While BSI Constructors is proud to have completed significant projects for big names such as Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Wells Fargo Advisors (previously A.G. Edwards), we are equally proud of our work for many lesser known but highly successful businesses. BSI has performed single projects as large as $150 million. Yet we’ve earned the loyalty of many corporate clients on very small scale, fast track buildouts. Our corporate customers typically expect us to be an extension of their business. They want a teammate that can provide real world, real time information about cost and schedule that facilitates the right physical plant decisions for long term profitability.

As you can see below, our corporate experience includes new office construction, tenant buildout, data centers, parking structures, and hardscape.

Over the past several years, developers have been a growing part of our client base. As a group, developers have a reputation of being very demanding. We don’t mind “demanding.” In fact, we find that the clarity of purpose by our developer clients is very conducive to a no nonsense construction project. There is usually no question of the client’s goals. Their projects are usually driven by economics and schedule. That is not to say that first cost drives every decision. But if developers are going to spend more for an element, they need to clearly see the return on investment. BSI’s value analysis (which necessarily evaluates schedule implications) provides the tools for the developer to make the best decision for the project.

The gallery below offers a sampling of the many different types of work we have performed for developers including hotel, retail, restaurant, apartment, student housing, parking structures, and condominiums. These include both new construction and renovation.

Since our founding in 1972, educational buildings have been a big part of our business. Way back in 1976, our first $1 Million project was a high school building for the Hazelwood School District. Initially, public school work afforded BSI the opportunity to bid projects and build a reputation when getting opportunities from private clients was difficult for a new company. Building on successes in the public market opened doors for us in the private sector, leading to our first $20 million project (McDonnell Hall) for Washington University in 1990. Now we are proud of our long list of successes in both the public and private educational markets. We’ve delivered all types of educational facilities including world class laboratory buildings, academic buildings, libraries, auditoriums, performing arts centers, student housing, and athletic facilities for leading educational institutions.

We’ve performed projects for preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, and graduate research departments. Take some time to browse the examples below.

Those most familiar with our work associate BSI Constructors with institutional construction. Even though this is only one of our primary client focus groups, many of the most recognizable institutional projects in St. Louis in the past twenty five years were constructed by BSI. Whether it is museums, theaters, auditoriums, libraries, religious institutions, public gardens, or universities, BSI has built its reputation in high quality, high profile projects. Click on any of the images below for a better look at what should be some pretty familiar structures.

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Those most familiar with our work associate BSI Constructors with institutional construction. Even though this is only one of our primary client focus groups, many of the most recognizable institutional projects in St. Louis in the past twenty five years were constructed by BSI. Whether it is museums, theaters, auditoriums, libraries, religious institutions, parks, public gardens, or universities, BSI has built its reputation in high quality, high profile projects. Click on any of the images below for a better look at what should be some pretty familiar structures.

Historic Restoration & Adaptive Reuse – Working in a City with an outstanding historic building stock, BSI has become a leader in the restoration and reuse of dozens of building on the U.S. Historic Register. Our understanding of the special challenges of historic buildings has helped us ensure that our clients have maximized their reimbursement through the historic tax credit process. Our ability to anticipate what most contractors don’t expect facilitates credible estimates early in the development process and minimizes the costly surprises usually inherent in this type of work.

Garden & Hardscape – With dozens of projects for the Missouri Botanical Garden, numerous projects for Forest Park Forever, and the recent completion of the nationally recognized Citygarden in downtown St. Louis, exterior landscape/hardscape projects have become an important niche for BSI. Attention to detail and quality is especially critical in projects that must withstand the vagaries of Midwestern winters throughout their useful lives.

Structural & Architectural Concrete – BSI’s roots are as a self-perform concrete company. It is an expertise that we maintain to this day. Whether it’s foundation walls, shear towers, structural decks, or architectural finish concrete, BSI has the experience and knowledge to deliver quality results every time. Our architectural concrete portfolio includes the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, designed by Tadao Ando, which is recognized as one of the world’s finest examples of as cast, smooth finish architectural concrete.

