BMN Building, Inc. has been in the Central Valley area for more than three decades, and the company's President, Brandon Nisbett has been in charge for eight years. BMN Building, Inc. has survived through many tough times in the real estate industry, including the current market downturn, and it looks promising that they will be in business for many years to come. The following is my question and answer session with Brandon about his business and his personal reflections about the market's direction.
Q – BMN has been around for quite some time, and you've been running it for eight years. How did you end up running the company?
A – “My dad and uncle started this business when they were my age. They started framing homes on the side for beer money [laughs], and trying to earn a living helping the local contractors who needed extra help. And, with the experience they both had, they eventually decided to start their own business....so they became contractors. They were building homes, and built the company into what it is today. It wasn't always called BMN Building...we used to call it Nisbett construction.”
Q – Are you a general contractor, or does your company specialize in a specific field of construction?
A – “Right now, we frame houses for Lennar Homes....you might know them by their brand of homes called Cambridge. Cambridge, as you probably know because you're a local, too, is a well-known name in the Fresno and Clovis area for new homes and tracts. We've contracted with them for about 15 years now, I believe.”
Q – Do you have a lot of employees working for you?
A – “Well, right now, we only have nine people working in the field, and three, including myself and my accountant, in the office. When the market was good, we easily had 35 people in the field.”
Q – How many homes do you build in a year?
A – “Well, again, the market has taken it's toll on us, and we're averaging a much lower build rate than five years ago. We're keeping our doors open, and we're counting every penny. But there is still potential in our business. Lennar has several tracts and they typically have two houses per tract under construction, give or take. It's steady, and pays the bills.”
Q – Do any of your positions require a license or degree?
A – “Well, I have a Masters degree in business form Fresno State, and my accountant is a CPA. But, those are the only two.”
Q – Are you optimistic about the future of BMN Building, considering what the business climate has been like?
A – “Of course...you have to be. This is my bread and butter, and I know this [market downturn] is only temporary.”
Q – Where did you start when you were first given the opportunity to work for BMN?
A – “At the bottom. I was cleaning up trash at the job site, and taking it to a dumpster. I moved up to framing later on, when I was old enough. It was a long journey, but I know every aspect of this job, and I can fill in if anyone needs me to. I've got the experience.”
Q – When the market gets better, and you begin hiring again, what will you be providing to employees, in order to stay competitive?
A – “All of our employees are paid a typical wage for the area, but we also provide health insurance and retirement, if they choose to participate.”
Q – Were there times when you thought about getting out of this business, or even selling the company?
A – “Yes, yes. It crosses my mind now and again, but this business has a lot of potential, and I'm going handle it through whatever is thrown at it.”
Brandon was pleased with how the interview went, and he's obviously excited to see what the future holds for he and his company. Having a building contract with a major nationwide homebuilder, such as Lennar, makes the future of his company bright. BMN Building is surviving in a market where others fold, and Brandon looks forward to passing on the family business to his children.
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