Multi-Craft Contractors Inc.

Large Business finalists
Multi-Craft Contractors Inc.
Springdale

President: Hex Bisbee
Year founded: 1972
Line of work: full-service MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) contractor
Website: multi-craft.net

In 1972, John and Vance Elder laid the cornerstone of what would become Multi-Craft Contractors (MCC) when they purchased ABC Plumbing and incorporated it as ABC Plumbing & Heating.

Over the years, the company underwent transformative changes. Rick Barrows, who accepted a plumbing apprenticeship with ABC in 1969, climbed the ranks with Multi-Craft. He became an owner in 1983, and in 1984, he oversaw the rebranding of ABC to Multi-Craft Contractors to better reflect the broad list of new capabilities.

MCC has evolved into a powerhouse multi-trade contractor, providing various industrial and commercial services to the construction and manufacturing sectors. From concept to completion, MCC’s engineers, project managers and skilled craftsmen offer in-house turnkey solutions, solving customers’ problems with expertise honed over five decades.

Despite facing challenges like COVID-19 disruptions, supply chain issues, labor shortages and inflation, MCC has thrived. It boasts a workforce that has grown from 50 employees in the ’90s to 750 today, led by co-owners Hex Bisbee (president) and Scott Barrows (chief operating officer), son of Rick Barrows who retired as president in 2019. Record revenues in 2023 underscore MCC’s resilience and adaptability, and a significant backlog of contracts has company leaders optimistic about the near future.

Beyond financial success, MCC takes pride in supporting its employees’ families and delivering essential infrastructure services during critical times. The company’s ability to assemble knowledgeable, multidisciplinary teams gives MCC a competitive edge, enabling them to approach projects from various angles.

Northwest Arkansas’ thriving business landscape has been pivotal in MCC’s growth. With diverse industries and a growing population, opportunities abound, from constructing new schools and medical facilities to engaging in emerging sectors like lithium and bromine exploration.

Looking ahead, MCC envisions continued growth, both regionally and beyond. Their commitment to seeking new opportunities reflects their perpetual innovation and expansion philosophy.

“We have a saying: ‘What got us here, won’t get us there,’” Bisbee said. “We are always looking for the next opportunity.”

Beyond business, MCC actively engages in philanthropic endeavors, supporting organizations like the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and initiatives like the Pig Trail Mud Run. The company also hosts Build My Future, an annual event that exposes high school students to the construction industry. It ensures that these students are exposed to several different types of trades so they can decide if they’re better suited for a specialty type trade than college.