MESSENGER
M. Davis Core Values: Building Excellence and Innovation
As we end the first quarter of 2025, it's a good time to reflect on our company's achievements from 2024 and look forward to new opportunities. In keeping with our corporate values, our team created quite an impact in 2024 in the following areas:
Innovation is "Exceeding Expectations to Produce the Most Effective and Create Solutions " We completed construction and opened an Orbital Welding Room to work in highly regulated pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries
Commitment is "Dedicated to Maintaining a Safe Work Environment While Providing the Best Project Solutions ” Our team members worked over 800,000 hours safely, showing our Commitment to our team members and customers In March of 2025, we were awarded a National Safety Excellence Award for "Merit" by Associated Builders and Contractors, another testament to our Commitment to safety
Craftsmanship is "Taking Pride in the Quality and Expertise We Deliver on Every Project " We enrolled over 100 team members into the State of Delaware Apprenticeship Program We are proud of the men and women who are putting in the work to be the best in their trade
Legacy is "Building Upon Years of Expertise to Maintain Solid Values and a Commitment to Cutting Edge Technology " Our leadership made the tactical decision to reinvest over $600k into M Davis by purchasing new equipment This reinvestment in our company will keep our facilities and team members working more efficiently
Character is “Each of Us Brings a Unique Set of Values That Creates a Team with Integrity” We held the first inaugural Construction Trades Summer Camp Week, where 15 public high school students were provided with a free construction camp and received hands-on experience with design, plumbing, welding, electrical, and rigging work Be on the lookout as the 2025 camps are expanding!
Looking into 2025, M. Davis is committed to improving operational efficiency, precision, and quality in every job, as well as excellence in safety.
M. Davis & Sons Recognized as Top National Safety Leader
M. Davis & Sons has earned a National Safety Merit Award from Associated Builders and Contractors, which was presented at the 35th annual Excellence in Construction® Awards during ABC Convention 2025 in Las Vegas on Feb. 26, 2025.
M. Davis & Sons received the award for exemplary safety in the construction industry. The award was presented to only 52 contractors nationwide.
“We are honored to receive this recognition of our safety program. Training, culture, and most importantly, our employees are what makes our safety program world-class”, states Todd Moran, Vice President of Risk Management
The 2024 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms that achieved Diamond, Platinum or Gold status in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System® in 2024, reflective of their 2023 safety performance data. During the selection process, contractors were judged on self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable incident rates, leading indicator use, process and program innovations and interviews conducted by members of ABC’s National Health and Safety Committee.
“M. Davis & Sons exhibits an unrelenting commitment to jobsite safety, and that should be celebrated and honored,” said 2025 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors David Pugh, partner, Bradley, Birmingham, Alabama. “The leadership and employees at M. Davis make a choice every day to create a culture that refuses to compromise on safety, relentlessly ensuring every employee leaves the jobsite in the same or better condition every day. Among these safety winners are several ABC Top Performers, ranked by work hours.
The National Safety Excellence Awards are presented in three major North American Industry Classification System code categories: NAICS 236—Construction of Buildings; NAICS 237—Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction; and NAICS 238 —Specialty Trade Contractors.
Mike Gilmartin CFO
Scott Cudmore, Safety Director (L) & David Pugh, 2025 ABC National Board Chair
NOTABLE AWARDS!
M. Davis & Sons COO John Gooden was recognized by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce staff as Board Member of the Year This year, John was chosen as the honoree for hi exceptional contributions to the organization John is vice chair of the Board of Directors, co-chairs the Delaware Manufacturing Associatio and chaired the State Chamber’s Strategic Planning Committee.
CEO Peggy Del Fabbro received the Buz Lange Award from ISPE Delaware Valley Chapter The award was established in 1995 for Buz Lange to remember his commitment to serving, his belief in sharing best practices, and his desire to create healthy competition, resulting in the state-of-the-art delivery of medicines to those who need them. Buz leaves an enduring legacy of leadership, operational excellence, advocacy, and community service. Peggy, who has been a member of the ISPE DE Valley Chapter Board for more than 15 years, was nominated for her leadership, teamwork, and focus on innovation
John Gooden (L) and Mike Quaranta (R), Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
Mike Lloyd (L), Peggy Del Fabbro (center) and Scott Dolor (R)
M. Davis Weld Training Program
selected as Winner for DSCC’s Superstars in Education & Training
M Davis & Sons has been named the 2025 Winner for the inaugural Superstars in Education & Training Award in the Corporate Training Provider Category by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce The new category recognizes businesses that invest in developing their workforce by providing training and upskilling opportunities to their employees
The M Davis Welding Training Program is part of the workforce development effort and is held in our Kennett Square, PA, and Havre De Grace, MD, fabrication shops twice a week It is open to any full-time employee The program’s curriculum offers skill development, safety, and real-world industry applications. With 85 employees attending during 2024, success is evident, with 50 welders earning 108 welding certifications.
