Big Joe Low Ballin'

I think what it boils down to is that there will always be big players looking for big accounts,and some big corporations like to deal with a national company,and one service provider,especially for billing purposes.But with growth there is the problem of quality control,and finding good dedicated people as you grow.In some markets the labor pool is better than others.One thing that interested me in this business when I owned restaurants was that when I called a bigger more professional company on the phone,the person answering the phone sounded very professional,but the employees they sent where like the three stooges or hungover ex cons.When I hired the smaller quality conscious owner operator,I got a way better job,and I felt more comfortable having the person who owned the business and had a larger stake in keeping my business on my property after hours.With a big company,turnover is always a problem,and face it ,this is a dirty, labor intensive business and trying to find quality workers,who can be bonded,who will do a great job,respect your customers,who won't be your next competitior is hard enough for a small company,try doing it on a national scale.Don't get me wrong,I think Facilitec is "the"big player in this business,but with the shear amount of work available if your willing to go after it,and do what it takes to keep it,there will always be enough work for a quality small company or owner operator.Just my 2 cents.
Jim
 
Might be only 2 cents, but I'd buy it for a dollar.

I think companies like Facilatec will help the industry move forward, and weed out the fly by nighters. They might snag a few accounts from us little guys, but we can always crunch our profit and find some new customers. Big Joe can't win them all, and as long as we can offer superior service, with a smile, I think we'll be ok.

I'm not sure how Matt's going to do though. :eek:
 

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I think professionalism counts for alot.If you look at Facilitecs website for exhaust cleaning,what on that website could you not offer,and with the dedication as an owner,not employee #256,who could care less about losing an account especially one that he would rather not go back to.Think about it

1. website
2.professonally lettered truck
3.professional uniforms
4.the right equipment to do the job
5.insurance
6.computerized scheduling.
7.key program
8.experience and willingness to do the job
These are all things you should incorporate into your business if you serious about being successful anyway.Granted a large sales force,and the ability to handle very large complex jobs,that require alot of man power help a large company to tackle the bigger jobs,but those complex jobs are something you might not want to get involved with anyway.I do think Facilitec or another facility of theirs offers fire suppresion service if my memory serves me right,but that is something you can add,or network with the fire suppression companies in your area that don't offer exhaust cleaning,and it is to their benefit to refer the work to you ,rather than have a big national company come in that offers exhaust cleaning and fire suppression service that can take their work also.I think you see what I am talking about.As far as price is concerned,I think they can only lowball so much,maybe more so on a big,multi store chain account,because they are making it up on volume,but they also have alot more over head than you do,corporate offices,sales force,employees with benefits,(and I'm just speculating I don't know for sure)and probably big payments to ecolab or whoever for the multi million dollar purchase of Facilitec,which was not that long ago.They have to make a profit to survive and they have alot bigger nut to crack every month than you do .
They could be using a Walmart type pricing campaign(predatory pricing) in the beginning when they move into an area to drive their competition out of business,but your not a mom and pop supermarket with meat spoiling in your cooler because Walmart moved in down the street,and you can't compete.Your product(you and your service)does not spoil,or go bad,and if worse comes to worse you could probably beat their price if you had to(match it atleast) if you really did not want to lose an account.Personal relationships mean alot too and letting your accounts know that you appreciate their business and want to keep them as your customer is a big part of maintaing your accounts.Who knows,maybe you could build up your business and sell it to them,and you could have a nice cushy office next to Doc! Lol!
 
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You know how to piss off big companies... Go behind them and offer other services that they don't offer.. Like yes sir we can inspect your fire equipment , clean your vent hood, clean your concrete, clean your appliances, we check your fan belts and replace them at no charge if they need replacing ... HmmM ( I AIN'T WORRIED )

The Bigger theey are The harder they fall...

and as for computer account management ( Got It)
Website ( Got 5 )
Lettered Trucks ( Got 3)
Everyone around here wears a uniform....

