In the communities of St. Louis, MO, and Pittsburgh, PA, “consolidation fever” has not spread as rapidly as it originally appeared it would. Like other U.S. metropolitan areas that have seen consolidators move in and acquire companies, tuck in, and solidify, these two cities braced for some lively competition from the new entities in town.
But something happened. Or, to put it more accurately, not much happened. Independent contractors geared up for battle, but few battles broke out. Independents interviewed by The News for the most part haven’t changed the way they do business. These contractors point to an emphasis on customer service — and the loss of the local, personal touch by consolidated contractors — as integral to their success.