Mullin
A $1 million investment in its newest facility is just one reason why Chase Mullin thinks his company’s going to create 50 jobs in Louisiana’s Baton Rouge market over the next two years.
Chase is the founder and president of Mullin, which is based out of St. Rose, Louisiana. The company’s headquartered an hour south of Baton Rouge, but he’s long eyed expanding into the new market up north. The company’s investment in the branch isn’t the only thing driving the expectation that Mullin is going to benefit Baton Rouge’s job market.
“The investment lends itself toward growing a bigger team,” Mullin says. “Having that bigger team and bigger presence in that market, ultimately allows us to have each and every individual engaged in the community. That’s part of our ethos as a business.
“Certainly, (the investment) gives us the space to do that,” he adds. “But the sales team will continue to grow that market, so that’s where the growth comes from. In terms of new hires, (the facility’s enhancements) allows them to see that we really do have a presence here. It allows them to see who we are much better than a fenced-in gravel yard.”
That fenced-in gravel yard is what Mullin operated out of before. Mullin purchased the facility about 11 months ago, buying the space in December 2023 but moving quickly to start operating out at the start of 2024. Mullin says the team had been serving some customers in Baton Rouge for a few years now, and once they reached $2 million in maintenance revenue, they opted to get a more permanent fixture in the area. Where they had been sending trucks to work from a gravel yard, the company wanted to find something that had ample employee parking that could become more of a home base.
The company started making improvements as they operated: There were aesthetic improvements like repainting the interior and bringing in new furniture. Mullin also hired a graphic designer to help the branding and signage feel aligned with Mullin’s brand. Then there were more technical improvements like purchasing new equipment and working on the mechanic shop area.
Mullin says he always knew that once they landed in Baton Rouge, the company would be investing about $1 million in improvements for that branch. Between new trucks and new equipment, he says he wants the employees to know they’re serious about making the market successful.
“Part of our foundation in our business is the quality of product that we put out,” Mullin says. “And to put out a quality product, we have to embrace quality in all that we do.”
Mullin hosted an open house in October celebrating its investment in the Baton Rouge facility. Clients, vendors and members of the community like government officials all attended the event.
“Really, it was a way to say, ‘Hey, we’re here,’” Mullin says. “‘We want to show you the investment that we’ve made to prove that we’re here, and we want to know you better because we’re a part of your community. We plan to stay a part of it forever.’”
