NEWS

10-29-17 Sweetwater has earned the Associated Builders & Contractors of NJ 2017 Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) Award at the highest level, Diamond! According to ABC, Diamond Level companies have a TRIR rate that is 770% safer than the construction industry average. Other achievements include:

2 consecutive years of incident-free OSHA reports
EMR at .800
no fatalities
no OSHA violations
comprehensive safety program
pledged drug-free workplace
insurer endorsement

10-12/17 SWEETWATER CELEBRATES ANOTHER PRODUCTIVE YEAR, TEAMWORK, AND REFLECTS ON A MAJOR LOSS. The entire company met last week to hear Ron Witt Jr., President & CEO, speak to the current state of Sweetwater and review the past fiscal year. The passing of Ron Witt Sr. was extremely difficult emotionally, but the team “persevered to put $78 million dollars of profitable construction in place”, said Ron Jr.

“As we embark on our 2017/2018 fiscal year, the outlook is strong and robust. We have a diverse sector backlog, with ongoing and committed projects totaling $111,000,000. Of this total, we expect to put 80% of this volume in place, which would equate to a fiscal year total of $88,000,000”. “Building on this success requires continued effort, cooperation and teamwork”, Ron stated and asked everyone to remember to choose positivity and personal accountability.

Luke Metz, EVP of Field Operations, also remembered Ron Sr. to all and congratulated Nancy Witt on her 28 years of hard work for the company.

8-18-17 Stunning Renovation for Lowenstein Sandler LLP Completed. This renovation, with Sweetwater as construction manager, delivered the quality and innovative space this national client had envisioned for its relocated headquarters. A new sophisticated exterior facade and vestibule announces the impressive interior space of 160,000 square feet, spanning 3 floors. A team of ten – management, architects, engineers, and consultants – collaborated successfully to provide the design, function and application. Architectural wood wall panels, high density shelving system, and custom stainless steel railing and cable staircase, are a few of the highlights within. Click here for more information and photos.

6-9-17 Leading Women Entrepreneurs (LWE) selected it’s 2017 Honorees and Nancy Witt was chosen as leading marketing expert in NJ who excels in brand innovation. As Vice President for Sweetwater Construction Corp., Ms. Witt is involved in business development activities, as well as managing the marketing of the company. She has been with the firm since 1989 and is largely credited with taking the firm from its $500,000 yearly sales to $100 million. Click here to read more about the LWE awards in NJBiz.

6-9-17 Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Conversion in Springfield! Sweetwater reconstructed a drab 4-story existing building for this successful hotel conversion resulting in 170 rooms and additional square footage from 119,000 to 130,000. A restaurant and bar now enhance the lobby, as well as a large fireplace and gift shop. The multiple banquet areas have a separate entry point from outside of the hotel. A well-appointed bridal suite is accessible from the grand staircase in the largest banquet room. Other amenities include an indoor pool and spa, in addition to a fitness center. This total renovation included the replacement of the roof. The reconfiguration of the parking lot and new landscaping completed this impressive project. For more images, click here.

6-2-17 In step with Somerville’s commitment to revitalization and redevelopment, this new 4-story, 175,000 square-foot residential development, the Cobalt, contains studio, one and two-bedroom apartments in the downtown section. The wood-framed structure, with cementatious and metal siding exteriors, has 117 units with lobby, club room, courtyard, and fitness area. An attached 2-story parking garage holds 109 parking spaces. The project, within walking distance to the train, included a complete site development plan. Sweetwater has completed two development projects for this client. To view more images of the Cobalt, click here.

5-22-17 C&W Rutherford Office Featured in RE-NJ Constructed by Sweetwater. Read about Cushman & Wakefield’s new digs that promote collaboration and stimulation by design.

The 24,000 square-foot space on the 7th floor is designed for flexibility and vitality. Open space work stations and lounges invite collaboration while focus rooms offer quiet task attention. Click here for Flipbook article.

Sweetwater has previously renovated C&W office space in Iselin.

5-22-17 Sweetwater a contractor finalist for 2017 Impact Award with the United Way for our facade renovation and office construction work at 56 Livingston Avenue in Roseland. Each year the Network selects one team within the commercial real estate industry, recognizing work on a development project, sale, lease, or other real estate transaction that is considered to have had the most positive impact in the region that year. The winner, Allergan HQ, was announced at the Legacy Luncheon on May 19th.

