Goodwin Brothers Construction, located in Brooksville, Fla., specializes in site preparation, mining operations, underground utility and excavation work, and—recently—land surveying. The company also owns a fleet of dump trucks to haul quarry loads to processing centers and reclaimed asphalt to recycling plants. Daniel "Boone" Goodwin, the man behind the company, has relied on superior time management skills and Cat® construction equipment to build a solid reputation for quality work ever since he founded the company in 1987.
Goodwin grew up in what is now called Wesley Chapel, Fla. back when about a dozen families lived within a five-mile radius, and began his career in construction in 1966 as a dozer operator for a Lakeland-based company. After 10 years with this company, Goodwin tried relocating to North Carolina but soon realized his dislike of cold weather and snow. Upon his return to Florida a year later, Goodwin took charge of a subcontracting company in the Brooksville area that specialized in stripping overburden. By the mid-eighties Goodwin was doing mining work all over the state from Newberry to Ft. Pierce. Then, during a slow point in 1985, he took advantage of an option to buy out his partner and incorporated Goodwin Brothers Construction two years later.
As Goodwin continued to grow the company and adapt to customer’s demands for underground utility and excavation work, Goodwin Brothers continued to expand and upgrade its operational facilities: from residential offices, to a pole-barn on agricultural land, to its present location just across the street from Ring Power’s Brooksville branch on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, where it has remained for the past 12 years.
Goodwin’s foresight and self-confidence are evident in the name he chose for his company, which he figured would spare his sons the trouble of having to change the name after he retired. And he was right. Each of the four Goodwin brothers now manages a different aspect of the family business. Daniel handles the estimates, orders the materials and oversees the day-to-day operations. Eddie oversees the underground utility, site prep and paving projects. David is in charge of the company’s mining projects and Michael and the mechanics keep the company’s entire fleet of equipment and trucks running smoothly. This delegation of responsibilities leaves Goodwin free to enjoy his preferred duty on the job site: operating equipment—especially the paver.
Goodwin firmly believes he owes his success to the community that has provided him and his company so many opportunities from the beginning, and he gives back whenever he can. Sometimes by sponsoring little league teams, sometimes by bidding high and often on livestock at the county fair (and giving the bulk of the meat to employees and friends!) Known as a man who still values a handshake, Goodwin is held in high esteem by those with whom his company does business. He lets his company’s reputation speak for itself.
"That’s the way you do business; that’s the way I do business. If I tell somebody I’m going to do something, that’s the way it is," said Goodwin. "People that see us working on one job…see the name on the equipment, and want us to come work on another."
Goodwin has been a Ring Power customer for three decades, since the Rozier days. He still keeps an eye out for new machines that offer ease of use and superior productivity. As a result, he has amassed a broad variety of equipment over the
years, allowing his company to meet whatever challenges they face. His inventory of equipment includes off-road trucks, a 400-series backhoe, a 330 and a 345 excavator, various D3, D5, D6, and D8 tractors, a 950H and a 980 wheel loader and a 12H motor grader. Goodwin also recently purchased an AP600 paver to replace an AP800 because he preferred the extended screed for parking lot work; and a 12M because the company needed a second motor grader.
Recognizing that a good name and the respect of your clients and community comes first may not be a new idea, but the commitment to the ideal is something Goodwin Brothers Construction strives to maintain in daily operations. While Goodwin may someday step down, his long-term planning will allow his sons to carry on with the company’s goals—and they won’t even have to change the name on the sign out front.
Goodwin Brothers Construction can be reached at 352.796.0149 or goodwinbrosconst@yahoo.com.