The Boom Triumphant
Slumping Oil Prices Weren’t A Serious Threat To The Far-Reaching Boom Of 2016 And Early 2017
By Brad Goins
There were two big themes in the reports of this year’s Top 50 locally owned businesses.
First, this was the first year in which it was undeniable that the boom was having a pervasive positive effect on the area’s economy. The boom is now here. Everyone — regardless of his level of business success — is in agreement on that.
The second big theme is that if there’s a dark area in this otherwise bright boom picture, it’s the recent declines in the price of oil. These declines haven’t been sufficient to create a major drag on the overall boom. But they have put some businesses on notice and have cut into a certain amount of boom revenue.
Overall, though, the business picture presented here is the most positive one we’ve seen since Lagniappe started publishing the Top 50. At least 32 of the 50 businesses specifically stated that their revenue had increased in 2016 or 2017. Lake Charles Auto Auction was the most enthusiastic about the matter, stating that its 2017 business has been “wildly successful.”
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A Variety Of Booms
Because of the unusual and pervasive effect of the boom on Top 50 businesses, it really works best to discuss the boom as a factor in revenue growth, then turn to a discussion of other, less wide-ranging, reasons for success. So let’s do it just that way.
The responses in this year’s Top 50 show us that there is more than one type of boom going on. It all depends on the point of view of the business owner experiencing the boom.
Twice as many Top 50 businesses saw the boom as primarily an economic factor (12 businesses) rather than an industrial factor (6 businesses). There is a difference. In an industrial boom, growth is mainly concentrated in the industrial projects — and particularly, in construction projects — associated with the boom. In an economic boom, the business generated by the industrial projects spreads out to buoy the economy in general. The Top 50 businesses seem to be inclined to see the boom as benefitting business as a whole.
Interestingly, increases in local population were seen as a more influential boom benefit — cited by 7 businesses — than industrial projects. A possible explanation here is that these 7 businesses have seen a marked increase in the number of customers or clients. (Imagine new workers looking for food or drink; automobile purchases or maintenance; or motel rooms or longer term housing.)
New housing construction was cited as a major boom benefit by 3 Top 50 businesses. Also of note — 2 businesses referred to the boom specifically as an “LNG boom.”
The Alfred Miller Contracting Co. engaged in the interesting speculation that the boom might not be developing as quickly as it is thought to be — and that might be good for business. “While the pace of [the company’s] projects has been slower than anticipated, that’s good news, says [CEO Philip] Miller, as it means that the boom will last longer than expected and local companies will be able to get a greater percentage of the work.”
Other Reasons For Growth
Now, let’s turn to those other, less far-reaching, reasons for growth we promised.
One interesting facet of the boom is that it has given local businesses a newfound appreciation of their employee team. No fewer than 10 of the Top 50 businesses cited their employee team as a reason for recent growth. Advanced Office Products was especially enthusiastic in this respect, calling its employees a “team of ninja warriors.”
Another major cause for success was expansion, whether it was general expansion (2 businesses), expansive in services (4 businesses) or expansion in the area of service (2 businesses). Louisiana Radio Communications, Inc., looked to the benefit of a refurbishing project that will double the size of its facilities.
The fourth most important key growth factor that wasn’t specifically tied to the boom was a focus on customer service, cited by 4 businesses. Other reasons for growth that were mentioned were rebuilding, participation in mergers, diversification, restructuring of the business, reduced overhead and streamlining of the business.
The Oil Factor
While it was a banner year for local business, two of the Top 50 businesses reported declines in revenue, and one expected the decline to continue after the end of 2017. Of course, for both businesses, the reason for the downturns was the low price of oil.
Both businesses homed right in on the dominant problem for some local businesses — changes in oil prices have caused some petrochemical companies to pull back on capital expenditure projects. The Century Group saw the ultimate cause of the problem as the oil slump compounded by the “effect of elections,” while Brask cited the oil slump compounded by “oversupply of gasoline inventories.”
One company, Southland Coins & Companies, stated that while its overall revenue was up, its Louisiana revenue had decreased dramatically. This was the direct effect of legislation passed by the Louisiana Legislature in 2016 that imposed a high tax on precious metals sold in the state. CEO Malcolm Self stated that if legislative relief from the tax is not forthcoming, the company is likely to move outside the state.
Compensating Factors
Port Aggregates was among the companies that felt that the boom compensated for the dips in oil prices.
The boom wasn’t the only compensating factor for weak oil prices. Trahan Construction said that it thrived in the midst of oil price decline due to a backlog of projects. Keiland construction also noted that it has a great many projects on backlog and suggested that this will be a source of future growth.
A Few Challenges
When one looked beyond low oil prices, other business challenges paled in comparison. Still, a few Top 50 businesses see other potential challenges in their business future that have little or nothing to do with oil.
Two companies noted that insurance rates were increasing the cost of keeping present employees and adding new ones. One business complained of a lack of qualified employees. And another noted rising general labor costs as a problem. Though these challenges all differ in nature, they are all difficulties that relate to the local workforce.
The Future
Some companies provided specific parameters for the amount they expect their businesses to grow in 2017, 2018 or following years.
For instance, Paramount Automotive Companies predicts it will “more than double sales in coming years.” Cajun Outdoor Paradise Projects also sees its revenue doubling, in this case within a 16-month period.
Turnaround Consulting Services sees a 55 percent revenue increase for this year, while the Bubba Oustalet Automotive Group sees a 5 percent increase.
The confident Turnaround also predicts a 20 percent increase for 2018.
Clearly the predictions here are for unusually high percentages of growth — a phenomenon certain to be attributed to the boom.
As for predictions related more to the period of growth than its amount, Billy Navarre predicted growth for the next five years. Landscape Management Services made a similar move, but went further in specificity, predicting a “steady 6-8 percent [increase] annually over the next few years.” Pumpelly Tire was another company that envisioned growth for more than one coming year.
Even in off years, at least a handful of Top 50 businesses refer to their business future as “bright.” It was indicative of the great success of this boom time that the use of the adjective “great” was more common than the use of “bright” (7 versus 5).
Some companies were even more enthusiastic about the months or years to come, with M&C Oilfield Services saying it was “very optimistic” about the future — a significant statement from a company closely associated with the petrochemical industry — and Dubois Sheet Metal seeing its prospects for future business success as “exceptional.”
Probably the most dramatic example of confidence in a successful business future came with Fix My Phone’s revelation that it was “opening for franchising.” That statement means exactly what it says. The company plans to open 20 new stores this year. That’s right — 20 new stores in one year. Now that’s a boom.