11-16-16 – Ronald C. Witt, Sr. announced that Ronald C. Witt, Jr. has been named President and COO of Sweetwater Construction Corp. Ron Sr. will remain active with the company in the role of CEO and Chairman of the Board.

Ron Jr. joined Sweetwater in 1990 as a Junior Project Manager after his graduation from Drexel University. Ron has developed from that position to Executive Vice President in charge of all Sweetwater’s construction operations.

10-28-16 Sweetwater Earns Trifecta at 2016 ABC NJ Excellence in Construction Awards Dinner. In an arena of top NJ & PA Merit Shop general contractors for construction awards, three Sweetwater projects stood out among its peers to win two 1^st place Eagle Awards and a 2^nd place Merit Award.

The re-build of an abandoned 50-year old, 2-story structure to provide a stunning flagship location for Martin Insurance Group took the Merit Award in the $2-5 million category. Once layers started to be peeled away, it became necessary to remove the second floor and undergo multiple re-design efforts. The collage of previous additions and renovations was transformed into a cohesive and modern office building within a come-back campus along the NJ Turnpike in Monroe, delivered on time. For more info and photos, click here.

Taking the prestigious Eagle Award in the $2-5 million category was Sweetwater performing phased renovations to create an Aseptic Corridor and equipment mezzanine for Genzyme Biosurgery in Ridgefield. It was testament to a Merit Shop contractor providing exceptional quality and strict safety within a cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. For more info and photos, click here.

The third project submitted was the 5-year Avery Townhome Apartments, a 460-unit residential development along highly-visible Route 130 in Willingboro. This Eagle Award-winner in the over $10 million category was constructed in 6-phases under precise scheduling directed by occupancy and logistics critical for maintaining safety among tenants. The result is a very nicely appointed neighborhood with resort-style amenities and a very happy client. For more info and photos, click here.

10-4-16 Sweetwater completes 450-unit Avery Townhome Apartments in Willingboro! The multi-family project includes 3-story townhome-style apartments built in 6 phases, along a major thoroughfare. The community also contains a resort-style clubhouse with pool, patio bbq and fire pit, theater and fitness area.

Working 7 days a week at times to keep up with the delivery schedule for the units, the Sweetwater team met the requirements to have new units available at all times. They maintained a safe and secure jobsite over a large area and constantly ensure comfort and egress for residents over a 5-year period. The end result is a beautiful community delivered within the exacting cost and quality demands of the owner.

7-18-16 New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s New Good Neighbor Awards annually honor the best and most exciting commercial and industrial development projects in the state. Criteria includes economic benefits, job creation, architectural merit and community impact. The Awards Luncheon was held on July 15^th at the Pines Manor in Edison.

Sweetwater, as general contractor for the construction of Pozycki Hall at Monmouth University, won its 3^rd New Good Neighbor award in the past 10 years. This is also the second award for this job as it won Project of the Year last October at the Associated Builders & Contractors of NJ Excellence in Construction annual dinner. The stunning structure, located at the West Long Branch campus, houses faculty offices, classrooms, terrace, auditorium and aerial bridge to an adjacent academic building. Nominated by the Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, the facility was funded by alumnus Stephen J. Pozycki, a prominent member of the real estate development community.

5-15-16 Nick Abel joins Sweetwater as Project Engineer with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering. He has interned with several companies performing functions for civil and structural engineering departments. Nick also has received recognition and awards for work ethic and community impact. The Sweetwater Team looks forward to having Nick turn his attributes into a successful career with us and a value for our clients!

5-5-16 Sweetwater enthusiastically welcomes back John Adams, LEED AP to our Estimating and Preconstruction service groups with 24 years’ experience in construction and design. John’s background and architecture degrees provide our clients with top-notch insight into constructability and accurate pricing. John has previously estimated award-winning Sweetwater projects such as the new Pozycki Hall at Monmouth University, The Medicines Company Simulation Center, and Philips Lighting Corporate Restack. His return as Senior Estimator broadens and deepens the expertise of our now 5-man department.

4-21-16 Perma Pure HQ Grand Opening in Lakewood! Community leaders and Perma Pure personnel celebrated the relocation of the 35,000 square-foot facility to Lakewood, constructed by Sweetwater, and subsequent completion of ISO certifications and validations. The global leader of gas conditioning solutions for medical, scientific, and environmental monitoring applications received a welcoming plaque from the Mayor and a recognition certificate from the local Senator who all took a tour of the company’s medical cleanroom, production and assembly areas for various product lines, and R&D laboratory.

