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No. 8 Charles Blanchard Construction Corp. |
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Charles Blanchard Construction has diversified its business by venturing into other construction areas, such as mechanical pipe welding. (Photo/ Larry Monteith)
2845 Rivers Ave.
North Charleston, S.C. 29405
www.blanchardconst.com
Total number of local employees: 85.
Top local executives: Mike Blanchard, president, and Matt O’Donnell, vice president.
Product or service: General contractor and mechanical contractor.
Year founded locally: 1975.
Charles Blanchard Construction Corp. has realized significant growth by reinvesting its profits in itself.
“This enabled us to finance the growth, which can be very difficult, and remain competitive,” said Mike Blanchard, company president.
That focus also has kept customers happy and coming back for more business. Blanchard said 60% of the company’s business is from repeat customers and a great deal of business comes in through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Charles Blanchard Construction also diversified by venturing into other construction areas, such as mechanical pipe welding, giving the company a more competitive edge.
With competition fierce in the construction industry, Charles Blanchard Construction focuses on its employees as a way to remain competitive.
“We treat our employees better than any of our competitors do,” Blanchard said. “We hire the best people in the business, pay them well and don’t micromanage them. We give our workers the best tools and equipment they need to do their job. We consequently have happy, enthusiastic employees that are empowered to do what they do best. What else do you need to compete successfully?”
The focus is paying off: Charles Blanchard Construction saw revenue increase 36% between 2005 and 2006.
Growth also means taking a look at management practices and making needed adjustments. For Blanchard, that means he has less time for hands-on management and spends more time ensuring his upper management team embraces the culture of the company, he said.
“Our culture is simple: Do the job right, do it on time and try to make a profit — in that order,” Blanchard said. “If you accomplish the first two, the profit part will come. My personal goal is for every employee in the company to feel like they have the best job they ever had.”
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