A new year always brings an opportunity for reflection. And as 2025 is quickly overtaking 2024, Ramsons wants to take a minute and reflect on the previous year and project our intentions for the year ahead. But first, some 2024 highlights:
2024 marked 53 years in business for Ramsons.
And it was a year of many internal changes.
The company:
- Saw the retirement of long-term Chief Estimator, John Davis.
- Added three new office staff:
- Ryan Gober, Executive Coordinator
- Kenny Valentine, Estimator/Project Manager
- Krystyn Palsgrove, Accounting Tech
- Saw the advancement of a key foreman into a superintendent position
- Significantly upgraded our equipment fleet
With revenues of $29 million, 2024 was a record year for Ramsons.
We completed the following major projects:
- Marked Tree ESSER
- Jonesboro School District Leadership
- Vision Care Paragould
- Utility Trailer Paragould
- Signature Bank
- Mr. T’s Riverside Truckstop
- ARPets’ Pawliday Inn
- Divots Golf
2024 was also the year that the company returned to the Craighead County Courthouse. We built the original annex in the 1990s and are currently winding down construction of the new, multi-story, $15 million expansion.
Ramsons is entering 2025 in a very strong position and will focus on the following:
- Workforce
Ramsons recently changed its workforce model in 2023, focusing on attracting, retaining and cross-training highly skilled craftspeople. We purposefully reduced our headcount and focused on quality, not quantity. We will continue our workforce strategy and actively seek out highly skilled workers as well as training avenues. - Sector focus
Ramsons will continue to seek a diversified portfolio but looks to expand its reach into alternative delivery services such as Construction Management and Design/Build. - Cost control
With inflation still a factor, HVAC regulatory changes going into effect and the looming possibility of tariffs, we predict 2025 to be marked by pricing instability. We are working on initiatives to prepare, specifically focusing on internal cost control and predictive modeling so we can prepare more accurate preliminary estimates and reduce client bid day surprises. - Technology
Ramsons sees great potential in AI and other technological disruptions and will make investments to remain competitive.
Ramsons welcomes the opportunities 2025 brings.
Ramsons will continue to build the legacy started by Rufus and Danny McDaniel when they formed the company in 1971. The world was much different then, but one commonality remains: quality still matters. And Ramsons will always push to be a better, stronger company.