McCarthy Building Companies

Founded: 1864
Founder: Michael McCarthy
Headquarters: 12851 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO 63131 USA
Phone: 314-968-3300
Number of employees: 4,000
Website: www.mccarthy.com

Overview

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is a premier institution in the construction industry, deeply rooted in American business history. Founded in 1864 during the height of the American Civil War, it’s one of the oldest and most respected construction companies in the United States. Established by Michael McCarthy as a carpentry shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it would grow over the next century into a multifaceted construction company.

McCarthy has remained a privately held company throughout its existence, thus never went public. The company is 100% employee-owned since 1996, via its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This setup allows all employees to have a personal stake in the company’s success, and promotes a unique culture of ownership and accountability.

Services

McCarthy Building Companies offers a wide array of construction services across many sectors. As of my last update in September 2021, the company provides the following services:

1. Preconstruction Services: Preconstruction planning is crucial to the success of any project. McCarthy uses a comprehensive approach to project planning, which includes evaluating potential sites, project feasibility, providing accurate cost estimates, scheduling, identifying potential risks, and more.

2. Construction Services: As a general contractor, McCarthy provides a broad range of construction services. This includes everything from overseeing the day-to-day operations on a construction site, managing vendors and trades, communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project, to the delivery of the completed project.

3. Design-Build Services: Design-build is a method of project delivery in which McCarthy works under a single contract with the project owner to provide both design and construction services. This integrated approach can provide significant cost and time savings.

4. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): McCarthy is a strong proponent of the IPD approach, a project management system where all stakeholders (owners, architects, contractors, etc.) collaborate from the early stages of the project. The goal is to align interests, objectives, and practices, even in a single contract, with a collaborative decision-making process.

5. Public-Private Partnerships (P3): McCarthy partners with public entities to deliver projects that might not otherwise be possible due to budget constraints or other barriers. These P3 arrangements can involve designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining projects.

6. Self-Perform Work: In certain markets and on certain types of projects, McCarthy uses its own skilled tradespeople to perform various aspects of the work. This can include concrete, carpentry, drywall, and more. Self-perform work can help improve control over schedule, cost, safety, and quality.

7. Sustainability and Green Building: McCarthy is committed to sustainable building practices. The company has experience with LEED certified projects and incorporates sustainable building practices into its projects whenever possible.

8. Virtual Design and Construction (VDC): McCarthy leverages VDC technologies to create detailed 3D models of projects before construction begins. These models can improve project predictability, productivity, cost efficiency, and safety.

9. Lean Construction: McCarthy uses lean construction principles to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. This approach focuses on optimizing value, reducing waste, and improving project outcomes.

McCarthy Building Companies offers a wide array of capabilities. Its service areas are varied, covering sectors like healthcare, education, commercial, advanced technology, renewable energy, water infrastructure, transportation, and entertainment. These services are offered through a highly collaborative approach, ensuring that all parties involved in a project are on the same page and working toward the same goals.

Completed Projects

Here are some notable completed projects by McCarthy Building Companies:

Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant: This was a large-scale, complex project that involved the expansion and upgrade of the existing water treatment facility in San Francisco.

Mirabella at ASU: This high-rise senior living facility located on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, Arizona, was completed in 2020.

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Advanced Care: McCarthy completed this 609,000-square-foot, eight-story clinical cancer center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2015.

The Benjamin P. Grogan and Jerry L. Dove Federal Building: This building was a secure facility for the FBI in Miramar, Florida, completed by McCarthy in 2014.

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson (North Campus) Outpatient Center: Completed in 2018, this project included a three-story, 208,000-square-foot outpatient center.

Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs: A pediatric hospital completed in 2019.

Palo Verde Generating Station: McCarthy constructed a new cooling tower and retrofitted the other two existing towers in Tonopah, Arizona, completed in 2016.

Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center: Completed in 2017, this was the first hospital in California to earn LEED Platinum certification.

St. Jude Medical Center Northwest Tower: Completed in 2014, this project in Fullerton, California, included a 200,000-square-foot patient tower.

The Cove: This project was a new five-story research building at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) completed in 2020.

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Campus East: McCarthy served as part of a joint venture that completed this $1.7 billion project for the NGA in Springfield, Virginia, in 2011.

Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center: A 5-story, 93-bed, 320,000 square feet healthcare facility in Temple, Texas, completed in 2011.

Rady Children’s Hospital Acute Care Pavilion: A 279,000-square-foot, 4-story healthcare project in San Diego, California, completed in 2010.

UCSD Health Sciences Biomedical Research Facility: This LEED Platinum, 196,000-square-foot project in La Jolla, California, was completed in 2013.

Martin Army Community Hospital: McCarthy completed this 745,000-square-foot facility at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2014.

Phoenix Biomedical Campus Health Sciences Education Building: A six-story, 268,000-square-foot medical education building in Phoenix, Arizona, completed in 2012.

