Commercial Builder/Architect Upstate New York Edition
September 2002
Chrisanntha Construction Corporation
Making Customers Part of the Team
By: Fred Jennings
You can find the place all right. But it might take some time. Head east out of Canandaigua on 5 and 20, turn right onto 247, hang a left onto 18, turn left again at the cemetery onto 245 and drive up through town. Bear left again as you swing by the gas station and onto Dewey Avenue. And there you are. Seven-and-a=half miles southeast of Canandaigua in downtown Gorham, headquarters of Chrisanntha Construction Corp.
In it's picturesque rural setting, the road to Gorham may be a bit less traveled than many. But who cares? President and CEO Kevin Bragg certainly doesn't. Nor do his clients. “We go to them,” he says, “so there's seldom if ever a need for them to come here.”
Bragg founded the company in 1985 and claims it is able to handle projects within a 500-mile radius of Gorham. True to his word, Chrisanntha's reputation for quality, service and price extends from Albany in the east to as far west as Erie, PA. Today the firm ranks among the top 10 commercial contractors in the Rochester Business Journal's Book of Lists.
Chrisanntha's headquarters on the second floor of the Iversen Lumber is modest to say the least. But the work produced by the 45-member design/build firm is far from that. From the outset, Chrisanntha's focus has been on planning, engineering, and building quality commercial and industrual structures. The firm also carried the Butler brand of pre-engineered products that are so frequently use in airplane hangar, warehouse, distribution center office construction and the like and can be built for about half the cost and in half the time of structures that use conventional building materials.
Advantages Inherent in Beginning-to-End Service
Bragg is responsible for the daily management of the company and is one of four project managers. “Every Chrisanntha-construction project is assigned a project manager who works on a job until it is done and then follows it through the warranty stage,” says Bragg. “That way, clients are assured of working with the same person from start to finish…someone who knows every detail of a project and who treats customers as the most important part of the team. This has led to much better communications and consequently, much more satisfying results,” adds Bragg. From this sensible approach has evolved a true and meaningful corporate slogan: “Your Needs. Our Process. Better Value.”
Besides Bragg, other project managers include Vice President Patrick Crowe, a board member of the Clyde School District who hold a degree in real estate and finance and has 30 years of experience in the implementation of both commercial and institutional construction projects. Then there's General Superintendent and Safety Coordinator Tom Caprillla who has more than 27 years experience in construction that includes time spent as a carpenter and superintendent. Tom in a New York State Code Enforcement Officer (building inspector) and was twice elected to a four-year term as Mayor of the Village of Clyde.
Rounding out the management team is Vice President and Secretary Fred Thorpe and Treasure Peter Fowles. Thorpe has more than 30 years of experience in the construction field and has represents the Butler line of products for the past 18 years. Fowles has over 26 years of experience in the industrial sector, having held key management positions with other construction firms before joining Chrisanntha.
So competent are these individuals, that each is authorized to make financial decisions relating to a project. Without the aid of a sales force, this seasoned team of four has developed an impressive clientele including Pactiv, Seneca Foods, Curtice-Burns, W.R. Grace, Goulds Pumps and many more.
Diverse Projects Reflect Firm's Versatility
Some of the company's work has involved fairly unique projects. Coming quickly to mind is the elevator at Bristol Harbor on the West shore of Canandaigua Lake that was completed within four months during the winter of 1989. From a foundation 18 feet below lake level, it's pre-engineered steel clad shaft rises 157 feet to the existing skyway that provides ready access to and from the condo above. “Actually, this was a project we were asked to redesign, and did, and consequently were able to cut costs almost in half,” says Bragg.
He also takes delight in the new Dixon-Schwabl office at the intersection of Routes 250 and 96 in Fairport. The four-floor, 18,000-square-foot facility contains striking center atrium with glass roof, faux wall finishes, several murals done by local and nationally acclaimed artists, and a slide (yes slide) for the ad agency's employees to celebrate the acquisition of new clients. Not to be ignored is the “scream room” where the day's frustrations can be vented at will.
A bit off the wall is the techie-looking BonaDent Dental Laboratory in Seneca Falls. Within its gleaming stainless steel shell is a 100-seat amphitheater containing state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. And, to the joy of many, the 32,000-square-foot facility additionally contains such amenities as a sports bar and restaurant, aerobics and weight rooms, a child day care center, a beauty salon, and barber shop-all of which serve to help attract and retain top-notch employees.
Other highly visible projects include the new Messenger Post Newspapers building in Canandaigua, the Antique Emporium along route 332 in Canandaigua, and the delightful 10,000-square-foot addition at Heron Hill Winery, Shop and Restaurant in Hammondsport. Among others may be added the Heiser Logistics corporate office and warehouse in Canandaigua, the Kronenberger plant in East Rochester, and warehouse facilities.
Chrisanntha has built for Seneca Foods and Zotos in Geneva which together total well over a half-million square feet.
Achievements Well Recognized
Over the years, Chrisanntha's work has earned many awards. Included is a 1987 “Citation of Merit” from the Rochester Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for its design/build work on the Rochester Christian Reformed Church in Penfield. This has been augmented by a plethora of safety awards, recognition by Butler Manufacturing for having reached sales volume targets of $3 and $5 million, and employee training and community relations awards from several different agencies.
Chrisanntha has also been named an Accredited Quality Contractor by the National Chapter of the Association of Building Contractors. It is one of only three or four to be so designated in the Greater Rochester area.
Satisfied Clients Attest to Competence
Accolades from Clients support the outstanding performance and reputation Chrisanntha has earned. Horst and Ellen Engelbrecht of the Antique Emporium have expressed their appreciation “for being able to meet a very tight schedule while performing high quality work under difficult weather conditions. We've received nothing but great compliments on the layout, the looks, and the timeliness of completion of this building.”
Says Andrew Kavulich, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Messenger Post Newspapers, “coming in on budget…is always the goal, and suggestions from the construction firm to keep within that budget are always welcomed.” He went on to say that “numerous suggestions to that effect saved us tens of thousands of dollars during the project. I feel very comfortable recommending Kevin Bragg and Chrisanntha Construction for any small or large construction projects.”
Adds Dr. George Batterson, Superintendent of Schools of the Clyde-Savannah Central School District, “I greatly appreciate the efforts of Chrisanntha Construction Company and Pat Crowe to help us” and “for a job well done.”
And finally, Zotos Director of Engineering Joe Dubrule recalls how “the design/build concept used on this project resulted in significant cost and time savings as compared to the more traditional design/bid/build concept. I plan on using the company again as the need arises.” In the end, satisfied customers is what it's all about. That Chrisanntha has had so many for so long not only speaks well of its past but also to what is bound to be an even more exciting future.
Kevin Bragg received his degree in construction management from Alfred University in 1983. He is a private pilot and a board member at Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. He and his wife and four children reside in Canandaigua.
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