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Paramount Automotive Companies
Over $250 million
Employees: 290
paramountautomotive.com
Paramount Automotive was founded in 2002 in Lake Charles.
The flagship dealership, Nissan of Lake Charles, is located off of I-210 at the Legion St. exit next to Paramount’s Preowned Super Store.
In 2009, the company purchased the Nissan and Ford dealerships in DeRidder. The businesses, now called 171 Nissan and Highway Ford, were turning a profit by the end of 2010.
Owner John Stelly was then awarded a Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep dealership in Leesville, La. The dealership, 171 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat, is located just across Hwy. 171 from the Ft. Polk entrance, and business is booming.
The five local locations combine to create a 250-square-mile market penetration radius that Stelly predicts will more than double sales in coming years.
Stelly built and opened Toyota of Natchez (in Natchez, Miss.) last year, and is also in the process of building the brand-new state-of-the-art dealership Nissan of Stillwater (located in Stillwater, Oklahoma), scheduled to open in 2018.
Stelly cites the expansions and never-ending commitment to his customers as keys to Paramount’s continued growth that all point to a bright future. His goal is lofty: To exceed half a billion in sales by 2020. Other exciting new projects will be announced in the coming months.
Billy Navarre Chevrolet, Cadillac, Equus, Hyundai & Honda
$200 million-$250 million
Employees: 375
billynavarreauto.com
In 1982, at the age of 25, Billy Navarre opened a Chevrolet dealership in Sulphur, in a building that had been closed for six months. Today, Navarre has over $200 million in annual sales.
Navarre has six franchises — Chevy (2 locations), Cadillac, Honda, Hyundai and Equus.
Navarre’s built its success and reputation on customer service, and with the addition of the state-of-the-art Quicklube and Carwash facility in Lake Charles, where they do oil changes in 10 minutes or less, and the Quicklube and Carwash facility in Sulphur, they’ve taken customer service to a new level.
In June, 2015, when Billy Navarre became ill, his son, Ryan Navarre, took over management of the company. Billy Navarre passed away in January, 2016, and Ryan took over as CEO. Un-der Ryan’s management, the company had two record years in 2015 and 2016, thanks to improving technology and an increase in the number of employees.
That’s an indicator of how much trust the company’s customers have in Navarre dealerships. The company will continue to strive to increase employee training and keep up with the latest technology to show customers. The next five years look good.
Stine Home + Yard
$200 million-$250 million
Employees: 800
stinehome.com
Stine was founded as Starlin Lumber Co. in 1946 in Sulphur by J.W. Stine and his partner, J.C. Carlin, as a supplier for residential building con-tractors. Beginning in 1966, each of six of Stine’s sons joined Starlin Lumber. The company’s name was changed to Stine Lumber, and new stores were added in DeRidder and Lake Charles.
The company now serves Louisiana and part of Mississippi, with locations in Sulphur, Lake Charles, DeRidder, Jennings, Iowa, Crowley, Natchitoches, Alexandria, Abbeville, Walker and Broussard, La., and in Natchez, Miss.
Stine is ranked among the top home improvement centers in the nation, and is one of the area’s top employers.
Revenue continues to increase, thanks to a healthy housing market and increased industrial sales. The severe flooding last year in the Baton Rouge and Acadiana markets also increased sales for the company.
Port Aggregates, Inc.
$100 million-$149.9 million
Employees: 285
portaggregates.com
Port Aggregates was started in 1979 in Mermentau, La., as a subsidiary of Guinn Bros., Inc. It became an independent company in 1985, when Andrew Guinn, Sr., took over as president.
The company expanded into Lake Charles in 1986. In 1993, Port Aggregates opened its BT-4 deep-water aggregate supply yard in Lake Charles, and in 2000 it opened its pre-cast concrete facility in Jennings. In 2002, the company expanded to include a concrete plant in Jennings, with five concrete trucks.
Since then, the company’s opened six additional concrete plants and two aggregate yards throughout Southwest Louisiana.
In August of 2012, Port Aggregates purchased all Angelle Concrete western assets, and added 150 employees.
Revenue is up, thanks to the area’s LNG boom, which has made up for the decline in the Lafayette and northern La. markets due to falling oil prices. CEO Adam Guinn is, however, seeing promise in the Lafayette and Alexandria markets.
All Star Buick GMC
$75 million-$99.9 million
Employees: 75
allstarbuickgmctruck.com
All Star is a family-run, hands-on operation that opened in 1987. It services a 60-mile area from its Sulphur location, which includes a state-of-the-art 16,000-square-foot repair facility, offering RhinoLiner spray bedliner, running boards, bug shields, fender well liners, rain guards and much more. They also offer top-notch quick lube, tire and alignment, and body work services.
All Star has made customer service with a personal touch the foundation of its business. It’s continued a tradition of total availability for its customers — you can talk to All Star’s owner any time.
The dealership expanded with a new location in December of 2008. It’s now a GMC Elite Fleet dealership for SWLA. The dealership just expanded its list of services to include heavy duty trucks, with a service center that works on all heavy duty trucks and buses. The center is staffed by certified techs.
Revenue is up, with a huge in-crease in sales due to the industrial expansion in the area.
Solar Supply
$75 million-$99.9 million
Employees: 250
solarsupply.us
Ray Dingler and Thelma Manuel Dingler founded Solar Supply in 1954 with one location, in Lake Charles. The company now has 61 sales offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Solar Supply is a wholesale distributor of air conditioning, heating, ventilation and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies. The company distributes products from 500 vendors throughout North and South America to 7,200 customers.
The company’s received numerous awards, and continues to grow year after year.
Solar Supply has three operations in Lake Charles: its corporate office at 1212 12th St., its warehouse at 3935 Hwy. 90 E., and the sales outlet at 317 E. LaGrange St. The company is heavily invested in all geographic areas of the state, with operations in Leesville, Opelousas, New Iberia, Natchitoches, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Houma, Lafayette, Mandeville, Gonzales, Gretna, Harahan, Hammond, La-Place, Slidell, Shreveport and Ruston.
The company’s many Texas operations include key sites in Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, McKinney, Corpus Christi, and other Southeast Texas locales. There are four Houston facilities.
