Syblon Reid

Building the Future of Infrastructure

Providing Solutions to Difficult Projects

Founded in 1955 by Ray Syblon and John Reid in Warden, Washington, Syblon Reid has spent decades cementing its reputation as a leading heavy civil/mechanical contractor specializing in hydroelectric projects and large-scale infrastructure work. The company, known for its reliable and innovative solutions, prides itself on tackling complex projects that others might shy away from, earning a sterling reputation across the western United States. Over time, Syblon Reid has grown steadily, evolving from a regional contractor to a prominent player in the infrastructure market segment.

As an employee-owned company, Syblon Reid is driven by a commitment to its workforce and clients. This business model has not only shaped the company’s internal culture but has also become a key factor in maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring long-term success. Lorenzo Abbruzzese, Vice President, shares insights into Syblon Reid’s operational focus, industry trends, challenges, and plans for the future.

Hands-on expertise

Syblon Reid’s core strengths are in heavy civil/mechanical construction, focusing on the hydroelectric sector. This includes extensive work on spillways, penstocks, valves, and turbines for major hydroelectric facilities. The company’s ability to self-perform much of its work gives it a distinct edge in maintaining control over safety, quality, cost, and timelines, which are crucial in the complex and often sensitive projects the company undertakes.

“We do a lot of work on hydro plants,” says Abbruzzese. “Anything from upgrading existing infrastructure to installing new components, like turbines and valves. It’s heavy civil work, and a lot of it we self-perform.” This hands-on approach ensures Syblon Reid can consistently deliver on challenging projects, maintaining the high-quality standards clients have come to expect over the years. Abbruzzese points out this ability to self-perform critical aspects of each project helps control quality and ensures deadlines are met, which are often key factors in securing repeat business.

Another aspect that sets Syblon Reid apart is its emergency response services. Abbruzzese explains, “We’ve had significant emergency projects over the years where we were called in for urgent repairs or upgrades. Our reputation for being relationship-driven and dependable means we often get emergency calls and are always ready to respond.” This focus on reliability and relationship-based contracting has earned Syblon Reid numerous contracts with high-profile clients, such as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources, further solidifying its standing in the industry.

Changing energy landscape

With the global push for cleaner energy sources, hydroelectric power remains one of the most reliable and sustainable options. However, in recent years, the focus has shifted from building new hydro plants to upgrading and modernizing existing infrastructure. Abbruzzese elaborates on this trend: “We’re not seeing many new hydro plants being built. Instead, we’re focusing on revitalizing and modernizing the ones that have been in operation for decades.”

Abbruzzese explains this shift is due to the aging nature of much of the country’s hydroelectric infrastructure. “These plants have been operational for a very long time. While they have long life expectancies, they require constant maintenance and upgrades to ensure they remain efficient contributors to the grid. Hydroelectric power is a clean energy source, and as the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, upgrading these facilities becomes more important.”

Hydropower’s role in the broader energy landscape is also tied to the increasing push for electrification. Many states in the U.S. are implementing mandates aimed at increasing the proportion of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources on the grid. Abbruzzese sees hydroelectric power as a key part of this transition. “Hydro supports electrification efforts because it’s clean and reliable. As the grid ages and demand increases, hydro will continue to play an important role in meeting those energy needs,” he says.

Abbruzzese also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that hydroelectric infrastructure remains viable in the long term. “We’re seeing federal and private projects aimed at upgrading facilities to maximize their contribution to the grid. It’s a critical component of the energy mix, and we’re proud to be part of that.”

Overcoming supply chain disruptions

Like many industries, the renewable energy and heavy civil construction sectors have faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. Abbruzzese is candid about these difficulties, noting that lead times for critical materials have grown significantly. “The lead times for some of the components we need—whether in hydroelectric projects, water treatment plants, or even electrical systems—have continued to increase over the last few years. We’re working closely with our clients to address a major challenge.”

In response to these supply chain challenges, many of Syblon Reid’s clients have procured long-lead items early to reduce the impact on construction schedules. “Many of our clients have recognized the issue and are taking proactive steps to procure materials in advance. This helps minimize delays on the construction side, but it’s still something we have to navigate on a project-by-project basis,” Abbruzzese explains.

