Value Beyond Building

C.D. Smith Construction has a diverse portfolio. With an annual revenue exceeding $235 million, the company can spearhead projects as distinct as the Concourse “C” Hammerhead Addition to the General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee or the Holy Family Catholic Church in Fond du Lac, Wis. When it rolls up to each unique jobsite, C.D. Smith relies on its experience, its workforce and its fleet of machinery.  

While this Midwest construction leader uses all types of equipment, its force of compact machinery (from skid steers to mini excavators) plays a major role on projects — especially when the company was contracted to construct the Gehl Co. headquarters in West Bend, Wis., the well-known makers of compact construction equipment.

“The Gehl project was an excellent opportunity on many levels,” explains Steve Schmitz, vice president of field operations for C.D. Smith. “Not only was the project a great learning tool for all those involved, resolving a lot of challenges with streamlined communication and commitment to value, but it also provided Gehl with a state-of-the-art working environment to match the quality equipment it manufactures.”

The contract was awarded  Top Project of 2009 by The Daily Reporter & Wisconsin Builder and was a huge success by the collaboration of C.D. Smith, Gehl and numerous independent contractors and subcontractors. Interestingly enough, C.D. Smith uses Gehl equipment on all its jobsites. Like C.D. Smith, Gehl Co. is a Wisconsin-based, family-owned and operated business that has expanded through the years in response to the economy and developing communities around them.

“The wide variety of equipment that Gehl manufactures fits our needs perfectly,” says Schmitz. “Its dealer base provides service locally and out of state, but we still receive the same outstanding service no matter which location we are working in.”

The company’s belief in delivering quality in every aspect of its operation is held by every one of its 400-plus associates. The company’s core value of exceeding owners’ expectations has evolved into the current motto of “Value Beyond Building.”

Throughout the years, C.D. Smith has expanded its services to offer:

• Pre-Construction Management
• Construction Management
• Design-Build
• General Contracting
• Building Commissions and Systems Training
• LEED Certified Building
• Turn-Key Development

But that’s not where the company started. C.D. Smith Construction, headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wis., was established in 1936 by Charles D. Smith and primarily specialized in water-treatment facilities and other labor-intensive projects. Today, the company is a thriving family business, with completed projects in 20 states. Donald Smith joined his father in 1941 and the father and son team grew the business by focusing on a single concept — to exceed the owner’s expectations. As business began to increase, the workforce swelled and the need for superintendents and project managers grew.

“When my grandfather founded C.D. Smith Construction, his goal was to provide the best value, quality and service in the construction industry,” says Gary Smith, president and CEO of C.D. Smith Construction. “More than seven decades later, we work hard to ensure that his philosophy remains our top priority. Our efficient corporate structure and steadfast commitment to value has enabled us to demonstrate our capabilities across the United States.”

C.D. Smith is also a company where long-term employees moved up the ranks to manage. In 1955, Thomas D. Baker joined the firm as an estimator and project manager, after previously working summer months as a laborer. Baker’s enthusiasm and building skills allowed him to rapidly move upward and by the early 1960s he was soon supervising C.D. Smith’s largest projects. In 1964, Charles Smith passed away and Donald became president, with Baker being named vice president. In 1975, Baker was made executive vice president and upon Donald’s retirement in 1978, became president. Today, Baker holds the position of chairman.

C.D. Smith continues to be a closely held family business. In 1974, Donald’s son, Gary, joined the management team after receiving a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Marquette University. In 1978 Gary was promoted to vice president and in 1995 he was named president and CEO, which is the position he holds today. Gary’s brother, Patrick, is secretary, as well as the safety director. Gary’s son, Justin, is executive vice president and his nephew, Michael Krolczyk, serves as director of construction services. Baker’s two sons, Thomas J. and Robert, hold the positions of vice president and treasurer/CFO, respectively.

As one of the Midwest’s strongest general contractors, C.D. Smith’s talented management team and more than 400 craftsmen are poised to professionally manage, design, construct and deliver everything from simple renovations to complex labor and equipment intensive projects with skill and ease. The company oversees projects in a diverse amount of industries: corrections, hospitals, churches, education, government, healthcare and water treatment. To date, C.D. Smith has completed approximately 20 LEED/sustainable projects, many using BIM software to aid in the construction process.

With the very latest in labor-saving construction equipment and technology, and a strong workforce committed to delivering outstanding service and construction value, C.D. Smith is well positioned to exceed owner’s expectations and give each project value beyond building.

Kelly Jo McClanathan is the marketing coordinator for C.D. Smith Construction Services, based in Fond du Lac, Wis.

Ready to Start Building?

Construction Backlog up 4.5 Percent in First Quarter of 2010

We’ve heard work is beginning to pile up a little. In late May, the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) for the first quarter of 2010, showing a 4.5 percent increase in construction backlog orders to 6.07 months, up from 5.81 months in the fourth quarter of 2009. Over the two-month period from February to March of this year, CBI shot up 17 percent and now stands at 6.05 months.

While the CBI rose in all areas of the country except the West from February to March, the Northeastern United States is the only region to see a higher backlog when compared to March 2009. CBI is a forward-looking indicator that measures the amount of construction work under contract to be completed in the future.

“The fact that the CBI is on the rise illustrates that the improvements recently seen in various other indicators, including construction spending, will continue through much of the balance of 2010,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “However, the overall impact of the recession may not be at an end or approaching an end. It remains too soon to tell whether the current momentum will continue through 2011.

“As an indicator, the nonresidential construction industry tends to lag the overall economy by 12 to 24 months. With the broader economy having been in recovery for the better part of a year, and with stimulus spending still having an impact, the expectation is that for now, backlog will remain stable or better in the months ahead,” Basu said. “Still, there are many forces at work that suggest that the sector’s recovery may not be sustained as stimulus monies are steadily drawn down and commercial construction remains weak due to high vacancy rates and tight credit.”  

Regional Highlights: the Northeast presently enjoys the highest construction backlog at 7.31 months in March 2010; the South and Middle States have also been experiencing a rise in backlog, but are still down compared to the same time last year; and in the West, backlog stands at 5.76 months in March 2010, roughly the same level as in August 2009, and has yet to demonstrate significant momentum.

Gehl Co. Headquarters Project Parameters

• Started March 2008 — Completed June 2009

• Project size — Office Headquarters — 72,000 sq ft

• Located adjacent to Gehl’s manufacturing and research and development facilities, the two-story structure provides 72,000 sq ft above ground and a partial basement for additional storage.

• The modern facade features an open-office concept, large windows to infuse natural light throughout and insulated architectural wall panels. Energy-efficient lighting enhances natural lighting.