2007 Dynamic Dozen Honoree: DCI Construction LLC

For a company that has built its name on the restoration of old buildings, DCI Construction LLC is still one of the new kids on the construction block.

Opened in 2003, DCI has worked on several notable historic renovation projects in southwest Missouri, including Franciscan Villa and Walnut Street Apartments in Springfield and Drake Apartments in Carthage.

Now the company is expanding its reach into other parts of the state. In Hannibal, DCI is converting the century-old Mark Twain Hotel into apartments, and is doing similar work on the 94-year-old Oaks Hotel in Excelsior Springs and the 89-year-old Zahn building in downtown Joplin.

An expanding list of projects – and a growing reputation statewide – is part of the reason the company had revenues in excess of $17 million in 2006. That total is a 61 percent increase compared to 2005.

The company’s Total Quality Management program, which DCI Managing Member Denton Cline said is designed to ensure that quality is maintained throughout a project’s development, is one factor responsible for DCI’s growth. The program involves checks at multiple stages of construction, all aimed at making sure that DCI’s clients get their desired results.

That quality is especially important as companies in the Ozarks – where construction costs are lower compared to other parts of the country – work to stay competitive.

“To maintain quality, you have to have some kind of organized program to enforce it,” Cline said. “It not only involves the quality of the aesthetics and finishes of the project, but also safety, management and the way we run the job. It involves everybody from the top down, particularly in oversight on the job site, inspections, requirements and various other pieces of the process.”

Partnership effort

Much of DCI’s project portfolio has been in partnership with Springfield developer Carlson Gardner Inc. Carlson Gardner principals Mark Gardner and Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson also are partners in DCI.

In addition to its historic renovation work, DCI does new construction, such as the Valley View Apartments in Branson, which were built after fire completely destroyed a building on the property, and renovation of newer buildings, such as the conversion of a former restaurant into Springfield’s Emergency Veterinary Clinic.

DCI also has experience in other types of construction, including hotels, restaurants, warehouses and retail centers.

While the company itself may be relatively young – it has completed or is working on 11 projects comprising 14 buildings in its three-plus years, according to its Web site – its managers are no strangers to the industry, and Carlson attributes the company’s success to their experience, including Cline’s 30 years in the construction industry.

“I think that the organization has a lot of depth,” Carlson said. “The people that are there have many years of experience, so that even though it’s a new company, the main people were able to really hit the ground running.”

Carlson and Gardner each have been in the development business for 10 years.

Client growth

Cline also credits DCI’s clients for the company’s success, noting that it’s the clients’ needs that have brought growth to the company.

And, he said, he’s not particularly surprised by that growth.

“I don’t know if it’s exceeded expectations – we’ve always had plans for it,” Cline said.

Around the corner, DCI has future projects planned in Branson West, St. Joseph and Kennett.

Based on those plans, Carlson expects DCI’s growth to continue.

“It’s a function of the economy, of course, but I think they’ll compare favorably with other construction companies in the future,” Carlson said.