Our History
A focus on the customer from its inception!
In 1973, Building Systems founder Charles Browning started a small construction business in Bowling Green Kentucky that focused on remodeling and additions to existing homes. From the inception, he learned that the key to success was to make sure that every customer was satisfied with the job at the end. He developed a business philosophy around that tenet.
Charles learned that one of the most important factors of success was listening to the customer. Without listening, you could not deliver on what they wanted and they would never be satisfied; regardless of how well you executed on the project.
As his business grew, he saw that a greater opportunity existed in commercial construction. In 1983, he created a Company focused on custom commercial case goods and case work and in February of 1985, Charles formed the legal entity Building Systems and Acoustics, Inc. He then redirected the Company’s focus toward larger commercial projects. He learned that general contractors outsource the manufacturing and installation of case goods, workstations and cabinetry and the decision on the subcontractor to use for these items was solely controlled by the general contractor. This led to a business model built around building relationships with general contractors.
Initially, the Company offered a broad array of interior office build outs and finish work but found that there was sufficient business for a service oriented company that specialized in case goods, custom storage and cabinetry. Charles also saw that by focusing his marketing efforts on general contractors, the majority of engagements were commercial projects and the average total revenue per engagement was significantly higher. He also found that by limiting the scope of the Company’s services he was able to better manage timing in a way that satisfied clients. The reduced scope usually allowed the Company’s installation work to occur at a single point in the project as opposed to multiple implementation points reducing the opportunity for a delay. The reduced scope also allowed the Company to streamline its manufacturing processes, create efficiencies and increase gross margins.
The Company’s geographic coverage has been limited and has really been dictated by the location of projects of the general contractors that it works with. The have completed projects throughout central and south central Kentucky, central Tennessee, and southern Indiana. In general, BSA has worked in a 150 mile radius of the Company’s facilities in Bowling Green, Kentucky.