Bridgeport, CT Viking Construction has achieved the Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Only 229 of the nation’s elite merit shop construction contractors earned the credential in 2021.

“Viking has been in business for 30 years because we are always focused on quality, from the top down, in everything we do,” said Anthony Gaglio, Sr., president of Viking. “It is extremely meaningful to receive this elite status from the ABC, which recognizes the work of every single employee at Viking and the attention we all place on what is important – safety, education and culture.”

Launched in 1993, ABC’s AQC program provides recognition to world-class construction firms that have documented their commitment in five areas:

• Quality;

• Safety performance;

• Talent management;

• Craft and management education; and

• Community relations, inclusion, diversity and equity

“Accredited Quality Contractors are the types of companies I want to work for and do business with because of the priority placed on world-class safety, culture, workforce development, innovation, diversity and quality,” said 2021 ABC national chair of the board of directors Steve Klessig, vice president of architecture and engineering, Keller Inc.

“Congratulations to the leadership and employees of Viking Construction for your daily commitment to corporate and community service; you exemplify the merit shop philosophy and what’s best about ABC membership.”

In earning the AQC credential, each member company commits to world-class safety by achieving Gold, Platinum or Diamond level in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System. Founded more than three decades ago, STEP dramatically improves safety performance among construction industry participants, with top performers achieving incident rates more than eight times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average.

AQC members also take the following pledge:

“As an Accredited Quality Contractor, our company is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality construction services, and we care deeply about our employees and the communities in which we build. We are proud to be part of the construction industry and are dedicated to the principles of free enterprise. We commit ourselves to serve our communities and provide our employees with the skills they need to work safely and productively in order to meet the needs of our clients.”

AQC is recognized by Construction Users Roundtable, an organization founded by leading construction project owners.