Johnson-Davis Inc. is one of the southeast Florida’s leading underground utilities subcontractors.

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Johnson-Davis Inc. is proof that there is more to a company’s success than the typical blend of talented work force and commitment to clients. There are cases, such as with the Lantana, Fla.-based firm, where construction skills run in the family. Founded in 1977 by Herbert Johnson, the company has worked its way up to become one of southeast Florida’s leading underground utilities subcontractors.

The Johnson family moved from New York to Florida in 1975 to pursue opportunities after a slowdown in northeast construction. President and second-generation owner Scott Johnson, who graduated with a civil engineering degree from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., was the second Johnson-Davis employee. Its very first employee, he notes, was Bob Spink, who started as a foreman and now serves as the company’s vice president and senior project manager.

“Our family background began in construction – it’s in our blood,” Johnson states. “My brother and I grew up in the business.” He adds that his younger brother, Chris Johnson, started working for the company during his high-school summer breaks. Today, he serves as secretary and treasurer.

“We started the company a year after I graduated from college,” Scott Johnson recalls.  “During my high school and college years, I worked in the heavy construction industry and thoroughly enjoyed all aspects and challenges of the business. Construction was my father’s passion, and he passed along his knowledge, experience and vision for the future to his sons.”

A full-service, underground utility contractor specializing in projects such as water, sewer and storm drainage systems, as well as highway and road construction, Johnson-Davis’ capabilities make it unique, Johnson notes.  

“We are very low maintenance and self-sufficient, which provides us with a competitive advantage.” he asserts. “We take pride in knowing that because we strive to deliver superior customer service and quick resolution to problems or concerns, we are able to maintain long-term relationships with prime contractors, governmental agencies, consulting engineers, suppliers and customers.

“Maintaining our credibility and integrity within the industry is our main priority.”

Over the years, Johnson-Davis Inc. has attracted big-name road-building contractor clients in southeast Florida, including Community Asphalt Corporation, Dicker­son Florida Inc., Hardrives Inc., Hubbard Construction Company, and Ranger Construction Industries, to name a few.

Hard Workers
“Experiencing the challenges of complex projects and hard work can be difficult at times,” Johnson says.

“Fortunately, we have the knowledge, talent and fortitude to successfully close every project realizing that without a team of committed employees, these challenges could not be accomplished.”

Working mostly on infrastructure projects, he says, the company usually faces traffic and congestion issues, as well as pedestrian and vehicular safety concerns. Additionally, performing night construction and working on existing utilities presents their own set of unique challenges.

“To ensure projects are progressing on schedule,” Johnson says, “effective communication, from the superintendent to the laborer, is not only essential but critical.”

Rising Above Challenges
“While the private residential construction market continues to decline, the commercial market, however, remains strong,” Johnson says, “but has become very competitive within the past 18 months as infrastructure projects become larger and more complex.”

Securing additional long-term projects has been difficult, as well. The current challenge is to acquire sufficient work with an acceptable profit margin.

“We maintain our presence in the market with quality, carefully planned bids; and, as a result, are awarded potentially lucrative projects,” Johnson adds. “With the downturn in the economy, the market is pretty tight right now.”

Gaining Experience
Johnson-Davis looks forward to becoming the preferred specialty contractor in its industry. “I believe we have come a long way towards achieving that goal, but I would like our company to be thought of as a premier construction company,” Johnson stresses. He adds that there are no plans to expand the Lantana-based location at this time. “We prefer to keep everyone under one roof.”

Although plans for the company’s third-generation of leaders are still in the works, Johnson says he has only one bit of advice to whoever takes over the business. “This individual must start from the bottom-up to gain the experience, confidence and respect of their co-workers and industry peers,” he emphasizes. “This person must also possess strong leadership qualities, a formal education and the determination to persevere through difficult and challenging times.”

Staying Happy at Work
Johnson-Davis also maintains its competitive edge by recruiting diverse talent and managing diversity well to retain that talent. “Our employees come from all walks of life and bring with them their unique cultures, values, and experience,” he says. “We are a small company by comparison to similar industry companies in the area – we get to know our employees personally and foster a family atmosphere at work. Happy employees are productive employees.”