Two-time contractor of the year finalist Schier Construction Company Inc. offers big company benefits not often seen at small construction firms in an effort to attract and retain workers.
In the video above, Jim and Brent Schier, owners of the water plant construction company in Houston, Texas, discuss how pouring roughly 80% of its profits back into its 37 employees through bonuses, vacation days and retirement planning has resulted in little turnover and a waiting list of workers lined up for open positions.
Brent, who spent most of his career as an oil and gas executive before joining the family business, says that corporate perspective has given him a different way of looking at business metrics and outcomes.
“I analyze everything,” says Brent. “Not as a budget but anything I purchase means my bonus pool is shrinking...It doesn’t mean you’re a tightwad, because if there are things you need to do to expand to help you get more, that’s fine. It really wipes out a lot of things that are in the gray area.”
The company also owns all its equipment and has on-staff mechanics and truck drivers. This enables the company to do much of its work without having to rely on subs. It has also helped it win contracts.
“If we want a project,” Brent says, “we can essentially go get it just because we are set up differently than everybody in our industry.”
Schier Construction also focuses heavily on safety and was named Equipment World’s 2024 Safety Award winner.
“Jim, Brent and their team at SCCI exemplify the highest standards of business," says one client, “which has resulted in them being regarded as a leader in the water plant and elevated-water-tower industry for more than 40 years.”
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