Construction leaders are increasingly turning to automation to address the growing labor shortage and rising safety concerns on the job site. This guide identifies the top 16 construction robotics companies that are providing real-world solutions to help contractors work faster and keep their crews out of harm’s way. Whether you are looking for autonomous heavy machinery or precision layout robots, this article explains how these tech innovators are changing the way we build.

The construction industry is currently undergoing a massive automation boom. For years, robots were mostly found in research labs or controlled factory settings, but in 2026, they are officially moving onto active job sites. This shift is driven by a need for better sustainability and the pressure to complete complex projects with fewer people. From self-driving excavators to robotic bricklayers, these machines are helping firms reduce waste and finish projects on time.

16 global companies in the construction industry building autonomous robots

16. Caterpillar (CAT)

Cat 794 AC electric autonomous drive truck. Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.

• CEO: Jim Umpleby
• Founded: 1925

Caterpillar is a legendary name in heavy machinery, but it is now a leader in high-tech automation. They have successfully deployed massive autonomous mining fleets for years, and they are now bringing that same technology to the broader construction industry. One of their most impressive developments is the Cat Command system. This technology allows operators to control heavy equipment like bulldozers, excavators, and wheel loaders from a remote station, sometimes thousands of miles away.

Caterpillar is also rolling out its new line of autonomous construction site haulers. These trucks can navigate a busy site on their own, moving dirt and materials without a human driver in the cab. The practical advantage here is huge for safety and efficiency. These robots can work in dangerous environments or extreme weather that would be hard on a person. Plus, they move with a level of precision that reduces fuel consumption and tire wear. These systems are commercially available today through their Cat Command for Hauling and Command for Dozing programs.

15. Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo LX03 autonomous wheel loader concept. Photo courtesy of Volvo.

• CEO: Melker Jernberg
• Founded: 1832

Volvo is pushing the industry toward a more sustainable future by combining automation with electric power. They are famous for their TA15 autonomous electric hauler. This machine is part of their “TARA” autonomous transport solution. Unlike a traditional truck, the TA15 does not even have a driver’s cabin. It is a small, battery-powered robot designed to work in a “swarm” to move materials around a site or a quarry.

By using many small autonomous haulers instead of one giant truck, a site can keep moving even if one machine needs a charge. This system greatly reduces carbon emissions and noise on the job site. Volvo also offers the Active Control system on its excavators, which automates specific movements to help even a beginner operator achieve perfect grades. Their electric autonomous haulers are currently being used in commercial pilot programs and are becoming more widely available as the industry shifts toward green technology.

Volvo is also coming out with a variety of pilot construction vehicles that could end up going to mass production, including the Volvo LX03–a fully autonomous wheel loader.

14. Hilti

Hilti Jailbot at a construction site drilling. Photo courtesy of Hilti.

• CEO: Jahangir Doongaji
• Founded: 1941

Hilti is a powerhouse in the world of professional tools, but they have stepped into the future with the Jaibot. This is a semi-autonomous drilling robot designed specifically to handle one of the most physically demanding jobs on a site: overhead drilling for MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) installations. The Jaibot uses digital plans from a building’s BIM (Building Information Modeling) data to locate exactly where holes need to be drilled for pipes or cables. It then executes those drills with perfect accuracy.

The practical advantages of the Jaibot are safety and speed. Drilling into concrete ceilings for hours is hard on the body and can lead to long-term injuries for workers. By letting the robot do the heavy lifting, crews can stay safe and focus on the actual installation work. The Jaibot also tracks its progress in real time and uploads it to the project management software. This machine is fully commercially available and is currently being used on large-scale commercial projects worldwide.

13. The Boring Company

The Boring Company Prufrock machine. Photo courtesy of The Boring Company.

• CEO: Steve Davis
• Founded: 2016

The Boring Company was founded to solve traffic and utility congestion by making tunneling faster and cheaper. Their main innovation is the Prufrock series of autonomous tunnel-boring machines. Unlike traditional machines that require a huge team and weeks of setup, Prufrock is designed to “porpoise.” This means it can launch directly from the surface and dig its way down, saving a massive amount of time on site preparation.

The company is working toward making these machines fully autonomous so they can operate with minimal human intervention. The goal is to increase tunneling speed until it exceeds a snail’s pace. This could revolutionize how cities build utility corridors, water mains, and high-speed transit loops. While the company primarily uses these machines for its own “Loop” projects right now, the technology represents a major leap forward in how the construction industry handles underground infrastructure.

12. Built Robotics

Built robotics excavator on site with the Exosystem attached. Photo courtesy of Built Robotics.

• CEO: Noah Ready-Campbell and Andrew Liang
• Founded: 2016

Built Robotics is unique because they do not build their own excavators from scratch. Instead, they created the Exosystem, a rugged AI “brain” that can be installed on standard heavy equipment from brands like CAT or John Deere. This system uses GPS, cameras, and LIDAR to turn a normal excavator into a fully autonomous trenching machine. Once the operator sets the parameters on a tablet, the machine can dig deep, precise trenches for hours without any human intervention.

The practical advantage for the industry is the ability to perform repetitive, dangerous tasks with extreme precision. The Exosystem is particularly popular in the renewable energy sector for digging miles of trenches for solar and wind farms. By automating the digging process, firms can keep their most skilled operators focused on more complex parts of the project. The Exosystem is commercially available and is designed to be installed on-site in just a few hours.

11. Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR)

ACR Tybot trying rebar on a construction site. Photo courtesy of ACR.

• CEO: Danielle Proctor
• Founded: 2016

Advanced Construction Robotics focuses on one of the most back-breaking jobs in construction: rebar installation. Their flagship robot, TyBOT, is an autonomous rebar-tying machine that rolls along a gantry over a bridge deck or large slab. It uses computer vision to identify rebar intersections and ties them together at a rate of over 1,000 ties per hour. Their second model, IronBOT, is designed to lift and place heavy rebar bundles into position, further reducing the physical load on human crews.

The benefits to the industry are clear in terms of safety and schedule. Tying rebar manually requires workers to spend all day bent over, which leads to frequent injuries and fatigue. TyBOT doesn’t get tired and can even work through the night or in light rain. Using these robots can reduce rebar installation schedules by up to 50%. Both TyBOT and IronBOT are commercially available through a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, making it easier for contractors to bring this tech to their job sites.

10. Dusty Robotics

Dusty robotics fieldprinter on site. Photo courtesy of Dusty Robotics.

• CEO: Dr. Tessa Lau
• Founded: 2018

Dusty Robotics is solving one of the most common causes of rework on a job site: incorrect floor layouts. Traditionally, crews spend days using chalk lines and tape measures to mark where walls and utilities go. Dusty Robotics has automated this with the FieldPrinter. This autonomous robot drives across a concrete subfloor and prints full-scale CAD or BIM designs directly onto the surface with sub-millimeter accuracy.

The practical advantages are massive for project schedules. The FieldPrinter can complete a layout up to ten times faster than a manual crew, often covering 10,000 square feet in a single day. Because it prints the exact data from the digital model, it eliminates human error and ensures that every trade, from framers to plumbers, knows exactly where their work belongs. The system is commercially available and is a common sight on large data center and hospital projects.

9. Canvas (now JLG Canvas)

JLG canvas robot on site sanding. Photo courtesy of JLG.

• CEO: Kevin Albert
• Founded: 2017

Finishing drywall is a messy, repetitive, and physically exhausting task that often leads to worker injuries. JLG Canvas created a robotic solution to handle the “mudding and sanding” phase of interior construction. Their flagship model, the 1200CX, is a mobile robotic platform equipped with a high-precision arm that applies joint compound and sands it down to a perfect Level 5 finish.

The company recently reached a major milestone when it was acquired by JLG Industries in early 2026. This partnership allows Canvas to scale its technology using JLG’s global manufacturing and reach. The primary benefit to the industry is the reduction of musculoskeletal injuries and the near-total elimination of drywall dust, which is captured by the robot’s integrated vacuum system. This technology is commercially available and helps contractors finish interiors much faster with a smaller, safer crew.

8. Promise Robotics

Promise robotics homebuilding robot in a factory. Photo courtesy of Promise Robotics.

• CEO: Ramtin Attar
• Founded: 2021

Promise Robotics is an AI company on a mission to solve the housing crisis by making homebuilding faster and more affordable. They have developed a proprietary platform called Factory-as-a-Service™ (FaaS). Instead of building one specific robot, they create an AI “brain” that can turn standard industrial robotic arms into a fully automated production line for house components.

Their system can take a builder’s digital drawings and instantly turn them into instructions for robots to frame walls and floor panels. The practical advantage for the industry is a massive boost in productivity. A single-family home that might take weeks to frame by hand can be produced in just a few hours in one of their facilities. The company opened a 60,000-square-foot facility in Calgary in 2025 and is currently partnering with large developers such as Mattamy Homes. This technology is commercially available to homebuilders who want to scale their production without the high cost of building their own factories.

7. FBR (Formerly Fastbrick Robotics)

Hadrian X bricklaying robot laying bricks on a construction site. Photo courtesy of FBR.

• CEO: Mark Pivac
• Founded: 1994 (Concept), 2015 (Company listed)

FBR is the Australian tech firm behind the world-famous Hadrian X, the first fully automated robotic bricklayer. The Hadrian X is a truck-mounted robot that uses a long, telescopic boom to lay bricks and blocks with incredible precision. It doesn’t use traditional mortar; instead, it applies a special high-strength adhesive that bonds in minutes.

The latest version of the Hadrian X can lay up to 360 large-format blocks per hour, which is fast enough to finish the walls of an entire house in a single day. The practical advantages include a significant reduction in waste and a safer environment for workers, as the robot handles all heavy lifting and repetitive tasks. FBR recently completed pilot programs in the United States and Mexico, demonstrating that the machine can comply with different building codes. As of mid-2026, the Hadrian X is moving into full commercial availability for select global partners.

6. PaintJet (Foreman Technologies)

PaintJet Bravo painting robot painting a wall. Photo courtesy of PaintJet.

• CEO: Nick Hegeman
• Founded: 2019

PaintJet is revolutionizing the industrial coating industry by automating large-scale painting projects that were previously slow and dangerous for human crews. Their primary model is the Bravo robotic painter, a mobile unit designed to attach to industry-standard lifts and equipment already found on most job sites. The Bravo robot uses advanced sensors to apply a consistent, high-quality coat of paint across massive surfaces such as ship hulls, industrial warehouses, and large commercial buildings.

The practical advantages for the industry are significant. PaintJet’s system allows projects to be finished in half the time with half the crew size, while using about 25% less material, thanks to its precision application. This saves money and improves safety by keeping human painters off high-reach equipment. Along with their hardware, they developed Alpha Shield, a specialized paint that lasts twice as long as standard coatings. PaintJet operates as a vertically integrated service provider, meaning their technology is commercially available as a complete painting solution for large-scale infrastructure and commercial real estate.

