The Killian, Prime Connection

Springfield-based Killian Construction Co. has hired a new president from Prime Inc. after it brought on Prime’s founder as an investor. Now, the general-contracting firm has a record number of projects in the pipeline stretching from Arizona to New Jersey.

The new work includes a $50 million expansion of Prime’s headquarters southwest of the U.S. Highway 65 and Interstate 44 interchange, and more Prime projects could be in the works, according to Killian officials.

In February, Killian Construction hired Chad Clay as CEO to focus on efforts such as organization and process improvement, financial guidance and employee development.

Clay helps fill the void left by John Ghirardelli, who exited Killian in May 2013 for undisclosed reasons, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. Bill Killian had served both as president and CEO, and Clay said Killian now works strictly as president.

“Bill’s forte is client relations, sales, marketing, finding good deals (and) good construction opportunities out there,” Clay said. “That’s what he needs to focus on.”

Killian said he’s known Clay for about 20 years.

“Chad’s going to let me excel by giving me a chance to spend more time on the road drumming up business,” Killian said. “This is a new chapter of growth for the company.”

Killian Construction’s current list of project contracts is now around $250 million, and the firm’s number of full-time workers is around 80, Killian said. With Prime trucking founder and President Robert Low’s experience and money backing the construction firm, Killian projected that both its project pipeline and number of employees would double in three or four years.

According to SBJ list research, Prime Inc. employed 987 workers and recorded $1.33 billion in 2013 revenue. The company was the 13th largest employer in the Springfield area as of mid-2014.

Low, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment, is a longtime friend and client, Killian said.

“I’ve known Robert for 30 years. We actually started doing business in the ’90s when we built his Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Miss.,” Killian said. “I’ve always been in awe how he has built his business into one of the top trucking companies.

“We’re using his financial strength, but also his management experience and the knowledge of how (Prime) grew, which is going to help us grow.”

Clay’s hiring is the third executive addition in the past two years for Killian Construction. In July, the company named 20-year construction veteran Kevin Hardy executive vice president of construction. In May 2013, Terry Thompson was named finance director, bringing 30 years of accounting and management experience to the post. Their roles are not expected to change under Clay’s leadership, officials said.

Killian Construction is gearing up for the Prime Inc. work in Springfield.

“We’re getting ready to start construction this summer,” Killian said, estimating completion is fall 2016.

“This is an expansion to the west. It will involve a new entry for Prime off of Kearney and Packer Road.”

Clay, who currently splits time between the construction and trucking firms, said the expansion of Prime’s Springfield campus, 2740 N. Mayfair Ave., was prompted by years of company growth, a need for new facilities and plans for an extension of Packer Road north of Kearney.

He said plans include three new buildings and a $6 million administrative office addition, which currently is underway.  

The largest planned building is a 60,000-square-foot, 26-bay tractor-trailer shop, which would include an area for vehicle parts as well as showers and locker rooms for drivers.

There also would be a 46,000-square-foot, 20-bay plaza building for inbound and outbound trucks, as well as a 22,000-square-foot wash bay.

“We’ve grown based on necessity, and it’s never been fast enough,” Clay said. “We looked up one day and said, ‘Nothing is where it should be. Everything is out of whack.’ It doesn’t make sense where all the buildings are. And Mayfair is a crappy road.”

He said Prime officials heard the Missouri Department of Transportation and Greene County were planning an expansion of Packer Road north of Kearney, helping spur plans. Clay said Prime is now sharing costs on the expansion with the county and MoDOT.

“There’s going to be a light there, and that will be our new entrance,” he said, adding the estimated completion date on the street extension is Nov. 1, 2016. “It should greatly improve traffic flow.”

In Panama City, Fla., Killian has another $50 million, 250-unit project in the works: the third tower of Calypso Resort & Towers.

“This is the first high-rise condo – it’s 22 stories – to be built on the panhandle of Florida since the recession,” Killian said. “When we put the tower crane up on Panama City Beach, it’s going to cause a big stir.

“It’s really showing that the economy is improving. There are several other projects planned down there, but this is the first one out of the gates.”

In Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Killian said the company is moving forward with a $33 million mixed-use development called the Landmark Center.

“It’s a mini-Branson Landing,” Killian said of the public-private project. “It’s got a hotel, a parking garage, a residential component with shopping and restaurants.”

Additionally, Killian Construction is working on a $20 million casino project in Arizona, though Killian said those details are not ready to be released to the public.

Looking ahead, Killian and Clay said additional Prime projects could soon be on Killian Construction’s docket. Terminal expansions in Pittston, Pa., and Salt Lake City could cost $30 million to $40 million each.

“We’re also considering new locations in the New Jersey-New York area and south of Chicago,” Clay said.[[In-content Ad]]