This year’s profiled subcontractor featured in our annual Top 50 Contractors should come as no surprise to those in the southeast. This contractor boasts a high employment rate and nice-sized revenue numbers, and continually climbs the success ladder.

Since 1994, Reliance Interiors Inc. has built a reputation of dependability, high-quality workmanship, professionalism and an overall commitment to excellence in interior construction to its Georgia customers. The company, headquartered in Acworth, GA has a focus on Design-Build, military, higher education, healthcare, commercial, hospitality, and mid-rise multi-family projects. Reliance Interiors implements the latest technologies and stays abreast of the ever-changing industry so that its customers receive the utmost in quality, customer service and innovation.

Images courtesy of Reliance Interiors Inc.

 

The subcontractor is in partnership with a growing list of national and international-leading contractors in the industry; helping to strive for the common goal of being the most efficient, qualified and competitive contractors of the market. Reliance Interiors strives to establish a team concept on every project it undertakes from beginning to end, and believes its success and consistent growth is attributed to this philosophy. The company is multi-generational and led by President Jackie Kettering, Director of Operation David Kettering, and VP Luke Kettering. Reliance offers Design-Build services, engineering, value engineering, quality control and safety recommendations, logistics of operation, competitive pricing, and most of all quality work in a timely and professional manner.

Currently, the company employs approximately 200 office and field staff.

Reliance Interiors’ President Jackie Kettering began her career working for a commercial drywall contractor in the Atlanta market. She cites the mentorship of that company’s vice president whom invested a strong amount of time training her in every facet of running a commercial drywall outfit.

“I later met my husband in 1990 who had spent his entire career in the same industry,” says Kettering, who says David owned his own company, as well as ran an office for one of the largest drywall contractors in the U.S. With his continued guidance, knowledge and tutelage, she says, this ultimately led to the path of business ownership. Reliance Interiors is a nationally certified, 100 percent women-owned business.

Today, the subcontractor is as strong as ever. Last year, Reliance Interiors opened a sister company—BIMTech Offsite Prefabrication Solutions.

“We realized the demand for advanced construction methods that offer innovation, such as BIM Technology, 3-D modeling, engineering software and innovative roll-forming equipment that addressed the need for faster, leaner, safer construction,” says Kettering. “Prefabrication addresses all of those demands in addition to the shortage of skilled manpower that is having a significant effect on the construction industry. Using BIM, we create a coordinated building model. With virtual design and construction, we can work with architects and engineers to create more accurate visual project designs, minimize conflicts that arise in the field, and reduce unexpected cost impacts and delays.

“Utilizing this technology improves quality and detects conflicts and errors before they happen,” she says. “We provide structural design and engineering services in order to execute a high standard of delivery. In identifying the specifics of each panel from its inception, we maximize project efficiency and ensure a flawless, rapid installation. Our design assistance program combined with our collaboration with our engineering partners allows your project vision to come to life.”

She says the company tackles the demand for speed and quality head-on by providing clients with the most efficient solutions in panel manufacturing and fabrication. Reliance Interiors maximizes schedule opportunities and strives to maintain cost-effectiveness in every project. The subcontractor provides several prefabricated assemblies, including CFMF wall panels, metal roof truss systems, and structural floor joist systems.

Images courtesy of Reliance Interiors Inc.

 

A Current Pulse

We asked Kettering about its growth since the company began in the mid-’90s.

It turns out that growth has been quite significant, she says. “We began operations with two employees working out of our basement. Our first year in business … our revenues were $35,000. Today, Reliance Interiors’ revenues are in excess of $20 million.

Kettering says currently the company is in expansion mode, claiming Reliance Interiors—which has 200 employees—has the largest backlog today than any other time in its history, which she relates to the service Reliance strives to provide their clients on every project.

“We were fortunate that all of our jobs continued through the pandemic. Current supply chain constraints and escalating material prices have created strains on project budgets and schedules nationwide, not just here in Atlanta.” says Kettering. “We try to stay in constant communication with our clients to ensure they are aware of the evolving situation. We’ve also been proactive by purchasing materials in advance and store them offsite in an effort to combat these issues. Buying coiled steel on the prefabrication side gives us more flexibility and enables us to store thousands of feet of raw material.”

Kettering says the best part of the job for her individually is to watch a project come to life and the collaboration of all the trades working together to achieve that goal. She also loves learning about all of the new technologies available to be able to offer the company’s clients a better project, as well as keeping the younger generation employees excited about the trades.

Kettering says so far, in Reliance Interiors’ important and growing history, that what she is personally most proud of is to be recognized as a women-owned business in the construction industry—still a rarity these days.

“What I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built,” she says. “Many of our key employees have been with our company for over 20 years. We believe in growth and training our team from the ground up. Today’s laborer can grow into tomorrow’s senior estimator. If you have the determination for greater things, the opportunity is there.”

Well said.