John Teeter
President, C.R. Crawford Construction
John Teeter has been intrigued by the construction industry since he was young, and his education and background in engineering allowed for a natural progression into the industry. Teeter was named president of C.R. Crawford Construction in November 2021.
What businesses or industries seemed to lead the way regarding construction needs in the past 12 months? From what sectors is the demand coming?
In private development, there are fewer opportunities due to elevated interest rates. However, Northwest Arkansas continues to experience a steady surge in population, fostering a promising future for the area. That said, multifamily projects are still being planned and built, but we do anticipate a temporary slowdown in that market. For the past five or more years, the retail and hospitality sectors seem to remain in a prolonged lull as those business models continue to evolve. The most promising opportunities are present in the medical, industrial and educational sectors, which are less influenced by interest rates.
What’s trending in construction? How does it differ from previous trends?
Current construction trends emphasize technology integration and modular construction. For C.R. Crawford, that means continually training our people and, when appropriate, investing in cutting-edge technology and equipment. Not every shiny, new piece of equipment or software is worth the time and money. We put a lot of effort into discerning between what is just a trend and what will make a significant impact to our processes and offers a real benefit to our clients.
Over the past decade or so, there has been a notable emphasis on sustainability in design, materials and construction practices. While this remains a priority for many of our clients, it is no longer a trend, but now more of an established practice.
The American Institute of Architects’ Consensus Construction Forecast for 2024 expects nonresidential construction spending to increase just 2% in 2024 after a 19.7% boost in 2023. Bringing this closer to home, what’s the forecast for Arkansas construction this year? Anything that causes excitement/concern?
Arkansas, and the entire country, have been dealing with record levels of inflation, compounded by interest rates unseen in two decades. Managing projects becomes challenging when confronted with either high inflation or elevated interest rates, but navigating both simultaneously is a particularly difficult challenge for the construction industry.
What projects are in process at C.R. Crawford? Are there any big projects coming up?
We have a large mixed-use project underway in Rogers in the fast-growing Pinnacle Hills area that will include multifamily housing, a hotel, retail stores and restaurants. We are excited to see this development continue to promote growth and opportunity in Rogers.
This time last year, supply chain problems were still an issue carried over by the pandemic. Is this something that’s still a problem?
The construction industry has largely overcome the supply chain challenges as a result of the pandemic, but the lingering effects still impact electrical distribution equipment. We have strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, and this has enabled us to proactively address the supply issues, ensuring the seamless progression of our projects. Engaging in contracts early has proven instrumental in procuring long lead-time items which significantly contributes to our ability to overcome supply chain challenges.
Did the aftermath of the March 31 tornado in Little Rock give C.R. Crawford anything to consider? Is there a plan in case of similar events in NWA?
Disaster preparedness is an embedded piece of our safety protocols across all aspects of the company. If anything, the tornado reminded us of the importance of being prepared and ready for anything, and we remain vigilant in adapting and refining our strategies to address unforeseen circumstances.
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