Location: 2223 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
Website: www.mlaic.com
Year Founded: 1996
Product or Service offered: Lead paint, asbestos and environmental training. Sales of abatement and safety equipment and supplies. Classes are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and some are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. After completing the one to five day classes, individuals are able to become certified by the different agencies
Projected 2010 Revenue: Not disclosed
President: Ada Duffey
Other key leadership members: Eric Feldmeyer, training manager; Jewel Olsen, marketing manager; Heather Gaworski, production manager; Stephanie Parsley, marketing and production assistant; Joan Wellman, front office coordinator
Target Clientele: Contractors, residential property owners, home inspectors, environmental consultants, demolition contractors, health department and building inspector officials, gradeschool and daycare maintenance personnel, painters and facility owners
Business Organization Memberships: National Association of the Remodeling Industry, American Subcontractors Association, Roofing Contractors Association, Associated General Contractors, Metropolitan Home Builders Association, Wisconsin Home Builders Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, National Association of Women in Construction,, Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors, Real Estate Investors Networking Group, Wisconsin Apartment Association, Apartment Assocation of Southeast Wisconsin, Plumbers and Mechanical Contractors Association
What has fueled your company’s growth?
“New federal regulations that require the great majority of contractors to have one person per crew complete a one day training course. It mainly applies to pre-1978 buildings where children may be present, residential, daycare facilities and kindergartens. We have been conducting lead paint training since 1993 and were positioned to offer the needed course throughout the state. Even nationwide, we are one of the largest training providers.”
What has been the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth?
“Anticipating the level of compliance and enforcement of existing lead paint and asbestos regulations. Sometimes, even though the regulations exist, not everyone complies because they are unaware of the rules. The more people that are aware of the rules, the more likely they are to come and take the classes.”
Do you have any planned changes for your company in the coming months?
“We plan to increase contractor’s awareness of asbestos. In the last six months, there has been a large influx of residential contractors that have taken lead paint training to comply with the new rules. Many of them, however have not been complying with asbestos rules that have existed since 1987. Many contractors and building owners are unaware that you can still find asbestos in building products being sold today.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? What traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them?
“Bill Doyle. He helped get me started and is my mentor. He works tirelessly, is motivated and doesn’t give up. He has assisted numerous people get started in business.’
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months?
“Steady. More people need to become aware and compliant with the new lead paint rules. We will be ready to produce the classes. In addition, we will be conducting more outreach to make people aware of the requirements and our courses. We also need to let more people know about the potential for asbestos being present on their residential and commercial projects.”
What has been your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession?
“To continue chasing business by attending tradeshows, conducting speaking engagements, conducting outreach to contractors and other people affected by new rules. We will keep making ourselves visible, rather than sitting around waiting for the phones to ring.”
Congratulations from the strategic partner behind Milwaukee Lead/Asbestos Information Center Inc.
Joel Nettesheim
(262) 641-6888
www.sva.com
