Blach Named #3 Best Place to Work in the Bay Area

The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and the San Francisco Business Times announced Friday that Santa Clara-based Blach Construction Company is the #3 company on their list of "Best Places to Work in the Bay Area."

James MacGregor and Mary Huss, the publishers of the respective newspapers, announced this recognition at an awards gala at the San Francisco Hilton Hotel attended by more than 800 Bay Area business leaders.

Hundreds of companies from 12 counties competed for the opportunity to be recognized as one of the top 125 companies in the annual Bay Area’s Best Places to Work survey. Blach was ranked number three in the “mid-size” company category, among the top 50 firms who employ 101 to 500 employees.

In order to qualify for the top 125, more than 70% of a firm’s employees must successfully complete an anonymous questionnaire, which focuses on employee engagement, best practices, work environment and benefits. This is the fourth consecutive year that Blach has been honored at the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area ceremony. Blach has finished in the #3 spot or better in three of the last four years in its size category, and #1 in 2010.

“This award is a wonderful affirmation of what we already knew. It’s something I hope our employees take great pride in – I certainly do,” noted Mike Blach, president and CEO. “We have built a company where people feel engaged with their work and their teammates, respected, valued, and given the resources to be successful and build a long-term, fulfilling career. There’s a lot of things that get me excited to come to work every day, but this is the greatest.”

Blach’s employees agreed. The firm won the third highest rating of any firm in the Mid-Size Company category in the survey conducted by the independent workplace researcher, Quantum Workplace. Blach was also the highest rated building contractor or construction manager in any size category.

“As an HR professional it is so exciting to work for a company that asks, before all major decisions are made, ‘Is this what a truly great company would do?’” explains Gaye Landau-Leonard, Vice President of Human Resources. “Our employees know that they genuinely matter to the company and to each other, which in turn has created a highly engaged, loyal team of professionals who take great pride in their work.”

The official results from the survey were published in a special supplement in the April 20th edition of both newspapers. For a complete listing of the companies honored and accompanying stories, please visit www.sanjose.bizjournals.com.

Founded in 1970, Blach Construction Company builds structures of enduring quality and value throughout northern and central California. The company’s experience encompasses a broad cross-section of commercial, industrial and institutional building types, including education, healthcare, technology, life sciences, professional services and civic/community facilities. Blach is also a recognized leader in sustainable design and construction. The company is based in the Silicon Valley, with full-service regional offices located in Stockton and Monterey.