Our Heritage
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Woods Construction & Interiors celebrated 70 years in business in 2021. We are excited to see how far we have come over the years and look forward to many more. Here are a few words from our president and employees.
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Our Beginning
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Woods Construction & Interiors was founded in 1951 (as Harper Woods Modernization) by Oswald Pfaffmann and John Friedrich. Operating out of Friedrich’s house, the two began the company’s now national and international retail fixture contracting operation by converting the checkout counter at an S.S. Kresge dime store. Within five years the company was doing construction work for retail businesses in excess of $1 million a year. Having celebrated seventy (70) years in business in 2021, the company continues to provide construction services for major retail chains and other commercial enterprises.
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Oswald Pfaffmann
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Our Legacy
O.L. (Oz) Pfaffmann spent much of his career advocating for the constructor, or construction professional, to be recognized with the same esteem and respect as the engineer and the architect. The constructor holds a particularly unique role as they have the task of taking the work of the engineers and architects and making it real. To coordinate the efforts and intent of the design professionals, the building trades labor, combined with sourcing materials and the required equipment and tools, to make the vision of the owner and end users a reality – all while navigating the pressures of time, budget, and maintaining a safe and productive worksite.
On April 21, 2022 the Eastern Michigan University GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology honored Oz’s efforts and legacy with the dedication of the Woods Construction Construction Management Lab.
The naming of the lab also recognizes Woods Construction and its president, EMU alum John Bodary, for supporting for EMU’s Construction Management program. John, and his wife Michelle, have long supported the EMU Construction Management Program by establishing the John and Michelle Bodary / Woods Construction Endowed Scholarship for construction management students; providing tools and equipment for the labs; participating in the AGC of Michigan Student Contractor Awareness Night; and being active members of the EMU CM Alumni Chapter.
“It’s important that we remember our roots and reach back to smooth the path for others who might benefit by our help. Providing an endowment to help future construction students who find finances to be a barrier to gaining a college degree is one way we can give back. Making sure that the current and future students have up-to-date technology and equipment in the lab is another. Finally, by industry working with the university, we can help keep the curriculum current with industry needs and trends. We do this through the important advisory boards.” - John Bodary