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Company History
In 1981, two cousins Joe David Haley and Scott Millbury from
Rangeley Plantation, who were working in independent businesses decided to join
forces by starting what was to become a multi million dollar business.
Owning several pieces of equipment they bought the Paul Bolduc Logging
Company located on Kennebago River in Rangeley. Combining their names thus
began the J&S Logging Company. Their small company expanded in several
companies, the largest being M&H Construction. Rangeley Sand and Gravel
and a land development business followed.
The general manager for all the companies is Kenny Haley. Kenny worked
for a large corporation with a background in business management. After
more than 30 years away, Kenny decided to come home to Rangeley and work with
his cousins. The three of them, along with their experienced and
knowledgeable employees, made a long range plan focusing on the strengths of the
company.
"We are the largest employer in the Rangeley area, so we are very much in
step with being a good corporate citizen," Haley said. "We are a growing company
which works extremely well with the State's environmental agencies on protecting
our habitat and we will benefit ourselves by continuing the high quality work
that has earned us an impeccable reputation throughout the local area and the
entire state."
Contracting with the Department of Conservation, M&H has built access roads
and cleared public lots. Working with the Department of Transportation,
they have built several stretches of major highways and are presently rebuilding
Route 2 in Dixfield, Route 27 in Coburn Gore and the new Route 3 connector in
Augusta. They also do commercial pipe work for municipal water and sewage
treatment plants, commercial and residential site work for homes and business
including building roads, driveways and installing conduit for utilities in
residential subdivisions is a large part of their business. The company
purchased computerized equipment to better protect the environment. Their
Rottne CTL wood harvesters clean off the branches off the large trees and thin
the forests so larger timber can mature quicker, and also allows the forest to
regenerate itself. When an area is harvested, the land is left looking
like a cultivated forest. The Rottnes, with their large rubber wheels and
relative lightness, do not leave the forests rutted, so there is little damage
to the surrounding soil.
Currently, the jobs they have are 75 percent in construction and 25 percent
in harvesting and trucking timber. During the construction season the
company employs approximately 70 workers and thins to 32 during the winter.
They are always in need of workers with construction experience who can manage a
crew and do lay-out work for their projects. Some of their core people
have been with the company for 15 to 18 years. M&H gets 70% of its labor
force from Franklin County.
Working 60 to 70 hours a week, Foreman Richard Edgerly, of Rangeley,
coordinates work schedules for contractors and sub-contractors and suppliers
while overseeing construction jobs and crews. Richard has "learned the
business from other experienced that I have worked with. This is a small
but very personable and people oriented company."
Joseph Ladd, an equipment operator/mechanic started out laboring and watching
how to get things done. Joseph feels "you never have to worry about not
having anything to do. If you want to work, there is always plenty to do."
M&H has grown and prospered through diversification, top notch quality and
good, old fashion hard and honest work. They are ever thankful for a very
competent and loyal work force.
Article by Annette Cautillo works for Western Maine Community action, a partner with the
Wilton Career Center.
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