News & Insight

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  Messer Construction Co. ranked No. 8 nationally for supplier diversity by DiversityInc

  Messer Construction Co. has earned eighth place on DiversityInc’s 2016 Top 13 Companies for Supplier Diversity ranking. The news was announced during DiversityInc’s diversity and inclusion keystone event held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Tuesday, April 19.   DiversityInc’s annual survey – tracking the nation’s top companies when it comes to hiring, retaining and promoting women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT and veterans – is the most rigorous, data-driven survey of its kind, gauging detailed demographics based on race/ethnicity and gender at some of the largest U.S. employers.   “We saw 23 companies increase their standings on the DiversityInc Top 50 and Specialty Lists in 2016, and more than 1,000 companies submitting for contention on the list,” said Luke Visconti, DiversityInc’s founder and CEO. “We are very encouraged by the commitment and dedication to diversity management shown by these top performing companies.”   Companies with more than 1,000 U.S.-based employees are eligible to enter, and there is no cost to compete. Each company’s rank is based on an objective analysis of 183 separate factors, based on data from a 300-question survey. The four equally weighted areas of measurement are Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO/Leadership Commitment and Supplier Diversity.   “Messer is honored to be recognized among the top companies nationally for supplier diversity,” said Tom Keckeis, Messer President & CEO. “Supplier diversity is a key component of our business plan and is critical to the economic vitality of the diverse communities and customers we serve. We’re very proud to have our commitment in this important area recognized on a national level.”   DiversityInc’s Top 13 Companies for Supplier Diversity rankings include seven companies listed on the 2015 edition of the Fortune 500. Messer is the only construction company on the list.   “Supplier diversity has been engrained into the Messer culture,” said Stanford Williams, Messer Vice President, Chief Inclusion Officer. “We’ve committed a great deal of resources toward developing strategic relationships with high-performing minority- and women-owned subcontractors, ensuring that they have an opportunity to work on our jobsites and contribute to the communities they serve. That commitment has produced outstanding results, as last year Messer spent a company-record 19.59 percent of its total purchases with M/WBEs.”   The announcement dinner event included a keynote address from Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art; a sponsor address by Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.; and an after-party with entertainment from Kool & The Gang. To see the complete list, visit http://www.diversityinc.com/diversityinc-top-13-companies-supplier-diversity/. For a look at all of DiversityInc’s 2016 rankings, visit http://www.diversityinc.com/top50 or follow the conversation online with the hashtag #DITop50.  

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  $25k Messer grant fuels renovation project for Nashville organization

  The Messer Construction Co. Foundation recently presented a $25,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBS Middle Tennessee), an organization that strives to provide children facing adversity with enduring and professionally supported relationships that change their lives for the better. BBBS Middle Tennessee plans to use the funding to renovate its current office space into a multiuse meeting room – The Messer Mentoring Center – which will allow for onsite training and activities for children, parents, and mentors. “Several of our Nashville employees have already invested their time and energy to give back to this important community resource, and we are thrilled to join them as a company to support the organization’s efforts with this grant,” said Tom Lampe, Messer Construction Co. vice president and Nashville region leader. “We are proud to be able to provide the funds needed for the Messer Mentoring Center, as it is important infrastructure to the organization’s overall efforts.” The grant was sponsored by Messer Senior Project Executive Chris Steigerwald, who has served as a big brother and is a member of the organization’s board of directors. He will also provide consulting during planning for the renovation project. “This organization has done incredible things for the Middle Tennessee community,” Steigerwald said. “I am very excited to watch as it continues to expand its current facility to better meet the needs of the children here.” In only its 11th year of existence, the Messer Foundation this year donated its 900,000th dollar to community organizations from across the company’s nine regions of operation. Click here to learn more about the Foundation and see the list of organizations that have received a $25,000 grant.

