MAPP Construction:Not your typical contractor

Source: Exec Digital USA

Date :03/09/2008 16:24:28

This Louisiana firm plots its path to success with a can-do approach that has produced an impressive client list

Written By Gabe Perna

If you do some navigating on the MAPP Construction Web site you’ll come across the company’s core values. Often times the stated values of a company can seem superficial and rudimentary. However, with MAPP Construction, those values are far from a carbon copy of a typical general contracting company.

Included are the statements “having fun” and “being different.” They exemplify a uniqueness embedded in the company’s philosophy. Ask Founder and President Michael Polito one particular quality that makes MAPP Construction stand out and he’ll give you a clear answer. “What makes us unique is the aggressive management style we have, whether it’s in pricing a project, in executing schedule or quality – we’re on the curve of aggression very high. That’s the difference between us and others; it’s our attitude,” says Polito.

This is the philosophy Polito employed when starting the company in 1991. According to the MAPP Web site, he started out with aggressive young professionals and experienced veterans. The team quickly grew successful and is now a regional power with locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Houston and Orlando.

Wide array of projects

MAPP is located in regions throughout the South. This allows it to take on a bevy of impressive projects. In fact, MAPP provides general commercial contracting services to 11 sectors ranging from sports and entertainment to warehouse and distribution centers.

“We are involved in all sectors in commercial construction, anywhere ranging from retail to warehouse to hospitality. Basically if it’s a commercial building with four walls we’ll do it,” says Polito.

The company has been working on large projects in the oil and gas industry, including one with Chevron. According to Polito, MAPP helped construct a 250,000-square-foot headquarters with an additional parking garage. The company is also in the process of building an office for Shell Oil. “We are always looking to work with those types of clients. They are sophisticated players of construction who are spending capital expenditure at the moment,” says Polito.

Technological Advances

MAPP is in the process of major technological updates from both a material and management standpoint. "Obviously architects and projects are experimenting with new materials, better metals, new ways of creating a new look. From a management standpoint we are speeding up the communication process with computers. As managers we focus on how we improve communication. How we can get it faster and better, how we remove errors, where’s there room for improvement, etc.,” says Polito.

A people portal is an example of this technological advancement. According to Polito, the IT team at MAPP will set up a homepage where employees, sub-contractors and clients can access and disperse among the different sectors to discuss potential problems.

“There is constant communication among employees allowing us to measure on how we are doing against goals. Employees are constantly reminded of their goals. We have the ability through computers and different programs to track and notify you of things that are coming due and past due,” says Polito.

“There are software programs, accounting programs taken in the last 10 years with so much information at the fingertips. You can’t walk into a trailer these days without seeing a superintendent researching the manufacturer’s Web site on the product data and installation data. Those are the things that you combine to expedite projects.”

Polito also says that as far as technology is concerned, MAPP is looking to implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) sometime in the future. This system will allows everyone’s vision – from all the sub-contractors to the clients – to tie in with the architect drawing on a virtual platform. BIM is being used on the Shell Oil project.

“It appears it would be a great opportunity. It’s trying to get everyone on the same page with the same information. With any new technology when you have so many people on a team, you must find out how do we get there from the start? That is the key,” says Polito.

Training Camp

As MAPP heads into the next generation of management, Polito says it’s important for them to use continuing education training programs to teach their future leaders.

”There is a lot of continuing education that we promote. All employees are required some form of continuing education to get bonuses, salary increases. We train future leaders of the company. It involves leadership training, financial training, presentation and just a host of curriculum, while shadowing of existing leaders,” says Polito.

In the MAPP MBA program, they take eight to 10 of the top young people and try to give them additional training outside their field of discipline.

“I think it’s been hugely successful, the growth of the group has been fantastic and they have already taken on leadership roles in organization and exceeded my expectations in a short time,” says Polito.

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