Published March 2003

Allied’s workload hasn’t slowed with economy

Photo courtesy of Allied Construction Associates Inc. Allied Construction Associates Inc. of Everett has worked on a variety of public- and private-sector projects, from bank buildings to educational facilities, such as Pioneer Elementary School in Arlington.

By Kimberly Hilden
SCBJ Assistant Editor

An anemic economy usually doesn’t translate into more projects for a commercial contractor, as companies hold off on expansion or renovation plans in the face of market uncertainty.

Not so for Allied Construction Associates Inc., an Everett-based commercial contractor that works in both the public and private sectors. Officials there say the 14-year-old company is busier than ever — thanks, in part, to that anemic economy.

“(With the economy), people are looking for quality, but they’re also looking for someone to do the job efficiently,” said Scott Bjella, a partner in the company along with founder Steve Romberger.

And Allied’s mix of public/private projects — 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively — has created a work culture sharpened by the “cut throat” public bidding process and attuned to customers’ needs, said Keith Bjella, Allied’s project manager and Scott’s brother.

That combination of competitiveness and service has lent itself in recent years to the construction of Pioneer Elementary School in Arlington and additions to Granite Falls Middle School and High School; construction and renovation of a number of Frontier Bank offices, including its administrative offices in Everett; and work for Coastal Community Bank.

“We’ve got a bigger load of private work than we’ve ever had,” Keith Bjella said of the past year, which included construction projects for a Unity Church, Marble Slab Creamery and Camp Fire USA’s Camp Killoqua.

Allied’s public sector work has continued strong as well, he said, noting that the company is working on its biggest project to date: a $10 million school in Burlington to serve kindergarten through eighth grade.

With a bonding capacity of $18 million, Allied is a small to midsize general contractor that specializes in “complicated, detailed projects,” Keith Bjella said. The company keeps control of scheduling and quality by ensuring that at least 50 percent of the work is done directly by company staff, and that additional subcontractors meet Allied’s standards of proficiency and efficiency.

“Working as a team is critical to us,” said Romberger, who began the business in 1988 as Allied Construction Specialties before incorporating with Scott Bjella in 1996.

That’s the philosophy behind “Allied,” Romberger said: an alliance between the contractor, the client and others involved with a project, including architects and lenders.

“I get great satisfaction from building relationships, working with individuals who are excited about their work and customers with a similar mind set,” he said.

To keep Allied’s staff of 30 excited about their work, Romberger and Scott Bjella foster an atmosphere where people feel they can try new things, whether it’s a more efficient building technique or growing a new market.

For instance, Keith Bjella has been given the go-ahead to pursue chain-based clientele, something the company has not actively pursued in the past, but which brings with it the promise of more repeat customers to go along with Allied’s referral-based clients, which “are amazing,” Scott Bjella said.

His brother agreed.

“I would say that every private client I’ve seen or come across has either proactively referred us or had us do additional work,” Keith Bjella said.

While the company’s project roster has grown in size and dollar amount over the years, its principals say future growth isn’t about the size of its bond capacity but the quality of its work force.

“We want to keep surrounding ourselves with positive, stimulating, progressive individuals. If we can do that, we’ll continue to grow,” Scott Bjella said.

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