Dallas Glass holds steady during the recession

Not long after the company decided to move from its long-time Ellendale Avenue location to its current spot at NW 50th Avenue, the company decided to hold steady and sharpen what it already does.

The company moved in 2005 after 48 years in Dallas, a move that facilitated its expansion — primarily expansion that was already in motion with its combination residential and commercial accounts.

"Our company tripled in size from 2002 to 2007 until intentionally choosing to become more strategic in our future growth planning," said Brian Johnston, who, along with Darand Davies, has owned the business since 1991.

But at that time, decisions were made that also limited expanding too rapidly; Johnston and Davies didn't buy into the notion that all growth is good. That decision was fortuitously timed with economic trends.

"We grew pretty good," said Johnston, who handles commercial and larger accounts for the company, including the recent contract awarded as part of the construction of a new replacement Oregon State Hospital.

"We made the decision a couple of years ago to hold tight and improve some operations and stuff instead of keeping growing ... We wanted to do what we do better.

"That just kind of happened to coincide with a good time not to grow," he added. "The timing of that decision worked out well."

Dallas Glass was awarded a $1,690,400 contract with the state hospital to handle the specialized windows of the new buildings. Between 10 and 14 of the company's roughly 50 employees will work on that project.

Larger accounts are nothing new to the company, which has earned bids up to $2.2 million.

Johnston noted the plans to curb growth several years ago coupled with solid contracts here and there, minimized the need for major layoffs compared with other companies.

"We ended up not laying off many guys; we had a couple but have picked up a few," Johnston said. "We picked up about what we laid off recently with new contracts, like the state hospital's.

"We have current projects all over the Willamette Valley," he added.

Dallas Glass is one of two Polk County firms to receive a contract in the $280 million state hospital project. The other is Dale Woodin Concrete out of Dallas, which earned a $156,894 bid for site work.

Overall, about 100 Oregon businesses, including more than a dozen in the Salem area, will be put to work.