Case Studies August 2014

In 1979, Monte Walker founded Chief Concrete Inc. (CCI) with three business partners. He had worked for several years in electronic engineering before he decided to change careers. After seven years of co-ownership, Monte bought out his partners and is now the sole owner of CCI. “Originally, I had partnered with a rebar contractor and […]

It has been a busy year for CD Builder’s Inc. (CDB). In 2013, the highway, bridge and road contractor underwent a major transition from the small island of Puerto Rico to the big state of Texas. Since adding its Hurst, Texas, location, CDB has initiated the process of establishing itself in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth […]

Carl Smith Pipeline (CSP) has roots dating back more than 75 years, as namesake Carl Smith entered the industry originally in the 1930s. The family company, Carl E. Smith Inc., grew even after his passing, but disagreement between heirs led to its dissolution. Several years later, in 2009, Beth Ann Smith, Carl’s granddaughter, determined to […]

For more than 80 years, residential and commercial customers have been calling on Armstrong Mechanical (Armstrong) for everything from basic plumbing to heating and air conditioning to new construction. For Armstrong, serving homes and businesses throughout West Texas is a four generation strong family tradition. “My grandfather, E.H. Armstrong, founded Armstrong in 1934,” recalls Chris […]

Norberto Morales, CEO of ACR Systems (ACR) found his passion in the mechanical HVAC field in the 1970s. With no formal education, just hands-on experience and an entrepreneurial drive, Morales established Puerto Rico-based ACR in 1979. “ACR started in December 1979 and is now a fully mechanized mechanical and electrical contractor,” reveals Morales. “We are […]

In 2003, Zebulon Z. Hadley IV founded a small power washing business while attending North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. His one-man operation soon expanded when the quality of his work attracted local general contractors. With growing success in the region, he hired his first two employees. Three years later, the small team added […]

Since 1922 The Longacre Company (Longacre) has been delivering a full range of professional electrical and mechanical services. The Pennsylvania-based company’s electricians, plumbers, designers and technicians are some of the best in the business, with real life, hands-on experience. Combining industry-leading experience with the service-oriented values of several generations of family ownership, Longacre has emerged […]

In 2004 Masonry Magazine profiled Linn Thomas, founder, president and CEO of Tectonic Systems Inc., a commercial masonry contractor based in Indianapolis, Ind. The magazine gave a number of reasons – depth of experience, tenure and enthusiasm for the trade – for Thomas’s success in the industry. However, Thomas himself, a humble man, would credit […]

Rick Milota, vice president of National Electric, says the Nebraska-based company is unlike most electrical contractors in the region. “We’re a little different from most contractors you might talk to,” he reveals. “One thing that sets us apart is our longstanding history. Our company will celebrate 70 years in 2014 and we’re still family-owned.” Milota, […]

SOS-Retail Services (SOS-RS) is a full-service company that supports national retailers and the hospitality industry. With locations in Franklin and Bedford, Texas, SOS-RS employs approximately 150 people, serving clients nationwide. The company has stood on its own since 2009, when Pete Dencker, president of SOS-RS, purchased what was then his division of Store Opening Solutions […]