Manafort Brothers Inc. is not above “constructive” criticism.
They’ll listen to a client for important, ongoing input, even though they can just as surely rely on their nearly 90 years of experience.
Four generations of industrious Manaforts will do that because the family-run company’s goal is to exceed both OSHA regulations and client expectations.
Headquartered at 414 New Britain Ave., in Plainville, Conn., Manafort Brothers Inc. believes it is changing the very environment of business.
“We’ve been growing continuously through four generations since 1919, and we continue to provide our customers of all sizes with the service and dependability that has helped us build our solid reputation,” said Director Bill Manafort. “Our work builds trust, and through this, our reputation has spread nationwide. Our job isn’t done until our customers are completely satisfied.”
From Italy to Connecticut
James Manafort emigrated from Italy to Connecticut. In 1919, he founded the New Britain House Wrecking Company. He bought old homes, tore them apart board by board, then salvaged and recycled the lumber.
His work ethic and dedication set the standard that remains today.
His four sons — Anthony, Frank, John and Paul — grew up working in the business. The four brothers expanded the business and, for obvious reasons, renamed their company Manafort Brothers Inc. It soon became one of the leading demolition firms in Connecticut.
By the 1960s, a third generation of Manaforts — James, Frank and John — brought the organization into a leadership position in the construction industry, gaining a notable reputation. They expanded the company’s capabilities into excavation, site work, concrete construction and waste removal.
As business increased, so did the respect and trust Manafort earned from its clients.
Now, a fourth generation — Jim Jr., David, Lauren, Jason, Justin and Bill — is heavily involved in the company. Like the previous generations, they bring Manafort Brothers to new levels of success, building on their reputation through the work ethic that James Manafort instilled in his sons and his business nearly a century ago and expanding the company’s depth into more specialized services, which include:
• Site Clearance
• Demolition
• Grading
• Excavation
• Foundation
• Concrete
• Highway
• Bridge Rehabilitation
• Pipe Work
• Utilities Installation
• Paving
• Sidewalks and Curbing
• Landscaping and Planting
• Waste Removal
• Recycling
Skilled Union Labor, From Hotels to Power Plants
Manafort Brothers has built a solid reputation delivering quality concrete construction projects. Engineering News-Record consistently ranks the company among the nation’s best in excavations and foundations. Its concrete division has developed innovative construction techniques and mastered the skills needed to stay on time and on budget. They are experts at meeting fast-track deadlines.
“Our quality of work is due to the skilled union labor that we have on all of our jobs,” said Bill Manafort. “I am proud of the reputation that our company has, thanks to our employees. Our employees are the best in the industry and our work shows it.”
There is no substitute for nine decades of experience. Whether it’s multi-level parking structures or stadium foundations, wastewater treatment facilities or a 34-story, 200-room, cast-in-place, post tension hotel, the Manaforts deliver.
Manafort also is the oldest demolition contractor in the Northeast and is highly rated nationwide. The firm excels at the most difficult demolitions — those requiring expertise and highly specialized equipment.
Among the work the company performs are complete removals, implosions, interior strip-outs and 24-hour emergency responses. Manafort is one of the few companies ever contracted to completely decommission and dismantle a nuclear power plant, a very tricky business.
Manafort’s mark can be seen piercing the air in three of the Northeast’s biggest cities. Its project list includes Boston’s 23-story Madison Hotel, Hartford’s first skyscraper and the World Trade Center site in New York.
Its buildings and structures also dot the Connecticut landscape: Foxwoods Resort Hotel & Casinos, Bridgeport Bluefish Stadium, Connecticut Convention Center, Mohegan Sun Hotel & Casino and Fort Trumbull State Park, among others.
A Plethora of Heavy Equipment
Transportation is the heart of the nation’s economy. Without safe, efficient, and well-planned execution, additions and improvements to the system can put an entire region at risk of economic failure. That’s why government, municipalities and private contractors choose Manafort Brothers Inc. to keep things moving forward.
The company has extensive experience building anything from bridges to tunnels for automobile, and rail traffic from New York to Boston and beyond. They’ve successfully completed projects over all types of terrain — including environmentally sensitive wetlands.
Manafort manages tough sites, tight schedules and unforgiving weather conditions. The company possesses a fleet of equipment that allows it to meet any site development need — excavation, drilling, blasting, utility and pipeline installation, soil stabilization, sheeting, paving and site improvements, as well as marine and dredging.
“Being a large subcontractor that does site, concrete and demolition work, we have over 400 pieces of large equipment,” said Manafort.
In remediation work, Manafort’s licensed pros thoroughly prepare and secure every project site, then remove and dispose of asbestos, lead paint, liquid mercury, hazardous microbial materials and other biohazards; leaking underground storage tanks and filter contaminated ground water.
Technology Improves, Safety First
By continually investing in current technology, Manafort Brothers brings clients the latest, most effective and efficient project solutions, from computerized project planning and scheduling programs to its Precision Estimating Software, that is accurate to the cubic yard. Every field office is linked to its headquarters and shares vital project information through high-speed Internet and intranet communications.
Communications, they will tell you in person or on their Web site, www.manafort.com, is key.
Manafort Brothers Inc. has built its reputation based on open communication, customer satisfaction, referrals from satisfied customers, working partners, employees and community partners.
“We maintain an open communication policy, and value your input, suggestions, applications for employment, or any other communication you wish to offer” is their stated communications policy. “Each comment, request, application, suggestion and concern can benefit our company, community or business practices by offering new perspectives, opportunities and food for thought. We may not always agree, but we will listen and value your constructive input.”
But technology is not the only thing that has changed in Manafort’s business since 1919.
“Safety has become one of our largest divisions at Manafort. Almost every job now requires a full time safety professional,” said Bill Manafort. “The clients we work for realize the high risk work we’re involved in and want a contractor who controls that risk. Every employee that works for me has — at the minimum — been through the OSHA 10-hour training.”
The company also gives back to the community. In 2006, the second annual Manafort Family Foundation Golf Tournament brought in $65,000 for charitable and nonprofit organizations, with some 280 golfers participating. The next tournament is set for August.
With the fourth generation beginning to create its legacy in the family firm, Manafort Brothers Inc. is primed to celebrate the century mark in 10 years. Family and dedicated employees will remain the hallmark for its continued success — as well as communication, even if it’s not always pleasant to hear.
“The one nice part about family is that they don’t pull any punches,” admitted Bill Manafort. “If you think someone is wrong, you are going to hear it, and I think that honesty is important in our kind of business.” CEG
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