Dutton says ADSC, PDCA, AED and DFI are all devoted to giving back to our industry. He calls the foundation industry the “invisible” infrastructure. “You can see a bridge,” he says, however the foundation is the most important part of any structure, but it’s invis- ible. He says all the industry groups educate the public about deep foundations and their importance. DFI is probably more diverse, with its many short courses and conference papers and its own research programs, providing an excellent source of information. Looking Ahead Dutton sees growth in the deep foundations industry, mainly because the infrastructure is critical to the U.S. economy. He notes that legislation impacts the construction industry, citing the FHWA’s reaction to earthquakes, that of mandating seismic criteria for bridges and highways. This new design criteria helped the foundation drilling industry to surpass all other foundation technologies. The economy is always a factor as well. The business model for ECA changed in 1975, the year Dutton joined the firm. Originally ECA bought and sold used equipment of all kinds; they would buy anything cheap in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and turn it into a profit, he recalls. The new model has evolved toward foundation equipment, much of it imported from Europe. ECA has a calculated growth strategy with exclusive distribution east of the Mississippi and Eastern Canada. They are a full-service equipment dealer actively involved in the distribution of foundation construction equipment, and they service what they sell. In March 2015, ECA acquired New England Construction Products, Taunton, Mass. Then in August, the firm added Pile Equipment of Green Cove Spring, Fla. Summing up the current construction scene, Dutton says ECA works in major markets with many multi-billion dollar projects, such as the new Tappan Zee Bridge in New York, most of the stadiums east of the Mississippi River, the rebuilding efforts at Ground Zero and many other high-profile projects. We “can go up or down, depending on those projects,” he says. Dutton also notes the growth of private/public partnerships as another aspect of their current business. Underlying all projections, says Dutton, is the fact that a “healthy infrastructure is critical to our economy and necessary to support the growth of our nation.” Combining Golf and Charity Dutton recently played 74 holes of golf in a dawn to dusk charity for deserving caddies. His own caddy for years won one of these scholarships and went on to Temple University. Dutton’s personal charity included some very big tips. In his private life, golf looms large. He has been on the board of directors of his golf club, and has coached youth football, baseball and basketball. Dutton attributes the success of his career to the support of his wife, Mary Jane. Over their 43 years of marriage, and often reminded by her that “I was only home for 21 of them,” they have raised a family with two sons, two daughters, two grandsons and two granddaughters. In addition to his passion for golf and sports, he has been active in local Corvette clubs and has chaired local Corvette car shows. Virginia Fairweather 70 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • NOV/DEC 2015
