Contractor still doing it ‘the Menno way’
Home renovator building on 75 years of founder’s reputation for work, family
ST. JACOBS — Putting people first.
It’s a principle that’s guided Menno S. Martin Contractor Ltd. for 75 years, since the firm’s namesake launched a one-man business back in 1942.
From small repair and construction jobs, Martin branched out into new home construction and renovations, heading a team that at one time numbered about 45 employees.
Today, the focus for the St. Jacobs-based firm is on home renovations and additions, with 12 employees working in the field and another five, including co-owners Trent Bauman and Art Janzen, in the office.
“We like to work with our clients directly, and we like to establish relationships with people,” says Janzen.
“When we renovate someone’s house, we’re basically moving in with them,” adds Bauman. “They have to have a certain comfort level with everyone who’s working in the house. … There’s a whole trust piece there.”
The firm’s work ranges from traditional styles to contemporary designs, and includes kitchens, bathrooms, interior renovations and new additions.
Those who knew and worked with Menno Martin, who died in 2005, say he built his business on a framework of quality, honesty, fairness and hard work. Carpenters there still refer to doing things “the Menno way.”
He extended those values to customers and co-workers alike. It’s a philosophy that has endured through his successor, longtime owner Laverne Brubacher, and now Bauman and Janzen, who have a combined total of more than 40 years with the business.
“We give (our employees) a lot of autonomy to make decisions on-site on our behalf,” says Bauman. “That also gives them a sense of ownership in their job.”
Company social events, whether a Christmas party or a summer get-together, are important dates on the calendar.
“To me, one of the greatest joys in our business is the community we have with our staff,” Janzen says.
A good work-life balance is key. The majority of their jobs fall within a radius of 50 kilometres or so out from Waterloo Region, in part so crews don’t have too far to travel to and from a job site.
“It’s a fairly conscious business decision not to have a huge geographical area,” Bauman says. “It seems to be enough work to keep us busy.”
Menno S. Martin also pays a living wage, a higher-than-minimum wage that reflects the actual costs of living in a community. In 2016, that rate was $16.05 an hour in Waterloo Region, compared to the legal minimum that rose to $11.40 last October.
“It’s not that hard to do,” Bauman says. “You’re valuing the skill set that people are bringing to you, and that should be compensated fairly.”
The company has long supported local charities and events, donating time, skills and money and encouraging staff to volunteer.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, “we could have done the cake and the tent and had a big party, but it’s more important to give back,” says Janzen.
So they embarked on a series of projects to mark the milestone.
It is donating $7,500 to charities this year, giving each employee money to donate to the organization of their choice. It is also giving employees cash to use for random acts of kindness in the community; so far, those have included paying for parking at a hospital lot, giving away apple fritters and leaving money at a library to cover strangers’ late fees.
This spring they’ll spend a day doing work at a House of Friendship property. These initiatives reflect the spirit of caring and giving back that Martin brought to the business when he started it.
“It’s all about being a part of the community,” Janzen says. “It’s a big part of what Menno and Laverne did with this company and instilled in us.”