The company also ranked amongst ENR’s Top 600 Specialty Contractors List and received ENR’s Award of Merit for Manufacturing in ENR’s Southeast’s 2025 Best Project Awards. BZI was recognized for implementing innovative solutions, including its proprietary tool UniLink, which improved productivity and safety during the construction of an electric vehicle plant
BZI® (bzi.com), a leading steel and construction company nationally recognized for transformative innovations and project delivery, announced its ranking as a Top 600 Specialty Contractor and No. 6 among the top 20 steel firms by Engineering News Record (ENR). BZI also received an Award of Merit for Manufacturing in ENR Southeast’s 2025 Best Projects Awards. BZI was recognized for developing and implementing innovative solutions, including its proprietary tool, UniLink, specifically designed through lean construction principles for the EV plant construction project, Project Scout.
“BZI’s mission is to revolutionize the steel construction industry through innovation and team performance. These very meaningful forms of recognition by the highly respected industry influencer, ENR, provide a proud moment for our company and team,” said James Barlow, CEO of the company. “Our focus on innovation, lean principles, team safety, collaboration and performance are demonstrating, through measurable positive results, that BZI’s technology, processes and team are accelerating project delivery, while setting new standards in safety and efficiency. Our company, customers and partners are benefitting, and we believe others in the industry can find significant opportunities in these unique and value-added approaches.”
ENR’s Top 600 Specialty Contractors List highlights the country’s leading specialty contractors across a variety of specialties. According to ENR, companies are ranked based on construction revenue in millions from specialty contracting in a prime or subcontracting capacity.
In addition to its placement on the national list, BZI’s recognition in ENR Southeast’s Best Project Awards underscored the impact of its innovative construction methods. The company was commended for such key innovations as:
- UniLink tool: Optimized workflows, reduced task time for placing beams from 60-90 minutes to 10-15 minutes.
- Wide swivel carriage (WSC) attachment: Streamlined material handling, reducing unloading time from about an hour to 10 minutes and eliminating complex crane operations.
- Panelization process: Reimagined a panelization process to enable easier on-site assembly.
- Project outcomes: The project was completed on time and under budget, with no lost-time accidents.
Alex Henry, Project Manager at Industrial Project Innovation (IPI), and BZI partner in the EV plant project, underscored the company’s ENR accolades. “BZI has demonstrated strong performance in safety, quality and productivity through the application of innovative methods, technology and leadership,” said Henry.
For more information and the innovative work and solutions it’s bringing to the industry, visit www.bzi.com.
Discover the latest trends and insights—explore the Business Insights Journal for up-to-date strategies and industry breakthroughs!
