Making the Grade

Companies Ace Profits in Turbulent Marketplace

By Eileen Schwartz

Texas Construction presents its eighth annual ranking of Top Specialty Contractors. All figures listed in the ranking and the breakout listings are based upon surveys returned by the listed companies, which report revenue generated in 2003. Specialty contractors had to submit a survey in order to be listed.

The 115 specialty firms in this year's ranking collectively reported approximately $2.7 billion of in-state revenue, down from $3.4 billion reported by the last year's list of 125 companies. Despite the fact that this year's list represents 10 fewer firms than the year before, the 115 firms in this year's ranking report a total revenue from all work of $8.8 billion, up from last year's total of $8.7 billion.

Last year, the top 10 companies reported in-state revenue of at least $81 million for 2002. The same is true for this year's reporting of 2003 revenue, which demonstrates that some specialty contractors were able to remain vital while others were not.

advertisement

Findings from this year's ranking show that 46 firms reported earnings in excess of $15 million; last year the $15 million mark cut off at 41.

Moving from last year's second spot to No. 1 in this year's Top Specialty Contractors ranking was TDI Industries Inc. of Houston, with approximately $190 million total reported from its Texas operations for 2003.

Pasadena-based Harmony LLC took the runner-up spot with approximately $165 million. The bulk of the company's work is from the mechanical sector. Another Houston-based company, Fisk Electric, finished third with $130 million, the majority of which is from electrical and telecom work.

Finishing out the fourth and fifth places were Emcor Group Inc. of Norwalk, Conn., and Keystone Concrete Placement of Houston. They each reported revenue of about $125 million. While about 30 companies from last year's ranking chose not to participate this year for various reasons (including at least one reported bankruptcy), 20 new entries were added to this year's list, including Emcor Group and Keystone Concrete Placement.

The following pages include useful information about the ranked firms such as address for the companies' main office locations, telephone and fax numbers, principal or top regional officers and a percentage breakdown by category of the company's work activity.

At the end of the Top Specialty Contractors ranking we also ranked the top companies in different specialty categories including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, concrete, utility, roofing, sheet metal, masonry, painting, fire prevention, telecommunications, wall/ceiling, excavation/foundation, steel erection, millwork, fabrication and flooring.