Watch Big Guys Here comes lil B&R Fire Protection and concrete cleaning service and alarm service and safety sales and whatever the heck they don't offer...

Amen Amen Amen
 
John ,I like your enthusiasm.Facilitec does offer all those services too,except the alarm service.I don't think Facilitec is going anywhere,and with Daryl Mirza at the helm,I am sure they are going to grow bigger and expand as Matt pointed out.I just think that with the enormous amount of business out there ,I think it is impossible for one company to take it over.I think the professional owner operator or small company run the right way will always have a place in this industry.
 
dodsonish said:
Might be only 2 cents, but I'd buy it for a dollar.

I think companies like Facilatec will help the industry move forward, and weed out the fly by nighters. They might snag a few accounts from us little guys, but we can always crunch our profit and find some new customers. Big Joe can't win them all, and as long as we can offer superior service, with a smile, I think we'll be ok.

I'm not sure how Matt's going to do though. :eek:
Click to expand...

You may not be too far off on that picture. My dad has been asking some really funny questions lately like "If we were to sell the company, what would you want out of the deal?" This, just after I have a meeting with Daryl Mirza and he finds out that I don't own the company, is too weird. He keeps saying that they are hypothetical questions but I'm no dummy. I don't know how Daryl would have gotten my dad's phone number but I guess in this day and age nothing is a secret. Maybe I am just paranoid.
 
Nothing wrong with a big cash out.Maybe you should start picking out office furniture,for your office next to Doc!LoL! Good Luck whatever happens.
 
I think the professional owner operator or small company run the right way will always have a place in this industry.
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Safeclean you are dead on with your thoughts,and the 8 essential things listed make for a smooth well run buisness.IMO do not let other companies (big or small)make you loose any sleep at night (or day).Competition is a good thing and gives you that little extra push to keep your company's quality and professionalism thriving.Stay focused and any H&D operation no mater what size will be sucessful.........
 
Yeah I hear ya Matt.I did the suit thing back in the mid 80's ,hated it, I don't dig the phony office politics scene at all.Anyway you look at it getting bought out by a big player with deep pockets is not a bad thing,as long as your Dad spreads the wealth lol! Think Golden Parachute !
 
Thanks Art. Your right about competition.Anytime you grow a business nationwide,no matter how many employee rule books, slick sales campaigns,it is only as good as the people you hire who come in contact with the customer,and do the job.There are exceptions but nobody cares about a business like the owner operator who has everything on the line whether the business is a success or not.
 
I thought facilitec was the guys who put the paper towel grease gaurd thing on roofs in order to collect grease and hold it firmly on the roof to where it destroys the roof coating and or surface.. LOL Is this the same guys ... ( GreaseGuard) I think they still owe me some money from back in 1995.
 
Just make sure #31 is not the "extreme oriental nationwide task force division" Where you, Chris and your top men fly in and take care of extreme oriental (not touched in atleast 2 years!) I bet Daryl Mirza and Doc have been looking at yours and Chris's pictures all these years,and in their best "Doctor Evil" voices say "We must capture these men!!!!"
 
Here's their map.
 

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Oh Good then I got Mississippi , Alabama , and Louisiana tied up with my grease catching system..Oh well 3 States for Now then 51, then The World (HAHAHA)

Ok I didn't sleep last night ...
I might be Delirious.......

I think I am Going to Sell My Grease Catching System on E-Bay...
With instructions written in all languages..

We just installed our GREASE CATCHER SYSTEM on one of the largest Hospitals in Mississippi. They Called the other day to tell us how nice it looked .. I will take some photos of it as soon as I can get over there and see how my guys did.. I'm just so busy sitting on my ass , playing with this new computer..The Grease Catcher
 

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The Rocks are something that JT Invented out of mortar and brick ash.. and somrthing else .. stuff works though..
 
Matt,

Sounds like a done deal. You and Chris are probably a big part of the deal with all your accounts. Get your suits ready. You will have to sign non-compete agreements, your only option is to move to St Louis and work for Josh.
 
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