By Myles Ma
The Town and Country Aluminum Center owes a lot to its good name, owner Brian Campbell says. The business has an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau, and Campbell credits reputation for the store’s continued success.
So it’s ironic that the Town and Country Aluminum Center doesn’t sell much aluminum siding anymore.
When the business opened in 1965, all siding was aluminum, and there were only six choices for colors, Campbell said. Today, aluminum siding has largely been replaced by vinyl, which is less susceptible to fading, chipping, cracking and peeling.
Siding comes in many more colors, in different shapes and sizes, and customers can combine multiple types of siding on their houses. The customer has become more complex, as well.
“It’s a much more educated consumer today,” Campbell said.
The business has come a long way since Arthur Zell opened up shop with two friends 45 years ago. Next year, Campbell plans to get all of his sales staff laptops, so that they can show customers previews of what their houses will look like with different Town and Country products.
They will also be able to show customers thermal images of their houses, to see where heat is escaping.
Campbell got his start as a salesman at Town and Country, in 1991. He had worked in the industry his entire life, since he left the Army at 20, taking a job with a siding crew.
The business’ founder, Zell, an Army man himself, sold the business to Campbell in August 2008.
Campbell said he enjoyed helping customers design the appearance of their houses. He said customers had told him that they had driven past their houses, not recognizing them after Town and Country had installed new siding.
“Every day is different,” he said. “And you get a lot of satisfaction when you go to someone’s house and you design it for them and build it for them.”
Town and Country workers install almost everything purchased at the store. Campbell said the store doesn’t use subcontractors, so his workers handle any problems that arise.
Campbell said that attentiveness is what helped the business earn its A-plus Better Business Bureau rating, earned for receiving no complaints from customers over a 36-month period. Campbell said someone always answers the phone at Town and Country, and sales staff is on call nights and weekends.
Perhaps that is why Campbell credits repeat customers for half of their business.
“Pretty much everybody in Hamilton knows us,” he said.
Campbell grew up in Mercerville, and attended Steinert High School before joining the Army and shipping off to Honolulu, where he finished his education.
“We don’t cut any corners,” Campbell said. “Whether you’re a new customer or an old customer, you’re treated as a priority no matter how small or big your job is.”
Town and Country Aluminum Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call (609) 695-3474 or visit www.townandcountry1.com for more information.
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