 Henry Benning & Associates
El Paso, TX1205 Myrtle, El Paso, TX
The following story on Henry Benning & Associates, a local construction company, was featured in the El Paso Times on June, 17, 2004.
"Builder starts alone, forges big business." by Ken Flynn, Times Reporter.
When Henry Benning renovated a tenant's office in a Downtown bank in 1987, he never dreamed he would be building a construction company that handles major contracts throughout the Western United States. Benning, 45, did his first job by himself, except for the electrical work, which he subcontracted. But his vision was to start a company. He hired a secretary in 1990 and two more employees in 1991. Gradually, his staff increased, and so did his business.
Henry Benning Associates, General Contractors, has grown from a one-man operation to a corporation capable of handling any project, large or small. "I like doing business with Henry Benning," said Ronald Ruiz, 56, general manager of R & R Excavating and Concrete Contractors. "What I like is that he goes for quality work. He's a contractor in the same category as R.E. McKee and Charles Leavell." The companies founded by McKee and Leavell became nationally recognized.
Ruiz, who has been in the construction business for more than 25 years, said the industry in El Paso will get a boost in a few months, when school bond money will be used to construct new facilities. Benning recently obtained a loan of undisclosed amount from United Bank of El Paso del Norte. The loan was guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. The loan provided much-needed working capital and allowed the independent company to retain 11 employees and hire eight more, Benning said.
Benning said he was assisted in getting his expansion loan by Olga Tavárez, business specialist at the Small Business Development Center of El Paso Community College. The loan was approve in March 2003. Benning was referred to Tavárez by Ray Aguilar, vice president-lending from United Bank of El Paso del Norte. "Without Ms. Tavárez assistance, we would have drowned in all the paperwork, (received) no loan and very possibly we would have given up and sought financing elsewhere, Benning said.
Today, the company is licensed to operate in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Wyoming, Arkansas, Louisiana, Utah, Nevada, Tennessee and Missouri.
"I remembered it being so cold in Wyoming that the film in the cameras cracked, ruining everything," he said. "Then we had a job in Phoenix in April, which supposed to be the best month ere. It snowed."
In addition to bidding on major contracts, Benning has developed another division that makes minor repairs at a number of small businesses and offices. "Something goes wrong with a door, or tile falls down, or something else minor happens," he said. "We send someone out to fix it." The side business has grown so large--more than 40 customers--that Benning said he is considering making it a separate company.
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