Client Spotlight: Richard Branson
We prioritize excellent craftsmanship and the art of roofing at Huber + Associates, taking pride in our commitment to excellence and earning praise from our clients—including Sir Richard Branson.
Several years ago, the esteemed businessman hired our team to design and install Endureed thatch roofs at his property on the luxurious Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
We knew immediately the logistical operations for installing custom thatch roofs for the world’s most successful businessmen on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean would be the ultimate test of endurance, planning, and precision.
At Huber + Associates we embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Learn how this project motivated us to develop new technology and create innovative solutions to achieve remarkable results below.
Table of Contents
1. The Client
Barry’s phone rang while driving through the bustling streets of Chicago. On the other end was a new client inquiring about thatch roof repairs.
Clearly, this wasn’t an ordinary repair job—it involved the charming cabanas nestled across the picturesque British Virgin Islands (Bali Lo, Bali Hi, and Bali Cliff).
And the island?
Owned by none other than the well-respected business magnate, Richard Branson.
A devastating hurricane had ravaged the island, destroying the Bali units’ roofs (individual upscale island cabanas). They all needed new roofs—fast!
The urgency was palpable as the caller explained Necker Island is an exclusive, all-inclusive resort that generates its income from tourism and every moment of downtime translated to lost revenue.
This meant the damaged structures would require both immediate repairs AND an innovative roofing solution to prevent extensive storm damage moving forward.
2. The Challenge
The islands we worked on were private and secluded in the BVI with limited access to local supply chains. This meant ensuring smooth operations would be our first challenge.
It was necessary to plan and account for every item—down to the very last nail—before beginning the project because we had to ship everything in and materials needed to arrive on time to meet our strict deadlines.
We had exactly 17 days to complete the project. One injury or missing piece of material could throw off the entire operation.
We verified every crew member had the proper paperwork and updated passports to enter the country and ensured each team member knew and understood their project role for flawless execution.
In addition to the logistical challenges, we met head-on with frequent and severe island storms that often caused damage or delayed our progress.
Yet, amid the chaos, our determination remained unwavering. Armed with resilience, resourcefulness, and a commitment to excellence, we forged ahead, excited and determined to tackle every obstacle in our way.
3. The Solution
The island’s geography and infrastructure posed unique challenges, requiring us to create a meticulous strategy for success.
First, we assessed the obstacles ahead, creating a detailed roadmap for every challenge we could potentially encounter.
Next, we constructed full-scale components in our home workshop to ensure project parts would fit together seamlessly on the job site.
Most noteworthy, however, was the remarkable success we achieved by developing new technology to address the vulnerabilities of natural thatch.
A number of years ago, Barry invented a Synthetic Endureed Thatch material that keeps roofs strong and steady during storms. We used this material to prevent extensive storm damage to the roofs in the future.
With a comprehensive plan in place for supplies, we then developed an execution strategy. We divided into four specialized teams with each responsible for a particular part of the project:
Team 1: Material Handling, Scaffolding, and Roof Removal
Team 2: Roof Decking and Soffits
Team 3: Dry-in and Hip Construction
Team 4: Thatching
Before deployment, we held a pre-construction meeting to set clear expectations for each team member. We coordinated flight and boat schedules and outlined arrival plans.
The teams operated in two waves; the second group arrived two days after the first to ensure work continued seamlessly.
We created a detailed island map marking the starting and finishing points and used a Gantt Schedule to outline milestones for our building-by-building completion schedule.
The buildings were scattered across the island, complicating the project immensely so we also needed a plan to coordinate and transport the material to its final job site.
Several key team members, including Barry and Jamin, played integral roles in the material handling crew. Their expertise and leadership helped navigate any challenges that arose, ensuring a smooth execution of “Operation Tropical Storm.”
Our planned execution and innovative technology is a testament to the value we bring to those seeking reliable, long-lasting roofing solutions.
4. The Results
We successfully met the project deadline with a day to spare and remained within budgetary constraints. This achievement enabled our client to stay on track with their bookings, ensuring minimal disruption to their successful business operations.
Our success can be quantified by our client's return on investment (ROI).
While the financial ROI is inherent in meeting project timelines and budgetary targets, our true ROI lies in the intangible rewards of satisfaction and success.
For us, every custom project is an opportunity to exceed expectations in terms of time, budget, and aesthetics.
The project’s outcome resulted in a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment shared by both our team and the client.
In summary, our ROI is defined by the value we bring to each project, leaving a lasting impression of excellence and satisfaction that extends far beyond the bottom line.
More importantly, we treat each and every client just like we treat Richard Branson—with gratitude, excellence, and respect.
If you have a complicated project, we’d love the opportunity to meet and exceed the challenge.
Schedule a call with our talented team below.
Elevating you to new heights,
Huber + Associates