Confidence in finding a quality workforce was a key reason Centuri Construction Group decided to keep its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, according to Ken Feldman, Centuri's Senior Manager of Real Estate Services responsible for expanding their corporate office space.
The decision to remain in Phoenix was made after considering incentive packages from Dallas- Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.
"We're part of this community, we have a good location, and we have an excellent team here," Feldman said. "We just didn't think we'd find the same caliber of employee elsewhere."
The construction of a headquarters expansion in the Deer Valley Corridor off Interstate 17 will allow for the addition of personnel well into the future as the Company continues to optimize its corporate administration, including information technology, finance, accounting, human resources, supply chain and business development staff, to support more than 6,000 employees operating in the U.S. and Canada. With the projected opportunities in the near future, the corporate office is planning to grow its staff significantly by 2019.
"Competitive businesses are always seeking top talent to help them scale. In Phoenix, we get that—it's why we've made smart investments to strengthen and grow our workforce," said Mayor Greg Stanton. "Not only have we continued to invest in higher education, but we've also made workforce development and job and skills training a priority."
Centuri Construction Group is the corporate parent to nine infrastructure construction companies located in the Valley and across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 2014 as a holding company for NPL Construction Co., an industry leader in natural gas distribution construction founded over 50 years ago in northern Minnesota, the Centuri enterprise has since grown its footprint in energy, utility, and industrial markets.
Centuri provides key support services for its operating companies: NPL Construction Co., NPL Canada, Canyon Pipeline, Neuco, W.S. Nicholls, Brigadier Pipelines, ETTI, NBC Traffic Control and National Powerline. Outgrowing its north Phoenix corporate office facility, Centuri started looking for a new home in 2016.
"With infrastructure in the U.S. aging, there's a strong outlook for our industry and growth of our core services for many years to come. At the same time, we have a strategic plan to diversify into new markets," said Jim Connell, Centuri Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Communications. "We'll need the professional staff to make the most of those growth opportunities."
Feldman said that 25 percent of the company staff lives within ten miles of the office. That was another consideration when looking at a possible headquarters relocation.
"Deer Valley is a great location to accommodate our current staff," he said. "We have people commuting from Glendale, north Peoria, and across the West Valley, as well as Phoenix."
"Centuri is one of a number of major employers locating in Deer Valley because of its easy access to a quality workforce," said Phoenix City Vice Mayor Thelda Williams. "In corporate headquarters and financial services, there are more than 23,000 workers in this area of the city, making it one of the highest concentrations of financial and business workforces in the West."
News about states offering incentives to move locations, including training new and existing staff, financial assistance for construction and relocation assistance, caught Centuri's attention as its lease at 2355 W. Utopia Rd. was approaching its end.
In addition to Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, the company turned to city of Phoenix Community and Economic Development and Arizona Commerce Authority for expansion assistance as well. As a corporate headquarters, the vast majority of positions are considered high value jobs added to the workforce.
Stanton said the city's commitment to workforce development is one of the reasons the city is able to keep its headquarters companies.
"Our commitment connecting employers with talent keeps companies in Phoenix, even when other cities are aggressively trying to attract them," he said.
"Phoenix and Arizona provided information and showed we are really wanted in the community," Feldman said. "We've got quality people and we do like it here. We're looking to hire people who are forward-thinking and can help Centuri drive its competitive advantage."
Feldman cited city services, the Valley's quality of life and a success-oriented workforce, as reasons for staying put. The company plans to take advantage of workforce development services from Phoenix.
"There is a clear advantage with the workforce we find in Phoenix," he said. "Finding (information technology) help is a challenge, but Phoenix is attractive to workers from California. There's just a really broad talent pool in the Valley."
The company is looking to build a workforce capable of propelling its 100-year vision.
"Sustainability is our guiding principle," said Connell. "We're making investments to build a lasting business, and employees are a key factor in the success of that endeavor."
Centuri Construction has operations in 26 states and 3 Canadian provinces. Its website and career list is NextCenturi.com.
