Brick By Brick

Powers & Sons Construction Co., one of the largest black-owned businesses in the Midwest, is laying a new foundation for long-term growth

- Kenneth Meeks

ACCORDING TO RECENT MARKET RESEARCH from IBISWorld, industrial construction is a $41 billion industry that employs more than 86,000 people in over 3,000 corporations throughout the country. Currently, Power & Sons Construction Co. Inc. is responsible for employing 67 of those individuals full-time. In fact, of all the small, black-owned construction companies in operation during the late 1960s—and in the midst of the civil rights movement—Powers & Sons is among the few that still remain in business today, and it continues to work hard to maintain its slice of that industry pie.

The company’s general contracting and construction management services, in addition to its demolition, excavation, carpentry, and concrete services,are responsible for its solid revenue growth over the last year—from $78 million to $92 million—ranking it at No. 38 on this year’s top 100 list. That’s nearly an incredible 18% increase. Now, compare that to the 134% revenue growth the company has experienced over the last five years, thanks to aggressive business development and marketing tactics. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Powers & Sons has developed into a powerhouse BE 100s company, due to the efforts of Board Chairman and CEO Mamon Powers Jr. and his family. Their success in the highly competitive construction industry is why Powers & Sons Construction Co. has been named the 2017 BLACK ENTERPRISE Company of the Year.

Powers Jr. considers himself a third-generation builder in the family-owned business. This is because, although his father, Mamon Sr., is technically responsible for formally incorporating in 1967 under the current title of Powers & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Powers Jr. credits his grandfather, with laying the foundation for what eventually blossomed into the Powers & Sons Construction Co. of today.