Interstates Honored for Innovation, Safety, and Collaboration at EIC Awards

On February 26, Associated Builders and Contractors hosted its annual Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards Banquet at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. This prestigious event recognizes the most outstanding merit shop construction projects of 2024. The EIC awards celebrate the best of the best in the industry, with projects judged on criteria such as complexity, safety, craftsmanship, and overall excellence. 

This year, our team was honored with a Pyramid Award for our work on the Cargill Oilseed Processing Facility, recognized in the Specialty Contractor – Electrical – More than $20 Million category. Interstates partnered with Cargill, Inc. to provide electrical design and construction, offering leadership and expertise throughout the commissioning and start-up phases of their new oilseed processing facility. Despite industry-wide material delays, we successfully delivered the project by leveraging prefabrication and innovative scheduling strategies. 

Collaboration and Innovation for a Smooth Execution 

On a bustling job site adjacent to active facilities, seamless collaboration with other trades and the client’s team was essential to avoiding conflicts and ensuring efficiency. To overcome delays in critical equipment and materials, our team implemented whiteboard planning, 3D modeling, and prefabrication, streamlining operations and keeping the project on track. 

A Commitment to Safety 

Interstates’ long-standing zero-injury culture, combined with Cargill’s well-established "Drive to Zero" safety program, helped maintain an outstanding safety record. By the project’s completion, our team had logged over 100,000 man-hours with no recordable injuries—a true testament to our commitment to safety. 

Excellence in Execution 

The success of this project highlights Interstates’ ability to deliver innovative, efficient, and quality-driven solutions in the face of unprecedented challenges. Our proactive approach, from early involvement in pre-engineering to our agile response to shifting conditions, showcases our dedication to excellence in construction.