Willis Construction

What Willis Construction does

Willis Construction is a privately held, 100% employee-owned architectural precast concrete manufacturer headquartered in San Juan Bautista, California. Founded in 1978-1979 by Larry Willis with a $400 investment, the company has operated for over 45 years serving architects, general contractors, developers, and engineers on commercial, institutional, and public projects primarily across the Western United States, including recent expansion into Nevada. Its core products span four lines: Architectural Precast (durable, customizable panels), Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC; a lightweight 3/4-inch cementitious skin reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibers used for high-rise and ornate facades), Thinshell Concrete (a 2-1/4-inch concrete skin on metal stud frames), and Structural Precast Components (beams, columns, and load-bearing elements). The company also offers design and engineering assistance, BIM coordination, 3D modeling, and end-to-end project management from preconstruction through installation, maintaining PCI Certification through ongoing 120-point plant audits.

The business model is project-based B2B contracting. Revenue is generated through one-time contracts for custom design, manufacturing, and on-site installation of precast elements, with pricing quoted per project and no publicly disclosed price list. Distribution is via direct enterprise sales working alongside architectural firms (Gensler, HOK, Hart Howerton, Pfeiffer Partners, Ricardo Legorretta) and general contractors (Whiting-Turner, Hensel Phelps, Devcon, Barry Swenson Builders). Customer segments span commercial office and retail, hotels and residential, parking structures, healthcare, public/state/federal buildings, education, sports stadiums, religious buildings, museums, and specialty custom work. Notable projects include the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (2,500 GFRC panels, 360 unique molds, 2021 PCI Merit Award), The Broad Museum (2015 PCI National Merit Award), Oracle Park, and 1700 Pavilion in Las Vegas (442 pre-glazed/insulated GFRC panels, 2025 PCI Design Award Honorable Mention). The company has accumulated multiple PCI awards since 1999 and a 500+ repeat-client base. Technology investments include CNC mold fabrication, 3D modeling, BIM coordination, and US Formliners' Artico Neo formliner technology for embedding photographic imagery directly into GFRC surfaces. No external venture, private equity, or institutional capital is involved; ownership sits entirely with employees via an ESOP structure.

Name

Willis Construction

Legal name

Willis Construction Co., Inc.

Website

https://willisconstruction.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Willis Construction is a 100% employee-owned architectural precast and GFRC concrete manufacturer in San Juan Bautista, CA, serving architects, developers, and general contractors on commercial, institutional, and public projects across the Western United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Juan Bautista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Precast Concrete: Custom-designed precast concrete panels for commercial, residential, and public buildings. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for design, manufacturing, and installation of architectural precast elements.
2. GFRC Manufacturing and Installation: Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete products including custom panels, imaging solutions, and pre-glazed/pre-insulated systems. Revenue from manufacturing and on-site installation services.
3. Thinshell Precast: Lightweight concrete panels attached to metal stud frames for diverse architectural applications.
4. Structural Precast Components: Engineered structural elements including beams, columns, and load-bearing walls.
5. Preconstruction Services: Design assistance, BIM coordination, 3D modeling, and project management services from initial concept through completion.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Willis Construction designs, manufactures, and installs custom architectural precast concrete panels, Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), Thinshell concrete panels, and structural precast components for commercial, institutional, and public building projects. The firm serves architects, general contractors, and developers on the West Coast, providing project-specific precast solutions from preconstruction (BIM, 3D modeling, design assistance) through fabrication and on-site installation.

Product overview

Willis Construction is a top Architectural Precast manufacturer in the Western U.S. offering precast concrete solutions. Their product portfolio centers on four core precast product lines: Architectural Precast (durable, moisture-resistant panels with customizable aesthetics), GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete, lightweight ¾ inch panels reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibers for high-rise and ornate applications), Thinshell Concrete (2¼ inch concrete on metal stud frame for lightweight applications), and Structural Precast Components (engineered beams, columns, and load-bearing elements). These are complemented by Design and Engineering Assistance services (including BIM coordination and 3D modeling) and Logistical Planning and Project Management. The company operates PCI-certified manufacturing facilities and provides end-to-end solutions from preconstruction through installation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Precast Custom-designed, project-specific architectural precast concrete panels offering durable moisture protection and aesthetic versatility with custom colors, textures, and finishes (including natural stone veneers and thin brick applications). Used for commercial, residential, and public building envelopes requiring durable, design-flexible cladding.
• GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) Lightweight ¾-inch cementitious skin reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibers, enabling intricate designs, custom finishes, and ornate shapes for high-rise, cultural, and commercial building facades. Can be delivered as standard panels, pre-glazed and pre-insulated unitized panels, or GFRC imaging solutions.
• Thinshell Concrete 2¼-inch thick concrete skin bonded to a metal stud frame that delivers the aesthetic appeal of precast mixes at a manageable, lightweight form factor. A cost-effective option for lightweight structures and facades requiring the look of precast without full-mass panels.
• Structural Precast Components Engineered structural precast elements including beams, columns, planks, vertical walls, and load-bearing components designed to meet demanding modern construction requirements for structural framework support.
• Design and Engineering Assistance Preconstruction design-assist services including BIM coordination, 3D modeling, feasibility review, and engineering consultation provided to architects, builders, general contractors, and developers from initial concept to project completion.
• Logistical Planning and Project Management Comprehensive logistical planning and project management covering transportation, on-site installation, and quality assurance, ensuring timely and efficient execution of precast delivery and installation.

