FLORENCE — FBi Construction had its biggest year ever in 2008.
AT A GLANCE
Name: FBi Construction
Established: 1982
Address: 2240 N. Douglas St., Suite A, Florence, SC 29501
President: Robert E. Adams
Employees: 70
Specialty: General contracting, specializing in commercial construction
Web: http://www.fbiconstruction.com
From 2008 to 2009, it experienced a 30 percent decrease, and it expects another 50 percent decline in 2010.
From these statistics, one would expect a pessimistic outlook from Robert Adams, the president of FBi Construction. But through diversification and making tough decisions, the company has remained hopeful.
“Our new motto is survive instead of thrive,” Adams said.
His company met the economic challenges placed on the construction business by postponing bonuses in order to maintain earnings for 2010. This decision helped to keep the layoffs to a minimum with three of 70 employees losing their jobs.
Adams said his company also has been able to diversify its practices in order to adapt to the current financial situation.
“We’ve had to think outside the box,” he said. “We’ve also been able to build relationships with clients that we probably would not have had the opportunity to do so.”
Their current projects across the Pee Dee run the gamut from $20 million schools to a $4 million YMCA to a $100,000 church.
“In times like these, clients want reputable companies,” Adams said. “We have the financial strength and experience they’re looking for.”
Another example of its diversification is the accreditation of three employees through the green building rating system, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This is a suite of standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council for the environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings in neighborhoods.
Adams said adapting to these economic challenges has put his company in a better place then it has ever been.
And with banks beginning to ease up on their lending practices, he said, he hopes there will be an upturn in building.
“When you face difficult times, you realize who you are and what you’re about,” Adams said.
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