.B. Mason Co.
William A Berry & Son Inc.
Winsper
Winter, Wyman

New Design For Corporate Web Page Underway

W. L. French Excavating Corporation recently pulled its website down in preparation for the launch of a new website. "We are excited to update our clients and visitors of our site with the progress our firm has made in the past several years," says Lisa Kelley Director of Business Development.
"Times have changed and so has the needs of our website. Our new website will showcase newly completed projects and also will be utilized as more of a business tool internally and for our vendors and subcontractors as well."

Photographer, Julie Moscatel of Julie Moscatel Photography, pictured above, www.juliemoscatelphotography.com, photographed the staff earlier this week for the website. "We were please to have Ms. Moscatel come and photograph our staff. She does excellent work and is truly a pleasure to work with," Kelley continued.

W. L. French Excavating Corporation hopes to launch its new website by May 2009.

Boston Business Journal Names French As A Pacesetter Among Private Companies In Boston

W. L. French Excavating Corporation has been named one of the "Fastest Growing Private Companies" by the Boston Business Journal. On April 17th, a breakfast will be held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel for the top sixty firms that earned a spot on this list.

Lisa Kelley Joins Staff As Director of Business Development

February 2009

Lisa Kelley recently joined the staff at W. L. French Excavating Corporation as the Director of Business Development. Past experience includes working for Schwartz Public Relations in Waltham, MA as an account manager. Ms. Kelley graduated with a Degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts.

Bill French, Sr. is pleased with the new addition to his staff, "We are thrilled to have Lisa on board - she is going to be a huge asset to our team."

Delays At Logan Down Due To The Construction of The Centerfield Taxiway

NECN -

Logan International Airport is seeing direct results from the construction of the Centerfield Taxiway "Mike". W. L. French performed site work 2008 for J. F. White Contracting, Co. and Massport Authority and will resume work on the second part of the proejct this Spring.

Click on the link below for the story regarding improvements made due to this project.

W. L. French To Host Monthly Meeting For The American Truck Historical Society, New England Chapter

Billerica, MA

William L. French, Sr. will be hosting the monthly meeting of the American Truck Historical Society, Massachusetts Chapter, Sunday March 1, 2009.

"Incorporated in 1971, the not-for-profit American Truck Historical Society was formed to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers.

The ATHS logo was designed to bring together elements of the trucking industry. The shield represents the shape of Federal Highway Markers; the wheel symbolizes the momentum of a great industry; the bold stripes signify the open road; and the colors -- red, white and blue -- are the colors of America." [aths.org]

Over one hundred members from the New England Chapter are expected to attend. Others are welcome. Please contact Laurie Gallagher if you are interested in attending: lgallager@wlfrench.com

Foreman Alex Haney Recognized At UMASS Medical School

Worcester, MA

Project Foreman, Alex Haney, has managed the UMASS Medical School Project tremendously since day one. After the company and the project were featured in New England Construction Magazine CEO, Bill French, Sr., presented Alex with a framed copy of the story in which Haney was quoted.

"Alex has handled every phase of this project thus far with concern, timeliness, and have proven what a productive foreman he is. The crew, the clients, everyone works well with Alex," says Bill French, Sr. "People do not realize when you are working in an area such as a Medical School there is no room for error. It is a highly sensitive environment and Alex is doing a great job."

Work Continues At UMASS Medical School

Worcester, MA

Phase III of the Utility Installation Tunnel at UMASS Medical School has begun.

Updated progress photos can be found below:




Operator, Joel Santoes, has worked days and nights on the project since it began.

Foundation Pouring Begins At The Church of Latter Day Saints

Cambridge, MA

Excavation has been completed and the pouring of the foundation for the Church has begun.

W. L. French Excavating Corporation has demobilized from this job and plans to start back up again in approximantely one to two months.

W. L. French Forman, John Lever, Appears In Dunkin Donuts Commerical

Boston, MA

America Runs On Dunkins. And so do the employees of W. L. French Excavating Corporation.


John [Buddy] Lever was asked to appear in the commerical while he stopped on his coffee break at the AVENIR Project located on Causeway Street in Boston while getting coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

Buddy makes an appearance in the ad drinking his coffee while dressed in full WLF Saftey Attire. The ad has been running in the Boston area for the last week.

W. L. French Excavating Corporation Celebrates The New Year

W. L. French Excavating Corporation looks forward to 2009 with a cautiously optimistic attitude. While the country is in the midst of an economic crisis it is more important than ever for employers and employees alike to remain focused in order to succeed in a difficult economic climate.

Company President, William L. French, Jr. stated to employees, "In 2009 we will focus on our areas of expertise that we have had past successes on. We will build upon those areas and continue to move foward. Competion is severe, so our decisions on each and every job we be - as always - calculated, well thought-out and planned so that we are able to execute efficently; from pulling plans, submitting bid proposals, to executing contract agreements."

"I am proud of the clientele that we have built," says Tom Dion Executive Vice President. "We have an excellent group of customers. Our employees have and will continue to work hard. So it is with the changes that the New Year brings; new beginnings, new challenges, and new opportunities - we look forward to 2009."

As for CEO, William L. French Sr who has experienced several economic downturns throughout his career, he believes that, "This is a time for owners and management to constantly assess and reassess all aspects of the business. It is imperative to maintain a positive outlook during times like these - when things are not easy. Our goal to satisfy our customers needs and their projects needs and that is at the forefront everyday and even more so now. Because excellence is a habit that we will continue to strive for; wheather the economy is good or not."