News: Owners Developers & Managers

W.L. French Excavating recognized with the 2016 Mass. Family Business of the Year Award by Northeastern University

Shown (from left) are: Founder Bill French, Sr., president Bill French, Jr. and vice president Tom Dion Shown (from left) are: Founder Bill French, Sr., president Bill French, Jr. and vice president Tom Dion

North Billerica, MA  After nearly a half-century in business, W.L. French Excavating Corp. is celebrating several recent awards recognizing continued sustained growth, industry leadership, quality work and focus on community.

Earlier this summer W. L. French Excavating was recognized as the winner in the large firms category (100+ employees) at the 2016 Massachusetts Family Business of the Year Awards, presented annually by the Northeastern University Center for Family Business.

W. L. French Excavating was selected for the honor based on its excellence in the categories of business success, positive business and family linkages, multi-generational family involvement, contributions to the community and industry, and innovative business practices or strategies.

“It is an honor to be named Massachusetts Family Business of the Year.  We are very proud of the work we have done as a family to build and grow this business to where it is today.  We consider our core group of employees and the vital team that supports us a part of our family and our success  – we would not be where we are today without them,” said company president, Bill French, Jr.

With a three-year sales growth of 82%, today W. L. French Excavating Corp. was included among the nation’s fastest-growing independent small businesses on Inc. Magazine’s 35th annual Inc. 5000 list.

W. L. French was also named as one of Boston Business Journal’s Top 100 Largest Private Companies in Massachusetts, moving up 13 spots from last year’s ranking of private companies based on self-reported revenue. 

Placement on these lists affirms W. L. French’s success and growth resulting from its commitment to a wide range of clients, its role as a leader in the Massachusetts construction and soil management and disposal industry, as well as its philanthropic and community-focused efforts.

W. L. French’s clients include leading general contractors and construction managers, commercial real estate developers, institutions, various state agencies and municipalities as well as urban commercial developments.

W. L. French Excavating Corp. is a family-owned company providing construction services across New England since 1972.

Services offered include mass excavation, site remediation, heavy utility construction, soil and waste management, operation of soil reuse facilities and snow and ice management services.

MORE FROM Owners Developers & Managers

Heritage Properties celebrates preleasing of The Emery in Lowell

Lowell, MA According to Heritage Properties, The Emery – its newest multifamily community in downtown – is officially open for preleasing. Located at 218 Middlesex St., The Emery is at the corner of Middlesex and Pearl Sts. in the city’s JAM (Jackson/Appleton/Middlesex) urban renewal neighborhood zone.
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Retail infill strategy to activate Pawtucket’s Conant Thread District - by Gaetan Kashala

Retail infill strategy to activate Pawtucket’s Conant Thread District - by Gaetan Kashala

Until recently, the Conant Thread District consisted of approximately 150 acres of underutilized industrial land spanning Pawtucket and Central Falls. Today, the area is one of the most significant
Florida ruling raises bar for condo terminations and buyouts - by Michael Karsch

Florida ruling raises bar for condo terminations and buyouts - by Michael Karsch

On October 14, 2025, in a landmark decision with significant implications for the Florida real estate market, the Supreme Court of Florida formally denied Two Roads Development’s (TRD Biscayne LLC) petition for review in its long-running case against unit owners of Biscayne 21,
IREM president’s message:  Our new reality - Staying ahead of supply chain delays - by Yoany Vargas

IREM president’s message: Our new reality - Staying ahead of supply chain delays - by Yoany Vargas

Supply chain delays are slowing construction, ratcheting up operating costs, and extending turnover timelines across Greater Boston, directly reducing revenue and increasing the workload for multifamily and

Revitalized Town Centers:  Retail??? - by Carol Todreas

Revitalized Town Centers: Retail??? - by Carol Todreas

It is now widely accepted that customers want to shop in person at physical stores. Brands know that they do better business in a physical store than just on line so they want to open stores. Demand for retail space by digital merchants, local entrepreneurs, and newly developed national chains