New South Business Ventures, LLC
The business owner's resource since 1984

15 Hamilton Street, Asheville, NC, USA 28801
Phone (828) 254-8700 — Fax (828) 254-8705
email: info@newsouthbusinessventures.com

LATEST NEWS
Return to Archive

New South Transaction Keeps Construction Hardware Moving Forward

ASHEVILLE, NC, January, 2006 - Local company Construction Hardware was sold to Robert Dowling on January 23, 2006, a business deal facilitated by New South Business Ventures.

The company, a wholesale distributor of commercial doors, doorframes, door hardware, and specialty items, provides turnkey project management and construction services to commercial General Contractors. Its work includes budgeting, product selection, and expertise in safety and hardware requirements.   

Owner Ray Snipes had moved from Atlanta to buy the business in 1999 from a local Asheville resident. Under his leadership, Construction Hardware underwent tremendous change, relocating to a larger facility in 2002, and taking on projects that included the Inn at Biltmore Estate, the Spa at Grove Park Inn, and the recently completed Chamber of Commerce facility.

Although Snipes had worked with another brokerage firm when he bought the business, he sought out New South Business Ventures when it came time to sell. "I knew Paula (O'Hara) and was impressed with her," he says. "I chose New South because it is very professional, ethical, knowledgeable, competent, and thorough. Buying a company is much more complicated than buying a house. It's so important to find someone who has the buyer's interest at heart.   New South managed the complications and the people professionally."  

New owner Robert Dowling has found himself in a steep learning curve since taking over Construction Hardware in January. No stranger to business ownership, Dowling sold a litigation support company in Chicago and moved to Asheville in 1999, returning to the South to be closer to family and home. Finding the business opportunity through New South helped provide him with a new means of making a living in another service-based business.

Working in the construction industry is a whole new ballgame, and Dowling has begun the challenge of operating Construction Hardware while maintaining the company's attractive local market share and limited competition. With a solid competitive position, restructured operations, and a growing portion of negotiated work, Construction Hardware's annual sales consistently approach $3 million. Dowling hopes continued improvements to staffing and software will continue that trend well into the future.

New South Business Ventures, LLC
84 Walnut Street Unit #201
Asheville, NC, USA 28801

Phone (828) 254-8700
Fax (828) 254-8705
info@newsouthbusinessventures.com