Updated: January 9, 2023
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2023 Best of Business
Best of Business 2023: Best Office Services
Photo | Courtesy of Kelleher & Sadowsky Associates
Kelleher & Sadowsky principals William Kelleher, IV (left) and James Umphrey
Best Commercial Real Estate Brokerage: Kelleher & Sadowsky Associates, Inc.*
At a time when some of the bigger commercial real estate firms in the U.S. are laying off workers, Kelleher & Sadowsky Associates Inc. is in growth mode.
The full-service commercial brokerage and advisory firm based in Worcester had a strong year of investment property sales and exciting commercial projects. The firm is the broker for Franklin Realty Advisors’ Mercantile Center, the premier mixed-use property that has helped change the face of downtown Worcester. Tenants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Mercantile, and the new Harpoon Brewery beer garden opened last year.
Outside of the city, Kelleher & Sadowsky has been expanding its footprint further into MetroWest. The company signed an investor on a long-term lease for the former Sports Authority on Donald Lynch Boulevard in Marlborough, which will be turned into a facility for Northborough manufacturer Aspen Aerogels. On the same street, the company leased another space to Lifeline Systems Co. for a headquarters and medical alert response center. Kelleher & Sadowsky is handling the leasing of the 111 Speen St. office building in Framingham, which is highly visible from I-90.
“It’s sort of a flag for how far east Kelleher & Sadowsky has pushed,” said Michael Donovan, a spokesman for the company.
Looking into 2023, with rising interest rates and inflation, William Kelleher, IV said the company is looking for ways to position itself well for its clients. Meghan Liddy, the company’s senior vice president of capital markets, can help clients with debt placement so they’re in the best position they can be from a financing perspective, Kelleher said.
Whatever happens next year, Kelleher said, one thing is for sure: Worcester is a hot market.
“I see on a week-to-week basis people from all over the country looking at Worcester. That wasn't the case 10 years ago,” he said.
-- Story written by Laura Finaldi
*denotes repeat winner
Best IT Services Provider: Cinch I.T.*
Location: Worcester, cinchIT.com
Top executive: President Rick Porter
Founded: 2004
Employees: 52
Cinch I.T. expanded with new locations in 2022 and now operates 12 across the U.S. The company focuses on hiring technicians who are savvy and customer-service oriented, and last year CRN Magazine named Cinch I.T. as a Top 250 Managed Service Provider Pioneer in North America.
Notable runners-up: ClearCom IT Solutions, Inc., Integrated Computer Solutions of Vestal, LLC
Best Office Cleaner: Mass Commercial Cleaning
Location: Sturbridge & Florence, MassCommercialCleaning.com
Top executives: President Katerina Cai, General Manager Bill Hickman, Operations Manager Charles Thurman
Founded: 1989
Employees: 120
Mass Commercial Cleaning utilizes a time-and-task tracking mobile application to streamline processes and increase communication between managers and janitorial staff. The company’s managers have combined experience of more than 80 years and oversee scheduling, quality control, and supplies replenishment, allowing the cleaners to focus on cleaning.
Notable runners-up: Enterprise Cleaning Corp., Eagle Cleaning Corp.
Best Plumber/HVAC Contractor: J.J. Bafaro, Inc.*
Location: Worcester, JJBafaro.com
Top executives: President Joe Bafaro, Vice President Joe Bafaro Jr., Vice President Mike Bafaro
Founded: 1965
Employees: 70
J.J. Bafaro, Inc. maintained productivity and service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The company remains committed to customer service, ensuring real people answer calls. With most technicians staying year after year, the company employs experienced workers.
Best Waste Removal: EL Harvey*
Location: Westborough, ELHarvey.com
Top executive: Division Vice President BJ Harvey
Founded: 1911
Employees: 270
In 2022, EL Harvey merged with Waste Connections, which is based in Texas, for additional resources and national backing. Still a family-run business, EL Harvey remains locally operated and committed to serving the community through efficient and competitively priced waste removal.
Notable runners-up: P. Pellegrino Trucking Co., Inc., Superior Waste & Recycling
Best Commercial Landscaper: Perrone Landscaping, Inc.
Location: Holden, PerroneLandscaping.com
Top executive: President Brett Perrone
Founded: 2006
Employees: 36
Perrone Landscaping, Inc. provides landscaping, snow removal, and facility maintenance services to commercial clients throughout the state. In addition to serving commercial customers, Perrone services churches, homeowners, schools, municipalities, and parks.
Notable runner-up: LEI Corp.
Best Sign Company: Sunshine Sign Co.*
Location: North Grafton, SunshineSign.com
Top executive: Brian Glispin, vice president of operations
Founded: 1987
Employees: 38
Sunshine Sign Co. experienced record growth in 2022, with a 24% increase in sales and a 17% increase in revenue. While adding new large accounts to its portfolio, the company has furthered its corporate capability while promoting internally and maintaining its small team dynamic.
Notable runners-up: Gemini Sign Corp., Signarama Worcester
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