Quantifiable outcome

• For The Broad Museum: Over 2,500 GFRC panels with 360 unique molds, each fitting with an eighth-of-an-inch tolerance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• US FormlinerscoreTechnology or IntegrationUS Formliners provides Artico Neo formliner technology used by Willis Construction for GFRC imaging projects. This technology enables variable-depth surface patterning to embed photographic imagery directly into GFRC panel surfaces, creating photo-realistic compositions without ink or paint.
• Hart HowertoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHart Howerton is the architecture firm that designed the 1700 Pavilion Building in Las Vegas, NV. Willis Construction served as the GFRC manufacturer and installation partner for this 2025 PCI Design Award-winning project.
• Gonzalez Goodale ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGonzalez Goodale Architects designed Los Angeles Central High School project where Willis Construction provided GFRC painted wall panels and interior painted crown molding.
• BSA ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSA Architects designed the Santa Rosa Jr. College Lawrence Bertolini Student Center project featuring architectural precast elements including sills, caps, wall panels, and window surrounds.
• Pfeiffer PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPfeiffer Partners designed the USC Glorya Kaufman project featuring architectural precast sills, arched window surrounds, and perimeter roof dentils.
• GenslercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGensler is a prominent architecture firm that has worked with Willis Construction on multiple projects including ICON Sunset Bronson Studios, The Broad Museum, and 1199 Coleman/Highline.
• Whiting TurnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhiting Turner is the general contractor that constructed the 1700 Pavilion Building in Las Vegas, NV. Willis Construction provided GFRC manufacturing and installation services for this award-winning project.
• Hensel Phelps Construction Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHensel Phelps Construction Co. is a general contractor that has worked with Willis Construction on multiple projects including Los Angeles Central High School and 621 Capitol Mall.
• Barry Swenson ArchitecturalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarry Swenson Architectural designed and Barry Swenson Builders constructed the Taylor Farms Headquarters project featuring custom GFRC panels and thin brick veneer.
• Devcon ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevcon Construction is the general contractor for the 1199 Coleman/Highline project in San Jose, CA featuring 64,600 sq ft of GFRC panels.
• HOKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOK is a global architecture firm that has partnered with Willis Construction on multiple projects including 621 Capitol Mall, Esquire Plaza, and Pleasanton Commons.
• Langdon WilsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLangdon Wilson designed Crown City Plaza in Pasadena, CA, showcasing the versatility of GFRC in modern design.
• Devcon Construction (Designer and Builder)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevcon Construction served as both designer and builder for the 1212 Bordeaux Office project featuring architectural precast panels with board form liners.
• Ricardo Legorretta ArchitectoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRicardo Legorretta Architectos designed the Chiron Life Sciences Center in Emeryville, CA, winner of the 1999 PCI National Award. The project featured Thin Brick on Precast and Board Form finish Architectural Precast.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Stresscon Corporation: Colorado-based architectural and structural precast manufacturer serving the Rocky Mountain and Western U.S. markets with PCI-certified plants. Highly comparable product set to Willis and a regional competitor in adjacent Western territory rather than a direct overlap in California.

Direct peers

• Smith-Midland Corporation: Mid-Atlantic-based manufacturer of architectural precast, structural precast, and utility/sound wall products serving commercial, transportation, and institutional customers. Overlaps directly with Willis on architectural precast panels for design-driven, architect-specified projects.
• High Concrete Group: Northeast-based architectural and structural precast manufacturer producing building envelopes and structural components for parking, healthcare, education, and commercial facilities. Comparable to Willis on architectural precast, parking structures, and PCI-certified plant operations.
• Tindall Corporation: Multi-region precast/prestressed concrete manufacturer producing architectural and structural precast for commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects. Closely comparable to Willis on architectural panel offerings and engineering-led preconstruction services, though larger and geographically broader.
• Clark Pacific: California-based precast concrete manufacturer specializing in architectural and structural building systems for Western U.S. commercial, healthcare, education, and parking projects. Especially comparable to Willis given overlapping West Coast geography, similar architectural precast focus, and design-build preconstruction services.
• Gate Precast Company: One of the largest architectural precast concrete producers in the U.S., serving architects and general contractors on Class A commercial, institutional, and cultural buildings. Directly comparable to Willis on product mix (architectural precast panels for premium facades), customer base, and PCI-certified engineering focus.
• Spancrete: Wisconsin-based precast/prestressed concrete manufacturer with architectural, structural, and hollowcore product lines serving commercial, industrial, and infrastructure markets. Comparable to Willis on architectural precast and structural components as well as PCI-certified plant operations.
• Nitterhouse Concrete Products: Family-owned Pennsylvania precast concrete manufacturer producing architectural, structural, and specialty precast for commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects. Comparable to Willis on product mix, customer type (architects and GCs), and privately held family/employee-oriented ownership culture.
• Coreslab Structures: Producer of architectural and structural precast/prestressed concrete with plants across the U.S. and Canada serving parking, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure markets. Directly comparable to Willis on building envelope and structural precast offerings and project-based delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Oldcastle Infrastructure: A CRH-owned building products platform that is one of the largest producers of precast/manufactured concrete in North America, with broad infrastructure, utility, and architectural offerings. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in the same concrete products space, though it does not focus specifically on Willis's architectural/GFRC niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Willis Construction