Houck Group President Lin Sensenig Discusses Helpful Labor Policies, Transitioning to Next Generation in New Family Enterprise USA Video

    WASHINGTON, DC, October 06, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Working with the next generation of family owners, Lin Sensenig, President of Houck Group Inc, a 300-employee industrial and commercial restoration company, details in a new video the challenges of being a non-family member in a growing a 76-year-old family business.

In the video, Sensenig, the first non-family member, leads the Harrisburg, Pa.-based business and delves into how an advisory board, consisting of Houck family members and outside counsel, helps guide the $75 million in revenue business into the future. The video is hosted by Pat Soldano, President of Family Enterprise USA a bi-partisan organization advocating for multi-generational family businesses.

In the 20-minute video Sensenig details how the former masonry business, started in 1947 by Lawrence Houck and passed to his son, Gary, grew through acquisition and service extensions, with a large focus on building maintenance and restoration. The company is now in the process of transitioning to the third Houck generation.

Soldano talks with Sensenig about the company's fascinating history, their regional work, and the array of services they provide, from roofing to masonry to building restoration. The two explore the critical topic of next-generation transition, leadership challenges, tax policies, and the need for sensible immigration policy.

"The biggest issue we face is workforce development," Sensenig says in the video. "We need to have sensible government immigration policies that allow for hard-working immigrants to join companies like ours," he said. "We are having a difficult time finding workers and it's not for lack of trying, so we need government policies that help family businesses like ours to service our growing customer base."

In 2016, when Sensenig arrived at Houck, the company had 140 employees working in its 150-mile service area around Harrisburg. Today, the company has 300 employees and "we can't find enough," he said.

"Houck is a good example of a strong regional multi-generational family business that faces critical challenges of transition, taxation, and workforce development," said Soldano. "These videos are designed to tell these stories of America's biggest employer, the family business, and how government policies can both hurt and help family businesses grow and prosper," she said.

To watch the full interview with go to: www.youtube.com/@familyenterpriseusa5848

Anyone with a family business and a story to tell about their success and/or challenges, go to https://familyenterpriseusa.com/ to submit them via the Contact page

About Houck Group Inc.

In 1947, Lawrence E. Houck, had a simple vision and started a small masonry contracting business. In 1980, after having served in the US Army, graduating from Penn State University and working with Houck, Lawrence's son, Gary L. Houck, bought the company. Under Gary's leadership, the company first expanded their capabilities to include masonry restoration services. In 1982, the company purchased Bader & Son Roofing and Flooring Company. Over the years, the Houck companies have been honored with numerous local and national awards in recognition of their craftsmanship and commitment to safety. Today, it is known as the Houck Group, Inc., the organization consisting of two subsidiaries working throughout PA, MD, VA, DC and the Mid-Atlantic region. Tradition, pride and experience best explains the company's approach to restoring the most intricate monuments, buildings and historical structures. Our skilled craftspeople understand historic methodology and the best way to seamlessly blend with new technology. Houck & Company, Inc. handles masonry restoration, concrete rehabilitation, caulking/joint systems, waterproofing and protective coatings.

About Family Enterprise USA

Family Enterprise USA promotes generationally owned family business creation, growth, viability, and sustainability by advocating for family businesses and their lifetime of savings with Congress in Washington DC. Since 2007, Family Enterprise USA has represented and celebrated all sizes, professions, and industries of family-owned enterprises and multi-generational employers. It is a bi-partisan 501.c3 organization. www.familyenterpriseusa.com

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