As with most other Midwest contractors, Chicago-based Pepper Construction has strived to make the most of a strong economy. The 1,110-person company’s regional revenue has increased 112% over the past five years, reaching $1.25 billion during the fiscal year that ended in September. That places Pepper Construction fifth among companies in the 11-state region that participated in ENR Midwest’s Top Contractors survey, up three spots from the previous year.
Some of Pepper’s revenue-boosting initiatives mirror those of other contractors—such as self-performing concrete and drywall work. What has helped bolster the balance sheet, insists Stan Pepper, chairman and CEO, has been a concerted years-long investment in people and technology organized as the integrated construction services (ICS) group, with approximately 50 staff members distributed across all six Pepper Construction offices.