The construction industry certainly got walloped in the Great Recession. In 2010, unemployment in the industry neared 25%, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The impact was especially pronounced in the Southwest, primarily because of the booms that had marked the region's growth for more than 50 years. Related Links: Suntec Contributes To Mesa, Ariz., facility Architectural Record During the downturn, Suntec Concrete, Phoenix, saw its work force trimmed to nearly 250—about a 60% decrease from pre-recession boom times.But while no one wants to see a downturn, the initiatives and decisions that Suntec management made during those difficult times
The last several years have been a mixed bag for most construction companies operating in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. But after tentative improvement in 2011, the following year brought generally better news to the Southwest construction industry. In fact, seven of the top 10 firms responding to ENR Southwest's annual survey of general contractors reported an increase in revenue during 2012 compared with the previous year. Related Links: ENR Southwest Rankings Index ENR Southwest Top Contractors 2013 Rankings ENR Southwest Top Contractors 2013 by Market Sectors Success May Bring ChallengesFirms operating in many different construction sectors expressed a positive
Kitchell is a name synonymous with the growth of Arizona and the West; its projects have dotted the regional landscape since the firm was founded in 1950. From hospitals to prisons and everything in between, the company has built virtually every building type in a wide variety of locales and keeps its focus on building long-term client relationships, fostering internal talent and driving innovation. Related Links: Gila River Opens Kitchell-built Wild Horse Pass Kitchell Leads Healthcare Construction Resurgence Much of the culture within Phoenix-based Kitchell and its core contracting business, Kitchell Contractors Inc., was embedded in the firm's DNA by
With some of the Southwest's larger design firms experiencing flat or slight growth in 2012, several mid-size firms found an opening to expand dramatically. But both groups, in responding to this year's top design firms survey, are hopeful that economic conditions will continue to improve in 2013 and beyond. Related Links: View All of ENR Southwest's Annual Top Lists Design Firm of the Year: Dekker/Perich/Sabatini "The commercial lending market seems more willing to put their liquidity to work, which in turn has spurred construction projects which would not have been considered a couple of years ago," says Jason Bush, principal
Around 15 years ago, Dale Dekker, Steve Perich and Bill Sabatini didn't just merge their firms; the architects also brought together their professional dreams to develop a regional design studio that would provide unsurpassed service to customers in the Southwest and opportunities for a top-notch and ever-growing staff. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record A decade and a half later, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini has become a key player in the region, a culmination of hard work and customer outreach that could be a model for other medium-size firms that want to knock on the door of international recognition.Dekker and Perich first
First Solar Inc. is lighting up the renewable energy market. The Tempe, Ariz.-based company recorded $3.4 billion in net sales in 2012, up $600 million from the prior year.
Mark Henderson had a lot to learn when he took over his father's company in 1990. He already knew a lot about construction, having worked at Jack B. Henderson Construction Co. since 1968 as an estimator, project manager and superintendent. But he knew little about running the business side and issues such as bonding, insurance and banking. Related Links: ENR Southwest's Top Specialty Contractors Ranking Niche Markets Help Top Subcontractors Stay Above Water How times have changed. In the 22 years since he took the reins as CEO, Henderson has led his Albuquerque-based firm from being a small family business
It was another bumpy ride for the region's top specialty contractors in 2011. Respondents to ENR Southwest's annual survey saw the volume of subcontracting work in Arizona rise, but those gains were offset by steep declines in Nevada and New Mexico. Firms that succeeded did so by finding new niches or adding specialties that dovetailed with their existing skills. Related Links: Top Specialty Contractor Rankings Specialty Contractor of the Year: J.B. Henderson Finds Success In High-Stakes Jobs Arizona subcontractors reported $1.4 billion in work during 2011, up 4% over the previous year. But New Mexico subcontracting work fell 27%, and
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,
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