“BakerTriangle demonstrates all the characteristics of a successful business outfit: progressive, knowledgeable, charted growth, quality work and experience,” said W&C Publisher Jill Bloom. “We’re excited to name the company Contractor of 2018.”

The magazine congratulates BakerTriangle on this recognition. We believe the company is as progressive as any and is well within reach of accomplishing 50 years very soon.

A company whom really needs no introduction holds the mantle for this year’s Contractor of 2018. The contractor hails from Texas, where it holds seven offices throughout the state, headquartered in Mesquite. In addition to this, the company has worked in 20 different states with offices in Phoenix, Tulsa and Virginia.

BakerTriangle’s history began 44 years ago. Steve Baker graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and started out at Triangle Plastering in 1975. In 1983, Steve bought out Baker Drywall from his father, managing and growing that company for 23 years. Then in 2006, Baker Drywall merged with Triangle Plastering, which had been owned and operated by Steve’s brother Brad. Today, the company has more than 1,500 employees. The company’s main services include drywall, acoustical ceilings, metal framing, plaster, EIFS, prefabricated exterior panels, metal panels, and shades.

“Our father, Bob Baker, started the business in 1974,” says Steve Baker. “At that time, he had 21 years of experience in the plaster and drywall business. I had worked in the field during the summers for five years and had an early interest in construction and went to work for my dad after graduating from Texas Tech. Soon after, we started the drywall division of Triangle Plastering and called it Baker Drywall.”

BakerTriangle has done business in more than 20 states, and Steve Baker remains true to its family business principles and the vision of his father and company founder Bob Baker. Many employees have been with the company for several decades and the company offers health insurance, a 401(k) program and profit sharing. Steve’s father passed away in 2011 but his vision and passion for quality is his legacy. Steve’s son, Bryan Baker, has become CEO. The company actively recruits employees through its relationship with local colleges and has embraced social networking as well.

The Growth

BakerTriangle projects have included offices, churches, schools, sports venues, public buildings and cultural centers, retail shops, hotels and hospitality buildings and residences. The company has solid working partnerships with major general contractors including Manhattan Construction, Medco, Austin Commercial, The Beck Group and Balfour Beatty Construction. With Manhattan Construction, BakerTriangle helped complete the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the Texas Ranger’s Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. With Medco, the contractor has worked on several projects in the Baylor Hospital System and worship facilities. With Austin Commercial, BakerTriangle helped complete Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Circuit of the Americas F1 track and UT Dell Technology Center in Austin. With Balfour Beatty, the contractor worked on the award winning Perot Museum of Nature and Science. With the Beck Group, they completed Old Parkland West, Southlake Town Center and Firewheel Town Center.

The company started with modest annual earnings of less than $500,000 in the first year to $180 million last year. Baker says current business is good but that it has seen a slight decline from record highs.

“Our Texas market has been strong for eight years now, steadily increasing to a fever pitch in the last two years,” says Steve. “There have been a lot of corporate relocations to Texas and our market has definitely benefited from the influx of business.”

Baker says the constant change and how technology increases efficiencies and reduces waste is the most interesting aspect of the job.

“In my 43 years in the business I have never been more excited than today,” he says. Baker is happy to report that work will be very busy through the second quarter of 2019.

“Our long term goal is to diversify into more specialty products and empower our employees for new ideas,” says Baker.