During the past 12 years, CEC has grown from a small electrical contractor to one of the most trusted full-MEP partners in Texas. As part of our anniversary month, CEC is celebrating 12 ways we’ve grown since 2009. In this week’s segment, we focus on our support and subsequent growth.
To read the first week of posts, click here. A third section will follow next week.
We’re always safe
In 2009, CEC had a strong commitment to safety. Over the years, we supercharged it with better tools and methods.
Successful safety programs begin with proactive prevention. At CEC, we’ve grown to focus on leading indicators to reduce the risk. We train our team to identify hazards before an injury occurs, and empower them to use their stop-work authority if they see an issue. As part of this effort, we use an operational risk management system before every shift. We believe that a team that is mentally primed for safe work will be in the right mindset for an injury-free day.
We leverage our lagging indicators through a web-based safety management system. When we combine all our leading- and lagging-indicator data, we make better decisions on our team’s health and wellbeing. That’s why we’ve seen a marked improvement in our metrics the past few years.
We like to celebrate our team, too. This month, we implemented a new hardhat sticker system. Like high school and college football teams, we give each teammate a firefly sticker to show their dedication to safety. Over time, these stickers will help our teammates show pride in their safety.
Developing team, growing roster
Ray Waddell founded CEC with approximately 25 teammates. Twelve years later, CEC has more than 750 on staff. It has been a steady climb through retention, training and leadership development. CEC added an in-house leadership course in 2019. It has graduated 80, who are now taking the next step in their careers.
Those leaders are finding new opportunities through broadening services for our customers. When we discuss promotions, we build clear growth plans with defined roles and responsibilities. This forward-looking training keeps everyone accountable to our growth plan. For those in the skilled trades, we provide training support through IEC and North Texas CEF.
Growth also requires input from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our success comes from our diversity of thought, which is why CEC provides equal employment opportunities.
Expanding our footprint
CEC started as an electrical contractor operating exclusively in Dallas-Fort Worth. By 2014, CEC had added a mechanical group and a service department. Four years later, plumbing and corporate interiors joined the team. Now, CEC has 12 offerings ranging from structured cabling to wind/solar farm substations.
CEC’s audio-visual, technology, long-haul fiber and telecom network and design teams are the newest additions. That growth has led to a larger footprint. CEC now has two offices in the Metroplex, a significant presence in Central Texas, and current projects in 20 states.
Our long-haul fiber team transits the nation, working to bring broadband internet to rural America. It’s active in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, while pursuing additional work in multiple other states. Our in-building wireless team has a similar footprint.
Strong reputation leads to repeat work
A decade ago, CEC was a young organization. Ray and other company leadership had to prove the company was functionable and reliable. Through Ray’s focus on providing for our customers, CEC has grown to one of the leading contractors in the state. CEC’s strong reputation has led to renewed business.
Today, CEC continues its Operational Excellence campaign to provide additional value to its customers. With more than $176 million in revenue in 2020, CEC is primed to continue its slow, steady growth.
Our office, our work
For the first seven years, CEC was based in its Fort Worth office park. CEC realized it needed a new headquarters that exemplified the values it provides for its customers. CEC leadership decided to build an energy-efficient and modern building. The result is a LEED Gold-certified two-story showcase. It displays many of our capabilities: LED smart lighting, exposed plenum ductwork, audio-visual capabilities, leading-edge in-building wireless systems. Behind the walls, CEC’s plumbing and structured cabling also provide top-of-the-line services to the building. Outside, CEC installed electric vehicle chargers for teammates and visitors.
In 2019, CEC expanded once again. Its Grand Prairie office houses the mechanical, plumbing, and service departments. Located just off Highway 360, CEC’s fleet can be on its way to DFW customers in minutes.
Check back next week for the final segment.