Case Studies Region: Midwest

Even the most ambitious company has got to know its limits, especially when overmatched by industry giants. It might prove better to specialize in a couple of areas rather than spreading the corporate capability too thin. Upon careful review, BlueNRGY Group Limited opted to do just that this past spring, finally phasing out the more […]

Sam Wainer discovered his niche in the sustainability movement as a student at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management in 2010, when his department’s main building, Gallagher Hall, earned a LEED Platinum certification. While giving a tour of the new facility to the university’s board of regents, Wainer realized how nice it would be […]

Making orange juice and running a manufacturing facility might seem completely unrelated, but to mass produce the orange juice consumers are used to seeing on their grocery store shelves, beverage companies need to run advanced manufacturing operations. Doing so ensures the morning drink of millions is just right, from the acidity to the packaging. To […]

New employees at building supply company, Benthall Brothers Inc., train with the Hayes boys for one simple reason—they’re the best. “We’ll send a new crew out to them and then they’ll give us an evaluation and that’s been working really well,” says Benthall. Vice president, Eli Benthall, says the “Hayes boys”, Robert and Tony, have […]

Founded in 1994 by brothers Mike and Sean Burnham, Burnham Insulation Sales Inc. (BIS) has become a leading supplier of industrial and commercial insulation supplies and materials over the last 22 years in the business. Focused primarily on serving customers in the oil and gas industry, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company provides the high-performance insulation materials […]

In 1986, Bill Lorrigan decided to realize his dream and went into business for himself. After years of working in the construction industry, Lorrigan, with the help of his wife Barb, founded Bill Lorrigan Construction Inc. Based out of Reedsville, Wisconsin, Lorrigan Construction began as a small company and over the past 29 years has […]

Founded by Henok Tekeste, Claycomo, Missouri-based Blue Nile Contractors Inc. is a full-service utility contracting company serving municipal clients throughout the state. Born in Ethiopia, Tekeste says the company represents his idea of the American dream. “When I came to the United States, I never intended to work for somebody,” says Tekeste, president and founder […]

When a large-scale retailer looks to roll out multiple new store locations it takes a major coordination effort to manage the expansion process while keeping the schedule on track and the budget in line. In Cambridge, Minnesota, BJ Baas Builders Inc. is an expert in this type of general contracting process management. “We happen to […]

Since 1929, BLDD Architects Inc. has been a premier architecture and design firm serving Illinois and Iowa. Founded in 1929, BLDD takes a collaborative approach to create innovative and effective design solutions. By incorporating freedom of thought and expression, paired with the latest technological advancements, BLDD truly is a unique partner. BLDD began as a […]

Founded in 1977, Building Erection Services Co. (BES) has earned a reputation for quality and excellence. Based on the essential principles of honesty, hard work and commitment, this Kansas City, Missouri-based steel erection firm attracted Tim Olah, who built his own thriving steel fabrication company based on the same standards. “You get out of a […]