Building Industry Magazine - July 2012 - (Page 69)

GROUP BUILDERS, INC. • Construction Specialty: Acoustics/insulation, drywall, millwork/cabinetry, lath & plaster, fireproofing, EIFS • Years in Hawaii: 33 • Employees in Hawaii: 235 • Public Sector Work: Did not disclose • Work Subcontracted: 5 percent 19 S liding three spots from No. 16 in our previous survey to currently take No. 19 is Group Builders, Inc., which reports revenue of $46.3 million in 2011, an $11.2 million decrease from the $57.5 million revenue in 2010. Lito Alcantra, company president, attributes the slight decline to the lack of private work. “Most of the work was military,” he explains, “and at the time, we weren’t doing military work.” Looking on the bright side, Alcantra says, “Even though it was slower, for us to be able to maintain a workforce of 200 is still good.” In addition, the company has since taken steps to diversify its portfolio and is involved in a few federal projects. These include performing as a subcontractor on two bachelor enlisted quarters, the Pohakuloa Training Center and the Pearl Harbor Fitness Center. Group Builders’ specialty work at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, helped carry the company through 2011. And though private sector work continued to flounder, Group Builders was able to capture its share of what was available. For example, the 30-year-old firm was involved in the Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center renovation with general contractor Swinerton Builders, the new library commons complex at Windward Community College with general Absher Construction Co.; Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Redevelopment with Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.; Pacifica Honolulu with Ledcor Construction Hawaii, LLC; the University of Hawaii Cancer Center with Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc.; and Kroc Center Hawaii with Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Inc. Alcantra adds, “One of the most high profile projects that we worked on in 2011 was Aulani,” as a subcontractor to Hawaiian Dredging. While much of the resort is open already, Alcantra says Disney continues to make improvements. Group Builders, this year, is involved with expansion of the buffet. Looking ahead, both Alcantra and Charles Cook, the firm’s CEO, agree that 2011 likely will be similar to 2012. Both say there are a number of condominium projects in various stages of planning. While construction may begin this year or next year, if Group Builders is able to get involved, its part would not start until later. “We see a small increase toward the end of 2013,” they say, “and hope to be at full force in 2014.” Begun in 2010, the UH Cancer Center also helped to keep Group Builders busy in 2011. TOP 25 www.buildingindustryhawaii.com 49 http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - July 2012

Contents July 2012
Hawaii’s Top 25 Contractors
Educating for the Industry
Surviving a Tough Economy
Top Eats
News Beat
Forest City Completes $312M Neighborhood
2012 CAK Home Show Streams Live
Keokea Beach Park Renovation Completed
La Tour Bakehouse Partners with RevoluSun
Pier 29 Construction Complete
NAIOP Awards Honor Commercial Development
NAVFAC Awards $46.6M Contract
Departments
Datebook
Best Practices
Contracts Awarded
Concept to Completion: Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Phase 5
Low Bids
Spotlight on Success: BEQ, MCBH
News Makers
New Products
July's Features

Building Industry Magazine - July 2012