The business began with Robert Jordan, a tinsmith, who worked independently with a few seasonal employees. He later took on his daughter’s husband, Joe Haley, as an apprentice.
While the company dates back to 1850 and the early 1900’s, the official company anniversary is marked in 1917 when copper work was done for the cross at St. Joseph Church.
After World War II, the business grew steadily and Joe Haley welcomed his son Tom Haley into the family business as Jordan was getting ready to retire. Haley had a history working for Lennox Industries in Syracuse, New York.
In 1983, Brian Haley, joined the company after working for York Industries in Houston, Texas. Brian moved back to Maine to welcome his first child Matthew and assist his dad with the growing business.
As the business grew and generations came and went, Matthew Haley joined the company in 2010 as the fifth generation after a brief teaching career in New York City and a desire to give back to Maine.
Both Brian and Matt say that there was never any pressure to work for the family business, but rather a desire.
“I love working here and being a small family business has so many benefits,” said Matt Haley. “From making decisions and changing what doesn’t work, to having invested employees who commit themselves and do excellent work.”
Currently the company has more than 40 employees, including four father and son duos, which speaks to the small family business style.
Haley’s Metal specializes in residential and commercial installation and service, custom metal fabrication, air conditioning, heating and for over 15 years, geothermal heating and cooling. There is also a 24-hour emergency service for customers.
When looking back on their time with the company, both father and son are proud of their accomplishments.
“I came as an engineer and a linear thinker, so I was able to bring some organization to the company along with a professional outlook,” said Brian Haley. “While I don’t like to boast about myself, I believe I helped grow our company and extend into the commercial business. I was able to raise the bar.”
Matt Haley can attest to his father’s work and the growth of the company.
“When I was little I didn’t know what my dad did really did for work, I just knew he went in every day and came home,” said Matt Haley. “Now I have gained appreciation for how to run a small family business and all the work that goes into it. What my dad does isn’t easy and he does a great job at it.”
Looking ahead for the company, both father and son say they want to get better every day.
“We’re conservative but keep up with the trends in the business,” said Brian Haley. “We stay consistent and do what we do best.”
Being part of a company celebrating that’s been in business over 100 years has its perks, say the Haleys.
“I think bringing in people not in the field of sheet metal and seeing them grow and learn the trade is great,” said Matt Haley. “It’s amazing to see the moment it clicks for them and the growth that occurs. Getting to see the impact it has on someone’s life is really rewarding.”
Brian Haley says that when initially hired, most employees don’t have many of the skills needed to do the job.
“They learn the trade as they work and we head them in the right direction, but they put in all the hard work and it shows,” said Haley.
Along with successfully running a family business, Brian and Matt have received other perks as well.
“As a typical father and son, you get to see each other every so often to get together for a game or event,” said Brian Haley. “Working together I have gotten to see Matt in various situations and how he handles them, which has allowed me to get to know him better and see him grow. Frankly, to me it’s the perfect job.”
In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Haley’s Metal will be hosting a casual outside gathering for their employees, families, and their customers on Aug. 3.
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