Clark County at Work: Haag & Shaw Inc.

Business name: Haag & Shaw Inc.

Owner: Travis Mansur and Jim Haag.

Address: 636 S.E. Third Ave., Camas.

What the business does: Haag & Shaw is a general contractor specializing in underground work, the majority from the commercial side of the industry. However, they also do a variety of residential work.

o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

What steps are you taking to building your business: Travis Mansur and Jim Haag said in the past year, they have put an emphasis on working with epoxy coatings and coverings to protect from caustics. They said their company is trying to build up business by finding specific niches in the construction industry that is not done by others. Haag & Shaw is always open to a variety of projects and willing to try anything.

Greatest challenge: The owners said one of the biggest challenges in running a business is to stay competitive on both the large and small scale. Their company needs to be able to compete for small residential projects, while also be competitive against larger contractors.

What’s ahead: The goal is to always try to stay busy and over the past three to four years, that has been hard. Mansur said, looking ahead, they have several upcoming projects during the winter months and they will be busy.

What’s your business philosophy: The company’s top priority is to do the best work they can while maintaining a safe work environment. Most of their work is from repeat customers. Haag & Shaw started working for the paper mill in Camas years ago and continue to do the majority of their work there.

A favorite part of the job: Mansur said he likes taking a project from the design phase all the way through to completion. Remembering how it started as a drawing, seeing the finished product, and knowing he had a hand in it every step of the way is very rewarding, he said. Receiving thanks from a satisfied customer is also a great feeling.

Year established in Clark County: early 1970s.

Employees: 15.

Telephone: 360-834-2514.

Fax: 360-834-6084.

Email: haagandshaw@frontier.com.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.