of them a lot,” he notes. MLM makes concessions in payment schedules and ensures all necessary materials are pre-purchased and inventoried, sometimes even delivering them to the job site. “We try to make it easy for them,” Medrzycki says, highlighting the lengths MLM goes to maintain good working relationships. SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIC ADAPTATION Sustainability is becoming increasingly important, and MLM Incorporated faces new challenges in maintaining affordability while adhering to green regulations.“With the go-green movement, I feel the timing is off slightly,” Medrzycki remarks. He supports the shift towards more sustainable practices but notes the financial strain it adds to already inflated construction costs. “Our state is changing codes to meet more restrictive federal government green regulations,” he explains, which impacts everything from electrical breakers to insulation. He provides a clear example of how these changes drive up costs. “Two years ago, breakers were between $5 and $20; now they’re between $25 and $55,” he notes. This significant increase stems from production costs and the requirement for more advanced, sensitive breakers. Similarly, new window treatment requirements and insulation regulations escalate construction expenses, further complicating client expectations. “The consumer base already has a tough time understanding the costs right now,” Medrzycki states. Even industry professionals like architects and interior designers struggle to keep up with the rapid price changes. “They cannot understand the cost of construction,” he says, highlighting the disconnect between design budgets and actual construction costs. This often makes clients shocked when their $300,000 budget needs $600,000. Despite these challenges, Medrzycki remains hopeful. “People will get accustomed to it, and they will understand that things cost what they cost at some 60 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 08
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