Boston, MA Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ). The award honors companies creating the most enjoyable and meaningful work environments, based on anonymous employee surveys collected from companies in the city. The BBJ recognized this year’s Best Places to Work honorees during an event on June 22 at Symphony Hall. Kaplan ranked 11th in the extra-small (20-49 employees) category.
“The BBJ's Best Places to Work awards program is one of our most competitive programs in terms of how many companies participate each year and always one of our most successful in terms of how many people attend our awards event,” said Carolyn Jones, the BBJ market president and publisher. “This year well over 350 companies submitted surveys and once again we are extremely excited to be able to recognize these employers that clearly value their employees and go the extra mile to create great workplaces.”
In September 2014 Kaplan announced the culmination of a three-year management transition. Nathan Peck was promoted to president and Jane Kaplan Peck, majority owner, was appointed COO. Founders Ken and Cathy Kaplan took on new roles as chairman of the board and senior advisor, respectively. Since the transition, the company was certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Commonwealth of Mass., named by The Commonwealth Institute as a Top 100 Women-led Business for two years in a row, and has grown by 30%.
“It is an honor to be recognized on the Boston Business Journal’s prestigious list for a third year in a row, and validates our commitment to our employees,” said Jane Kaplan Peck, COO at Kaplan Construction. “We strive to make everyone feel like a valued member of Kaplan and pride ourselves on providing challenging opportunities to grow and develop while emphasizing the importance of a balanced home and work life to keep our employees happy.”
Recent Kaplan projects include:
• The Hyde Square Youth Community Development Center in Jamaica Plain, Mass.: Kaplan was retained by the Hyde Square Task Force to renovate the Cheverus Building, a former Catholic elementary school in Jamaica Plain. 13,000 SF of the historic building now function as the Hyde Square Youth Community Development Center, an educational and community facility designed to empower teens and their families. The renovations focused on ADA accessibility improvements, including the addition of an elevator, as well as interior finish updates, office renovations, the creation of performance and dance space, and soundproofing.
• Castle Island Brewing Company in Norwood, Mass.: Kaplan delivered construction management services for an expansion to Castle Island Brewing Company, enlarging the production area with a supplemental structural slab to support up to 14 additional fermentation tanks, which would increase brewing capacity to over 40,000 barrels annually. Additionally, Kaplan added a taproom with bar, upgraded the informal merchandise area to create a dedicated display and retail area, and performed cosmetic and ADA accessibility upgrades to the bathrooms.
• Tilia in Jamaica Plain, Mass.: Luzern Associates of Boston engaged Kaplan for preconstruction and construction management services for Tilia, a 49,300 SF sustainable urban living community in Jamaica Plain, Mass. Phase A of the three-phase housing development project consists of five buildings divided into 24 modern energy-efficient townhouse-style condominiums, with three of the units designated as affordable, and is expected to be complete in November of 2017.
• Congregation KI in Brookline Mass.: Congregation KI has engaged Kaplan for a complete interior renovation to the existing buildings as well as a 10,000 SF addition. The work, designed to improve the facilities and make them ADA compliant, will require heavy structural modifications and the installation of new bathrooms, an elevator, and modern HVAC, mechanical, and lighting systems. The new addition will create a social hall with a catering kitchen and direct access from the Sanctuary for hosting special events. In 2016, Kaplan completed an exterior restoration to the congregation’s sanctuary and school, which were originally constructed in 1924.
The submission process was launched in February by the BBJ in conjunction with employee performance research firm Quantum Workplace of Omaha, Nebraska. Over 350 participating companies were evaluated on the results of more than 31,000 employee engagement surveys. Factors considered include communication and resources, individual needs, manager effectiveness, personal engagement, team dynamics and trust in leadership.
Kaplan Construction is a WBE general contractor and construction management company that provides comprehensive building programs including preconstruction planning, construction management, design-build services, and general construction for commercial, healthcare, multi-family, worship, and institutional clients. Serving Greater Boston since 1976, Kaplan is dedicated to building trusted, long-lasting relationships with its staff and clients based on professional teamwork, personal service, and quality craftsmanship. The company’s proactive approach features lean building techniques and integrated project delivery (IPD) that often realize substantial cost savings and earlier completion dates for its clients, while its dedication to safety far surpasses industry standards. Kaplan has earned its reputation for excellent customer service and superb workmanship, and the company’s highly successful projects have garnered a long list of industry awards and repeat clients. For more information, please visit www.kaplanconstructs.com.
