Although perhaps 40% of Hoover's business comes from referrals, Ron doesn't take that business for granted. "We continue advertising and also have a booth for display at a number of local home shows. You never know where that next job is going to come from," says Ron, "or if there's going to be a next job. So we believe you have to keep promoting."

Lexington is about 15 miles from Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, in the middle of the State, which is another reason the company has focused on commercial rather than agricultural markets. While the post-frame building concept is now well being accepted in the area, the greater problem is acceptance by building officials for specific uses. "That's another reason we were almost forced to go into steel," notes Ron. "Some officials simply would not allow post-frame for some applications, such as body shops, and so forth. Insurance rates for post-frame also drove us out of some markets."

"We have as much competition as anyone else," explains Ron, "but maybe it's unlike what others face in that we've trained almost all of it! Being the first in our area to offer post-frame, most of our current

competition worked for us as one time or another. "Still, there is a lot of business out there and neither Ted nor Ron Hoover is bothered by good competition.
For the future, Hoover sees a fairly stable market, one not particularly prone to big peaks and valleys. "Our biggest problem currently is trying to stay abreast of lumber prices," says Ron. "We inventory a substantial amount of materials, and that helps stabilize the impact of this situation only a little. It's particularly difficult to raise prices when you have to, and that's got to be a big problem for every build in the country.

After 25 years, and a lot of diligent effort along the way, Hoover Building Systems has developed a well-deserved reputation for quality and integrity in every aspect of their business. Although the hard work and effort has paid off, "it's the many friends we've developed along the way, that have made the business really enjoyable."

One thing is for certain, Ted and Ron Hoover haven't had any reason to regret that visit to Wisconsin, and their decision to get involved in post-frame construction, back in 1972.