You can build a better company than he ever did.
You can build a company better than he ever did.
I know # 1 works, but does #2 work as well?
If #2 works, does it mean the same thing as #1?
Finally, in #1, is 'than he ever did' part of the noun phrase 'a better company than he ever did'?
How about, in #2? Is 'than he ever did' part of the noun phrase 'a company better than he ever did'?