Steven Arnold began working at The Strait & Lamp Group, his wife Barb’s family company, nearly 30 years ago. He worked his way up through the ranks, making a career in what became six family-owned companies — lumberyards, custom millwork, building materials and contractor support services.
Today as president and one of the owners, he’s putting effort into helping more people realize that construction can be a good career.
“The opportunity in our industry is unlimited,” Arnold says. “I just feel that the construction industry, being that we went through that tough time in ’08 through ’10, people got pushed out of it or they just don’t want to do anything with it.”
The Strait & Lamp Group had around 240 employees before the recession hit. The company got down to about 85 at its lowest point, before heading back up. It’s now in the 170s.
It also has had between 10 and 20 percent growth over the past few years, which is higher than industry averages as The Strait & Lamp Group picks up more market share and diversifies its offerings as a project yard.
But the perception hasn’t quite caught up to reality.
“We’re pushing forward. We’re always looking to bring in that next leader, that next person that is going to be committed,” he says.
It’s not hard to fill positions; it’s hard to find people who want to stick with the company as much it wants them to stick.
“It been a challenge for us to get people with product knowledge that really know how to go to market and sell the stuff that we sell,” Arnold says.
Misperceiving the industry
Just like manufacturing and trade professions such as electricians and plumbers, construction doesn’t always appeal to younger people.
Arnold believes it’s a combination of no clear career direction and not understanding the field.
“It’s not a glamorous job, when you really look at it,” he says. “You’re not sitting in a fancy office. You’re out in the field. You’re working with the builders and the carpenters to make sure they have the right amount of material, and the right material for that application.”