Sweetwater worked with Perma Pure to assure minimal downtime on all manufacturing processes during the transition into the new facility. Close coordination with their personnel, and understanding of the existing equipment’s electrical & process requirements, allowed Sweetwater to complete this project within the tight time-frame allotted.

3-9-16 2nd Sweetwater-Sponsored Philips Lighting CEU Event Draws Full House! This AIA-approved educational event at the Philips Lighting HQ in Somerset was attended by A/E/D and FM professionals. Guests were taught approaches to lighting controls and the psychology and physics of light and color, given a tour of the Application Center, and shown office space that demonstrates the products and systems Philips develops. Esteemed Philips’ instructor Mark Roush enlightened and entertained the group.

1-19-16 Sweetwater welcomes Anthony Princiotta to our Project Management team. Anthony is a 13-year construction professional with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from NJIT, extensive estimating and budgeting experience, and has performed facilities infrastructure analysis at Princeton University. As a LEED Green Associate, with a broad array of construction management computer skills including Building Information Modeling (BIM), he will be valuable asset to both Sweetwater and our clients.

9-29-15 Sweetwater captures “Best of the Best” in 2 of the 3 General Contractor categories at the 2015 Associated Builders & Contractors Excellence in Constructions Awards Dinner on October 29 at the Hyatt in New Brunswick. The top-spot Eagle Awards were given to our project at Monmouth University in West Long Branch – Pozycki Hall – and for the Siemens White Oak Expansion in Flanders. If these achievements weren’t enough to make the company proud, Pozycki Hall also claimed the definitive Project of the Year. Project of the Year is decided on by the Awards Jury as the job with the most points for narratives, photos, safety, letters of recommendation and community impact. This 2-story, 20,000 square-foot academic building inside an active and dense campus was constructed with a grant from Alumnus Steven J. Pozycki to expand and enhance the business school and associated real estate institute. It features a connector bridge to an adjacent building, a 180-seat state-of-the-art lecture hall, large percentage of glass windows, and second floor paver terrace with drainage system to a subsurface storage bed. A beautiful and functional new asset to the University, perfect safety record and on-time finish for the new academic year rounded out the highlights.

The multi-dimensional White Oak Expansion project consisted of a 147,500 square-foot medical device manufacturing and cGMP warehouse addition, with a kitchen/cafeteria renovation across the 450-employee campus. Not only were the construction elements varied and complex, but NJEDA, minority, prevailing wage, township planning, and LEED reporting demanded a high degree of oversight and administration. Professionals from 9 firms were assembled to secure township approval and design-build this impressive facility. Detailed monthly reports were compiled to Siemens Corporate Real Estate and the parent company in Germany. The Merit Shop project stayed on track through complex site development, intricate employee parking requirements accomplished with phasing and temporary lots, and severe outdoor winter weather conditions, with a zero DART and no safety infractions, culminating in a Grand Opening attended by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and 400 additional jobs for the local area.

Sweetwater was also given a Platinum Level STEP Award for safety.

9-1-15 Sweetwater is pleased to announce that Dave Johnson has re-joined the firm as Chief Estimator. With a 23-year career in estimating and preconstruction, Dave returns to Sweetwater after 10 years with several prominent Pennsylvania firms. His versatile background includes significant projects in new buildings and renovations for multi-family and senior living. Dave will lead and guide the estimating department, assist in business development activities, and provide valuable analyses to clients. “We are excited about the leadership and expertise Dave brings to our team and enthusiastically welcome him back!” said Ron Witt, Sr., president and CEO.

8-28-15 Sweetwater makes the NJ Biz Top 100 Privately Held Companies List for 2015. Billed as a list of “leading New Jersey revenue performers”, Sweetwater is proud to make the cut with a 24% change from 2014. To see the full NJ Biz article and list, click here: http://www.njbiz.com/article/20150826/NJBIZ01/150829862/njs-top-100-privately-held-companies-who-are-the-billiondollar-businesses.

6-25-15 Introducing “Danby”, Sweetwater’s latest canine team member! “Safety is serious” says Danby, and although still a playful pup, he recognizes the importance of rules and boundaries at the jobsite. So does Sweetwater, with a dedicated risk management and safety program, and full-time Safety Director… unlike many of our peers. Sweetwater is a contractor member of PICS and ISNetworld, and receives regular project-specific safety awards. Because of all the “rewards” associated with quality control and safety, Danby decided this was the mascot job for him!