5. Civ Robotics

Civ Robotics CivDot robot on site ready to mark. Photo courtesy of Civ Robotics.

• CEO: Tom Yeshurun
• Founded: 2018

Civ Robotics is focused on “pre-construction” robotics that automate the tedious tasks of land surveying and site layout. Their flagship product is the CivDot, a rugged, four-wheel-drive autonomous rover. The CivDot is designed to roll across a construction site and mark thousands of precise GPS coordinates using spray paint or high-accuracy lasers. It is commonly used for large projects such as utility-scale solar farms and heavy civil infrastructure.

The benefit to the construction industry is a massive leap in speed and accuracy. A traditional surveying crew might mark around 300 points in a day, but one operator with a CivDot can mark up to 3,000 points per day. The robot is accurate down to 1/10th of a foot (30 mm), and the upgraded CivDot+ model can achieve precision as fine as 8 mm for critical tasks like drilling or piling. This automation allows general labor to handle complex layouts after only a few hours of training, freeing up professional surveyors for more high-level data analysis. CivDot is fully commercially available and compatible with industry-standard GNSS receivers like Trimble and Leica.

4. Okibo

Okibo flagship robot on a construction site painting. Photo courtesy of Okibo.

• CEO: Guy German
• Founded: 2018

Okibo is an Israeli-based robotics company that has developed a fully autonomous robot for interior wall finishing. Their flagship robot is designed to handle plastering, rendering, and painting with high precision. It uses advanced AI, 3D laser scanners, and motion sensors to map a room in real-time and navigate around obstacles. The robot features a robotic arm mounted on a mobile platform that can move vertically on a track to reach the full height of a wall.

The practical advantage of Okibo’s technology is its ability to operate 24/7 without fatigue. Finishing walls is a repetitive, physically draining task that often results in inconsistent quality when done manually over long shifts. Okibo ensures a uniform finish every time while reducing material waste by up to 20%. The robot is currently used by large real estate developers and finishing contractors. As of 2026, it is commercially available and is a key tool for firms looking to speed up the “final touch” phase of construction.

3. Bedrock Robotics

Bedrocks Robotics operator installed on an excavator. Photo courtesy of Bedrock Robotics.

• CEO: Boris Sofman
• Founded: 2024

Founded by veterans from Waymo’s autonomous driving team, Bedrock Robotics is not building new machines. Instead, they’ve create the Bedrock Operator, a hardware-and-software kit that retrofits existing heavy equipment. Their technology can turn a standard excavator or bulldozer into a fully autonomous machine in less than four hours. Using a mix of eight cameras, LIDAR, and GPS, the system allows machines to “sculpt” terrain with centimeter-level precision.

The biggest benefit to the industry is that contractors don’t have to buy a whole new fleet to get the benefits of automation. Bedrock’s AI models are trained like a large language model for dirt, learning how soil and rocks behave to avoid breaking underground pipes or fibers. This technology is commercially available through a subscription or retrofit model. By automating the bulk of earthmoving tasks, companies can solve labor shortages while significantly improving site safety and productivity.

2. DeWalt

Debut of DeWalt downward drilling robot. Photo courtesy of DeWalt.

• CEO: Christopher J. Nelson
• Founded: 1924

DeWalt has stepped into the world of high-volume automation with the launch of the world’s first Downward Drilling Robot. Developed in partnership with August Robotics, this autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is designed specifically for massive data center projects. It automates drilling thousands of holes into concrete floors for server rack stops and structural supports.

The speed of this robot is its biggest advantage. In recent pilots, it drilled up to 10 times faster than traditional manual methods. On a single project with 90,000 holes, it achieved 99.97% accuracy, cutting nearly 80 weeks off the construction timeline for a major tech company. This reduces the physical strain on workers who would otherwise have to spend weeks on their knees drilling into concrete. DeWalt expects this robotic system to be fully commercially available by mid-2026.

1. Luminous Robotics (Lumi)

Luminous robotics solar installation robot installing solar panels. Photo courtesy of Luminous Robotics.

• CEO: Jay M. Wong
• Founded: 2023

Luminous Robotics takes our top spot because it tackles the most significant labor bottleneck in the global energy transition. To meet net-zero targets by 2050, the solar industry needs a 10x boost in installation speed, a pace that manual labor alone simply cannot sustain. The company is solving this by leveraging its LUMI S4 fleet, which specializes in heavy lifting and precise placement of bifacial solar panels onto racking systems. These autonomous robots are built to navigate rough terrain and have already proven their power at projects like the Goorambat East Solar Farm in Australia, where they helped install nearly 500,000 panels ahead of schedule.

What truly sets Lumi apart is its “empathy-first” design philosophy. Unlike many startups that require sites to be completely redesigned to accommodate machines, Luminous technology integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. This allows human crews to adopt the tools without changing their core processes. By handling dangerous, repetitive lifting, these robots act as a force multiplier for the renewable energy workforce. They free up human installers to focus on high-level technical electrical connections, helping major energy developers in the USA and Australia build the future of clean energy faster than ever before.

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General contractors are responsible for everything from critical infrastructure like roads and bridges to massive manufacturing facilities and sports stadiums. In an industry that is changing fast, the biggest players are the ones using new technology to stay ahead of the curve. This list highlights the top 10 general contractors in the U.S. right now, ranked by their revenue and the scale of their impact. We’ll look at who they are, how they are shaping our cities, and the specialized expertise they bring to the jobsite every day. 

Top 10 largest general contractors in the US construction industry

10. HITT Contracting

• Revenue: $8.7 billion
• Based out of: Falls Church, Virginia
• CEO: Kim Roy
• Contact: (703) 846-9000 | Contact Us
• Main services: Data centers, healthcare, government offices, and workplace interiors

HITT started as a small family business almost 90 years ago. Today, they are known for building the “brains” of the internet. If you use a big app or website, there is a good chance HITT built the data center that keeps it running. They are highly skilled at working on buildings that must remain online 24/7.

They are currently working on huge tech campuses in Northern Virginia. Because they focus so much on “mission-critical” work, they have become a top choice for the government and big tech companies.

9. McDermott International

• Revenue: $8.9 billion
• Based out of: Houston, Texas
• CEO: Michael McKelvy
• Contact: (281) 870-5000
• Main services: Energy plants, offshore building, and subsea engineering

McDermott is a leader in the energy world. They build the massive structures that help us get power from the ocean and the earth. They have been around for over 100 years and work in over 50 countries. They are experts at “EPC” work, which means they handle everything from the first drawing to the final bolt.

Right now, they are a significant part of the transition to cleaner energy. They are building giant terminals for natural gas and offshore wind platforms. They are known for taking on projects that are too large or too complex for most other companies to handle.

8. DPR Construction

• Revenue: $10.8 billion
• Based out of: Redwood City, California
• CEO: George Pfeffer
• Contact: (650) 474-1450 | Contact Us
• Main services: Technical building, healthcare labs, data centers, and cleanrooms

DPR Construction is a younger company compared to some on this list. It started in 1990 and quickly became a leader in building complex spaces. They are the experts in “Life Sciences,” which means they build the labs where scientists create new medicines. They are also very active in building large campuses for big tech companies.

Right now, DPR is working on some of the biggest hospital and biotech projects in California and Texas. They are known for their innovation and for using digital tools to plan projects before any digging begins. They focus heavily on being a great place to work and have won many awards for their company culture.

7. Fluor Corporation

• Revenue: $11.1 billion
• Based out of: Irving, Texas
• CEO: Jim Breuer
• Contact: (469) 398-7000
• Main services: Energy solutions, mining, urban infrastructure, and national security projects

Fluor is a large global firm that has been in operation for over 100 years. They are known for taking on projects so large they seem impossible. They work on everything from giant gold mines in remote areas to clean energy plants in the US. In 2026, they are a major player in helping the country build its own factories for products such as computer chips and car batteries.

A notable project they are completing involves large-scale chemical plants that use new, cleaner technology. They are renowned for their engineering expertise and their ability to manage thousands of workers simultaneously. If a project is worth billions of dollars, Fluor is often the first company called to help.

6. STO Building Group

• Revenue: $12 billion
• Based out of: New York, New York
• CEO: Robert Mullen
• Contact: (212) 481-6100
• Main services: Interior fit-outs, building renovations, and commercial construction

STO Building Group is the parent company of several well-known brands, like Structure Tone and Layton Construction. They are the leaders in “interiors,” meaning they are the ones who turn a cold, empty skyscraper into a beautiful office or hotel. They have a huge presence in big cities like New York and London.

Recently, they have been busy turning old office buildings into new apartments or high-tech labs. As many people work from home, STO is helping cities find new uses for their tall buildings. They are known for working effectively in crowded city areas without disturbing neighbors.

5. MasTec Inc.

• Revenue: $12.3 billion
• Based out of: Coral Gables, Florida
• CEO: Jose Mas
• Contact: (305) 599-1800 | Contact Us
• Main services: Clean energy, 5G networks, power lines, and water systems

MasTec is a leader in building the systems that keep our country connected. They build towers for your cell phone service and the large pipes that transport water and gas. They are also among the largest builders of wind and solar farms in the US. The company is led by Jose Mas, who began his career in the field before becoming the CEO.

Currently, MasTec is building new “green” power grids. They are helping ensure electric cars have sufficient charging infrastructure across the country. They are known for their diversification, which allows them to build multiple types of infrastructure simultaneously.

4. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

• Revenue: $13.3 billion
• Based out of: Baltimore, Maryland
• CEO: Tim Regan
• Contact: (410) 821-1100 | By location
• Main services: Healthcare buildings, schools, shopping centers, and data centers

Whiting-Turner has been a trusted name in construction since 1909. They are a private company, which allows them to focus solely on delivering high-quality work for their clients. They are well known for building large university campuses and modern hospitals.

Right now, they have over 50 offices nationwide. They are currently working on several massive “mixed-use” projects that combine shops, offices, and homes into one big area. They are known for being highly stable and for retaining employees for their entire careers.

3. Kiewit Corp.

• Revenue: $14 billion
• Based out of: Omaha, Nebraska
• CEO: Rick Lanoha
• Contact info: (402) 342-2052 | Contact Us
• List of main services: Bridges, tunnels, dams, and mining

Kiewit is a large company owned by itsemployees. They are the experts in “heavy civil” work, building infrastructure that keep a city running, such as bridges and clean water plants. They also support large-scale mining projects to identify the minerals we need for technology.

