Moving up in the rankings, New South Construction of Atlanta credits diversification and customer relationships as keys to weathering the recession and $170 million in 2009 revenue.
“We’ll be happy when the market returns, but we’re plugging along and doing well,” says Douglas C. Davidson, president and CEO of New South, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. “We’re making sure we protect our relationships with clients so they are not going to the market when other jobs come up.”
More than 70% of New South’s projects are for repeat clients, including the Coca-Cola Co. of Atlanta, for which it is currently building a facility, and Delta Air Lines, also based in Atlanta.
The firm works for private clubs, recently finishing a $28.5-million reconstruction of the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta (pictured here), and universities. It has a $30-million freshman dormitory project under way at Emory University in Atlanta.
About four years ago, New South entered the federal market, which has helped the company stay busy during the rough economy. It recently finished a $16.5-million Marine Corps helicopter hanger facility at Robins Air Force Base in Marietta, Ga.
The contractor is currently working on a $28.5-million Armed Forces Reserve Center in Marietta for the Georgia Dept. of Defense; a $23-million public safety complex for the city of Douglasville; and a $10-million city hall and town center for the city of Riverdale, Ga.