Miller Contracting Group Inc.

Miller Contracting Group Inc. (MCG) believes in going beyond what is expected and reaching what is truly exceptional. The Ohio-based general contractor specializes in commercial and industrial design-build projects for small and large private and public owners alike. After 39 years in business, MCG is proud to remain in its second generation of family ownership.

Alan J. Miller founded MCG in 1974, and raised his son in the industry. “I started helping my father when I was 4 years old,” recalls Patrick Miller, president and COO of MCG. “By the time I was 13 years old, I officially started earning a paycheck. My parent’s dedication and hard work has enabled me to appreciate what it takes to own and operate a small business.”

Miller attributes much of his success to his father, who helped him build relationships and connections with many good people in the industry. “My father worked very hard to build lasting relationships with people who helped make the company what it is today,” Miller says of his father. “He instilled in me the value of surrounding yourself with good people.”

All along, Miller’s parents encouraged his education. Miller completed one year at the University of Toledo – majoring in civil engineering – but then felt compelled to continue the family business at home, full time.

“I enjoyed college, but when it came time to return for my sophomore year in 1996, I had a very difficult time leaving my family, the business and the people I had come to know well,” reveals Miller. “This took such a toll on me that I didn’t return. I just knew my place was here helping continuing the family business.”

MCG operates out of the same Ottoville, Ohio, location it has resided in for 39 years. The team mainly works in Ohio and Indiana, but also has the capability to travel to other regions, including parts of Wisconsin and Michigan to perform specialized jobs.

With 42 employees, Miller stresses the importance of clear communication and teamwork. “My biggest concern is when I see problems arise amongst individuals as a result of a lack of communication,” shares Miller. “When we do a better job communicating, our visions become more transparent.”

Working Relationships Ensure Success

For the team at MCG, business is all about fostering working relationships with clients. “What really sets us apart is we’re a full-service general contractor,” details Charles Daniels, business manager for MCG. “Very few general contractors in our area can self-perform nearly every aspect of any project. With the exception of mechanical work and asphalt paving, we have the equipment and experienced staff to self-perform virtually every other aspect of a design-build project and this sets us apart from our competition. This coupled with longtime subcontractor and supplier relationships are very valuable aspects to our company’s success.”

Although MCG performs a number of public works projects, the company’s niche is mainly in the private sector. The MCG team has delivered exceptional results for many big-name commercial clients, ensuring long-term success.

“We’ve recently completed a design-build project for a new food processing facility for Bob Evans Foods in Ohio,” shares Daniels. “They make instant mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and other ready-to-serve foods. We were the general contractor on the project, building it from the ground up. We’re actually in the process now of doubling the same facility for Bob Evans Foods right now. We enjoy the relationship and trust that has grown between us over the past several years. It is clients like Bob Evans Foods that have allowed MCG to continue to excel in our area.”

The team at MCG installed stormwater and sewer separation structures for a utility installation projects in the Defiance, Ohio, area. In completing the project successfully, the company developed a sense of trust with the owner.

“Again, this was another successful project,” says Daniels. “We thoroughly enjoyed working with the city. They’re good people and a pleasure to work for.”

The MCG team doesn’t stop there. Since 2002 MCG has been involved in a series of school demolition projects, partnering with many area school districts and the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC).

According to Daniels, the OSFC recently provided a program that allows school districts throughout the state to upgrade school buildings, which left many districts with empty, unusable buildings. “Most of these buildings are very old and costly to maintain,” explains Daniels. “Given the lack of school funds, most districts decide to take them down. We’ve been very fortunate to work with many school districts in western Ohio to help them make better use of the schools property and demolish these facilities.”

A Highly Capable Team

MCG is also collaborating with other firms that collect and sort debris, reusing aggregate material for backfill, sub base and other applications. “Any metals, concrete, brick, block or other recyclable materials within the facility; we reclaim those as much as possible,” adds Daniels. “Overall this makes for a greener effort. Recycling is a big part of what we do to keep our landfills from growing unnecessarily and help save our environment for future generations.”

While many other companies have slowed or closed down during the recent recession, MCG has remained prosperous thanks to its working-relationships. “Sometimes a lot of it is timing, but we’ve been very fortunate to work with good private and public clients that have chosen to continue to grow despite some of the economic indicators,” shares Daniels. “Fortunately, we operate in a market that isn’t influenced as drastically as you hear on the evening news.”

The company’s goal for the next few years is to continue to work together by communicating effectively, in addition to remaining efficient and competitive by strengthening relationships. “Successful businesses are successful in large part because they employ intelligent, hard-working people,” says Miller. “We have been fortunate to be in that position and we are thankful for it. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to better our business with the people we have in place for many years to come.” With Miller and Daniels guiding the team, Miller Contracting Group Inc. will continue to lead industry after 39 years of exceeding expectations.