“A construction company that adapts to the needs, requirements and expectations of their clients.”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER AND HOW DID THE INITIATIVE TO FOUND THIS COMPANY COME ABOUT?
I studied civil engineering in the United States and then in Puerto Rico. From a young age, I felt attracted to see projects under construction and knowing how they were built.
Over time I learned the importance of the construction industry and how crucial it is for the economy and social development due to its close connection with the creation of basic infrastructure and improvements of living conditions
I started working as a project engineer in 1977 for a company where I later became Vice President. It was not until 1983 our journey began when my partner and I founded CIC Construction Group. I was only 30 years old. Now I reminisce on the experience and feel excited.
In the initial years, CIC was a general contractor to the pharmaceutical sector of Puerto Rico. With that same entrepreneurial spirit, we later diversified to other sectors, such as Hospitality, Commercial and Institutional, Residential Housing, Healthcare, and Energy.
Thanks to our efforts and sacrifices, we have created one of the largest and most respected construction companies in Puerto Rico, with operations also in the US Mainland, where we have offices in North Carolina and Florida.
CIC is an award-winning company with a wide range of acknowledgments that include accolades from multinational companies and industry associations. Our brand represents a lot more of what is accomplished in the field.
We achieve success with our services, the wide range of on-the-job training and workshops we provide to our employees, and with our involvement with the community.
Our work in the field is just a part of everything we do. In 2020, we were nominated by our client, Lilly, and won the 2020 Supplier of the Year award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), South Region.
WHY INVEST IN PUERTO RICO?
Puerto Rico is an important hub for the pharmaceutical industry, with most of the world’s largest companies manufacturing on the island. Besides that, Puerto Rico has enacted great tax incentives offered to those who invest in the hospitality industry as well.
We have a skilled labor force with a unique blend of talent, a lot of knowledge, and experience, factors that come together and create a positive environment for investment.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES CIC OFFER TO LATIN AMERICAN AND AMERICAN INVESTORS?
We offer investors the opportunity of working with a group of professionals with many years of experience working together, sharing knowledge, and with a detailed understanding of the need of clients. We adapt to their needs and that differentiates us from other construction companies.
Our portfolio of services includes all aspects of general contracting, pre-construction, and designbuild in civil, structural, and architectural work to meet the clients’ needs.
The company also offers a suite of self-performed trade work in concrete, demolition, metal framing, drywall, flooring installation, and painting, along with structural steel manufacturing and installation.
We grew up in the pharmaceutical industry, which is highly regulated and highly demanding in terms of quality and safety. That experience molded us into being a very structured company and even better company.
DO YOU HAVE PLANS OF EXPANSIONS?
Yes, we are planning to continue our growth in Puerto Rico focusing on the core markets like life science and hospitality but also looking for additional opportunities with the federal and local government projects.
Our expansion beyond Puerto Rico shores includes further development of our operations in the South-Eastern regions of the Continental United States from our offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Orlando, Florida
WHAT ARE YOUR FINAL COMMENTS ABOUT PUERTO RICO AND ITS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL, AND HOW WOULD YOU INVITE THE INFLUENTIAL READERS OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TO VISIT THIS COUNTRY?
For investors looking for opportunities, now is the best time to invest in Puerto Rico. There are many opportunities in all sectors of the economy, especially in the construction of industrial manufacturing, hotels, energy, housing, and others.
- To promote economic development, the government has created tax incentives to encourage investors to relocate and headquarter their services in Puerto Rico.