Kerri Smith Vice President Southeast Region Baker Concrete Construction
What were the major successes for Baker Concrete Construction in 2020? Any company that made it through 2020 should consider that a major success. As a small part of the construction industry, we feel very fortunate to be able to continue operating. The pandemic has presented us with many challenges but these challenges also created opportunities. As a leadership team we had two options, we could shy away from the spotlight that was thrust upon us or we could use that spotlight to really look at who we are and the value that we bring to our coworkers and clients. We had to make a decision quickly and chose to do so through the lens of our core values of People, Honor, and Grit. It was inspiring to see us all roll up our sleeves, come together and live in those values. Facing these challenges wasn’t about financial business decisions, it was about protecting the essential men and women on our front lines, the carpenters, laborers, and project teams. Our greatest success in 2020 was navigating the crisis, staying true to our core values and becoming better as one. What is your outlook for Baker Concrete Construction? The 2021 outlook is very positive. Both internally and externally, we are seeing a shift toward growth. Numerous economic trends are pointing to the overall growth of the economy. The construction market is typically at the tail end of economic growth but recent movement in the market and pent-up demand will push us into new opportunities beginning midyear. Our portfolio mix has shifted, which we view as a good thing as long as we remain agile enough to take advantage of it. One positive that has emerged from the crisis, is that we have been forced to slow down, rest, pivot and adapt to doing business in a new way. This reflective period has allowed us to double down on our core ideology and strategies. We want to continue to focus on being the concrete experts that are here to support our clients and communities through People, Honor, and Grit. 90
| Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale 2021 | CONSTRUCTION
Despite supply chain and cost challenges, the construction industry remains a solid source of job growth in the county.
( ) and transportation, even solar and alternative energies, industry insiders told Invest:. Landscape More than 5,900 companies make up Broward County’s construction industry cluster, accounting for approximately 60,000 jobs, according to CareerSource Broward. From laborers, plumbers, carpenters and electricians to heating and air conditioning professionals and solar installers, the local construction workforce is as dynamic as the projects going up in Broward County. Recent 2021 job reports show promise of a robust rebound for construction jobs in the state as well as Broward County. As of April, the construction industry had created more than 29,400 jobs, posting 5.5% growth, throughout the state of Florida, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. In the same month, more than 2,800 construction jobs were created in Broward County, the most in the South Florida area, CareerSource Broward reported. In comparison, Palm Beach County posted approximately 2,200 jobs while Miami-Dade and Monroe counties collectively saw approximately 800 jobs created. As the industry recovers, the performance of the construction sector runs parallel to that of real estate