5-1-15 Siemens Flanders Expansion Ribbon-Cutting Hosts Lt. Governor and Execs. The design-build expansion construction was performed by Sweetwater and includes manufacturing, warehouse, office and lab space. To read more about this significant New Jersey project, click NJBIZ Siemens article.

4-9-15 Read more on how Sweetwater builds better homes for Seniors, as seen on PRWeb! Multi-family and hotel experience bolsters the Sweetwater advantage for building assisted-living communities.

3-30-15 Read about Sweetwater and senior care construction in Star-Ledger/NJ.com. http://www.nj.com/newconstruction5/2015/02/post.html

3-18-2015 Hunterdon Hills Animal Hospital wins 2015 Merit Award for Hospital Design! Hunterdon Hills Animal Hospital is one of 10 veterinary facilities Sweetwater has completed or commenced, and of those, the latest of 3 recipients of the Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Award. Constructed in a “milk barn” style, with a carefully erected, reclaimed 19th-century Pennsylvanian barn serving as the reception area, the hospital mixes nostalgia and state-of-the-art in rural New Jersey.

1-16-15 As a proud member of ISNetworld, Sweetwater can now be prequalified easily for safety compliance. ISN’s Review and Verification Services (RAVS) verify and evaluate our health, safety, and procurement information to ensure regulatory and client-specific requirements are met. We have centralized our compliance data within ISNetworld and streamlined the reporting process, making it easier for you to prequalify our company. Together with working alongside our insurance company’s Risk Management division, Sweetwater is striving to be 100% safety compliant and cost-effective for our clients.

9-1-14 Sweetwater receives multiple awards from the Associated Builders & Contractors of NJ for construction excellence and safety! Berlitz/ELS HQ Renovation – Honorable Mention in $2-5 million category / The Medicines Company Simulation Center – Honorable Mention in $2-5 million category / Universal Display Corp. HQ Expansion – Honorable Mention in $5-10 million category / Venetian Care & Rehabilitation Center – Best of the Best/Eagle Award in the $10+ category

The Platinum Level ABC NJ S.T.E.P. Award for overall safety was earned this year as well.

7-10-14 Sweetwater is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary! Sweetwater has been renovating and building in the New Jersey, southern New York and Eastern Pennsylvania area since 1974. The firm is grateful to all our employees, colleagues and clients for the experience and accomplishments we have amassed over the years.

3-20-14 Philips Lighting Headquarters Renovation wins another award – International Interior Design Association’s NE “Best in Show”. The 2014 IIDA New England Chapter’s “Best in Show” Award has been bestowed to the Philips Lighting project which was completed in 2013. This visually stunning renovation of 3 floors and the world-renown Lighting Application Center was previously chosen as “Best of the Best” by the Associated Builders & Contractors of NJ. Congratulations to all our partners on this successful project!

3-17-14 Sweetwater has been awarded the construction of Pozycki Hall at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. The 20,000 SF, 2-story building will contain a lecture auditorium, classrooms, offices, and common areas with a connector bridge to an adjacent campus building on the second floor. Designated for the real estate education program, the structure will have a beautiful exterior of brick with metal and pre-cast panels, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a 2nd floor terrace overlooking the grounds of the University.

2-3-14 Sweetwater is now approved and certified by the State of New Jersey as a Veteran-Owned Business, under the Veteran-Owned Business Act. The certificate acknowledges the firm as a Category 3 & 6 approved VOB that has met the criteria established by N.J.S.A. 52:32-49 et seq.

1-20-14 Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center wins Gold from Vendome Healthcare Media’s inaugural Landscape Architecture Competition for their outdoor gardens that offer unconventional therapy challenges. Sweetwater was the Construction Manager for the LEED certified facility, owned by Windsor Healthcare Communities, completed in 2011 with the therapy garden opening this past summer.

1-22-14 Sweetwater now has 5 senior project managers who have successfully completed the ASHE Heath Care Construction Certificate Workshop. The 2-day seminar included construction planning and processes that are critical to working in the healthcare environment, including the latest compliance issues and how to effectively communicate with healthcare designers/architects/engineers and facility staff.

1-2-14 Construction by Sweetwater has begun on the new Brightview Senior Living community in Tenafly, NJ. The 3-story, 69,000 square-foot assisted living facility with parking and sitework will contain a first floor Alzheimer’s wing, 92 living units of various configurations, dining, common areas, support and offices, spa/salon, PT, lounges, sunroom and patios.

