In just a few years, Pepper Construction will hit a monumental milestone – 100 years in business. While we take this opportunity to look back at our roots, our vision remains fixed on the future of our industry.

Now in its third and fourth generations of family leadership, Pepper has been widely recognized for our work toward building a sustainable future for the environment, our operations and our people. We believe building performance impacts human performance and that the future of construction is sustainable, resilient and high-performing buildings. Therefore, our company’s mission remains to continuously improve people’s quality of life through the built world. Nearly 40% of the world’s carbon emissions come from the built world through daily energy use and the manufacturing and transportation of building materials. That means the construction industry has a tremendous opportunity – and a responsibility – to positively impact people today and for generations to come. This has led Pepper to act in three important areas.

For our projects, we incorporate the following five scalable solutions through our Drawdown program, which we created in 2019 based on the work of editor and environmentalist Paul Hawken:

1. Low global warming potential refrigerants 
2. Solar energy 
3. Carbon-infused concrete 
4. Optimal R-values 
5. Water-saving technologies

Leveraging these solutions, Pepper is improving operational efficiency and reducing carbon on the projects we build. We have eliminated almost 1.8 million tons of CO2, impacting more than 309,100 people in the last five years.

Jobsites are workplaces, too. We designed and built the industry’s first operational Net Zero Jobsite Trailer. Powered by 27 solar panels on the roof, this jobsite trailer is what the future of construction needs to be. If every US construction company converted just one jobsite trailer to net zero, 564 million tons of CO2 would be eliminated.

Within our company operations, we follow our own advice. The Pepper team recently renovated a 112-year-old building to serve as a “living lab” office. In the process, we pushed the boundaries to achieve Net Zero, LEED Gold and WELL Silver certifications – a rare accomplishment in a historic structure.

In 2022, we also entered the renewable energy market with the launch of Pepper Energy, which offers engineering, procurement, and construction services as well as finance and development capabilities and self-perform expertise. Tied to regulated and deregulated electricity markets and legislative initiatives, one of its primary goals is to create equity within disadvantaged communities.

This connection to people is a critical component of building a company that is “sustainable” in every sense of the word. Just as in nature, integrating diversity, inclusivity and environmental sustainability in construction benefits the greater good. Pepper is going beyond the metrics of diverse participation on jobsites to ensure that environmentally friendly construction and healthy spaces serve surrounding communities to promote growth and expand workforce opportunities.

Within our walls, Pepper strives to create a sense of belonging where everyone can thrive. This impacts everything from how we work to how we recruit new employees and partners on our jobsites. Ultimately, it is Pepper’s family culture, tethered to our values of dignity and respect, that keep us building toward a sustainable future for all.

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