Thanks to John C. Dudley, there’s new momentum in Ashland’s economic landscape with the development of 60 Pleasant St and the introduction of more than a dozen homegrown, niche manufacturing businesses coming together under one roof as the new MetroWest Design Center.
More than 300 people attended the Aug. 1 Open House, toured the newly-renovated facility, enjoyed live music and refreshments, and marked the occasion as a great networking opportunity.
With the goal of finding a new home for his business, United Home Experts, John C. Dudley bought the cavernous 60,000-square foot building in 2014 and has invested several million dollars in its ongoing renovation. The building, which dates to the 1840s, once housed the Tilton Shoe and Boot Factory, the Sharon Bolt and Screw Company ,and, most recently, Gamewell.
“I loved the old mill building and wanted to keep some of its charm intact,” Dudley remarked. “It’s one-of-a-kind construction with a post and beam ceiling had an attractive quality to me. Redevelopment is not always an easy task, but I think we’ve done well to maintain some of the old along with building the new.”
Dudley describes this as urban industrial style. His staff retained some of the old posts onsite which have now been transformed into unique shelving lining a wall in the UHE conference room. “We couldn’t resist the opportunity to repurpose this beautiful wood,” Tabitha Ruggles, UHE property lead added.
According to Dudley, the companies at 60 Pleasant St provide more than 200 full-time jobs (70+ onsite and 130+ field and remote employees), thereby supporting more than 500 people. Seven of the companies have multiple family members actively involved in the businesses. In all, these businesses serve more than 3,000 customers per year, many right here in Ashland and in surrounding communities.
Dudley noted that several commonalities brought these businesses together under one roof. The owners have family and relational roots in Ashland and wanted to stay in this community. As forward-looking, resilient business leaders, they felt confident about making a difference, and “something about Ashland just felt the right size.”
“When you believe in something, you can make incredible things happen,” Dudley added. “We have an incredible demographic here in Ashland, and we are growing. Development has its risks, but we only saw an upside to this decision.”
Dudley credits the folks at Needham Bank for their integral part in helping move this project forward and notes that he received great support from town management and local officials as well.
Currently housed in their new surroundings at 60 Pleasant St. you’ll find the following: Divine Stoneworks, GMT Home Designs, Inc., JD Millworks, Kaswell Flooring Systems, Tricia Kendall, Architecture and Design, Marra Flooring, Mass Home Services, Nokona Sports, Silton Glass, United Home Experts and the administrative offices of Connect Community Church.
United Home Experts offers siding, roofing, windows and painting services to homeowners in Mass., northern CT, RI and Southern NH. The commercial side of Dudley’s business is United Building Systems, a roofing contractor also serving New England.
Dudley and his wife, Lorri, have three sons and make their home in Ashland.
Issue Date:
September, 2017
Article Body: