Sponsor Spotlight: XL Construction
Recently I had a chance to touch base with Shirley Ng, Senior Communications Specialist at XL Construction, and ask her a few questions about her firm, which is one of our Golden Gate sponsors.
Tell us about your firm and services.
XL Construction is a leading general contractor whose mission is to “build to improve lives.” XL partners with today’s leaders in life sciences, advanced technology, commercial, civic, healthcare, and education market sectors to create spaces that enhance communities in Northern California. The company’s focus and passion for team success has earned it a network of great partners and a reputation for putting people first. XL Construction is consistently ranked among the top general contractors in Northern California and was named ENR California’s Contractor of the Year in 2020. XL has also been named a Best Place to Work in the Bay Area in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
How many years have you been in business?
XL was founded in 1992 by Eric Raff and Dave Beck.
Tell us about some notable projects.
Here are a couple:
Mass Timber Building (Sunnyvale)
A notable project we are currently working on is the first mass timber building in Sunnyvale. Our tech client accelerated sustainable innovations for its built environment and XL Construction brought those advances to life through a 182,000-square-foot office building that boasts 96% embodied carbon savings versus a concrete and steel building.
As the design-build lead, XL managed all aspects of design, planning, entitlements, and permitting using a target value design approach. In addition, XL demolished four buildings on the site, orchestrated erection of this groundbreaking building, constructed class A interiors, and implemented pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly site redevelopment for parking.
The all-electric five-story facility is targeting LEED Platinum. Ambitious clean and sustainable material standards drove collaboration between XL’s sustainability team, designers, trade partners, and even manufacturers, to identify optimal product solutions that fit the aesthetic vision of this project.
Clinical Supply Center (San Francisco)
XL Construction built a new two-story, 78,250 -square-foot clinical supply center to support maintenance of a leading biotech company’s robust clinical treatment pipeline. This state-of-the-art, single-use-technology manufacturing building is key to the client’s evolving 207-acre headquarters campus and designed to meet new demands in pharmaceutical research and development. XL, the client, and partners began early collaboration in in-person and virtual big room environments. Using a Target Value Delivery approach, the team identified key project drivers and leveraged small “swat teams” who continuously identified opportunities to effectively manage project costs, schedule, and other key concerns. Operating with lean methodology and behaviors, XL successfully completed this cutting-edge production facility, hitting budget and schedule targets despite a two-month shut down due to COVID-19 and additional delays due to local fires. The clinical supply center is LEED Gold Certified.
What differentiates your firm in terms of approach, talent, tools, and values?
Our vision is to be an “enduring company” that thrives for decades to come, creates opportunities for the team members within it, stays competitive in the marketplace, and — most importantly — maintains a strong culture. Diversity, team collaboration, and an emphasis on employee learning and development are just a few of the reasons our employees consistently vote us a Best Place to Work. Our people are our greatest asset. The diversity and depth of our talent pool enhances our company culture and lend to proactive problem solving and innovation on our projects. As the result of many individual contributions, XL has earned a reputation as a leader and early adopter in the markets we serve. Our core values, We Not Me, Go Beyond, and Be True, guide us and shape everything we do.
How long have you been a sponsor of SMPS?
We have been an SMPS sponsor for four years.
What are some of the memorable or key events of SMPS that your firm has been involved with?
One memorable event is a webinar from 2022 that our VP of Marketing and Communications Laura Guzman participated in alongside other accomplished women in the A/E/C space: “The Path to Leadership: What I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago.” It was a very insightful panel discussion as these executives reflected on pivotal turning points in their careers to provide strategies and tips for others to help level up their careers.
Tina Barni Aday is the Marketing Director at Lea & Braze Engineering. She writes for the Shortlist and is on the SMPS SF Communications Committee. She can be reached at [email protected].
