Schilling Corp. performs both dry and wet utility installations in California and Arizona.

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El Cajon, Calif.-based Schilling Corp. says diversity has set the company apart since the beginning. Founded in 1986, it became one of the fastest-growing general engineering contractors in Southern California, specializing in underground utility installation.

Schilling claims to be San Diego’s leading contractor in the installation of electric, cable, private communications, poly-gas, site lighting and street light systems. It recently expanded its services to include wet utility installations, such as water, sewer and storm drain systems.

Licensed in both California and Arizona, Schilling operates a fleet of more than 150 machines and trucks. Its work force consists of 250 employees, with years of experience between six superintendents and 35 foremen, the company says.

“No project is too large or too small for Schilling Corp.,” it states, noting that its workload is spread among residential housing developments, commercial shopping centers, industrial projects, public agencies, communications and military work. “We pride ourselves on performance and the ability to deliver a completed job on time and at budgeted costs.”

According to the company, it offers a gamut of services that can meet all of its clients’ needs.

These include:

• Conduit and structures for SDG&E, Edison, AT&T, Verizon, Level 3 Communications, as well as Southern California municipality specifications;
• Street light and site lighting systems; and
• Fiber optic installation and relocation.

Added Value
Builders TradeSource Corp. (BTSC) acquired Schilling in May 2003. BTSC is a holding company formed by SKM Growth Investors (SKMGI) and Four Corners Capital Partners for the purpose of acquiring and consolidating specialty trade services to large production homebuilders.

Not long after that, BTSC also purchased the assets of Paradise Electric, a residential electrical contractor in Southern California.

The two companies kept their own names and operate as BTSC’s subsidiaries. “We expect BTSC to [continue to] grow both organically through market share gains of the Schilling and Paradise operating subsidiaries, and through selective acquisitions of additional best-in-class, large-scale trade service providers to production homebuilders in Southern and Northern California, Nevada and Arizona,” SKMGI Managing Director Ellery Roberts said in a statement.

Schilling’s quality service is a significant factor that led to the acquisition, BTSC says. “Large production homebuilders now demand more sophistication from specialty contractors who supply goods and services,” it adds.

“BTSC, through the consolidation of leading contractors, can continue to offer customers excellent service from established market leaders while offering more robust systems, reporting and the project management necessary to meet the increasing demands of sophisticated, production homebuilders.”

Playing it SMART
Schilling says it is successful because it has one of the top safety programs in the industry. “Our hardworking and dedicated safety task force from SMART Safety Group [handles] all of our safety needs, such as on-site safety audits, claim handling, disciplinary action, monthly meetings, on-the-job training and additional services,” Schilling says.

SMART, which stands for Safety Management and Related Training Inc., develops and manages environmental,  health and safety programs for companies in the southwestern United States.         “We help break down complex environmental regulations and standards, identifying risks which assist our clients in making informed business decisions,” SMART explains.

“SMART specializes in providing safety management services for companies in the construction business.

“A proactive safety program helps companies save money, strengthen their business reputation and attract the best workers,” SMART adds. “We pride ourselves on creating safety by design as we create a culture of safety on each of over 600 client job sites.”

SMART adds that it works to protect the industry’s people, property and profits. “We go beyond OSHA compliance, creating an environment which fosters a client safety culture,” it states. “We offer clients peace of mind, knowing that their most important assets are protected, allowing them to focus on their core business.”

SMART’s services include:

• Safety management  
• Training and development
• Supply

Outsourcing safety programs means gaining “a team of trained safety professionals that function like employees of [our clients’] company, yet cost less than a full-time safety director,” the organization says. “We create a safety culture so people are working safely even when we are not looking.    

“Our philosophy is simple: train, reinforce and reward. We identify leading risk factors and proactively train workers. We coach workers in the field and attack issues before they balloon into big problems. Last, we never forget to celebrate success. Workers appreciate having us around as a resource while owners enjoy peace of mind knowing that their backs are covered.”