In 1972, after 25 years of being a successful design-build general contractor, the Sheridan Corporation’s leaders knew something was missing. That’s when they decided to make their company a member of ABC Maine.
This month, the Sheridan Corporation is celebrating 50 years of membership, and Dan Wildes and Don Avery say that deciding to join the organization was one of the best decision’s the company has made.
“Back then, we saw the need for an organization in Maine that not only provided contractors with resources for safe construction practices and a legislative voice but did so with the merit shop philosophy as its foundation,” says Dan, the Sheridan Corporation’s president.
The Sheridan Corporation, based in Fairfield, has in-house engineering and design capabilities. It self-performs a majority of its foundations, structural steel erection, rough carpentry. Its in-house concrete, steel, insulation and carpentry work is completed on-site in a 20,000 square foot fabrication facility. Dan says that gives Sheridan more control over scheduling and quality while helping deliver projects on budget and on time.
Fun facts about the Sheridan Corporation:
- The company is the third-oldest Butler builder in the world, having erected more than 3,000 of these light industrial metal buildings.
- Sheridan was the first construction company in Maine to require hard hats and safety nets on every job site.
- The company developed safety products and procedures that are still highlighted in OSHA training videos.
Its clients have included Bowdoin College, Delta Ambulance, the Brunswick Naval Air Station, the Bangor Air National Guard, Fryeburg Academy and Hadlock Field.
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES
For the past 50 years, Dan says the company has relied on the benefits of ABC Maine, which has included its efforts to recruit young people during a nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople. “It’s important that Maine’s students understand that there are good paying and rewarding careers in construction,” Dan says.
To further promote interest in the trades, Sheridan recently started a state-approved apprenticeship program with a local vocational and technical school and is working on partnerships with two other schools.
“It’s a win-win situation for the schools and our industry,” says Don, the company’s sales engineering manager.
With Maine being a rural state, Dan says it helps to network through an organization like ABC Maine, and it also helps to get ABC Maine’s support with training and advocacy around governmental issues. Over the years, our ABC membership has helped Sheridan’s business grow through networking and training opportunities.
SPRING IS HERE
It’s great to know that ABC Maine has had this kind of impact on a company that started doing business shortly after the end of the second world war.
In addition to the benefits Dan, Don and so many others appreciate, ABC Maine offers an apprenticeship program that includes classroom and on-the-job training. It also offers workforce and business development, discount programs, continuing education, social media exposure and more.
In other news, the calendar says April, which means the sun is setting after 7 p.m., the mud is getting thicker, and the summer will be here soon. As work resumes outside, look for upcoming member events. Also, are the 16 companies celebrating membership anniversaries this month, including Sheridan:
- The Sheridan Corporation – 50 years
- Hanover Insurance Company – 32 years
- Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson – 19 years
- Shaw Brothers Construction – 19 years
- Enterprise Fleet Management – 18 years
- Atwork Personnel Services – 16 years
- Varney Agency – 15 years
- Clark Insurance – 11 years
- King Electric – 11 years
- ServPro of Maine – 10 years
- R.E. Coleman Excavation – 7 years
- Hi Tech Insulation Services – 6 years
- Optimum Construction, Inc. – 5 years
- Taylor, McCormack & Frame, LLC – 3 years
- Print Bangor – 1 year
- Rogue Wear – 1 year
DON’T FORGET TO JOIN
To learn more about ABC Maine membership, contact ABC Maine’s Membership Director Tami Staples at (207) 620-6561, or email her at tami@abcmaine.org.