Consolidated Construction acquires James J. Calmes in Kaukauna (Update)

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The Appleton-based design-build firm Consolidated Construction Services announced Tuesday that it has bought James J. Calmes and Sons Construction.

Calmes, also a design-build firm, will continue operating out of its Kaukauna offices under the name Calmes Construction Services, a Division of Consolidated Construction Co., Inc. All current employees, including President Randy Calmes, will remain with the company.

The purchase will give Consolidated Construction, already a full-service firm, access to Calmes’ carpentry unit and various office resources. James J. Calmes and Sons Construction was formed in 1961 and initially specialized in residential construction. It has since become a primarily commercial contractor performing work in the Kaukauna, Appleton and Green Bay areas. Its projects include various local restaurants, churches, schools and offices. It has a unit specializing in underground utility work and, in 2006, added a division that builds custom cabinets, bars, home-theater seating and other specialty casework.

Besides Appleton, Consolidated Construction Services has offices in Columbus, Wisconsin; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Bismarck, North Dakota. Its projects include the conversion of a former Target store in Brown Deer into an industrial cooler for Midwest Refrigerated Services; a headquarters building for Werner Electric Services in Appleton; a headquarters building for Airgas in Appleton; the Rincon 225 Apartment Community in Hartford; and various hospitality, office and school projects in Wisconsin and elsewhere.

Besides giving Consolidated Construction access to Calmes’ resources, the purchase is meant to help ensure Consolidated can meet its workforce needs amid the construction industry’s persistent labor shortage.

“Having more in-house skilled trade talent allows us to provide expanded services to a wider variety of clients,” said Consolidated President John Schneider. “Calmes Construction has earned a tremendous reputation and a loyal customer base throughout the region. We plan to honor that legacy and believe this melding of talent will strengthen Consolidated Construction’s market position by giving us access to new opportunities.”