United Country - Mid West eServices, Inc. of Salina, Kansas is offering for sale an excellent, established business opportunity!  Chimney Specialists/Stone Specialists of McPherson, Kansas is central Kansas' preferred resource for everything related to fireplaces and decorative building stone!  Located at 919 17th St., just 5 miles southeast of McPherson, the property offers 22 acres of I-135 frontage.  This is a tremendous opportunity to purchase a well established profitable business with unlimited growth potential!

The Business

Started in 1977, Chimney Specialists/Stone Specialists has been the life's work of it's founder.  After 30 years incubating and developing this company, it has grown from one service & industry into a comprehensive well-balanced 7 man operation in several complimentary industries.  The time has come to allow someone else (maybe you!) to take the reigns and continue to grow into the future.  In addition to the owner and his wife, the company has 5 other happy employees.  The employees are compensated with generous wage and benefit packages and it shows in their quality of work!  This is more than a business, it's a family.

Slideshow 

Profit is created through various products, services, and industries.  Among those include:

• Chimney cleaning & service
• Fireplace sales & service (new & used)
• Remote chimney video inspection services
• Manufactured stone production facility
• Sales & installation of fabricated and natural stone
• Tuck pointing & masonry repairs for exterior and interior brick
• Waterproofing of masonry products

The seller has created what he says is truly a "recession proof business" by offering complimentary products and services.  When business is slow in one area, it picks up in another and vice versa.

Over the last 30 years, a systematic approach to business operations has been implemented allowing a buyer a smooth transition that is easy to grasp.  The seller is willing to negotiate a training period to assist a buyer with a smooth transition.

Financial records and business operations have been very well documented.  Rarely does one find a company with documentation as clear as this one.  A buyer can walk into this with both eyes wide open, as the seller has kept all accounting, legal and record keeping in the hands of professionals.  Chimney Specialists/Stone Specialists has never been the subject of any lawsuits or negligent claims.  This is a tremendous record of a strong ethical operation.  Heading into the fall, the timing couldn't be better to make this acquisition as fall and winter retail sales are excellent!

Clientele not only includes individual retail customers, but a substantial contractor division.  Area building pros know that when Chimney Specialists or Stone Specialists is on the job, it's going to get done right!  Contractor sales is an area that can be further expanded througout the state of Kansas.

Financial Performance (Updated 10/3/07)

If you're looking for a vibrant, dynamic business opportunity, you need to take a serious look at these figures!  Factor in the value of the real estate, personal property and business accounts and this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity for one extremely fortunate buyer!

Gross Sales     2003      $667,012 
                         2004      $899,014
                         2005      $1,013,700  
                         2006      $859,782

Owner Salaries & Profits 

                         2003      $127,303   
                         2004      $223,029 
                         2005      $273,459 
                         2006      $242,399

Additional Financial Information is available as well.        

Video Tour 

 Viewing Tip: To minimize skipping, Press arrow to play, then press Pause and let movie preload a bit. (15-20 seconds)  Press play again and enjoy! 

The Property

22.52 acres of I-135 interstate frontage just southeast of McPherson. The property is zoned "AR" agricultural and "CR" commercial.  Good drainage.  No easements, restrictions, encroachments or other limitations to the property.  Ie: Your expansion plans are limited only by your pocketbook (or your spouse!)  Driveways:  Gravel/Rock

Water:  Provided by two (2) water well systems, including water softening equipment.  Waste water:  Lagoon system

Property Taxes:  2006 - $4267.82

The Buildings

Main building:  Constructed in 1994, consists of a metal warehouse building that measures approximately 10,000 square feet.  Building footprint is 125' x 80'.  The finished area measures approximately 6,720 square feet, including the mezzanine/loft and houses the fireplace, stove & mantle showroom, 2 company offices, and the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom residence that is currently used as product display area.  This is a lovely residence and would ideally suit a buyer who desires to work from home!  However, it beautifully works as an exquisite showroom, as you can see in the pictures.  The finished area also includes a bathroom and 3-4 additional rooms that could be used as offices or bedrooms.  Entry to the showroom is through a lovely covered patio with built-in pro-style stainless grill and outdoor refrigerator.  The unfinished area of the main building includes chimney related equipment and supplies, vehicle storage, inventory storage, and workshop equipment.  Central heat and air is present througout the finished area and a wood burning furnace heats the warehouse area.  The warehouse also possesses large overhead doors and flourescent lighting.  The building has been well maintained.

