48 High-Profile: Awards
November 2026
BW Kennedy Earns ABC Eagle Award for Persimmon Technologies Fit-Out
Aerial view of the Persimmon Technologies facility at 35 Crosby Drive in Bedford Photo by Damianos Photography
Bedford, MA – BW Kennedy & Co. has earned an Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction from Associated Builders and Contractors for its Persimmon Technologies Robotics R & D facility project.
Located at 35 Crosby Drive in Bedford, the 142,000sf fit-out transformed the facility into a consolidated headquarters and advanced robotics manufacturing center. BW Kennedy managed the project concurrently with the base building renovation and provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection( MEP / FP) design-build services.
The facility brings Persimmon’ s R & D,
Philanthropy
parts manufacturing, robot assembly, and warehousing operations— previously distributed across multiple locations— under one roof. The technically complex space includes 17,800sf of ISO 6 and ISO 7 cleanrooms, engineering and specialty laboratories, and a dedicated R & D spray lab equipped with dedicated HVAC and dust collection systems.
Designed to support continued growth in production and staffing, the facility also serves as a showcase for Persimmon’ s advanced technology. A client conference area, reliability demonstration lab, and dedicated tour path let visitors experience the company’ s robotic systems and
ABC MA YPG Hosts YJK Oktoberfest
Robot manufacturing inside the Persimmon Technologies facility / Photo by Budri Photography
capabilities firsthand.
BW Kennedy assigned a dedicated, full-time on-site team to support design development, preconstruction, and construction. Working closely with the team overseeing the base building renovation, BW Kennedy coordinated the project’ s extensive MEP systems and complex installation requirements. The project was delivered $ 1 million under budget and ahead of schedule.
The project previously received the Commercial Brokers Association’ s 2024 Industrial Deal of the Year award and a 2026 MassEcon Gold Award for the Northeast Region.
Ground view of the Persimmon Technologies facility / Photo by Budri Photography
Erland Foundation Raises $ 20K for Vets
ABC MA Young Professionals Oktoberfest at the Mighty Squirrel Taproom
Photos courtesy of ABC MA Watertown, MA – An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Mighty Squirrel Taproom for Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts’ annual Oktoberfest celebration. The event was hosted by ABC MA’ s Young Professionals Group, and the proceeds benefit the YJK Foundation, which supports diabetes research and education.
YJK is named in honor of Joe Kenney, a member of ABC’ s Future Leaders Group who passed away too soon from complications from diabetes. Kenney worked at W. T. Kenney and was the son of former ABC MA Chair Chris Kenney.
This year’ s event featured a“ fireside chat” on networking with Chris Manley of Resource Options and W. T. Kenney’ s
Brian F. Jurgens, who is also a former ABC MA chair. They talked about how to break the ice when starting a conversation, and how to shift the focus from yourself and the business you’ re promoting to the person you’ re talking with, learning more about them and finding interests you might share. This enables you to form a relationship with individuals that can lead to other opportunities, whether work-related or not. They also stressed the importance of showing genuine interest in the other person. The goal is to make long-term connections.
As always, attendees supported the YJK Foundation and took part in a raffle.
( l-r): Chris Landry, Chris McHugh, Chris Hanafin, Dominic Marcellino, Steve Craft, Bernadette Flaherty and Melissa Craft / Photo courtesy of Erland Foundation
Burlington, MA – The Erland Foundation recently hosted the Bob McDonald Memorial Golf Tournament in honor of Erland Construction’ s second president, U. S. Air Force veteran Bob McDonald, and his lasting commitment to giving back to others.
Bringing together 32 teams, along with the support of sponsors, volunteers and employees, the tournament raised more than $ 20,000 to benefit local veterans. Proceeds were donated to the Middlesex County Veterans Association and the Disabled and Limbless Veterans Association, two organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. The contributions pay tribute to McDonald’ s own military background while carrying forward the generosity and community-minded spirit that defined his legacy. www. high-profile. com