More than 60 companies were recognized for outstanding achievements in construction performance and safety during the 2025 Awards Banquet jointly hosted by the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT) and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF). The annual event, held on May 8 at Avalon Manor Banquet Center in Merrillville, drew over 600 professionals from across the region’s construction industry.

The celebration brought together owners, contractors, subcontractors, and industry stakeholders to recognize those making a lasting impact through high-quality project execution and a steadfast commitment to safety protocols. The banquet serves as a dual ceremony honoring both CAF’s Construction Excellence Awards and NWIBRT’s Safety Awards.

Aaron Janovitz, Chair of NWIBRT’s Safety Committee and Health and Safety Superintendent at bp Whiting Refinery, emphasized how integral safety and performance are to sustaining Indiana’s vibrant construction industry.

“Superior performance and a steadfast commitment to safety spells success in the construction industry. You can’t have one without the other, and we are truly fortunate in our region to have companies who embrace that philosophy and put it into practice every single day,” said Janovitz. “It is an honor to celebrate those companies that have such an impact on the industry today and are positioned to keep moving the needle forward well into the future.”

The Construction Excellence Awards, presented by CAF, spotlight projects and companies that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in design, execution, and client satisfaction. Dewey Pearman, executive director of CAF, noted that the winners represent the best of the industry.

“With the completion of each new project, the talent, commitment and dedication behind it reminds us that while it can sometimes be a challenging field to navigate, it is, without a doubt, always a rewarding industry to be in,” said Pearman. “With a foundation built from such a high caliber group of companies and leaders, the future of our industry looks stronger than ever.”

Top Honors

Some of the event’s most prestigious awards included:

• Company of the Year: Superior Engineering
• Contractor of the Year (Over 500,000 Hours): Amex Nooter
• Contractor of the Year (Under 500,000 Hours): BMWC Constructors, Inc.
• Commercial Contractor of the Year: Berglund Construction
• Industrial Contractor of the Year: Superior Construction
• Heavy Civil/Highway Contractor of the Year: Hasse Construction Co., Inc.
• Professional and Engineering Services Firm of the Year: DLZ
• Specialty Contractor of the Year: Thatcher Foundations Inc.

Project Highlights

Award-winning projects included:

• Commercial Project of the Year: HealthLinc by Larson-Danielson Construction Co., Inc.
• Industrial Project of the Year: bp Whiting Refinery by Superior Construction
• Public Works Project of the Year: SSO Remedial Project, Town of Highland by Grimmer Construction
• Heavy/Civil Highway Project of the Year: INDOT I-80/94 Project by Superior Construction
• Maintenance/Service Project of the Year: NIPSCO/Michigan City Unit 12 Outage by BMWC Constructors, Inc.

Innovation and Safety Recognized

Several companies were commended for implementing cutting-edge technologies and processes to enhance jobsite safety and performance:

• BMWC Constructors used 360-degree cameras to improve construction quality and safety.
• Fluor introduced safety software and tailored PPE.
• Superior Construction deployed the HammerTech platform to centralize safety data and reduce injuries.
• Solid Platforms, Inc. was recognized for its leadership and communication safety training program.

Life Saver Awards went to Branden Carden (Meade) and Jon O’Dor (Korellis) for actions that directly prevented serious harm.

Honoring Individuals

Numerous individual awards were given to skilled tradespeople and apprentices for leadership in safety. Site Safety Leaders of the Year included Travis Bergstrom of Superior Construction and Jason Morris of Cargill. Outstanding Craft and Apprentice Safety Leaders were recognized across trades, including ironworkers, carpenters, electricians, and laborers, highlighting the personal commitment to a safety-first culture.

Community and Industry Impact

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to professionals and organizations whose support strengthens the region’s safety and training initiatives. Notably, Rick Foor of Cargill received a Special Recognition Award for his continued contributions to safety and workforce development.

With safety and innovation at the forefront, the 2025 NWIBRT/CAF Awards Banquet celebrated more than past achievements—it underscored a promising future for Northwest Indiana’s construction industry driven by collaboration, skilled labor, and strong leadership.

Originally reported by Buillding Indiana Business.