Case Studies

“‘Quality First’ isn’t just the name of our company. It’s not just our motto, either. It’s our mission,” asserts Gary Kluck, founder and CEO of Quality First Home Improvement (QFHI). The Citrus Heights, Calif.-based company operates nine divisions across six locations throughout California and Nevada, providing home owners with a single source for top-notch home […]

DACA Painting LLC began in 1978, and throughout the last three-plus decades the company has continually demonstrated its leadership in providing customers with quality new construction painting and major structural repaint and lead abatement contracting services. The firm, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., serves industrial and commercial businesses across the country from additional offices in Tennessee, […]

E.D. Swett Inc. (EDS) was founded by Everett David Swett in 1936. Based out of Concord, N.H., the company specializes in heavy and highway construction with a special focus on bridge building, pile-driving, cofferdams and earth retention systems. “We consider ourselves to be bridge builders and we specialize in taking on the jobs that are […]

In 1995 Shannon and Bob Alten combined their education and experience in business and construction (respectively) to found Alten Construction Inc. Shannon, the company’s president, explains, “Bob has been hands-on since 16 years old, and always knew he wanted to be involved in construction. He studied engineering and architecture in college and worked in different […]

Jakki Kutz has been in the construction industry for 25 years, with over half of it as president of her company, Allied Framers Inc., which she co-founded in 1995. The company, a wood-framed structures specialist, celebrated its 15th anniversary on April 1, 2010. Working from a headquarters in Vacaville, Calif., Allied Framers has a general […]

One of the unfortunate results of the current recession is that the number of unscrupulous contractors who cut corners and perform substandard work is on the rise. There are, however, still those companies that are against cutting corners to try and generate jobs. Lee’s Welding Inc. – out of Murdock, Neb. – is one company […]

In 1978 Harold Shumate began an HVAC company, Shumate Mechanical LLC, in a 3,000-square foot office in Stone Mountain, Ga. Setting a good example of hard work, Harold often performed service work while making sales. With the support of its employees, the company grew quickly and in 1984 moved into a new, 20,000-square foot building […]

Since 1950, J.L. Roberts Mechanical has been serving the great state of Mississippi with its expert plumbing, HVAC, process piping services and more. Founded by James Leland Roberts, and now including Leonard Roberts as owner/president and his son James L. Roberts, Jr. as vice president/project manager, this family-run company got its start in the residential […]

Excel Electrical Technologies, Inc. (Excel) was founded in 2002 by Alan Green and Steve Fowler. A few months later Excel purchased the assets of Encompass Electrical Technologies of Georgia, Inc. (EET f/k/a Regency Electric Company Atlanta Office, Inc.). EET’s management team, support staff and field employees immediately transitioned to Excel. Fowler had been the President […]

Ritchie-Curbow Construction Company Inc. is a classic example of a company that has sustained the ups and downs of the market by offering clients super customer service. The Virginia-based company was founded in 1973 by Joe Ritchie and Gary Curbow on the premise that treating clients like partners would help grow a customer base. Ritchie […]