Ahrens Companies

Source: Construction Digital

Date :6/25/2008 5:56:35 AM

The customer friendly Ahrens Companies continues a family tradition by taking clients from concept to completion of any project

Written by Donna O’Neil and Produced by Rich Gentile

Richard and Barbara Ahrens are CEO and President respectively of Ahrens Companies, continuing a family tradition in the construction field for over 100 years. Their company is a one-stop shop, offering to do “the project design, take the design through the review process and permitting,” says Richard Ahrens. “Then we construct the building, obtain the certificate of occupancy and hand over the keys. We take a project from concept through construction to completion.”

The Ahrens’ involvement in the construction industry in South Florida began in 1902 with the formation of Ahrens and Son Roofing, Sheet Metal and Ornamental Ironworks by George W. Ahrens and his son, Frank. In 1969, Richard Ahrens joined his father, Charles, in the business and formed Ahrens and Sons, Inc. Charles retired in 1990, and Richard and Barbara continue what is now called Ahrens Companies.

Today the company offers architectural, engineering, construction and steel building erection for commercial and retail space.

The Florida construction industry keeps Ahrens busy enough not to stray far from its Lake Park location. The company is finishing phase two of a $22 million corporate office hanger for Turnburry Associates at Opa-loca Airport, Florida. Ahrens is also in the final stages of construction for an airport hanger designed to sustain wind speeds of 200 miles per hour at the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport.

Richard Ahrens says the building code has changed on hanger construction: “We recommend to our clients that they design for higher wind loads than what is required by code. We recommend this because insurance companies will give a reduced rate if they exceed design codes.”

Richard is very familiar with the changes in the codes, which have had a significant impact since 2003. He was actively involved in formulating those changes.

Green hotel project

One upcoming project that is creating excitement is the construction of a green hotel in West Melbourne, Florida. They expect to begin the project by August. Currently there are no green hotels located in Florida, so Ahrens will be making history by constructing the first.

“Green construction is new [to Florida and to Ahrens],” says Richard Ahrens, “but we are focusing on that. Several people on our staff are in the process of getting certified and we have one who has completed the process.”

Seeing that as the future of construction, Richard Ahrens says: “Most codes are changing to include some sort of green certification. In fact, the state of Florida is going to begin to mandate it. The governor has mandated that government employees, who travel to areas where there are green certified hotels, must stay in the green hotels.”

“Ahrens is a very environmentally conscious company,” adds Barbara Ahrens.

Achievements

Among its accomplishments, Ahrens counts the designed and building of a nitrogen and oxygen plant for Tri-Gas company located in West Palm, Florida. Tri-Gas is owned by a Japanese entity.

Ahrens also built the then tallest pre-engineered building structure in America – a 138-foot tall building for the makers of Sakreet, a concrete mix. “The company was over budget and we came in and redesigned their plant and saved them a couple million dollars. We constructed an automated system that allowed them to improve their productivity.”

Richard Ahrens says that the company was producing 20,000 bags of material a day, employing 50 or more employees for three shifts. “We designed a system that would allow them to produce 20,000 bags in eight hours with five employees.”

Employees

Barbara Ahrens says: “We count our employees among our greatest achievements. There are a number of people who have been with us for 10 to 15 years. I think there is a lot to be said about that. We have very low employee turnover.”

The company offers a 401k plan. Barbara Ahrens says: “We usually put money in for employees – hourly employees included. We also provide health insurance for everyone.”

Ahrens Companies also offers a bonus program which is based on performance, according to Barbara Ahrens.

It holds company picnics several times throughout the year. “I can do hamburgers and hot dogs,” says Richard Ahrens, and then with a chuckle adds, “Other than that, I don’t cook much, but I think the employees keep coming to these picnics, because they like to see me sweat.”

“These events are thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and help keep moral positive” says Barbara Ahrens. “We also attribute our success to the great subcontractors that we have continually worked with throughout the years.”

Challenges

“The most challenging thing we face,” says Richard Ahrens “is the government, on the regulatory side. Some of the regulations are new. It’s the ones that are still old world that are a pain.”

The current economy is also challenging. “We’ve seen a slow down, but we have a lot of things in the pipeline. It’s somewhat of a minor low, but hopefully things will change in the next 60 days. The hotel will start soon. We’ll begin additional hanger facilities in Miami, breaking ground on those in 120 days. It could be good if things at least stay the way they are and not get worse,” says Richard Ahrens.

“We haven’t felt it to that extent that the residential business has,” says Barbara Ahrens.