ILLUSTRIOUSLY ILLUMINATING ILLINOIS
ILLUMINATING
ILLUSTRIOUSLY ILLINOIS
Celebrating over a century of service, Kelso-Burnett is a leader in the electrical contracting industry. President, Jeff Weir, emphasizes the importance of a customer-focused approach while broadening capabilities through strategic acquisitions and maintaining a commitment to employee ownership
Writer: Rachel Carr
Project Manager: Ben Weaver
Chicago, the third-largest city in the US, is known for its unique architecture, cultural contributions, rich historical background, and deep-dish pizza.
It is also home to Kelso-Burnett, an esteemed premier electrical contractor established 117 years ago in 1908.
After over a century of growth, the company currently employs approximately 600 bargaining and non-bargaining employees, with branches primarily operating in Illinois (IL) alongside an office in the neighboring state of Wisconsin (WI).
It is in Chicago, the state’s biggest city and part of the metropolitan area
informally known as Chicagoland, that the Kelso-Burnett story began. Incorporated during a time when gas streetlamps were being converted to incandescent light bulbs, Kelso-Burnett played an essential role in the switch over. The transition to electric lighting had a significant impact on Chicago, transforming the nighttime environment and improving public safety.
Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb eventually replaced gaslights, gradually becoming a standard feature. Advances in electric technology, such as the development of more efficient bulbs, made electric
lighting increasingly attractive, securing the company’s longevity.
“We have the 15th-ever Chicago Electric License and we’re extremely proud of our long-standing relationship with the city,” opens Jeff Weir, President of Kelso-Burnett.
“As a full-service electrical contractor focusing primarily on commercial, industrial, educational, hospitality, healthcare, and institutional clients, we don’t chase projects or, in many cases, vertical markets. Instead, we’re extremely customer-centric, meaning we prioritize relationships over individual projects and follow our customers wherever they go,” he continues.
EMPOWERING OWNERSHIP
AND EXPANDING CAPABILITIES
Kelso-Burnett has employed more Presidents of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Chicago than any other company in the organization’s history.
This includes Oliver Burnett Jr., John McLaughlin Jr., Terry Butz, and Brad Weir. In 1988, the company transitioned to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and today it is 100 percent employee-owned.
“The employee-owned element of our company makes a difference to the team regarding project collaborations. The ESOP is a significant part of our culture, encouraging every person to think like an owner, because they are.
“Even though we have a traditional 401(k) program, our ESOP has been tremendous in providing additional wealth in retirement. All of us are the beneficiaries of our hard work, and 100 percent of the profits go back to each of us. I’m proud of our culture –people tend to rally around people, projects, or even struggling teams,” Weir provides.
Kelso-Burnett accounts for about 85 percent of parent company Newport Industries’ revenue.
Other businesses under Newport Industries include KB Advanced Technologies, Contech The Fire Alarm Company (Contech), Denny’s Fire Extinguishers, Entry Control Integrators (ECI), Ballard Engineering, and Pro Com Systems.
“Our holding company recently acquired ECI, meaning we’re now able to furnish and install automated gate systems. We also recently became a signatory with the Laborers and Operating Engineers Unions in order to self-perform ground mount and rooftop solar projects,” Weir outlines.
“Additionally, Contech recently became a signatory with the Sprinkler Fitters Union so they can now do inspections for fire alarms, extinguishers, and pumps, as well as sprinklers.”
ADAPTING TO MARKET CHANGES
Kelso-Burnett is keen to continue reinforcing what has ensured the company’s success for over a
WHAT DOES KELSOBURNETT DO?
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Healthcare
• Energy solutions
• Utility
• Institutions
• Conveyor systems
• Data centers
• Interiors
• Design engineering
• Prefabrication
• Virtual design and construction services
• Retail
century – being hyper-focused on its customers.
“I’m hoping to strike a balance between hot vertical markets like data centers and renewable energy while not losing focus on our legacy customers.
ABOUT FIRST
First Security Systems, Inc was founded in 1980 with a staff of two, and specializing in fire detection systems. Now, 33 years later, FIRST has grown to become a full service company providing best-inclass technological infrastructure solutions to the greater Chicago area and Northern Illinois. We are located in Naperville, Illinois.
