What sets Jim Walters business model apart?
SN: Jim Walter has a fascinating, very unique business model. I don’t think any company has done it on the scale of Jim Walter Homes successfully. I mean, I am sure there are plenty of on-your-lot and scattered lot, which are actually two different things, but nobody had ever done it to that scale and to that breadth and depth. BB: Do they still do that? SN: When I was with Jim Walter homes, at one time the company was comprised of 16 or 17 companies. When you have a company as diverse as coal mining, ductile iron pipe, home building, etc., it’s very difficult to analyze in the financial markets, and so I think they have gone on a very long-term strategy to narrow that. So now there they are with coal mining and home building. BB: And Pringle? SN: It’s a fortuitous business opportunity, and very fortuitous given that there are plenty of talented executives out looking. I’ve always kept a fairly robust business network and so the opportunity presented itself. BB: You are coming here at
