From storing tools and materials in the trunk of a Chevy Impala to multi-million dollar projects, Vincenzo and Giuseppe DiIorio have proved themselves in the construction industry.
The brothers arrived in New England in 1968 from Ischia, Italy, with hopes of starting a construction business. A year later in 1969, they had built enough of a local reputation to found DiIorio Brothers Contracting. After 45 years in business they have continued to thrive. However the brothers’ success didn’t happen over night.
“We started very young, as young as age twelve,” said Vincenzo. “We dug foundations by hand, and blasted rock with dynamite.”
“Going from the back of a Chevy Impala to doing multimillion dollar jobs shows you how we have grown,” said Giuseppe. “It’s something, that as young boys from a small island, you could have only dreamed about.”
After growing out of their Impala the DiIorio brothers purchased their first piece of equipment, a forklift. Later they acquired a larger inventory including a Fiat track loader, a dozer, a backhoe, a F800 dump truck and an International dump truck.
Today DiIorio Brothers Contracting, with the merger of another family business C.D. Carpentry, offer custom stone work, brick masonry, retaining walls, paver installation, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, concrete finishing, blasting, landscape carpentry, fencing, grading and excavation, general landscaping, drainage solutions, underpins, remodeling and new additions,
DiIorio’s past projects include digging and building the sites and buildings for Stew Leonard’s in Danbury, Conn.; Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi dealerships in Danbury; St. Ann’s Club in Norwalk, Conn.; and Metro Green in Stamford, Conn.
Currently, they are building additions for Yale University in New Haven and Orange, Conn., the Darien Country Club, as well as doing all site work, foundation work and masonry for several other new residential projects.
“The sizes of the projects vary. One day you are doing excavating, another day you are doing masonry,” said Vincenzo. “Sometimes, you have 100 yards of concrete, another day it is 1,000 yards of concrete. It is the same thing with asphalt, when you are doing commercial parking lots. They go anywhere from 400 tons of asphalt to 10,000 tons. When rebar is delivered, it can be anywhere from 10 tons to 100 tons. It is constantly changing, depending on the job site.”
The company swells and reduces to accommodate the size of any job. DiIorio has employed as many as 120 people while doing major projects, but keep a core of a half-dozen at all times. This core includes the brothers themselves. They are always on the job site at every project.
“We don’t leave workers alone because it is not their responsibility to handle the job, it is ours,” said Vincenzo. “You can’t expect people to work or think the same way you
You need to be there on site.”
In the time spent on jobs the brothers have seen new product lines and other materials change, develop and grow. One of their favorites is a new type of concrete which has the chemicals already mixed into it. In just one hour, it dries to 7,000 psi (483 bar).
“You can drive on it in one hour, after the concrete has been poured,” said Vincenzo. “All the new products are amazing and we love working with them,” said Giuseppe.
The brothers know that it takes more than new materials to build a strong company. Starting out small themselves Vincenzo and Giuseppe offer this advice to those trying to make their own start.
“Word of mouth is one of the most important things you can have. People will research your company and find out everything they can about you because they need to be able to establish a sense of trust,” said Vincenzo. “Be good to your customers and they will be good back to you,” said Giuseppe. “Being honest will get you far in this business, as well as doing quality work. Treat them like family; treat them how you want to be treated, and you will have a lifelong friendship.”
When it comes time to retire, the brothers will pass down the business to children Elizabeth and Claudio, of course. Family couldn’t do this any other way.
“To continue what they have started for us,” said Vincenzo’s daughter Elizabeth.
For more information call or visit www.diioriobrothers.com or call 203/838-8888.
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