Aside from the fact that the Building Erection Services Co. has been able to achieve some efficiencies in labor and equipment by being a diverse company, there really is one main reason the company has been able to achieve the level of success that is had to date: its people.

Asked why he thinks the company has been so successful over the years, Bill Miller said matter-of-factly, "The people we have here. We have extraordinary people."

Jack Jamison, manager of the crane rental division, echoed that sentiment when he said, "The biggest think we have going for us is the people we have."

Structural steel division manager Larry Fansher summed up the company's overall approach to this issue well when he said, "We have good personnel. We have the equipment. And we're competitive."

It is not coincidence that Building Erection Services Co. has the team of quality workers that it has, though. Of course, the diversity of the company has attracted workers looking for a steady work environment, but it's been the company's actual attitude to its workers that has enabled Building Erection Services to gain so many long-term workers.

Rodger Kaminska, business manager at Operating Engineers Local 101, commented on the company's relationship with its crane operators.

"Building Erection Services Co. has been a union contractor since it started," Kaminska said. "They always keep their equipment in good working order. It is a good place for operating engineers to work."

Kaminska testified to Building Erection Services' commitment to training and safety.

'Bill Miller is definitely committed to the safety and training of his employees," he said. "The company is committed to helping us with training. We have a good relationship with Building Erection Services Co."

Bill Miller, who got his first construction job out of a labor hall, is heavily involved in and supportive of the local operating engineers and ironworkers unions.

Chuck Nolen, training director with the Builders' Association Training Center, Kansas City, Mo., commented on Miller's support of industry training.

"It's a good company to work for," said Nolen. "They have a nucleus of men who have been there for a long time, and they keep them busy. We work very closely with Bill," Nolen continued. "He's a big part of the training program here. He's chairman of our Joint Apprenticeship Committee. He's big into training."

For example, Miller recently helped Nolen with an intensive, one-week, 40-hour glazing and surveying instrument class for the company's window division.

Miller and Building Erection Services also has helped out with charity efforts, such as churches and day-care centers. "Bill is very helpful if we need something for a charity project," Nolen said. "He bends over backwards to help me. He always lends me whatever is needed to get the job done to help the community."

Overall, summed up Nolen, "It's a real pleasure to work with him and his company. He makes his workers toe the mark, but they respect that."

Additionally, Miller has helped his industry in other ways by assisting in the founding of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) and serving on ASA's national board of directors. Miller is also involved with the Precast Concrete Institute, helping to write new standards for certification of precast erection services.

Miller said helping people in the industry is "the kind of thing, that if you have the opportunity to do, you should do it."

"I feel I owe it to the industry," he added. I've done well by this industry. There are a lot of good people in this business. And really, we're in this industry together."

When its five different divisions, that attitude represents well what Bill Miller -- Building Erection Services Co., Inc. -- is all about.

Continuity should not be a problem if Miller's sons have their way. Four of the five sons are involved in the business.

Bill Jr. is an apprentice ironworker; Brad is a journeyman operator; Dan, a 1997 graduate of the University of Kansas, has started work as an estimator in the glass and glazing division; and Lucas, a senior this fall at Rockhurst High School is planning to enter engineering classes after graduation, and intends to run the company when his dad retires.

Miller said that his dream is that his sons make Building Erection Services "10 times better than it is today and to pass the company on to their sons or daughters and continue the operations on into the next century.

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