The co-founders of ContekPro believe the future of construction is modular. To get there, the founding duo are focused on modular commercial kitchen construction.
“This niche market is big enough to make us a big modular construction player in the U.S.,” said co-founder Reda Attahri. “We are confident that in the next five years we can use the same recipe for other construction verticals.”
The Tigard-based company has a team of 14 people. They have made more than 120 units for customers in hospitality, such as remote resorts in the Caribbean, quick-serve restaurants; ghost kitchen companies, and the U.S. army in remote locations in Africa.
Customers have bought modular kitchens, freezers and bathrooms. Attahri notes that typically once a kitchen is ordered, customers often express interest in other types of modular units as well.
The company was founded in Oakland, California in 2017. Initially, it was working in modular construction generally but after seeing 50% to 60% of customers buying modular kitchens, the founders made the shift to a niche vertical in 2019.
The size and cost of modular kitchens
Kitchen units, which are built in new shipping containers, can range from 320 square feet to 3,000-4,000 square feet, Attahri said. Prices range from $400,000 to $550,000 depending on the design. Units are built in Tigard and then shipped to their locations, which include urban and more remote locations. Once at the final location, a general contractor can hook utilities up the modular units.
Units can be outside and standalone or they can be incorporated into an existing building.
ContekPro uses its own proprietary sales software. Instead of working with designers, contractors and others to design and build a kitchen, customers work directly with ContekPro’s team. Attahri likened it to buying a car.
Instead of the consumer talking to designers, engineers and a manufacturer to buy a car, you talk to a dealer, whether it's in-person or online. Why shouldn’t buying something like a kitchen work the same way? Customers select what features they want and then buy it, he said.
“You can get a fully equipped kitchen within 12 to 16 weeks,” he said, adding that modular construction also cuts construction waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Why Portland?
The company moved to the Portland metro after co-founder and CEO Yassine Attahri moved to the area from California. Portland made sense on a cost basis, Reda Attahri said, and is a better place to do business than California.
The duo, who are brothers, wanted to keep the company on the West Coast. They are preparing to fundraise and see Portland’s central location between the Bay Area and Seattle as a benefit. California remains a large customer market and access to shipping here met their needs.
Attahri also noted that the company has found good talent here and great manufacturing partners, who have kept the supply chain local, a big plus given global supply chain challenges.
The company’s production pipeline is full for the next three quarters, Attahri said. He is hiring and is looking for another five production workers as well as five office-focused staff.
The company is so far self-funded and is profitable. Attahri expects to start fundraising in the next 18 to 24 months. He is also looking for a larger location for expansion in the Portland area.