Stone Manufacturing Shop:  Consists of a metal manufacturing building with a footprint of 50' x 80'.  It is heated through a wood furnace/water circulation heating system and includes everything you need to produce a lot of stone!  Also, a certified scale is located in this building.  For stone inventory storage, you'll appreciate the 20' x 80' lean-to shelter on the west side.

Display Shed:  Consists of a wood frame display building measuring approximately 572 squre feet and is a showcase of what can be done with exterior stone. (See pictures of the intricate mountain scene.)

Storage Barn:  Consists of a wood and metal open storage utility barn measuring approximately 3,375 square feet, and is used for storage of equipment, tractors, mowers, etc. 

The Equipment & Fixtures

All equipment, fixtures, vehicles, inventory, trademarks, proprietary production methods, accounts receivable are included in the purchase of the complete business, however.....

The Seller is willing to consider creative offers.  In other words, he may consider different creative sales options that may meet the needs of a buyer who is interested in part, but not all, of the company as it currently operates.  However, no seller financing is being offered.  You may consider contacting the following banks who may be interested in participating in lending on this property:  Labette Bank, Home State Bank, Sunflower Bank, People's Bank & Trust, Home State Bank & Trust, Farmers State Bank, First Bank Kansas, Citizen's National Bank & Citizen' State Bank.

Offered at $1,575,000.00
Complete financials available for review by qualified buyers. 

The Community

Location
McPherson(poplulation 14,000) -Elevation-1,495 feet asl - is located near the geographic center of Kansas, and of the contiguous United States.  Interstate 135 intersects U.S. Highway 56 at McPherson; and Interstate 70 is just 35 miles north via I-135.  Wichita is only 55 miles southeast,  Salina is 30 miles north, Kansas City is 183 miles east.  Distance to major cities:  Denver-450 miles west; Dallas-430 miles south; Minneapolis-670 miles north.  Basically, you can be a lot of places within an easy day's drive.  For weekend getaway's, many locals enjoy visiting Branson, Missouri, which is 4 hours southeast.  Due to McPherson's central location, motor freight carrier freight is economical.

McPherson is the county seat of McPherson County which is expected to continue to grow at a steady rate through at least year 2015. Zoom in and out on the McPherson map for detailed viewing.  McPherson County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state of Kansas and is arguably the most progressive, economically speaking.  McPherson is home to more than 55 industries and that number keeps growing. McPherson County's major employers are Hospira, NCRA, Johns Manville, USD 418, Farmer's Alliance Mutual Insurance Company, Nation Pizza Products & Certainteed Corporation.  The McPherson County Small Business Development Association and McPherson Industrial Development Co. remain very active atracting new enterprises to the county.  McPherson is also noted for having the lowest utility rates in the state of Kansas due to the municipally owned McPherson BPU which produces clean, efficient, & virtually unlimited electricty for the community. 

Healthcare
Health care services in McPherson are excellent.  McPherson Memorial Hospital provides quality care with 70 beds, and boasts one of the most advanced intensive care units in the region. 

Lifestyle
Prime location in one of the most desirable areas in Kansas.  McPherson is a wonderful community, with traditional midwestern American values and offers a lifestyle that makes it an ideal place to raise a family, as well as own a business.  Yet, this is a diverse county with a strong cultural heritage.  McPherson offers several fine churches and offers surprising religious diversity for a county of this size.  Crime rates are extremely low and many residents actually boast about leaving their doors unlocked. 

