In a move that is set to strengthen the foundation of local businesses in the Midcoast, Midcoast Chimney & Masonry has made a significant acquisition, purchasing the long-standing company Smith and May. This strategic partnership not only expands Midcoast Chimney & Masonry’s offerings but also reinforces its commitment to providing top-notch services to the community it serves. As the local business landscape continues to evolve, this acquisition serves as a testament to the power of local partnerships and the importance of preserving the character of our community-driven enterprises.
The Legacy Continues
Sam and Judy Smith have passed the torch to Taylor and Lauren Benzie, marking a successful ownership transition of the longtime Rockport company Smith and May, Inc. The business officially changed hands from Sam and Judy Smith to Taylor and Lauren Benzie on April 25. The four already enjoy a strong professional relationship, and they carefully worked out the details of the transfer over the past year. The deal was finalized on a Friday morning in a Rockland attorney’s office, and by Monday morning, the Benzies were at the shop on Route 90, ensuring no interruption of services or sales.
The two couples could not be more pleased with the outcome. After 46 years of running the company, the Smiths were proud “to pass the torch to Taylor and Lauren Benzie, who share a deep commitment to professionalism and customer care,” they told their clients, in an April 29 letter announcing the business sale. “We’re confident they will carry forward the legacy of quality service that customers from Belfast to Boothbay and the islands of Penobscot Bay have come to trust. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to this exciting future.”
The Merger of Two Companies
Midcoast Chimney & Masonry at Smith and May: A New Era Begins
Lauren and Taylor Benzie are excited about the prospect of owning and operating the venture that represents a merger of two companies, each with their own niche. The name of the business is now Midcoast Chimney & Masonry at Smith and May. “This acquisition will make us the Midcoast region’s only truly integrated full-service provider offering complete chimney, masonry, and wood and gas heat solutions under one roof,” said Benzie.
Having the ability to provide everything from initial chimney inspections and full masonry construction to retail stove sales, installation, and ongoing annual service follow-ups will help our customers receive expert advice, quality products, and reliable installation and maintenance with one easy phone call.
Providing Complete Chimney, Masonry, and Wood and Gas Heat Solutions Under One Roof
A generational shift also accompanies the transition. Taylor and Lauren are young, and bring to the business their combined professional firefighting skills and familiarity with safety protocols and technology. They will provide chimney inspections and apply inspection standards. They know well the science of fuels and combustion, and will focus on heating and venting systems, as well as cleaning fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, inserts, pellet stoves and masonry stoves.
That also includes the cleaning of chimneys for oil/gas boilers and furnace systems as well as problems with the performance of chimneys and vents. And like the founders of Smith and May, they have been learning a lot on the job and doing the hard labor.
Sam Smith started the business in 1979 with Sam May, inaugurating a partnership of two skilled masons. Smith had graduated Camden-Rockport High School in 1972, and learned the fundamentals of masonry in the industrial arts class taught by Dan Richards and Mort Strom. “They were instrumental in teaching and mentoring me to pursue a trade, like masonry, which I had never known before,” said Smith.
Sam May was cooking at Peter Ott’s Restaurant, then owned by his brother, Keith May. “He and I started doing masonry work and it took off,” said Smith. “We learned as we did.”
Smith had gone to school to become a carpenter, but, “when I finished up, everyone was looking for someone to do mason work.” That was during the height of the Arab oil embargo of 1973, and Mainers were burning more wood as oil prices climbed. Hearths and chimneys were in demand, as were contractors who could build with brick. Smith and May filled the niche.
“We started out, learned on the job, and grew the business,” said Smith. “Dan Richards would work with Dick Sorensen and build chimneys all summer. If I had a question I could go find whatever job they were on and pick their brains.”
Smith’s first major job was in Lincolnville where he worked with architect and builder Jack Silverio. For a new home there, Smith built his first field stone foundation.
The New Generation Takes the Helm
Taylor and Lauren Benzie, the new owners of Midcoast Chimney & Masonry at Smith and May, are young, skilled, and committed to quality service. As professional firefighters, they bring a unique set of skills to the table, including familiarity with safety protocols and technology.