Products distributed by the company include A.O. Smith, Airmate, All-style Coils, Amana P-Tac, Aspera, ATCO Rubber, Bostich, Bristol, Broan, Coleman/Evcon, Cozy, Devco, Duro-Dyne, Fiskars, Harris, Honeywell, ICM, Johnson Controls, Klein Tools, Luxaire, Malco, Mastercool, Mitch-Vent, Parker, Ranco, Richie, Robertshaw, Supco, United McGill, US Aire, Comfortstar, Eubanks Seabreeze, Pro 1, Samsung, Sterling, York, Hardcast, Fieldpiece, Turbo Torch and White Rogers.
Revenue is up, and the company expects a “moderate rise” in revenue in the future.
Alfred Miller Contracting Co.
$50 million-$74.9 million
Employees: 250
alfredmiller.com
Founded as a masonry contractor in 1947, Alfred Miller Contracting is celebrating its 70th year of business in SWLA.
In the mid-90s, the company added pre-cast concrete buildings to its list of products, and became a design/build general contractor. Around that same time, it also became the only Louisiana company to install fireproofing of structural steel for refineries and chemical plants. The fireproofing operation has continued to expand, and in the last 10 years, the company has completed a series of the largest shop fireproofing projects in U.S. history.
The company was able to hold on-to its employees during the “lean” years leading up to the current industrial expansion, and is now reaping the benefits, as it’s been able to take on the increasing number of projects in the area.
Capital projects are moving for-ward, and new projects are being announced all the time, says CEO Philip Miller, and the company’s future looks great. While the pace of the projects has been slower than anticipated, that’s good news, says Miller, as it means that the boom will last longer than expected, and local companies will be able to get a greater percentage of the work.
Autoplex Group
$50 million-$74.9 million
Employees: 110
goautoplex.com
Autoplex, founded in 1991, has be-come one of the first places people stop to buy quality pre-owned cars, and a leader in the rent and lease-to-own markets, as well.
The group now has four locations — in Lake Charles, Jennings, Sulphur and Lafayette — that are serving all the Louisiana parishes from Houma to the Texas border. And they just moved into their new state-of-the-art facility in Jennings.
Autoplex Group offers several brands, including Cadillac, GMC, Suzuki, Chrysler and Jeep. Its unique “multi-store” website allows buyers to shop the inventories of five stores with just one click. The company’s in-house credit program makes driving away with a quality used car a reality for buyers of all financial backgrounds and credit levels.
Revenue is up; in fact, 2017 sales are “greatly exceeding” 2016, both in amount and pace.
Bubba Oustalet Automotive Group
$50 million-$74.9 million
Employees: 90
bubbaoustalet.com
The Bubba Oustalet Automotive Group, which has served the Jennings area for over 60 years now, carries on a long tradition of quality service and customer satisfaction. Five generations of Oustalets have run this auto dealership, based in Jennings and founded in 1952 as a Ford-only store by Bubba Oustalet. The company added Lincoln to the mix in 1954, and Toyota in 1976. Bubba Oustalet Chevrolet and Cadillac opened in 1988.
Today, family members Rick Oustalet, Joel Oustalet, Jimmy Oustalet, Jimmy Lyons, Darren Oustalet, Brian Oustalet, Jolie Picou and Chance Oustalet are running the business. And the company now represents five franchises and three used car locations.
CEO Richard Oustalet says business was slow through early 2016, due to the slumping oil market, but the company “caught up during the last six months of 2016.” Revenue is up, and Oustalet predicts a 5-percent increase in revenue for the company in 2017.
Alfred Palma, LLC
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 70-100
alfredpalmainc.com
Alfred Palma Construction was founded in 1986, when the construction industry in the Lake Charles area was at its worst due to the collapse of the oil industry and the rise of interest rates.
The company, now celebrating its 30th year, continues to grow, doing a considerable amount of industrial work, as well as projects at Chennault.
Alfred Palma is a true general contracting firm — commercial, industrial, heavy construction, metal buildings and port work. That diversity has allowed the company to maintain a steady work-force and produce quality work.
One of the company’s largest projects was the $24 million Lake Charles Regional Airport terminal building. And CEO Alfred A. Palma, Jr., calls the new St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church one of the “finest projects that we have built, and one of the finest that has been built in this area.” And the company is currently handling projects at the Port of Lake Charles.
Revenue is up, and the company’s future looks bright, thanks to the area’s continuing economic and industrial expansion.
Big Easy Foods
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 160
bigeasyfoods.com
Big Easy got its start when Mark Abraham and Larry Avery founded Gulf Island Shrimp and Seafood in 1995. The company produces and packages shrimp at its two plants in Dulac, La.; and Cajun food products such as sausage, boudin, Cajun entrees, stuffed chicken and turduchens at its plant in Lake Charles.
In 2011, the company changed its brand name to Big Easy Foods, hoping to increase awareness that the company was a Louisiana-based food company.
In 2014, the company added a state-of-the-art shrimp cooker and a new line of products, including Bacon Poppers — bacon-wrapped jalapeno stuffed with sausage or boudin. In 2015, they added Shrimp Poppers — bacon-wrapped jalapeno and shrimp layered with pepper jack cheese.
The company supplies its Cajun specialties to grocery stores nationwide, and revenue is up. Thanks to today’s trend of eating healthy, the company’s Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp is being re-quested nationwide.
But the real key to the company’s success, says Avery, is its team of employees, many of whom have been with the company for many years.
Brask, Inc.-IEE
$35 million- $49.9 million
Employees: 101
braskinc.com
Founded in 1961, Brask designs, repairs and manufactures heat exchangers and other heat transfer equipment. In particular, Brask is a shell and tube heat exchanger manufacturer providing engineering and fabrication for complete heat exchangers, replacement parts, code modifications, new bundles, strip-and-re-tubes, and miscellaneous turnaround repairs and consulting services for the petroleum, chemical and petrochemical industries.
Brask’s 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is located on 25 acres in Sulphur. The company also has a 100,000-square-foot facility on 10 acres in Pearland, Texas. The Texas facility concentrates on the repair and maintenance aspect of the business. Due to downsizing and restructuring made necessary by the downturn in the oil and gas economy, the company’s revenue is down, and company officials say the “next 18 months will be slow.”
Henderson Implement & Marine
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 92
hendersonimplement.com
“Work or play— we know families.” For Chuck Henderson, president of Henderson Implement and Marine, LLC, this is more than the company’s slogan; it’s his vision for the company and the foundation of its success.
