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Business Lessons from a Founder

I have worked with and learned from amazing people on my journey – let's build together.

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Powering the Future of American Manufacturing — Hadrian Comes to Mesa

At Clayco, we believe in building for what’s next — and there’s no better example of that than our latest announcement at The Cubes at Mesa Gateway in Mesa, Arizona. Hadrian, a cutting-edge advanced manufacturing company, is bringing its third factory — Factory 3 — to life inside a 269,500-square-foot facility developed by CRG, Clayco’s real estate development arm.. This project represents a $200 million investment and will create 350 high-skill manufacturing jobs in the Southeast Valley. Even more impressive: Hadrian plans to be fully operational by January 2026 — just six months from now.

Chicago’s Quantum Moment: Building a Global Hub at the South Side

Chicago is staking its claim as a global leader in quantum innovation—and last week’s Global Quantum Forum (July 23–24, 2025) was proof of that momentum.

Building the Future at the Kali Hotel: A Masterclass in Integrated Delivery

At Clayco, when we talk about the art and science of building, we mean more than just construction—we mean using the power of people, teams, and ideas to invent better ways to build. Our work on the Kali Hotel at Hollywood Park is a perfect example of what’s possible when we bring together the right people, the right processes, and the right technology from day one.

Clayco breaks safety record for 2024-2025 with lowest EMR score in company history.

A Record-Breaking Moment for Safety at Clayco

Clayco just hit a historic low EMR of 0.39. Discover how a safety-first culture transformed the industry—one jobsite, one decision at a time.

A Culture of Excellence on Display at Hankook

Clayco’s Hankook Tire expansion in Tennessee is a powerful example of world-class execution driven by culture, teamwork, and a shared commitment to delivering on a tight timeline.

Thoughts and Guidance for Building a Business

Deanna Kuhlmann-Leavitt was a big part of shaping Clayco’s brand. She’s always been a designer—and now she’s starting something new with her husband, Rob Leavitt: Pershing Works, Inc. while continuing to lead Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc., their design studio in St. Louis.

BUSINESS

My Mock Death is Today

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Business

The concept of earning is an instinct of mine

My first job was stamping cans at a little grocery market in exchange for candy at about 10 years old. The concept of earning was an early instinct of mine.

During my teen years, I had a car wash on my home driveway, after which I started doing small painting and odd jobs at neighbors’ homes for extra money, but mainly to avoid mowing my own yard by paying the kid down the street to do it. I could make more money doing the other jobs, which allowed me to pay him very little to do something I didn’t want to do that was much more time-consuming. Looking back, that was an entrepreneurial experience.

ADVENTURE