Reading Electrical Contractor Success Story
About twenty years ago, Allen Blankenbiller started his five-year electrical apprenticeship at IBEW Local Union 743 with aspirations of becoming a highly skilled electrician and someday becoming a quality electrical contractor in the Berks County area. In recent years, he has started work on the latter part of his journey in the electrical trade as the owner of Blankenbiller Electrical Services, Inc. Allen, a licensed master electrician, has had many years of experience working for other IBEW Local 743 contractors that have helped instill a working knowledge of what it takes to be not only an electrician but also the management of the electrical business. When Allen decided over three years ago to start as an Electrical Contractor, there were no second thoughts about who he would partner with to forge what has become a true success story. He immediately partnered with IBEW Local Union 743 because he knew first-hand the value of having access to the most highly skilled electricians and apprentices in the electrical industry.
IBEW Local Union 743 has established a new commitment to contractor recruitment and success with a new program called the “Pennsylvania Initiative.” The PAI gives all IBEW contractors the ability to be competitive in all facets of residential / commercial electrical projects through new classifications of electricians that are cost effective for both the contractor and the customer.
Allen Blankenbiller has found his ability to start and grow his business with the utilization of this program. When asked about the PAI and its impact on his business, he replied, “It has definitely given me a competitive edge. I feel like I can successfully bid against any of my competition.”
Allen has experienced a steady incline in man hours worked as well as dollar volume increases in his profitability while giving his ever increasing customer base the value of an on-time and on-budget project. Allen was asked if the PAI opened up doors to more customer opportunities, and he answered, “Absolutely!”
The symbiotic relationship forged between Blankenbiller Electrical Services and IBEW Local Union 743 has provided jobs that provide great wages, benefits, and training for IBEW Local Union 743 electricians while providing profit, value and growth for Blankennbiller Electrical Services as well as the customers. Together we will continue to work at increasing our market share in the local electrical industry while giving our local businesses and homeowners the quality cost effective project they deserve.
Article Submitted by Ryan Helms