Celebrating 50 years of business, Henderson was founded in 1967 as a modest family business. The company has been steadily growing with the SWLA area. Starting as an industrial implement dealer, the company provided service to the expanding local agricultural farming communities. As the agriculture industry changed and flourished, Henderson was there to meet the growing needs of the industry, expanding their line to include Stihl, Hustler, and Kubota tractors in order to help support small-scale farmers. The company also provides Kubota rental equipment to meet increasing construction demands in the SWLA area.
As innovation in technology and equipment progressed, families had the ability to enjoy more free time together. Henderson recognized the need, and expanded into leisure and recreational vehicles, becoming a certified dealer for Tracker Marine products, which include Tracker Boats, Sun Tracker and Regency pontoons, Mako, Tahoe and Nitro bass boats. They have recently added the Blue Wave line of boats. They also carry a full line of Mercury and Yamaha out-board motors. In addition, they are a certified dealer for Polaris ATVs and UTVs.
In April, 1999, Henderson diversified and expanded its business by becoming a Hunt Brothers Pizza distributer, TK Pizza. This new division now serves over 660 retail locations, having added 75 retail locations in the past year and sold 3.4 million pizzas. The convenience store industry had a great year in 2016, helping drive pizza sales upward.
Henderson remains family owned and operated and continues to thrive with the help of the third generation in the business.
With revenues climbing over the last year, the company is flourishing and still growing with the community. A thriving economy has allowed Henderson to service more customers across the state and into Texas, and they hope to expand their business even further in the coming year.
Lake Charles Auto Auction
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 20
lcautoauction.com
Lake Charles Auto Auction, founded in 1991, offers weekly auto auctions at its Broad Street location, attended by buyers in a huge geographical area, along the Gulf Coast from Mexico to Florida.
After 25 years of holding their weekly auto auctions on Wednesday evenings, last year, Lake Charles Auto Auction moved their Wednesday auction to a 10:30 am time slot. The day-time auctions have proven to be a smashing success for the company, as they auctioned a record 16,000 vehicles last year. 2017 is off to a wildly successful start for the company, and they are on pace to auction 19,000-20,000 vehicles this year.
Lee Dee Wholesale Distributing Company, Inc.
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 28
leedeewholesale.com
Lee Dee Wholesale Distributing Company, Inc., has been in business since 1946, supplying automotive, paper, tobacco, candy, soft drinks and snack goods to convenience stores in over three-quarters of the state.
The company had a great year in 2016, thanks to the increase in the area’s population. The increased revenue can also be attributed to the company’s addition of a state-of-the-art picking system in its warehouse, which allows for more accurate orders pulled for de-livery. And, as always, CEO Steve Hale says his team of employees is what keeps his company thriving.
ReCon Management Services
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 295
recon-group.com
Roger Boyette, Bob Lyons and Reggie Saxon founded ReCon Management to provide professional project management, engineering and design services to local industries in Southwest Louisiana. The company began providing services to the Golden Triangle area of Texas in 2003, and established an office in Beaumont in 2005. ReCon added NDT inspection services in 2011 to support the existing professional services to their clients.
ReCon provides multi-disciplined engineering services for the development of feasibility studies, funding requests and detailed design. ReCon also provides NDE Inspection services. Their services include inspection of piping, tanks, vessels and pipelines. ReCon has a highly experienced and diverse group of designers and drafters.
ReCon is a full-service technical staffing firm that focuses on quality recruiting and staffing so their clients can focus on their core businesses.
The company is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year, and increased revenue as well, thanks to the industrial expansion projects taking place in the area. Despite the drop in oil prices, sales were up again last year, and ReCon has expectations for continued increases in the future.
Trahan Construction
$35 million-$49.9 million
Employees: 20
trahanconstruction.com
Founded in 1989, Trahan Construction quickly became a respected contractor with regional reach through-out the Gulf Coast area. The company’s goal has always been to go beyond creating buildings and facilities — to create personal relationships and partnerships that will last generations. Because of that business philosophy, the company has clients who have trusted them for nearly three decades.
Owners Roxanne and Troy Trahan continue to center the organization around personal discipline, teamwork and trust.
“Showing our clients that we can be trusted on every detail means that they’ll be a business partner for life,” says Troy.
The company, despite the sluggish economy from a weakened oil industry, went into 2016 with a backlog of projects, and revenue is up.
McDonald’s Of Southwest La.
$25 million-$34.9 million
Employees: 460
mcdswla.com
Melvin Gehrig, Sr., opened the first McDonald’s location in the parish in 1972, and Doug Gehrig received his first franchise in 1983. Doug, along with Gerard Mack, director of operations and co-owner of McDonald’s SWLA, now owns and operates McDonald’s restaurants in 80 percent of Calcasieu Parish.
Revenue and sales are up, says Gehrig, thanks to a growing economy. The company’s expanded its area of service, and has remodeled its facilities. All of the company’s restaurants have been rebuilt or remodeled, and Gehrig says the public response has been “very favorable.”
Southland Coins & Collectibles
$25 million-$34.9 million
Employees: 3 full-time,
5 part-time
southlandcoins.net
Southland Coins was founded in 1985 by Malcolm Self as a home-based operation. It was incorporated in 1987, and moved to its Lake St. location in 2009, doubling the business’ square footage. A second location, on Nelson Road, soon followed to handle the buying of scrap gold and silver.
The store sells gold, coins and other collectibles worldwide.
The business had a record first quarter in 2016, Self says, but new state legislation imposing a tax on gold severely hurt the company over the next nine months. In fact, Self says in-state sales dropped 97 percent during that period. Thanks to the company’s steady internet sales, however, revenue has continued to increase.
Self says that the future is uncertain for the company, at least in Louisiana. There is legislation pending, he says, that rescinds the tax on gold. If it doesn’t pass, Self says he will have to move the business out of state.
Progressive Buildings (DBA Mallett Buildings, Inc.)
$15 million-$24.9 million
Employees: 80
mallettinc.com
Mallett Buildings was started in 1999, so the company offers over 16 years of experience in commercial and residential structures. In 2005, a truss manufacturing plant was added. With over 6,000 structures on the ground, the company employs 11 building crews to accommodate customers. Currently, building crews finish 8-10 buildings per week. Two forming crews complete 3-6 forms daily, and the company’s four concrete crews pour 3-4 slabs per day.
The company has a full-time customer service dept. that works diligently to provide customers with a positive building experience. The company’s growth and success can be attributed to its excellent customer service. In fact, it’s so important that the owner lists his personal cell phone number in every advertisement and contract. He encourages customers to call him at any time.
Mallett is a state-licensed contractor in both commercial and residential building.
Revenue is up, and the economic outlook for the company is “great.”
