Fab Focus XTRA: B.C. Stone
As with many would-be shop owners of the time, Bair and Collins opened their doors in 1993 with a few tools in a two-bay garage. Within a few months, they purchased their first building; if they made one mistake, Collins says, it was underestimating the demand for their product.
Although their initial market was primarily the Baltimore area, as demand and the company grew, the partners found themselves with clients in Pittsburgh and State College, Pa. Today, their market area also extends into parts of Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Then, there’s the second shop in Wilmington, N.C. Collins explains that the Wilmington location came about mainly because of relatives he has in that area, and his family’s tradition of vacationing at the beach.
“My cousin who lives in that area is a contractor, and every year when we were there, he’d tell me I needed to start a business there and how much of a need there was for it,” he relates. “We had a couple guys who wanted to go out and give it a shot, so Rodney and I fronted them the money, gave them a partnership in the business, and mentored them.”
However, the Wilmington location was hit hard by the economy. From a peak of 20 employees, the shop’s ranks went as low as three, although things are beginning to look up there again.
“We’re starting to see things pick up and come back there,” Collins says. “We’re in the process of hiring another employee right now, and they have the equipment ready to go when it does come back.”
BUSTING AT THE SEAMS
By comparison, the Everett operation sailed through the current recession in fairly solid shape. B.C. Stone averages between 65 and 70 employees, working three shifts.
“We’ve weathered the economy pretty well actually,” says Collins. “We’ve just recently hired a couple more people.”
He adds that the reasons for that are numerous. One is simply the area the company serves; with several large markets, one is likely to remain good if others slow down.
Then, there’s the company’s client mix, which includes cabinet shops, tile companies, architects, designers and several big-box store chains.
Collins says B.C. Stone also does a small amount of direct retail sales, but that’s not the business they want. It’s better for dealers if the duo stay away from serving the end users.