The story behind Interior Construction Specialists (ICS) and their rise within the tenant improvement (TI) sector is one of dedication, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of perfection—with a little fun sprinkled throughout. Established as a division of Layton Construction in 2000, ICS emerged with a vision to expand the possibilities and redefine the standards of interior construction. Over two decades and hundreds of projects later, that vision continues to grow.
Intermountain West, Born and Raised
The birth of ICS can be traced back to the foresight of Layton’s CEO David Layton and other company leaders. ICS Operations Executive Vice President (EVP) Jason Hill, who has been part of ICS since its beginning in 2000, recalled, “There was a gap and opportunity in the market. We knew Layton excelled in commercial building projects, but we saw a lot of potential in the tenant improvement space.”
Thus, ICS was born, and they’re now a top TI contractor in the Intermountain West.
In its 24 years, ICS has experienced consistent growth in both revenue and capability. In reflecting on the early days, EVP Penn Owens, who joined ICS in 2005, said, “When I came aboard, we were still a relatively young operation with around $40 million in revenue. But even then, there was a tremendous sense of momentum and possibility.”
That turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. In 2024, ICS expects to complete more than 120 projects with revenue exceeding $200 million.
Punching Above Their Weight: Becoming a Premier TI Provider
Though ‘specialists’ is part of their name, over the years, ICS has evolved to become a premier provider in their field. Owens explained, “Our goal is to be the top choice for the most complex and impactful interiors projects. It’s taken a concerted effort to establish ourselves as leaders in this realm, and now we’re focused on expanding our presence into new markets.”
Hill emphasized the importance of differentiation, saying, “We wanted our brand to set us apart in a competitive landscape. While we’re part of Layton, we have a great team of experts truly dedicated to their craft. That’s our unique selling proposition.”
One of the team’s specialists is Construction Manager David Knorr, who believes what sets ICS apart is “the horsepower of Layton Construction” combined with the team’s innovative thinking, allowing them to tackle projects differently. He also emphasized the importance of building relationships with clients and colleagues, stating, “We align our interests with the clients, and we truly want to walk away as friends at the end of a project—that’s always the goal.”
The Essence of ‘Good, Better, ICS’
The tagline “Good, Better, ICS” encapsulates the ethos of the business unit: a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. “It’s about setting a standard of quality that surpasses expectations,” Hill elaborated. “We want clients to know when they choose ICS, they’re choosing the best.”
Owens added, “We really try to foster a culture of growth and expertise. We want to continually raise the bar and push the boundaries of what’s possible in interior construction.”
Staying Ahead of an Evolving Market
With expansions into Denver and Boise in 2020 and 2022, respectively, ICS’s growth has been characterized by adaptability and resilience in the face of changing market dynamics. Hill explained, “It used to be that owners would spend all their money on the outside of the building and keep the interior vanilla. Now it’s just the opposite.” Owens added, “Our ability to pivot and evolve with the market has been a major part of our growth.”
Hill also acknowledged the role of relationships and predictability in client interactions: “Our clients come back to us knowing we deliver outstanding outcomes. It’s about building trust and establishing long-term partnerships.” Indeed, doing work for repeat customers has been a key driver of ICS’s growth and success.
Showcasing Excellence through Iconic Projects
From adaptive reuse projects like the Traeger Headquarters where ICS converted an abandoned print warehouse to a Class A office space, to monumental undertakings like upgrading a major aerospace manufacturing facility, ICS has left an indelible mark on the interior construction landscape. Owens recounted some of the most compelling projects, saying, “We’ve completed so many project types–large law firms, institutional buildings, theaters, and Class A office spaces. Each project presents unique challenges, and we tackle them with precision and innovation.”
Hill added, “Our portfolio speaks for itself. Whether it’s historical renovations or impressive technology facilities—and we’re talking linear particle accelerators—it’s clear we can deliver some incredible results across any project type.”
The making of Traeger Grills Headquarters.
The ICS Backbone: A Cohesive and Dynamic Team
At the heart of ICS lies its dedicated team, whose cohesion and energy are the driving forces behind the company’s success. Hill outlined the team structure saying, “We have a diverse team of project managers, superintendents, and estimators, all working together seamlessly to deliver results. Our flat hierarchy fosters collaboration and empowers every team member to contribute.”
And just like the friendships they build with clients, they maintain a tight-knit group that really enjoys working together.
Project Manager Rebecca Delis, who has been with ICS since 2018, shared these thoughts: “I love the support you get from the team. We all get along so well.” Overall, Delis praised ICS as an excellent workplace, citing its supportive culture, diverse projects, and opportunities for personal and professional development as key factors contributing to her positive experience. “We work independently as project managers on our own projects, but there is still a great support structure. If you need anything, we turn to each other, and we’re all there for each other. It makes it easy and fun to come to work every day.”
Knorr highlighted the supportive culture and autonomy as key factors that have kept him here. “It really is the culture that makes us such a unique division,” he said. Knorr emphasized the freedom to operate like an independent business within Layton, stating, “It’s like we’re running our own company, and we push each other to be and do better.”
The Crew You Want in Your Corner
The culture within ICS is characterized by camaraderie, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Hill articulated, “There is an entrepreneurial spirit within ICS because our people have ownership of a project from start to finish. We foster a ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos, where every team member is valued for their contributions.”
Owens emphasized the importance of individuality and support within the team: “We encourage our team to be themselves and embrace their unique strengths. It’s about creating a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive.”
Renovation Renegades: A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
As ICS continues to thrive and expand its footprint, its legacy of excellence and innovation endures. With a steadfast commitment to quality, innovation, and collaboration, ICS remains at the forefront of interior construction in the Intermountain West, shaping spaces and enriching communities one project at a time.
Check out the ICS portfolio.
Have questions about ICS? Or have a project coming up?
We’d love to hear from you. Contact Penn Owens to discuss.
(801) 386-0845 | powens@laytonconstruction.com
