Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Benchmark Construction began their relationship in 1995 with the first area store constructed in East Lampeter, Lancaster County. This 201,000 square foot store involved 32 acres of site work and over $1 million of highway modifications. The time frame on this project from foundations to turnover was six months. Prior to completing that store, we began a three-sided renovation project to an existing Wal-Mart in Lebanon. This involved the addition of a 91,000 SF of grocery area with new loading docks and associated back of house operations. Then in September of 1998, we started construction on the Ephrata Supercenter. This store was 204,000 square feet with an 18 acre site and also had extensive road work required including a new off ramp to a limited access highway.

The Reading Wal-Mart Supercenter represented Benchmark´s fourth project with Wal-Mart. The first phase of this project required demolition of seven existing stores. Demolition began February 5. The demolition of the stores was accomplished in three weeks.

Construction of the 205,000 square foot building was delayed three weeks because the plans had not received final approval at the township level. Working hand in hand with the municipality and developer, Benchmark shepherded the project through the approval process, and construction began on March 19, 1999.

The unique aspect of building a Supercenter is the tremendous amount of Wal-Mart supplied items that are incorporated into the building process. Scheduling these items to keep a tight, fast track schedule moving without delay in the construction process requires intensive and proactive project management.

The Reading Wal-Mart Store was completed for turnover to the Owner September 3, 1999, two weeks ahead of schedule and just five and one-half months after the start of construction.

Benchmark has provided Wal-Mart with a proven level of confidence in our ability to deliver their projects on-time and within budget while maintaining the high level of quality they demand.

Location: Lancaster, Lebanon, Ephrata, Reading and Parkesburg

Design Professionals: c/o Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Total SF: Supercenters range from approximately 201,000 to 205,000 SF

Value: $ 6.5 million to $ 8.0 million

Awards:  2000 ABC - Keystone Chapter AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Services Provided: General Construction Services

"My company has built numerous projects, but this was truly a unique experience. You delivered ahead of schedule, at budget, and were always available in a courteous manner to handle any requests we had. We have rarely worked with such a professional company as Benchmark. We hope we have the opportunity to do so again." David F. Lavipour, Developer Wal-Mart Reading