Keiland Construction
$15 million-$24.9 million
Employees: 28
keilandllc.com
In a matter of 10 years, Lake Charles-based Keiland Construction has not only become one of the Gulf Coast’s fastest growing companies, it is also one of Louisiana’s premier enterprises — a result of the vision and determination of owner and founder Keith DuRousseau and of his expert staff.
In that productive decade, Keiland has excelled along the Gulf Coast on projects in both the public and private sector. A sample of the company’s portfolio includes Casa Manana-Sulphur, GillBright veterinarian clinic, the MSU Frasch Hall renovation, UL Multi Sports Complex, various Chennault International Airport improvements, Hurricane Off-Road, the Sowela Campus revitalization, St. Nicholas Center For Children, Milton Elementary Middle School, Barksdale Air Force Base Hangar 1, several Fort Polk revitalization efforts and a litany of United States Army Corps of Engineers projects from Waco, Texas, to New Orleans.
The secret to Keiland’s growth is DuRousseau’s belief in creating a strong professional partnership with clients that is based on integrity, ingenuity and reliability, while providing the expertise to facilitate their construction project from design to completion. Such a process includes a thorough examination of the client’s objective with a dedicated team that has diverse experience, addressing pre-construction concerns, development of construction budgets and production schedules, management of subcontractors and governing entities and completion of projects in as cost-effective a manner as possible.
Such an approach lives up to the company’s motto “We build it better.”
DuRousseau’s work has led to his company garnering significant business awards, like 2013 Contractor of the Year by the Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center; 2014 Louisiana SBA Small Business Person of the Year by President Barack Obama; 2014 Louisiana Small Business Person of the Year by Gov. Bobby Jindal; 2014 INC 5,000 America’s fastest growing companies, ranked 1,096 of 5,000; 2015 INC 5,000 America’s fastest growing companies, ranked 1,476 of 5,000 and 71st in Construction; and 2016 INC 5,000 America’s fastest growing companies, ranked 2,940 of 5,000 and 158th in Construction.
For owner Keith DuRousseau, Keiland Construction is the result of years of dreaming and hard work. DuRousseau decided in 2004 to realize his dream of working in the general contracting industry, and put in long hours after his day job, working with general contractors in return for being able to learn all they could teach him. He and his wife, Samantha, sold their home and rented a room in his brother’s home in order to get Keiland Construction off the ground, and the business opened in 2007 with two employees.
Today, the company employs 28 people, and works on projects all over Louisiana. Keiland has done numerous projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — New Orleans District, Ft. Polk, the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Dept. of Defense, the U.S. Navy and Barksdale Air Force Base. Keiland also built the first Marriot Hotel (Springhill Marriott Suites) in the Lake Area, and the City Transit Building.
DuRousseau was named 2013 Contractor of the Year by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the 2014 Louisiana Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Association.
Revenues are definitely up, thanks to the expanding economy in the area. The company has a lot of work on backlog, and will continue to grow.
Century Group
$10 million-$14.9 million
Employees: 65
centurygrp.com
The company started with the invention of the concrete step by Mr. Alma Como in the early 1940s. It grew over the last 71 years, and is now owned by the fourth generation.
It has diversified into the selling of railroad crossings and railcar spill containment systems into the petrochemical industry and railroad industry. It also sells precast concrete pipeline weights, pipe stands, security barriers and bollards and precast concrete monumental signs to the business community.
Century Group services the entire country with railroad products and provides concrete steps to 27 states.
The company feels that the low price of oil and natural gas as well as the effect of elections seem to have caused the petrochemical industry to refrain from performing many of the capital projects that affect sales of railroad crossing and spill containment products. The railroad industry has reduced capital spending due to a slow economy and the low price of crude oil.
Century Group feels that “the word is capital spending will slowly grow this year with a new political climate and a slow rise in oil” and other factors.
Freshko Foodservice, Inc.
$10 million-$14.9 million
Employees: 22
freshko.com
Freshko Foods was founded in 1988 when Homer Robin, a buyer for a local produce firm, was laid off. With his friend James “Jimbeaux” Guilbeaux, Robin opened Freshko in the George Theriot warehouse on Church Street in north Lake Charles. In 1991, the company moved to its current location on Third Street.
Originally a produce-only distributor, in 2004 Freshko expanded its product line to include Broad Line products, and in 2009 expanded again to include high-end seafood and protein items. The company now services a 200-mile area, north and east of Lake Charles and to the Texas line.
Over half of the company’s employees have worked for it for 23 of its 29 years in business.
Revenue is up, and the company has extended its route east, and is now working on penetrating that area. The extended area has been of great value. Expectations are for a great year ahead for the company, thanks to the expected economic boom in the area for the next few years.
Health Systems 2000
$10 million-$14.9 million
Employees: 250
hhc2000.com
Health Systems 2000 was founded in 1994 by Lisa Walker, an advanced practice registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist, as a home-based home health agency called Home Health Care 2000. The company expanded greatly in both geographical area and the services it provides, and today, the business provides care for clients in the entire five-parish area. The organization provides home health registered nurses; physical, occupational and speech therapy; hospice care; private duty care; and medical supplies and equipment.
The organization has achieved and maintained Joint Commission Accreditation on Health Care Organizations since 1996.
Home Health Systems 2000 is committed to excellence, professionalism and compassion. It delivers state-of-the-art home care services with identified centers of excellence. It engages in a wide range of continuing education, clinical education and other pro-grams for professionals and the public.
An increase in the area’s population benefited the company most in 2016, says Walker. “Patients are discharged from the hospital sooner, and the availability of highly technologically advanced skilled care can be provided in the home. Intermittent skilled care and long-term non-skilled in the home are the most cost effective levels of care,” says Walker. “It is a positive alternative to costly hospital stays and long-term care nursing home placement.”
The company’s future looks great, thanks to the continuing population and economic growth.
Louisiana Radio Communications, Inc.
$10 million-$14.9 million
Employees: 70-plus
lrcwireless.com
Louisiana Radio Communications was founded in 1947, and was bought by Robert Vincent in 1950 as a service facility for two-way radio communications for public safety organizations and the petrochemical industry. The company was instrumental in developing some of the first wireless communications for area industrial and oil businesses. It has grown along with technology in the decades since.