Kiewit is currently leading some of the largest highway and rail projects in the US. They are known for their focus on safety and their “hands-on” approach. Because the company is employee-owned, they consistently deliver high-quality projects that last for decades.

2. Bechtel

• Revenue: $15.9 billion
• Based out of: Reston, Virginia
• CEO: Brendan Bechtel
• Contact: (571) 392-6300 | Contact Us
• Main services: Nuclear power, mining, major airports, and government projects

Bechtel is a large family business that has been in operation for five generations. They take on projects so large they change the map, including the Hoover Dam and the tunnel connecting England and France (the Chunnel). In 2026, they are a key player in building the new semiconductor “fabs” where computer chips are made in the US.

They are also leaders in nuclear energy, building the plants that create clean power for millions of people. Bechtel is known as a global leader that can operate in some of the world’s most challenging environments. If a project is the first of its kind, Bechtel is usually the company behind it.

1. Turner Construction Co.

• Revenue: $20.24 billion
• Based out of: New York, New York
• CEO: Peter Davoren
• Contact: (212) 229-6000 | Contact Us
• Main services: Skyscrapers, sports stadiums, airports, and green buildings

Turner Construction is the biggest general contractor in the US by revenue. They are the firm that builds the famous stadiums where your favorite teams play. They also build some of the tallest and most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. They are highly focused on “Green Building,” meaning they design and construct without harming the environment.

Recently, Turner has been working on several major airport upgrades and new professional football stadiums. They are known for their “SourceBlue” system, a procurement arm that secures and sources materials such as steel and glass faster than other companies. This helps them finish projects on time, even when parts are hard to find.

How to choose the right general contractor for your project

If you are looking to hire a general contractor, there are a few things you should think about first:

• What is your goal? Some companies are better at building hospitals, while others are experts at roads and bridges.
• How big is the project? The companies on this list typically handle projects costing millions or even billions of dollars.
• Look at their safety record: A good contractor should always prioritize worker safety.
• Check their tech: Some of the best builders use digital tools to show you exactly how the project will look before they start.

Final thoughts

The largest general contractors in the US are more than just builders. They are the companies that create the foundation for our future. Whether they are building a large data center or a new school, these firms use the best tools and people to get the job done.

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Danny Wang has built a strong reputation in the design-build and construction space. As the founder of DW Design & Build, a Southern California firm that specialises in high-end residential projects and some truly amazing architectural builds, Wang is doing it all. His Instagram is for anyone who’s ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a project, and if you’re just starting in the business, Wang shares top advice along the way. He offers photos and videos of all the projects he’s worked on, plus little peeks into the life of a busy owner who’s trying to keep up with a business that’s rapidly taking off. This article is going to explore who Danny Wang is and how this massive online following came about. 

Who is Danny Wang?

Danny Wang is the founder of DW Design & Build—a construction and design firm he started on his own after gaining valuable hands-on experience working for his father’s company during college. He’s based in Orange County and LA, but his team works on projects across the region. According to the company bio, he has over 20 years of experience in design and construction and offers a broad range of services, including both interior and exterior work. He’s all about creating one-of-a-kind, top-notch spaces for his clients.

And you can bet Danny’s got a strong foundation to draw from, as he’s spent his whole life watching his family tackle all sorts of construction and renovation projects on their building sites. College was just the start—rather than jumping straight into the family business, he chose a different path and applied the project-planning and cost-control skills he learned to start his own business from scratch. The firm eventually opened offices in Los Angeles and Orange County, with each new project bringing greater scale and responsibility.

How Danny Wang is building influence in construction

Wang’s Instagram profile is a significant part of what makes him known online—his personal account features a mix of DW Design & Build project showcases and behind-the-scenes looks at what it’s like to run a design-build firm. He has built a following of more than a million people by consistently sharing project work, jobsite moments, and pieces of the design process as it unfolds.

Wang’s tone is distinctive, blending storytelling with a keen eye for visuals. We see reels that walk people through design concepts, construction progress, and project reveals that are well-executed, both in production and in how real and attainable the result feels. There’s a recent reel that shows a project taking shape from concept to build, which is really helpful for people to get a sense of how a build comes together from start to finish. And one of the reasons we love his account is that Wang posts so regularly—it feels like you’re getting a steady stream of inspiration from him, with a bonus of a real sense of what building work is all about.

In addition to his personal account, Danny Wang maintains a separate Instagram account for the DW Design & Build brand, which showcases real client work. This one’s more about the nuts-and-bolts of what Wang’s firm is working on, whether it’s a new pool build, some fancy architectural details, or a site snapshot that gives a glimpse of how the spaces are coming together. This part of the operation highlights Wang’s appeal to both high-end clients and those interested in the process of bringing a design to life—whether you’re looking for inspiration or simply want to see some well-crafted builds. Both platforms serve as marketing channels for Wang’s business and a valuable source of inspiration for anyone interested in where design and construction meet.

From jobsite to side hustle

Wang’s journey from toiling on job sites to building a successful online presence and business is rooted in his early interest in construction and willingness to put himself and his handiwork out there for the world to see. After college, Wang put in the time to go door-to-door, pitching himself to potential clients and scrambling to secure his first projects. That old-school approach, which still holds significant value in this line of work, taught him the importance of face-to-face connection and reputation and laid the groundwork for how he builds relationships, even now that his business is much larger.

Getting his business set up as a side hustle required Wang to stick to what he was good at and keep plugging away. He centred his brand on DW Design & Build projects and then added content creation on top of that work. Rather than treating social media like a separate entity, Wang sees it as another significant part of the work itself; it’s the day-to-day decisions he makes on every job site that he’s sharing with his followers, and it’s that stuff that gives other potential clients a genuine look into how he works and the kind of work he does.

As a result of that visibility, Wang’s getting asked to do speaking gigs, hammering out partnerships, and behind-the-scenes collaborations—and it’s all because he’s been good at sharing the nitty gritty details of his successes and the business side of things like project planning and client communication. 

The juggling act of keeping a design-build firm running smoothly while creating content is one of the things that makes Wang’s story so appealing to other tradespeople trying to keep multiple priorities from falling through. Running this kind of business requires you to manage crews, budgets, client details, and schedules—then add content creation, and suddenly you’re making deliberate choices about what to share with your audience and why. 

Why it matters for the future of construction

Wang’s presence on the jobsite creates a very different construction experience for people who might never have set foot on one. There’s this bit of a chasm between what the people who do the actual work have to say about it and how the rest of the world thinks construction is. Hashtagging builds, sharing the design rationale, and celebrating jobsite milestones are how Wang makes all this accessible—especially to younger people considering hands-on work.

The way Danny Wang combines design and construction is essential because it reframes these careers as highly skilled and highly creative. That changes everything for people who might view design and construction as two distinct processes. When young people see a builder sharing project visuals alongside the business side, it opens up new possibilities for trade skills. Plus, it highlights that construction isn’t just about slapping something up—it’s also about being a boss and expressing yourself—a whole different vibe from the traditional image of the jobsite.

For women, minorities, and anyone underrepresented in the trades, seeing someone openly document their path and actually do the work can be highly motivating. Representation matters, plain and simple, and the construction industry has a real problem with having a workforce that looks like every other industry, which is to say pretty homogeneous. Even if Wang’s audience isn’t made up solely of underrepresented groups, making construction content more accessible to a broader audience helps normalize these careers for people who’ve never seen them firsthand.

Takeaways from Danny Wang’s journey

Wang’s story is a powerful reminder that the way we share our work actually has real value to others. What it also highlights is the importance of giving people a glimpse behind the curtain of the finished product. When you share the mistakes you’ve made, the times you had to go back and fix things, and the thought process that went into your decisions, that’s not just a neat little picture—that’s the hours, the sweat, the toil it took to get there. And that’s what makes it so compelling.

Another thing Wang’s example teaches us is the importance of showing up regularly. Whether it’s building a deck, renovating a kitchen, or growing a business, the people who matter want to know you’re making progress and that you care about what you do. His Instagram posting schedule is an excellent example of this—everything he posts ties back to the work he’s doing on the ground. If you’re a tradesperson thinking about creating some content, Wang’s example shows that just documenting your work over time can really connect with people who are curious about the process.

Wang’s journey also has a lot to teach us about balancing creativity with being a straight shooter. Construction needs planning, measurement, and follow-through—and all that stuff is undeniably essential. But what Wang’s story shows is that when you combine all that with some visual flair, you end up with a really compelling picture of what it’s like to work on a build project.

And he also shows that you don’t need to be outspoken or chase the latest trend to be an influencer. His whole approach is rooted in real work, real decisions, and real projects—and that’s what draws people in. So if you’re a construction business wondering if you should be putting some time into social media, Wang’s research suggests that yes, it does matter when the content you put out reflects the real value you bring to your clients.

More people reshaping construction

At Under the Hard Hat, we’ve profiled other builders and creators making their mark. Lexis Czumak-Abreu shares electrical trade tutorials on TikTok and YouTube, encouraging people to explore hands-on careers and helping demystify wiring and safety for beginners. Another profile on Sarah Cottam highlights her leadership in construction while she battled her own demons and achieved sobriety 15 years ago. There is also a roundup of some of our favorite influencers in the article 15 Construction influencers to learn the trades.

Check out more spotlights on the builders, creators, and entrepreneurs redefining construction by subscribing to the Under the Hard Hat newsletter.

This list breaks down the top mechanical engineering companies in Canada. It highlights leading firms across the country, including major players like WSP Global, Stantec, and AtkinsRéalis, and explains what sets them apart. The focus is on who they serve, what they do best, and where they fit in today’s market.

This ranking covers mechanical engineering services across building systems, industrial and process engineering, energy and manufacturing projects, and core disciplines like HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and controls.

Note: Companies were evaluated based on overall scale, depth of mechanical engineering services, project complexity, Canadian market presence, and industry reputation. Publicly available revenue and employee data were considered where applicable.

Top mechanical engineering companies in Canada

10. Cheme Engineering

Revenue: $16.6M
Employees: 51-200
CEO/Principal: Rino Parletta (Managing Director)
Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Campbellville, Ontario

Cheme Engineering provides engineering services focused on mechanical and process design support for industrial clients. They work with sectors such as manufacturing, life sciences, and facilities operations to help bring systems from concept to completion.

Notable strengths

• Flexible engineering for industrial clients
• Customized mechanical process design
• Strong client collaboration

Representative projects or sectors

• Industrial facilities
• Process engineering
• Lifecycle support

9. AME Consulting Group

Revenue: $5.5M (Engineering) + $94.2M (Tech Services)
Employees: 170+
CEO/Principal: Rob Walter (retired May 2025)
Founded: 2005
Headquarters: Victoria, BC

AME Consulting Group offers mechanical consulting engineering services that cover system design, building services, HVAC, and sustainability support. They help projects perform better while meeting client goals for efficiency and code compliance.