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Overview 

History | Leadership Team | Delivery Methods

History

In December of 1972 Lorenz T. Bannes and Joseph F. Shaughnessy left their positions at a respected St. Louis general contractor to form Bannes-Shaughnessy, Incorporated. The company grew slowly but steadily, quietly building a reputation for quality and integrity, and for the ability to deliver unique building projects.  After a successful sixteen year run at Bannes-Shaughnessy, Bannes sold his stock to Joe Shaughnessy who then became sole owner of the company. To signal the change in the ownership structure, while retaining the same identity, the company was renamed BSI Constructors. Also at about that time, Joe Shaughnessy’s two oldest sons, Paul and Jim, joined the company in March and May, respectively, of 1989. The company is wholly owned by the Shaughnessy Family.

Some key milestones for the company:

  • 1972 – Bannes-Shaughnessy, Inc. is founded on December 18.
  • 1976 – Awarded first $1 million project for Hazelwood Central Senior High School.
  • 1981 – Awarded first $5 million project, the Roosevelt Savings Headquarters in Chesterfield, Mo.
  • 1987 – Company completes work on its current corporate headquarters at 6767 Southwest Avenue, which features 30,000 sf of office space and a 10,000 sf warehouse on 3.3 acres in southwest St. Louis.
  • 1987 – Awarded first $10 million project, the Washington University Medical Library.
  • 1989 – Joe Shaughnessy executes stock repurchase to become sole owner. Company is renamed “BSI Constructors, Inc." Paul & Jim Shaughnessy join the newly r enamed company.
  • 1990 – Awarded first $20 million project, McDonnell Hall for Washington University
  • 1995 – Awarded its first $35 million project, "E" Building for A.G. Edwards.
  • 2000 – Paul Shaughnessy is named President and Chief Operating Officer of BSI, with Joe Shaughnessy remaining Chairman
  • 2000 – Awarded its first $150 million project, "F" Building & Learning Center for A.G. Edwards.
  • 2007 – BSI celebrates its 35th Anniversary with corporate friends and associates over two nights of open houses at its newly renovated home office.

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Leadership Team 

BSI operates according to a very flat hierarchical structure. For a company that excels at larger projects, we have an absolute minimum of management layers. Our ownership team stays very close to all BSI projects. The basic BSI project operating unit includes a project manager and superintendent, with ongoing oversight provided by one of three BSI Project Executives. Larger projects will necessarily have larger assigned staffs, but the basic lines of responsibility and communication remain the same. Below are some of the people who fill key leadership roles at BSI.

Chairman of the Board

Joe Shaughnessy, P.E. – Co-Founder of the company and still a key part of BSI Constructors.  Helps provide overall direction for the company and advises on various business and technical matters. Received his BSCE from St. Louis University, served in the U.S. Navy, and has logged almost 50 years in the construction industry.  Recipient of numerous awards. In addition to his role with BSI, he is active in many civic and charitable organizations.

 

 

 President & Chief Operating Officer

Paul Shaughnessy – His first job at BSI was as a carpenter apprentice in 1979 after graduating from high school. Holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Missouri, and an MBA from Washington University. Worked four years in the mortgage banking industry before joining BSI Constructors full time in 1989. With BSI has served as project manager, estimator, and director of preconstruction services before being named President in 2000.

 

 

 Project Executives

Jim Shaughnessy – Along with his brother Paul, Jim is one of the two largest shareholders in BSI. Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Business & Economics from St. Louis University and joined BSI in 1989. He had proven himself to be one of the company's most effective big job project managers before being elevated to the Project Executive position. Jim also serves as Corporate Secretary and Treasurer.

 

 

Joe Kaiser, P.E. – B.S. in civil engineering (highest honors) and M.S. in construction management from the University of Illinois; MBA from Northern Illinois.  Joined BSI in 1985. For several years Joe served as executive in charge of all project management operations. However as the size and complexity of BSI projects has grown, the company has shifted to the Project Executive structure to facilitate more frequent executive attention to each of our projects. This enables Joe to provide an extremely high level of input and oversight to many of BSI's key projects.  Recently, Joe received the prestigious 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Illinois for his superior work in management of construction projects in the St. Louis area. 

