Small businesses in piping and mechanical construction can make it in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). Muns Group, Inc. in Beech Island, South Carolina, is a testament to the adage that an entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with hard work and a commitment to integrity, are the necessary ingredients that give a small industrial business staying power.

The Muns Group, Inc. is an industry leader in industrial piping and mechanical construction. From its formation in 1989, Muns Group, Inc. has provided mechanical services to the premier contractors and owners in the heavy industrial market including CB&I, Georgia Power, Duke Energy, SCE&G, Fluor, Bechtel, SRNS, CH2M, URS, Kimberly Clark and Alstom Power.

On September 25, Lee Muns will celebrate that staying power with a day dedicated to his employees, customers, family and God to honor those who have helped lead him through a quarter-of-a-century of success.

It truly is a good news story for small business in the CSRA.

“Only 47 percent of construction businesses are still in existence after four years of operation, but here I stand. Over the past 25 years, I have not become a rich man by the world’s standards; however, I am a blessed man. I look back and it seems like yesterday I started this,” said Lee Muns, President and CEO of Muns Group, Inc.

In 1989 at a mere 27 years old with three children and only a high school education, Mr. Muns recognized the value of his welding trade and chose to launch out on his own. He turned his trade into a successful business despite the challenges involved in starting a small business and keeping it running. Through the years, the company has transitioned from over 100 employees to five and back up again. But his focus on integrity and grit prevailed.

“My name is on the front door, every business card, every document and every piece of equipment.That is something I have never taken lightly,” explained Mr. Muns. “Would I do it again? Never really saw much in that question. I just knew I had my one shot and my name was on it!”

The 14,000-square-foot fabrication shop and 3,800-square-foot administration building in Beech Island houses what has now grown to three separate companies: Muns Welding & Mechanical, Inc., Muns Mechanical, Inc. and C & M Equipment Leasing, Inc. Different subsidiaries of Muns Group, Inc. are involved in organizations such as the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau, Pipe Fabrication Institute and the American Welding Society. Muns offers AWS, ASME and NQA-1 compliant fabrication of pipe spools and engineered pipe supports. The companies also provide industrial and process pipe installation, the setting of mechanical equipment and fabrication of miscellaneous structural steel components.

Another testament to the success of the company is its safety record. Muns Group, Inc. is rapidly approaching the One Million Man-Hour mark without a Lost Work Day Case. Such numbers are representative of a company devoted to quality and excellence.