Derek’s Decade Journey with Ancon Construction

Derek’s Decade Journey with Ancon Construction

by | Jan 2, 2024 | Ancon News

 

Derek embarked on his journey in the world of construction a decade ago with Ancon Construction. It was a challenging time economically and armed with his freshly earned college degree, he hit the pavement, dropping off resumes at local construction companies. Ancon, foreseeing the future, was among the few construction companies at the time that were hiring. Little did he know this would mark the beginning of a fulfilling career.

He started his academic journey in Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech in the Upper Peninsula but found his true passion in construction management. Derek noted growing up he discovered a love for deconstructing things to understand their inner workings. The economic aspect of the industry also appealed to him – the art of value engineering, strategizing for short-term investments that would pay off in the long run.

Ancon, in contrast to other places, has always stood out to Derek for its people-oriented culture. The company is large enough to handle substantial projects with job security yet foster a sense of belonging like one big family.

Throughout his career, Derek has worn many hats. Beginning as part of the concrete crew, he experienced various roles – from a general laborer to the steel crew. He even explored the Project Manager role in Ancon’s Building Services (ABS) division for a year before returning to the field as a lead carpenter. About five years ago, he transitioned into the role of superintendent, a position he finds to be a perfect balance of hands-on work, leadership, and collaboration.

Memorable projects have defined his journey, such as the Goodwill Excel Center in South Bend and Ethos Science Center. Both projects transformed an older building back into something useful.

What he appreciates most about his current role is the variety it offers. Most projects run for about six months to a year, preventing monotony work as locations and projects change regularly. It’s a dynamic field that keeps things interesting.

If there’s one piece of advice, he’d offer to those entering the construction industry, it’s to “never shy away from opportunities. Treat yourself as a product – the more skills you acquire, the more valuable you become. Diversify your knowledge and expertise; you never know when it might come in handy when leading a project site.”

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Learn how Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build process provides risk mitigation

Learn how Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build process provides risk mitigation

by | Dec 18, 2023 | Ancon News

 

Let’s start with the basics

What exactly is Design Build? Design-Build is a project delivery method that combines the design and construction phases of a project into a single contract. This method has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to provide risk mitigation for project owners.

In general, the Design-Build approach is different from traditional construction delivery methods, such as Design-Bid-Build, where the owner hires a designer and a contractor separately. With Design-Build, the owner hires a single team that includes both the designer and the contractor. This team works together from the beginning of the project to the end, which ensures that everyone is on the same page, and the project goals are aligned.

In this blog post, we will explore how Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build delivery method provides risk mitigation and the benefits it offers.

Ancon Construction is a 100% employee-owned company that specializes in True Design-Build construction services, making it an ideal partner for clients who want to mitigate risks and ensure the success of their projects. Ancon’s in-house team of experts includes both designers and construction professionals, who work collaboratively to provide cost-effective solutions that meet the specific needs of each client. By taking responsibility for both the design and construction phases of a project, Ancon can better identify and mitigate risks throughout the project’s lifecycle. As a result, the team is better equipped to identify and mitigate risks throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Here are some ways Ancon’s True Design-Build team provides risk mitigation:

  1. Collaboration and Communication: Ancon’s in-house Design-Build approach emphasizes collaboration and communication between the design and construction teams. By working together, we can identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. This collaborative approach can help prevent costly delays and change orders down the line.
  2. Cost and Schedule Certainty: With Ancon’s True Design-Build process, the owner receives a fixed price for the project, which helps eliminate cost overruns. Additionally, since the design and construction teams are working together, they can develop a realistic schedule that takes into account potential challenges and risks.
  3. Quality Control: Ancon’s True Design-Build team is responsible for the quality of the project from start to finish. They have a vested interest in delivering a high-quality product, which helps ensure that the project meets and often exceeds the owner’s expectations.
  4. Single Point of Contact: With Ancon’s True Design-Build process, the owner has a single point of contact for the entire project. This simplifies communication and ensures that everyone is working towards the same goals.

Ancon Construction’s True Design-Build team provides risk mitigation by fostering collaboration and communication, delivering cost and schedule certainty, ensuring quality control, and providing a single point of contact for the owner. By hiring our True Design-Build team, owners can mitigate risks and ensure that their projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

Ground Broken on Ancon Construction’s New Corporate Office

Ground Broken on Ancon Construction’s New Corporate Office

by | Nov 21, 2023 | Ancon News

From left are Nick Kieffer, Goshen Chamber; Don Carrico Ancon’s Director of Operations & Safety;  Rhett Fisher, Ancon’s CFO; Ryan Kring, Ancon’s VP of Business Development; Doug VonGunten, Ancon’s President; John Place, Ancon’s past president and current Ancon Chairman of the Board; Jan Farren, Ancon board member; Katy Sonner, Executive Assistant at City of Goshen; Joanna King, Indiana State Representative

 

Ground Broken on Ancon Construction’s New Corporate Office

Ancon Construction marked a significant milestone as they broke ground last week for their new corporate office at 2121 Wilden Ave., in Goshen, Indiana. This event kicked off the renovation of the former Furnitureland building, which will become the future home of Ancon Construction’s corporate headquarters. Ancon is relocating from its current Elkhart Road location.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by approximately 50 individuals, including Ancon Employee-Owners, board members, Goshen Chamber staff, elected officials, and other friends of Ancon Construction.