Now managed by Perry Vincent, the company serves an 11-parish area throughout South Louisiana. LRC Wireless handles all applications of wireless communications, including sales, service and warranty. Services include two-way radio systems engineering; design and construction of wireless computer networks, integrating video, voice and data; complete infrastructure support of antenna systems installations; tower sales, service and erections; SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition); voice and data cabling; fiberoptics installation; complete communications designs by an RCDD (registered communications distribution designer); professional services including project management by a certified PMP (project management professional).
Revenues are up, thanks to the industrial growth in the area. In fact, business is so good that the company is breaking ground soon on an addition to its current facility, which will double its size.
M&C Oilfield Services
$10 million-$14.9 million
Employees: 35
mandcoilfield.com
Founded in 2006, M&C Oilfield Services has over 175 years combined experience in marine, oilfield, heavy pipeline and industrial construction.
The company is one of the largest industrial marine construction firms in SWLA, serving a customer base throughout the Gulf Coast.
The company was instrumental in the recovery and rebuilding efforts following Hurricanes Rita and Ike, and the BP oil spill, paving the way for the oil industry to re-enter the lower Cameron coast and Texas Gulf coast.
M&C recently merged with another company. It has expanded its industrial services. As a result of these changes, the company is more diversified. M&C Oilfield Services continues to grow and is very optimistic about continued expansion and success in the future.
Turnaround Consulting Services, LLC
$10 million-$14.9 million
Employees: 59-100; averaged 53 full-time employees in 2016
tcservices-llc.com
Turnaround Consulting has been providing consulting services in all areas and phases of turnaround and new construction projects since its founding in 2008. The company has the resources to provide restart assessments on idled facilities that are being considered for re-commissioning. One of the tools the company uses is its Turnaround Database, which allows them to plan and execute a turnaround of any size or budget.
In 2011, Turnaround Consulting was reorganized as an LLC to become an employer. At that time, the company was supplying consulting services to petrochemical facilities. In 2014, it expanded to provide services to the refining segment.
In October of last year, the company peaked at 128 employees. In 2014, it surpassed 100,000 man-hours without a first aid or recordable injury. And in December, 2016, it surpassed 400,000 man-hours without a first aid or recordable injury.
Turnaround Consulting performed work in eight states last year, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
The oil price crash and over-supply of gasoline inventories across the U.S. in the first quarter of 2016 caused many refining companies to reduce spending until prices rebounded. Some of Turnaround’s clients cut capital spending and delayed the execution of scheduled turnaround projects in 2016. These cuts caused TCS to reduce its head count and hours worked at certain client locations, which in turn caused an 18-percent reduction in man hours worked and revenue earned.
However, the company is anticipating a 55-percent growth in revenue in 2017. The following year is expected to bring a 20-percent growth in revenue, which will come mainly from projects from new customers.
Air Conduit
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 60
Airconduit.net
Since 1940, Air Conduit has been serving the area as a commercial, industrial and residential air conditioning contractor, installing and servicing air conditioning systems. Owner Bobby Lockett bought the company in 2007. At that time, the company boasted a staff of 12, and a revenue of $1.2 million. With hard work, and “good people helping us,” says Lockett, the company has grown to a staff of 50, and now serves the five-parish area in SWLA, as well as the Golden Triangle area of East Texas.
Revenue is up, and the company’s future looks bright.
Dubois Sheet Metal Works
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 45
Dubois Sheet Metal Works was founded over 61 years ago by Junius Dubois. His son, Carl, took over the business in 1988. At that time, the company employed 10 people.
Today, now under the management of Carl’s sons, Nic and B.J., the company employs more than 40 people, and offers much more than sheet metal work. Dubois provides a quality product in the field of B31.3 process piping, AWS D1.1 structural steel, sheet metal and general fabrication. Dubois has the capabilities of welding in the SMAW, GTAW and GMAW Pulse and Short Arc process to better serve its customers’ needs. While growing economy and local industry expansions have benefited the company, Dubois says that adding to the employment roster has become more costly to the company, thanks to the current insurance regulations.
The outlook for the company is “exceptional,” says Dubois, thanks to the industrial expansions in the area.
Gulf Coast Carpet & Decorating Center
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 9 full-time, 2 part-time, 8 subcontractors
carpeting.inlakecharlesla.com
Now celebrating its 23rd year in business, Gulf Coast Carpets is still located in the same Common St. location in which owners John and Jodi Fontenot started the business in 1994. Working in the same building for that many years has allowed Gulf Coast Carpets to keep their costs down, and that savings is passed on to their customers.
Gulf Coast offers flooring and installation, countertops, window coverings, decorating items for the home, and beautiful metal and canvas awnings. The company continues to grow, thanks to a commitment to keeping up with the newest items on the market. The Fontenots are continually adding products and services in order to meet their customers’ needs.
Sales are up, and the future only looks brighter for the company, with the upcoming expansion in the area.
Insignia Hotel Management
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 100-plus
hotelsoflakecharles.com
Insignia CEO Nimesh Zaver is a second-generation hotelier who built his first hotel in Kinder in 1998. Since then, he’s opened six hotels, including the full-service Holiday Inn in Sulphur. Insignia also acquired the Quality Inn in Sulphur and did a $1.2-million renovation. He secured a third-party management deal for the Super 8 Hotel in Lake Charles. And the company has added a new motel.
Zaver was named Gulf Coast regional director for the AHOAA hotel owners’ association. Insignia’s Super 8 Hotel in Lake Charles recently won a Pride Award; and its Quality Suites in Sulphur has won the Choice Hotels International Gold Award for 2013-2014.
Revenues are up, and Zaver says the area’s economic development will continue to favorably impact the business in the future.
J&J Exterminating of Lake Charles, Inc.
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 54
jjext.com
In business for more than 50 years, J&J Exterminating serves an area that extends from DeRidder to the Gulf of Mexico, and from Lake Charles to Jennings. The company takes tremendous pride in the fact that some of its customers have been with them for over 20 years.
The company continues to grow, keeping up with the latest technology, upgrading services, and introducing new services such as mosquito spraying.
Revenue is up, and the company’s leaders and staff look forward to an exciting future.
All the new construction in the area, coupled with the fact that every structure in the five-parish area needs to be protected from formosan termites, has led to an increase in the number of J&J’s customers and clients as well as an addition to the number of expert technicians working for the company.
Recent expansion in the area associated with the “boom” has helped to fuel the demand for J&J’s services. The company expects that it will continue to grow in tandem with Southwest Louisiana’s economy in the foreseeable future.
Lake City Trucking
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 53
lakecitytrucking.com
Although LCT’s business focuses primarily on the Gulf Coast, the company serves 48 states.
