Okland Construction Co.'s Tempe, Ariz., office notched a stunning 98% increase in revenue in the Southwest region during fiscal-year 2011 at a time when many of its competitors saw plunging bottom lines. Okland was able to bring in $185.8 million in the region between October 2010 and September 2011. Related Links: Southwest Top Lists Rio Salado Audubon Center Wins Best Green Building Award But it was the firm's commitments to client service and sustainability that cinched its selection as ENR Southwest's 2012 Contractor of the Year."For sure, 2009 and 2010 were lean years for us, as with many companies," says
ENR Southwest's annual survey of general contractors shows that 2011 was a transition year for the industry. Many firms were still feeling the effects of the recession, while others saw revenue jump dramatically. Related Links: ENR Southwest's Top 82 General Contractors GC of the Year: Building Relationship Gives Okland a Boost Contractors in Arizona fared best, with 2011 revenue climbing to $4.7 billion, a rise of nearly 16% over 2010.Sundt Construction, Tempe, Ariz., saw revenue rise 28%. "The key to success has been our diversity of market sectors," says Eric Hedlund, chief operating officer at Sundt. The company performs civil,
At SmithGroupJJR's Phoenix office, design excellence and sustainability are synonymous. The office has been responsible for 11 LEED-certified projects and has 12 more pending, but the firm's design philosophy has also brought some of the same sustainable features that SmithGroupJJR would employ on a LEED-Platinum project—high-performance building envelopes, energy modeling, daylight analysis and natural ventilation—to most of their other projects.. Related Links: ENR Southwest's Top 70 Design Firms Other Top Southwest Firms "I joke with clients [that] if you don't want a sustainable building, you're going to get one regardless because that's who we are and how we think about
Nevada's recent population boom means congested roads across the state. Traffic nearly tripled during the last 15 years, making management of the highway system a daunting task.
After enduring several years of revenue declines, construction firms finally saw an increase in work during 2011, reflected in the $10.4-billion project value among the 25 projects ranked on ENR Southwest's Top Starts list. It was more than triple the total of 2010's top 25 starts, when only $2.9 billion of new work was generated for contractors and design firms in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Related Links: See the ranking of the Top 25 Starts of 2011 in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico The biggest single project start in 2011 was the $5-billion Intel Fab 42 Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility,
While other Southwest subcontractors have struggled during these challenging economic times, Corbins Electric has prospered. The Phoenix-based company saw revenue rise 22% in 2010 to $42.8 million, one of the best performances by any regional subcontractor. The total includes $37.2 million from Arizona projects. Related Links: Corbins, which also has an office in Albuquerque, N.M., anticipates an increase of 28.5% in 2011 to $55 million, says Mark Fleming, president and CEO. In those roles since 2001 and a 25-year company veteran, Fleming estimates 2012 revenue of about $50 million.Despite the industry doldrums, the 268-employee company has thrived by effectively partnering
In an all-cash deal, Moon Township, Pa.-based Michael Baker Corp. purchased Nevada's largest architecture firm, JMA. Financial terms were not disclosed. Image courtesy of JMA JMA's current projects include the $146.2-million, 308,990-sq-ft Las Vegas City Hall, under construction now in downtown. Photo courtesy of JMA JMA owner Thomas Schoeman will stay on board as company president. Schoeman hopes the acquisition will help double the size of JMA within five years. Michael Baker Corp. (BKR) stock was valued at $24.95/share on June 9, down 38.6% from a 52-week high of $40.64. The 71-year-old engineering, design and survey firm had $499.4 million
The steady slide in revenue among the Southwest's leading design firms continued for the fourth straight year in 2010, according to figures provided by the firms participating in this year's survey. Design revenue from projects located in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico totaled $1.24 billion in 2010, down 5% from the previous year and 29% below the peak of $1.74 billion in 2006. “The economic downturn has been a sobering experience and has reinforced our focus on being a company that provides diverse service offerings across a range of sectors,” says Tim Lines, managing vice president of the desert/mountain regions
To industry giant AECOM, one is an important number. Not only is it the company's rank on ENR's 2011 list of top U.S. design firms, it also is part of the firm's new mantra, “One AECOM,” which represents its efforts to unite employees under a single identity. photo by Patti Reznik Photography Wrapping Up Crews finish the exterior skin of the 14-story, $263-million Maricopa County Court Tower, which AECOM co-designed. Photo by Daniel Watts Dominated by an amoeba-like art piece, Civic Space packs a wide array of functions and sustainable design principles into 2.5 acres in downtown Phoenix. Related Links:
Every year in the construction industry, some firms achieve new milestones in contracts or find success where others faltered. As the new year gets under way amid what may be the twinklings of an economic recovery, ENR Southwest looks at six diverse companies whose work could make a difference in the coming year, and help to shape and refine the future of the region's construction industry. Kovach Inc. Metal panel subcontractor uses design-assist to add panache to key projects Specializing in the fabrication and installation of high-quality metals, aluminum composite material and stone veneers for complex exterior designs, Kovach also