Notable strengths

• Sustainable mechanical design
• Energy-efficient systems
• Consulting and compliance

Representative projects or sectors

• Commercial buildings
• Institutional facilities
• Building performance consulting

8. Tatham Engineering

Revenue: $21.1M
Employees: 200+
President: Dan Hurley
Founded: 1988
Headquarters: Collingwood, Ontario

Tatham Engineering delivers multidisciplinary engineering services, including mechanical, civil, electrical, and infrastructure design. Their teams work across sectors to support planning, design, and delivery of community and industrial projects.

Notable strengths

• Integrated engineering solutions
• Local infrastructure expertise
• Client-focused service

Representative projects or sectors

• Municipal infrastructure
• Building systems
• Industrial services

7. DGH Engineering Ltd.

Revenue: $5.4M (Canada only)
Employees: 70+
CEO: Samuel Hodgkinson
Founded: 1989
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba

DGH Engineering Ltd. provides mechanical, structural, electrical, and industrial engineering services for construction, commercial, and industrial clients. They support project delivery with practical and responsive engineering solutions tailored to client goals.

Notable strengths

• Multidiscipline engineering
• Regional expertise in Manitoba
• Client-centered design

Representative projects or sectors

• Commercial buildings
• Industrial facilities
• Agri-food projects

6. Belanger Engineering

Revenue: $5.8M
Employees: 11-50
CEO/President: Paul Belanger
Founded: 1995
Headquarters: Mississauga, Ontario

Belanger Engineering provides mechanical engineering and building systems design for commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential projects. They focus on practical, energy-efficient solutions that meet client needs and code requirements.

Notable strengths

• HVAC and MEP design
• Energy performance analysis
• Code compliance consulting

Representative projects or sectors

• Commercial developments
• Institutional facilities
• Residential complexes

5. Bantrel Corporation

Revenue: $954.8M
Employees: 900-1,000
CEO/Principal: Darren Curran
Founded: 1983
Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta

Bantrel Corporation provides engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services with strong mechanical engineering capabilities in heavy industrial sectors.

Notable strengths

• EPCM services
• Oil, gas, and mining focus
• Large-scale systems integration

Representative projects or sectors

• Oil and gas processing
• Mining and metals
• Petrochemicals

4. Aecon Group Inc.

Revenue: $5.16B
Employees: 12,000+
President/CEO: Jean-Louis Servranckx
Founded: 1877
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario

Aecon Group Inc. offers construction, infrastructure, and engineering services, including mechanical systems, through its industrial and infrastructure divisions. The company delivers large projects across Canada in multiple sectors.

Notable strengths

• Large project delivery
• Industrial engineering
• Infrastructure systems

Representative projects or sectors

• Transportation infrastructure
• Industrial plants
• Public works

3. AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin)

Revenue: $9.66B
Employees: 38,500
President & CEO: Ian L. Edwards
Founded: 1911
Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec

SNC-Lavalin, now operating as AtkinsRéalis, provides global engineering and construction services with strong mechanical engineering capabilities across infrastructure, energy, mining, and environmental projects.

Notable strengths

• Global multidisciplinary expertise
• Large-scale infrastructure
• Energy sector leadership

Representative projects or sectors

• Transportation engineering
• Power and energy
• Mining and metals

2. Stantec

Revenue: $5.9B
Employees: 34,000
President & CEO: Gord Johnston
Founded: 1954
Headquarters: Edmonton, Alberta

Stantec offers global design and consulting services with mechanical engineering integrated into buildings, infrastructure, and industrial systems. They help clients solve complex challenges while advancing sustainable outcomes.

Notable strengths

• Sustainable designs
• Wide-ranging engineering services
• Global delivery

Representative projects or sectors

• Infrastructure
• Buildings and industrial
• Water and energy

1. WSP Global Inc.

Revenue: $18.10B
Employees: 75,000
President & CEO: Alexandre L’Heureux
Founded: 1969
Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec

WSP Global Inc. is one of the world’s largest engineering consultancies, providing mechanical, electrical, environmental, and infrastructure design services across global markets. The firm supports major projects in transportation, buildings, energy, and environmental sectors.

Notable strengths

• Large global footprint
• Deep mechanical and built environment expertise
• Multi-sector project delivery

Representative projects or sectors

• Transportation
• Buildings and infrastructure
• Energy and environment

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The industrial construction industry is experiencing a global boom, which is driving a surge in aggregate demand. While governments and municipalities are buying, they’re looking to invest in sustainable, low-carbon solutions, forcing many key players to pivot their offerings to maintain their market position. Here are the largest aggregate suppliers doing just that, including CRH Americas, Vulcan, Pioneer, and CEMEX.

State of the aggregates industry heading into 2026

The construction aggregates market is expected to grow over the next few years, primarily driven by increased urbanization, higher infrastructure development demand, and the broader global economic environment. The rising demand for eco-friendly materials is also creating new opportunities for construction projects, as many sectors aim to achieve sustainability goals. 

According to a report from Modor Intelligence, sand accounted for 40% of revenue in 2025, with other aggregate types expected to grow at a 7.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2031. Asia-Pacific captured the bulk of the aggregate market at 52%, and that sector alone is expected to advance at 7.3% CAGR through to 2031. Ready-mix concrete is also expected to grow at a 1.2% CAGR over the same period.

Some of the drivers for the aggregates boom include: 

• Demand for low-carbon, easily accessible aggregates: Ready-mix concrete plants now dominate most urban supply chains, offering low-carbon options and higher durability and cleanliness standards. The industry is also experiencing a boom in government stimulus for low-carbon construction solutions.
• Data center builds: The AI boom has caused an upswing in data center construction, requiring premium-grade aggregate to complete the job.
• Circular economy mandates: Sustainable, circular strategies have become the norm, with many companies and areas having to adhere to new regulations. EU directives, for example, now stipulate a 70% recycling rate for construction and demolition waste. 

This drastic shift toward sustainability is a net positive for the environment, but not all companies can keep up. Here are the largest suppliers holding their own in the aggregates industry today.

The 8 largest aggregates companies worldwide

8. Summit Materials, LLC

• Market cap/revenue: $2.44 billion
• Contact: (303) 893-0012 

Summit Materials supplies foundational aggregates, including sand, crushed stone, and gravel. The business is centered on cement, ready-mix concrete, and asphalt and paving services across Canada and the United States. Summit is known for its high-quality materials, which provide durability and versatility for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. 

Summit has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, and core values include sustainability, safety, integrity, and inclusivity, aiming to be the most socially responsible provider available. Founded in 2009, this is one of the younger companies on our list, and they have proven to stay modern with their versatile, eco-friendly offering. 

7. Teichert Inc.

• Market cap/revenue: $1 billion
• Contact: (916) 484-3011

The family-owned Teichert Inc. is a California construction company founded in 1887. They specialize in heavy civil construction like paving, mass grading, pipelines, and utilities for private and public projects alike. Aggregates is just one of their divisions, producing gravel, sand, asphalt, and concrete from plants and quarries, often incorporating recycled materials. 

Teichert holds California’s oldest active contractor license (#8) and provides services including earthmoving, grading, site preparation, and solar construction. 

6. O&G Industries Inc. 

• Market cap/revenue: $566.9 million
• Contact: (860) 489-9261
• Email: ContactUs@ogind.com 

O&G Industries is another family-owned company based in Torrington, CT. O&G has served the Northeast U.S. since 1923 and is known for large-scale projects in the healthcare, infrastructure, and education sectors. Like other suppliers on our list, they produce stone, sand, and gravel, as well as specialty aggregates such as jetty and armour stone. 

O&G is consistently ranked among the largest construction firms in the Northeast and operates asphalt, quarry, and concrete plants that drive manufacturing. The team is committed to safety, environmental responsibility, and a community-based corporate culture.

5. CEMEX USA

• Market cap/revenue: $5.19 billion
• Contact: (713) 650-6200

CEMEX USA might be one of the most well-known companies on our list, as it’s a division of the Mexican global materials giant CEMEX. They produce ready-mix concrete, aggregates like sand and gravel, and slag cement. The company focuses on sustainable practices and innovation and supports major infrastructure projects. 

Because they’re a mega-giant subsidiary, CEMEX operates extensive networks of quarries, terminals, and plants. The company has an ambitious goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 47%, eliminate fatalities, and maintain a reputation for environmental excellence by 2030. They serve the construction, infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects. 

4. Martin Marietta 

• Market cap/revenue: $6.53 billion
• Contact: Unlisted (form fill)

Martin Marietta produces gravel, sand, and crushed stone for construction applications from roads to foundations to rail ballast. They also produced magnesia-based chemicals and lime for environmental and industrial use. They serve the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, with a presence in both residential and commercial markets. 

Martin Marietta has a concrete production facility in Texas, offering conventional, recycled, and ready-mix concrete. Some of the company’s core values include employee equity and ethics, as well as sustainability and safety. 

3. Heidelberg Materials (formerly Lehigh Hanson, Inc.)

• Market cap/revenue: $24.6 billion
• Contact: (972) 653-5500 

One of the key players in sustainability is Heidelberg Materials. A global leader in building materials, they produce ready-mix concrete, asphalt, cement, and aggregates like gravel, sand, and rock. Based in Germany, the company operates globally in the infrastructure, residential, and commercial sectors. 

Founded in 1897, the company has an extensive ethics and code of conduct policy, with countless regulations and standards across Canada, California, and other jurisdictions with high construction demand. Aside from aggregates, Heidelberg produces concrete pipe and stabilized materials, and even offers 3D-printed concrete services. 

2.  Vulcan Materials Co.

• Market cap/revenue: $7.42 billion
• Contact: (205) 298-3000

Vulcan Materials Co. is the largest producer of construction aggregates by volume, producing stone, gravel, and sand for road and bridge construction, as well as for port operations. They primarily serve the United States, offering products for both public and private construction, but also serve international markets. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Birmingham, AL.

Vulcan’s core values include integrity, excellence, and people, and they continue to be a major supplier of recycled materials. They also provide a range of technical services, which include quality control, engineering, and materials application. Specific services depend on jurisdiction and project scope. 

1. CRH Americas Materials, Inc.

• Market cap/revenue: $16.17 billion
• Contact: (770) 522 5600
• Email: mail@crh.com

The CRH Americas Materials Inc. aggregates division is just one branch of global materials giant CRH, making it the largest vertically integrated materials supplier in North America. The company produces cement, asphalt, ready-mix concrete, and standard aggregates like sand, stone, and gravel. Their commitment to serving various local markets helps keep transportation costs down, and their services include precast concrete, masonry, paving, and more. 

