2010 Contractor of the Year
Strong Focus on Green Building
Believing that green building is good for the environment, building occupants and the bottom line, Walsh has developed experience and expertise in sustainability practices. The company has 125 LEED accredited professionals on staff and plans to add nearly 100 LEED green associates by the end of this year.
Because of its belief in sustainable construction, Walsh will construct the new 80,000-sq-ft building it is adding at its Chicago headquarters as a LEED platinum facility.
Safety Programs and Performance Paramount
The company’s “no one gets hurt” philosophy is guided by a carefully planned and communicated safety program, and each business group’s leader is accountable for keeping the safety record on target. Walsh conducts several kinds of safety training, including job-hazard analysis, task-hazard analysis, site-specific training and a wide range of individual safety training.
Its companywide Review of Employee Actions and Performance behavior-based safety program identifies at-risk behaviors through employee-to-employee observation, then changes worker behavior as needed.
Crane safety training is mandatory for all supervisors and all operators of the company’s 150 cranes are certified.
Subcontractors Treated as Project Partners
“Walsh makes subcontractors feel like a valued part of the construction team,” says Kay Anagnos, president of Anagnos Door Co., which has provided Walsh with overhead and fire-rated doors for 17 years. “Everyone at Walsh is interested in getting the job done and done right, but they’re fair and open to ideas.”
Anagnos is the 2008-2010 president of the Association of Subcontractors and Affiliates of Chicago, which has 450 member companies from all over the metro area. “Walsh has been a member of ASA Chicago’s General Contractor Council ever since the council was founded 10 years ago,” she says. “The council members advise subcontractors how to partner with GCs on issues that affect both of us.”
Happy Customer is Ultimate Measure of Success
“We’re a repeat customer of Walsh Construction’s because they always do a great job for us,” says Richard Hanson, founder and a principal at Mesa Development LLC of Chicago.
Walsh has built two 356-unit, high-rise luxury condo buildings for Mesa over the past eight years. First came the 57-story Heritage at Millennium Park, finished in 2004. It was followed by the 73-story Legacy at Millennium Park, completed this year.
“Walsh understands our business and what we’re trying to do,” Hanson says. “It teams up with the architect right from the beginning. Working together, they give you the building you want at a price you can afford.
“The construction team is organized so the building owner always knows whom to talk with about various aspects of the project. And there’s almost no turnover, so you get to know the team. We had the same Walsh team—almost to the person—for 10 years.”
Dan Walsh says his firm is “thrilled to be named Midwest Construction’s contractor of the year. This recognition is all about the thousands of Walsh employees who bring a great attitude and skills to the job, and who work hard every day to make Walsh Group successful. They are really the contractors of the year.”
Blog Comments: Who did YOU think should be the Midwest’s Contractor of the Year? After a month of accepting nominations, Midwest Construction narrowed the field for 2010 Contractor of the Year to eight contractors, then gave readers an opportunity to voice their support for a finalist at www.midwest.construction.com. In addition to Walsh Construction, other finalists included Hunzinger Construction Co., Brookfield, Wis.; Leopardo Cos. Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill.; Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis; Paric Corp., St. Louis; F.H. Paschen/S.N. Nielsen, Chicago; Power Construction Co. LLC, Schaumburg, Ill.; and Shiel Sexton Co. Inc., Indianapolis. More than 1,500 readers voted in the on-line poll and 100 backed up their votes by commenting in the blog. Following is a sampling of the comments that we received: Hunzinger Construction Co.: “Hunzinger’s leaders have been the stable rudder leading the company through the storms of the failing economy. Having the vision to recognize changes in the market, Hunzinger fought to establish themselves as the premier contractor of sustainable construction. They created and encouraged sustainable education, becoming a driving force of individuals achieving LEED accreditation in the local area.” Mortenson Construction: “Mortenson is, by far, the contractor that embodies safety and quality of construction over and above all other contractors. I have been employed with Mortenson for over 10 years and am proud of the work atmosphere the Mortenson family instills throughout the entire company. Mortenson truly makes every effort to go over and above for all of its customers and build positive relationships with its contractors.” Paric Corp.: “Paric Corp. is one of our preferred general contractors. We have completed numerous successful projects with them over the years and look forward to many more in the future. When an owner/tenant asks who we would recommend as a GC, whether the project is large our small, we respond, ‘Paric.’ Their commitment to safety, quality, timeliness and relationships make them a true leader in the industry.” Shiel Sexton Co. Inc.: “I have worked for Shiel Sexton for 24 years and have found there to be an enormous amount of opportunity. This opportunity has developed through growth that has come from repeat business and an ethical approach to both the customer and employees.” |
