Business View Caribbean July 2023

25 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 pandemic, we moved into looking for technology and tools... to keep our business operation running,” he explained. They relied heavily on technological advancements, incorporating video conferencing and cloud-based solutions, to stay resilient and maintain their operations. Navigating Unique Building Conditions in Puerto Rico Villavicencio provided a detailed walkthrough of his firm’s current projects, underlining their distinctive challenges while constructing in Puerto Rico. He emphasized that one of the critical considerations is planning around the hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. “One of the major factors in looking at a project in Puerto Rico is how you plan around the hurricane season... Most of the construction in Puerto Rico is done with cast-in-place concrete, unlike in the States where you see much more wood construction,” Villavicencio explained. He added that the general contractor model in Puerto Rico typically features a self-perform crew that works with these concrete construction methods, something less common in the States due to the prevalence of wood-based buildings. Villavicencio mentioned the diverse range of their projects, from ground-up construction and major renovations to commercial interior work. They’ve had a lot of repeat business from large clients like PENFED (Pentagon Federal Credit Union), working with them as they expanded operations in Puerto Rico. Villavicencio also touched upon their involvement with ‘Para La Naturaleza,’ a nonprofit organization that collaborates with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the local Department of Natural Resources. Two of their current projects are focused on revitalizing the Puerto Rican parrot, which was in danger of extinction after Hurricane Maria. These projects in Maricao and Arecibo are designed to support the scientists and staff involved in the parrot recovery program. INTEGRATED CONSTRUCT ION SERVICES ( ICS)