Ancon News

The Benefits of a Groundbreaking Event

The Benefits of a Groundbreaking Event

by | Apr 21, 2023 | Ancon News

A groundbreaking event is an essential part of any business launch, grand opening or refresh. It’s an opportunity to celebrate your success and build a strong foundation for your business. Here are five reasons why having a groundbreaking event is important.

1. Creates Awareness

A groundbreaking event is an excellent way to generate buzz about your new upcoming business or product launch. It creates a sense of excitement and anticipation among potential customers, which later can translate into increased foot traffic and sales.

2. Builds Credibility

By hosting a groundbreaking event, you are establishing your business as a reputable and trustworthy organization. It shows that you are committed to the success of your business and are willing to invest time and resources to make it successful.

3. Generates Media Attention

Organizing a groundbreaking event can attract media attention, which can lead to valuable publicity for your business. Local newspapers, TV stations, and online news outlets may cover the event, which can help spread the word about your business to a wider audience.

4. Creates Networking Opportunities

Hosting a groundbreaking event is an excellent opportunity to network with other business owners, community leaders, and potential customers. It can help you establish relationships that can be beneficial for your business in the long run.

5. Celebrates Your Success

Enjoy the moment. This construction project might have been in the works for years. Take it all in, celebrate your success, and use this opportunity to share your gratitude and excitement with others.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you plan your groundbreaking event and provide you with a comprehensive checklist to ensure your event is flawless.

 

ABOUT ANCON CONSTRUCTION:

Ancon Construction is a commercial in-house design-build contractor offering a full range of services, including planning, site selection, development, architectural design, rezoning, code compliance, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Based in Goshen, Indiana, Ancon is a 100% employee-owned company and a regional leader in commercial design-build that has defined architecture and construction in the Michiana community since 1975.

 

Cultivating Leaders: Doug Bender’s 37-Year Journey with Ancon Construction

Cultivating Leaders: Doug Bender’s 37-Year Journey with Ancon Construction

by | Apr 19, 2023 | Ancon News

 

Cultivating Leaders: Doug Bender’s 37-Year Journey with Ancon Construction.

Meet Doug Bender, a 37-year employee-owner of Ancon Construction. “I always knew I wanted to be in construction. My grandma called me “Noah” – Because I always messed with my grandpa’s stuff – taking things apart and putting them back together. She said I was going to build things – she was right.”

In April of 1986, Doug started his journey with Ancon Construction when he received an offer to work in the company’s carpentry division. He swiftly climbed up the ranks and took on a foreman position, eventually becoming a superintendent. The most significant project for Doug was the Sturgis Wesleyan Church, where he first worked as a foreman. He played an active role in all aspects of the project, from the foundation to the highest point of the roof. He described the project as a “nice building – but grueling work,” due to the temperatures reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the hot summer of 1988.

Doug finds motivation in the challenges each new project brings. “You’re not always doing the same thing,” he said, adding that the challenges keep him sharp and engaged.

“Doug understands that different personalities exist and is very good at reading and dealing with the different types. That helps in having a cohesive crew which leads to a cohesive job with subcontractors,” shares, Lloyd, a leader Doug has admired over his years at Ancon Construction.

What Doug enjoys most, however, is growing aspiring craftsmen and leaders. “I’m not a teacher – I’m a farmer. Teaching isn’t what I do. I grow individuals,” he said. According to Doug, cultivating future craftsmen and leaders requires planting a seed, feeding, fertilizing, and nurturing until they understand. “Anyone can grow a weed. If you don’t take care of your crop, you’re not going to have one,” he added.

Doug’s experience at Ancon highlights the importance of mentorship in the workplace. His commitment to “cultivating” has helped Ancon Construction build a culture of excellence that attracts and retains talented individuals. It’s no wonder Doug has been with Ancon for 37 years and counting!

