February 2014

Christman and Rentenbach Combine Forces to Extend Southeast U.S. Footprint

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The Christman Company, a national construction and real estate development firm based in Michigan and a member of multiple AGC chapters, announced recently it has completed the acquisition of the capital stock of Knoxville, Tenn.-based Rentenbach Constructors Incorporated (also a member of several AGC chapters) and with it, the merger of the two privately held firms. The move will enable expansion and enhancement of their mutual southeast U.S. capabilities and services. Rentenbach will continue operating under the Rentenbach name for the near term. Christman’s name will remain the same.

"Today, by blending the complementary strengths of our two companies in this way, we have increased our ability to pursue and deliver great construction projects throughout an eight-state southern region and beyond," said Steve Roznowski, Christman CEO. "With Rentenbach, we share a corporate philosophy founded on integrity, long-term local relationships, craftsmanship, and customer service, making this alignment not only valuable for our companies and employees, but for our customers as well. We couldn’t be more excited about this strategic growth opportunity for both firms."

"Christman represents the strong partner we were seeking as Rentenbach evolves from a family-owned to an employee and management-owned business model. This will help us take the company to the next level with an infusion of construction technology, talent development and innovative services," said Don Freeman, Rentenbach CEO. "We are proud to be affiliating our name with that of the century-old Christman name which is so well-respected in our industry. It’s a great new day for Rentenbach."

Both Christman and Rentenbach are on the Engineering News-Record ENR Top 400 list of contractors nationally (ranked 163 and 299 respectively), and provide commercial construction services to a variety of markets, including higher education, healthcare, government, corporate office, and industrial. The combination of the two firms’ resources results in an organization with over $500 million annual revenue and 270 professional employees as well as 150 skilled tradesmen and women, with complementary capabilities including project planning and virtual building, Lean and sustainable construction; historic preservation and adaptive reuse; facilities analysis and planning; self-perform concrete, carpentry, and selective demolition; and real estate development services to assist customers with their building needs.

Christman will remain headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, with plans for continued growth and expansion through the company’s (now) eight full-service regional offices located in Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN; Greensboro, NC; Augusta, GA; D.C.-area Reston, VA; and Livonia (Detroit), Grand Rapids, and Lansing, MI.

The Christman Company, founded in 1894, has grown to become one of the country’s leading professional construction services firms. In conjunction with its affiliates Christman Capital Development Company and Christman Constructors, Inc., the company’s award-winning services include construction management, general contracting, design/build, real estate development, facilities analysis and planning, and self-performed skilled trades. For more information, visit www.christmanco.com.

Rentenbach Constructors, Inc. was founded in 1946 following supervision of much of the war-time construction of the city of Oak Ridge, TN, as well as the majority of the manufacturing facilities that housed the "Manhattan Project" for the United States Army Corp of Engineers. One of the South’s largest, privately-held contracting firms, Rentenbach has developed a substantial base of national and international clients and conducts business in over 23 states. For more information, visit www.rentenbach.com.

Photo: Don Freeman, Rentenbach CEO (left) and Steve Roznowski, Christman CEO (right) in front of the Student Union project underway on the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee. The project is a $120 million expansion, opening in summer, 2016.

Associated General Contractors of America
2300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300
Arlington, VA, USA
Ph: 703-548-3118 Fax: 703-837-5402