Family business is recipe for success

COURTESY PHOTOS Above, Gulf Coast Crane uses a 75-ton Link-Belt hydraulic crane to lift gasoline tanks into place. Below, a similar crane places a dredge on a trailer for transport. Don Chisum knows how to move hunks of bulky concrete and building materials around with a crane.

He also knows a thing a two about how to keep a crane business afloat - even during a downturn in the housing market.

The owner of Gulf Coast Crane Rental Incorporated is pushing hard to keep his seven-year construction business running. A business that has worked on such prominent projects as the construction of Ave Maria University in Naples.

Though the 15-employee Fort Myers based business has been in operation for some solid years, Chisum has worked with large machinery in Florida since 1986. He got his start in the oil fields of Texas and has since managed and operated construction equipment companies.

The business uses hydraulic and crawler cranes to help construct homes and commercial projects.

The family-run company began downsizing its once 20-crane fleet last October after the orders for building new homes halted. The business which just last year reported sales earnings at around $4 million is now operating with 10 cranes.

"It was scary when it first happened," said Cathy Chisum. "it was just an immediate drop."

Though Don Chisum, 46, and his wife Cathy, 43, are wary about their trimmed-down business, they are hopeful about the future. They have been able to diversify into commercial projects such as building warehouses and find work outside of their predominantly residential work, Chisum said.

"Things will turn around," he said.

Cathy Chisum who does the books remains confident that the market will turn around.

"It's a hard time for us," she said. "But we're holding steady. Were just waiting to pick it up again."

Instead of putting up roof trusses on homes, the company takes jobs on new shopping centers, schools and warehouses.

The Chisums' not only attributes the company's staying power to being able to liquidate and diversify but also the strength of their family.

A number of the large family which includes seven children have jobs in the business. Aubrey, an Florida Gulf Coast University student works as the business's dispatcher and Cathy does billing and data entry. And Don Chisum - the business man makes deals for the company.

Cathy Chisum sites each family members individual talents as a recipe for success and endurance during the leaner times.

"It has brought us all closer together," she said. "We all have something in common."