Brookhaven family business unifies functions for expansion

Small businesses B&R Mechanical and Diamond Security, owned by brothers Richard, William and Thomas Parente, have combined forces to purchase a building to suit their growing combined needs in Brookhaven. B&R is a full service electrical contractor specializing in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning systems for commercial, residential and industrial customers. In addition to designing for electrical needs layout in construction and renovation, the company handles violation removals, outdoor lighting, hot tubs, dormers and extensions. And, they service customer's existing electrical needs with a full service maintenance crew. Diamond Security installs and services commercial and residential security and fire alarm systems including closed circuit television surveillance systems. They specialize in medium to large commercial and industrial businesses as well as individual homeowners, maintaining a state-of-the-art 24-hour central station monitoring facility. Because of the complimentary nature of the businesses, often serving the needs of the same customers, the companies have combined forces to co-locate in a 12,000 s/f building in Bellport. thereby achieving economies of scale, efficiencies of operation, and equity growth for their families. The combination and expansion of the businesses will add 15 workers to the existing 28 person staff and increase the brothers' ability to bid larger, combined jobs. Financing for the project was provided by Bank of America and Long Island Development Corporation (LIDC). With the assistance of the LIDC 40% second mortgage SBA 504 loan, the brothers only had to put in 10% into the project. They preserved their working capital for expansion needs. Ken Kowalczyk of LIDC, lender on the project, said, "Examples of smart small businesses- looking for ways to comfortably expand, find new customers, work efficiently, and have the best of all worlds- by keeping family together in this family owned business." Roslyn Goldmacher is the president and CEO of the Long Island Development Corp. (LIDC) and the Greater New York Development Co. (GNYDC), Bethpage, N.Y.