For more than 40 years, Kraft Construction has been a construction powerhouse in Southwest Florida, resistant if not immune to the boom-and-bust nature of the market. The current economic downturn is no exception. In fact, Kraft is moving full steam ahead by expanding its services and operational territory to all of Florida and beyond.
In part, the company’s growth can be attributed to its recent acquisition by Rooney Holdings and the merger of operations with Manhattan Construction’s Tampa office. “With this merger, we are combining the strengths, financial and bonding capacity, range of services and other operational assets, to partner with our clients in new ways,” says Keith Wulber, a senior vice president of Kraft Construction. As a result, Kraft can now work with clients whose needs take them elsewhere in the state, across the country or around the world.
It seems a natural evolution for the Naples-based company, which was founded in 1968 and is the largest privately held general building contractor in Florida. Today, Kraft employs more than 300 people and has a presence from Pensacola to Marco Island, with full-service offices in Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. Over the years, the company has won numerous industry accolades, including a 2008 Business of the Year and Safety Star awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.
Pushing the Envelope in Construction
At any given time, Kraft has at least 40 projects underway, ranging in value from $100,000 to more than $100 million. They include retail, mixed-use and other commercial structures, high rise condominiums, healthcare and educational facilities, government buildings, hotels, clubhouses, sports facilities, campus housing, public assembly buildings, multi-family developments and religious facilities.
“Light commercial and small project work is key to a well balanced company portfolio,” notes Wulber. “But as Kraft grew, it became increasingly challenging to provide quality service to clients with specialty projects.” In response, Kraft created a Special Projects Division to work with clients on their time-sensitive, smaller scale construction assignments that span the spectrum from tenant improvements to aircraft hangars.
The division comprises a 50-member staff that continues to grow steadily. Many of its completed projects are considered landmarks in Lee and Collier counties and include: Blue Water Bistro at Coconut Point in Estero; Edgewater Beach Hotel in Naples; Naples Grande Resort & Golden Door Spa; and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.
Current projects include Naples Bay Marina, Naples Botanical Garden and numerous buildings at Florida Gulf Coast University and Ave Maria University. The list also includes ongoing work at Moorings Park retirement community, the Mercato, and other commercial and high-end residential projects for clients in Southwest Florida.
According to Wulber, such a diverse resume proves the flexibility of Kraft’s Special Projects Division. “Our ability to think outside the box is another defining characteristic of Kraft and sets us apart from the competition. We always adjust our services to complement our client’s program and needs.”
Taking Pride in Delivering Extra-Special Projects
Although it has undertaken a wide variety of construction projects, those at the Naples Zoo are among its most remarkable. “Modern zoos are about telling stories and educating the public about conservation,” says Executive Director David Tetzlaff. “We try to do things that are unique and exciting.”
Doing so has gotten increasingly difficult since the zoo first opened in 1969. As the facility has grown, its exhibits have become too sophisticated and complex to build in-house. Kraft entered the picture earlier this year when Tetzlaff sought a professional contractor to build an exhibit for the fosa, a rare, cougar-like carnivore from Madagascar.
“Because the fosa leaps, runs and climbs, we had to consider what it needs to make it happy, comfortable and safe,” says Tetzlaff, explaining why ample floor and aerial space topped the list of requirements. “At the same time, you can’t forget about the keeper who has to take care of the exhibit every day and the public who wants to view it.”
Tetzlaff says the job required considerable teamwork between the zoo staff, Kraft and Kraft’s subcontractors. Noting that it was Kraft’s first zoo exhibit, Tetzlaff says the company “remained fluid throughout the construction” and was amenable to executing changes that arose during the process. “They were outstanding to work with; I had a great experience with them.”
Based on the success of the fosa exhibit, Tetzlaff is collaborating with Kraft on the zoo’s next major project: Black Bear Hammock. Poised to open next spring, the 10,000sf exhibit will house two black bears and feature two different themes.
The first is a backyard theme designed to make visitors feel as if they’re observing the bears in a residential setting. “People need to learn how to safely co-exist with bears, which is a major aspect of this exhibit,” says Tetzlaff.
The other side of the exhibit is a recreation of a bear’s natural habitat. The elaborate display will resemble an abandoned hunting cabin with a front porch, where visitors can observe the bears in action. “Head-to-toe glass” will separate the bears from visitors, allowing an up-close look without the accompanying danger.
“There are a lot of custom amenities in this exhibit, which not only will make it exciting for the guests, but which will educate and underscore the importance of good habitat stewardship. It’s something that Naples Zoo, Kraft and the community will be extremely proud of.”
Growing a Reputation in Education
Educational facilities are one aspect of Kraft’s construction projects that has proven to be recession resistant. For example, at Edison State College in Naples, Kraft built the original 10-building campus in 1991 on a 50-acre site and remains a presence at the college today. “Kraft has always been professional and easy to work with. They’re always on the job,” says Jeff Albritten, president of Edison’s Collier County campus. “Problems are rare during construction because they know what to anticipate.”
Currently, Kraft is completing construction of the school’s 10,000sf Early Childhood Development facility. The facility will provide childcare services to students and staff of Edison and the local community. The building will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
Albritten says that Kraft Chairman and CEO Fred Pezeshkan has been a major supporter of the Collier campus. “It’s nice to be able to do business with a developer who’s so engaged and so involved in giving back to the community outside of his profession. You don’t often get to do that.”
Meeting Market Challenges Head-On
These days, Wulber spends much of his time talking to other business leaders, developers, and engineering and architectural principals in search of new opportunities and new clients. “It is more important than ever to know and trust the team you have chosen to build your project. It is always our goal to be the best partner, the best neighbor, the best contractor and the best provider of services.”
Wulber predicts that while the construction industry faces at least a couple more tough years, there are opportunities in infrastructure and government work. Further, he says that casinos, banks and medical facilities continue to budget improvements and expand. In other words, it is not all gloom and doom on the construction horizon.
“We are quite optimistic about the future of construction in Florida. While some contractors may have a rough time and competition will be intense, there is opportunity everywhere for the strong companies willing to step out of their comfort zone.”
Popularity: 25%
Add A Comment