Biltmore Construction

Source: Construction Digital

Date :2/18/2008 1:42:55 AM

Ed Parker Jr. tells Exec how the family business has become a multi-million dollar construction giant.

Written by Ben O’Hanlon & Produced by Tom Holsinger

Born out of a small town on Florida’s west coast more than 50 years ago, Biltmore Construction is now a major player in commercial construction. Over the years, the founding Parker family has remained the backbone of this successful business. With over $120 million in contracts, the core values that allowed Biltmore to flourish in the Florida business community have continued through three generations of steady growth.

In 1946, WWII pilot Edward Parker Sr. swapped his pilot’s license for a hard hat, took a job with a developer and moved to the small town of Belleair, Florida. After eight years heading up the development of Belleair Estates, Ed Parker Sr. opened the doors of Biltmore Construction in 1954, naming his company after the nearby legendary Belleview Biltmore Hotel (still today on the map as the largest wood-frame hotel in the United States).

Biltmore’s impressive portfolio of work includes university, government and hospital buildings, shopping centers, museums, offices, correctional facilities and high-rise residential blocks across both the public and private sectors. Recent projects of note include a $45 million condominium in Clearwater, Florida.

It’s a Generational Thing

Ed Parker Sr. is proud to have his sons adjacent to his office, which preserves his personal memories of old days and his love of flying. As the company pilot, Ed Parker Jr. is now the president and CEO and runs the company with the help of his two brothers, Bill and Rick, both executive vice-presidents. There’s also significant representation from the third generation of the family; his two sons and son-in-law are also employed as vice-presidents and project managers.

Ed first started working for the company when he was 14; “every summer was construction”, he says. After a tour in the Marine Corps, college, and working for other firms in the western US, Ed returned to Biltmore in 1986.

The Key to Success

Since then the company has focused on gaining competitive advantage by simply delivering a higher quality product, Ed explains: “Biltmore has always been known for high quality work, so we decided to take that attribute and focus on it.”

Biltmore’s development has evolved using the construction management and risk approach, and does not self-perform as much work as it did in the “old days”. Although project managers and superintendents rely heavily on subcontractors, Biltmore still has the skills and know-how to self-perform the work when necessary. The company remains busy in the public and private institutional work, while Florida’s residential high rise market languishes.

Quality Breeds Reputation

In an industry where safety is the primary prerequisite for success, Biltmore is no exception to the rule and boasts an excellent record. Ed credits Biltmore’s excellent record to experienced superintendents on the jobsite and quality subcontractors who reward employees for safety. Biltmore is a company where safety and quality go hand in hand.

It is clearly delivering on its promise of quality, but it is perhaps its customer focus which really sets it apart. “We always try to embrace the client’s goals, to provide the service they want with the least effort on their part and we’ll bend over backwards to do that,” says Ed.

This philosophy has enabled Biltmore to develop close working relationships and a strong reputation, not only with its customers, but with its employees and subcontractors. Ed explains that it’s not uncommon for workers to stay with the company their entire careers: “We’ve always felt a strong responsibility for our employees – they make us what we are.”

“We have similar ties with our subcontractors, who enable us to do the kind of work that we do. We have things in common; trying to keep business going, to do a good job and to get respect for what you’re doing.”

Growth, and Beyond

In Florida’s contracting community it’s easy to hear good things about Biltmore from their business partners and subcontractors who praise the company for its timeliness, clear expectations, and consistency. Biltmore is just easy to do business with. This has enabled the company to attract high-quality subcontractors as it moves throughout the state. It allows for a strong company model which is ready for placement in other locales. Biltmore already holds construction licenses for other states in the Southeast US, however Florida is the main focus. The company’s headquarters are still rooted in their historic Belleair setting and their business remains focused on quality service and building relationships.

Inherent in its future plans, and indeed its current plans, is the company’s commitment to sustainable development. It is enthusiastic about using good building practices and sustainable products in order to minimize the impact on future generations. This has been recognized in many projects, including the University of Florida library which has awarded Biltmore a gold rating for sustainability. Those involved in the project worked very hard to exceed complex requirements which required up-to-date education, tracking, and final presentation of accomplishments.

Ed is passionate about Biltmore’s past and clear about its future. When asked to summarize, he’s eager to stress that he’s just one part of the overall machine: “This isn’t about me. It’s about a group of people, a family, a team of individuals that have and continue to make Biltmore a success.”

It’s comforting to know that an old Florida business, built on values of quality and reputation, is a major player in the state today delivers confidence in the future of Florida’s construction industry.

Click here to view the corporate brochure on Biltmore Construction