Davidson Insulation and Acoustics Inc., of North Port, Fla., is a family-owned and operated business that has been servicing the commercial and residential insulation and acoustical needs in Florida since 1977. For more than 40 years, its Owners Ed and Connie Blanchard have ensured that its name has been synonymous with integrity and quality. The company has gained this respect through providing the best products and service available in residential and commercial insulation, acoustical ceilings, wire and wood shelving, melamine systems, fireplaces, and central vacuum systems.

Joined by son Ted Blanchard in 1997 and by daughter Heather Henson in 1998, the company’s fully-qualified and trained staff assure that complete customer satisfaction is achieved on every job. As a business, Davidson Insulation and Acoustics has successfully expanded throughout Florida by establishing a branch in Port St. Lucie so that it can better service South Florida. 

“I grew up working in a family-owned acoustical ceiling business in Maine,” says Ed Blanchard III, president and owner of DIA. “After moving to Florida in 1975, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to begin working as a salesman and estimator for the original owner of the company Bob Davidson.

Over a period of several years, I worked my way up from the sales and estimating role into a branch manager and partner position, and then eventually bought the business outright from Bob. I have owned and operated the business since 1977.”

Its customers are assured that every attention to detail is provided because after all, the family’s reputation is riding on it. DIA is proud to have met the stringent requirements to become a licensed dealer for the Icynene insulation system (now Icynene-Lapolla), one of its chosen manufacturers, which produces soft foam insulation and air barriers. According to Blanchard, by using Icynene, heating and air conditioning costs may be reduced as much as 50 percent—a system he and the company believe in.

Services Offered

“Many of the product lines that we currently install have been added over the years to our base menu of products and services offered in order to better serve our customers’ needs,” says Blanchard. “We find that the more products and services we can specialize in for our customers the more valuable our relationship with the customer becomes.”

The insulation contractor currently has 50 employees. 

According to Blanchard, the company has been fortunate to have experienced significant growth in its company over many years. Florida has been a great place to own a growth-oriented construction business, he says, and DIA has benefitted in its ability to develop its business to accommodate the state’s population growth over the decades.

“Our business continues to be very strong,” says Ted Blanchard, vice president. “All the favorable lifestyle conditions that draw people to our area remain valued and desirable to people of all generations.”

And how has the current construction climate been down south? 

 “Our primary market in Southwest Florida continues to be one of the fastest growing housing markets in the country and we see that positive business environment continuing for the foreseeable future,” says Ted.

For the Owner/President Ed Blanchard III, the most enjoyable aspect of his career is working alongside his family members and many valuable long-time team members everyday as the company does its best to run a great business that focuses on producing excellent results for their customers.

The Hardest Walk

And what is the hardest part? “Managing the cyclical aspect of the business is always challenging,” the senior Blanchard says. “The biggest current challenge we face is trying to manage the growth phase we are currently experiencing with the ever-shrinking labor force that is available in our industry.”

He continues saying 2020 is off to a strong start and that the company foresees continued growth in the market throughout the year.

“One of our most important goals is to guide the company through a smooth and successful transition from one generation of leadership to the next,” CFO Heather Blanchard Henson says.

According to her, the company has always strived to offer the highest level of customer service in the industry. “We have worked hard to develop and maintain a strong and loyal customer base by performing consistently well for them in everything that we do,” Blanchard Henson says.

The company regularly uses products from manufacturers such as Johns Manville, CertainTeed Insulation, Icynene-LaPolla, Demilec, FiFoil, Armstrong Ceilings, USG Ceilings and more.

“One of the most important factors in our company’s success has been developing a core group of talented people who have been able to perform consistently in their role for many years,” says Ted Blanchard. “Our team members’ longevity with the company and consistency in their performance has enabled us to connect very well with our customers. 

“We have always looked for the best talents and abilities in all of our people and have made it our goal to promote people from within,” he continues. “We respect and value every member of our company and we strive to form a bond with them that makes them understand they are an important part of our team and achieving our goals.”