Pierson Comfort Group, LLC • Toll Free: 1.800.461.0032 • 888.277.4414 28298 Bridgeville Road • Federalsburg, Maryland 21632 PSAI (Portable Sanitation Association International) in Action Member Highlight April/May 2002 The biggest change Doug Pierson, president of Pierson's Comfort Group, LLC; Easton, Maryland envisions is taking our industry from 'basic to upgraded'. This isn't a new idea. Since 1951, every working member of family-owned Thomas E. Pierson & Sons, the parent company, has envisioned something new for the business. The entrepreneurial vision of this company moved them from plumbing to heating and air conditioning, into portable sanitation. Coming from a business-minded family, Doug Pierson could "see" people stopping to use a portable restroom. This inspiration came during a traffic backup as he watched people get out of their cars and go into the woods. This was 1967 and the portable sanitation industry was still in its infancy. "I was 17, maybe 18 years old," Doug said. He knew there was something to this industry but didn't know how to get the information. So, he went to the one person who had portable restrooms and asked. "Lucky Elkins was my mentor," Doug stated, "he owned a company called Sani Kan. We were competitors but he took the time and answered my questions." He bought a pickup truck that he modified with a vacumn pump, which he mounted ontot he engine and had a hose that was too small. Doug put his 12 fiberglass units on the bed and went from contractor to contractor, marketing this new service. I went one-on-one, this was a smaller community then and I could go up to them and ask them to try it out. When the local VFW had their seafood fest, I put out 6 units - can you believe that," Doug laughed. "Today I had 275 units out for the NASCAR Pace in Dover, Delaware." After the first year, with more advice from Mr. Elkins, trial and error and plain hard work, Doug's company began to grow. In 1985, 18 years after he placed his first unit out, the portable sanitation division had it's first of six acquisitions. They didn't start out looking to buy other companies but when the opportunity presented itself to expand their market, this seemed the best choice. "Starting from scratch is hard," Doug stated. Each company acquired retains about 90% of its own identity. These companies have a reputation and market service area. All the administrative functions are moved to the main office to maintain continuity. As the industry changeds, so did Pierson's. They changed from the fiberglass units to poly. They bought trucks with air- conditioned cabs. Computers do everything from tracking to billing. They have 10 trailers and 40 flushing units in their inventory for special events. Time has also brought its own changes. Insurance and gas prices are higher. Getting the next generation to work in this industry is a big challenge. Counties, cities and towns are charging permit fees for placement of units to service trucks driving through. What isn't changing is the company's small community attitude. Each customer is treated as a friend. The company encourages customers to stop by and see what they have. The concept of what a portable toilet should look like to what a portable restroom can bee, makes all the difference. "They're amazed." Doug stated. Doug and his wife Donna have worked together for over 20 years, building more than a business. They have insisted on developing a customer/community partnership. This dual partnership has led Doug to sit on the Board of Directors of The Queenstown Bank of MD, The Memorial Hospital Board, Hog Neck Golf Course, the Dept. of Natural Resources Boat Act Committee and the PSAI Board of Directors. In 1995, he was named area Businessman of the Year and on March 14, 2002, Doug was honored at an awards luncheon in Washington, DC by the National Republican Congressional Committee as an Esteemed Business Leader. He will attend a series of small dinners with Members of Congress to address the issues business leaders face. HIs favorite story of business accomplishment might be about the father of the bride. He was the most unhappy man at his daughter's wedding. Not because he lost a daughter. No, he was unhappy because the guests didn't want to talk about the flowers, the food, the music or all those little extras spent to have a memorable reception, his guests wanted to talk about the air-conditioned portable restroom. This might just be the final test of going from basic to upgraded. [end] Index Contact Us! Portable Restrooms Company History Outdoor Events & Festivals Wesite design by Marketing House Design Click here to see our online savings specials!