Jobs at BIDCO,Buffalo.

From: Brian
Location: Bflo.
Email: wlbblw at aol.com
Remote Name: 152.163.253.71
Date: 12/31/03
Time: 04:32:04 PM

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BIDCO Marine Group, Inc. Most companies are proud to show off the projects they have completed, and BIDCO Marine Group is no exception. The difference with this Buffalo-based company, however, is that most of its projects are located deep in the murky depths underwater. BIDCO Marine Group is the new parent company of Buffalo Industrial Diving Company, BIDCO Fabrication Technologies, BIDCO Dredge and Dock, BIDCO Offshore, LLC and The Buffalo Shipyard. Its main focus is marine and underwater construction work or, as President/CEO Mark Judd says, “building, repairing or tearing down anything on, under or near water.” BIDCO has some impressive projects on its resume, including placing more than 80 miles of 30-inch, high-pressure underwater natural gas pipelines in Long Island Sound and Boston Harbor. The projects’ combined revenues amounted to more than $10 million and utilized more than 100,000 man hours and 3,500 dives. BIDCO also was influential in the construction of the new underwater harbor tunnels as part of Boston’s “Big Dig” project. Locally, it was BIDCO that dredged and moved the ships in the Buffalo Inner Harbor and constructed the new naval basin in which they float. And, working with the local branch of the Army Corps of Engineers, BIDCO is currently constructing a substantial sheet-piling wall at the approach to the Black Rock Locks. According to Judd, about 30 percent of the company’s projects take place in Buffalo. The balance are scattered around the nation, with the majority taking place in the northeast corridor of the U.S. “We compete for projects with some of the world’s largest underwater companies,” says Judd. “Our experience and safety records speak for themselves, so the majority of our business comes from word of mouth and client referrals.” Judd says the company undertakes upward of 40 projects annually, and typically has 10 projects going at any given time. Judd, a Buffalo native and himself a deep-sea diver, started the company in 1993 with just two employees. At that time, it was called Buffalo Industrial Diving Company, Inc., and was located in South Buffalo. In 2000, the company purchased the assets of a local marine construction company and acquired six acres of waterfront real estate in North Tonawanda. As the company grew and more space was needed, Judd began looking at Buffalo’s waterfront. In 2001, BIDCO moved into its present location, the former Buffalo Dry-dock, a 160-year-old shipyard on Ganson Street. Judd spent nearly $1 million to renovate the facility. “The waterfront has expanded our capabilities considerably,” Judd says. “We now have 12 acres of shipyard and five buildings totaling more than 100,000 square feet. We also have entered into a contract to purchase an additional four acres of waterfront directly adjacent to our facility.” They’re going to need it. BIDCO experienced a 70+ percent growth over the past year, and increased its number of full-time employees to more than 50. As the marine contracting industry moves toward increased specialization, BIDCO’s growth strategies have kept pace. The company completed upward of $15 million in business contracts in 2003 and, in 2002, was listed as the ninth fastest-growing company in Western New York by Business First. And BIDCO is still growing. Judd’s recent purchase of a 110-foot dive support vessel will assist one of its divisions, BIDCO Offshore, LLC., in competing for larger oil, gas and energy-related projects around the world. With its continued growth, BIDCO is constantly seeking new employees. Besides commercial divers, the company employs ironworkers, welders, operating engineers, pile drivers, safety experts and a full office staff, including CPA and legal personnel. BIDCO offers a comprehensive healthcare plan, matching 401(k) plan, vacation and holiday package, and bonus and profit sharing plans. “We are always looking for top-notch people,” says Judd. “We try to remain competitive with our benefits, and we treat our employees well.” Bill Lawrence has been BIDCO’s safety officer for three years. He believes BIDCO is well positioned in an industry with tremendous growth potential because of the company’s diverse talents and expertise and its professional approach. “BIDCO makes sure its divers are certified and well trained,” says Lawrence. “We take a proactive approach to safety, making sure our staff is up to speed on how to do every job safely.” Brian Calliari, a commercial diver with BIDCO for four years, agrees. “This is a challenging field and BIDCO is a fast-growing company with many opportunities for advancement. They go about every job very safely and they treat their employees well.” Anyone interested in exploring employment opportunities with BIDCO should mail his or her resume to: Human Resources Director, BIDCO Marine Group, 201 Ganson St., Buffalo, N.Y. 14203, or via e-mail to: employment at bidcomarine.com.