Location: 2233 N. 30th St, Milwaukee
Website: www.penebakerent.com
Year Founded: 2009
Product or Service offered: Commercial, industrial, residential roofing and sheet metal services
Projected 2010 Revenue: $6 million
Owner: Khary Penebaker
Other key leadership members: Kevin Kasper, vice president; Amy Ruediger, administrative director; Matt Ryan, sheet metal superintendent; and Dan Ott, roofing superintendent
Target Clientele: Federal Goverment, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WE Energies, MMSD, Harley Davidson, Miller Brewing, WHEDA, Housing Authority, Universities
Business Organization Memberships: National Roofing Contractor’s Association
What has fueled your company’s growth?
“The desire to become a market leader in the roofing industry and the ability to compete head-to-head with top tier competition.”
What has been the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth?
“Access to capital and the deterioration of the economic environment.”
Do you have any planned changes for your company in the coming months?
“We plan on preparing for the downside of our annual work cycle, which is affected by the colder months.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? What traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them?
“John Nowicki, branch president of Community Bank & Trust. He embodies a level of character that many in the financial industry don’t possess. He is able to utilize his astute business acumen while still remaining humble and human. John is able to see our business as an individual entity, not just one that is lumped in with all the rest and also one that isn’t identifiable by mere black and white numbers. He is truly admirable.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months?
“Our industry is still recovering from the recession. I believe that the roofing industry will lag behind the national recovery by about six months, but will soon begin to work its way back to a flourishing industry.”
What has been your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession?
“Our main focus is keeping spending and overhead to a minimum, without having an impact on our ability to deliver a quality finished product. We are at the point where larger capital purchases will need to be put on hold along with a reduction in overhead expenses so that our balance sheet can be strengthened.”
