Stellar Recognized as Top National Safety Leader by Associated Builders and Contractors

Jacksonville, Fla. (March 7, 2025) — Stellar has earned a National Safety Pinnacle Award from Associated Builders and Contractors, which was presented at the 35th annual Excellence in Construction^® Awards during ABC Convention 2025 in Las Vegas on February 26.

Stellar, a Jacksonville-based fully integrated firm specializing in design, engineering, construction, and mechanical services, received the Pinnacle award for the fifth consecutive year. This is the highest award category given to contractor members by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for exceptional achievements in construction safety. The award was given to 52 contractors nationwide, with only 12 of them being general contractors, one of which was Stellar.

 “We are honored to have been recognized among the top contractors in the country for our best-in-class safety practices and will continue to prioritize safety in all aspects of our operations,” said Stellar’s Vice President of Safety Neil Ross. “Receiving the Pinnacle award for the fifth consecutive year spotlights our ongoing dedication to prioritizing the safety of Stellar’s employees, clients and the general public.”

The 2024 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms that achieved Diamond, Platinum or Gold status in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System^® in 2024, reflective of their 2023 safety performance data. During the selection process, contractors were judged on self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable incident rates, leading indicator use, process and program innovations and interviews conducted by members of ABC’s National Health and Safety Committee.

“Stellar exhibits an unrelenting commitment to jobsite safety, and that should be celebrated and honored,” said 2025 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors David Pugh, partner, Bradley, Birmingham, Alabama. “The leadership and employees at Stellar make a choice every day to create a culture that refuses to compromise on safety, relentlessly ensuring every employee leaves the jobsite in the same or better condition every day. Among these safety winners are several ABC Top Performers, ranked by work hours, including Stellar. Thank you to these safety leaders for the example they set for this industry.”

The National Safety Excellence Awards are presented in three major North American Industry Classification System code categories: NAICS 236—Construction of Buildings; NAICS 237—Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction; and NAICS 238—Specialty Trade Contractors.

 STEP provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry which enables top-performing ABC members to achieve incident rates 576% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average. The self-assessment tool helps participants identify real opportunities for scalable growth in their safety programs to lower their total recordable incident rates.

CNA, ABC’s longest-standing strategic partner, is the presenting sponsor of the National Safety Excellence Awards. CNA’s dedicated construction team delivers a deep understanding, attentive approach and carefully tailored solutions that help contractors navigate unique and evolving exposures.

See a complete list of winners on ABC’s website.

About Stellar:

Stellar is a fully integrated design, engineering, construction, refrigeration, and mechanical services firm serving commercial, industrial, and public sector markets across the United States. More than 750 Stellar employees throughout the country create award-winning food processing plants, refrigerated warehouses, distribution centers, commercial buildings, and military facilities. In addition to its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, Stellar operates support locations throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.stellar.net.

Stellar prioritizes safety on every project. Their focus on best practices and behavior-based safety helps protect clients, guests and contractors. Contact Stellar to discuss elevating future construction endeavors with their industry-leading safety practices.