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
| Oct 2, 2014
Budget busters: Report details 24 of the world's most obscenely over-budget construction projects
Montreal's Olympic Stadium and the Sydney Opera House are among the landmark projects to bust their budgets, according to a new interactive graph by Podio.
| Oct 1, 2014
Philip Johnson's iconic Crystal Cathedral to be modernized, made 'intrinsically Catholic'
Johnson Fain and Rios Clementi Hale Studios have been commissioned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange to upgrade the all-glass church in Garden Grove, Calif. The church acquired the property in 2012.
| Oct 1, 2014
4 trends shaping the future of data centers
As a designer of mission critical facilities, I’ve learned that it’s really difficult to build data centers to keep pace with technology, yet that’s a reality we face along with our clients, writes Gensler's Jackson Metcalf.
| Oct 1, 2014
EYP, WHR Architects merge, strengthening presence in education, healthcare, energy sectors
The merger unites 530 professionals to better address some of the most critical issues facing our nation, namely education, healthcare, and energy.
| Sep 30, 2014
The Big Room concept: Using Building Team collocation to ensure project success
Implementing collocation via the Big Room concept will remove silos, ensure a cadence for daily communication, promote collaboration, and elevate your chances for success, write CBRE Healthcare's Stephen Powell and Magnus Nilsson.
| Sep 30, 2014
USGBC, Bank of America name recipients of 2014 Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program
Eleven projects have been selected for the 2014 Affordable Green Neighborhoods grant program. Each will receive $31,000 and an educational package to support their pursuit of LEED for Neighborhood Development certification.
Sponsored | | Sep 30, 2014
What are you doing to win business and improve morale?? VDC Director Kris Lengieza shares ways to do both
Bluebeam's Sasha Reed sits down with Kris Lengieza, Director of Virtual Design and Construction for Stiles Corporation, to learn how he approaches change management. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Sep 30, 2014
How project managers can manage technology
Not long ago, the role of a construction project manager revolved around working with people: employees, vendors, consultants, designers, subcontractors and owners. Today, project managers primarily manage information. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Sep 30, 2014
With its 'stacked volumes' scheme, 3XN wins bid to design high-rise in Sydney
By dividing the 200-meter building into five separate volumes and placing atria throughout each volume, the spaces become smaller, more intimate social environments, according to the Danish architects.
| Sep 29, 2014
10 common deficiencies in aging healthcare facilities
VOA's Douglas King pinpoints the top issues that arise during healthcare facilities assessments, including missing fire/smoke dampers, out-of-place fire alarms, and poorly constructed doorways.
