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
| May 2, 2013
First look: UC-Davis art museum by SO-IL and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
The University of California, Davis has selected emerging New York-based practice SO-IL to design a new campus’ art museum, which is envisioned to be a “regional center of experimentation, participation and learning.”
| May 2, 2013
A snapshot of the world's amazing construction feats (in one flashy infographic)
From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the U.S. Interstate Highway System, this infographic outlines interesting facts about some of the world's most notable construction projects.
| May 2, 2013
Holl-designed Campbell Sports Center completed at Columbia
Steven Holl Architects celebrates the completion of the Campbell Sports Center, Columbia University’s new training and teaching facility.
| May 2, 2013
BIM group proposes uniform standards for how complete plans need to be
A nationwide group of Building Information Modeling users, known as the BIMForum, is seeking industry input on a proposed set of standards establishing how complete Building Information Models (BIMs) need to be for different stages of the design and construction process.
| May 2, 2013
New web community aims to revitalize abandoned buildings
Italian innovators Andrea Sesta and Daniela Galvani hope to create a worldwide database of abandoned facilities, ripe for redevelopment, with their [im]possible living internet community.
| May 1, 2013
A LEGO lover's dream: Guide to building the world's iconic structures with LEGO
A new book from LEGO master builder Warren Elsmore offers instructions for creating scale models of buildings and landmarks with LEGO.
| May 1, 2013
Data center construction remains healthy, but oversupply a concern
Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are among the major tech companies investing heavily to build state-of-the-art data centers.
| May 1, 2013
Groups urge Congress: Keep energy conservation requirements for government buildings
More than 350 companies urge rejection of special interest efforts to gut key parts of Energy Independence and Security Act