11-18-13 Sweetwater becomes a member of the PICS Consortium, prequalified for safety and sustainability. This move was initiated by the award of a project with Motiva Enterprises, a joint venture under Shell Oil. PICS helps companies to create a safe and sustainable prequalification program for contractors, vendors and suppliers using a simple, online interface for industries such as Chemical, Construction, Energy, Food & Beverage, Oil & Gas, Mining, Manufacturing, Pulp & Paper and Pharmaceutical.

10-29-13 Sweetwater wins coveted Eagle Award at ABC NJ’s 1st Annual Excellence in Construction Awards Dinner on October 29, 2013. The Philips Lighting Renovation project was honored in the competition for being the “Best of the Best” in the $5-10mm range. The headquarters major renovation included the Lighting Application Center and three floors of office and amenities space. The goal of ABC NJ’s EIC Awards is to “create greater awareness by the State of New Jersey of the quantity and quality of work being produced by the ABC NJ members and continue to raise the standards throughout the construction industry”. Sweetwater is proud to have its work recognized here, and to be a member of ABC NJ.

10-9-13 Sweetwater and The Medicines Company hosted a site visit by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Medicines’ CEO Clive Meanwell, and representatives from BioNJ, to view progress on the new Medical Simulation Center. The project, funded with State incentives, will create a demonstration and learning center to highlight Medicines’ products with models of an operating room, cath lab, intensive care unit, and more.

10-1-13 Sweetwater’s Senior Care division to begin another 11,000 SF expansion project for CareOne, this time in Cresskill, NJ.

12-17-12  Sweetwater is set to start construction on 2 more surgery centers in New Jersey. The Menlo Park Surgery Center in Iselin will be the 10th facility Sweetwater has done for Murphy Healthcare of Somers, NY. The 8,800 square-foot renovation will include 2 Class C operating rooms, pre-op, post-anesthesia care and recovery areas, and the typical support and utility space. First GI Endoscopy in Riverdale, the 2nd with Ambulatory Consulting Services of Wayne, NJ, will be a 3,500 square-foot center with procedure suite, treatment rooms, and exclusive waiting areas.

12-10-12  Universal Display Corporation, a repeat client, has engaged Sweetwater to construct a 2-story addition to their headquarters building in Ewing, NJ. The project includes interior fitouts for offices and a cafeteria, HVAC upgrades for clean rooms and the rest of the facility, as well as parking lot expansion.

10-22-12  Sweetwater is building the new Hunterdon Hills Animal Hospital, incorporating a mid-1800s Bucks County barn into the facility, repurposing the historic structure as its waiting/reception area. The reconstructing of the barn at the site, under the command of the famed New Jersey Barn Company, was filmed for a PBS documentary chronicling the NJ Barn Co.’s work reclaiming and rebuilding historic barns for the past 30 years.

9-12-12  Sweetwater exhibiting at the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC) at the Atlantic City Convention Center, October 9-11.

8-15-12  The new Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital & Wellness Center is complete! The state-of-the-art facility is beautiful, inviting and open for business. We wish all the best to Dr. Bruce Levinston and their patients!

7-26-12  Sweetwater field personnel received quarterly training from Zurich Risk Engineering rep on the subjects of risk transfer and crane safety. An overview was given on best practices for subcontractor management and loss control. The latest OSHA crane standards were reviewed, noting the significant changes and requirements. Sweetwater works regularly with Zurich to improve quality and risk management.

7-12-12  Daniel Chapdelaine, Sweetwater’s Environment, Health & Safety Director, completed Fall Protection authorized inspection/training through Capital Safety. The truing is based on the Fall Protection requirements of OSHA, ANSI and CSA

5-21-12 Sweetwater completes Veterinary Hospital in Howell, New Jersey. True Care Veterinary Hospital is the third veterinary hospital built by Sweetwater.

Click here to view press release.

3-29-12 Sweetwater exhibiting at the LeadingAge New Jersey 2012 Convention at Bally’s Hotel & Resort in Atlantic City.

3-29-12 Subcontractors! Visit Sweetwater at the Bluebook CG Showcases at the Meadowlands Expo Center on April 5th and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on May 8th.

3-27-12 Sweetwater Safety Training -Project Managers and Superintendents complete Struck-by and subcontractor management training through the Zurich Risk Engineering. This is the fourth Zurich Engineering seminar Sweetwater personnel have attended in the past year. Topics discussed were the necessity of pre-planning with subcontractors and enforcement oft he safety plan. Previous topics have included “Focus Four,” Scaffold Training and Awareness, and ICRA Awareness. Sweetwater works regularly with Zurich to improve quality and risk management.

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