Doug VonGunten, President of Ancon Construction, highlighted the project as a symbol of Ancon’s future, coinciding with its upcoming 50th business anniversary in 2025. The decision to relocate and renovate stems from outgrowing their current office space and the need for new offices that better represent the work of Ancon’s Employee-Owners.

Ancon Construction, a commercial design-build contractor in Goshen, Indiana, has played a pivotal role in shaping the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975. As a 100% employee-owned company since 1999, this move represents a strategic investment in the next 50 years of Ancon Construction.

Ben King, Ancon Construction architect, expressed excitement about the project, foreseeing a more collaborative and modern office space. He emphasized the creation of a campus fostering relationships between office and field staff.

The new corporate office, transforming 24,000 square feet of the former Furnitureland store acquired in 2022, will symbolize Ancon’s award-winning work and dedication to their Employee-Owners. Key design features include natural daylight, open and collaborative workspaces, various meeting areas, and a central hub featuring a café, training room, outdoor patio, and lawn space. This transformation reflects Ancon’s dedication to quality and innovation.

“This project is more than just a building,” reflected VonGunten. “It will represent who we are as Employee-Owners and will be a place where our team can thrive. We’re excited to transform this building to better reflect the work that we do.”

Ancon Construction will transform the former Furnitureland store on Wilden Avenue in Goshen, Indiana, into their new corporate office. Above, is a picture of the old Furnitureland building, and below is a glimpse of the transformation into the future Ancon Construction corporate office.

 

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Ancon Construction Shares Award with Wag’n Tails

Ancon Construction Shares Award with Wag’n Tails

by | Nov 21, 2023 | Ancon News

Pictured L to R: Doug VonGunten, Ancon President; Obadiah Counsellor, Wag’n Tails Controller; Dennis Gnetz, Wag’n Tails CEO; Steve Wedding, Wag’n Tails CFO; Jason Mills, Wag’n Tails Director of Marketing; Tim Schrock, Ancon Project Manager

 

Ancon Construction Shares Award with Wag’n Tails

Ancon Construction was pleased to share the Excellence in Construction (EIC) award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky with Wag’n Tails.

The ABC of Indiana/Kentucky Award of Excellence program, recognizing outstanding projects, signifies the high standards upheld by Merit Shop contractors, showcasing the exceptional quality of work by ABC-affiliated companies.

Wag’n Tails, a leader in the mobile pet grooming industry, entrusted Ancon Construction with designing and constructing a corporate office and showroom complex. Utilizing a pre-engineered metal building, they created a flexible warehouse showroom, enhancing customer experience and product quality.

Dennis Gnetz, CEO of Wag’n Tails, expressed, “We chose to partner with Ancon Construction because of their exceptional customer service, vision, and craftsmanship. So, I wasn’t surprised when I heard that Ancon Construction had received an award. Their exceptional work not only reflects their commitment to excellence but also their ability to bring our vision to life in a remarkable way.”

Doug VonGunten, President of Ancon Construction, emphasized that the recent ABC Awards highlight their team’s skills in design-build projects and underscore their commitment to excellence. He expressed pride in the hard work of their Employee-Owners and excitement for future accomplishments.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Greg’s 20 Years with Ancon Construction

Greg’s 20 Years with Ancon Construction

by | Nov 20, 2023 | Ancon News

 

Greg embarked on his journey with Ancon Construction in the summer of 2003. Initially pursuing a career in architecture, Greg redirected his course after a year and a half of college. Drawn to hands-on work, his upbringing, filled with collaborative projects with his father, set the stage for his entrance into the construction world.

Greg’s passion for drawing, nurtured by his father’s role in the drafting department at Johnson Controls, evolved from sketching on a drafting table to mastering AutoCAD in high school. Although unsure about a career in construction initially, the joy of building from the ground up captivated him.

At Ancon Construction, Greg found more than a workplace; he found a family. “Ancon Construction is like a family around here. Everybody cares for everybody. They will help any out if you need help. You get to go to work, get a lot done and have fun at the same time.”

One of Greg’s standout projects was the Potawatomi Zoo Carousel. Beyond the satisfaction of its construction, watching his son delight in the carousel has become a cherished experience. The project coincided with his son’s birth, making it even more memorable.

Over the years, Greg diversified his skills, mastering carpentry through the ABC apprenticeship school in 2007, then concrete, and steel. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adapting to the uniqueness of each project, keeping him motivated over the past 20 years. “What keeps me motivated is every job is different. You are not doing the same job every day. You do get to be engaged in physical labor while simultaneously, using your brain and thinking of different ways to do each project. Each project demands a different approach.”

Greg enjoys mentoring the new generation of employee-owners, sharing his knowledge and fostering a positive work culture and currently has a focus on personal growth within the company.

As a testament to his journey, Greg encourages others to be “sponges of knowledge, cross-train extensively, stay true to oneself and stay positive.” His positivity, commitment, knowledge and craftsmanship make him a valuable asset to Ancon Construction.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.