2023 marks 90 years in business for Branco Enterprises. Founded in 1933 by Price Branham, the construction company has the notable distinction of being successfully run by the same family for three generations.
“This is a big deal,” said President Justin Branham. “Most small businesses don’t survive past two generations so for us to be third generation and still growing and going strong is really something we take a lot of pride in.”
Branham credited the company’s longevity to always doing the right thing. “It’s kind of a hallmark that we’ve fostered around here. Integrity, honesty, doing the right thing, those are things we have made sure are ingrained in our culture and will stay in our culture.”
While Branco’s commitment to doing the right thing hasn’t wavered, there have been major changes in the construction industry over the course of those 90 years. Branham cited technology as being the biggest of those changes. “The way that we build things, the way we manage projects has been greatly impacted by technology.” Where once all of Branco’s superintendents toted rolled up blueprints to each project site, which inevitably resulted in them ending up muddy and tattered, now they’re all outfitted with iPads and most of a project’s documentation exists in the cloud.
Vice President Sean Thouvenot cites another change. “We realized we needed to go from a family business to a business family.” Thouvenot was the first non-Branham to become an owner of the company over a decade ago. “It’s just part of the evolution of a business,” said Branham. “It’s a lot less important to me that there’s a Branham at the helm than it is that the legacy and the goals and the values that we stand on continue for the company. We’re a family that has a business, absolutely, but it’s really about the business.”
Although Branco has an employee banquet each year to recognize outstanding employee performance and milestones, the next one will also be a celebration of the company’s 90th year. “We are going to have a much bigger event this year to commemorate the 90th year with all our employees,” said Branham. Thouvenot hinted that there are various other celebrations planned throughout the year.
In addition to the anniversary of the company’s founding, this year also marks the 30th anniversary of Branco’s apprenticeship program, another remarkable milestone in the construction industry. “Our CEO, John Branham, was very forward thinking to know that we were going to need a program like that,” said Thouvenot. “The trades see us as a leader when it comes to innovation and that feels pretty impressive.”
“We’re just honored and blessed that we get to continue to do what we do,” said Branham. “It’s not an easy industry to be in, but construction gets in your blood. The people who are in it are passionate and we love it. I love being in this office every day. We’re extremely proud of where we are and looking forward to where we’re going to go.”