CRH core values include people, performance, character, and innovation, and their purpose is to “reinvent the way the world is built.” They are the top asphalt and aggregates producer by volume, and the second-largest in the ready-mix concrete space. 

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Contractors, builders, and procurement teams are always looking for reliable drywall suppliers, and it helps to know who the biggest players are in the United States. Companies like USG, National Gypsum, CertainTeed, Georgia-Pacific, and American Gypsum produce much of the wallboard used in homes, offices, and job sites across the country. This guide looks at the top drywall manufacturers in the US and how they compare, making it easier to find the right fit for your next project.

The drywall industry: Current state

The drywall industry in the US is busy right now, thanks to a steady rise in commercial and multifamily construction that keeps demand for gypsum board high. Builders are also looking for more moisture-resistant and fire-rated panels to meet stricter building codes and improve safety on every job. 

On the manufacturing side, automation and tools like the Okibo drywall robot are helping crews work faster and safer. There’s also growing awareness around drywall dust exposure, which is encouraging companies to focus on improved ventilation and better dust-control practices to keep job sites healthier.

Top 10 most successful drywall manufacturers in the US

10. Magnum Building Products

• Revenue: Private company magnumbp.com
• Employees: 50–200
• President: Dan Armstrong
• Founded: Early 2000s

Magnum Building Products makes the Magnum Board® line, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional drywall, cement board, and wood sheathing. Their products include interior and exterior wall and ceiling boards, underlayment, and sheathing designed to stand up to fire, water, mold, mildew, insects, and other common job site challenges. 

The company focuses on durability and environmentally minded materials, promoting Magnum Board® as a non-toxic option for residential and commercial builds. You’ll see it used for everything from walls and ceilings to roofing substrates and siding.

Unlike standard gypsum drywall, Magnum’s boards use magnesium oxide or fiber-reinforced materials, which offer added protection against moisture, mold, and other environmental issues.

9. Panel Rey (US Operations)

• Revenue: Private company
• Employees: 200-500 in US (over 1,100 employees globally) 
• Vice President: Dave Bates (US operations)
• Founded: 1986

Although Panel Rey is based in Mexico, their massive US distribution network makes them a local staple for many American builders. They supply the full wall system, from interior and exterior panels to the finishing compounds needed to seal the job. 

Installers prefer these boards because they are noticeably lighter, which makes a big difference after a long day of hanging drywall. Aside from the standard sheets, they stock all the necessary specialty products, including fire-rated and mold-resistant cores, plus flexible 1/4” boards that make framing curved walls a lot easier.

Thanks to its global outlook and broad product lineup, Panel Rey has become a popular choice across the southwestern and southern US. It’s a helpful alternative to traditional gypsum board for builders looking for reliable performance, versatility, and easier installation.

8. Amrize (Holcim US)

• Revenue: (US division) approx. $6B US in the first half of 2025
• Employees (US): ~1,835
• CEO: Global CEO (Holcim Group): Miljan Gutovic (since May 2024); North America Regional Head (Global Group): Jaime Hill
• Founded (US operations): 2025 (Global operations founded in 1912)

Holcim US (soon to be Amrize) is the North American operations of global building materials giant Holcim, a well-known name in the construction materials space, offering gypsum board alongside a wide range of products like cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and walling systems. With such a broad lineup, the company supports everything from small residential builds to major infrastructure projects.

In 2022, LafargeHolcim US brought all its legacy brands together under one new name: Holcim US. The rebrand was a big step toward creating a more unified company focused on sustainable, low-carbon building solutions. With operations now spanning 43 states, Holcim US offers everything from cement and concrete to aggregates and gypsum products under a single, streamlined identity.

Today, Holcim blends its global expertise with a strong US presence to offer drywall and other materials for commercial, infrastructure, and residential markets. The company is also putting more emphasis on low-carbon manufacturing and circular construction practices as part of its long-term sustainability goals.

7. Cabot Gypsum (CABCO Gypsum)

• Revenue: $7M in 2024
• Employees: 11-50
• CEO: Leadership not publicly listed (privately held)
• Founded: 1995

Operating out of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Cabot Gypsum (CABCO) has become a staple supplier for the Northeastern United States. They manufacture a complete lineup of drywall, ranging from standard residential boards to heavy-duty fire-rated panels for commercial jobs. 

Because of their location on the Atlantic coast, they can ship down the Eastern Seaboard faster and more reliably than many inland competitors. Builders generally trust CABCO for two reasons: the supply chain is solid, and the boards themselves feature strong cores and clean finishes that make finishing work easier.

As one of the largest independent gypsum producers in North America, Cabot Gypsum fills an important market niche by offering an alternative to major US brands. Its longstanding operation, modern production equipment, and commitment to quality help keep it competitive while giving contractors more choice for their wallboard needs.

6. PABCO Gypsum

• Revenue: Private company 
• Employees: 500-1000 across PABCO Building Products divisions
• CEO: Ryan Lucchetti
• Founded: 1972

PABCO Gypsum is a major West Coast drywall manufacturer based in California, supplying wallboard across the western United States and beyond. They offer a full range of gypsum products, from standard interior panels to fire-rated, moisture-resistant, sound-dampening, and exterior-grade boards, giving builders plenty of options for different project needs.

One thing that really sets PABCO apart is its focus on sound control. After acquiring QuietRock in 2013, the company became a leading supplier of high-performance sound-dampening drywall that blends fire resistance, moisture protection, and acoustic performance into a single panel.

PABCO is also known for its family-owned roots within the PCBP group and its emphasis on strong relationships, environmental responsibility, and consistent quality. The company’s sustainability efforts show up throughout its operations, including the use of recycled paper from its PABCO Paper division and a vertically integrated manufacturing process that begins at its own gypsum quarry.

5. American Gypsum (Eagle Materials)

• Revenue: As part of Eagle Materials, approx. $2.3B US in annual revenue across all its business segments.
• Employees: Approx. 2,400-2,500 people total across its various segments (Cement, Concrete/Aggregates, Paperboard, and Gypsum)
• CEO: Michael R. Haack is the President & CEO of the parent company, Eagle Materials; the CEO for American Gypsum is D. Craig Kesler
• Founded: 1984 (original operations under predecessor names; now part of Eagle Materials)

American Gypsum is a long-standing US drywall manufacturer that supplies wallboard products for residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the central and western regions of the country. With a strong presence and a reputation for quality, the company has become a trusted source for builders who need consistent performance.

The company operates five gypsum wallboard plants with multiple production lines, giving it the capacity to produce about 4 billion square feet of wallboard annually. That scale puts American Gypsum among the larger drywall producers in the US.

Their product lineup covers a wide range of needs, including standard interior drywall, fire-rated panels, moisture- and mold-resistant options, and specialty boards designed for factory-built housing.

In 2025, Eagle Materials announced a major investment of roughly $330M US to modernize and expand its Duke, Oklahoma, plant. This upgrade supports more efficient, large-scale production and helps the company keep up with growing construction demand in southern and Sunbelt states.

4. Georgia-Pacific Gypsum

• Revenue: GP’s gypsum segment brought in around $2.59 billion in 2025
• Employees: 30,000+ across Georgia-Pacific’s operations (paper, building products, lumber, gypsum, etc.)
• CEO: Julie Howard
• Founded: 1927

Georgia-Pacific Gypsum is one of the top drywall manufacturers in the US, offering a wide range of gypsum-board products for both interior and exterior applications. Owned by Koch Industries, a massive privately held conglomerate, they’ve become a leading manufacturer in the US gypsum market, competing with companies like Saint-Gobain and Eagle Materials. 

Their lineup includes well-known names like ToughRock® and DensGlass®, along with other gypsum and fiberglass-mat–faced boards for walls, ceilings, sheathing, and specialty uses. ToughRock® boards are designed to handle moisture and fire exposure, making them a reliable choice for everything from new builds to renovation projects in both residential and commercial settings.

DensGlass® and other fiberglass-mat–faced products provide even more moisture and mold resistance compared with traditional paper-faced drywall, which makes them especially useful for exterior sheathing, soffits, and areas prone to humidity. Georgia-Pacific remains a go-to supplier for builders who want versatility, durability, and dependable performance across many project types.

3. CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain North America)

• Revenue: $750M US/year
• Employees: 3,294
• CEO: Julie Bonamy
• Founded: Continental Building Products was acquired in 2020 and became CertainTeed

CertainTeed is one of the most trusted drywall makers in North America; a company with deep roots and decades of experience supplying high-quality gypsum products for both homes and commercial buildings. Through its parent company, Saint‑Gobain, CertainTeed brings a long legacy of building-materials know-how to every drywall panel it produces.

Their product lineup is broad and built to meet modern construction demands. Offerings include lightweight drywall panels, moisture- and mold-resistant boards (like M2Tech®), fire-rated wallboard (including Type X / Type C), and sound-dampening drywall for quieter, more comfortable spaces. 

One standout product is Easi-Lite® Lightweight Drywall, which can weigh up to 30% less than traditional panels. It’s easier to carry, lift, and install, making it a favorite for ceilings, renovations, or any job where efficiency matters.

CertainTeed also continues to invest heavily in sustainability and modern manufacturing. Through Saint-Gobain’s global resources, the company is expanding production capacity in the US and upgrading plants to reduce environmental impact while meeting rising nationwide demand.

With its deep product lineup, ongoing innovation, and strong manufacturing network across North America, CertainTeed remains one of the top drywall manufacturers in the United States.

2. National Gypsum Company

• Revenue: Private company; estimated annual revenue is estimated at $780M US
• Employees: 1,200-1,300
• CEO: Thomas C. Nelson
• Founded: 1925

National Gypsum Company is one of the oldest and most influential drywall manufacturers in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the company operates an extensive network of gypsum board plants, quarries, and processing facilities, handling everything from raw gypsum to finished wallboard. This vertical structure helps maintain consistent quality across all its products.

Its drywall is sold under the well-known Gold Bond® name, a staple in the construction industry thanks to its reliability and long-standing performance record. National Gypsum also produces several high-performance product lines, including PURPLE® and eXP®, which offer enhanced moisture, mold, and fire resistance for modern building demands.

Throughout its nearly 100-year history, innovation has been central to the company’s growth. National Gypsum has steadily expanded its offerings to include specialty boards such as fire-rated, sound-dampening, moisture-resistant, and impact-resistant options, giving builders plenty of tools to meet today’s code requirements and design challenges.

Thanks to its broad product range, strong industry reputation, and large US footprint, National Gypsum remains one of the country’s top drywall suppliers, serving residential, commercial, and multifamily projects nationwide.

