From a local construction company to serving from Florida to New York and The Atlantic coast to the far West of Texas we have built a company with a reputation of service and commitment. I am so proud of our guys and ladies who work tirelessly to make sure our customers are served above and beyond the call. Whether it is a tornado, a flood, a car through the building or just I forgot to send this earlier and we have to have this to meet our schedule, these folks seem to be in the miracle business.

I wish to extend a special thanks to our customers who have given us a chance to serve them. Without their loyalty we would not be here today celebrating this huge accomplishment. We have been asked to take care of some wild things over the past years and we came up with some off the wall, out of the box ideas that we were able to complete in a timely manner with out getting anyone hurt and that has made the difference. Whether it is a new product, a new system, or an improvement on an old way of doing things we are actively engaged in making sure that we are available and involved in our customers futures as well as their current operations.

Looking forward, there are new doors opening daily. From new opportunities in the Religious Market, to new states where we do business, new products, new customers, and new ventures there are very few dull moments around Rhino. People who are not familiar with Rhino often ask ” What does Rhino do? “, I always say ” We tote elephants if the price is right” and I look forward to giving your particular animal a run for it’s money.

Thanks for allowing us the privilege of serving you and build not only buildings but relationships that extend past the work place.

BJ VanCleave

The article can be read here.

Building for clients’ futures

Rhino Construction Group LLC is a Tennessee-based construction company specializing in design-build, construction management and retail building services.

Although a major player in all three areas, Rhino has a particular reputation as a leader in the religious sector. President B.J. VanCleave and CEO Richard Harrison have led a passionate team with more than 300 years of combined experience into an era of prosperity.  This issue, the American Business Journal explores this reputable Southern design-build dynamo and its business philosophy.

Church building: an important segment

“The religious area is one that we push heavily,” says VanCleave, who notes that it accounts for approximately 20 to 25 percent of business for Rhino. As a proud member of the National Association of Church Design Builders (NACBD), as featured in this issue as well, Rhino has an admiration and respect for this valued association. “Our affiliation with the NACBD has helped us gain ground in that respect,” notes VanCleave.

Projects may be small and involve only a minor expansion to a place of worship, or can be major multi-million dollar projects. There have been a handful of major church projects already, with the largest project to date currently underway with the First Baptist Church in Martin, Tenn.. This exciting $10 million project is being completed on the existing site while members of the congregation continue to go to services. This is a welcome challenge for Rhino, who are capable of handling any requirement a project my present.

Director of Construction for the church division, Marty Elliot, is at the helm of this wonderful project and estimates it is going to be about 20 months long in completion. Another project of interest within the church building division is the expansion and renovation of the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton, Tenn.. There are also two other churches undergoing their master planning phase of development. Business is clearly booming in the church building division.

VanCleave, Harrison and Elliot are all Certified Church Consultants. This is a program, organized through the NACBD, which trains people on the latest statistics and approaches in regards to church design and building. This certification is an important part of attracting new business and retaining clientele. In fact, over 90 percent of projects at Rhino Construction overall are repeat business. The ability to maintain such a loyal clientele speaks volumes of the character of the business—and of the character of the people working there.

Retail sector

It is not only church building which is doing well for Rhino. The retail services division has also undergone a period of growth under the leadership of VanCleave and has expanded to include a full-time director, Jason Belew and many supporting staff members. “We do a lot of work for Fortune 500 companies and discount retailers,” says VanCleave. “We travel all over the southeastern U.S. doing work for them.” Work includes the construction on new facilities as well as remodels. The turn-key services Rhino provides are of particular interest to clients that have locations across multiple states. Rhino are the contractors of choice for several well-known major retailers across the region, and have garnered reputation as specialists in this field.

Construction management

This division offers the Rhino client the important option of the reliable Rhino management team when they may choose to work with other designers or architects. Through years of building churches, schools, institutions and more, clients can be assured that Rhino is more than capable of handling construction projects. Although the majority of work undertaken is from a design-build approach, this prong of the business provides important options for Rhino’s valued clients. From Doctors medical offices, to industrial work, to plant work for local manufacturing facilities, the range of projects is impressive.

Company philosophy

Rhino approaches every project, big or small, in any division, with a personalized approach. “Whether you are looking at a new construction or an expansion of commercial space that is already established, we try to sit down with everyone we deal with and get a feel for where they are trying to head in the future,” says VanCleave. “We want to build a building that suits their needs not only now but what they envision their future being like down the road.” This is supported by the company slogan: ‘We build with your future in mind.’

Customer satisfaction—and budget restrictions—are always kept in mind, a rare promise in the design-build industry. This attention to clients’ particular needs and cost requirements must be a reason that there is so much repeat business.

Over the course of the last 15 years Rhino has transformed from a local competitive bid company to a major regional firm with multi-million dollar projects and a stellar reputation. Its many satisfied customers can only mean one thing—a bright and prosperous future for the Rhino Construction Group team.

This project includes the demolition of the old admin building and sanctuary and the construction of a new 1,100 seat sanctuary and a two story education and administration building. Projected completion in 20 months

Project Highlights

• Approximately 57,000 SF
• New 1,100 seat sanctuary
• New Education and Administration Buildings
• Re-directed parking
• Fellowship Hall Modifications

Project Images

Reengineer existing building to meet owner/tenant specifications.  Remodels can require both interior and exterior modifications.

Project Highlights

• Interior Modifications: Acoustical Ceiling Tile, HVAC, Drywall, Walk-in Freezers/Coolers, Structural Changes
• Exterior Modifications: ADA Requirements, Block/Brick painting, Landscaping, Parking Lot Repair, Automatic Store Front Enterence Installiation
• Completed remodel within Dollar General’s aggressive fixture schedule

Project Images

Reengineer existing building to meet owner/tenant specifications.  Remodel can include both interior and exterior changes.

Project Highlights

• Completed entire remodel in 8 days
• Interior changes: Acoustical Ceiling Tile, HVAC, New Plumbing and Electrical Systems, Drywall, Painting, Polished Concrete Floors
• Exterior Changes: ADA Requirements, Block/Brick Painting, Site Lighting, Landscaping, Parking Lot Repair, Automatic Store Front Enterence Installiation

Project Images