A.J. Johns Inc. offers site development services, including roadway, water, sewer, drainage and curb work.

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Site contractor A.J. Johns Inc. manages to stay busy, even though it services only a five-county area surrounding Jacksonville, Fla., Vice President and General Superintendent John Kirkland says. The company offers a variety of services such as site development, which includes roadway, water, sewer, drainage and curb work.

The company was founded in 1970 and offered only utility services at first. In the 1980s, it began adding more services. “We wanted to be able to better supply our clients with the total package, instead of having to deal with different people to get [projects] done,” Kirkland explains.

A.J. Johns continuously strives to adapt to customer needs and market changes. For example, until recently, 80 percent of its workload came from the residential market. But with the housing slowdown, the company focused on the commercial market. “We are establishing new relationships with the general contractors and developers that are coming in [from the commercial sector],” he says. “We have a commitment to shape ourselves as the world changes.”

Performing commercial projects has not been difficult for the company, although it has had to adapt to some changes.

“In residential, we are there from start to finish,” Kirkland explains. “With commercial, it is different because we go in stages and sequences.

“We are usually working alongside other subcontractors.

“It’s not bad, it’s just different,” he notes. “We, as [is] everyone, are recovering from the sluggish market. By taking on new challenges, we are creating new relationships with general contractors.
“When the residential market comes back – and it will come back – we intend to keep performing and bidding [on commercial work] as we go back to the residential sector.”

Oakleaf Plantation Project
In 2002, the company took on a monumental task when it was awarded a portion of the Oakleaf Plantation project, a five-subdivision, 600-lot development in Clay County.    

The $6 million project, which included pipe work and roadway construction, had to be completed in 150 days, Kirkland recalls.

“It was a very rushed project with a very limited time,” he says. In fact, crews from several of the company’s competitors came on to assist in finishing the project on time, he adds. “This was the fastest-paced residential project that this company, or any other in our area, ever tackled.”

Scheduling the work was a major undertaking. “When we do a project like that, we have the beginning and the ending date scheduled,” he says.

“We just have to look at the critical paths and adjust for them.”

The project was under a tight schedule due to the fact many people were involved in the funding and financial aspect of the project. “That’s just the needs of the developers,” he says.

Solid Reputation
President A.J. Johns, owner and founder of the company, is well known and respected in the community, Kirkland says. He was appointed to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and later reappointed by current Gov. Charlie Crist.

His reputation allowed the company to call on other local contractors for help on the Oakleaf project.

“We are competitors, but can all come together to supply the needs of our clients,” Kirkland says. “Communication is the key to success.”

Mission Accomplished
In recent years, construction companies have increased their focus on safety, Kirkland says. A.J. Johns has followed that trend by updating its safety program, and in May, it received the William H. Feather Safety Award.

The national award, presented by the National Utility Contractor’s Association, is based on the company’s safety programs and mod rate, which is .79.

“The William H. Feather’s award was a goal we’ve had for some time now,” he says. “Every employee in this company knows and understands they have been a part of this.”

In 2007, the company required new hires to complete a two-day, in-house safety orientation program. Veteran employees, including Kirkland, who did not complete the two-day safety program when they were hired, were also required to participate. “We talked about basic things, such as lifting procedures, first aid, personal protection, and using hand tools,” he says.

The program has helped workers exhibit more confidence on the job site, Kirkland says. “It’s all about awareness,” he adds.

“Our safety record is really something to be proud of and that’s a credit to the people who have worked hard to get us to where we are today,” Mr. Johns said in a letter.         

“We are rapidly becoming the benchmark company in our industry and we are on track to show other companies how to do things ‘The A.J. Johns Inc. Way,’” he added.