1. USG Corporation (United States Gypsum)

• Revenue: Recorded full-year net sales of $3.3B in 2018. In April 2019, the company was acquired by the German-based Knauf Group and became a private entity, so more recent public revenue data is not available. 
• Employees: Approx. 7,000 in North America (14,000 globally)
• CEO: Christopher R. Griffin
• Founded: 1901

USG is often considered the largest and most recognized drywall manufacturers in the U.S. thanks in large part to its iconic Sheetrock® brand. For more than a century, the company has played a major role in shaping how interiors are built, helping move the industry from traditional plaster-and-lath methods to the fast, efficient gypsum wall systems used today.

Over the years, USG has continued to expand its offerings well beyond standard drywall. The company now provides ceiling systems, moisture- and fire-resistant boards, and advanced drywall suspension and finishing systems designed for a wide range of building types and performance needs.

With its long track record of innovation, a large and reliable distribution network, and strong brand recognition, USG remains a top choice for builders, contractors, and developers working on residential, commercial, and multifamily projects across the country.

If you want to stay updated on drywall industry trends, manufacturer news, and construction-materials insights, subscribe to our newsletter for regular deep dives and expert analysis.

Building a mental health program in construction can feel like trying to solve a complex engineering problem without a blueprint. In this field guide, we show you how to use CIASP resources to move from simple awareness to a “Culture of Care” that protects your entire workforce. Featuring insights from Sonya Bohmann, we explain how to build a program from scratch and support all workers in our industry so they can thrive for the long haul.

A field guide to building a construction mental health program from scratch

For a long time, the construction industry has treated mental health like a “hot moment” priority. We discuss it once a year during a safety week or after a tragedy. However, to truly save lives, we must treat mental health as a core company value that is just as important as wearing a hard hat or a fall protection harness. As Sonya Bohmann, the Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), points out, we need to make it part of our everyday standard.

Bohmann brings a unique perspective to this fight. She spent years as an executive in the reconstruction and facilities maintenance world before leading the charge at CIASP. Her vision is simple yet bold: to create a “Zero Suicide Industry.” This means moving past the stigma and building systems where every worker feels safe asking for help before they reach a breaking point.

We want to give you the exact steps to deploy CIASP resources regardless of your company’s size. We also take a deep look at the unique stressors that women face on the job site. By addressing the emotional toll of being the only woman in the room, firms can ensure that their female talent not only enters the industry but also stays and leads it.

“I think we’ve seen this shift from a moment to a movement,” Bohmann says. “But now it needs to become a standard.”

Phase one: The “Starting from Zero” blueprint

For small- to mid-size contractors, the goal of a mental health program is to build a solid foundation using tools that already exist. Bohmann suggests three specific steps to get your program off the ground and ensure it actually works for your team.

1. The STAND Up pledge

The very first step for any company is to take the STAND Up Pledge through CIASP. This serves as a clear signal to every person on your payroll that leadership is ready to acknowledge the problem. By taking the pledge, you signal to your workforce that you are committed to addressing mental health. “The standup pledge is a really good signal to their company and a good starting point to say, we’re ready to do this,” Bohmann says.

2. The needs analysis

Once you have made the commitment, the next logical step is to look at what you already have. The Needs Analysis tool helps you evaluate your current setup and find the gaps. This tool is detailed enough to help you ask the right questions, such as who is responsible for these programs. As Bohmann points out, “If there’s no one responsible for it. It doesn’t really exist, right? It’s out there. No one’s managing it. No one’s pushing it, no one’s making sure that it’s utilized.” This step moves mental health from a “nice idea” to a managed part of your business operations.

3. The EAP audit

Most companies have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), but many owners do not know what it actually covers. Bohmann recommends doing an audit to see if your EAP is robust enough for the construction world. A good program should cover more than just basic counseling. It needs to include behavioral health support, financial advice, and even help for family members. Because construction workers often face stress from travel or financial pressure, having these specific resources can make a huge difference.

Phase two: Building a “Culture of Care” through drip-marketing

Once you have the foundation in place, the next goal is to make mental health a normal part of your daily routine. This does not have to happen all at once. Bohmann suggests a drip marketing approach, which involves sharing small bits of information over a long period. This keeps the topic fresh in everyone’s minds without it feeling like a one-time speech.

Normalizing the conversation

One of the best ways to start is by moving away from grand, performative gestures. Instead, make small, visible changes people see every day. Bohmann recommends adding the 988 crisis line to your email signatures or putting it on posters in common areas. When workers see these resources in their everyday environment, it helps reduce stigma. It shows the company is committed to providing support 365 days a year, not just during a safety week.

Utilizing the calendar

You do not have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to training. Use the existing industry calendar to guide your efforts. For example, you can use Mental Health Month in May or Suicide Prevention Month in September to introduce specific toolbox talks. CIASP provides templates and micro-learning tools that make this easy. By using these moments to lead real talk sessions, you turn a regular safety meeting into a life-saving conversation.

The “Warm Handoff”

Every construction company has a plan for what to do if someone falls or gets hurt, but few have a plan for a mental health crisis. Bohmann highlights a new tool called the Warm Handoff. This is a crisis management plan specifically for suicide or overdose intervention. It helps you identify your touch points, the people who need to be brought into the conversation to keep someone safe. Knowing exactly where to take a person and whom to contact in a crisis can prevent a tragedy before it happens.

“We tell everybody in construction you need a crisis management plan,” Bohmann says. “But how often does that crisis management plan include suicide or overdose? And what are you going to do when you come in contact with that?”

The “only woman in the room”: Retention through psychological safety

Getting women into construction is a great first step, but keeping them there is the real challenge. Many companies focus on hiring quotas but overlook the environment the person is entering. Bohmann explains that for a woman to stay in the industry, she needs to feel more than just “welcome.” She needs to feel psychologically safe.

The invisible load

Women in the trades often carry what Bohmann calls an “invisible load.” On top of doing a hard job, they often face higher psychological stressors. This can include feeling they must prove themselves twice as much as their male coworkers or experiencing isolation as the only woman on a crew. This extra pressure leads to burnout much faster. Bohmann points out that many women leave not because they cannot do the work, but because the mental toll of being the “only one” becomes too heavy to carry every day.

Mental health PPE

Just like we use gloves and glasses to protect our bodies, women in construction need “mental health PPE” to protect their minds. “Find your people,” Bohmann says. This means getting involved in industry subgroups like Women in Construction or Women in Asphalt. These groups enable women to connect with others who understand their specific challenges. Having a peer network acts as a safety net, ensuring no one has to face job-site pressure alone.

Culture shift over hiring quotas

If you want to retain female talent, you have to look at the daily culture of the job site. Bohmann is very direct about what actually matters to workers. It starts with basics, like having clean, secure facilities. It also means having a zero-violence policy and realistic schedules that allow for a life outside of work. When a company prioritizes these things, they create a space where everyone can thrive. 

“We have to stop looking at them as a woman or a man,” Bohmann says. “We have to look at them as human beings and what they need to be successful in their job.”

Redefining the standard: Language and leadership

The way we talk about mental health is just as important as the tools we use. If a worker feels they will be judged for speaking up, they will stay silent. Bohmann believes that changing our language and understanding the specific stresses of our industry are the keys to a better leadership model.

Safe messaging

For a long time, the industry used labels that made people feel ashamed of their struggles. Bohmann advocates adopting person-first language. “When I talk about language, I like to equate it to physical health … It’s about creating spaces again where people are seen and heard and supported, and how we treat physical health and mental health have to be equal.” For example, she compares a mental health struggle to a “frozen shoulder;” a condition that needs treatment and time to heal, not a character flaw or a sign of weakness. When leaders use safe messaging, they create an environment where it is okay not to be okay. This shift in language helps workers feel supported as people, not just as tools for the job.

Isolation and industry legacy

Bohmann’s experience in facilities maintenance gives her deep insight into the industry’s legacy that harms our mental health. Many construction roles require extended travel, night shifts, and complete isolation from family. “Many times you are trying to work at night so that a facility can be up and running again the next day,” she says. “It really highlighted the isolation for me and the sleep deprivation pieces of it. You see the toll that it takes on people.”

Bohmann points out that these factors create a perfect storm for depression and anxiety. Leaders need to recognize these risks and build in ways for workers to stay connected to their support systems, even when they are hundreds of miles away from home.

“If you have a frozen shoulder, you go to the doctor, and you get it fixed,” Bohmann says. “We need to look at our brain the same way. It is just another part of our body that might need help.”

Actionable next steps

Building a Culture of Care is an ongoing commitment to the people who build our world. By using CIASP tools and listening to each worker’s unique needs, contractors can shift from reactive safety to proactive care.

Provocative standards

Some people think that aiming for “Zero Suicide” is an impossible goal in such a high-pressure industry. However, Bohmann argues that we must be provocative to drive real change. In the trades, there’s no acceptable amount of falls or equipment accidents, and we shouldn’t accept any number of lost lives to mental health, either. Aiming for zero is the only way to ensure we do everything in our power to protect our workforce. It sets a high bar that forces us to stay vigilant every single day.

“I think we’ve seen this move from a moment to a movement,” Bohmann says. “But now it needs to become a standard.”

Resource directory

Use these direct links to the CIASP resource hub to start your journey:

• The Stand Up Pledge: Take the commitment here
• Needs Analysis Tool: Evaluate your company’s gaps
• Toolbox Talks: Download ready-to-use safety talks
• The Warm Handoff: Access the crisis management guide

Check out these other articles on building a better construction culture:

• Why safety culture should be a priority for worker retention
• Women in Construction Week highlight: Build like a girl
• How to attract more women to the construction industry

Want to stay ahead of the curve on people, process, and technology in the AEC industry? Subscribe to our newsletter today to get the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox.

The construction industry is changing fast, and several women are leading the way in 2026. From inventing better safety gear to running billion-dollar data center projects, these leaders are proving that the job site is for everyone. Here are the ten most influential women in construction who are breaking barriers and showing us all what is possible in the trades.

1. Katy Robinson, Senior Project Manager and PPE Campaigner

Katy Robinson made history in late 2025 when she was named the UK’s Most Influential Woman in Construction. She is a Senior Project Manager for a local government council, but her biggest impact has been her fight for inclusive personal protective equipment (PPE). For years, many women in construction had to wear gear designed for men, which was often loose, uncomfortable, and even dangerous.

Katy spearheaded a massive campaign that reached over 6 million people and led to the creation of a new British Standard (BS 30417) for inclusive PPE. Because of her work, thousands of women now have access to safety gear that actually fits their bodies. She is a perfect example of how one person can identify a problem on the job site and lead a global change to fix it.