LCT feels that a lack of qualified employees and number of new competing businesses in the area has hurt the company. But the company has undergone restructuring, and now feels that its economic outlook is “very bright.” It is experiencing “normal growth” and expects to keep experiencing it.
Landscape Management Services
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 80
landscapemanagement.org
Landscape Management was founded in 1991. Owner Doyle Pennick has been in the landscape industry for over 40 years. The company provides landscapes, irrigation systems and land-scape maintenance for everything from small starter homes to large businesses.
Landscape Management has expanded its services over the years to include erosion control and retail sales to the public.
The keys to the company’s success? Its diversity, its commitment to quality service, and its experienced staff.
Rising insurance and general labor costs have hurt the company some, but lower fuel prices have helped. Pennick says he is looking to increase sales at a steady 6-8 percent annually over the next few years while providing quality professional service in a market in which competition is increasing “at an astounding rate.”
National Networks
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 39
nationalnetworks.com
National Networks was founded in 1998 by a father-and-son team as a computer repair business. The company now provides service nationwide, installing and upgrading infrastructure, including fiberoptics, VOIP telephone systems, Cat5 and Cat6, and wireless and other telecommunications services.
Revenue is up 20 percent over last year, says CEO Shawn Maggio, thanks to expansion in services offered and a reduction in overhead.
Sabine Pools, Spas & Furniture
$5.5 million-$9.9 million
Employees: 85
sabinepools.com
Sabine Pools was founded in 1975 by Houston Tassin, and is now owned by his sons Joey, Dean and David Tassin. Sabine Pools offers custom in-ground pools, above-ground pools, pool maintenance and repair, pool chemicals and supplies, spas and fine outdoor furniture. It services the I-10 corridor from Denham Springs to Vinton, with stores in Lake Charles, Lafayette (two stores), Gonzales and Baton Rouge.
Sabine Pools has repeatedly been named as a Top 100 company by Aqua magazine.
Revenue continues to increase, thanks to a growing local economy.
Advanced Office Products
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 20
aopinc.com
Advanced Office Products, founded in 1992, has always focused on business technology, mastering the key aspects of business document, data and IT infrastructure. Serving the five-parish area, as well as two counties in Texas, the company is dedicated to helping companies achieve their goals, and helping companies go paperless and run in a more eco-friendly way.
The company has put an end to the days of having to call one person for the copier, one for the printer, and an-other for IT help. “We provide a team of ninja warriors to keep you covered,” says owner Brandon Greene.
2016 was a year of growth and investment for Advanced Office Products. The company invested heavily in its service programs, infrastructure and its team. CEO Scott Greene says they also streamlined processes to maximize efficiency, reduce workload and increase productivity.
Thanks to those efforts, revenue is up, and the company will continue to expand its sales force and increase service value.
Fix My Phone
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 20
fixmyphone.com
Nicholas Fontenot founded Fix My Phone in 2013. The company provides quick and expert repair of iPhones and Smartphones, tablets, iPods, computers and game consoles.
Fix My Phone now has two locations in Lake Charles, one in Katy, Texas, and one in Missouri City, Texas.
The keys to the company’s success are simple: customer service, honesty and skilled employees.
Revenue is up, and the company continues to see growth in every area of the business. And the future looks great for the company, as it’s now open for franchising. Fontenot says he expects to open 20 new locations this year.
Kenny Fuselier & Co.
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 10
www.kennyfuselierflooring.com
Kenny Fuselier and his wife, Lucy, opened Kenny Fuselier and Co. in 1989 in a small shop on South Ryan St. In 1991, the company moved to its present location on Kirkman St.
The company has built its reputation on customer service and satisfaction, as well as on its knowledgeable and dedicated staff, some of whom have been with the company since it opened 28 years ago.
Kenny Fuselier & Co. provides the Lake Area with quality flooring, window treatments, rugs, wallpaper, and canvas and metal awnings. Revenue is up, and the boom in housing construction has made the Fusiliers optimistic about their business’ future.
Lake Area Office Products
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 11
lakeareaofficeproducts.com
Lake Area Office Products opened in 2000 in owner John Ney’s back yard. In 2004, Ney moved the business to Kirkman St. Business quickly picked up, and in 2006, the business was relocated to Prien Lake Rd. Over the next several years, the business’ staff and clientele continued to increase, leading to the company’s move to its present location on Enterprise Blvd. The newly expanded 16,850-square-foot location offers everything from office supplies and furniture to commercial copiers, fax machines and printers.
From the beginning, Ney’s approach has been simple: Offer top-quality products at low prices, and back it up with a level of service that none of his competitors could match.
The industrial expansion in the area is driving the business, bringing many new client businesses into town, says Ney, and revenue continues to increase.
Lake Charles Office Supply
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 17
lcos-furniture.com
Lake Charles Office Supply opened in 1996 as Office Plus on Ryan Street. After seven years, the company had outgrown that location, and the owners bought the building and name of the former Lake Charles Office Supply.
The company has grown into the largest privately owned office products and furniture store in Southwest Louisiana thanks to its knowledgeable staff and sales teams, many of whom have over 20 years in the office supply industry. Lake Charles Office Supply has five locations in southern Louisiana.
The company has seen a very solid start to 2017, despite low oil prices, and expects sales to continue to increase throughout the rest the year, into 2018 and beyond.
Pumpelly Tire
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 26
pumpellytire.com
Pumpelly Tire was founded in 1950 by Bob Pumpelly, initially to serve as a complementary business to Pumpelly Oil, supplying tires, batteries and accessories to other automotive service businesses.
The company’s revenue is up, thanks to the area’s economic growth, which has allowed Pumpelly’s to expand sales, despite increased competition in the tire business. Revenue is expected to continue to increase for the company over the next few years.
S&M Family Outlet
$3 million-$5.49 million
Employees: 33
sandmfamilyoutlet.com
S&M Family Outlet is celebrating its 60th year. It began in 1956, when Joe Stoma opened Sulphur Bargain Store as a weekend-only deep discount store in a small warehouse. Sulphur Bargain offered deeply discounted clothes and shoes bought from department and specialty stores. The business later moved to 814 Third Ave. in Lake Charles. S&M provides merchandise from TV shopping networks, boutiques and department stores at prices 50-70 percent off retail.
The present business, run by Joe’s son, Steve Stoma, is located on Ryan St. It also has locations in Beaumont and Port Arthur.
Sales are up for the company, as they continue to cut prices and find great deals. They plan to make their 60th year their best, as they continue to give the Lake Area “more style for less money.”
