Illinois Business Journal - H&H builds relationships, communities

CARLINVILLE - Over the past half century, third generation builder H&H Construction Services has been every bit as focused on building communities as it has on building buildings.

The names Lea and Jim Hudson, H&H's co-owners, are well known and well-regarded throughout Illinois for the way 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.

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."