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Milestones: Petra Construction Corp.
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Business New Haven
11/24/2003
By: Karen Singer
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Petra Construction Corp.
98 Rebeschi Dr.
North Haven, CT 06473
Tel: 203-865-6043
Fax: 203-865-6847
Web: www.petraconstruction.com
Ownership: Guido Petra
Milestone: 50 years
Timeline: Over the past half-century Petra Construction Corp. has grown from a small custom-woodworking business into a 130-employee company handling large commercial, industrial and institutional accounts.
Founded in 1953 as a small millwork shop in Hamden by Guido Petraiuolo, a second-generation Italo-American, the North Haven firm currently is run by his son, Guido Petra. Dad still shows up periodically to check on the progress.
Projects these days range from construction work for Yale University, the University of New Haven and other institutions of higher learning to the renovation of existing spaces, such as creation of an MRI suite at the Hospital of Saint Raphael and upgrading standby power-generating capabilities for SBC/SNET offices around the state.
Other work includes projects for religious institutions and museums.
The company handles bids on projects as well as directly negotiated contracts with clients.
The family-owned Petra Construction is likewise family-oriented. Unlike other contractors, who typically hire workers on a project-by-project basis, Petra has carpenters, masons and other highly-skilled craftsmen on the payroll year-round.
"Using our own employees gives our clients better quality projects or more control," says executive vice president Terry Wooding.
The approach has paid off in long-term loyalty from employees - and clients.
Petra also offers a design/build program in which the company hires the design team and coordinates the entire design and construction process.
Looking Back on a Changing Industry: Despite the economic downturn over the last couple of years, Petra's "extreme level of client service has kept us pretty busy," Wooding reports. "Plus, we've had 50 years to build a client base, which also keeps up the work flow."
Earlier this month Petra celebrated its golden anniversary with an open house for clients, architects, designers and others who have fostered the growth of the business. The next 50 years await.
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