Ruby-Collins
Ruby-Collins is a private, employee-owned general contractor exclusively focused on water and wastewater infrastructure construction, serving municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients with self-performed pipeline, trenchless, heavy civil, and treatment plant services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersSmyrna, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ruby-Collins does
Ruby-Collins is a private, employee-owned general contractor that exclusively focuses on water and wastewater infrastructure construction across the United States, with operational concentration in the Southeast. Founded in 1952 as Ruby Construction in Louisville, Kentucky and incorporated as Ruby-Collins, Inc. in 1970 after relocating to Georgia, the firm is headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia, with regional offices in Savannah, Georgia and Conway, South Carolina. The company serves municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients across capabilities including large-diameter pipeline construction, trenchless pipeline rehabilitation (notably using Sekisui SPR spiral-wound PVC technology), heavy civil site development, water and wastewater treatment plant construction, pump stations, storage tanks, and 24/7 on-call emergency response. Leadership and ownership sit with operators who advanced from field roles, and the firm self-performs roughly 70% of its work across dedicated Pipeline, Trenchless, Heavy Civil, Plant, Equipment, Safety, and Project Development divisions.
The company generates revenue primarily through project-based construction contracts acquired via competitive bidding and collaborative delivery (CMAR, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, Design-Bid-Build, and on-call service arrangements), with approximately 60% of projects delivered through collaborative methods. Contract values range from thousands of dollars for targeted service work to hundreds of millions for flagship projects such as the North Bryan County Water Reclamation Facility and the SG4/Sugar Creek trunk sewer replacement. According to company materials, Ruby-Collins generates around $500M in annual revenue with 500+ employees, has completed $3B in water-related projects cumulatively, currently has 40 active projects under construction (including 50M gallons of CSO storage), achieved 1 million manhours in 2025 with a 0.76 EMR safety rating, and is ranked #17 on Engineering News-Record's 2024 Top 200 Environmental Firms.
Customer relationships are anchored in long-cycle municipal programs (e.g., City of Atlanta consent-decree work since 1999, on-call sewer repairs, and projects for the Cities of Savannah, Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Fulton County), supplemented by federal work (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), industrial clients (Coca-Cola, North Anna Power Station, Alcon Laboratories), and institutional accounts (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Emory University). The firm is led by President & CEO Scott Cline (since 2005) and an executive team of division directors and regional operations directors, and has been recognized on the 2025 Inc. 5000, 2025 and 2026 ACG Georgia Fast 40, the GUCA Contractor Member of the Year (2022), and the Billy Padgett Hard Hat Safety Award (2026).
Ruby-Collins firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ruby-Collins
- Legal name
- Ruby-Collins General Contractors
- Website
- https://ruby-collins.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Ruby-Collins is a private, employee-owned general contractor exclusively focused on water and wastewater infrastructure construction, serving municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients with self-performed pipeline, trenchless, heavy civil, and treatment plant services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ruby-Collins industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Construction
- SIC
- Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Self-Performing General Contractors (IMAFAAAI)
Keywords
Where Ruby-Collins is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Smyrna
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ruby-Collins business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Water Infrastructure Construction Projects: Project-based construction contracts for water and wastewater infrastructure including treatment plants, pipelines, pump stations, storage tanks, and trenchless solutions. Revenue derived from design-build, CMAR, design-bid-build, and on-call service delivery methods serving municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based construction services with no standard pricing tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ruby-Collins product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ruby-Collins is a 100% water-focused general contractor that self-performs construction of water and wastewater treatment plants, large-diameter pipelines, pump stations, storage tanks, and trenchless pipeline rehabilitation for municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients. The company delivers projects through Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design-Build, Design-Bid-Build, and On-Call/Emergency Response methods, and self-performs approximately 70% of its work in-house.
