The leadership team at RADIUS Construction Co., Inc. (from left): Larry Ruehl, Vice President of Finance; Matt Tobler, President; and Dave Neff, Vice President of Operations.

Banks, credit unions and other financial companies rely on the company for special construction considerations.

RADIUS Construction Co., Inc. (RADIUS) is a Kentucky-based general contractor with a solid reputation in the tri-state area. Founded in Covington nearly half a century ago, the company is a legacy in the construction industry along the Interstate 275 (I-275) loop (a highway running through Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana).

Generally serving clients within 50 miles of its headquarters, RADIUS provides design-build, construction management and general construction services to commercial, industrial and retail clients in Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio, Covington and further into Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. Throughout the entire construction process, from groundbreaking to finished landscaping, the RADIUS team provides clients with a turnkey project.

In addition to traditional construction methods, RADIUS is an authorized Kirby Builder with Kirby Building Systems, a leading manufacturer of custom-engineered, high-quality metal building systems for commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational, aviation and other applications.

The company has built a robust portfolio of metal buildings and hybrid prefabricated structures that also incorporate masonry and metal building elements. The team recently completed a major manufacturing project for the Taylor Mill, Kentucky, community–a 60,000-square-foot, custom-engineered metal production facility for one of the largest providers of rail and transit products and related services in North America. The project also included two 25-ton bridge cranes.

From warehouses, retail and office buildings to education and medical, the company’s management team is committed to supporting local economies. In 2010, the team completed a 100,000-square-foot warehouse addition for Signature Hardware in Erlanger, Kentucky, an important space for this Northern Kentucky employer to expand its operations and better support and serve its residents.

Something Old, Something New

RADIUS, as it is known today, was originally founded under a different name: Deters Brothers Builders, Inc. in 1948. It was purchased by two of Deters’ employees, Don Tobler and Jim Neff. Today, their sons are in charge. Matt Tobler, is RADIUS’ President and Dave Neff is Vice President of Operations. Together with Larry Ruehl, Vice President of Finance, they run the company in a manner that would make their fathers proud.

“Our dads were old school guys. They advanced through the ranks, working on-site then managing entire projects,” Matt says. “That’s where our work ethic comes from. Dave and I—we are both hands-on owners and are here every day…with our doors open. I’d like to think we have not only continued that old school tradition but it’s what our clients have grown to know and really value about us.”

Although the “old way” of doing business is strongly rooted in RADIUS’ culture, the leader’s approach to solving problems is fresh and innovative. One case in point is a recent 25,000-square-foot antique car showroom building addition. The project originally was designed to be built using conventional steel. In anticipation of potential building material shortages, the team proposed a redesign using a beam system instead of bar joists. The facility will transform an old, unattractive industrial building into a beautiful, glass-front retail center.

“The new material we recommended was available in one-third the time than what was originally specified,” Matt says. “Because of our experience and working relationship with our engineers, we could work collaboratively to identify a potential issue, develop a new design quickly, and ultimately meet the customer’s schedule.” This is proof positive that the RADIUS team certainly doesn’t adhere to a “but we’ve always done it this way” mentality when it comes to serving the client and completing a job on time and budget.

Safety Now More Than Ever

During the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, many general contractors experienced an impact to their business; but RADIUS has been very fortunate. “We took the initiative to protect our job sites, staff and tradesmen without being asked,” Matt says. A particularly challenging project was the renovation of classrooms and addition of a new state-of-the-art teaching kitchen to the rear of Scudder House, part of the Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center’s campus in downtown Covington. Matt says, “We started pre-pandemic but had to adjust course after COVID hit. We finished the project in 14 months, and today, the center has expanded its programs thanks to the new teaching kitchen.”

Completed in 2020, the Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center now offers arts programs to more than 10,000 students from the tri-state area annually. Matt says, “Baker Hunt was established in 1922 by Margaretta Baker-Hunt to give back to her local community. That mission resonates with me and my colleagues because we share the desire to support our neighborhoods where we live and work.”

Headquartered locally, RADIUS’ work is prominent in Covington but resonates throughout the larger metropolitan region. The team recently finished the Kenton County Government Center’s Riedlin-Schott Room, a 100-year old former Bavarian Brewing Company historic structure considered an iconic landmark in Covington. The new Riedlin-Schott Room is joined to the Government Center by a glass-walled connector and is an inviting community space for more than 150 people.

Other projects include an addition to R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School for Kenton County School District, St. Timothy Catholic School for the Diocese of Covington and a new municipal building for the City of Lakeside Park.

Strong Support Systems

Employee turnover isn’t commonplace because team leaders encourage staff to be self-sufficient “With an average tenure of 15 years, our employees stay with us because of how we treat them. We trust them and don’t micromanage,” Matt says.

“We don’t ask employees to do anything we wouldn’t do ourselves, including working second or third shifts.” Leaving time for a robust life outside of work is also part of the RADIUS culture, and one that keeps employees sticking around for the long term.

Coming in Clutch

For Matt, there is nothing quite as satisfying as delivering a project to a happy and satisfied client. “It’s important to me to deliver what I’ve promised,” he says. “When a client I’ve had for years continues to call on us, trusting in how and what we deliver, that keeps me in the game.”

Speaking of being “in the game,” Matt, a big Cincinnati Reds fan, can’t help but compare baseball to building business relationships. “My commitment to my partners and clients is grounded in delivering—every time. You might get the job once and hit a home run, but I want to be there for all nine innings. I want to keep building those relationships to establish consistent, dependable partners.”

RADIUS’ impact and its sphere of influence in the Cincinnati metropolitan area continues to grow. The team steps up to the plate by placing the client first—and according to Matt, RADIUS will remain in a league of its own!