Our name is changing but we remain committed to our long-term relationships, deeply held values, and connection to the communities where we live and work. In collaboration with the other teams in the Cerris group of companies, we are a stronger and more unified company committed to providing the greatest value to our customers, partners, and employee owners.
Our five core values drive our daily decisions and epitomize who we are as a company and as people. We work day in and day out to do business the right way. With a focus on teamwork, quality craftsmanship, caring heart, entrepreneurial spirit, and, above all else, integrity, our values remain at the core of who we are, and who we have been from day one. No doubt, they’re the reason behind our past successes and will continue to shape our vision for sustained success in the future.
It was the height of the great depression when Claude Sanders lost his plumbing job in Kansas City and courageously decided to start Midwest Plumbing and Heating Company on his own in 1932.
By the mid-1930s, Claude’s brothers, Perry and Lee, had also lost their jobs as plumber and pipefitter and joined Claude’s business as partners.
The business grew into a full-service commercial operation, and the brothers persevered through another difficult period during WWII.
In the early 1970s, Tom Sanders recognized a unique opportunity to enter the general contracting business. By 1971, the Sanders brothers had established MW Builders, Inc. as a general contracting branch of the company. The “MW” stands for the company’s longstanding history founded on Midwestern values; while “Builders” reflects the essence of being craftsmen.
One of the company’s first major projects was building for Motel 6 around the country.
By the late 1980s, the general construction business was booming, and another opportunity presented itself. The team was awarded work at Ft. Hood and quickly became known as a quality contractor that specialized in military projects.
To meet the growing demand of work in this area, the company opened an office in central Texas and added to its self-perform capabilities, which is still a major differentiator today. Since the 1980s, MW Builders has worked on over 15 military bases across the United States.
The Sanders family realized there are benefits to being a company owner – you are more vested in your work, get to share in success, and ultimately, customers benefit.
Partial ownership was transferred to employees in an ESOP in 1999, and by 2002, the company became 100% employee owned.
By 2010, it was clear the company could become stronger by unifying its seven operating subsidiaries into seamless national brands.
The mechanical side of the business consolidated four offices under the MMC Contractors brand, and the three offices that made up the general contracting business all became MW Builders, taking the first step forward in becoming a known national contractor.
MW Builders opens a Midland office after having a hand in building the Midland community for more than 20 years.
MW Builders takes pride in being an innovative industry leader through changing times and remains committed to establishing strong partnerships that help clients navigate the changing marketplace.
As part of an ongoing commitment to the region, in 2018 the company expanded into new facilities to the Austin metro to better serve this growing community.
As Texas remained the strongest construction market in the US with a high market potential score based on construction potential through 2025 and beyond, Dallas was an ideal location for MW Builders to expand and grow organically.
In 2020, the company opened its Dallas office, making it the third Texas location since its inception, allowing MW Builders to maintain and establish roots and relationships in Texas.
2021 is a special year for our team as it marks our 50th anniversary. That’s right, 50 years. We have accomplished so much from our inception in 1971 and we’re excited to expand on our momentum as we enter a new and exciting chapter of our organization. We owe our success to our phenomenal employee owners who have made MW Builders such a great place to work, and who have worked so hard to make our success a reality.
Also in 2021, we expanded our footprint into the sunshine state with the opening of our fifth office in Jacksonville. Our expertise in design-build, light industrial, multifamily, and hospitality are a perfect match for the growth plan for this area. We’ve spent the last fifty years honing our craft and building long-term relationships, and we’re committed to taking all of that to the next level as we expand into a new market.
Our company rebrands to Cerris Builders.
Work hard. Have fun. It’s not just a feel-good mantra. It’s how we operate — every day. We’ve created our culture this way because every milestone and every person deserves to be celebrated. At Cerris Builders, we don’t just build things. With each project, gathering, and celebration, we’re building our culture. A culture of pride. A culture centered on employee ownership, and a culture that treats all individuals with respect. It’s one we’ve worked hard to foster, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
At Cerris Builders, our first priority is always ensuring our employees make it home safely at the end of each day. To us, safety is about more than just numbers — it’s about building a strong culture wherein our employees are looking out for their well-being and safety and that of the individuals working with them.
