T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C O N S T R U C T I O N E X E C U T I V E S

US DevelopersJournal

Summer 2008 www.usdevelopersjournal.com

J&s ConstruCtionA CompAny of prinCiples

Since J&S Construction was founded in 1957, the company has completed over 5,000 projects and currently averages 30 million dollars in gross annual sales. J&S Construction utilizes the T.E.A.M. Build method of project delivery, in which they form a single contract with their client to provide for architectural & engineering design services as well as construction services. This allows J&S to plan and execute on a stringent timeline, and the results speak for themselves:

J&S Construction has received the Achievement Award from The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence twice; completed over 550,000 man hours without a lost time accident; and were given the Commissioners Award for Excellence from the State of Tennessee.

The company’s motto “Building Relationships by Building Trust,” has led to a high feedback rating from their clients: 100% of projects completed over the

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A Company of PrinciplesProduced by Todd Rogers & Written by Olga Tsyganova

past year (ending on 3/31) have received a service questionnaire rating of “delighted/pleased” from the company’s clients. “We have a ‘good day report’ here at J&S,” says CEO Johny Stites, “our employees are required to check whether they are detracting or adding to our success on a daily basis.” This self-reflecting tool not only allows for employee feedback, but drives the measure of productivity: “We need to know how we can accomplish the same things by working smarter, and that requires everyone’s participation. We learn to do the same things in less time, using

more cost-effective methods. As you can see, integrity and a strong work ethic are perquisites for working

and succeeding within this work culture.”

J&S Construction started out as a small residential company and from there went on to hard bid. Now they have evolved into a design-build enterprise and doing nearly 100% negotiated design build projects. J&S has comfortably grown into their 100+ employee workforce, several of whom are award-winning architects and engineers. “Construction is America’s 2nd most risky business,

We need to know how we can accomplish the same things by

working smarter, and that requires everyone’s participation. We learn to do the same things in less time, using more cost-effective methods.

As you can see, integrity and a strong work ethic are perquisites

for working and succeeding within this work culture

— Johny Stites, CEO

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next to the restaurant business,” says Johny Stites, “The Master craftsman used to be the most respected man in the country, but now things have changed because of the lack of professionalism in the industry. If you are going to be a doctor or a lawyer, you have to get a certain amount of training. In construction, you can put a sign on the side of your truck saying and start selling. This is why we only hire workers with a high level of integrity

and a strong work ethic. We’ve been doing this for 50 years, and we’ve transcended being a contractor and are committed to gaining and maintaining our clients’ trust. Trust is the most important thing in this business.” J&S frowns in low-balling bids, saying that the practice is deceptive: “Some contractors do what they do to get their foot in the door. They bid low and make it up on change

orders. Some clients go for the low bid, but it forces me to use people I don’t regularly use due to their lack or experience, and complicates producing quality projects on time,” says Stites. J& S Construction is continuing to measure and improve their processes. They plan to institute a new process to manage fixed price projects to avoid breaking budget by predetermining areas that may present obstacles

Established : 1932CEO : Johnny Stites

Annual Revenue : $33 MillionEmployees : 115

w w w. j s c o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m

COMPANY AT A GLANCE

The average construction company doesn’t last five years. We are 50 years old, and I want to

build pride in our workforce for keeping us going

— Johny Stites, CEO

and plan for cost-avoidance. In addition, the company wants to increase the awareness of their heritage: “The average construction company doesn’t last five years. We are 50 years old, and I want to build pride in our workforce for keeping us going,” Stites says proudly.•

Johny Stites, CEO

Winter 2009 www.usexecutivejournal.com

www.usdevelopersjournal.com

J&S Construction1843 Foreman Dr.

Cookeville, TN 38501United States

www.jsconstruction.com