Texas Construction's Top Specialty Contractors

By Eileen Schwartz

Texas Construction's annual Top Specialty Contractors list shows that several firms moved up in the rankings this year and 10 firms were added to the list. But overall revenue reported for 2004 was about the same as a year earlier.

The information and figures listed in the ranking on the following pages are based on surveys completed by the listed companies. The reported revenue was generated in 2004.

The specialty firms in this year's ranking collectively reported approximately $2.8 billion of in-state revenue, a negligible change from the $2.7 billion reported by the 115 firms participating in last year's list. This year's list grew to 125 firms, but even with 10 additional firms, the total 2004 revenue reported from all work in state and out was $8.6 billion. That figure dipped from last year's total of $8.8 billion.

Moreover, for the last two years the top 10 companies have reported in-state revenue in excess of $80 million. This year that group included only seven firms.

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While it's clear that 2004 was not a stellar year for the state's subcontractors, it should be noted that many companies from last year's ranking chose not to report their revenue this year, citing various reasons including low numbers. But optimism prevailed as most of those firms asked to be kept on Texas Construction's contact list for next year's survey.

Still, a group of newcomers to this important industry survey fleshed out the number of firms participating in this year's rankings. And the news isn't all bad.

TDIndustries Inc., last year's No. 1 firm, finished at the top again in this year's ranking. Headquartered in Dallas, the company reported approximately $196 million from its Texas operations for 2004, up from $190 million in 2003.

The firm kicked off 2005 with the naming of 20-year partner Harold MacDowell as its new CEO. Jack Lowe Jr., former CEO, continues to serve as chairman of the board.

Fisk Electric of Houston took the runner-up spot with approximately $125 million, even though last year the company finished third with $130 million in revenue.

Keystone Concrete Placement of Houston finished third with approximately $119 million. Last year the company placed fourth with a reported revenue of $125 million. Rounding out the fourth and fifth places were Houston-based Walker Engineering with a reported $106 million and Dallas-based Brandt Engineering with approximately $103 million. Brandt moved up from No. 7 in last year's ranking, with approximately the same amount of revenue reported in both years.

Information about the ranked firms on the following pages includes address for the companies' main office locations, telephone and fax numbers, principal or top regional officers and a percentage breakdown by category of the companies' work activity.

As part of this special report on specialty contractors, we present profiles on five firms that participated in the rankings. They illustrate the regional diversity of companies around the state as well as a variety of subcontracting sectors.

Top Texas Specialty Contractors List >>

Top Texas Specialty Contractors Profiles:

D.R. Kidd Co. Inc. >>

Dee Brown Inc. >>

DGB Glass Inc. >>

TAS Commercial Concrete Construction LP >>

Moore Erection LP >>