Fellas You’ll Want to Meet

This is one of those months where I wish Pumper had two covers.

This is one of those months where I wish Pumper had two covers.

Here at the magazine factory, we assign two contractor profile stories for each issue, and then I start on the sometimes unenviable task of choosing which one makes it on the cover.

Oftentimes picking the cover story is an easy call. The distinction goes to the story that closest fits the issue’s major theme. Or one interview subject jumps out at me as especially worthy of representing the industry and taking the position out front under the Pumper nameplate. In some cases, stunning location photography of a contractor at work wins out.

This month, however, there’s no clear-cut choice. It’s an embarrassment of riches.

We have two contracting companies clearly deserving of the cover story. Two company leaders with compelling stories that offer great insights for the industry. Two photographers whose efforts earn a full-color splash across the cover.

From an editor’s perspective, this is a good problem to have. When I have to grapple with which profile layout is more compelling, the reader is the ultimate winner. I had the pleasure of learning about both of these companies and the issues they face on a day-to-day basis, and I think you’ll enjoy reading about them, too.

The only thing I don’t like about the situation is that I couldn’t tell both of these fine contractors that their businesses would lead off our July issue. So I’d like to take a moment in this note to tell both George “Buster’’ Downing of G.A. Downing Inc. and Jim Reisinger of R & R Sanitation how much I enjoyed learning about their businesses.

MAKING LEMONADE

In the teeth of the worst recession in this country in many years, Reisinger’s company is humming along, and he maintains a can-do attitude when it comes to placing R & R’s 5,000 restrooms in and around St. Louis.

“Sure, we’ve had a lot of construction sites that have quit growing or just stopped working. But instead of cutting back, we’re doing just the opposite: We’re getting really aggressive,’’ Reisinger tells writer Mary Shafer in our lead story. “ … I don’t ever want my sales to be down. My ultimate goal is 65 percent of the market.”

Rather than cut back on spending, Reisinger is using a measured approach to diversification to strengthen his company. Currently, 80 percent of the workload is portable sanitation. But he’s fast expanding into roll-off containers and plans to make a splash in recycling containers soon.

OUR MAINE MAN

In the same way Reisinger embraces new challenges, Downing has adapted easily to changes in his market and business for nearly 40 years. The Minot, Maine, contractor bought a septic service truck and a backhoe and built his family company one tankload at a time. Then he added portable restrooms, which has become the biggest part of his business.

And when the portable sanitation industry gets dog-eat-dog competitive, Downing doesn’t worry. He focuses on the positive aspect of competition.

“More competitors mean more exposure (for the industry in general), so more people think about your service — it creates demand,” he tells writer Ken Wysocky. “Good competition also substantiated our rates by giving customers something to compare to.”

C’MON INSIDE

When you turn inside and meet these two fellas, I think you’ll understand my dilemma over choosing one of the companies for the cover. Both entrepreneurs have an optimistic viewpoint, an emphasis on quality customer service and generously share their insights with everyone in the industry. A tip of the hat goes out to Reisinger and Downing.



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