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V O L . X X I I N O. I I I F E B R UA R Y 8 , 2 0 1 6 18 R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E S I G N F O C U S Today, the shop is equipped with up- to-date equipment such as a computer numerical control router that performs the sort of precision work needed for matching vintage moldings in a historic house. ey replaced the old single-head Williams & Hussey molder with a digi- tally controlled fi ve-head molder — a versatile piece of equipment that feeds material through fi ve cutting heads to accomplish the desired profi le on a board. Plans are drawn using com- puter-aided design software. On the construction side, M.R. Brewer focuses on renovation, rather than new construction. It builds maybe one new home a year, compared with 12 to 15 renovations a year. For instance, they're fi nishing the renovation of a historic Falmouth home, just under 5,000 square feet with views of Casco Bay, that was designed by noted Portland architect John Calvin Stevens. e project, taking about eight months, involved gutting the house and opening up one portion, which was originally divided into smaller rooms, into a spacious fl oor plan that includes a step-down living room and open kitchen and dining area. As general contractor, M.R. Brewer oversaw the project, performing rough and fi nish carpentry as well as cabinetry and mill- work. It subcontracted trades such as HVAC and electrical work. " is project is right in our wheel- house," says Jeff rey. "Renovation is our strong suit. We have a good eye for detail and for making the work seam- less. You can't tell where the old work" — vintage elements left in place — "ends and the new work starts." Renovation has been a strong mar- ket throughout the company's existence, though demand ebbs and fl ows. "When the economy is doing well, people want to update and renovate their houses," says Jeff rey. Two years ago, the family decided to split the business into two divisions: construction and millwork. e sons took over the construction side, with Rusty handling the millwork side. e decision to divide the company resulted from a combination of ideas, Rusty says. e millwork side can work with other contractors. e division also allows the company to understand their true costs in each space. Sales grew by 20% between 2013 and 2015. "[Before the division] it was dif- fi cult to pull out our true costs," says Matthew. "Everything was lumped under one company, and trying to fi gure out costs that way was diffi cult." e division also provided a way to pass the construction side of the business to the sons, while leaving the millwork to the father. Building a team As Rusty hoped, his sons took on the construction division and have been running with it. "Within the last year, we've circled ourselves with one heck of a team," says Matthew. An adjunct to that team is an accountant, Marc Powers, a partner at Portland-based accounting fi rm Purdy Powers & Co. "He's helping us on the fi nancial side with the transition of ownership from my parents to Jeff and me. Bringing him onboard was one of the top things we did over the past year," Matthew says. ey also hired a public relations spe- cialist, Christopher Philbrook, who left Industrium last year to start his own fi rm. With Powers' help, each division has established management, accounting and internal communication. Philbrook has been instrumental in updating the company's website and rolling out a marketing campaign that includes direct mail, media outreach and production of a retail catalogue for the millwork division. ese changes come at a time when both the construction and millwork markets are gathering momentum. " e market seems to be moving in the right direction," Matthew Brewer says. "Typically, January is a slow time for contractors. But I don't know many contractors out there that are slow right now. In fact, I think a lot of contractors right now are looking for labor." Finding skilled employees has been a challenge. "A lot of diff erent companies are fi ghting for the same guy — and there aren't a lot of guys out there who fi t the mold," Matthew says. e broth- ers are working to change that. "Right now, we're trying to work with other contractors to fi gure out how to get word to technical school and local high schools to promote the trades. We feel the trades aren't being promoted anymore as a good career path for kids. We're part of a group of contractors in Portland that discusses these issues." " ey're the next generation, step- ping up the business," says Rusty. "I started the business, but the boys are young, hungry and ambitious, and they want to bring the business to the next level." L a U r i e S c h r e i b e r , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n B a s s H a r b o r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e D i t o r i a l @ m a i n e b i z . b i z » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E At AAA Energy Service, we understand how important it is to have reliable and cost eective HVAC & R systems that keep your equipment at peak performance, and your customers and employees comfortable. To learn more call 207.883.1473 or email info@aaaenergy.com AAAENERGY.COM Building eciency It's what we do HEATING AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERATION MAINTENANCE DESIGN/BUILD NOW's the time to buy! NOW's the time to refinance! RIGHT NOW is the time to contact Saco & Biddeford Savings. Apply for a loan online or at any of our convenient branches. SACO BIDDEFORD WESTBROOK SCARBOROUGH SOUTH PORTLAND OLD ORCHARD BEACH "at's My Bank!" NOW's the time to build! 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