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they run their firm, their commitment to quality and their pledge to give back to the communities in which they live
and work.
And although 2001 was a tough year for builders and developers, the sluggish economic cycle
provided an opportunity to
retool, restrategize and emerge from the slow times with a vigorous fervor in 2002.
"Every year that ended in a one has been rough," Jim Hudson said, referring to 1971, 1981, 1991
and 2001. "But when you've
been in business for 50 years as H&H has, you ride it out because you just know it's going to turn around."
And turn around it has for the company, which employs some 90 workers and is embarking on an
expanded marketing strategy
that is enhancing H&H's already area strong Metro East presence, while maintaining a solid identity and client base throughout
Central Illinois.
"During late 2000 and 2001, when construction activity began to slow down, we used that period to
create a sophisticated
marketing plan," Lea Hudson said. "Now in 2002, we're enthusiastically working that plan. It's exciting. We're already
experiencing a fantastic year in terms of meeting and exceeding revenue projections."
Aviation and industrial projects are niche focuses for H&H Construction Services. In partnership
with Springfield-based
Hanson Engineers, H&H recently completed the award-winning 62,500-square-foot, $20 million Garrett Aviation Services paint
hangar at Capital Airport in Springfield. H&H's other aviation clients include the St. Louis Regional Airport Authority in
Bethalto and the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics in Springfield. H&H has completed more than
$20 million in projects for Garrett.
Giant industrial freezers are another specialty project focus H&H enjoys. In 2001, the firm built
an 18,000-square-foot deep meat freezer for distributor Excel Distributors at its Midwest hub in Pontoon Beach.
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H&H's success in building and nurturing professional relationships is evident in projects such as
the Weyerhauser paper manufacturing plant in Lincoln.
"This is the third time we've been asked back to construct an addition to the plant,"
Lea Hudson said. "What a tremendous compliment it is for us to gain and sustain the trust of the clients we serve."
Community building - in the form of Jim Hudson's service as a mentor to high school students, Lea
Hudson's service as a
Carlinville city alderwoman and H&H's work on Habitat for Humanity dwellings - are some of many illustrations that the firm is
generous in its donation of charitable hours and efforts.
One voluntary opportunity that Lea and Jim Hudson are extremely proud to be a part of is as
committee members for Southern
Illinois University Edwardsville's school of business gala, taking place in mid November.
"The event raises funds to provide regional scholarships for minority students and family business
education programs," Lea
Hudson said. "We're thrilled to have been asked to be a part of this."
Another bright spot during 2001, she said, was learning that Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville awarded H&H as
Family Business of the Year. In March of this year, the Litchfield Chamber of Commerce selected H&H Construction Services as
its Business of the Year award recipient.
"The concept of giving back to the community is extremely crucial," Lea Hudson said.
"Relationships are one of the most
important aspects in business. When a community and its business and industry sees your faces on a regular basis, not just on
the job but actively immersed in community service and leadership roles, that community has confidence in who you are and what
you do, and in the fact that you're there for the long haul."
The Hudsons are Carlinville residents.
editor/publisher: Kerry Smith
email: ksmith@ibjonline.com
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