Although it consistently ranks among the region's largest specialty contractors, 2013 proved an especially prosperous year for Menasha, Wis.-based electrical contractor Faith Technologies. Revenues jumped 41% last year and the firm added 250 employees to its ranks.


Diversification has been key to its growth, with specialties ranging from casinos, stadiums and universities to hospitals, manufacturing plants and government buildings. And much its growth has been organic. Rather than MBA programs, Faith recruits management from the field. Many executives began as apprentices.


Faith invests millions annually in training and education, providing employees ample opportunity to enhance their skill sets and advance careers. Among its programs:


  • Apprenticeship Institute – This four-year program incorporates nationally accredited curricula while providing 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.


  • Business Development Training – Project managers and branch managers acquire the skills required to enhance customer support.

     

  • Leadership Development Training – Front-line leaders, project managers and department learn the management practices required to assume leadership roles.


To promote geographic growth, Faith operates a National Projects Group charged with developing a mobile workforce it markets to job acquisition groups (sales, estimators, and project managers). The group uses internal databases and software to capture employee capabilities and availability.


In February, Faith was one of seven recipients of the Associated Builders and Contractors Gold Safety Award of Honor. Honorees must demonstrate their total OSHA recordables are 10 percent better than a trade's annual average.


Faith also won a AGC of Wisconsin 2013 Build Wisconsin Award for its work on the Affinity Medical Clinic in Neenah, Wis. Submissions were evaluated on the basis of design, craftsmanship and innovation and sustainable practices.


Faith will be profiled in the Sept. 22 edition of ENR Midwest, which also will present the magazine's annual ranking of the region's Top Specialty Contractors.