Standard of Excellence in Quality Builds

Williams Construction Company is celebrating 45 years in business, and J&L Contracting is celebrating 20 years in business. With construction design-build projects all over the Midwest and trucking across 48 states, 2024 has been a record year, and they plan to continue that growth in 2025. Williams Construction is honest and transparent with employees, which fosters a great culture. For clients, they focus on an “always say yes” mentality. No project is too small or big.

“We try to build every project as if it’s our own. Once we build for a customer, we retain them for life. We keep our customers. That’s our brand,” said James Williams, owner of Williams Construction Company.

In 1980, after years of being on the road away from his family, David Williams, the original founder, started a construction company. James Williams went everywhere with his father and was on most projects from the beginning. He recalls, “If I wasn’t at school, I was with my father on a job site.” In 1990, his dad bought out his partner and solely took over Williams Construction. In 1998, James Williams graduated college with a construction management degree and ran one division while his dad ran another. Williams took over as sole owner in 2015. Since then, the company has grown from 30 employees to 200. In 2005, James and Malona Williams added what is now J&L Contracting LLC, with 100 trucks running daily. WCC Excavation and Demolition is the newest company addition. The excavation side operates not just as a site subcontractor, but as a builder that performs site work.

“We are builders and treat every job as such,” Williams says. “We make ourselves 100 percent available for clients.”

As the company has expanded, so has their commitment to reducing risk and building safely. Williams Construction hired a safety director to ensure everyone goes home daily. They place cameras in vehicles for employee protection and they never cut corners to save costs. Safety remains a priority. Another important focus is efficiency. Williams Construction has made significant investments in software and technology to decrease paperwork and increase employee productivity.

Alongside safety and efficiency, Williams Construction fosters a culture of mutual growth. With their open-book policy, there is no question an employee can’t ask. Williams believes in spreading the wealth to allow employees to grow with the company. Always being present for employees and empowering them to make the best possible decisions, Williams says employees take pride in their work. Employee longevity ranges from 10, 20 and 30 years, which is a testament to the work culture.

Williams is equally committed to impacting the community. They sponsor and give back to multiple charities like Fishtales, Evangel University and Missouri State University. They sit on advisory boards for MSU Construction Department and participate in the Springfield Contractors Association and Build You. They are also active members of their church.

To learn more about Williams Construction, call the office to connect to their large team of project managers. Williams Construction is committed to a standard of excellence and quality in their performance.