Product overview
Ruby-Collins is a water and wastewater infrastructure construction company offering a comprehensive suite of construction services. The company operates multiple divisions including Pipeline, Trenchless, Heavy Civil, Plant (Treatment Plants), Equipment, Safety, and Project Development. Their core services include Pipeline Construction, Trenchless Solutions (using Sekisui SPR spiral-wound PVC technology), Heavy Civil Construction, Treatment Plants, Pump Stations, Storage Tanks, and On-Call/Emergency Response. They deliver projects through multiple methods including Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB + PDB), and On-Call Services. The company self-performs approximately 70% of their work and serves municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pipeline Construction Large-scale, urban, and long-line pipeline construction services for water distribution and transmission, sanitary sewer and force mains, reuse systems, and stormwater infrastructure. Delivered for municipal, state, federal, and private clients.
- Trenchless Solutions Full-spectrum trenchless construction including specialized tunnel construction, horizontal directional drilling, auger boring, deep shafts, complex point repairs, and advanced pipeline rehabilitation using SEKISUI SPR spiral-wound PVC technology for renewal from inside out with minimal surface disruption.
- Heavy Civil Construction Complete site development solutions including demolition, clearing, storm drainage structures, grading and excavation, and final restoration for water infrastructure projects and general contractors.
- Treatment Plants Water and wastewater treatment plant construction for municipal, industrial, power, and private clients, including new construction, expansion, renovation, and decommissioning.
- Pump Stations Construction, updates, and maintenance of pump stations for raw water conveyance, sewer pumping, and stormwater management applications.
- Storage Tanks Storage tank construction services from site preparation to structure assembly, including multi-million-gallon underground detention systems, water treatment plant clearwells, and elevated storage tanks.
- On-Call and Emergency Response 24/7 emergency response and routine maintenance services for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure for commercial and municipal partners.
- Design-Build (DB + PDB) Delivery Combined design and construction delivery method drawing on 70+ years of infrastructure expertise to create and execute constructable, high-quality design solutions for water and wastewater owners.
- Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Delivery Project delivery in which Ruby-Collins takes projects from concept to closeout, mitigating risk and managing all facets of construction while advocating for owners during planning and execution.
- Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Delivery Traditional project delivery with extensive experience in identifying potential obstacles and value engineering opportunities to ensure swift, on-budget completion of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Achieved 1 million manhours with 0.76 EMR (Experience Modification Rate)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ruby-Collins
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ruby-Collins technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Ruby-Collins partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.
- Georgia Utility Contractors Association (GUCA)coreActive membership and leadership involvement in GUCA. Company executives serve on scholarship, finance, and legislative committees. Ruby-Collins has won GUCA awards including Contractor Member of the Year (2022) and Billy Padgett Hard Hat Safety Award (2026). Hosts company BBQ team at GAWP Conference.
- Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP)coreActive participation in GAWP Conference including annual BBQ competition team. Professional organization membership supporting water industry best practices and networking.
- Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) AtlantanotableRecognition through Georgia Fast 40 awards program. Ruby-Collins named to Fast 40 list recognizing fastest growing companies in Georgia.
- Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) South Atlantic ChapternotableActive membership with Project Achievement Award recognition (2023). Industry organization for construction management professionals.
- North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT)coreProfessional affiliation supporting trenchless construction technology advancement and best practices.
- Water Environment Federation (WEF)coreProfessional affiliation for water quality and environmental professionals.
- American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)notableProfessional affiliation representing engineering companies nationwide.
- Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)coreProfessional affiliation supporting design-build delivery methods. Ruby-Collins performs 60% of projects via collaborative delivery including design-build.
- Chastain Park ConservancyminorNonprofit board membership. CEO Scott Cline serves as Chairman after helping lead update to 20-year master plan.
- Cobb County Chamber of CommerceminorLocal chamber membership supporting business community engagement.
- Savannah Area Chamber of CommerceminorLocal chamber membership supporting Savannah region business community.
- Council for Quality GrowthminorRegional organization supporting quality growth initiatives in Georgia.
