SubContractor of the Year Named by SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced that they will honor Richard Hansell, president of RTH Mechanical Contractors as the 2015 Region 1 Subcontractor of the Year, according to a press release.

Hansell has dedicated most of his life to the mechanical and plumbing industry, but his work ethic and perseverance developed long before the days of plumbing and pipefitting. From a boy at age 12, he worked six days a week servicing a 62 customer paper route to being drafted for a two- year tour in the U.S. Army at nineteen, the drive to succeed was instilled. After completing service to his country, he completed a four year plumbing apprenticeship and soon thereafter received his Master License. He worked at two military installations in the Washington, DC area as a Plumber/Foreman. In 1978, he traveled to New Hampshire and worked two years as a plumber and utilities foreman for the Navy, followed by six years at the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant Station as a pipefitter and welder.

In 1986, Richard Hansell realized it was time to pursue his own business and established RTH Plumbing & Heating. Over the next few years he built a solid reputation and the rapid growth of his business led to the hiring of employees and local contractors to keep up with a growing workload. Under his leadership the company grew to 50 employees with revenue of $10 million by 2008. To better reflect his line of business, he changed the company name to RTH Mechanical Contractors in 2009. Since then the company has maintained 40 to 50 employees and expanded to five New England states. Sales growth has been consistent as well, increasing 16 percent during the last three years.

While RTH has grown substantially since inception, there have been challenges along the way. During the recession of 1991-1992 business fell off dramatically, forcing Hansell to lay off his entire staff. At this critical time he made the decision to pursue another avenue for his skills by doing business with the government. According to Hansell, this move put him “in the right place at the right time.” He obtained bonding and was awarded several substantial government contracts. The company grew once again until the 2008 recession; however, it has since recovered with the help of their bank, TD Bank, and ongoing government contracts.

Throughout his time as a small business owner, Richard Hansell has committed to only using American made products even in the face of cost differences. As a supporter of local services, he regularly hires subcontractors from New Hampshire and Maine. Hansell takes the time to remain active in trade groups. He serves on the Board of Apprentice Committee for the New Hampshire Union Local 131 Plumbers & Steamfitters and is a trustee of the New Hampshire Plumbers Union Local 131 Health & Welfare fund. The company is a strong supporter of hiring veterans, providing many with the opportunity to participate in their five-year apprenticeship program.

In his nominating letter, Richard Sweat, Vice President of prime contractor ECC commented “ RTH sets the standard for small business operations and is an exemplary representative of the small business and veteran owned small business community.” He added, “Their staff’s management qualities and commitment to excellence reflects on the work we do and helps us to complete out jobs on time and within budget. They have a collaborative approach that reinforces communication and commitment throughout the job creating a seamless prime-subcontractor relationship.

RTH Mechanical Contractors focuses on the principles for success: respect for the customer, respect for the employee and growth of the business. This focus resulted in a sole-proprietorship growing into a multi-million dollar corporation employing 50 plus individuals with a devoted customer base. By remaining focused on the principles, RTH is poised to achieve even greater successes in the future.

Richard Hansell will be recognized along with several outstanding entrepreneurs and business advocates at the annual NH SBA Small Business Awards event on May 12.

To register for the event click here or visit nhbankers.com/events-education/seminars-26