Shamrock merges with NorCal Building Materials

<p>Shamrock Materials, one of Sonoma County's largest concrete producers, next month will consolidate operations with NorCal Building Materials in an effort to cut expenses as the lack of work continues to hold down the construction sector.</p><p>Shamrock President and CEO Gene Ceccotti characterized the move as a merger, saying the two companies previously were “affiliates” with some common ownership.</p><p>No financial details were disclosed. The combined companies will operate under the name of Shamrock, founded in 1954.</p><p>Both Ceccotti and NorCal President Jim Hill said the combined companies would consolidate their office staffs to operate more efficiently in a tough economy. The companies also expect to save on insurance and other expenses.</p><p>Ceccotti called the ongoing slowdown in the construction industry “just a horrific situation,” one that has forced many construction companies to go through the pain of downsizing.</p><p>“I think we're preserving as many jobs as we can by doing this,” he said of the merger.</p><p>The change, Ceccotti said, possibly would result in the loss of one to two clerical jobs. He said he couldn't tell how many workers the combined company would employ, partly because the number fluctuates so much based upon construction activity.</p><p>Hill will continue with the combined company, Ceccotti said.</p><p>By the first of February, the combined companies will have a main office in Petaluma and a second office in Santa Rosa.</p><p>Shamrock isn't planning to permanently shutter any existing concrete plants, Ceccotti said, but at times the company will ship concrete to plants rather than producing it on site.</p><p>According to Shamrock's website, the company operates concrete plants in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Cloverdale, Sonoma, Napa, San Rafael and Novato. It also operates three building materials yards in Petaluma, Cotati and San Rafael and a gravel facility in Cloverdale.</p><p>NorCal owns two concrete plants in Santa Rosa and Middletown. It also operates Sebastopol Ready Mix, Hill said.</p>