AAA Drive-In Cleaners
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 33
AAA cleaners was opened in 1953 as Varsity Cleaners by Clyde Guillot. In 1986, the company was purchased by his son, Robert Guillot, and renamed. In 1993, a renovation doubled the company’s size. In 2004, a second location was opened on Country Club Road in a building that won a design award from a dry-cleaning trade magazine. In 2008, AAA began using new technology that enabled it to operate with fewer people, which helped the company withstand the economic downturn.
AAA was one of the first 15 dry cleaners nationwide to receive the certified garment care professional award and the award of excellence from the Dry-cleaning and Laundry Institute.
The company has also partnered with Lake Charles Kiwanis for the Coats for Kids program, providing cleaning services and distribution for donated garments.
Revenue is up over the last year, and Guillot has a positive outlook on the future.
Cajun Outdoor Paradise Products, LLC
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 6 regular; up to 20 subcontractors
cajunoutdoorparadiseproducts.com
Based in Lake Charles, the company, which provides outdoor kitchens, retractable screens and related products, opened a little more than a year ago with the specific goal of topping $1 million in a year — a goal employees worked aggressively to reach.
CEO Stephen Berzas believes Lake Charles’ economy has benefitted his company “tremendously.” He sees the “housing boom” as “one of the most significant reasons” for the company’s growth. As many of the new homes are priced at 225K or higher, owners often want such products as outdoor kitchens.
Berzas feels that the Lake Charles economy will continue to grow at such a brisk rate that his business will double in the next 12-16 months. Sales and marketing staff have been added to handle expected increases in sales.
Staff members belong to multiple organizations in the five-parish area the company serves. The company makes it a point to participate in local community benefits and similar events.
Cal Cam Termite & Pest Control
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 12
calcampest.com
CEO Kevin Savoie began Cal Cam, based in Moss Bluff, in 1988, and has grown the business on a foundation of honesty, integrity, hard work, and a willingness to develop a relationship with each customer. “We have built this business one customer at a time,” Savoie says. “I have customers who have been with me for nearly 30 years.”
The company has continued to grow, thanks to its dedication to customer service and innovative, leading-edge services, such as the use of a termite detection dog and thermal remediation for bed bugs.
When it comes to termite control, Cal Cam uses a liquid barrier application, which is proven to provide 100% control of infesting termites within three months or less of application. Other pest control companies use baiting stations, which termites could completely bypass and infest your home.
Cal Cam owner Kevin Savoie was the first to discover and document the presence of “crazy ants” in Louisiana. These ants are not attracted to ordinary ant baits, and are not controlled by over-the-counter pesticides, and are harder to fully exterminate than many other species because their colonies have multiple queens. Cal Cam eliminates crazy ants with their anti-termite agents. If you need help with crazy ants, Cal Cam provides free estimates.
Cal Cam is also on the leading edge of local mosquito control, and offers backpack fogging for prevention and outdoor event protection. Cal Cam has recently added to its fleet and their arsenal for mosquito control and offers truck fogging for more industrial and commercial applications. Cal Cam is certified in mosquito control application, which few other companies have. With this, they are able to provide mosquito control with truck-mounted fogging units. This method is extremely effective for large areas, for example: golf courses, industrial parks, resorts, etc.
Cal Cam’s new app makes it easy to request service, request free estimates, reschedule appointments, pay bills, request WDIR’s, and more.
Cal Cam is prepared for the area’s economic growth, and looking forward to continuing to provide top-quality service at affordable rates.
The expanding local economy has had a positive impact on the company, says Savoie, and he expects the company to continue to grow along with Southwest Louisiana. The company is continually expanding routes and providing great customer service.
Harlow Lawn Mower Sales
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 9
harlowlms.com
Harlow began in 1950 as a small repair service run out of a garage. When Mr. Harlow, the original founder, was too ill to run the business, Colleen O’Neil took over the reins in 1976. In 2004, when Colleen’s failing health made it impossible for her to continue running the business, Harlow again changed hands when it was purchased by its current owners, John and Cindy Palma. The Palmas carry on Mr. Harlow’s philosophy of high-quality service and products, and of always putting the customer first.
Harlow provides high-quality lawn care equipment, specializing in Exmark and Toro lawn mowers, and Echo and Shindaiwa handheld equipment. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to assist with your equipment or parts needs. The company recently added new products, including Bear-cat Pressure Washers, 56-volt battery-operated Shindaiwa hand-held equipment (blowers, hedge clippers and weed trimmers). And Exmark has introduced a suspended platform for maximum operator comfort. Harlow has all the gas- and electric-powered equipment you need to keep your yard beautiful.
Harlow also services and repairs a wide range of walk-behind and riding mowers, as well as other small-engine equipment. The company also offers an online parts look up and order service on its website.
Revenues are up, thanks to an early and warm spring that had homeowners buying new equipment, and having older equipment serviced.
Knight Media Inc.
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 19
Knight Media Inc. was founded in 1986, and in 2002 expanded when it acquired Andrus Printing, adding mailing, graphic design and web design services to the company’s offerings. It again expanded in 2004, when it began offering digital services.
Knight Media Inc. now has a customer base that includes Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi, providing printing, mailing, graphic design and web design services.
That’s the company’s philosophy: continuously expand, and evolve with the technology of the printing industry. Knight Media Inc. will continue to bring cutting-edge printing techniques and insights to SWLA.
Lloyd Lauw Collision Repair Center
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 13
lloydlauw.com
Lloyd Lauw Collision Repair is close to completing its 15th year of providing quality service in the Lake Area. It’s become one of the largest collision repair facilities in the area, with a 22,000-square-foot facility. The company has been a multi-million-dollar business since 2005.
One of the keys to the company’s success has been a willingness to keep up with new trends in the industry.
Lloyd Lauw and his staff have worked hard to become the local experts on the aluminum bodies of newer vehicles.
Revenue is up, and, due to the increasing population, traffic and number of accidents, Lauw remains optimistic about the company’s future.
Lonnie G. Harper & Associates, Inc.
$1 million-$2.9 million
Employees: 20-25
harper-group.com
The engineering and surveying firm of Lonnie G. Harper and Associates, Inc., was founded in 1974 to provide quality engineering and surveying services to public, commercial and private clients.
The office, based in Grand Chenier, was destroyed by Rita, and again by Ike. The company’s Bell City office is now its main office, serving the Lake Charles area as well as Central Louisiana.
Revenue for the firm was up last year, and the future looks bright for the company.
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