More Than Window Cleaners

Albert Sarabasa of D&A Building Services Inc.

More than window cleaners - How D&A Building Services grew its revenue by 8.3%: D&A Building services has come a long way since starting as a company that only offered high-rise window cleaning. Now, nearly 30 years later, the company has dozens of cleaning services within seven sections from janitorial to waterproofing. That diversified service pays off.

The Longwood-based building maintenance company had an 8.3 percent growth in revenue, earning $13.4 million last year. Here, we ask company CEO Albert Sarabasa how his company grew, new services he plans to offer and some of his biggest accomplishments.

How did you get into this business and why? 

I knew that commercial building maintenance services would always be a desired service by Property Managers regardless of how strong/weak the economy was. I started the company offering only high-rise window cleaning services and have grown the company to what it is today.

What helps you attract top talent? 

We are a well-known building maintenance service company that values our employees and treats them with the respect they deserve.

Have you added any services in the past year, and if so, what? 

Painting and sealing buildings.

How many workers will you add in the next 12 months? 

This is dependent on the number of contracts that we are awarded, but it could range from 10-100.

How many did you add in the past 12 months? 

50

Your coolest workplace tradition? 

Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, we have a “pot luck” lunch/dinner where everyone brings in one dish to share. We set up all of the food and enjoy the feast together in the mid-afternoon, while enjoying the company of our co-workers.

Key recent business accomplishments? 

Created materials that have become the core to solution sets within the company’s customer strategy practice, provided leadership for execution of cross-industry study of market leading service organizations and development of a beginning-to-end service excellence model and solutions set.

Your advice to entrepreneurs? 

Follow your dreams and do not give up, even when some people encourage you to quit!

Three things we may not know about you? 

I am Cuban and came to the U.S. when I was 9 years old without any family members. I have four adorable grandkids and one on the way. I love to go deep-sea fishing.

TV show that characterizes your firm? 

The Office

Finish this sentence: Nothing makes me madder than...: 

..seeing my team members wasting time and being dishonest about it.

Your plans to continue growing your revenue?

Develop new ideas and strategic approaches for increasing sales effectiveness within our industry, and heighten and streamline processes and systems.

What opportunities do you see developing in your industry and how do you plan to capitalize on them? 

We are moving in a more efficient direction by investing in new equipment and technology.

Future plans for your firm? 

Fostering relationships with cross business collaboration.

Your smartest business move? 

Hiring our current controller and marketing director.

Top three factors driving your firm's growth? 

Job costing, effective sales force, motivating operations managers.

Your must-have travel accessory?

iPad