Basement Systems celebrates 30th anniversary, newest addition
By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich, jean.sos@snet.net
Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media
Basement Systems founder and CEO Larry Janesky speaks to employees and vendors during the companys 30th anniversary grand opening celebration held at its newest facility at 33 Progress Avenue in Seymour.
Basement Systems founder and CEO Larry Janesky speaks to employees and vendors during the companys 30th anniversary grand opening celebration held at its newest facility at 33 Progress Avenue in Seymour.
Basement Systems celebrates its 30th anniversary at a grand opening celebration in Seymour.
Basement Systems celebrates its 30th anniversary at a grand opening celebration in Seymour.
Basement Systems founder and CEO Larry Janesky
Basement Systems founder and CEO Larry Janesky
Basement Systems celebrates its 30th anniversary at a grand opening celebration held in its newest facility at 33 Progress Ave. in Seymour.
Basement Systems celebrates its 30th anniversary at a grand opening celebration held in its newest facility at 33 Progress Ave. in Seymour.
Latest expansion a dream come true for owner of Seymours Basement Systems
SEYMOUR >> Dreams really do come true just ask entrepreneur Larry Janesky, founder and CEO of Basement Systems Inc.
Janeskys humble beginnings date back to 1987 when he began a business to fix leaky basements based out his 900-square-foot home on Clayton Street in Devon. Fast-forward 30 years, and Janeskys determination and innovative spirit has evolved into a 356,000-square-foot empire that dominates the Silvermine Industrial Park off Route 67.
Basement Systems was born out of Janeskys desire to fix a crack in a foundation he found while working as a carpenter, renovating an old Colonial home. The company has grown into one of the worlds largest networks of water-proofing, basement finishing and crawlspace repair groups.
And as companies continue to downsize or leave Connecticut, Janesky, 52, is defying a dry spell through his tradition of expansion and growth. He celebrated the 30th anniversary of Basement Systems last week, with the grand opening of yet another major expansion.
The 77,000-square-foot, high-tech gem is a dream come true for Janesky. This latest expansion brings Basement Systems total number of buildings at the Seymour world headquarters to nine.
This is the most incredible home improvement contractor building in the world, said Janesky. Its been three years in the making and its a great symbol of our belief in growth.
The three-story building features a state-of-the-art auditorium for training and entertaining up to 350 people, 48 bays that hold up to 100 trucks, and a sleek, modern design that connects workers from across the company. It also serves as the main training center for the Contractor Nation School of Entrepreneurship, which provides live leadership training as well as an online program for contractors so they can reach an even greater level of success, according to Janesky.
A caf on the lower level is named Leslies Place, for Janeskys mother, who passed away last year; it boasts vintage wooden tables and old schoolhouse-style chairs.
Janesky, a father of three, owns nearly 30 patents on basement and crawlspace products, has authored five books and received numerous awards and accolades. In addition, Basement Systems is Seymours largest employer, with 315 employees, and one of the towns top 10 taxpayers.
Basement Systems has expanded into several sister companies, including Connecticut Basement Systems Inc., CleanSpace, Total Basement Finishing Inc., Relia-Serve Corp., Foundation Supportworks Inc. and Dr. Energy Saver Inc. The company has more than 350 dealers and franchises in six countries.
Growing the company didnt come easy for Janesky, who didnt go to college. Through reading motivational books on business, personal growth and related topics, Janesky learned to believe in himself. His entrepreneurial roots are steeped in everything from a newspaper delivery route to his own carpentry business.
My dream existed in courage and determination and survived through persistence and bold action, Janesky told an audience of more than 100 people during this weeks grand opening. He became emotional as he shared slides of the small home in which he began the business, alongside the massive complex the business has grown into.
Janesky has designed each of his buildings, all boasting themed areas, such as the Internet Marketing Department that operates out of a treehouse; the International Call Space area reminiscent of an old mining town; and the video team that works in a room resembling a space station.
Janesky thrives on sharing his success with others. Last year, he reached out to the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, and before long a brand-new, state-of-the-art wooden playground with airplanes, swings and more emerged thanks to Janesky and his employees, who volunteered their time for thousands of Valley kids.
Bill Purcell, president of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, lauded Janeskys continued investment here.
This state-of-the art facility is a strong symbol of the companys continued growth and diversification and speaks volumes about the economic vitality of our Valley region, Purcell said. Larry Janesky is an extraordinary entrepreneur and visionary, and we are truly grateful for this substantial real estate investment in our community.
Excerpt from:
Latest expansion 'a dream come true' for owner of Seymour's Basement Systems - New Haven Register