Five years ago, Danielle Williams didn’t know the difference between precast curb and slipformed curb. Williams was focusing on her three boys and her interior design firm. Meanwhile, her high school sweetheart, Richard Williams, led his own asphalt maintenance company, Williams Brothers Paving, which he founded in 2000. Things were going well for their family as Richard’s business picked up steam and earned corporate accounts throughout New England.
Known for connecting with clients personally and for his dedication to providing exceptional service, Richard continued to guide his company and manage work flow until just days before his passing. Earlier that spring, Danielle and Richard took a trip together, visiting job sites and meeting several of Richard’s key contacts. Although she didn’t have any interest in a construction career, Danielle later recognized that Richard was
subtlety introducing her to the industry. In their final months together, they discussed the future of Williams Brothers Paving. Danielle encouraged Richard not to worry about it that she would figure it out. But she admits, “I never expected that I’d keep running the business. I kind of thought in my head I wouldn’t be able
to or wouldn’t want to.”
After Richard’s passing, Danielle had a change of heart. Through leading the company, she recognized how connected she could remain to her husband, that she could continue his legacy. Determined to learn the many facets of this industry, and with the help of their paving manager/partner, Tom Stanley, Williams made it through that first season. In their second season, Williams won bids for several parking lot jobs that included curbing. She struggled to find a local curbing company, so they installed precast curb for a corporate client at many locations before Williams decided there had to be a better way. She researched and learned about the process of slipforming. She soon reached out to Power Curbers to learn more about their equipment.
Williams described how Power Curbers was instrumental in educating her on slipforming and putting her in touch with other curbing contractors for additional support. “Power Curbers kept connecting me to people who would willingly offer and provide me with the best advice.” Williams committed in 2018 and purchased a rebuilt 5700-Super-B and a 150 Extruder to diversify her company into slipforming. She soon brought on Jason Nadeau as a managing partner to operate the machine and guide the slipform crew.
In 2006, Richard began having unexpected health issues, prompting doctor visits to try and determine the cause. Then, at 37, Richard was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. Danielle aggressively researched his cancer and hunted for a clinical trial or doctor that could offer them any glimmer of hope. There were no miracles to be found, and after eight months of treatment, Richard passed away in June 2017.
Again, Williams faced challenges. With very little existing slipforming in southern Maine, there were no experienced laborers to hire. Tie-in work, hand forming, and finishing had to be taught fresh to new employees. Concrete was another obstacle. Developing a mix design that worked for Williams Brothers was complicated by a green crew that couldn’t pour at full speed, causing trucks to set up on them. Between concrete, a short working season, and an ever-changing schedule, time was the enemy. Williams finally gained momentum after finessing her mix design and getting through the initial learning curve with their slipform equipment. Commenting on their struggle, she explains, “Power Curbers has been so wonderful to help us work through technical difficulties. I’ve met and talked to so many kind individuals who truly were so supportive and helpful in sharing knowledge. Everyone was truly invested in our success.”
Based in Saco, Maine, the fourteen employees of what is now, Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. perform asphalt and concrete slipform work throughout New England. Now through her third slipforming season, Williams is excited. “We’ve finally opened some doors this year with lead contractors – huge general contracting companies in our state that have been so impressed and happy with our work.” Reflecting on her decision to get into slipforming, she declared, “I’m so glad I went with Power Curbers. I love the small business feeling that I have working with them. I’ve never once felt like I couldn’t reach who I needed to. It feels so intimate. From ordering my molds to everything in between, everyone had always made me feel like I was a part of that business, which in some of my hardest times when I wanted to give up, it was that call that made me think. OK, we are going to keep going. We can do this.”
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