As the area-wide leader among low voltage solutions providers, FIRST serves the marketplace through three divisions: healthcare communications, fire detection, security, and educational communications. Our reputation for delivering the highest quality technology solutions is reinforced by our total commitment to customer satisfaction. FIRST is a team of specialized professionals in whose combined education, experience and expertise come together to create custom strategic technology solutions. We specialize in design, project management, and installation of electronic systems for a wide range of applications.
Our success is due largely to the fact that customer satisfaction has remained our top priority over the years. In fact, we have built our reputation on it, as our clients will attest.
KELSO-BURNETT PROJECTS
• KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT – KelsoBurnett completed the Global Hub at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management several years ago. It is one of the largest and most complex projects the company has undertaken, and Weir believes its past performance played a big part in being selected.
• LINCOLN KING – Kelso-Burnett took a very conservative and patient approach to growing into the Southern WI market, and this is its largest project award to date.
• NAUTILUS SOLAR – The company has been awarded four ground-mounted solar systems in four different counties in Northern II by Nautilus Solar.
• TENANT INTERIORS –Many renowned Chicago organizations have confidently chosen Kelso-Burnett to carry out their interior projects, from headquarters and office buildouts to tenant renovations. KELSO-BURNETT
I want to avoid becoming overweight in any single vertical or geographical market; that diversity has proven successful even when the market has gotten difficult,” explains Weir.
Chicago’s downtown interior market took a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, a traditionally robust sector for Kelso-Burnett.
“What we lost in the tenant interiors market, we offset in conveyor integrations, where we have a national portfolio.”
Kelso-Burnett also continues to make investments in technology in an
effort to be as efficient as possible.
“Like many construction companies, we are facing a labor shortage, particularly in the more rural areas of Northern IL and Southern WI. During the holidays, I discovered a project manager manual from the mid-1980s in an old banker’s box; it was fascinating to see that the core principles of project management have remained unchanged for nearly 40 years.
“The manual included a section on how to order materials, detailing that the project manager needed
“THE EMPLOYEEOWNED ELEMENT OF OUR COMPANY MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO THE TEAM
REGARDING PROJECT COLLABORATIONS”
– JEFF WEIR, PRESIDENT, KELSO-BURNETT
to read the specifications, process submittals, provide a job number to the purchasing department, and more. While the methods of delivering this information have become more efficient, the fundamental processes remain the same,” he fondly reminisces.
Weir repeatedly emphasizes the concept of balance, cautioning that Kelso-Burnett must not become overly reliant on technology at the expense of the fundamental principles that underpin effective project management.
NAVIGATING OPPORTUNITIES
The electrical contracting landscape in Chicago is uniquely dynamic and vibrant, with a wealth of skilled electrical contractors in the market.
Despite the competitive nature, Kelso-Burnett finds opportunities to collaborate, forge partnerships, and share invaluable best practices with industry giants.
“Sometimes, I take Kelso-Burnett’s recognition and reputation in the Chicagoland market for granted. Even though we’ve not worked for every single general contractor, I cannot remember a scope review that I’ve
had to introduce to our company,” shares Weir.
“The electrical contracting market in Chicago is, to me anyway, special. There are a lot of talented electrical contractors in the area.”
Weir’s reflections highlight the unique position of Kelso-Burnett in the competitive landscape of the Chicago electrical contracting market.
As the industry evolves with numerous large-scale projects on the horizon, he remains optimistic about the potential for growth and collaboration within this energetic sector.
“There are several large projects in Northern IL, and while we won’t be part of all of them, the future is extremely bright. Between several large data centers, casinos, community and utility solar portfolios, and maybe a couple of new stadiums, the work is unlikely to wane anytime soon,” concludes Weir optimistically.
As Kelso-Burnett looks toward another century in business, it remains committed to the foundational principles of customer-centricity and innovation.
With a diverse portfolio and a strong emphasis on employee
ownership, the company continues to adapt to the evolving market while honoring its rich legacy.
By embracing new technologies and expanding its capabilities, KelsoBurnett is well-positioned to meet future challenges, ensuring that it continues to illuminate Chicagoland and beyond while setting a standard for excellence in the electrical contracting industry.
www.kelso-burnett.com