News Summary
ENR Texas & Southeast has recognized MMR Group and Wayne Brothers Cos. as the 2025 Specialty Contractors of the Year for their exceptional contributions to worker training and safety in the construction industry. These companies have demonstrated remarkable performance and commitment to excellence, despite facing challenges such as a significant workforce shortage. The recognition highlights the importance of safety practices and legislative advocacy for worker protections in the Texas construction sector.
ENR Texas & Southeast Announces 2025 Specialty Contractors of the Year
The 2025 Specialty Contractors of the Year have been announced by ENR Texas & Southeast, recognizing the outstanding contributions of two firms: MMR Group from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Wayne Brothers Cos. from Davidson, North Carolina. These companies were honored for their unwavering commitment to worker training and safety.
Recognition and Performance
The upcoming December 2025 print issue of ENR Texas & Southeast will shine a spotlight on specialty contracting firms throughout the region. The annual Top Specialty Contractors ranking has expanded its focus by combining the areas of Texas & Louisiana and Southeast into a comprehensive “super region.” This broadened perspective allows for a better evaluation of the performance and growth of contractors in these vital areas.
MMR Group achieved a remarkable milestone by generating record-breaking revenue exceeding $2.3 billion in 2024, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year. This impressive performance has also led the company to gain recognition from the Associated Builders and Contractors as one of the nation’s leading electrical trade contractors.
Meanwhile, Wayne Brothers Cos. reported $236.1 million in revenue specifically targeted in the Texas & Southeast region in 2024. The company reached an exceptional safety achievement, logging more than 3 million worker hours without a lost-time accident in 2024 and over 4.5 million hours without a safety incident in 2025.
Key Industry Insights
MMR Group and Wayne Brothers Cos. are not the only firms making waves in the construction industry. Performance Contractors, also from Baton Rouge, did exceptionally well in 2024, reporting about $3 billion in total revenue, with $2.82 billion coming from the Texas and Southeast regions. This marks its best annual performance in history.
Despite these successes, the construction industry in North Texas faces significant challenges, particularly a workforce shortage that is currently estimated at around 30%. This shortage is attributed to stringent immigration enforcement policies affecting the availability of laborers.
Compounding the issue, officials from the Dallas Builders’ Association have noted that these labor shortages are particularly prevalent in critical sectors such as framing and concrete work.
Workers’ Rights and Challenges
The Texas construction industry, valued at approximately $139 billion, employs about 1.2 million workers. Alarmingly, more than 50% of construction workers in Texas do not have workers’ compensation insurance, and a staggering 72% do not earn a living wage, according to a report by the Workers Defense Project.
Reports of wage theft average just over $2,000, with roughly one in five workers experiencing it. Given these troubling statistics, the current legislative session in Texas is witnessing increased advocacy for stronger worker protections, such as improved access to workers’ compensation insurance and measures to prevent employee misclassification.
Additionally, recent federal initiatives have aimed to establish heat protections for workers, which include mandatory access to shade and water as specific temperature thresholds are reached, further highlighting the focus on worker safety in construction environments.
Conclusion
As MMR Group and Wayne Brothers Cos. celebrate their recognition as the 2025 Specialty Contractors of the Year, the broader construction industry continues to grapple with serious challenges. A focus on worker training, safety, and legislation may pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future for construction workers across the region.
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Additional Resources
- ENR Texas & Southeast: Contractors of the Year Announcement
- Oregon Live: Texas Construction Oversight Report
- ENR Texas & Southeast: Performance Contractors Recognition
- CBS News: Immigration Policies Impacting Construction
- Wikipedia: Construction Industry
Author: Construction TX News
TEXAS STAFF WRITER The TEXAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructiontxnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Texas and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Texas Construction Expo, major infrastructure unveilings, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of Texas and the Texas Building Branch, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Austin Commercial and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
