Katerra, the Menlo Park. Calif.-based technology company that specializes in prefabricated construction services, is expanding that portfolio through its acquisition of UEB Builders and Fortune-Johnson General Contractors (F-J).
UEB is a GC that specializes in commercial and residential projects such as multifamily, student housing, mixed use, and institutional. UEB can now tap into Katerra’s sales network that includes 11 offices in the U.S. (three of which are in Arizona) and one in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“Katerra reflects what we both believe in,” says Michael Hurst, a Principal at UEB Builders. “A shared desire to find a better way to build for our partners and their communities.” Prior to this merger, UEB had worked with Katerra on a number of projects, including Union South Bay, a 357-unit midrise apartment development under-construction in Carson, Calif.
F-J, founded in 1991, focuses primarily on multifamily construction, but also engages a variety of building types including high-density mixed-use communities, garden-style apartments, senior living, and student housing.
F-J was awarded the 2018 Multi-Family Builder of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders.
Katerra did not disclose the terms of these acquisitions, nor provide specifics about how the businesses would be integrated into its operations, expect to note that through these partnerships, Katerra would gain further construction expertise that will allow the company to expand its geographical footprint across the United States.
“Both companies share Katerra’s commitment to delivering increased value to customers by embracing technology and innovative methods,” says Michael Marks, CEO and co-founder of Katerra.
And given that Katerra owns four architecture firms, it can now present itself to clients as a full-service provider of manufacturing, design, engineering, and construction.
Katerra is focused on speed-to-market construction through such tools as digital technology, offsite manufacturing, and fully integrated building teams. For example, a garden-style multifamily building might take 140 days to complete via conventional construction. In Las Vegas, Katerra initiated K90, an R&D project where it built a 24-unit garden apartment in 90 days, from framing to delivery, leaning heavily on modular and prefabrication for such repetitive areas as bathrooms.
To see a video about K90, click here.
UEB and F-J fall under the oversight of Paal Kibsgaard, who last month joined Katerra as its COO, a new position for the company. Kibsgaard had been chairman and CEO of Schlumberger Ltd., an oilfield services company. He has also served on Katerra’s board for three year.
Kibsgaard is now responsible for Katerra’s U.S. operations, including architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and construction. Kibsgaard is also responsible for international expansion, and the development of new construction technologies.
Related Stories
Urban Planning | Jan 25, 2022
Retooling innovation districts for medium-sized cities
This type of development isn’t just about innovation or lab space; and it’s not just universities or research institutions that are driving this change.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Norshield Products Fortify Critical NYC Infrastructure
New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security
Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022
Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings
Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.
3D Printing | Jan 12, 2022
Using 3D-printed molds to create unitized window forms
COOKFOX designer Pam Campbell and Gate Precast's Mo Wright discuss the use of 3D-printed molds from Oak Ridge National Lab to create unitized window panels for One South First, a residential-commercial high-rise in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Engineers | Jan 12, 2022
Private equity: An increasingly attractive alternative for AEC firm sellers
Private equity firms active in the AEC sector work quietly in the background to partner with management, hold for longer periods, and build a win-win for investors and the firm. At a minimum, AEC firms contemplating ownership transition should consider private equity as a viable option. Here is why.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 12, 2022
Total steel project performance
This instructor-led video course discusses actual project scenarios where collaborative steel joist and deck design have reduced total-project costs. In an era when incomplete structural drawings are a growing concern for our industry, the course reveals hidden costs and risks that can be avoided.
University Buildings | Jan 11, 2022
Designing for health sciences education: supporting student well-being
While student and faculty health and well-being should be a top priority in all spaces within educational facilities, this article will highlight some key considerations.
Green | Jan 10, 2022
The future of regenerative building is performance-based
Why measuring performance results is so critical, but also easier said than done.
Contractors | Jan 5, 2022
Adding construction workers safely during a chronic worker shortage
ISN's Joe Schloesser discusses how contractors desperate for workers need to continue to make safety a priority. Schloesser is a Senior Director with ISN, a global construction management firm.
