What California Drywall Co. does

California Drywall Co. is a specialty subcontractor delivering wall and ceiling systems for commercial, healthcare, education, technology, and institutional construction projects across Northern California. Founded in 1946 in San Jose and now operating as a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) since August 2023, the firm is the #1 wall and ceiling contractor in California and ranked among the top 15 nationally by ENR. It delivers across ten scopes of work — including metal framing and drywall, acoustical and specialty ceilings, fireproofing, insulation and firestop, lath and plaster/EIFS, miscellaneous metals, paint, powder coating, rain screen systems, and strut systems — supported by five cross-cutting service lines: BIM/VDC, cold-formed steel engineering, Design-Build/Design-Assist, Integrated Project Delivery, and preconstruction.

The firm operates a 63,000-square-foot prefabrication and manufacturing facility equipped with Trumpf laser cutting, Ermaksan CNC press brakes, FRAMECAD roll-formers, PanelMax CNC tables, plasma tables, and a Triad framing table, capable of producing runs up to 10,000+ parts. Field operations integrate third-party construction-technology partnerships — Canvas construction robotics for drywall finishing, Dusty Robotics' FieldPrinter for full-size digital layout, and Mechasys' FramR laser projector — alongside in-house BIM modeling and cold-formed steel engineering. The 600+ employee organization reports a 95% repeat-client rate, an EMR of 0.49 indicating superior safety performance, and a project portfolio that includes Apple Park (11 buildings), Stanford Escondido Village (1.8M SF), UC Merced 2020 Expansion (1.2M SF across 14 structures), Chase Center, Levi's Stadium, and cumulative Google work exceeding $150 million since 2006.

Revenue is generated through project-based subcontracting contracts with general contractors (Devcon, Herrero, McCarthy, Turner, BCCI, Vance Brown Builders, XL Construction, Truebeck, NOVO, Boldt) and through direct relationships with healthcare systems (Sutter Health, UCSF, Stanford Healthcare), technology companies (Google, Meta, LinkedIn, Slack), universities (Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Merced, Cal Poly), and owners of major civic and entertainment venues. Pricing is quote-based via competitive bidding and direct negotiation, with revenue recognized per project scope and characterized as non-recurring. The go-to-market motion combines early Design-Build or Design-Assist engagement with multi-scope single-source delivery, positioning the firm as a long-tenured partner on IPD and Lean construction projects across the Bay Area and Central Valley.

Name

California Drywall Co.

Legal name

California Drywall Corporation

Website

https://caldrywall.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

California Drywall Co. is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) specialty subcontractor delivering wall and ceiling systems across Northern California. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in San Jose, the 600+ person firm provides ten scopes of work, in-house prefabrication, and BIM/VDC engineering to healthcare, technology, education, and commercial clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Wall and Ceiling Construction Subcontracting

NAICS

Drywall and Insulation Contractors (23831), Building Finishing Contractors (2383), Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (238320)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Drywall, Partitions & Suspended Ceilings (IMAFANAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Painting, Decorating & Wallcoverings (IMAFANAI)

Keywords

• Wall and ceiling subcontracting
• Drywall installation services
• Metal framing and fireproofing
• Prefabricated wall panel construction
• Cold-formed steel engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Subcontracting Services: California Drywall generates revenue as a specialty subcontractor providing wall and ceiling construction services. Revenue is earned through project-based contracts with general contractors, typically pricing on a per-scope, per-project basis. The company offers 10 different scopes of work including metal framing, drywall, plaster, fireproofing, insulation, paint, and prefabricated components. Revenue is project-based and non-recurring, dependent on construction activity in the Northern California market.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

California Drywall Co. is a Northern California specialty subcontractor providing ten scopes of wall and ceiling construction services — including metal framing and drywall, acoustical and specialty ceilings, fireproofing and intumescent coatings, lath and plaster/EIFS, insulation and firestop, paint, powder coating, rain screen systems, strut systems, and miscellaneous metals — supported by five service offerings (BIM/VDC, cold-formed steel engineering, design-build/design-assist, integrated project delivery, and preconstruction) and an in-house 63,000 SF prefabrication manufacturing facility. The firm serves general contractors, architects, and building owners across healthcare, technology, higher education, and commercial sectors on complex, large-scale construction projects.

