Investing In Growth | Senne Company
Photo by Jennifer Goetz
Companies that have stood strong for more than 100 years understand the importance of continually adapting for the future, while keeping an appreciation for the past. That mindset has kept Senne Company changing, growing and thriving since 1914.
BUILT ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
Senne opened its doors in 1914. Company founder George Senne was a general contractor that valued reputation, honesty, fairness, and taking good care of his customers. As construction services changed and technology improved, these values still influence the company 100 years later.
As manufacturing in Topeka boomed during the 1950s, Senne saw the need for industrial construction and large equipment installations for customers like Goodyear. The diversification into millwright work lives on at Senne today, strengthened by recent investments in the custom fabrication shop. The millwright division performs work behind the scenes, from heavy and precision equipment setting, laser shaft alignments, structural repairs, large relocation projects, and industrial facility maintenance.
Senne President Matt McGivern says the ability to offer custom fabrications sets Senne apart from other general contractors. It allows the company to be more creative with greater flexibility in solving complex issues.
“Many customers will have an idea on how they want to solve a problem,” McGivern said. “Having diverse expertise with the building division, the millwrights and the custom fabrication shop, services that all complement each other, allows us to help customers break down their objectives and meet them in a way other people might not have considered.”
For example, Topeka High School needed access above the school auditorium’s vaulted plaster ceiling. Their idea was to install a series of catwalks and ladders above the old ceiling. Senne worked closely with USD 501 to rethink the objectives. Relocating the hoisting equipment to a safer attic location was much more economical and practical. Through a series of cables, pulleys and fabricated parts, the chandeliers are now operable by remote control from the auditorium floor. All custom fabrications were built in-house.
Photo by Jennifer Goetz
PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Senne used the pandemic to take a step back, analyze the company, and develop a plan for sustainable growth.
“We’re planning for the next five years and the next 50 years at the same time.” McGivern said.
McGivern said they wanted to stay true to their company DNA, which is a Topeka company that embraces problem solving, creativity, fairness and long-term partnerships.
“We have tailored our business to the Topeka market for over 100 years. We want to continue investing in this strategy and focus on better serving the local market,” he said.
This means jobs might range from smaller renovations for local businesses like Milk & Honey Coffee Co. and TFM Communications, to having the qualifications to handle larger jobs in Topeka when needed.
Focusing on the core values of the company has led Senne to one of the most dynamic years in company history. In 2022, accomplishments included large-scale investments in the fabrication shop and strong growth in the building division of the company. Construction projects included large scale renovations for the new Shawnee County Administrative Building, a sizable addition at the Stormont Vail Health’s Cotton O’Neil Cancer Center, large fabrications and installations for the Honest Kitchen, renovations for Helping Hand’s new Spay and Neuter Clinic, and work with local developers on historic properties at the Vendor’s Market and The Beacon event venue.
“We have been fortunate to have so many clients that entrusted us to be their contractor in 2022. Folks like Crown Distributors, Topeka ProDental, 7 Brew Coffee, the Silver Lake School District, Azura Credit Union, Murphy Tractor, there are just too many to name,” added Kenny Hartter, senior project manager and head of the general contracting division. “We value our relationships with not only our clients, but with our team of highly skilled local subcontractors that Topeka has to offer, not to mention the self-perform Senne team we have been able to build over the last couple of years. The design teams we had the pleasure of working with in 2022 have been incredible.”
The strategy has paid off for Senne. Projects slated for 2023 include the recently announced renovations at the Shawnee County Courthouse, a new building for a local university, several new buildings for industrial clients, and steady fabrication and millwright work.
“Last year was special for growth,” said McGivern. “This year is on track for further sustainable growth that fits nicely within our company philosophy.”
INVESTMENT FOR GROWTH
The strategy for long term growth included a significant investment in fabrication equipment, technology, and other improvements in the fabrication shop. Randy Haas, vice president and head of the millwright division, managed the recent shop improvements.
“The investment in fabrication equipment complements and enhances our existing services tremendously well,” said Haas. “Now we can shape and form our parts with CNC precision and quality.”
New equipment includes Hi Definition CNC Plasma with 12’ x 6’ capacity and bevel cutting capabilities, a 250-ton CNC 4-axis press brake, a CNC plate roller, a CNC angle roller, a CNC bandsaw, and a dry metal sander.
This new equipment not only helps improve and diversify their custom fabrication services but also increases efficiency and productivity when least expected. It gives Senne the ability to fabricate parts for smaller maintenance projects, as well as finished metal products for its general construction projects. Most general contractors wouldn’t have this flexibility.
“We can complete fabrication jobs much faster, and it frees up time for the fabrication shop to handle more custom jobs from clients ranging from Fortune 500 types to call-in/ walk-in work for individuals,” Haas said.
This means Senne can better tailor the services it already provides to allow them to be more creative when meeting customer needs.
INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE
Growth in volume on the general contracting side of the company has required an investment in people with the experience and characteristics that fit within the company philosophy. In 2022, Senne added numerous craft personnel and four management employees to the construction side of the company.
“As we consider taking on new work, we want to ensure we are continuing to take care of our customers,” McGivern said. “Having quality people on the team is what makes this place work. In a town the size of Topeka, your reputation is everything. Being fair, honest, and doing good work is what we want to focus on.”
That investment in people extends outside of Senne Company’s doors to the greater community as well.
“Community engagement is critical, and so are the quality-of-life improvements our local leaders are pushing,” McGivern said. “Shawnee County is important to us. We are proud to live here.”
