From the latest expansion at the Charleston Location.
“I understand my father now. I understand the sacrifi ces you have to make for this business
to make sure everything goes right.” ~ Skip Sawin
Growing for the Future While Charleston’s Rigging has met with great success to date, both Skip and Jessica realize not only the present challenges, but the opportunities awaiting them as well. T ey note their company’s ability to be fl exible to volatile changes in the market, able to accommodate customer’s needs where other companies simply cannot. T ey also realize that times are tough, and focusing on the basics is essential. Skip off ers the example that “even when costs of materials goes up, it places an additional burden on the customer and you have to work twice as hard just to maintain the same level of service.” But Jessica and Skip also see some great opportunities on the near horizon. With an established footprint in the Carolinas and Georgia, the company is primed to strategically expand sales coverage throughout the Southeast U.S. and grow additional physical locations as well.
A New Legacy Built on the Past Looking back now, the Sawin Family can probably connect the dots and understand that the generational transition was merely a matter of timing. While Rick and Valerie may have provided the spark that initially grew the business, both Jessica and Skip seem to have the same passion to continue to fan the fl ame. A family business is just that – a business that is experienced by every member of the family, for good or bad. Skip recollects
on growing up in and around the business. “When we were growing up, as kids would go out to dinner with customers, and sometimes there was separation [from the family business] and sometimes there wasn’t. T e business is what brought us here [to South Carolina] and was and continues to be a big part of Mom and Dad’s life.” Skip continues, “I understand my father now. I understand
the sacrifi ces you have to make for this business to make sure everything goes right.” Skip should know, he also has two boys, ages 10 and 5, who he hopes have the same opportunities to pursue their own goals that he has had. Likewise, Jessica is continuing the legacy started by her parents with a similar appreciation and respect. From working in other fi elds, “I learned how special this company is and how specialized this business is – ever try to explain a wire rope shop to someone?” she laughs. “It is a family business and employees are part of this family,” she concluded. Just as Charleston’s Rigging started with humble beginnings when Rick and Valerie Sawin founded it nearly a quarter century ago, the new era of ownership by Jessica Sage and Skip Sawin also shares a similar path. With no illusions of entitlement, once Jessica and Skip were involved, they had to show the capacity to run the business. Additionally, both want to not only forge their new legacy moving forward, but respect the one already started. As Skip puts it, “we have big shoes to fi ll.” ❙
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 21
Photos courtesy of Skip Sawin
Photos courtesy of Skip Sawin
Photos courtesy of Skip Sawin
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