By: Maria Williams
Businesses that rise steadily, building their foundation brick by brick to achieve sustainable growth, stand out in a sea of stories of overnight successes. When a company deliberately plans its growth phases while tackling challenges, it cements its position as an enduring force in its industry and beyond. Blue Patriot Fab impeccably exemplifies this.
Seasoned professional Kenneth Kempf acquired the company when it was on the brink of bankruptcy, rising it from the ashes to become a multi-eight-figure business with a national reputation. Kenneth details the rough and long-winding path he and his team traversed to place Blue Patriot Fab, formerly Foundry Services, at the forefront and make it a respected name in the water and wastewater fabrication industry.
Kenneth saw an opportunity in a failing business while working for a different fabricator. “Foundry Services became available while I was exploring other ways to apply my expertise. I’ve always envisioned owning and operating my own business,” he shares. Leveraging his extensive industry knowledge, he leaped the risks, inviting his son, Ryan Kempf, now acting as the Blue Patriot Fab’s President, to join him.
Acquiring a bankrupt company and scaling it has its fair share of challenges. Eventually, the father and son received a loan with the necessary amount to buy Foundry Services after being turned down by 12 banks. The first few years were incredibly tough for the entrepreneurs. They fixed old equipment, took on sales calls, and navigated the steep learning curve of managing a business on the edge of collapse.
“There were times when I couldn’t make the payroll. I had to tell Ryan to hold off on cashing his check until we receive enough revenue to cover expenses,” Kenneth says, recalling how this kind of financial stress was a regular occurrence. Still, convincing customers that the business was a company poised for growth and not a mere two-person operation was more challenging.
The stigma attached to the company before Kenneth acquired it hung over their heads. It was hardly surprising that many in the industry were hesitant to trust the new owners of a company that had gone bankrupt. “We had to demonstrate that we could handle large-scale work and get rid of the negative image that stayed from the company’s past,” Kenneth remarks.
The duo knew they needed an extra hand who possessed the required expertise to help the business during its early stages. This additional aid came in the form of Sara Kempf, now serving as a Board Member. Trevor House later joined the team as the National Sales Manager, giving Blue Patriot Fab the push it needs to enter its next growth phase.
Things started to change by the company’s fifth year. It began generating substantial profit, allowing the business to reinvest in new equipment and upgrade its operations. “At this point, we also decided to change the company’s name from Foundry Services to Blue Patriot Fab. It’s how we wanted to signify our fresh start.” the CEO supplies.
Kenneth states that their strategy is simple: Treat people well, both customers and employees. This seemingly trivial philosophy proved to be a significant differentiator. Customers started noticing that Blue Patriot Fab is trustworthy and driven by the right values. Now, it’s one of North America’s premier fabricators of ductile iron pipes and fittings, known for producing high-quality, American-made products, including its patented Kempf Kollar (KK).
Besides its commitment to providing value to customers, Blue Patriot Fab stands out with its close-knit family dynamic. It has balanced family values with a high level of professionalization—a combination rarely found in small to mid-sized businesses.
It’s significant to note that the Omaha-based company is a national player that serves clients across the country. It recently expanded its operations by breaking ground on additional land to increase its capacity. Ultimately, Kenneth and his team are dedicated to maintaining Blue Patriot Fab’s high standards of quality while growing the firm’s market reach.
Published By: Aize Perez
