January Spotlight – Contempri Industries

Congratulations to Contempri Industries for being the January 2012 Chamber spotlight! Despite tough times for similar manufacturers Contempri continues to thrive. In a recent question answer with Contempri, we’ve found out more about this outstanding company and what makes them so good at what they do.

Contempri Industries is a builder of Off-Site Custom Built Homes designed to go on permanent foundations.  Contempri homes are sold only to registered builders, which locally include Custom by Contempri and P & P Builders, LLC, both located in Pinckneyville and builders in an eight-state market.  Contempri has been located in Pinckneyville since 1978 and locally owned since April 1, 1982.  During the building season Contempri employs 65 people and 25 during the winter season.  
During tough economic times that are upon us, other similar businesses have closed but, Contempri has survived.  Within the past two years, two large Midwest manufacturers have closed their doors due to the economy. Contempri has survived due to low overheads.  Their building is anywhere from 40% to 75% smaller than most of the other manufacturing facilities.  However with organization and planning they make maximum use of the space they have.  Contempri Homes Division of Mark IV Industries bought out Joe Holder’s Cinderella Homes Division in early 1978.  John Perry and Larry Pericolosi came to Pinckneyville to establish Contempri Homes.  As the interest rates went from 7 ½% to 18-20% in 1982, what started out as an exciting endeavor turned into a grist mill.  In January 1982 Mark IV Corporate shut down the Pinckneyville operation, John and Larry were fired. 

With the assistance of Bob Crawford and Murphy Wall Bank, on April 1, 1982 Contempri Homes was back in business.  Then on October 28, 1983 a disastrous fire wiped out the total operation.  Mayor Bill Cunningham and the city council helped to arrange financing for a new facility.  Joe Holder had a larger adjoining piece of property to help get them started.  They also had a spec home in Oxbow sub-division.  Here again, community support and tenacity got Contempri back on its feet.  In 1998 Contempri tripled the size of its existing facility giving it the ability to customize customer’s plans and to offer many additional features and material choices. 
Today’s housing markets are asking for more build “greener” options.  Not only are Low-e windows a standard but Contempri has also added more custom options for a more energy efficient building.  One of the major undertakings was to provide Bio-Based foam insulation in lieu of fiberglass batt insulation.  In conjunction with Custom Heating and Cooling of Pinckneyville Contempri is now able to offer competitive priced geo thermal heating and cooling systems. 
Contempri Homes brings many prospective customers to Pinckneyville from a five state area.  This last fall, the building of one of the replacement homes for Extreme Makeover, Home Edition for Joplin, Missouri made everyone aware of the nurturing and caring nature of the people of Perry County and Southern Illinois.
Contempri Homes is striving to add new customers daily.  Factory and model home tours are creating good results.  Contempri has a uniqueness in building with many quality features that ensure value to each home buyer.  This is and will always be their quest.