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No. 19 Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath |
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Pictured, from left, are Jeff Goodridge, vice president; Andrew Blair, CEO; Anne-Magill Payne, marketing director; and Sam Marano, president. (Photo/ Larry Monteith)
1081 Morrison Drive
Charleston, S.C. 29403
www.birddecorativehardware.com
Total number of local employees: 47.
Top local executive: Andrew Blair, CEO.
Product or service: Decorative hardware, plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware and accessories.
Year founded locally: 1988.
Andrew Blair, CEO of Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath, believes his company’s growth is a direct result of empowering individual employees to have a stake in the company’s long-term goals and achievements.
“The success of Bird is the power of our people who believe in our mission,” he said.
Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath doesn’t just rely on the knowledge of its management team to make decisions but on all its employees and their years of experience. Those employees with a particularly vast knowledge of the industry serve on an advisory council and have input into the company.
Because of its keen focus on employees, Bird has been able to maintain its growth and success. Between 2005 and 2006, the company’s revenues increased 21%.
Bird also has a high employee retention rate, resulting in a competent and experienced sales staff, which Blair said is a key component in gaining market share.
“Through promoting within the company, we have been able to sustain our success, employees and expertise,” Blair said. “My sales team is truly outstanding. I would put them up against any other sales force in the industry. They are that good.”
Blair emphasizes people and principles over profit, believes in macromanagement over micromanagement and wants to empower employees.
“This is where I may stray from the normal business philosophy: I do not and will not chase dollars,” Blair said. “When you have the people and the products, the profit comes naturally. Never at Bird would I place the importance of profit over people and principle. It is crucial that the employees see from the top down that Bird is an ethical company that believes in principles.”
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