Diversity insulates asbestos remover

Journalist Cara Trager in Crain’s New York Business has a wonderful article about a diversified workload saving a small business — in the unlikely field of asbestos removal:

Ms. Grando would often hear her spouse-who owned a duct and pipe insulation firm in Woodside, Queens-turn down customers requesting asbestos removal. Those frequent calls persuaded her to go into the asbestos-removal field herself.

“I thought, ‘I can do this,’ ” recalled Ms. Grando, now 53, who had retired from Citibank’s credit card division in order to stay home with her children.

She wasn’t fazed by her lack of hands-on experience in the construction trades. She believed that her accounting degree from Hofstra University, her employment history and her willingness to learn the ropes would stand her in good stead. 

Ms. Grando enrolled in a training program to earn the requisite city and state licenses, and formed her company in 1987. International Asbestos Removal Inc. was housed in a 1,000-square-foot space at a building she and her husband owned, also home to his insulation business. The couple later purchased two buildings adjoining that property, creating an 8,000-square-foot site that the firms still share.

Read the whole thing here

Lovell Safety Groups Earn Dividends

Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC, announced the 2009 – 2010 dividend earnings of five of its Safety Groups:

  • Launders and Cleaners, Safety Group #34
  • Hospital Compensation, Safety Group #275
  • Building Metal Trades, Safety Group #420
  • Association of Governments, Safety Group #496
  • Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, Safety Group #531
Safety Group #34 returned to members a 30 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.
Safety Group #275 returned to members a 5 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 15 percent.
Safety Group #420 paid a 25 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Safety Group #496 paid a 20 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 25 percent.

Safety Group #531 paid a 17.5 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 25 percent.
Lovell Safety Groups are fully insured, non-profit entities that return any underwriting profit to group members. Any extra premium dollars collected-not used to pay losses or expenses-can be returned to members in the form of a dividend. Lovell Safety Groups provide businesses with the benefits of a guaranteed cost premium with additional savings earned through dividends.

Happy holidays!

Best wishes for a healthy, safe, and joyous holiday season from all of us at Lovell Safety Management!


Tough times don’t last – tough people do. We all work better when we work together – here’s to a prosperous new year!

Lovell Safety Groups Earn Dividends

Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC, announced the 2007 – 2008 dividend earnings of two of its Safety Groups:

  • New York Electrical Manufacturers, Safety Group #140 
  • New York State Movers and Warehousemen’s Association, Safety Group #251 

Safety Group #140 paid a 25 percent dividend, or 35.6 percent of premium. Qualifying members received an advanced discount of 20 percent.

Group #251 returned to members a 25 percent dividend, or 32.5 percent of premium. Qualifying members received an advanced discount of 25 percent.

Lovell Safety groups are fully insured, non-profit entities that return any underwriting profit to group members. Any extra premium dollars collected-not used to pay losses or expenses-can be returned to members in the form of a dividend. Lovell Safety Groups provide businesses with the benefits of a guaranteed cost premium with additional savings earned through dividends.