Labor shortages are another ongoing issue, particularly in attracting skilled managers, supervisory personnel, laborers, and tradespeople. “Labor is a challenge,” he acknowledges. “Our employees are our biggest strength, and finding good people is always a top priority.” Abbruzzese points out that Syblon Reid’s employee-ownership model is one way the company has retained its workforce and attracted new talent. “Being an employee-owned company is a big draw for many people. It gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility for the company’s success, which translates into better project outcomes and stronger client relationships.”

Syblon Reid significantly emphasizes training and development, particularly for its field staff. “We put a lot of effort into developing the skills of our field employees, from safety training to specialized skills like working in confined spaces or high-angle access work. We also reward them for their commitment to learning and development,” says Abbruzzese. This focus on training is critical given the complex and often hazardous nature of the work Syblon Reid undertakes.

Prioritizing safety

Safety is a top priority at Syblon Reid, and the company goes above and beyond to ensure its employees are well-trained and equipped to handle the challenges they face on the job. “A lot of the work we do is specialized,” Abbruzzese explains. “We work off of ropes, use helicopters to access remote project sites, and perform critical lifts with cranes. All of this requires specialized training.”

In addition to standard OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health training, Syblon Reid offers targeted training for confined space, deep/difficult excavations, fall protection, high-scale rope access, tunnels, helicopter operations, 24/7 emergency response, adverse site/weather conditions, and other specialized tasks. “We also have a comprehensive safety program that includes daily job hazard analysis, which must be reviewed and updated as conditions change onsite. Everyone has to acknowledge these updates, and we ensure everyone is updated on their training,” Abbruzzese says.

The company’s commitment to safety extends beyond the job site. “We require anyone driving a company vehicle to take a defensive driving course, which helps reduce the risk of accidents. Our insurance company appreciates this, but more importantly, it helps keep our employees safe,” he adds.

Employee ownership

Syblon Reid transitioned to an employee-owned business model around 2008, strongly impacting the company’s culture and operations. “Being employee-owned means everyone has a stake in the company’s success,” Abbruzzese explains. “Each person, whether in the field or the office, knows their contributions matter. They take ownership of their work, which is reflected in the quality of our projects.”

The employee-ownership model has also helped Syblon Reid attract and retain top talent. “For management-level employees, the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is a big draw,” says Abbruzzese. “It gives them a sense of financial security and long-term investment in the company’s future. For younger employees, it can be a bit of a challenge to convey the long-term benefits of the ESOP, but once they see the growth potential, they tend to be very motivated to stay with the company.”

In addition to the ESOP, Syblon Reid offers a 401(k) plan and a bonus structure based on company performance. “We want to ensure our employees are well taken care of, both in the short and long term,” Abbruzzese says.

Growing in the west

Syblon Reid’s operations primarily focus on the western United States, with offices in California and Idaho. The company services various states from these locations, including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Montana, and Colorado. “Our goal is to continue expanding our services, particularly in the hydro market,” says Abbruzzese.

Looking ahead, Abbruzzese sees recruitment and retention as key priorities for the company over the next 18 months. “We need to focus on bringing in skilled workers on the project management side and in the field. We’re also investing in training to ensure that our employees have the skills they need to succeed,” he explains.

Client relationships remain at the heart of Syblon Reid’s business strategy. “We proactively seek feedback from our clients, and we use that feedback to improve our operations. It’s all about building long-term relationships and ensuring we’re the first call when they need help,” Abbruzzese says.

Collaboration in action

Syblon Reid’s success is built on its internal operations and ability to collaborate effectively with various teaming partners and clients. “Collaboration is at the heart of what we do,” Abbruzzese explains. We work closely with government agencies, private clients, and other contractors to deliver complex projects on time and within budget. These relationships are crucial to our ability to grow and succeed.”

As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, Abbruzzese is optimistic about the future of the hydroelectric sector. “Hydropower is expected to grow, albeit at a slower pace than some other energy sources. But it will continue to be a critical component of the energy mix, particularly as we see more emphasis on electrification and renewable energy,” he says.

AT A GLANCE

Syblon Reid

What: A construction company specializing in heavy civil, mechanical, environmental, and marine projects.

Where: Based in Folsom, California.

Website: https://srco.com/