1961: A Momentous Year. HAR-BRO Reflects on 50 Years Restoring Property from San Diego to Seattle

Online, February 27, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Har-Bro, Inc., (www.HarBro.com) began life in 1961 in the Torrance, California garage of founder and CEO Harold R. Brown. That year witnessed the momentous Civil Rights Freedom Riders tour of the South; the launch of the Peace Corps' legacy of international service; and the birth of President Barack Obama. Half a century later we live in a vastly changed world, yet business, civil liberties, service and leadership are all thriving.

Likewise, Har-Bro has weathered sweeping changes. Now the oldest privately-owned restoration company on the West Coast, they have grown to be the largest as well, and have seen major advances in the technologies they use. But the core of their success - providing expert, highly responsive mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction services with a focus on outstanding customer service - remains very much the same.

Milestones in the firm's history include:
1982: Deadly rains inundate Southern California; Har-Bro helps the Southland rebound
1987: 11-story fire in downtown Los Angeles requires a crew of 350
1990: Second office opens in Chatsworth, CA
1994: Northridge Quake strikes; Har-Bro speeds recovery
1996: First out-of-state office opens in Las Vegas
2009: 10th office opens in Seattle, WA
2011: Har-Bro has successfully completed 65,000 restoration jobs

"For 50 years, our philosophy has been to stay at the forefront of technology and training" said Jim Franklin, president of Har-Bro. "Our customers appreciate that we have nothing but the most talented and committed employees, always ready to rebuild their damaged buildings as quickly and thoroughly as possible."

An example illustrates the firm's responsiveness and resourcefulness. When a broken pipe on the 18th floor of a Seattle building leaked thousands of gallons of water all the way down to the lobby, Har-Bro was there, fully equipped within the hour. For seven days a crew of more than 40 worked around the clock to dry down the building, using four trailer-mounted desiccant dehumidifiers and approximately 500 other pieces of equipment - carrying much of it up the stairs to bypass the inoperable elevator.

"Because Har-Bro's roots are in construction, we utilize that knowledge to properly repair damaged properties, giving customers lasting value," says Fred Gladney, vice president of marketing and business development. Har-Bro also provides business continuity planning, educational classes, service agreements, site walk-throughs with utility vendors, and emergency profile documentation. "Our commitment goes far beyond physical recovery from a disaster," adds Gladney. "For 50 years we've helped our customers get their properties and their businesses up and running again. We look forward to serving them for many more."

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