Shawmut and NYCAN Builders, a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), full-service New York-based construction management and general contracting firm, announce the formation of a new joint venture for select commercial projects.

With a shared passion for building and commitment to integrity, quality, and excellence, the partnership combines Shawmut’s financial viability, bonding strength, and proven reliable processes with NYCAN’s expertise in renovations and office fit-out projects within the Tri-state area. The partnership represents the next step in Shawmut’s journey to increase representation of Minority, Woman, and Local Business Enterprises (MWLBE) while providing NYCAN with additional support to compete for larger contracts and continued growth.

“We are thrilled to announce this joint venture,” said David Margolius, executive vice president of Shawmut’s New York Metro region. “As we continue to build back New York post-pandemic, and with a significant growth target in the commercial interiors sector, it was the right time to formalize our partnership with NYCAN, who brings a depth of experience in office interiors.”

“We couldn’t be happier to officially announce our joint venture for select office interiors projects,” said Nancy Erardi, President and CEO, NYCAN Builders. “This was the right fit at the right time as both firms work to continually enhance client experience and service offerings. We have already introduced the partnership to select client opportunities in New York, and the reaction has been very positive.”

NYCAN Builders is an experienced builder with expertise in diverse market sectors of the industry, including corporate interiors, education, healthcare, hospitality, institutional, new construction and retail. Founder Nancy Erardi has over 25 years of experience in the construction and real estate industries. Her steadfast commitment to building quality projects is evident from longstanding relationships with clients and associates. Under Nancy’s leadership, NYCAN Builders is a certified owned and operated Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) with New York State, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, New York City and the Women’s Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Shawmut has been a leading construction manager in New York City for over 30 years, working for the region’s most high-profile clientele including prestigious education institutions, world-renowned museums, prominent healthcare systems, global life science firms, Michelin-starred restaurants, and award-winning hotels. Shawmut’s dedication to building a diverse workforce focuses on three critical areas: employees, partners, and the communities where it builds. When Shawmut began its diversity, equity, and inclusion journey, the firm had 30% diversity at the entry level and 10% at the senior level. The firm now boasts 44% women on the entry-level construction management team, 24% women at the senior level, and an overall workforce of 35% women, compared to the industry average of 10%, with only 8% in construction management roles. To maximize the participation level of minority workers and qualified MBE/WBE subcontractors, the firm created task forces to increase MWLBE subcontractor partner outreach and participation, setting diversity goals outside of client requirements, including 20% participation on each project in New York.