Full-service recycling and demolition contractor Cherry Cos. has been named ENR Texas & Louisiana's 2019 Specialty Contractor of the Year. The Houston-based firm has been family-owned and operated since 1952, and is one of the largest recyclers in Texas and Gulf Coast, recycling more than 2 million tons of concrete and asphalt, and thousands of tons of steel every year.

Cherry experienced a 17% revenue growth from 2017 to 2018, and continues to physically expand across the Houston area to better serve the community, with the opening of additional recycling and stabilized yards. The firm’s employee base also grew 10% in 2018, bringing the total number of employees up to 310.

Among the firm's major recently completed projects are the demolition of Block 42 (the old Houston Chronicle Parking Garage) in downtown Houston, and the demolition of the DA Building, also located in downtown Houston.

Other work completed this year included road and bridge removal projects, such as the FM 518 Bridge at Highway 288, which was a twin bridge removal done simultaneously, and the I-610 Bridge at Highway 288.

Cherry also takes tremendous pride in investing in its own employees. The company developed Cherry University in 2017, where employees are able to take various courses that cover leadership, business principles, and other topics that help develop their own skill sets to better perform their jobs. The firm also gives back to the community in various ways, and for the last three years has been involved with the JDRF—an organization dedicated to fighting Type 1 diabetes through funding research and providing education and support for those affected by the disease. Cherry raises money annually for this organization and employees participate in the annual JDRF OneWalk in the fall.

To read more about Cherry Cos., be sure to check out the Dec. 16 issue of ENR Texas & Louisiana!