Building industry grows in numbers

Competition in the Gulf Coast construction industry is about to get even stiffer.

The latest entry to the field is Chicago-based Eidco Construction. The firm, founded in 2003, has experience in building retail, office, health care and multifamily projects. Past work includes Home Depots, Wal-Marts, and Costcos, in addition to several medical office buildings, nursing homes, banks and condo projects.

Eidco hired industry veteran Bill Carpitella to run the Florida expansion, which will be based in Sarasota, out of an office in Lakewood Ranch. Carpitella was previously an executive at several large real estate and homebuilding firms, including K. Hovnanian Enterprises and Pulte Homes.