Doug’s story shows that it’s possible to find fulfillment and longevity in a career by constantly challenging oneself and passing on knowledge to the next generation. His journey with Ancon is a testament to the importance of mentorship in building a company’s culture and success. We wish Doug all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to seeing the fruits of his labor in the years to come.

 

ABOUT ANCON CONSTRUCTION:

Ancon Construction is a commercial in-house design-build contractor offering a full range of services, including planning, site selection, development, architectural design, rezoning, code compliance, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Based in Goshen, Indiana, Ancon is a 100% employee-owned company and a regional leader in commercial design-build that has defined architecture and construction in the Michiana community since 1975.

 

Ancon Construction Receives Three “Excellence in Construction” Awards

Ancon Construction Receives Three “Excellence in Construction” Awards

by | Oct 4, 2022 | Ancon News

 

Back row (L to R): Derek Lamson, Superintendent, Chris Morrical, Project Manager, Doug VonGunten, President, Bryan Baer, Designer. Front row (L to R) Ben King, Architect, Glen Kauffmann, Project Manager, Tony Garrett, Superintendent, and Matt VanSoest, Designer.
Ancon Construction is happy to announce they received three awards at the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky, Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards Gala ceremonies on September 29. The EIC Awards Gala took place at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Two awards were Awards of Excellence: one for their Shady Creek Winery Project and a second for their Kryder & Harr Veterinary Clinic Project, both in commercial categories. The third award was an Award of Merit for their TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre Project in the Healthcare category.
Ancon Construction President Doug VonGunten shared, “Each of these projects showcases Ancon’s strong design-build work and commitment to excellence. I could not be more proud of our team for their talent and hard work. This recognition reinforces the great things our employee-owners are doing. I am really excited about the future and what our team can accomplish.” 
 
A brief highlight of each project:
Delivers a state-of-the-art winery experience.
•            Heavy timbers used to construct some of the building were sourced from Austria.
•            A transparent barrel room and racking system displaying their wine, fabricated in Italy!
•            A mixture of small, intimate spaces and areas for larger gatherings.
•            A private tasting room, upstairs lounge area, event space, bars, fireplaces, and outdoor seating areas all overlooking a beautifully landscaped scenic outdoor seating area.
 
A deeply rooted business in Northern Indiana that has been providing veterinary services to our region for decades. This project was designed and built to create a facility that was welcoming to all.
•            The entry features a large and very welcoming lobby with distinct seating areas nestled between their trademark lobby fish tanks, also showcasing beautiful timbers.
•            The Ancon Construction Team and the owner worked closely together using lean thinking to improve day-to-day processes and operations.
•            The building allows beautiful natural daylight, transparency through critical work areas, and strong sight lines.
 
The eco-friendly build offers a warm, inviting, modern farmhouse feel – simple yet elegant.
•            Rooflines are cladded in solar panels.
•            Abundance of windows offers spectacular natural lighting and transparency between the indoors and the scenic wooded property.
•            A 24-foot-wide glass garage door separates the lobby and a seminar room that can be opened, allowing the separate spaces to become one large event room.
ABOUT ANCON CONSTRUCTION:
Ancon Construction is a commercial in-house design-build contractor offering a full range of services, including planning, site selection, development, architectural design, rezoning, code compliance, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Based in Goshen, Indiana, Ancon is a 100% employee-owned company and a regional leader in commercial design-build that has defined architecture and construction in the Michiana community since 1975.

 

Helping our community youth understand design and architecture.

Helping our community youth understand design and architecture.

by | Aug 8, 2022 | Ancon News

 

Pictured left to right: Ancon Construction Designer Matt VanSoest, Ancon President Doug VonGunten, Intern Shelby Mack, Designer Bryan Baer, and Architect Ben King.

Starting off this new school year, Ancon Construction is happy to welcome a Northridge High School intern junior, Shelby Mack.

