Growth. It's the kind of thing that's measured in business not just by an increase in profits, a few more employees or a larger inventory. Real growth, sustainable growth, is measured over time, tested, challenged and re-tested. It's what is ultimately done with increased profits, a few more employees or a larger inventory that results in growth. It is the ability to create, recognize and seize opportunities.

Rick Walsh owner and President of Walsh Enterprises is well versed in the ups and downs of business growth. He started WE some thirty years ago in Hicksville originally as a manufacturers rep for a few commercial plumbing lines. He spent the first few years in business establishing a client base and expanding their product offering. Within 5 years, Rick Walsh bought out his two partners and began to diversify, adding two architectural lines to the product mix. Within 10 years he had grown his client list, product offering, inventory and staff enough to warrant a move to a larger facility. By this time, his two sons Doug and Rich had joined the business as well.

Among the new lines they offered, a best seller was a compact kitchen line. His son Doug noticed that the line, however, lacked many of the features that clients were looking for. Recognizing the market potential for cabinetry, Doug started the Douglas Kitchen & Bath division and set out to expand their cabinetry product offerings.

What primarily began as a one desk division selling and specking solely to architects, developers, builders and remodlers, flourished into a 7,500 square foot state of the art showroom in a building adjacent to Walsh. Today the showroom, open to the public and trade alike, carries seven cabinet lines including stock, semi-stock and custom options, appliances, fixtures, tile and countertops and showcases over 75 kitchen and bath displays (many of them fully working). Products and displays are constantly being updated to reflect changes in the business and the showroom is the recipient of numerous industry awards. Recently the showroom was updated to include an new line of Viking appliances.

Over the years the company has relocated twice to accommodate their enormous growth and success. Today they are located in two adjacent buildings on Allen Blvd in Farmingdale. Overall, the company's focus is to be a single source for developers, builders and contractors. Aside from the showroom and fully stocked warehouse of building products the facility also offers conference rooms, training rooms and installation services.

Recently the Walsh Architectural Sales Division (WAS) has been undergoing an expansion. The division, managed by Tony Ditizio, sells, stocks and installs a large selection of building specialty products including, washroom accessories, toilet and shower compartments, fire extinguishers & cabinets, wall protection systems, lockers and shelving, wire mesh partitions, cubicle and tracking curtains, floor mats & grates, visual display boards, projection screens & lifts, interior sinage, shower doors and tub surrounds, Corian and custom products, medicine cabinets and mailboxes and house numbers.

Catering mainly to the commercial building and multi unit residential developers, WAS and WE offers single source purchasing, a dream for developers of large projects, plus detailed job take offs and competitive bids. Additionally, they maintain a considerable inventory of products, offer same day pick up and installation services. Over the last two years they have included roughly 20 new product lines in an effort to meet client needs and expand the new division.

What makes the entire business a success is their ability to recognize new business opportunities and cater to them. All three divisions operate independently and run in complete synergy with each other enabling them to share knowledge and resources while specializing in service areas. The overlap of product needs from clients of all three divisions create multiple opportunities for the divisions to work together. Overseeing sales of Walsh Enterprises, the parent company, is Rich Walsh. Rich provides yet another smooth reinforcement between the three divisions and large commercial clients.

The company has been in a major growth phase over the last several years and shows no signs of slowing. Current projects include several Manhattan sky rises, Stonybrook University, and multiple school, government, hospital and library's contracts in the Tri State area. New expansion is underway at both Walsh Enterprises and Douglas Kitchens including new offices to accommodate the growing WAS team, a larger plan and takeoff, an expanded literature room and, of course, showroom updates and enhancements.