For the last decade, David
Haeussler worked as a union ironworker at Local 401. During his time there he
became a traveling foreman and executed many projects with local labor forces
up and down the East Coast installing and dismantling construction hoists. As a
foreman for a Philadelphia-based hoist company, Haeussler became proficient in
installation and dismantling of elevator cars that transport workers and
construction material to various levels on high rise buildings under
construction.
Seeing he could marry his
ironworking mastery with his love of being his own boss, Haeussler quit his job
in August and launched Anchor Hoist
in December 2021.
“I ran these projects,” Haeussler
said. “I was working for another company and kept seeing that I could put this
business together myself. I got the entrepreneurial itch again.”
A niche business, Haeussler’s
company is one of three in the greater Philadelphia region that implements
temporary elevators that run on the outside of a building until permanent
elevators are constructed. Typically, hoists are used in buildings that are at
least seven stories high, Haeussler said.
“I was a foreman for some of the
biggest jobs in the city, like Comcast 2,” Haeussler said. “Most construction
projects in Philadelphia with a hoist on it in the last seven years I had my
hands in.”
Anchor Hoist, which is based in
lower Bucks County, provides temporary elevator installation services in the
greater Philadelphia area, as well as Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and
Cleveland, Ohio.
Prior to his work as a foreman, Haeussler had owned a painting and
historic restoration business for 11 years. Diving back into business ownership
– especially given the rarity of his profession – proved difficult at the
outset.
He sought insight from SCORE Bucks County mentor Steve Wolfson, who, in
addition to owning his own business, had started 15 businesses for major
companies. Wolfson offered a “good point of view and perspective” on various
business-related matters, including liability insurance and financing.
“He helped me out of
a couple significant issues,” Haeussler said. “Steve gave me really good
advice. He’s very smart. I really appreciate him. He was a good person for me
to bounce ideas off of. He was an asset for me.”
Haeussler’s business
launch marked the largest startup that Wolfson has been a part of since joining
the chapter three years ago. His experience and hard work leading up to
founding Anchor Hoist will position him well into the future, according to
Wolfson.
“Dave has the right negotiating experience to move the company in the
right direction, especially with limited competition, and a strong commercial
building market in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, New York City and
Pittsburgh, which are all potential markets,” Wolfson said. “His experience in
rigging, hoisting, safety and manpower is excellent.”