Product overview

California Drywall Co. is a specialty subcontracting firm offering a multi-scope portfolio of construction services organized across 10 work scopes and 5 service offerings, supported by an in-house prefabrication and manufacturing division. The 10 scopes cover the full wall and ceiling construction spectrum: Acoustical & Specialty Ceilings, Fireproofing + Intumescent, Insulation & Firestop, Lath & Plaster/EIFS, Metal Framing/Drywall and Taping, Miscellaneous Metals, Paint, Powder Coating, Rain Screen Systems, and Strut Systems. These are complemented by services including BIM/VDC, Cold-Formed Steel Engineering, Design-Build + Design-Assist, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Preconstruction. The Prefabrication & Manufacturing division (a distinct product line) leverages a 63,000 SF fabrication facility and advanced equipment to produce custom components, kits, wall panels, drywall shapes, and assemblies for both internal use and client delivery. The company also integrates third-party construction technology partners including Canvas (robotics), Dusty Robotics (FieldPrinter), and Mechasys (FramR laser projector). California Drywall operates as a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and serves clients throughout Northern California, with headquarters in San Jose.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metal Framing, Drywall and Taping Cold-formed steel framing for interior and exterior assemblies, curtain walls, and structural load-bearing framing; gypsum board applications including interior and exterior walls, shaft walls, ceiling soffits, fire and sound rated assemblies, and abuse resistant walls, with standard, Level 5, and custom finishes. Provided for general contractors on commercial construction projects.
• Acoustical & Specialty Ceilings Installation of virtually all ceiling brands, suspended acoustical ceilings, specialty ceilings, acoustical wall treatments and panels for airports, hospitals, hotels, and offices. Scope includes acoustical ceilings, specialty metal ceilings, wood ceilings, clouds, canopies, translucent materials, wall panels, and custom ceiling applications.
• Fireproofing + Intumescent Certified installation of fireproofing and intumescent products from manufacturers including Carboline, FireTex, GCP Applied Technologies, and Isolatek International. Services cover standard, medium, and high-density fireproofing, replacement fireproofing, intumescent coatings, and Isolatek's BLAZE-SHIELD applied to any size structure.
• Insulation & Firestop Thermal and acoustical insulation, rigid board insulation, curtain wall insulation, cap sheets, and faced material, plus sealant and spray acoustical insulation at head of wall, base of wall, and through penetrations. Firestop applied at slab edge, head of wall, base of wall, and through penetrations.
• Lath & Plaster/EIFS Exterior and interior lath and plaster services including framing, sheathing, weather barriers, lath applications, standard stucco, and exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS). Interior services include Venetian plaster, veneer plaster, decorative veneers, StarSilent sound-absorbing plaster, Texston decorative plaster, Armourcoat plaster, and plaster restoration.
• Miscellaneous Metals Custom-manufactured architectural and miscellaneous metal components and accessories including decorative metal panels, counter supports, metal ceiling systems, stainless steel brackets, and architectural ornamental metalwork. In-house services include punching, laser cutting, braking, roll-forming, welding, and powder coating.
• Paint Large production work and high-end decorative interiors including painting, wallcoverings, decorative coatings, faux finishes, waterproofing, wood staining, high performance coatings, intumescent coatings, acoustical wall panels, and specialty coatings.
• Powder Coating Architectural and commercial powder coating in both production and custom runs using an electrostatic process and heat to create tough, impact-resistant coatings on metal surfaces. Facility features a 7' x 14' powder coating booth, 2 ovens, 14' x 25' media blast booth, and 16' x 40' paint booth.
• Rain Screen Systems Installation of rain screen systems, vapor and air barriers with expertise in engineering review and submittal process support.
• Strut Systems Complete design assist, engineering, and installation of Structural Support (Strut) Systems using BIM to design and model ceiling grid supports, medical equipment supports, laboratory supports, MEP/data supports, seismic restraint, roof walkways, catwalks, and access platforms.
• BIM/VDC Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design and Construction services using Autodesk Revit, StructSoft Solutions MWF, Autodesk Navisworks Manage, AutoCAD Architecture, Autodesk BIM 360 Glue, and BIManywhere iPad app. Improves schedules, reduces cost, and proactively eliminates issues through real-time visual communication.
• Cold-Formed Steel Engineering In-house engineering for cold-formed steel framing projects providing engineered and stamped shop drawings, details, calculations, interior and exterior wall framing, panelized framing design, floor and roof truss framing, connections and attachments, delivered by licensed design professionals.
• Design-Build + Design-Assist Streamlined project delivery with integrated estimators, designers, engineers, and builders from initial design through closeout. Provides informed suggestions on metal stud size and gauge, wall construction details, materials, and stamped engineered details for improved quality, cost control, and faster completion.
• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Collaborative construction delivery on IFOA, IPD, and Lean projects with experience as a core team member on some of the largest and most complex IPD and LEAN projects in Northern California, including CPMC Van Ness Hospital, Sutter Santa Rosa Expansion, and UCSF New Hospital at Parnassus Heights.
• Preconstruction Early involvement in projects partnering with client design teams, general contractors, and trade partners to engineer efficient structures, resolve work sequencing issues, optimize schedules, and enhance critical elements of architect's designs.
• Prefabrication & Manufacturing Offsite fabrication of wall panels, soffits, headers, metal components, drywall shapes, and more at a 63,000 SF manufacturing facility using Trumpf Truelaser 2030, Ermaksan CNC Press Brakes, cold-formed steel roll-formers, PanelMax CNC tables, CNC Plasma Tables, and Triad Framing Table. Capable of producing prototypes to runs of 10,000+ parts for both internal use and client delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saved Sutter Santa Rosa Hospital nearly $1,000,000 and cut 3 months off schedule using prefabricated panelized exterior skin system
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CanvascoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Canvas is a construction robotics company whose worker-controlled robotic machine provides a flexible approach to drywall finishing, combining the skills of trained union workers and technology. California Drywall is a partner in Canvas' Innovation Partner Program. Two tapers graduated from the Canvas Certified Finisher training program and used the machine on projects for a confidential tech client in San Jose and a large healthcare project in San Francisco. The machine currently can complete 40% of a project.
• Dusty RoboticscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Dusty Robotics FieldPrinter solution automates the process of taking digital floor plans onto construction sites by printing them full-size on the floor through a combination of hardware, software, and services. This solution ensures that all trades build from the same set of plans, eliminating errors, expediting conflict resolution, and reducing construction duration. California Drywall uses this technology on projects.
• MechasyscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Mechasys developed FramR, an innovative laser projector that projects real-scale layouts on construction sites with accuracy of 1/8 inch, optimizing quality, productivity and simplicity. In 2020, California Drywall partnered with Mechasys as a member of its Pioneer Program. Since then they have been testing the FramR and providing feedback to ensure all functionalities are available for full deployment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Performance Contracting Group (PCI): Major specialty interior contractor offering drywall, framing, insulation, and ceilings alongside its core insulation business, with national reach and similar emphasis on design-assist delivery. Comparable in scale and delivery model.
• F.L. Crane & Sons: Family-owned drywall and metal framing specialty contractor with multi-generational history, prefabrication capabilities, and a focus on commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects. Highly comparable in ownership heritage and operational scope.
• KHS&S Contractors: National drywall, framing, plaster, EIFS, and fireproofing subcontractor with strong presence on large commercial, healthcare, and entertainment projects. Closest like-for-like peer to California Drywall in terms of multi-scope wall-and-ceiling delivery.
• Anning-Johnson Company: Multi-scope interior contractor providing drywall, framing, plaster, fireproofing, and EIFS on commercial, healthcare, and data center projects nationally. Comparable in scope mix and customer segments to California Drywall.
• Marek Brothers Systems: Large Texas-based wall and ceiling subcontractor with a multi-scope model (drywall, framing, insulation, paint, acoustical) that operates across commercial, healthcare, and institutional verticals. Comparable in scope breadth and project type to California Drywall.
• Acousti Engineering (Acousti): One of the largest commercial drywall, framing, and acoustical ceiling subcontractors in the US, serving similar healthcare, education, hospitality, and commercial end markets with a comparable multi-scope model. Directly comparable in scope mix and customer profile to California Drywall.
• Baker Construction Co. Large specialty contractor providing drywall, metal studs, and acoustical ceilings alongside structural concrete services, with national presence on commercial and institutional projects. Comparable in specialty trade scope and project delivery model.

Emerging players

• ISEC Inc. Specialty contractor delivering architectural millwork, doors/frames/hardware, and specialty interiors with strong BIM coordination capabilities, serving similar commercial and institutional end markets. Comparable in integrated specialty delivery and engineering-led model, though narrower scope.
• W.D. Manor Mechanical & Drywall: Arizona-based wall and ceiling subcontractor with drywall, framing, insulation, and acoustical services serving commercial and healthcare customers. Thematically comparable mid-sized specialty subcontractor, though smaller scale and regional footprint.

Regional players

• TNT Construction: Western US-focused drywall and framing subcontractor operating on similar commercial, healthcare, and education projects in adjacent geographies (Nevada, Arizona, Utah). Comparable in services and verticals but does not directly compete in Northern California.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/californiadrywall
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/californiadrywallco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

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 California Drywall Co.