Derrick builds on A long-term relationship

It pays to have friends.

The sheeting goes up on the roof of the new WESTconsin Credit Union in Hudson. Photos courtesy of Derrick Commercial Contracting LLC

Derrick Commercial Contracting learned that lesson when it signed on for its first job with WESTconsin Credit Union in the mid-1980s, and the contractor is still reaping the benefits about 20 years later. Derrick is about midway through its ninth major construction job for the financial institution.

"It's been a long relationship," said Bill Derrick, president of Derrick Commercial Contracting. "It's very meaningful because, No. 1, it certainly helps our business. No. 2, it's our ultimate goal to do such a good job for our clients and give them such a good experience that they want to come back to us."

The latest project is a 21,000-square-foot, $2 million financial institution in the Hudson Business Park. The two-story masonry and steel structure with precast concrete floors kicked off in May and is slated for completion before deer-hunting season starts in fall.

And as should be expected from a contractor and client that have worked together for so long, the project is running smoothly.

"There's not too much out of the ordinary we're doing on it, and that's like a dream," said Neil LaBeree, Derrick's project manager on the job.

In fact, LaBeree said, the only major challenge on the project is timing. A long approval process on the front end, combined with a tight deadline, has forced the project team into a fast-track job.

"People laugh at the time line, but we can't help it," LaBeree said. "That's what we've got to do. The project superintendent and the field guys are doing a great job, and we've had really good subs."

That teamwork has kept the project moving at about a week ahead of schedule. Going into September, the exterior of the building should be nearly complete, except for asphalt paving and landscaping, and the interior should be completely drywalled.

And as another job between WESTconsin and Derrick draws to a close, Derrick said he remains committed to not taking his client's loyalty for granted.

"Our goal is to still be their preferred builder, so when they come to us, it's like turning on a light switch," he said. "It gets done, and it gets done right."

- Chris Thompson