The University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s: A 220,000-square-foot outpatient cancer center in Phoenix, Arizona, completed in 2015.

VA Palo Alto Mental Health Center: McCarthy completed this 90,000-square-foot, 3-story facility in Palo Alto, California, in 2016.

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 3: Completed in 2020, McCarthy handled the waterside work on the two-story, 188,000-square-foot terminal building in Port Canaveral, Florida.

Oklahoma State University New Business Building: A new 147,450-square-foot academic building in Stillwater, Oklahoma, completed in 2018.

The University of New Mexico Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science (PAÍS) Building: This 137,000-square-foot research facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was completed in 2019.

Intermountain Healthcare Layton Hospital: This 300,000-square-foot community hospital in Layton, Utah, was completed in 2018.

These projects represent a variety of sectors and regions across the United States, underlining McCarthy Building Companies’ extensive expertise and experience in the construction industry.

Awards and Recognition

McCarthy Building Companies has received numerous awards and recognitions over its long history, demonstrating the company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and client service. Some notable recognition includes:

1. Engineering News-Record (ENR): McCarthy has consistently ranked as one of the top contractors on the ENR’s annual “Top 400 Contractors” list, a significant recognition in the construction industry.

2. Constructor Awards: McCarthy has received several Constructor Awards from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), an organization that recognizes excellence in the construction industry. These awards honor project teams for their successful collaboration, innovation, and superior project management.

3. Safety Awards: McCarthy’s commitment to safety has been recognized with multiple safety awards, including being named one of the “Safest Companies in America” by EHS Today.

4. Green Building Awards: In recognition of its commitment to sustainable construction, McCarthy has received several green building awards. This includes numerous projects that have achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

5. Best Place to Work: McCarthy has been recognized as a great place to work by several publications, reflecting its strong company culture and commitment to its employees.

6. Innovation Awards: The Company’s use of technology and innovative construction methods has also received recognition. For instance, McCarthy’s use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other advanced technologies has been recognized within the industry.

7. Community Service Awards: McCarthy’s dedication to community service has earned it multiple awards. This includes recognitions for its Heart Hats community involvement program, which encourages and supports employee volunteering.

These awards and recognitions reflect McCarthy Building Companies’ ongoing commitment to excellence, safety, innovation, employee satisfaction, and community involvement. The company’s reputation as a leading builder in the industry is well-deserved and recognized by these accolades.

McCarthy’s Commitment to Quality and Safety

McCarthy Building Companies has long been known for its unwavering commitment to quality and safety, which is evident in its operations, company values, and project outcomes.

Quality is central to McCarthy’s approach in all aspects of its work. From preconstruction planning to post-construction follow-up, the company focuses on delivering the highest quality results. It adopts the best practices in the industry and continually invests in technology and training to enhance its capabilities. McCarthy has a rigorous quality management program that oversees every phase of construction to ensure that the highest standards are met.

One of the key aspects of McCarthy’s quality management is its utilization of innovative technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual reality, and drone technology. These tools allow for better project visualization, enhance precision and accuracy, and help identify and resolve potential issues early in the construction process. The company’s commitment to quality has been recognized by clients and the industry, contributing to its longstanding reputation as a reliable and high-quality builder.

When it comes to safety, McCarthy has an uncompromising approach. The company believes that every accident is preventable, and it strives to provide a safe work environment on every job site. McCarthy’s safety program is comprehensive and proactive, involving everyone from top management to field staff in promoting a safety-first culture.

The company’s safety initiatives include thorough training programs, regular safety audits, and constant monitoring of safety performance. Moreover, it has developed a program called “Safety 24/7” to encourage employees to practice safety not only at work but in their personal lives as well. The goal is to eliminate all injuries and incidents from its work sites.

The company’s dedication to safety has not gone unnoticed. It has been recognized several times for its outstanding safety record, including by EHS Today, which named McCarthy one of the “Safest Companies in America.” Such recognitions testify to the effectiveness of the company’s safety programs and its success in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

McCarthy Building Companies’ commitment to quality and safety is deeply ingrained in its culture and operations. Through its comprehensive quality and safety programs, the company ensures that these two critical aspects are integrated into every project, resulting in high-quality constructions and a safe working environment for all.

Commitment to Sustainability and Green Building Practices

McCarthy Building Companies is known for its commitment to sustainability and green building practices. The company believes that sustainable construction is not just a trend, but an integral part of responsible building.

The company offers several green building services and maintains a robust commitment to sustainable practices:

Sustainable Consulting: McCarthy helps its clients understand and navigate the complexities of green building and sustainability goals. This can range from advice on green building certifications to guidance on sustainable design and construction strategies.

LEED Experience: McCarthy has a significant amount of experience with projects seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED-certified buildings are resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy, and cost-effective. They’ve completed several LEED certified projects, including the first LEED Platinum-certified hospital in California, the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center.

