As appeared in Cincinnati Enquirer

BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN

For most of the commercial construction companies on the Deloitte Cincinnati USA list of the biggest privately held companies in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, 2006 was a banner year.

Three of the strongest performers Baker Concrete Construction, Paul Hemmer Companies and Reece-Campbell Inc. last year rang up revenue increases of more than 50 percent

Though each of the companies operate with vastly different business models and dabble in a variety of markets, they all say they remain well positioned for future growth.

REECE CAMPBELL INC.

The Lockland-based company credited its 66 percent increase in revenues to the repeat business of regional and national retail clients in 2006

Reece-Campbell reported $132 million in revenue last year, compared with $78 million in 2005. It moved from 78th to 50th on the Deloitte Cincinnati USA 100.

"To be very honest, we grew up with Kroger," company president Pete Chronis said. "We started doing Kroger work in the early 1970s. As they built more in the area, we learned more and did more."

Reece-Campbell now boasts a customer base that also includes such names as National Amusements, Lowe's, Wal-Mart and Walgreen.

While about 60 percent of the company's construction work is retail based, the company also specializes in construction of food processing and cold storage facilities, as well as large apartment rehab work, Chronis said.

With about 80 employees, Reece Campbell's work spans Columbus to Louisville and into eastern Indiana.

Though he doesn't anticipate this year's revenues will top 2006's, Chronis said he's been encouraged by the recent addition of new clients such as Greensboro, N.C. based Fresh Market.

"We have been fortunate because we have the opportunity not only to work for people who build often, but who do a lot of repeat building," Chronis said.

"For most construction companies. everything they build is a one time deal and it's so difficult to mobilize and learn what the customer expects and never get a chance to do it again."