EARTHWORKS GRADING & CONCRETE - TEC Tractor Times

A SALUTE TO A TEC CUSTOMER
RELIABLE EQUIPMENT
RESPONSIVE SERVICE
BULLARD EXCAVATING, INC.
Satisfying customers is the most important aspect of
Andalusia, Ala., site-work and paving contractor
Three generations run
Bullard Excavating, Inc.,
including (L-R) Mary
Ellen Bullard Portemont,
Don and Renee Bullard,
and Don’s mother, Eva
Bullard.
When a business incorporates, the norm is for
key members of the firm to take titles that indicate
their place in the company. Even though Bullard
Excavating is incorporated, the management
team doesn’t believe titles are important.
“We have them, but we don’t put much stock
in them,” said Don Bullard. “They’re not worth
much. The most important thing for us is that
we’re a family business where everyone works
together for the betterment of the company. If
someone comes here looking for a title, they’re
in the wrong place.”
But if they’re looking for quality excavation and
paving work done on time and budget they’ll
find the Bullard family more than willing to
oblige. It’s been the hallmark of the Bullards and
their staff since 1961, when Mack and Eva Bullard
founded A.M. Bullard General Construction, the
forerunner to Bullard Excavating, Inc., which
was incorporated in 1977. Mack passed away 19
years ago, and his wife, Eva, and their children,
Don and Jan, took the reins. In 1994, Jan left the
company to begin her quarter-horse business.
Today, Don’s wife, Renee, handles Accounts
Payable and his daughter, Mary Ellen Portemont,
handles Accounts Receivable, marking a third
generation in the family business. Eva oversees
overall management and Dan oversees all field
work.
“Mack always said that the most important
thing we can do is stand behind our work,”
related Eva. “Even if he turned in a bid he knew
was too low after the opening, he would still do
the work. He believed that a good reputation
and integrity were extremely important.”
Large-scale projects
That belief has spurred growth for Bullard
Excavating, Inc., which covers a 50-mile
radius from its home base of Andalusia, Ala.
The company has evolved into a large-scale
construction contractor that performs site
work, bridge projects and paving on heavy
highway and municipal projects for the state
and municipalities of southern Alabama. It also
performs limited residential and commercial
work. It’s a long way from the humble roots
from which Bullard Excavating, Inc. grew.
“We started like most companies do, with small
septic-tank, fuel-line, pond-building and clearing
work,” said Don. “Our main work is now asphalt
projects for the Department of Transportation. We
have two paving crews, two asphalt plants and
two site crews that do site-related work, such as
grading for the road and laying down the base
material. We have also added a milling capability.
The milling machine is operated by another
family member, J.T. Portemont.
“We work as a prime contractor on most
projects and a sub on others,” he added. “Our
desire is to do a full project that involves our dirt
and paving crews, but we will break out those
services if it’s in the best interest of the customer.