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Good pay, variety and opportunity to move up are in store for employees at Backus Concrete. John Backus, who is celebrating 10 years in business, said,“ The pay is good, but we expect a lot. If you are looking for an easy job this isn’ t the place.”
On any given day, you can pull into the Backus Concrete parking lot and be met with the rumble of bulldozers or backhoes. There is a flurry of activity from loading materials, preparing equipment and comaraderie among workers.
“ This is not the kind of job where you have a break at ten and two o’ clock,” said Tara Sims, Office Manager. Employees must be flexible and consistent.
This concrete company does everything from pouring slabs and paving to saw cutting and demolition. They specialize in industrial jobs- tear out and pour back.
New employees can build a career with the company, if they are willing to put in the work.
Jose Salinas, Facilities Manager, has learned many new skills in his two years with the company.“ I was a shop laborer,” Salinas said.“ I showed them what I could do and moved up fast.”
Salinas said he learned while he was in the shop, making repairs on equipment such as slab saws, backhoes, bulldozers and excavators.
The company is quick to recognize the experience of its employees, said Fernando Ruiz, Foreman.“ I was promoted to Foreman after a month or two on the job,” Ruiz said.“ I think they saw what I could do. I had been in construction in Oklahoma City for 17 years.”
Construction appeals to Ruiz, who doesn’ t like to be inside closed spaces all day, preferring to be out where he can feel the sun. He also likes the variety of projects he works on at Backus Concrete.
“ It’ s not the same thing every day,” Ruiz said.“ You do different things from day to day.”