Built by Merit: Profiles Of ABC Member Projects
W.M. Schultz Construction is a merit shop contractor based out of Ballston Spa, New York and has been a long time member and supporter of ABC. They perform a variety of heavy civil infrastructure work in the water and wastewater markets, transportation, and industrial markets. They look for complex and demanding work that requires extensive pre-planning and coordination. The bulk of their work is within a three-hour drive of their office which envelopes a significant portion of the Northeast. In fact, you’ve probably seen W.M. Schultz’s green trucks traveling throughout New York State since the company was started by its founder and current president and CEO, Bill Schultz.
Bill had worked for many years learning the benefits and flexibilities that the merit shop philosophy offers from his father. When Bill’s father retired, Bill had the vision of starting his own company. W.M. Schultz Construction was created in 2000 and the company has grown under Bill’s leadership and to date has successfully completed projects in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
As a member of several years, they are actively involved in the Eastern New York region of ABC. Whether it’s financially supporting an event or supplying personnel to attend events to promote the ABC cause, Schultz believes in the value that ABC brings to the merit shop community. “ABC has had our backs when issues have arisen and have been instrumental in helping us achieve our success in a state that often favors special interest groups”, says Schultz’s Dave Rakvica who currently serves on ABC’s regional council.
The company recently completed a major upgrade to the Owego Wastewater Treatment Facility which was a $4 million upgrade of the county waste treatment systems to improve efficiencies. The project was performed concurrently with active operations so that existing wastewater could be treated during the system upgrades. The project had several access challenges so work could be performed alongside of delicate active systems. The project consisted of the complete rehabilitation of two existing oxidation ditches with a new aeration system to increase plant efficiencies. The plant upgrades included a new masonry headworks building, new headworks equipment, a new masonry blower building and new blower equipment and piping, new RAS & WAS pumps, all necessary piping, and integration of all electrical systems. Schultz self-performed 90% of the work on this project with its own employees who met the many challenges thrown their way.