| J.S. Vig Construction featured in Oakland Business Review |
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March 20, 2008 By Carol Marshall Oakland Business Review (248) 374-4920 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The news isn't all gloom and doom in commercial real estate. Oh heck no - I have the pleasure of reporting every week on companies that are holding their own, or growing. Or in some cases, booming. And that's how I came to meet Valerie Vig, CEO of Taylor-based J.S. Vig Construction Company, a 40-year-old business started by Vig's father, Joseph Vig Sr. It wasn't so much that the company is considering opening an Oakland County office at some point in the near future (though Vig said she and her brother, Joseph Vig Jr., the company's president, are looking seriously at the idea). And it wasn't even so much that the company is working on some highly visible projects in Oakland County, Wayne County and in Ann Arbor (though it is). It was because J.S. Vig grew from $20 million in revenue in 2006 to nearly $60 million last year that I had to ask Valerie Vig if she had some time for a cup of coffee. "How in the heck did you do that in this economy?" I asked over a Starbuck's skinny latte. What I expected her to tell me was that the company is doing a bunch of out-of-state work. But that's not it. Almost all the growth is coming from within Michigan, and the few projects that J.S. Vig is working on outside the state are for a local developer, Birmingham-based Pomeroy Investment Corporation. "To be honest, our growth has been because of customer retention," Vig said. "We've been working on these projects, and planning and budgeting them, for three years and they finally came to fruition last year. J.S. Vig is completing a multimillion-dollar addition and renovation for Foley Mansfield in Ferndale. It is also finishing an interior build-out for Right Management in Southfield. They are about to start a 46,320-square-foot interior build-out of the Everest Institute in Southfield, which was formerly known as the National Institute of Technology. In Ann Arbor, J.S. Vig is working on Plymouth Green Crossings, a 55,000-square-foot mixed-use project, and the 54,423-square-foot high-tech Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory for NOAA. So, if last year's record sales were the end result of two or three years' worth of work, what will happen this year? "We're expecting 2008 to be as good as 2007," Vig said. Though much of the company's success comes from four decades of relationship building, the company's core values, and reputation, Vig said the management team's youthful energy is the key to growth. Her brother is dynamic, she said. "You can't not love Joe," Vig said. And principal Dennis Levko has been with the company for 20 years. Already, the Vig offspring have bucked the trend of second generations not being able to make a go of their parents' businesses. Only 30 percent of second generation business owners make it, Vig acknowledged. The second generation has shifted the company's focus a bit. While the company used to be much more into competitive bidding on projects, Valerie Vig said they do a lot more construction management now.  Click here to download PDF
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what others are saying:
“With its tremendously skilled, hard-working team, J.S. Vig Construction helped fulfill the vision that the City of Romulus had in mind when we set out to build the Romulus Athletic Center. Thanks to J.S. Vig, the Romulus Athletic Center is now a beautiful, award-winning and popular athletic facility that has become the jewel in Romulus' crown.”
Tim Keyes
City of Romulus
Tim Keyes
City of Romulus
“It has been a pleasure working with J.S. Vig on numerous projects over the past few years. They exhibit professionalism and honesty in their work, along with a willingness to look at options and alternate approaches to make project happen and succeed.”
David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc
David Esau, AIA, LEED AP
Cornerstone Design Inc
“ J.S. Vig is a company that is easy to work with because of their integrity. Our two firms have prospered from an over 30-year relationship, including many projects and personnel, which could not have happened without ongoing dedication to quality and honesty.”
David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company
David Zanely, LEED AP
Wilkie & Zanley Architects, A Sidock Company
“I have enjoyed over a 20-year relationship, built on honesty and professionalism, with J.S. Vig Construction Company.”
John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company
John Wilkie, AIA
Wilkie & Zanely Architects, A Sidock Company
“J. S. Vig Construction Company has built over 500,000 sf for Avis Farms. We have found their staff and subcontractors to be honest, creative and responsive in meeting our aggressive project goals.”
Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities
Trish Kalmbach
BOSC Equities
“…Simply one of the most organized and talented construction teams that I have had the pleasure of working with in 25 years.”
Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership
Greg Heil
President, Heil Partnership
“J.S. Vig Construction Company is honest, efficient, responsive, and completes each project with the client's needs in mind.”
Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company
Jerry Reinhart
President, Pomeroy Investment Company
“While this was an extremely difficult project in terms of phasing and working around our children, the employees of J.S. Vig did an outstanding job!”
Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children
Kurt M. Sebaly M. Ed.
Pentickton Center for Blind Children
“Through the entire pre-construction and warranty phases, your people have been responsive, professional, and cost-efficient. I would welcome the opportunity to recommend your firm and look forward to working together in the future.”
Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation
Larry Reed
Metavante Corporation
