When companies select construction partners for major projects, they increasingly evaluate factors beyond price and schedule. A growing trend among sophisticated clients? Scoring contractor workplace culture as a risk mitigation strategy.
For ARCO Design/Build Indianapolis, our #1 Best Place to Work recognition has evolved from an HR accolade into a powerful business advantage – one that directly benefits our clients through enhanced project delivery, stronger teams, and deeper community connections.
Building Tomorrow’s Construction Leaders
In 2025, ARCO Design/Build Indianapolis earned #1 Best Place to Work in Indiana recognition in the major employer category for the second consecutive year.
This distinction that reflects sustained commitment to workplace excellence.
Indiana’s construction market faces the same challenge as the nation: attracting and retaining skilled professionals in an increasingly competitive landscape. The difference? Best Places to Work companies consistently report stronger retention rates and higher employee satisfaction.
“The construction industry is experiencing a well-documented talent shortage,” says Ben Titus, Divisional CEO for Indianapolis, Columbus, and Louisville. “But leading with culture changes the conversation entirely. When professionals see how we invest in our people – from training to employee ownership – they want to build something bigger than just projects.”
This ability to attract top talent directly translates into stronger project capabilities and deeper bench strength – critical advantages in Indiana’s growing construction industry.
What Makes ARCO Design/Build Indianapolis Different
Step onto any ARCO project site and you’ll notice something distinct. It might be the way our superintendents know every trade partner’s name, or how Design/Build Managers proactively communicate challenges before they escalate. Above all, it’s a collaborative environment where every voice – from intern to executive – matters.
This level of connection isn’t accidental; it stems from intentional culture-building that starts on day one.
“We don’t just onboard new team members; we integrate them into our collaborative culture,” explains Noah Mann, Senior Design/Build Manager. “My first week, I had lunch invitations from three different colleagues. That kind of inclusion makes you want to give your best from day one.”
Our development programs go beyond technical training to include leadership at every level. Interns and co-ops shadow client meetings, superintendents join planning sessions, and everyone learns the business – not just their role.
The result? A team that thinks like owners – because through our ESOP, they are.
Why Clients Choose Culture
Today’s forward-thinking clients understand that contractor turnover directly impacts results. Increasingly, they’re evaluating workplace culture indicators as part of their selection process – a trend nearly unheard of five years ago.
“Clients are increasingly sophisticated about the connection between contractor culture and project success,” explain Landon Paddock, Vice President. “When they see our retention rates and team stability, they know they’ll have consistency from start to finish.”
That consistency matters. One Indianapolis manufacturer shared that having the same ARCO project team across two expansions over six years provided invaluable institutional knowledge. “They know our facilities, our process, our goals,” the client said. “That familiarity saves time and prevents mistakes.”
Stronger Partnership, Better Projects
A contractor’s reputation extends beyond its own workforce – it shapes relationships with trade partners. In Indiana’s tight construction market, the best subcontractors can choose their collaborators, and culture factors into that choice.
“Trade partners tell us they see a difference on our sites,” says Titus. “From how we run meetings to how we resolve challenges – there’s mutual respect and collaboration.”
That environment creates real advantages:
- Safety becomes everyone’s genuine priority
- Subcontractors staff ARCO projects with their top crews
- Problems get solved proactively rather than escalating
- Schedule recovery happens through teamwork, not blame
During recent supply chain disruptions, these relationships proved invaluable. Partners went above and beyond – because they knew we would, too.
Investing in Indianapolis’s Future
Best Places to Work recognition reflects more than internal practices – it signals commitment to the communities we serve. As the Indiana Chamber notes, winning companies “give rise to a bevy of charitable initiatives and quality-of-life improvements” that strengthen their regions.
For our Indianapolis team, community investment is personal. ARCO associates live here, raise families here, and take pride in shaping the city’s future.
Our team supports local nonprofits, partners with schools, and volunteers with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. We mentor construction management students and encourage development, helping build the next generation of industry leaders.
“When your culture encourages giving back, it creates ripples throughout the community,” reflects Titus.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Being a Best to Place to Work isn’t a milestone – it’s a mindset. Regular team surveys and town halls ensure every voice is heard and drive ongoing improvement across all levels.
We’ve introduced programs that make a real impact: enhanced mental health resources, wellness reimbursement program, a sabbatical program, and continuous development opportunities. These aren’t perks – they’re investments in our people’s long-term success and satisfaction.
“The best ideas often come from our people,” notes Paddock. “Leadership listens and implements them. That’s rare in construction, and it’s a big reason people build their careers here.”
The Bottom Line: Culture Delivers Results
For clients evaluating construction partners, our #1 Best Place to Work recognition signals several competitive advantages:
- Stability: Low turnover ensures consistent project teams
- Innovation: Engaged associates bring creative solutions
- Accountability: Employee ownership inspires excellence
- Partnership: Strong culture attracts trop trade partners
- Community: Local teams connected to Central Indiana’s success
Looking Forward
As Indiana’s market evolves, the companies that will thrive are those investing in people and partnerships. Our #1 Best Place to Work recognition – earned collectively by every team member – demonstrates our ongoing commitment to building a workplace where excellence, collaboration, and care define success.
For organizations planning their next project, partnering with ARCO Design/Build Indianapolis means engaging with a team recognized statewide for transforming workplace culture into business performance.
To learn more about how ARCO Design/Build Indianapolis’s award-winning culture and employee ownership model drive exceptional project delivery,
