Jim and Gail Lloyd Mean Business

Central Couple Owns Largest Commercial Flooring Firm in South Louisiana

[Editor’s Note: In Central, Jim Lloyd is best known as a member of the Central Community School Board and chairman of the board’s Facilities Planning Committee, which is responsible for construction of the new Central School Complex.  But he and his wife Gail are also very successful in business. They founded their own flooring contracting business years ago on a shoestring.  Today, their company, Cornerstone Commercial Flooring, is the largest commercial flooring company in South Louisiana.  Despite the economy, CCF has continued to grow.]

by Jim Lloyd

“Cautiously Optimistic,” is how I would define my approach to the new year’s business possibilities.  The business climate in the greater Baton Rouge area continues to be a encouragement to me, while Central’s incremental gains continue to outpace national statistics.  A change in the White House would be welcomed by most people in small and big business.

Completion of the Central Thruway this year will add a dimension that Central has not previously experienced. Its impact remains to be seen. However, convenience for those who are here and those that want to be here is a certain benefit.

Shopping and dining Central first is becoming more and more practical. The addition of DeAngelos restaurant and Mike Anderson’s later this year shows the confidence that local entrepreneurs have in the Central restaurant market.

The medically-minded seem to have discovered the same thing.  Quality medical facilities continue to add value and convenience to our community.

Professional developments like the one at Village at Magnolia Square are an encouraging sign of “commercial done right” in our bedroom community.

The weak economy has provided a correction in the construction market. It lasted long enough that only the strong survived. Many are still hanging on but are in such a weakened state that they will not be in position to compete when things improve. And things will improve!

A change in the White House would help speed things up. There were a lot of casualties. Those companies with good operational controls and procedures fared pretty well.

2011 was a year of growth for Cornerstone Commercial Flooring.  2012 is trending well with key contracts already in place throughout South Louisiana. Since the recession began in 2008, we have followed the Harvard Business Schools advice: When in a down economy, invest in equipment, technology, system advances, and continued education, and expand into new markets.” In other words spend money!

Of course, for that to work, you have to know your customers, know your market, and know your competition. Our multi-family division is budgeted for a 50 percent sales gain this year. We have already increased total warehouse capacity by 35 percent. I am glad those guys at Harvard were right!

Price increases from manufacturers due to raw materials and transportation costs will continue to drive up the price of new construction, while it also squeezes margins for us subcontractors.

Areas for improvement in Central:

• Our narrow two-lane roads are not safe for our families, not good for business, and not good for economic development.

• Central is a rural community and has a lot of history. Unfortunately with that comes a lot of eye pollution on our highway and byways. We need to improve our curb appeal out of respect for others and ourselves.

Cornerstone Commercial Flooring Design Scholarship: CCF sponsors a scholarship each year for the LSU Interior Design College.  The scholarship is part of their senior project and focuses on writing quality, architectural specifications, and creative design.

The panel of judges includes a Local Interior Designer, Industry Manufacturer Reps, CCF senior staff, and LSU professors who select the winner for an all-expense paid trip to NEOCON in Chicago. NEOCON is the premier interior design show in the Americas. It includes a stay at the Historic Palmer House Hilton, Architectural River Boat tour, and meals at “Top Chef” restaurants. And of course shopping “The Miracle Mile.”

This trip changes their world view about interior design. The market is so much larger than most students realize. All marketing, images, and finishes around us have to be created by a designer.  This scholarship is a way of giving back to a industry that has been a blessing to us.

Cornerstone purchases specialized Lift Equipment to meet needs of the construction industry.

CCF recently acquired the LIFTMAN equipment. This equipment can move existing library book shelves and retail gondolas up to 40’ long with all books and merchandise remaining on the shelves. This allows for quick and easy flooring replacements, saving thousands in moving /restock costs to the owner. This proprietary equipment is exclusively available at CCF flooring. Cornerstonecommercialflooring.com

“In the end, good business is really about valuing quality service, understanding your position as a leader, and above all, valuing people.”