2. Nour Hachem, Founder and President of Build a Dream

Nour Hachem is a workforce disruptor who is changing how young women think about their careers. She founded Build a Dream after watching her own mother work hard in a male-dominated auto parts business. Today, Nour has spoken to over 70,000 families and helped secure over $30 million in funding to get more women into the trades, STEM, and emergency response.

In 2025, Nour was named one of the most influential people in construction by SiteNews. She is known for creating hands-on “career expos” that let students try out tools and technology firsthand. Her work is results-focused; she helps companies build inclusive cultures and gives women the confidence to aim for high-paying, leadership roles in the industry. 

Check out our feature interview with Nour here!

3. Tessa Ferzli, Red Seal Mason and Co-Founder of Women on Site

Tessa Ferzli is a “boots on the ground” leader who is inspiring a new generation of tradeswomen. She is a Red Seal Mason, which means she has reached the highest level of skill in her craft. Tessa co-founded an organization called Women on Site to help women in the trades connect with one another. She uses social media to show what a real day on a job site looks like. Tessa is proof that you can be an influencer while working with your hands every single day.

4. Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Datacenters

Nancy Novak is a powerful force in the world of construction tech. With over 30 years of experience, she now oversees the delivery of billions of dollars in sustainable data center projects. Nancy is disrupting the “old way” of doing things by pushing for greater automation and on-site digital tools.

She is also a huge advocate for “extending the ladder” to other women. Nancy hosts a popular podcast where she interviews female leaders in technology and construction to share their advice. Her goal is to shift the industry from a “one-off project” mindset to a “scalable product” mindset, making construction more eco-friendly for future generations.

5. Allison Scott, Director of Sustainability Growth & Engagement at Autodesk

Allison Scott works at the intersection of construction and technology. At Autodesk, she helps construction firms turn big ideas like “sustainability” into real-world actions. She is a leading voice on how “industrialized construction”, using factory-made parts and robotics, can help solve the labor shortage.

Allison is also a champion for the “digital thread.” This is the idea that data should flow smoothly from the initial design through the final handoff of a building. By making construction data-driven, she is helping the industry become less wasteful and more predictable. Her work is essential for any construction pro who wants to understand how AI and automation will change their daily work.

6. Tannis Liviniuk, CEO of Liviniuk Group

Tannis Liviniuk started her career in the field and worked her way up to become one of the top digital strategy experts in the industry. Decades ago, she was once told she couldn’t make it in construction; today, she is the person major firms call when they want to modernize their job sites.

Tannis is an expert in using AI and data to accelerate and improve project scheduling. She is a frequent speaker at big events like the Project Control Summit, where she teaches others how to use technology to solve complex logistics problems. She has built a massive following on LinkedIn by sharing honest, helpful advice about leadership and the future of “smart” construction.

7. Sandra Astolfo, Partner at WeirFoulds LLP

Beyond the realm of moving dirt and pouring concrete, there are laws and contracts that keep those projects moving. Sandra Astolfo is one of the most respected construction lawyers in North America. She was the first woman to win a major award for excellence in construction law from the Ontario Bar Association. Sandra helps companies navigate big risks and settle tough disputes. She’s walking proof that you can have a massive influence on the job site even if you work in a boardroom.

8. Jennifer Price, President and CEO of McElhanney

Jennifer Price is a leader who believes that engineers have a duty to help solve big world problems. As the head of McElhanney, she oversees a massive team that works on projects across Canada, from transportation to land development. Jennifer is a “barrier-breaker” who started her career as a chemical engineer and worked her way through senior roles at major firms like AECOM and Buro Happold. She is very passionate about making the path easier for the next generation of women in STEM and is a frequent speaker on how innovation and sustainability will change our cities for the better.

9. Sarah Petrevan, Vice President of Sustainability at the Cement Association of Canada

Sarah Petrevan is a leader in the “green” construction movement. Her current role is centered around cement and concrete, the most widely used building material in the world. Sarah’s goal is to help the industry reach “net-zero” carbon emissions. She works with the government and companies to find ways to build roads and buildings that do not hurt the planet. Because of her work, the future of construction will be much cleaner and more sustainable for everyone.

If you enjoyed learning about these trailblazers, check out these other guides from our library designed specifically for women in the trades:

• 7 common symptoms women should never ignore: a guide for women in the trades
• Building strength from the inside out: Why pelvic floor health matters for women in construction and beyond
• Mother’s day gifts for women in trades
• On the path to construction: The rise of women safety consultants
• National mentoring program launches for women in skilled trades
• How to attract more women to the construction industry

Want to stay updated on the leaders and tech trends shaping our industry? Subscribe to our newsletter to get more stories like this delivered straight to your inbox every week!

Green roof companies have moved from niche suppliers to everyday partners on commercial, institutional, and even industrial projects. If you’re planning a green roof or amenity deck, you’re not just picking plants—you’re choosing a system that affects structure, waterproofing, maintenance budgets, and tenant appeal. The U.S. green roof market is growing rapidly, with more contractors seeking reliable green roof installation companies that can provide technical support and attractive roofs. In this guide, we’ll look at where the industry is heading, then walk through 10 U.S.-based firms, from small specialty shops to national leaders. Names you’ll see include Hanging Gardens, Recover Green Roofs, Columbia Green Technologies, and American Hydrotech.

The green roof industry

Green roofs have shifted from “nice to have” features to practical infrastructure for stormwater management, urban heat mitigation, and tenant amenities. Market analysts expect the U.S. green roof market to reach about US$678.6 million by 2030, growing at a roughly 18.7% CAGR between 2025 and 2030. Globally, green roofs were valued at around US$2.66 billion in 2024, with forecasts pointing to US$4.75 billion by 2032, at an annual growth rate of about 17%. That kind of climb shows up on the ground: municipal incentive programs, LEED targets, WELL certifications, and corporate ESG reporting all now point design teams toward vegetated roofs and podium decks.

One recent market review estimates that the United States accounts for about 19% of global green roof installations, led by cities such as Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, with roughly 48 million square feet of green roofing already in place and over 11 million square feet of new systems installed in 2023. These roofs aren’t just marketing pieces; performance studies have documented improved stormwater retention, lower roof-surface temperatures, increased PV yield when solar is combined with vegetation, and even higher rental revenue than comparable buildings with conventional roofs. As a result, more owners now view green roofs as infrastructure assets with measurable payback, not just an architectural flourish.

The best green roof companies to hire in the U.S. 

9. Hanging Gardens (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

• Market cap/revenue: Private; small multi-million-dollar revenue
• Employees: 6–20 (small specialist team)
• CEO: Anthony Mayer (founder)
• Founded: 2009

Hanging Gardens is a Milwaukee-based stormwater and green roof supplier that focuses on giving small- and mid-size projects the same technical attention as flagship roofs. Early coverage put the firm at just six full-time employees, yet it had an outsized catalog—hundreds of SKUs spanning pavers, roof membranes, drainage mats, plants, and stormwater products for architects and contractors. 

Their bread and butter is helping project teams in older Great Lakes cities retrofit roofs and terraces for detention and amenity use, often in areas with combined sewers and aging infrastructure, where runoff is a headache. For contractors, Hanging Gardens is a good fit when you want a nimble partner who can quickly pull together vegetated roof assemblies, blue-green roof strategies, and matching paver systems without getting lost in big-company bureaucracy.

8. Omni Ecosystems (Chicago, Illinois)

• Market cap/revenue: Estimated US$5–10 million annually
• Employees: 20–25
• CEO: Molly Meyer (founder and CEO)
• Founded: 2009–2010

Omni Ecosystems describes its mission as “democratizing nature,” and it backs that up with deep technical work on lightweight, high-performance soil systems and “working landscapes” that include rooftop farms. Founder and CEO Molly Meyer learned green roof design in Germany before relocating to Chicago, where the company now designs and builds green roofs, podium landscapes, and urban agriculture projects.

Omni’s team has roughly two dozen staff members with revenue in the mid-single-digit millions, putting them in a sweet spot for complex yet still hands-on projects. Contractors and owners who want food-producing roofs, pollinator-friendly planting, or deeper soils for shrubs and small trees tend to gravitate toward Omni, especially in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

7. Roofmeadow/Roofmeadow Services (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

• Market cap/revenue: Estimated US$6–7 million annually for Roofmeadow; ~US$3–4 million for Roofmeadow Services
• Employees: 20–25 across design and services entities
• CEO: Studio Sustena (formerly Roofmeadow) is now led by a broader leadership team; the founder and long-time president is Charlie Miller, P.E.
• Founded: 1997 (originally as Roofscapes, Inc.)

Roofmeadow is one of the original North American green roof companies and has had an outsized influence on the industry. Charlie Miller founded Roofscapes—now Roofmeadow and Studio Sustena—in 1997 to bring German-style green roofs to U.S. stormwater management practice, later helping author several ASTM green roof standards. The firm’s project list includes the Chicago City Hall green roof and numerous Philadelphia installations tied to the city’s Green City, Clean Waters program. 

Roofmeadow Services, spun out in 2014, focuses on construction, long-term maintenance, and remediation of existing green roofs—a combination that appeals to contractors who want a single design partner involved from layout through stewardship.

6. Recover Green Roofs (Somerville/Boston, Massachusetts)

• Market cap/revenue: Estimated US$100,000–5 million annually
• Employees: 25–100, small-to-mid-sized design-build team
• CEO: Mark Winterer (co-founder and owner)
• Founded: 2009

Recover Green Roofs is a New England design-build firm specializing in green roofs, rooftop farms, amenity decks, and intensive rooftop landscapes. Co-founder Mark Winterer has become a familiar name in the Boston sustainability scene; Recover’s portfolio includes work at Fenway Park, the Prudential Center, and the Amherst College Science Center, where Recover installed over 17,000 sedum plugs across the roof. 

Compared with pure manufacturers, Recover is very hands-on: they handle design, installation, and maintenance, often partnering with Roofmeadow and Hydrotech on complex assemblies. For general contractors and CMs in the Northeast, Recover is a strong option when you want a single point of contact who can price, build, and keep the roof alive over time.

5. Xero Flor America (Durham, North Carolina)

• Market cap/revenue: About US$6.9 million annual revenue
• Employees: 18
• CEO: Leadership not widely public; company operates as Xero Flor America LLC
• Founded: 2002

Xero Flor America is the official U.S. distributor of the German Xero Flor pre-vegetated mat system, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. Pre-grown mats give installers an advantage: contractors crane up a carpet of vegetation rather than individual trays or plugs, which cuts installation time and reduces the “bare” period after completion. 

The company’s mats are grown on regional farms, branded as 100% American-made, and have been used on high-profile roofs, including the Empire State Building. For design teams, Xero Flor is a good fit when wind uplift, thin build-ups, or fast turnarounds are driving the spec; for contractors, the mat format can simplify labor planning, especially on large, flat roofs.

