A Texas design-build firm with deep historical roots has reached a remarkable milestone, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and adaptability in the competitive construction industry. KDW, a fifth-generation family-owned business, commemorates 130 years of continuous operation, tracing its origins to a small construction company established in Nacogdoches, Texas, in 1895.
The company's journey reflects a remarkable transformation from a local infrastructure builder to a sophisticated design-build enterprise serving global and national clients. Initially focusing on constructing essential community buildings like schools, hospitals, and universities in East Texas, KDW has evolved into a multifaceted organization with offices in Houston, Austin, and its original hometown of Nacogdoches.
KDW's strategic partnership in 2004 between the Kingham family and industry veterans Keith Dalton and Welcome Wilson Jr. marked a significant turning point. This collaboration merged traditional expertise with innovative practices, positioning the firm to meet the complex needs of contemporary businesses across various sectors.
The firm's comprehensive approach encompasses an integrated, single-contract design-build model, featuring in-house architects, designers, and multidisciplinary building professionals. This holistic methodology has enabled KDW to successfully complete over 2,500 projects valued at more than $1 billion, ranging from advanced manufacturing facilities to destination venues like Typhoon Texas Waterparks.
Notable projects include state-of-the-art facilities for companies such as Goya Foods, Sika, MAN Energy Solutions, and advanced recycling centers for Balcones Resources. These diverse achievements underscore KDW's versatility and commitment to excellence across industrial, commercial, and specialized sectors.
Co-founder and CEO Keith Dalton emphasized the company's enduring philosophy of client partnership, stating that their success stems from building trust, maintaining transparency, and consistently delivering beyond client expectations. This approach has been instrumental in sustaining the company through multiple economic cycles and technological transformations.
The firm's longevity in a historically volatile industry speaks to its ability to adapt, innovate, and maintain strong relationships with clients, design partners, and trade professionals. With a team of over 100 multi-disciplinary experts, KDW continues to demonstrate that family-owned businesses can successfully compete in a global marketplace by prioritizing quality, collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach.