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• Messer pledges $25,000 to Redwood for specialized playground equipment

  The Messer Construction Co. Foundation recently presented a $25,000 grant to Redwood, a Northern Kentucky organization that provides enriching educational, therapeutic, and vocational services to children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities, helping them achieve independence and reach their highest potential throughout life. “At Messer, we’re committed to building better lives for our customers, communities and employees,” said Messer Vice President and Cincinnati region leader Steve Eder. “We’re pleased to present this grant to help further Redwood’s mission. “Growth is a central to everything we do at Messer – growing our employees, growing our community – but few places can enact growth more meaningfully than Redwood. When they told us about their needs and how they aligned with their mission, it resonated with everyone in our room. Needless to say, we couldn’t be more proud to assist an organization that impacts growth and education the way Redwood does.” Redwood will use the grant money to help fund the replacement of its aging specialized playground equipment with a new coated-steel fabricated play system. The improvements aim to provide a safe, accessible and engaging play environment for the roughly 100 children it serves, ages 4-16, with and without disabilities. Renovations have already started and are slated for completion in October. “The children and I are so excited for the renovation of our specialized playground,” said Redwood’s Director of Educational Care, Katrina Proud. “The playground is more than just a fun area for the children. It teaches the children to socialize appropriately in large and small settings while balancing their flow of energy to be more productive in the classroom. Plus, the extra sunshine truly puts smiles on their faces." Messer Human Resources Vice President Karen Pawsat, who has been involved with Redwood for six years and serves on its board, sponsored the organization for Messer’s grant. “I couldn’t be happier to see Messer and Redwood come together,” Pawsat said. “Messer builds amazing buildings, and Redwood builds amazing lives. “After six years of working with Redwood, I still marvel at how real their mission is and the level at which it is brought to life. These improvements will go a long way in furthering that impact.” The new, barrier-free playground will include a large, elevated play structure accessible by ramps, transfer systems and stairs, as well as ground-level equipment like swings, an easy-rocker see-saw style rider, rocking bridge, “drop shot” and activity panels. The project is designed with the growth and development of children with all types/degrees of disabilities in mind, aiming specifically at their cognitive, social and sensory-motor skills. Redwood offers the most comprehensive range of disability services in Greater Cincinnati. Last year, it served more than 800 adults and children with severe and multiple disabilities via more than 450,000 hours of service. It provides a wide range of innovative programs and services aimed to address needs, close service gaps, promote independence through technology, and help those who have no other opportunities available to them. Its programs include educational care, prescribed pediatric extended care, therapeutic intervention, adult day supports and vocational supports. In only its 11th year of existence, the Messer Foundation this year donated its 900,000th dollar to community organizations from across the company’s nine regions of operation.

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  Lean in and learn how to increase efficiency on your next project

  The cover story of the September-October issue the AGC’s Constructor Magazine spotlights how industry leaders on are using lean to increase project efficiency. Messer's Nick Apanius shares how we've used lean’s "5 Why" problem-solving tool to zero in on the root cause of incidents or near misses, and lean daily management to streamline operations by looking at key performance indicators. Read more...    

• Butler County organization receives $25k grant from Messer Foundation

  The Messer Construction Co. Foundation presented a $25,000 grant recently to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County (BBBS Butler Co.), an organization that strives to help children reach their full potential through one-to-one mentoring and promoting a culture of transparency and governance. BBBS Butler Co. plans to use the funding to expand the technological resources at its Hamilton, Ohio, facility. “At Messer, we’re committed to building better lives for our customers, communities and employees,” said Messer Vice President and Dayton region leader Kevin Cozart, “so we’re pleased to present this grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County to help expand their resources and capacity. The team at BBBSBC does phenomenal work and impacts the lives of countless young people throughout Butler County. “We hope this grant can provide the assistance they need to extend that impact even further.” The grant was sponsored by Messer Senior Project Executive Matt Schnelle, who has worked with BBBS Butler Co. since mid-2014. Schnelle said that over his time with the organization, he’s seen first-hand the impact it has on young lives. “It’s been a lot of fun to spend time around these kids and watch them grow,” he said. “These are young, impressionable people in need of guidance in different areas of life, so it’s been outstanding to help steer them toward their potential.” “I make my living at Messer, but a great deal of my time and effort also goes here (to BBBS Butler Co.). So, it’s been fun seeing the two come together for the common cause of changing the lives of local young people.” In only its 11th year of existence, the Messer Foundation this year donated its 900,000th dollar to community organizations from across the company’s nine regions of operation.