Ohio-based company buys R.N. Rouse and Co. holdings
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on November 1, 2009 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MITCH LOEBER
The front of the R.N. Rouse & Co. building on Parkway Drive is seen Saturday afternoon. It will remain open, the company's new owners say.
An Ohio-based company acquired this week a family-owned construction business that has operated in Goldsboro for nearly a century.
R.N. Rouse and Co. Inc. was purchased by Danis Building Construction Co., a spokesperson for the company announced last week.
R.N. Rouse also has offices in Wilmington and Cary. It provides services for health care, industrial, institutional and corporate clients in North Carolina and surrounding states.
Chairman Ray Rouse reported that he is not currently at liberty to discuss details of the sale, which is still being finalized.
The companies have discussed the acquisition since September of last year, when the companies' executives were introduced by a mutual colleague.
"We were impressed by their ability to retain clients," Rouse said. "Danis puts building relationships high on their priority list, and so do we."
Both firms have spent a lot of time learning about each other's business model and areas of expertise, Danis chief executive officer John Danis said.
"We both have strong experience in construction projects for health care, corporate, data centers and education facilities," he said.
Danis now employs more than 400 people in eight offices from Ohio to Florida. The company estimates its annual revenue between $250-300 million. The company had been seeking to expand further after launching a new office in Florida nine years ago.
"Since opening Jackson-ville, we've been looking to expand again. North Caro-lina, South Carolina and Ten-nessee have been the areas we have focused on regionally," Danis said. "Finding Rouse has been a perfect fit for us."
All employees and members of the Rouse management team are expected to retain their jobs, and clients are being notified of the acquisition in one-on-one meetings. Two Danis employees will be joining the Danis management team to make the transition go smoothly.
"The clients we've spoken with are very excited, Rouse said. "It is our expectation to continue to offer personalized service but with expanded capabilities and resources that Danis will bring to the new company."
R.N. Rouse projects include the Goshen Medical Center, the WAGES Parent/Child Center, SAS buildings in Cary and the N.C. College of Textiles in Raleigh.