Business Spotlight: Building with Billings

John Billings doesn't recall a time when he didn't enjoy working with wood.

"The only reason I made it through high school is because of wood shop," he says with a chuckle. "I had to make good grades to take wood shop."

As high school wore on, his woodworking hobby gradually took over his parents' St. Paul, Minn., basement.

But as adulthood set in, other priorities called. He enrolled in college, served in the U.S. Army, graduated from college and went to work - spending some time as an industrial arts teacher.

After a few years in various jobs at St. John's Hospital and Associated Wholesale Grocers, he decided, "If I'm going to do what I want to do, I need to get off my ...," he says, trailing off and smiling.

Billings & Associates Fine Woodworking was born.

It was rough just out of the gate. Billings says he accepted a $17,000 job, then realized he didn't have the equipment necessary to pull it off. He had to back out.

Looking back, Billings says, "All my experience was high school shop. Obviously, high school shop isn't running a business and keeping the books."

There were other mistakes as well, including underbidding jobs. He recalls a woman who came to him, asking Billings to duplicate a nightstand. It was intricate, as he recalls, with turned feet and other fine details.

"It was a challenging project," says Billings, who was paid $200 for the replica. "I thought, 'Boy, so little work for all that money?' If she came in today and offered $1,500, I wouldn't even look at it."

Since then, though, the company has grown. Billings moved away from residential work and now focuses exclusively on subcontracting commercial jobs - reception desks, cabinets and trim, for example.

Paul Dock, president of general contractor Dock Brothers Construction, says he's worked with Billings on many projects during the past decade. Dock ticks off a few of the larger projects: Russell Cellular's corporate headquarters, the YMCA Natatorium in Seymour, the Springfield News-Leader and several projects at the Battlefield Fire Station.

"John's always done everything that we've asked him to do," Dock says. "I've been satisfied with his service and his pricing. They're good people."

In addition to the many commercial projects he's worked on in the region, Billings has one national account, with Alside Supply Co., based in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The residential siding and window company opens about a half-dozen new supply centers a year, for which Billings builds all cabinetry and woodwork.

Three years ago, Billings & Associates moved into a 15,200-square-foot facility in northwest Springfield at 4665 W. Pfeiffer Court.

The move allowed Billings much-needed space to tackle larger projects. And Dock sees another benefit: efficiency.

"I'm assuming it was a really good thing for him," Dock says. "I know it's been good for us contractors, because I think he's able to put his work out much quicker."

The economy has presented challenges for Billings & Associates, which once employed 14 but is now down to eight.

"I'm real proud of myself for keeping this many people working," Billings says, attributing it to keeping a lid on waste and mistakes, and moving jobs along as quickly as possible.

"It is extremely difficult to get a job and make any money at it," Billings adds, declining to disclose company revenues. "Two years ago, we would have a 50 percent gross margin and now if we get 12 (percent), we've killed it."

He credits longtime office manager Pam McGee for keeping the financial end of the business humming.

"She's a good bookkeeper - she knows how to prioritize things when times are tight," he says, joking that if she were to quit, he'd have to give his own two-week notice.

McGee dismisses the praise. "I still haven't figured out how to print money," she jokes.

Billings doesn't have big plans for his company, other than to keep on doing what he's been doing. Retirement scares him, he says.

"If I sold it, I'd be doing what I'm doing now in my basement," he adds. "It's my passion."[[In-content Ad]]