Bringinging Professional Firefighting Skills and Familiarity with Safety Protocols and Technology
The Benzies’ firefighting background will serve them well in their customers receive expert advice, quality products, and reliable installation and maintenance. They will provide chimney inspections and apply inspection standards, drawing on their knowledge of the science of fuels and Combustion.
Additionally, Taylor and Lauren will focus on heating and venting systems, as well as cleaning fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, inserts, pellet stoves, and masonry stoves. They will also clean chimneys for oil/gas boilers and furnace systems, as well as addressing problems with the performance of chimneys and vents.
The Founders’ Story
Sam Smith and Sam May, the founders of Smith and May, have a rich history in the industry. They learned on the job, building a legacy that has spanned over four decades.
Learning on the Job and Building a Legacy
Sam Smith started the business in 1979 with Sam May, inaugurating a partnership of two skilled masons. Smith had graduated from Camden-Rockport High School in 1972, and learned the fundamentals of masonry in the industrial arts class taught by Dan Richards and Mort Strom.
Smith credits Richards and Strom with teaching and mentoring him to pursue a trade like masonry, which he had never known before. Sam May was cooking at Peter Ott’s Restaurant, then owned by his brother, Keith May, when they started doing masonry work and it took off,” said Smith. “We learned as we did.”
Smith had originally gone to school to become a carpenter, but when he finished up, everyone was looking for someone to do mason work. That was during the height of the Arab oil embargo of 1973, and Mainers were burning more wood as oil prices climbed. Hearths and chimneys were in demand, as were contractors who could build with brick. Smith and May filled the niche.
“We started out, learned on the job, and grew the business,” said Smith. “Dan Richards would work with Dick Sorensen and build chimneys all summer. If I had a question, I could go find whatever job they were on and pick their brains.”
Smith’s first major job was in Lincolnville, where he worked with architect and builder Jack Silverio. For a new home there, Smith built his first fieldstone foundation.
The Future of Midcoast Chimney & Masonry at Smith and May
A bright future lies ahead for Midcoast Chimney & Masonry at Smith and May under the leadership of Taylor and Lauren Benzie. The acquisition marks a new chapter in the company’s history, bringing together two companies with their own niche.
“This acquisition will make us the Midcoast region’s only truly integrated full-service provider offering complete chimney, masonry, and wood and gas heat solutions under one roof,” said Benzie.
With the ability to provide everything from initial chimney inspections and full masonry construction to retail stove sales, installation, and ongoing annual service follow-ups, the Benzies are confident that their customers will receive expert advice, quality products, and reliable installation and maintenance with one easy phone call.
As the Smiths pass the torch to the Benzies, they do so with confidence, knowing that the legacy of quality service that customers from Belfast to Boothbay and the islands of Penobscot Bay have come to trust will continue.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the recent acquisition of Smith and May by Midcoast Chimney & Masonry, it becomes clear that this strategic move is a testament to the ever-evolving business landscape of the midcoast region. The article highlights the key points of the acquisition, including the transfer of ownership, the continued operation of Smith and May under the Midcoast Chimney & Masonry umbrella, and the emphasis on maintaining the same level of service and dedication to customers that Smith and May has built over the years. This acquisition not only demonstrates the financial acumen and strategic vision of Midcoast Chimney & Masonry but also underscores the importance of preserving local businesses and their legacies.
The significance of this acquisition lies in its implications for the midcoast community. By preserving the identity and operations of Smith and May, Midcoast Chimney & Masonry has ensured that the region’s residents can continue to rely on a trusted and knowledgeable resource for all their chimney and masonry needs. This acquisition also speaks to the resilience and adaptability of local businesses in the face of changing market conditions. As the midcoast region continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how other local businesses navigate these changes and adapt to new opportunities.
As we look to the future, it will be essential for local businesses like Midcoast Chimney & Masonry to remain committed to the values of community involvement, customer service, and expertise that have made Smith and May a beloved institution in the midcoast region. By doing so, they will not only maintain their reputation as trusted local partners but also contribute to the region’s economic vitality and cultural heritage. As we celebrate the continued success of Smith and May under new ownership, we are reminded that local businesses are the backbone of our communities, and their legacy is worth preserving and building upon.
