Family-run businesses come with a history; after all, how could they not? Character, knowledge, and years of experience are built into the fabric of a family-run company, regardless of the industry.
As a family-run construction company ourselves, Gidel & Kocal Construction knows this to be true tenfold. We started as a two-man operation back in 1980, and have since grown into a multi-person team of professionals, equipped to handle any project that comes our way. The intergenerational knowledge transfer runs deep and it informs how we approach interactions with clients each and every day. Our company was built on a foundation of knowledge but with an open-minded mentality that embraces innovation. It’s with this mindset that we approach all of our projects, both existing and future.
Preserving Expertise
Transferring knowledge from one generation to the next is about so much more than observation. While some information gets absorbed through exposure, the most successful family-run businesses operate from a place of passion. It’s not enough to simply pass down ownership, it’s important that anyone who is involved in running a family owned and operated business has the same level of interest, passion, and commitment to preserving the integrity of the company.
At Gidel & Kocal Construction, we preserve the expertise of our founders by respecting what they’ve built. We encourage mentorship, curiosity, and growing beyond job descriptions to ensure they approach and fully understand the importance the Gidel & Kocal Construction way:
- Efficiency and Value
- Clean Construction Site
- Customized Attention to Detail
- Informative and Interactive Scheduling
- Professionalism and Respect
Embracing Innovation
Holding true to the foundation of our family-run business is essential, but so is embracing innovation. We recognize the value that younger generations bring to the table. In fact, this has been the basis for our transfer of leadership. When our original co-founder Lance Gidel took over the entire business in 2011, his eldest daughter, Alyssa Pedersen, had already been in the business since 1999 and his youngest, Ashley Gidel, began later in 2015 to support operations. These women became the second-generation management team, introducing new technologies and concepts like CMS and efficiency-driven systems for company symmetry. This balance of traditional wisdom with new approaches has resulted in countless successfully completed projects across a variety of industries in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Success Stories
The Gidel & Kocal Construction story is one multigenerational success. We’ve seen firsthand the benefit of combining time-tested construction methods with innovative solutions. The results have been impressive, from improved productivity to greater efficiency and cost savings, the positive impacts speak for themselves.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to have happy, satisfied clients to further support our process. Client testimonials are evidence of our successful knowledge transfer. We’ve also been recognized by reputable publications for our commitment to quality in commercial construction with GC Magazine named Gidel & Kocal Construction one of the best commercial contractors in San Jose California and Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times. Recently, CFO, Alyssa Pedersen, was recognized as a Woman of Influence for 2023 in the Silicon Valley Business Journal and Ashley Gidel named Bisnow Power Woman for 2023. While we’re not in it for the awards, receiving recognition like this bolsters our reputation as a leading family-run contractor business.
What’s Next for Gidel & Kocal Construction
We’ve figured out how to take what works and expand upon it. The beauty of working with a construction company that values innovation and growth is that we’ll never stop at “good enough.” We’re not just looking to satisfy our clients and meet their expectations; we’re looking to exceed them. Over-delivering on promises is what John Kocal & Lance Gidel did when they began as a commercial tenant improvement company and it’s what we still do to this day. Some values are just too far ingrained to break away from and we see that as a good thing.
Our company will continue to push the boundaries on what we’re able to deliver for companies seeking construction in the San Francisco Bay Area. From life science conversions to tech startups and retail spaces, we do it all. Whether it’s renovating an existing space or building new construction from the ground up, our services come with the highest level of expertise and excellence.
Learn more about what it’s like to work with a top tier family-run commercial contractor like Gidel & Kocal Construction. Contact us today!
