Oakland, California serves as the eastern locus for the expansive Bay Area metropolis, with San Francisco to the west and San Jose to the southeast. Oakland is known as one of the busiest port cities in the United States. As a trade center for the San Francisco Bay Area, it has a growing industrial community. Its thriving market is just one of many reasons why developers are setting their sights on this city. Its unique mix of cityscape and nature draws in many kinds of people.

For those looking to set up shop in this port city, we’ve compiled a list of the best industrial contractors in Oakland, California. These firms have the credentials, specialty services, and portfolio to meet your construction needs. 

Ironwood Commercial Builders, Inc.

3953 Industrial Way Suite E, Concord, CA 94520

Ironwood Commercial Builders, Inc. (ICBI) is a proud woman-owned firm that’s highly respected in the industry. Represented by highly-trained and diverse professionals, each person brings a unique perspective and adds value to every project. With successful builds in various market segments, the firm offers general and specialty contracting services. It self-performs several facets of construction, including light gauge framing, fireproofing, and custom interior plasters. Its can-do approach has earned the firm a respected reputation to both competitors and clients. 

For the past decade, its team has successfully managed several federal, state, and local government projects. ICBI executed a 3,000-square-foot tenant improvement for the General Services Administration for the United States District Courts. As the prime contractor of choice, the team coordinated with subcontractors to ensure that everyone was aligned with the design goal. The project included demolition, framing, mechanical, electrical, and hardware work. The teams also had to collaborate and do extensive work on security measures.

ICBI’s first-rate construction services ensure that every output is delivered safely and efficiently. By paying close attention to the details, the actual result matches the design intent. Whether the job is pavement preservation to high-profile military barrack restoration, the Ironwood team has the expertise and resources to get it done. The firm has a collection of awards to attest to its skills, a recipient of the 2013 and 2017 Outstanding Craftsmanship The Wall And Ceiling Alliance Construction Excellence Award.

Clark Construction

180 Howard Street Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94105

Founded in 1905, Clark Construction is one of the most experienced and renowned providers in industrial building. It completes over $5 billion worth of projects each year, ranking it as a nationally leading general contractor with a diverse portfolio. With offices located throughout the country, Clark Construction is a local builder providing a national reach.  

The firm has completed projects of all shapes and sizes, ranging from interior remodeling to complex civil operations. Industrial jobs are delivered with superior building results thanks to the firm’s breadth of experience. It offers world-class services to its clients, dedicated to providing a seamless experience in pursuit of excellence. Although located in another state, the firm’s work on the Washington Post Press Facility shows off its prowess in the industrial field. It was built in 1998 consisting of 324,000 square feet worth of space for newspaper publishing. The firm was called on to construct a new facility that was completed in various phases, accommodating the installation of new presses. This installation required a clean and controlled environment, which meant that Clark Construction had to coordinate closely with other stakeholders to make sure this project was completed without delays. The firm minimized its dirt and dust output, allowing for a smooth installation process and delivering the project on time. 

For projects such as these, Clark Construction has earned a growing collection of awards. The firm received five awards in 2020 alone, and additionally it was given two Excellence in Safety Awards, two Regional Best Project Awards, and an AGC of California Constructor Award for its exceptional work. 

Hensel Phelps

4750 Willow Road Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588

Hensel Phelps is a multi-award-winning firm that has worked on numerous big-brand names like Hilton, Universal Studios, and Orlando Airport. The contractor is a leading provider of industrial construction services with more than 75 years’ worth of experience. Its team uses a collaborative approach known as the Hensel Phelps Way. By blending smart building practices with innovative technology, it can create long-lasting structures efficiently. Its full-service industrial building services have earned Hensel Phelps a list of repeat customers and awards. Hensel Phelps has earned 56 Design-Build Awards, 52 National Safety Awards and 15 Associated General Contractors Build America Awards.

Located in Martinez, California, the new Contra Costa County Administration Building and Emergency Operations Center projects were completed in 2020 by the design-build team of Hensel Phelps with Fentress Architects and Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture. The 70,754-square-foot Administration Building replaces the outdated McBrien Building across the street and serves as the new home for county administrators, including a large Board Assembly Chamber on the first floor. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) features 38,155 square feet across two floors with features that include a Situation Room, featuring a 31’10” by 13’6” screen at one end with movable tables and smaller breakout rooms for flexibility and a ground level press room/lecture hall which features an electric stage that slides into the wall when not in use and a glass garage door at one end that can open to accommodate more people. Additionally, the EOC was built to be functionally self-sufficient for seven days in an emergency, operating on its own electrical, water and sewer systems. The two buildings were designed and built to be secure, sustainable and efficient, but also accessible and welcoming to the public with a community plaza at the Administration Building and interactive, electronic wayfinding for the visiting public in both buildings. Both buildings achieved LEED Gold Certification, the project team recently received an International Partnering Institute (IPI) Partnering Award.

Monterey Mechanical Co.

8275 San Leandro Street, Oakland, CA 94621

Monterey Mechanical Co is a trusted construction expert for complex industrial projects primarily in the Bay area, but also in Colorado, Alaska, Nevada, and internationally. The mid-sized industrial contractor has served businesses throughout California for over 75 years, specializing in water treatment plants and power generation facilities and offering services such as self metal fabrication and installation, HVAC, and odor control. To ensure that the job is done by the best, the firm pursues strong partnerships with other builders in the area. With extreme safety protocols, Monterey Mechanical holds 4 AGC Safety Awards for Excellence to ensure that employees and clients remain safe throughout the entire process. 

The firm was asked to work on SFO Fuels Co., which is composed of 42 airlines that purchase and lease aviation fueling systems. The project was worth $100 million with the fuel system expansion that consisted of five miles of underground fuel piping. Monterey Mechanical also constructed two 75,000-barrel above-ground storage tanks and a jet fuel pump station. The intricate work on the project required close coordination with the San Mateo County Fire Marshall, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The entire process of planning and building was coordinated by Monterey Mechanical Co’s project managers. 

Swinerton Builders

10 Clay Street Suite 275, Oakland, CA 94607

With roots dating back to 1888, Swinerton Builders is an industrial contractor that has played a part in building the nation’s history. With landmark projects in California and beyond, a number of these works have claimed spots on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Since its inception, Swinerton Builders has seen exponential growth, now with more than 4,000 employees and offices strategically located throughout the country. The firm offers construction services and innovative building solutions to clients in different industries. Its legacy as a renowned contractor is strengthened by its growing client base and diverse portfolio. With many sustainable projects under its belt, Swinerton is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and has many LEED Accredited Professionals (AP) among its staff. 

Its completed projects in California are unparalleled, having earned the firm a 2021 Design-Build Award and a 2021 Safety Award of Excellence. Featured here, Oaks Business Park is a business and technology park with office and warehouse space located on a campus setting. Swinerton constructed each cold-shelled building using concrete tilt-up panels and a hybrid roof structure. Upon completion, it was awarded the Golden Trowel and was recognized by The Face Company as the largest Golden Trowel project of all time.