Protect Controls moving to Conroe By Howard Roden
When Walter Davis decided to expand his electrical manufacturing company in north Houston, he found the business climate not as attractive as it once was.
President and part owner of Protect Controls Inc., Davis had run out of room at the 11-acre site located on Little York Road in Houston. And an investment that would’ve cost $19 million to $20 million is only half of that price tag in Conroe.
“The city of Conroe still retains large tracts (of land) that are reasonably affordable,” Davis said. “This is a city with a climate for business.”
Davis plans on developing 172,800 square feet (32,000 office/140,800 warehouse) on 29.68 acres just inside Conroe city limits west of Loop 336.
While the company is not located in Conroe industrial park, Davis expects sales between $25 million and $35 million for 2012. However, he anticipates sales to rebound once the family owned business completes construction next April.
“Things should improve after that,” he said.
Montgomery County commissioners agreed Monday to give Protect Controls a seven-year ad valorem tax abatement. The abatement is 100 percent for 2012-15, while the tax break diminishes to 75 percent in 2016, 50 percent in 2017 and 25 percent in 2018.
The Conroe Industrial Development Corporation and the Conroe City Council are expected to follow the county regarding the issue of other incentives. A minimum of 80 jobs with average salaries of $50,000 are other guidelines the city established.
“We should be before the council in November,” Davis said.
The annual payroll is estimated to be at $5.590 million, according to Montgomery County Tax Assessor and Collector J.R. Moore Jr.
Davis said the company is recruiting welders, craft electricians, wiremen, cut-and-bend, general assembly, he said.
Founded in the mid-1970s, Protect Controls developed its reputation for assembling power control houses and other high-voltage devices,” Davis said.
Some of the control buildings range in size from 2 feet in diameter to two-story.
“A number of the products we use in the houses we buy third party,” Davis said.
Davis’ father Don retired from the business nine years ago. “He only works five days a week,” Walter Davis quipped. “I’m still putting in seven days.”
Davis’ son Christopher is an engineer with the company. Davis’ sisters, Tammy Clark, and Shane Davis, are in the company’s sales department. Beverly is Walter Davis’ wife and Connie is Davis’ stepmother.
“We’ve worked hard to reach where we’re at here in Montgomery County,” Walter Davis said. “This is a great place to work and live.”
[...] The Conroe Courier features PCIThe Conroe Courier features PCI. October 25, 2011 By michael · Protect Controls moving to Conroe By Howard Roden. When Walter Davis decided to expand … [...]