As we come to the end of another year, it provides me an opportunity to reflect
on where we’ve been over the past year, along with taking an introspective look
on where we’re going as we move into 2021.

After coming off a historically record year financially in 2019 for Williams
Construction Co., we came into 2020 with confidence and momentum. I need not
go into details of the challenge that transpired mid-March and its effect not only
on the company, but us as individuals, our families, our communities, and the
country. As clients were shutting down projects, delaying or cancelling up-coming
projects, the Leadership and Management team of Williams Construction Co.
had the number one priority of keeping our employees and their families safe
and healthy during the midst of a pandemic.

As the surge of the pandemic continues, we continue to adhere to the
recommendations made by the epidemiologists with the CDC and the Oklahoma
Department of Health in keeping all of our employees (both field and office)
protected the best we can. We did apply and receive some assistance from the
Small Business Administration (SBA) with their Payroll Protection Program (PPP).
This did help with payroll and some of our expenses during an 8-week period
during the spring, but with many jobsites still shut-down and minimal work
being acquired, we did have to make the difficult decision to reduce staff at
both the office and field level.

Mid-summer started seeing jobsites opening back up more consistently, along
with bid opportunities with existing and some new clients. Numerous projects
were completed at the Data Center and DuPont, both in Pryor. Short duration
out-of-state projects with Richmond Engineering Works in both South Dakota and
Maryland continued our success as the Critical Project Specialists with this
client as both projects were challenging and extremely time sensitive.

Project opportunities at Spirit AeroSystems in Tulsa also showed a significant
increase over previous years.
Even without being able to meet many clients in-person, our Business
Development group has been successful in building strong relationships and
bidding opportunities with many new clients in the aerospace, manufacturing,
energy, food and beverage, and chemical industries. Aggressive and extensive
marketing campaigns to new and existing customers in multiple industries were
rolled-out at the end of 2020 and will continue into early 2021.

Our Safety Management group not only dealt with providing health, safety and
PPE protocol and procedures to all our employees and clients during a pandemic,
but we also progressed through 2020 without a recordable safety incident.
This is truly a remarkable accomplishment when knowing the type of work we
perform, along with the harsh and sometimes dangerous environments we
work in. A strong safety culture is the result of combined individual and group
efforts toward values, attitudes, practices, goals and the proficiency of
an organization’s health and safety program.

We start the new year with our core focus (“To improve the lives of our clients,
employees, their families and the community”) always at the forefront,
a commitment to our marketing strategy, along with continuing to maintain
our high safety and quality standards. Williams Construction Co. will celebrate
their 68th year of continued success in business during 2021. Even with the
challenges throughout 2020, our employees have stayed diligent and focused
during times of doubt and uncertainty. It is my opinion that when we are
challenged and face adversity, we become stronger as individuals and as a team
with a renewed passion and focus for success. With this compassion and
dedication to the company, the industry, and our clients, we will continue to
provide specialized and critical construction and maintenance services for many
years to come.

With every new year comes greater opportunities and challenges in life. I wish
you courage, hope, health, and all the best for a safe and blessed New Year.

Be sure to check out our full Annual Report here

 

Michael McGehee
President, Williams Construction Co.