“We are all honored to receive this recognition,” states Heath Kroll, M. Davis Code Shop Manager. “Our welding training program not only creates high-quality tradespeople but, more importantly, it transforms people’s lives with an entry into a career that will carry you through a lifetime ”
Prefabrication Efficiency
The M Davis Pipe Fabrication Shop has implemented significant advancements in technology, training, and operations to set new standards in prefabrication efficiency
Workforce Expertise and Certification: At the heart of the M Davis Pipe Fabrication Shop's success is its highly skilled workforce of over 30 welders, including two Certified Weld Inspectors (CWIs) who provide critical quality oversight The shop has made professional development a priority, with all welders on track to achieve Class B certification This commitment to expertise development ensures that every project benefits from top-tier craftsmanship.
Shop Machinery: The implementation of cutting-edge machinery has been a cornerstone of the efficiency improvements at the M. Davis Pipe Fabrication Shop. Every welding booth is now equipped with positioners and dual feeds, dramatically enhancing precision while reducing setup and changeover times. These investments enable welders to maintain optimal positions throughout the fabrication process The dual feed systems allow for greater versatility in materials and techniques, expanding the shop's capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship
Optimized Facility Layout: Strategic facility design has played a crucial role in maximizing efficiency at the M Davis Pipe Fabrication Shop The shop now features six dedicated locations specifically for pipe fitting, creating specialized zones that optimize workflow and increase productivity
Communication systems have been streamlined throughout the facility, enabling seamless collaboration between team members regardless of their location within the shop. This enhanced communication infrastructure ensures that critical information flows efficiently, reducing delays and miscommunications that could impact project timelines.
Prefabrication Efficiency
Material Handling Improvements: The M Davis Pipe Fabrication Shop has made significant investments in material handling equipment to reduce physical strain, improve safety, and increase efficiency An overhead crane has been installed in the pipefitting booths, allowing for the effortless movement of heavy pipe sections and assemblies
Quality Control Excellence: The M Davis Pipe Fabrication Shop has established an exceptional track record in quality control, demonstrating its commitment to precision and reliability In 2024 alone, the shop completed approximately 40,000 welds with fewer than 20 weld failures reported an extraordinary success rate that exceeds 99.95%.
Project Management and Collaboration: Each project is assigned to a dedicated small crew with a clear leadership hierarchy a project lead directly oversees a team of welders, creating a cohesive unit with shared responsibility for project outcomes.
Our commitment to delivering complete job packages within ~one week of project completion ensures thorough documentation and facilitates smooth handoffs to subsequent project phases This efficient administrative process supports quality assurance and provides valuable records for future reference
Power Distribution Equipment?
We Do That, Too!
VTi by M. Davis is the brand name of power distribution equipment manufactured by M. Davis. The original business, Val-Tech, was acquired in 2017.
At VTi by M. Davis, our team of electrical engineers and electrical experts manufacture low voltage industrial electrical distribution equipment for customers in all markets. We ship globally to our customers.
We combine engineering, fabrication and testing expertise to provide compact, safe and state-of-the-art power distribution solutions. This line of equipment is designed for a range of applications including:
- In Plant Applications
- Temporary Power for Construction Sites
- Equipment for Critical Process Protection
All products manufactured by VTi by M. Davis are UL-listed and made in the U.S.A. Each product is fully customizable to meet your needs.
Equipment We Manufacture:
Used for high-speed clearing of branch circuit load faults
FDP-DC provides direct current in 24VDC, 48VDC, & 125VDC applications
Engineered, assembled and tested by us
In the Community
Women In Construction Week occurred in early March. As an annual week that celebrates the advancement of women in the construction industry, M. Davis & Sons partnered with National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Delaware Chapter events.
This year, Maria Dye who works in our control panel shop participated in a panel of speakers at St. Georges Technical High School in Middletown, DE. Speaking about her experiences in construction to the younger generation of women coming up through vocational and technical schools is a great way to inspire more women to work in the industry. Well Done, Maria!
Maria Dye at the Women In Construction Panel event held at St. Georges Technical High School
Promotions
QUARTER 1 PROMOTIONS:
·Corey Detweiler, Foreman
·Derrick Hannaford, Foreman
·Joshua Teed, Project Coordinator
·Corey Davis, Leadman
·Brian Meehan, Leadman
·James Rhodes, Leadman
·Michelle Privett, Project Coordinator
Retirement
Mike Nestore retired after 28 years with M. Davis & Sons. Mike was hired as a foreman in 1997 and worked his way from field leader to a project manager. His fellow managers can attest he was always willing to help and continually looked for new customers and business. Mike has generously mentored M. Davis team members throughout his career. We are pleased to advise Mike will continue to work with customers and the M. Davis team on a part-time basis.
Well Done, Mike!
Attending!
Attending!
Exhibiting!
Exhibiting!
Executive Leadership
M Davis Executive Leadership (L to R) Charles Davis (Chairman), Peggy Del Fabbro (CEO), John Gooden (COO), Mike Gilmartin (President & CFO),
Todd Moran (VP Risk Management), Christina MacMillan (VP Strategic Development) and Scott Dolor (VP Operations)
ONE SOURCE FOR ALL
INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION FABRICATION AND MAINTENANCE