- WEASC/SCAWWA (Water Environment Association of South Carolina)minorProfessional affiliation for water environment professionals in South Carolina.
- GUCA Scholarship BoardcoreVP Jason Hyde serves as Vice Chair and rising Chairman of GUCA Scholarship Board, providing scholarships to children of industry professionals.
- Due West FoundationminorDivision Director Andy Cook serves as President, supporting Cobb County schools.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ruby-Collins competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ulliman Schutte Construction: Specialist in water and wastewater treatment plant construction, primarily serving municipal and industrial clients in the Eastern U.S.; directly competes on plant, pump station, and pipeline work similar to Ruby-Collins' portfolio.
- MWH Constructors (Stantec): Specialist water and wastewater construction firm (now part of Stantec) executing treatment plants, pump stations, and conveyance for municipal clients worldwide; direct competitor on large water reclamation and treatment plant programs.
- Bowen Engineering Corporation: Indiana-based water/wastewater and underground infrastructure GC with strong self-perform pipeline and treatment plant capabilities; competes for similar municipal CMAR and design-build awards across the Midwest and Southeast.
- Garney Construction: Employee-owned water and wastewater general contractor with similar 100% water specialization, self-perform model, and reliance on collaborative delivery (CMAR/Design-Build) for municipal clients — the closest comparable in size and go-to-market.
- PC Construction Company: Vermont-based employee-owned GC focused on water treatment, wastewater, and heavy civil infrastructure for municipal clients; comparable in self-perform culture, project mix, and reliance on collaborative delivery methods.
Broad incumbents
- Flatiron Construction: Heavy civil GC owned by HOCHTIEF that builds water infrastructure alongside transportation and energy projects; competes with Ruby-Collins on larger treatment plant and pipeline programs but is not water-exclusive.
- Kiewit Infrastructure: One of North America's largest infrastructure contractors, with a major water/wastewater practice alongside transportation, power, and oil & gas; competes on the largest megaprojects and brings substantially greater balance sheet capacity.
- Granite Construction: Public heavy civil contractor with material water resources and pipeline work in the Southeast; broader transportation and materials business dilutes water specialization but competes on pipeline and treatment plant bids.
- Sundt Construction: Employee-owned heavy civil and building contractor with significant water/wastewater work; comparable ownership model and self-perform culture, but with broader geographic and market diversification.
Regional players
- Reynolds Construction: Southeast-based water and wastewater treatment plant contractor with overlapping plant execution capabilities; competes in the same geography as Ruby-Collins on coastal Georgia and Florida treatment plant programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ruby-Collins social profiles
Digital presenceRuby-Collins financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ruby-Collins leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Ruby-Collins funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ruby-Collins M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ruby-Collins
What does Ruby-Collins do?
Ruby-Collins is a 100% water-focused general contractor that self-performs construction of water and wastewater treatment plants, large-diameter pipelines, pump stations, storage tanks, and trenchless pipeline rehabilitation for municipal, state, federal, industrial, and private clients. The company delivers projects through Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), Design-Build, Design-Bid-Build, and On-Call/Emergency Response methods, and self-performs approximately 70% of its work in-house.
Is Ruby-Collins a public or private company?
Ruby-Collins is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Ruby-Collins founded?
Ruby-Collins was founded in 1952. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Ruby-Collins based?
Ruby-Collins is headquartered in Smyrna, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ruby-Collins make money?
One revenue line is on record: water Infrastructure Construction Projects.
Who are Ruby-Collins's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ulliman Schutte Construction, MWH Constructors (Stantec), Bowen Engineering Corporation, Garney Construction and PC Construction Company. Broad incumbents are Flatiron Construction, Kiewit Infrastructure, Granite Construction and Sundt Construction. Reynolds Construction is listed as a regional player.
Does Ruby-Collins have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ruby-Collins.
What industry is Ruby-Collins in?
Ruby-Collins's product category is Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Construction. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAAAI, Self-Performing General Contractors. Its SIC code is 1623.