Colorado Companies to Watch 2019: The Fixers

Aerofield Services LLC

Commerce City

Aerofield Services offers worldwide aircraft maintenance and inspection using the latest technology. 

“Over the years, Aerofield Services has built and maintained a reputation second to none,” President Phil Wilson says. “We have consistently pushed the envelope to offer better services to our customers.” 

The aviation technology sector is booming, and Aerofield plans to help meet the need by creating a free training program for individuals who want to work in the records side of the industry. Successful trainees will then be offered jobs at Aerofield.

The program dovetails nicely with Aerofield’s donations to CUP, a nonprofit that provides skill training, as well as its commitment to offer no-cost training opportunities and classes for current employees. Employees also enjoy perks including tickets to sports events, company dinners and an annual offsite retreat. 

“We truly strive to create a family atmosphere and not just be a job,” Wilsons says. “We want to be successful, and we understand it is the employees who walk across the floor every day that make that possible for us.  We truly want them to feel like they are a part of the bigger picture, from the receptionist all the way to upper management.”

Custom Linings Inc.

Colorado Springs

Custom Linings uses processes that extend the life of new and used equipment and add safety to mining infrastructure and other worksites. 

Some of its applications improve water transfer without erosion, prevent contamination of natural resources, store potable water for drinking and make taxpayer-funded equipment last longer. 

In 2011, Custom Linings developed its Sprayable Ground Support System, a flexible process that protects miners and equipment from falling rock caused by ground movement.  

The company says attention to detail sets it apart, and it carefully examines the whole picture to make sure to address the root cause of its customers’ problems.

“In so many cases, (we) contribute to cost savings to private and public companies in ways that will never be seen,” President Mark Swarny says. “We are boots on the ground and local, solving local problems as well as problems far away with our local talent, and we bring the revenue back to Colorado.”

Flow Right Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Pueblo 

Flow Right’s mantra is, “Quality over quantity, and safety first!”

The company has an employee reward system based on customer feedback and tiered incentives for referrals of additional work. 

“We refused a straight commission system because we didn’t want employees to place their interests before those of the customer,” CEO Lance Harvey says. “Our referral incentive program has helped to align the employee’s interest with the company and has data showing that it has been mutually beneficial.”

Flow Right is expanding the area it serves and is improving its customer service experience by creating a facility maintenance care package; offering an after-service client survey; deepening its customer review tracking and analysis; and providing additional customer experience training for its staff. 

Flow Right has been proactive in developing its workforce, starting with a Department of Labor-certified Apprenticeship program, as well as an immersive internship program to teach local youth about the trades and professional development. The company even adopted a District 60 school and conducted an in-house field trip to teach the students about careers in the trades by showing and explaining the plumbing and HVAC infrastructure in their own building.

Flow Right believes in giving back by sponsoring multiple sports fields, tournaments and teams throughout the year, including the Runyon Baseball Field Complex, Rock the River Jamboree, Sunbelt Classic, The Fountain International Magnet School’s Fun Run, County High School Hockey and the Pueblo Ice Arena, among others.

HailCo

Denver 

Hail happens in Colorado, so it’s a perfect location for HailCo, which specializes in paintless dent repair. 

“We became the first paintless dent removal company in the nation to become a branch of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which streamlines our ability to procure rental cars for our clients while their vehicle is being repaired,” CEO Chris Bracken says. “We are now working on the development of software that will connect these core systems and drive operational efficiencies. Once completed, our plan is to sell the software within our industry.”

The company recruits based on key attributes and a person’s drive rather than past experience. 

“We’ve found that top candidates come from all walks of life and strive to provide an opportunity for a stable work environment,” Bracken says. “For example, one of our top salespeople was working at the mall without a driver’s license or college degree. He was looking to change his life and joined HailCo. He made six figures last year and is developing a sales training program.” 

HailCo conducts training and motivational sessions to foster a culture of accountability and personal growth. In February, the company sent its top producers to a sales growth conference in Florida to invest in their development and empower them to acquire positive life habits.

“We believe this will directly translate into business success,” Bracken says.

HailCo has made Make-A-Wish Colorado the primary focus of its corporate philanthropy. It grants a wish — this year, it sent a child and his family to Disney World — and also sponsors a golf tournament that benefits the nonprofit.

Scottish Window Tinting

Centennial 

A friend who worked for Eastman Chemical suggested that Martin Faith try some of the company’s window film to gauge how well it kept heat out of his home. Even though it was July, the film worked so well that Faith didn’t have to turn on his air conditioning. “A week later, I started Scottish Window Tinting as a company to install Eastman and 3M films,” Scottish’s CEO and president says. “I didn’t know how we would sell the films or who we would sell it to, but my instincts told me with products this good, we would figure it out.”

The company is now sending out Colorado-based installers to 25 other states and has gained a competitive edge with not one but 45 websites serving various cities, along with a unique marketing strategy to target certain products to certain clients both locally and nationally.

Scottish Window Tinting chose to focus solely on commercial and residential work — despite warnings that the business would fail without including vehicles. “Our vision was to introduce solar control films to save home (and) building owners on their energy bills and pay back the cost of the films in a very short period,” Faith says. “We are now more than double the size of our nearest competitor. Our average client pays the cost of their film back within three years with energy savings.”

The company culture is built around six core values: exceptional customer experiences; deliver excellent products; always do the right thing; embrace growth and change; help each other succeed; work hard, have fun, give back. “Attracting and keeping talent isn’t always easy, so we try to make our work place a fun and friendly environment,” Faith says. 

The company has raised more than $250,000 for research into a genetic condition called SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), which afflicts both the founder’s nephew and the company accountant’s daughter. A company fundraiser paid for a full container of medical supplies for Belize through Project CURE, and Faith’s family and other staff traveled to Belize to unload the shipment at the hospital.

This article is part of the 2019 Colorado Companies to Watch. Read more about the other winners: 
THE TECHIES | THE MAKERS & SUPPLIERS | THE HELPERS | THE COMMUNICATORS & EDUCATORS | THE FOODIES | THE ORGANIZERS