Fred McCall – Earned his BS in Construction from Bradley University. Joined BSI in 1984. In addition to his role as Project Executive, Fred also serves as Chief Contracting Officer. Has been in charge of BSI's largest projects including the $150 million A.G. Edwards F Building & Learning Center. Fred is known throughout the industry as one of the top managers and buyers of construction.

 

 

Vice President of Field Operations

Don McCall – Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Construction from Bradley University.  He joined BSI in 1985.  In addition to acting as director of BSI’s field operations, Don has also served as superintendent on some of our largest and most challenging projects, including our largest project ever, the $150 million A.G. Edwards Office and Conference Center.  Among his many roles at BSI, Don is our resident expert on field logistics, structural concrete, and hoisting. 

 

 

Chief Safety Officer

Bruce Calvert – With our unwavering commitment to safety, Bruce Calvert performs a vital role at BSI.  He joined us in 2001 with over fifteen years of industrial safety experience, and became our Chief Safety Officer in 2003.  Bruce is a very “hands on” manager who spends most of his time on our jobsites teaching, coaching, and making sure our standards are upheld.  His leadership was instrumental in making BSI the first general contractor in our region to achieve OSHA VPP status.  Bruce is also very active promoting safety through our trade association (AGC) as safety committee chairman, and is a frequent speaker and lecturer at industry-related events.

Chief Financial Officer

Bob Poelker – Bob earned an MBA from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts from Benedictine College.  Bob joined BSI in 1983 and he is currently responsible for all financial and accounting functions of the corporation, including all job costing functions as well as all banking, insurance and tax matters.  In addition to his duties with BSI, Bob is very active in the AGC of St. Louis.

 

 

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Delivery Methods

Lump Sum Bidding

 When we started business in 1972, most of our work came to us through lump sum bidding.  As a new company with relatively few long term relationships, the best we could hope for was the opportunity to provide a bid to a prospective client.  While it was usually our low bid price that gave us the opportunity to perform a project, it was our commitment to service and schedule often allowed us to develop lasting relationships.  Today more than 75% of our work is obtained through means other than competitive bidding.  But with our determination to keep our “hard bid edge,” we continue to seek bidding opportunities and welcome the chance to be on a select bid list for a good client.

Negotiated General Contract

The Negotiated General Contract offers the construction buyer several benefits not inherent to the competitive bidding process:

  • Buyer is assured of working with their preferred general contractor.
  • Contractor input (value engineering & constructability analysis) early in the design process helps ensure cost-effective design solutions to the client’s needs.
  • Detailed document review during design helps minimize changes after bids are taken.
  • Predetermined fee percentage and open book project accounting serve to align interests of both the owner and contractor, while maintaining competitive bidding at the subcontractor and supplier level.
  • Potential for schedule acceleration through early ordering of long lead items, and development of early bid packages prior to overall completion of design.

Construction Management (as Constructor)

The BSI approach to Construction Management is very similar to the Negotiated General Contract method outlined above.  Other than the name, the buyer will notice very little difference between the two approaches.   Under this approach, BSI fulfills the role of both Construction Manager and General Contractor so there is no duplication of oversight and associated fees.

Construction Management (as Agent)

In certain circumstances, such as public work performed under state approved procurement procedures, the construction buyer is required to be the party of contract for all trade contracts.  BSI has performed successful projects under this scenario for clients such as the St. Louis Public Library, Southeast Missouri State University, Great Rivers Greenway, and the St. Louis Public School district.   While complying with applicable regulations can be a little more burdensome in this scenario, BSI has demonstrated an ability to maintain firm management control over the process and eliminate any duplication of contracting fees.

Design Build

In all of our negotiated general contract and construction management projects, we strive to achieve a high level of teamwork with the design team.  Sometimes, the client wants BSI to be the primary point of contact on the project and control the entire process including the design.  In those cases, we align ourselves with one or more of our strategic design partners to provide the client with a turnkey design build solution.  The Design Build process lets us pick the right designer for the particular project and provide a “one stop shop” for project delivery.  And BSI’s strong insurance program includes contingent design liability to ensure maximum protection to the client on both the construction and design side.

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