Shelby has had a love for architecture since she was a little girl. Playing games on her tablet, she often chose programs where she could design houses. She plans to continue her college education in architecture after high school.

One of her first assignments at Ancon will be getting up to speed using Revit design software and putting her new skills into action, assisting in the creative design process for a local church project.

Ancon is no stranger to having interns join their team. In fact, it is a big reason so many of their current designers and employees have joined them and are so successful.

Bryan Baer, a designer for Ancon, interned as a senior at Goshen High School through their ICE program. “To me, that internship was invaluable, as it helped me confirm what I wanted to do for a career and taught me a lot along the way. It was key in getting accepted into architecture school at Ball State University. When I had the opportunity to come back to Ancon, I didn’t think twice about it. It is great to have my internship come full circle,” said Bryan.

Matt VanSoest, designer, also interned with Ancon during his schooling at Ball State. “The Ancon internship program during my collegiate studies at Ball State University prepared me for real-world scenarios regarding high quality and cost-effective design and how it parallels general contracting and construction management. Being fully immersed within the profession extremely early within my career has been a rewarding experience,” added Matt.

Our Ancon design team is passionate about pouring into the youth and helping them understand design and architecture. We are delighted to have Shelby on board and look forward to helping her learn and grow as a designer even before she enters college.

 

 
Groundbreaking for new 60-unit apartment complex in Goshen, Indiana

Groundbreaking for new 60-unit apartment complex in Goshen, Indiana

by | Jul 27, 2022 | Ancon News

Ancon Construction held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new apartment complex in Goshen, IN on July 14, 2022. The 60-unit development will provide new housing opportunities for the community, a first step towards addressing housing needs in the area. There is a significant need for housing of all types in Goshen, and this development (final name is still being determined) is a first step towards addressing those needs.

 
““Having a sense of place is important for any community—this project will give others the opportunity to find their sense of place here in Goshen,” said Ryan Kring, Vice President of Business Development at Ancon Construction said. “We are proud to be the Design-Build team to help this project come to life. We would especially like to thank The City of Goshen, Indiana, IN, Goshen City Council, Redevelopment, and Goshen Chamber of Commerce for their support. Lastly, we want to thank the Garcia Family for their vision and their passion to continue investing in the City of Goshen”.
 
This project is also significant in the fact that it was the first project to obtain incentives from the City. Without these incentives, this project would not have been feasible. A huge thank you to The City of Goshen, Indiana, Goshen City Council, Redevelopment, and Goshen Chamber of Commerce for their support during this process.
 
Completion is scheduled for the Summer of 2023.
Ancon Construction welcomes Amy Self as new Marketing Manager

Ancon Construction welcomes Amy Self as new Marketing Manager

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Ancon News

 

Goshen, Ind., Thursday, July 21, 2022 – Ancon Construction is happy to announce and welcome Amy Self as their new marketing manager.

Amy joins the Ancon team with many years of marketing, graphic design and photography experience and takes great pride in event planning. Amy also stays involved in her community, leading her church graphics team for more than 15 years as well as being a board member for Vine Ministry, a non-for-profit that enhances Haitian lives through spiritual, education and physical-well-being.

Amy will be responsible the branding, marketing, events, and community outreach for Ancon Construction.

“I am honored to be a part of the Ancon Construction family, what they stand for and all they do in our communities,” said Amy Self.

Ancon Construction President, Doug VonGunten shares, “We are pleased to have Amy join us, as she brings great qualities to our team with her marketing and event planning experience.”

Meet Amy Self, Ancon’s new Marketing Manager.

 

ABOUT ANCON CONSTRUCTION:
Ancon Construction is a commercial design-build contractor offering a full range of services, including planning, site selection, development, architectural design, rezoning, code compliance, construction, remodeling and maintenance. Based in Goshen, Indiana, Ancon is a 100% employee-owned company and a regional leader in commercial design-build who has defined architecture and construction in the Michiana community since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com or visit anconconstruction.com.