Energy Efficient Design: McCarthy integrates energy-efficient design elements into its projects, whenever possible, to minimize environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs. This includes everything from high-efficiency HVAC systems to advanced building envelopes.

Renewable Energy Projects: McCarthy has a dedicated Renewable Energy team and has completed numerous renewable energy projects across the United States, including solar and wind energy installations.

Training and Education: McCarthy provides ongoing training and education to its employees to stay on top of the latest in green building technology and trends. This includes maintaining a team of LEED-accredited professionals.

Use of Sustainable Materials: McCarthy is committed to using sustainable materials whenever possible and encourages its suppliers to do the same. It also implements waste management plans on its construction sites to minimize waste and promote recycling.

Environmental Stewardship: Beyond its construction practices, McCarthy is committed to being a good environmental steward. The company actively supports various community and environmental initiatives and encourages its employees to do the same.

McCarthy Building Companies’ dedication to sustainability is evident in its project portfolio and company practices. Its commitment to sustainable building helps contribute to its clients’ sustainability goals and reduces the environmental impact of its construction projects.

Company Culture and Core Values

McCarthy Building Companies is known for its strong company culture and core values that guide its operations and relationships with clients, partners, and employees. The following principles are central to the company’s culture and values:

Genuine: McCarthy prides itself on its honest and sincere approach to business. The company believes in maintaining integrity and transparency in all of its dealings, from interactions with clients and partners to the way it conducts its operations.

Innovative: McCarthy is committed to embracing innovation in all aspects of its business, from integrating advanced technology into its construction processes to continually exploring new methods, materials, and strategies to better serve its clients.

Inclusive: McCarthy champions diversity and inclusion within its workforce. The company believes that varied perspectives lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger company. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and has opportunities to grow and succeed.

Driven: McCarthy is a results-oriented company. It is dedicated to delivering high-quality projects on time and on budget, and continually strives to exceed client expectations.

Collaborative: McCarthy believes that collaboration is key to the success of any project. The company promotes a team-oriented approach, working closely with clients, partners, and other stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Safety-Focused: McCarthy is deeply committed to the safety of its employees and everyone involved in its projects. It believes that all accidents are preventable, and has implemented a comprehensive safety program to ensure a safe work environment.

McCarthy’s employee-owned structure reinforces these values and contributes to its distinctive company culture. As an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, every employee has a stake in the company’s success, which fosters a sense of ownership, commitment, and shared purpose among its workforce.

McCarthy Building Companies’ company culture and values reflect its commitment to integrity, innovation, inclusion, collaboration, and safety, as well as its dedication to its employees, clients, and communities.

Commitment to Community Involvement

McCarthy Building Companies is known for its commitment to community involvement. The company believes in giving back to the communities where its employees live and work and has implemented numerous initiatives to support this commitment. Here are some ways McCarthy demonstrates its commitment to the community:

1. McCarthy Heart Hats: This is the company’s national volunteer program that encourages and supports employee involvement in community service. Through Heart Hats, McCarthy employees donate thousands of hours each year to various community organizations, helping with everything from building homes for those in need to participating in local charity events.

2. Partnership for Youth: McCarthy has a long history of supporting educational and youth development programs. The company’s Partnership for Youth initiative provides support to organizations that are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

3. Scholarship Programs: McCarthy has established scholarship programs at several universities and colleges across the country. These scholarships aim to support the education of students pursuing careers in construction and related fields.

4. Community Grants: Each year, McCarthy provides grants to non-profit organizations in the communities where it operates. These grants support a wide range of initiatives, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and community development.

5. Sustainable Construction: McCarthy is committed to building responsibly and considers the impact of its projects on local communities. The company strives to incorporate sustainable construction practices and energy-efficient design into its projects, reducing environmental impact and creating healthier, more sustainable communities.

6. Disaster Response: In the aftermath of natural disasters, McCarthy has been known to contribute to relief efforts, either through financial donations, material and resource contributions, or by providing volunteers to assist in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

7. Diversity and Inclusion: McCarthy is committed to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion not only within its own workforce but also in the broader community. The company has initiated and supports programs aimed at encouraging minority and women-owned businesses in the construction industry.

McCarthy’s commitment to community involvement reflects its core values and its belief in the importance of corporate responsibility. It’s clear that the company understands the significant role it plays in shaping communities and is dedicated to making a positive impact.

McCarthy’s history, services, ownership structure, partnerships, and the numerous awards it has received all speak to a company that is deeply committed to its clients, employees, and the communities in which it operates. Despite its significant growth and success over more than 150 years, McCarthy has remained true to its roots, maintaining a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and above all, a commitment to delivering high-quality projects. Through all these, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. has shown itself to be not just a leader in the construction industry, but a true pillar of American business.

Disclaimer: Please note that the names and positions of employees mentioned may be subject to change, as individuals may move to different roles or organizations. While we make every effort to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee that all employee details are current or complete. We encourage you to verify the identity and positions of any individual mentioned and check their Linkedin Profile before taking any action based on their role.