kyle vanfleet
scotrun, PA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
VanFleet Welding
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Startup
Location:
scotrun
Industry:
Construction
Year Founded:
2008
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Description:
my name is Kyle,I started a welding business while I was a junior in high school in 2002. Since then I've been a full time student. I recently graduated from college with a Bachelors in Welding and Fabrication technology. During the time I was in school I managed to pay for about $60,000 worth of equipment and now that I'm out I got incorporated this year (2008). My current business is word of mouth and I keep getting busier. Welding is a recession less trade, Welding is vital to our way of life and our infrastructure. An unseen hero to many, welding is responsible for much of mankind's advancement in the last 100 years, and will continue to be indefinitely. With out welding the world as we know it would not exist. If you stop and think about how many things we rely on that are made of metal maybe you might see where I'm coming from. Welding allows us to use metals in ways that otherwise would be too heavy, too expensive, or just plain impossible. Welding is as important to our way of life and economy as health care is to people. There is a huge world wide shortage of skilled welders and fabricators and I am lucky enough to be in the position to capitalize on it. Knowing this, 7 years ago I took on a life long dream of running my own business. As a junior in high school I bought my first welder and built a mobile welding truck. I was a 17 year old making 50 dollars an hour. One thing led to another and throughout college I managed to pay for about 60,000 dollars in equipment. My business is all word of mouth and my customers are all repeat and referring. As I was going to school full time paying for college and my equipment was priority and never really set the money aside to advertise because I was having a hard enough time keeping up with the work I had and going to school. I was sure that if I advertised I would be too busy and end up turning business away. Now that I'm done with school I have a bachelors in Welding and Fabrication Engineering which is bought and paid for as well as the 60,000 dollars in equipment. At the age of 23 I'm proud of that and I think that is a prime example of my motivation and the earning potential of my business. I currently make any where from 75 to 125 dollars per hour for my services depending of course on the job and location. I do mobile and in house repairs and fabrication in my fathers garage. My father owns an excavating business and the garage I work out of which is 10,000 square feet on a main road.
In the next year I plan on hiring another welder, this would theoretically put my hourly earning potential in the area of 200-225 dollars per hour, again advertising will play a huge role in the possibility of that happening, however it is a very real expectation. I am also working with a long time friend who is a mechanic and trying to get him set up as his own business for insurance reasons however the two of us together make a great team and we draw work to each other. Another plus to my friend is he can fix anything from cars to heavy equipment so I will be at an advantage when it comes to fixing my own equipment by not having to pay through the nose at a dealer or a repair shop.
There will always be a need for welding as long as we use metals, and there is no doubt that we will. My target market is the building and/or repair of pipelines, powerhouses, buildings, bridges, ship yards, and heavy equipment. Really the list of what I'd would actually be able to weld is end less however these markets are in huge demand of welders and thus pay the most. The question isn't weather I will be able to find work but If I can keep up with it.
Currently I'm actively seeking funding of 100,000 dollars with several investors and will run with the first good proposal that comes my way. I only want 100,000 to start with differed payments or other type, however there will be many more opportunity's in the future for investment once I am ready to buy out my father and the building that I work out of. The 100,000 dollars will go towards advertising, equipment, working capital and a service truck. I will talk further about exact dollar amounts to those investors who are seriously considering this investment opportunity. I would be needing these funds ASAP I have spent a year looking for a service truck and recently found one that is a steal. a truck like this starts at 100,000 dollars I found this one for 45,000. I need to put something together Soon I can't stress this enough, its a great deal and I don't want to pass it up. The remaining 55,000 will go toward advertising and equipment as well as working capital.
I hope I could give you a good picture of where I stand and where I plan to take VanFleet Welding. If you Have any questions or inquiries please feel free to call me any time at (Phone # removed), I look forward to hearing from you.