Masonry Magazine November 2003 Page. 14
Contractor
to Contractor
MCAA member contractors respond to the industry issues of the day.
Monty Fairweather
Fairweather Masonry Company, Inc.
Fairweather Masonry Company, Inc.
Bellevue, Wash.
Fairweather Masonry Company, Inc., has over 33 years of experience in the Northwest specializing in commercial, industrial, and institutional CMU, brick and stonework. Fairweather Masonry is a family-owned and operated company led by Rob Fairweather, its owner and President. Monty Fairweather, Rob's son, serves as Vice President of Operations, focusing on customer relations and marketing. Fairweather has grown from a small residential subcontractor to one of the largest and most capable masonry firms in the Northwest, with over $15 million a year in subcontract work. Winning over nine awards in the last four years hasn't hurt either. Monty Fairweather spoke with us about their high performance track record - past, present and future.
Masonry: Since the beginning over 30+ years ago, Fairweather has grown considerably in size and won numerous awards. What do you think has been the key to your company's growth and success over the years?
Fairweather: I guess the first thing would be Rob Fairweather, President of Fairweather Masonry - he has been the biggest factor. Rob started the business in 1967 as a hod carrier, who hired a couple of bricklayers and worked on small residential. Rob would do all of the bidding and books at night and pack hod all day. From day one, he has been that driven.
The other two factors would be the people that we have working for us and the top of the line equipment we have. We believe we have the best workforce in the country, and in order to keep them working you have to have well-maintained equipment. Our equipment goes back to our shop after every job and gets a complete going over, from lube, oil to paint.
Masonry: Fairweather Masonry has moved from small residential in the beginning to large commercial, industrial and institutional work in the present. What caused this shift, from residential to commercial?
Fairweather: It was a natural shift I suppose. Rob was doing work for small residential/commercial contractors who did both. I remember some of the first commercial jobs we did were 7-Elevens and Wendy's. We did these back then without forklifts and grout pumps.
Masonry: Fairweather offers new construction as well as restoration of historic buildings. Do you feel that, as the years pass, restoration will play a greater role in not only your business, but for all mason contractors?
Fairweather: 100%. A lot of the buildings we restore are 100+ years old and are just beautiful. The craftsmanship on those buildings is just something that they just don't let us do anymore on new construction. We believe that if we keep these buildings restored and useable for another 100 years why wouldn't everyone want to build with masonry.
Masonry: Fairweather is proud of its safe work environment. What proactive steps do you take to keep your workers safe?
Fairweather: Dave LaFranchi is our full-time safety director at Fairweather Masonry. Many people think that they can't afford to have a full-time safety director, we think you can't afford not to.
Safety needs constant maintenance so we want everyone thinking safe all the time. We hold company wide safety Many people think that they can't afford to have a full-time safety director, we think you can't afford not to. meetings to make sure most of our people are CPR trained, as well as other related safety training. There isn't anything out there that's worth one of your people getting hurt.
Masonry: Your company keeps a large stock of masonry equipment, such as scaffolding, material handling, mixers and pumps, on hand rather than renting. Do you feel this is an extra incentive for people to choose you over other mason contractors?
Fairweather: We hope so. Like I said earlier, equipment is one of the