BizTimes Milwaukee: What is your corporate philosophy? What sets it apart?
Eric Schmidt: CG Schmidt can be defined by our mission to create exceptional facilities that improve the lives of others. We have been in business for over 100 years and this commitment continues to drive our core values today. Our founder, and my great-grandfather, Charles Schmidt, instilled the values of integrity, caring, and a passion for excellence into his work when he started the company in 1920. While many organizations prioritize profitability, CG Schmidt continues to impart our commitment to fundamental values to every employee. Coupling strong values with exceptional quality work, CG has built a reputation throughout Wisconsin as the trusted building partner to Wisconsin’s most notable businesses.
BizTimes: Where do you see your company in 1 year, 5 years?
Schmidt: In the next year, CG Schmidt will continue to expand in the Milwaukee market. We have worked in this community for over a century, and it is exciting to see vibrancy return to many parts of the city as it expands and changes like never before. Our team sees incredible opportunity to reengage in the city we know best as the need for quality healthcare, housing, community programs and education grow to serve its residents.
In the next five years, CG Schmidt plans to continue our expansion throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Our clients continually ask us to support their expansion efforts across the country. Therefore, our geographic footprint is evolving as we construct quality buildings in new markets. As we grow, our assurance to the highest quality construction management service will never waiver.
BizTimes: What opportunities/challenges do you see on the horizon for your industry?
Schmidt: Like many businesses across all sectors, the construction industry has been challenged with labor shortages and creating a pipeline of skilled tradespeople. Now more than ever, individuals who demonstrate an aptitude for field and office positions in the construction industry are in high demand. CG Schmidt partners with area high and post-graduation schools to create training and education programming as well as curriculum development, preparing our youth for apprenticeship programs. Working with school districts and community-based organizations, we can introduce individuals to careers in construction post-graduation and ensure they have the training and tactical experience to secure well-paying jobs and a life-long career.
BizTimes: What do you see as your most important responsibility to your customers?
Schmidt: At CG Schmidt, our most important responsibility to clients is to deliver building solutions that meet their immediate goals and deliver lifetime value. By embracing the missions of our clients at the onset, we can offer solutions and mitigate challenges that stand in the way of success. CG Schmidt offers our clients a premier service – both the quality of our construction and the investment in time we make in ensuring success.
BizTimes: What do you see as your most important responsibility to your employees?
Schmidt: Construction is a dangerous field. Our most important responsibility to our employees is their safety. CG Schmidt implemented the SafeStart Program to improve safety at the workplace and beyond. SafeStart is a program that protects our teams by training individuals to assess and anticipate before an accident occurs. This program, coupled by robust construction safety standards, ensures that our employees, or staff, residents or visitors, are protected from harm.
11777 West Lake Park Drive • Milwaukee, WI 53224
(414) 577-1177 • cgschmidt.com