4. Columbia Green Technologies (Portland, Oregon)

• Market cap/revenue: Estimated US$5–9 million annually
• Employees: 23–27
• CEO: Vanessa Keitges (President and CEO)
• Founded: 2006

Columbia Green Technologies is a widely recognized supplier of layered and tray-based green roof systems, amenity decks, and blue-green roofs. The company has supplied systems to Amazon’s downtown Seattle headquarters, where green roofs capture stormwater and tie into on-site reuse systems, and to the Perch at Capital One Center, among many other mixed-use and office projects. 

Columbia Green actively markets to architects and developers seeking amenity decks that feel like small parks, with pavers, planters, and seating integrated into a single package. For contractors, their draw is a tested set of assemblies and strong technical documentation, which makes coordination with waterproofing trades a little less painful on tight schedules.

3. Greenrise Technologies (Nashville, Tennessee)

• Market cap/revenue: Estimated US$37.9 million annually
• Employees: 160+
• CEO: James Marshall
• Founded: 2007

Greenrise Technologies positions itself as a full green infrastructure provider, with engineered systems for green roofs, stormwater detention, bio-retention cells, and rainwater harvesting. With roughly 160 employees and nearly US$38 million in estimated annual revenue, it’s one of the larger dedicated green roof companies in the U.S. 

Greenrise focuses heavily on code compliance—erosion and sediment control, nutrient management, and permit documentation—so civil engineers and public-sector owners tend to bring them in early. On the contracting side, they’re often seen on large institutional and healthcare projects, where the vegetated roof is tightly tied to stormwater credits and local regulations.

2. LiveRoof Global/LiveRoof, LLC (Spring Lake / Nunica, Michigan)

• Market cap/revenue: Estimated US$3–25 million annually across LiveRoof entities (Datanyze)
• Employees: 50
• CEO: Dave MacKenzie (founder, owner, and president)
• Founded: 2006

LiveRoof is a Michigan-based supplier whose “hybrid green roof” modules come pre-grown and designed to knit together into a continuous layer of vegetation. The company grew out of Hortech, a perennial grower, with founder Dave MacKenzie applying decades of plant expertise to roof systems. LiveRoof’s projects range from schools and civic buildings to major healthcare facilities, including a 13,192-square-meter green roof installation at Humber River Hospital in Toronto—one of the largest LiveRoof projects worldwide.

The system appeals to contractors who want predictable logistics (modules are craned and set like pavers) and to owners who care about long-term performance; LiveRoof’s own data highlights extended roof life and energy savings that can reach roughly 25% on heating and cooling.

1. American Hydrotech (Chicago, Illinois; now part of Sika)

• Market cap/revenue: About US$131.8 million annually
• Employees: 115
• CEO: Now integrated into Sika’s North American roofing and waterproofing division; leadership is part of Sika Corporation.
• Founded: 1977

American Hydrotech started as a waterproofing company in 1977 and became one of the earliest promoters of green roofs in North America through its Garden Roof® Assembly. The firm, headquartered in Chicago, has supplied membranes and vegetated roof assemblies for more than 2 billion square feet of installations globally, and it has been recognized as a North American market leader in green and garden roofs.

In 2021, Sika acquired American Hydrotech and, by 2025, fully integrated it into its roofing and waterproofing division, giving the Garden Roof system access to Sika’s manufacturing and technical network. For architects, engineers, and contractors, Hydrotech is often the go-to when large civic or cultural projects demand proven waterproofing under complex, intensive roofs—think museums, hospitals, and high-profile plazas with slopes, deep soils, and heavy public use.

Hydrotech sits at the top of this list not just for revenue, but also because many smaller green roof installation companies on this list—Recover, Roofmeadow, Omni, and others—regularly work with Hydrotech membranes and assemblies on marquee jobs.

How to use this list on your next project

From small stormwater retrofits to stadium-sized amenity decks, the U.S. has a healthy bench of green roof installation companies and system providers. Smaller firms like Hanging Gardens, Omni Ecosystems, and Recover Green Roofs can give you tight coordination, detailed shop drawings, and hands-on site support. Mid-sized players like Roofmeadow, Xero Flor America, and Columbia Green Technologies bring a long track record and proven systems that keep plan reviewers and insurers comfortable. At the top end, Greenrise, LiveRoof, and American Hydrotech operate at a scale that suits airports, hospitals, higher-ed campuses, and multi-tower urban developments.

For architects, general contractors, and engineers reading this, the takeaway is simple: these green roof companies are no longer fringe suppliers. They’re doing real structural coordination, stormwater modeling, and long-term maintenance planning alongside you. 

If you want to keep up with where this part of the industry is headed, subscribe to our newsletter at Under the Hard Hat for more deep dives into construction, design, and building performance.

In 2026, the construction industry is facing a massive change. We are seeing more retirements than ever, and at the same time, we are finally seeing the 10% ceiling break for women in the workforce, with numbers climbing to 11.2%. Nour Hachem is at the center of this movement. In this interview with UTHH, Hachem talks about her inspiration, the barriers that still exist, and how breaking the cycle of typical hiring is changing the game for women in AEC.

About Nour Hachem

As the founder of Build a Dream and an award-winning leader recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and as Construction’s Most Influential People for 2025 by SiteNews, Hachem has spent more than two decades helping young women and their families see the skilled trades as a path to economic prosperity. What started as a small workshop in Windsor, Ontario, has grown into a national movement that has reached over 100,000 individuals over the last 12 years. 

Building the dream: A conversation with Nour Hachem

UTHH: You often speak about your mother’s resilience in the auto parts industry as a major inspiration. How has your view of what women can achieve in construction changed from when you watched her to what you see now in 2026?

Nour Hachem: When I launched my first workshop, I was incredibly naive. I thought that if women just knew these jobs paid well and had free training, they would flock to them. I thought I would have a full room immediately. After 12 years in this space, I have seen that while interest is high, there are still deep barriers in the system that leave women out. The more women learn about these spaces, the more interested they are, but my knowledge of the roadblocks has grown, too.

UTHH: We finally broke past the 10% mark to hit 11.2% representation for women in construction. Was there one specific barrier breaker that caused that jump?

NH: It was a combination. The labor market demand increased so much that companies couldn’t ignore 50% of the talent pool anymore. We used a business argument to tell them they were losing out. On top of that, you saw big investments from the government in Ontario and grassroots groups like Build a Dream pushing for inclusion. Also, as more women enter and speak highly of the work, it creates a ripple effect.

UTHH: Build a Dream has supported over 100,000 people. That is a massive number. How did it grow from a local Windsor project to a national movement?

NH: That 100,000 is a conservative number. We started in 2014 with a career expo at St. Clair College in Windsor. We chose the name “Build a Dream” because parents were sometimes reluctant to bring their daughters to events that had “Skilled Trades” in the title. We wanted to shift the mindset at the dining room table. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, we pivoted to virtual events, which allowed us to reach rural communities and expand across Canada. Now, a single “Dreamer Day” event in Ontario can bring in 4,000 high school students from across the province.

Nour Hachem speaking at the Day Dreamer Event. Photo courtesy of Nour Hachem.

UTHH: Is there one specific story of a woman entering the trades that stays with you?

NH: I always think of Delaney. She used to say she “came for the pizza and stayed for the carpentry.” She wanted to be a journalist, but she met several carpenters at one of our earliest career expos and fell in love with the trade. Now, she oversees our Career Services department and supports over 700 tradeswomen across Canada. She is the epitome of why we exist; we aren’t just raising awareness, we are planting seeds that change the labor market.

UTHH: We are seeing a “silver tsunami” of retirements right now. What is your advice for a woman who wants to move into a leadership role, like a foreperson or project manager, in the next five years?

NH: You have to look at the “Journey ticket”. We see women enter the trades, but only about 33% are completing their full certification. That is a huge loss. My advice is to seek out professional development that equips you with the tools and experts to move up. Events like our upcoming June 5 – 7 Dream and Build professional development conference in Vancouver are designed to help women move into these leadership roles.

UTHH: Awareness itself can be uncomfortable, right? Changing a perspective and shifting to an inclusive environment forces people to sit in that discomfort. In construction, where suicide rates are among the highest of any industry, this isn’t just a female-led conversation.

NH: It isn’t comfortable to walk into every conversation and say the way we’ve been doing things isn’t working and has impacted lives. We personalize it.

UTHH: And it means power has to shift.

NH: Yes, and people feel when power shifts that they are losing something. But I believe when power shifts, it actually strengthens the fabric of what you do because you’ve opened up space for new ideas where your entire team thrives.

UTHH: What is one thing that you think site supervisors and male allies can do tomorrow morning to make their job sites more inclusive for the women on their crews?

NH: Awareness is power. Being aware that the industry isn’t perfect and that it doesn’t represent what you’ve done. It’s a representation of how society has functioned, that these industries, especially construction, were designed by men for men. That’s no longer the reality of our workforce. I feel that the first step any site superintendent can take is awareness, because once we become aware and honest about the environments around us, it’s what we do with that awareness that matters. That next step is saying, “I can change this. I can make things better.”

The “joke” is not just a joke; it has real repercussions. The repercussions can include someone feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. Just because it’s always been done this way doesn’t mean it needs to continue this way. Truly, when we’re advocating for change in these workplaces and job sites, it actually makes it healthier for everyone to want to show up at work. It’s not organic or unique to women. Jokes that aren’t discriminatory or make someone feel like they don’t belong actually create a space where everyone feels safe.

UTHH: If the things we’re building are supposed to represent everyone, then everyone should help represent.

NH: Exactly. If we bring more women in, we get diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to problems that impact all Canadians.

UTHH: What’s next for Build a Dream as we move through 2026?

NH: We are focusing on retention. It is one thing to get women in the door, but we need to make sure the workplace culture is safe, supportive, and built for them to stay and thrive. We want to change the way the world views women and work at its roots. That means working across sectors, from skilled trades and construction to STEM, emergency services, manufacturing, and leadership roles, to highlight what inclusive workplaces can look like in action and to support employers in making lasting change. 

A big part of that momentum will continue at our upcoming Power and Purpose Summit on March 12 in Toronto, where we’ll bring together 300 leaders, employers, community partners, and women with lived experience to move conversations into action. Tickets are available for purchase now, and award nominations have been extended to February 13 for those who want to recognize individuals and organizations driving real change.

Join the movement

Build a Dream is a community dedicated to leveling the playing field in the AEC industry. Whether you are a parent looking to support your daughter’s interests or a contractor looking to diversify your crew, there are ways to get involved.

• Learn more about their programs: Visit Build a Dream
• Support the mission: Get Involved
• Listen to the stories: Check out the Perfectly Unfiltered Podcast

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