Gaines and Company & Merritt Properties Develop More Than Your Typical Business Relationship
Over the last four years, Gaines and Company has been the sole subcontractor for all of Merritt’s North Carolina grading needs, providing the company with expertise and reliability.
Sometimes company relationships go as far as the success of the project. But in the case of Merritt Properties and Gaines and Company, it has turned into much more than that. It has turned into a partnership where both companies bring differing strengths to the table that not only enhance building development, but bring immeasurable growth and success to each organization. After four successful years of working together, Gaines and Merritt are just beginning a relationship that is advancing the building market in North Carolina.
The Beginning
Merritt Properties has been in the commercial real estate business for over five decades. They develop and manage commercial properties, providing homes for businesses throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. They have over $2.5 billion in real estate investments and manage over 21 million square feet of commercial real estate development.
Merritt’s North Carolina Field Superintendent, Chris Flowers, recalls interviewing local grading and utility contractors when Merritt first expanded to North Carolina four years ago.
Gaines’s professional grading services ensure Merritt a reliable foundation for their commercial building developments.
“During our interviews, we looked for companies that we trusted would be reliable and could handle the amount of work we had in our pipeline,” said Chris. “Gaines was a perfect and natural fit. Our companies have so many similarities, which help us understand how the other operates.”
“Both of our organizations have similar foundations – family owned, decades of commercial construction experience (Merritt: 57 years; Gaines: 70 years), Maryland headquarters, licensed in North Carolina – just to name a few,” said George Grammer, vice president of Gaines and Company’s North Carolina division. “I think this helped our two organizations hit it off right from the start.”
Projects
Over the last four years, Gaines and Company has been Merritt’s sole subcontractor for their North Carolina grading services. Projects they have worked on together include:
- Merritt TW Crossing (25 acres in Durham)
- Merritt Capital Business Park (75 acres in Wake Forest)
- 42 Crossing (22 acres in Garner)
- North Chapel Business Center (20 acres in Chapel Hill)
- Merritt Midway Business Park (35 acres in Knightdale)
“Both of our organizations bring immense experience to the table. When complications come up, we respectfully work together to overcome them,” said Gaines’s Grading Superintendent Jim Stafford.
“We prefer to see it as a partnership, not just them working for us,” added Chris. “For a project to be successful, it needs to benefit both us and our subcontractors. Since we began collaborating four years ago, Gaines has been essential to the success of our projects and our overall partnership.”
The Future
Management teams within Gaines and Merritt often discuss the industry together. They methodically strategize how to build, diversify, and strengthen not only themselves, but each other.
They also have a new project on the horizon – building Gaines and Company’s new North Carolina office and shop.
Gaines and Company provided grading services for 42 Crossing, a 3-building development in Garner, North Carolina.
“We’re quickly outgrowing our current space. When we thought about who to help us build a space that better fits our needs, Merritt immediately came to mind,” said George. “We work so well together that we know they will help us develop something that is perfect for our business.”
“This time, it will be their building – not ours,” added Chris. “We’re helping them understand the building process as they develop a successful office and shop to support their growing business.”
The partnership between Gaines and Merritt has evidently enhanced both companies. As their partnership strengthens, they will continue to push the bounds of North Carolina’s commercial building industry.
About Gaines and Company
Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with offices in Maryland and North Carolina. The organization has 70 years of experience in underground utilities, grading and excavating, sediment and erosion controls, and road work. Gaines and Company delivers safe, reliable, turnkey site development services in Maryland, North Carolina, Washington D.C., and Delaware on time and within budget. Learn more about Gaines and Company’s industry leading site development services.
About Merritt Properties
Merritt Properties has been managing and developing commercial properties – creating homes for businesses – since 1967. With over 200 locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida, the company has over 1,200 customers and manages roughly 21 million square feet of commercial real estate development. Visit the Merritt Properties website to learn more about their building excellence.