Transportation
Aviation - McPherson Airport offers a 5500 ft long, 100 ft wide runway for airplanes that weigh less than 40,000 lbs. and they sell 100LL, 87 octane (auto-gas) or Type-A jet fuel. Commercial air service is available from Salina (30 minutes) with connecting U.S. Airways flights to Kansas City & Wichita (50 minutes) with service to most major hubs.

Rail - Central Kansas Railway, St. Louis Southwestern (Southern Pacific) and Union Pacific all offer freight service. (Cross-line switching available).  Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak at stations in Hutchinson and Newton (30 minutes)

Education
McPherson enjoys a highly educated populace with outstanding academic opportunities.  K-12: USD418 provides excellent publication education in McPherson.  Elyria Christian School is only 2 miles from the property is provides a superb K-12 Christian education.  McPherson county has 3 colleges including Central Christian College, McPherson College, and Bethany College in Lindsborg (15 minutes).  McPherson College is home to one the best Auto Restoration Programs in the world, with it's most visible supporter being Jay Leno!   

Arts
With an educated populace and three colleges, McPherson country is proud of it's strong arts scene.  In nearby Lindsborg, little Sweden, Bethany College was the home of the famed artist, Birger Sandzen, also known as the American Van Gogh.  His legacy lives on in the community at the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery. McPherson is home to the Scottish Highland Festival as well as many other annual events that draw visitors from far and wide. 

Recreation
McPherson has some beautiful parks and recreation opportunities.  Lakeside Park is gorgeous and offers a bandshell, disc golf, picnic facilities, walking trails, and the fun McPherson Water Park. 

This is golf country!  McPherson boasts several public and private golf courses.  Turkey Creek is a nationally recognized 18 hole course.  McPherson Country Club is........30 minutes away is Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, site of the 2006 U.S. Women's Open.

Hunting is outstanding in this area.  Upland game hunters come from all over the U.S. to hunt pheasants in this area.  Because it's in the middle of the Central Flyway, waterfowl hunting is outstanding as well!  Walk-in hunting access is plentiful in the surrounding area.  Deer hunting is exceptional and Kansas is known for offering some of the best Whitetail hunting on Earth!  Other plentiful game includes quail, wild turkey, etc.  The series of wetlands occurs in three main sections northwest of Hutchinson: the Big Basin, two miles west of the city of McPherson, the Little Basin adjoining the north shore of the Big Basin, and the Chain of Lakes, which run from one mile south of the Big Basin south of the McPherson County lline. These three areas are spread over approximately 126 square miles. At more than 100 acres, Inman Lake is the largest natural lake in Kansas. The Wetlands are managed by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks. The Wetlands are primarily for waterfowl and other hunting during the season and wildlife and bird viewing the rest of the year.  Click here to access the Kansas Parks & Wildfife website for more state hunting information.

The McPherson State Fishing Lake is located in McPherson County and within 17 miles of McPherson. It has 46 surface acres of water. Surrounding the lake are 260 acres of campground and public use area. water clarity is usually very good, supporting fair to excellent populations of channel catfish, black bullhead, black crappie, redear sunfish, bluegill and large mouth bass.  Located about 25 miles northwest of McPherson is one of the oldest lakes in Kansas, Kanopolis Lake, which offers 3,406 acres of open water and 41 miles of shoreline. About 40 miles east of McPherson is Marion Lake which offers the "best Walleye fishing" in Kansas on it's 6,200 acres of open water.  It also offers over 6,000 of open space around it's waters for camping, hiking, birdwatching, etc.  McPherson is located approximately 15 miles southwest of the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge.  30 miles north, near Salina is the Rolling Hills Zoo & Wildlife Museum which offers a one-of-a-kind experience that you must see to appreciate.