For nearly six decades, SPC Mechanical has remained one of the few fully family-owned mechanical contracting firms in the industry. With no external investors or third-party involvement, the company has built a legacy rooted in independence, dedication, and craftsmanship.
Founded in 1965 by Buren and Peggy Williford in Wilson, North Carolina, SPC Mechanical has remained in the hands of the Williford family. Today, their sons Chris and Mark continue the tradition, serving as President and Executive Vice President, respectively.
“We’re still family-owned. No outside interest whatsoever—just a local, family-run business,” says Floyd McCabe, who works in Business Development for SPC Mechanical. “Many companies today are held by big corporations or investment firms, but the Willifords built this from the ground up, and we take pride in that.”
Over the past 60 years, SPC Mechanical has grown into a powerhouse in mechanical contracting, primarily focusing on new construction and major renovations. Its journey from a small business to a multi-million-dollar operation is a testament to its commitment to excellence.
“We’ve come a long way,” McCabe reflects. “When I joined 21 years ago, we were doing about $40 million a year. Now, we’re approaching $300 million.”
With expansion into new markets, including Charlotte, the company’s corporate headquarters moved to Wendell, North Carolina, four years ago. A new service division was also established in Zebulon, while a 125,000-square-foot prefabrication facility in Elon now supports operations across both eastern and western regions of the state.
Beyond financial growth, SPC Mechanical attributes its success to a strong team-oriented culture. The company’s guiding principle, “One SPC,” emphasizes collaboration and support among employees.
“We’ve built a great team culture where everyone helps each other,” McCabe explains. “We don’t leave anyone behind. That’s what makes us strong.”
In line with this philosophy, SPC Mechanical has merged its mechanical and plumbing divisions, ensuring seamless project management. Employees are cross-trained to handle both disciplines, enhancing efficiency and communication across job sites.
Safety is another cornerstone of SPC Mechanical’s operations. In 2010, the company introduced the No Injury Program (NIP), which enforces a zero-tolerance policy for unsafe practices.
“Our mission is to always work safely,” says Sean Purcell, SPC Mechanical’s Safety Director. “We go above and beyond OSHA regulations, implementing site-specific safety policies and extensive training programs to ensure our employees, subcontractors, and partners remain safe.”
“We go above and beyond OSHA regulations, implementing site-specific safety policies and extensive training programs to ensure our employees, subcontractors, and partners remain safe.”
Every field employee undergoes OSHA 10-hour training within their first months on the job, while all field leadership completes the OSHA 30-hour course within their first year. Additional certifications include Confined Space, Forklift, Rigging, and First Aid/CPR training. The company also hosts an annual Safety Summit to reinforce best practices.
The results speak for themselves—SPC Mechanical has received numerous ABC awards for safety and excellence in construction at both local and national levels.
SPC Mechanical is also an industry leader in utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) to streamline construction processes. With a dedicated team of 15 BIM specialists, every project is digitally designed before ground is broken. This proactive approach ensures precision, minimizes conflicts with other trades, and maximizes efficiency.
“Prefabrication is one of our greatest strengths,” McCabe says. “We pre-build as much as possible in a controlled environment before sending components to the field. It improves quality, enhances safety, and accelerates installation.”
By assembling components in the prefabrication facility rather than on-site, SPC Mechanical reduces overhead work, making the process safer and more efficient. This approach has been instrumental in the company’s success on high-profile projects.
Over the years, SPC Mechanical has delivered numerous successful projects across North Carolina and beyond. In 2024, the company completed work on the Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. The project included a chiller generator plant and a new patient tower. The chiller plant earned the prestigious Eagle Award at the ABC Excellence in Construction (EIC) awards, followed by a national-level Pyramid Award.
Another standout project is the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital Care Tower, a large-scale mechanical project set for completion in 2026. A key innovation on this project was the use of prefabricated multi-trade racks, which allowed for efficient installation of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.
“We built about 150 of these racks in our shop, shipped them to the site, and installed them in sections,” McCabe explains. “It’s an efficient, high-quality process that reduces job site risks.”
SPC Mechanical is also heavily involved in infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s main terminal, scheduled for completion in 2025.
Additionally, the company is playing a key role in a mega project in South Carolina, where batteries for electric vehicles will be produced.
“It’s a massive project with an extremely tight timeline—less than two years for completion,” McCabe notes. “It’s our biggest project to date, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
With a strong backlog of projects, SPC Mechanical is poised for further growth. The company is actively expanding into South Carolina and Virginia, with its Charlotte office serving as a launching point for southern market penetration.
“There’s a lot more work out there,” McCabe says. “We’ve mastered complex, large-scale projects, and that’s a page added to our playbook.”
However, success at SPC Mechanical is not solely measured by revenue or project size. The company is deeply committed to giving back to the communities that have supported it for decades.
Every year, SPC Mechanical hosts a charity golf tournament, now in its eighth year. To date, the event has raised over $400,000 to support Backpack Buddy programs, which provide meals for children who might otherwise go hungry on weekends and during summer breaks. Additionally, in recent years, SPC employees volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes for families in need.
“We believe in giving back,” McCabe says. “It’s not just about what we take—it’s about how we can support our communities and help those who need it most.”
As SPC Mechanical celebrates its 60th anniversary, it stands as a shining example of what a family-owned business can achieve through dedication, innovation, and a commitment to people. From its humble beginnings in Wilson, NC, to its role as a leader in mechanical contracting, the company continues to build not just structures, but a legacy of excellence that will endure for generations to come.
