Boyle Construction of Allentown is enjoying repeat business and continued growth under the leadership of its second-generation CEO Sean Boyle.

There have been challenges. The recent recession is not that far away in the rear-view mirror.

But finding strength and opportunity in challenges is part of the growth process that every leader goes through to make his or her company successful. It's a concept that's often hard to remember when faced with mounting pressures in the competitive construction industry.

"We are part of the process of businesses growing," said Sean Boyle, president and CEO of Boyle Construction Inc. "Our strength is in the more intricate, challenging projects."

Driving around theLehighValleyand seeing daily progress on projects the company is working on is one of the most gratifying things about being in the construction industry, according to Boyle.

"You get to learn a lot about a business when you build a building for them," said Boyle, 45.

His father Tony started the company, but Boyle has been running the company since 1998. Sean says he has experienced slow, but steady progression with a workforce of about 25 employees. About 85 percent of his business comes from repeat customers.

"It's good to have clients ask for the impossible and we deliver."

The first large-scale project he managed was the Comfort Suites construction, a hotel project near Route 378 in Southside Bethlehem. Since that time, he's done work for St. Luke's University Health Network, Orasure Technologies, Sharp Pharmaceutical Packaging, the Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks inBethlehemand recently finished renovations to the original Bethlehem Steel Stock House, a historic structure that houses theBethlehemLandingVisitorsCenter. The company restored the building to Department of Interior Standards and it remains one of Boyle's favorite projects along with the construction of Melt, a restaurant inCenterValley.

These projects are more unique, intricate and challenging but also rewarding, said Boyle.

As an example, Boyle said Melt had to be built in five months from the ground up. The finishing work called for acquiring wood, carpet, tiles and other materials from all over the world. But the company accomplished the task and Melt has since become a long-term client.

The Levitt Pavilion proved challenging because it had to be built in three months and open in time for the debut of the Musikfest concert season in July.

"It was a challenging site," said Boyle. "It was like a minefield over there will all the remnants from Bethlehem Steel."

This year, the company also took on a project to renovate the restaurant, bar, ballroom and outdoor pavilion for Blue Grillehouse inBethlehemTownship, and ensured that the facility was ready in time for Memorial Day.

The average project size for Boyle ranges from about $500,000 to $5 million; the company works on over 100 projects per year, including both big and small jobs.

And new projects are always cropping up.

Boyle is currently the construction manager for a $3.6 million detoxification center forLehighCounty, which is going up next to the Lehigh County Community andTreatmentCenteronRiverside DriveinSalisbury. Boyle also built multiple additions and renovations for the treatment center.

Site and foundation work has begun on the one-story, 31-bed detox center with an October finish date planned.

The company is also in the pre-construction phase for a new building for Cetronia Ambulance Corp., which is seeking a site for the housing and maintenance of its fleet of vehicles and to store medical supplies. The estimated $10 million project will go up onBroadway StreetinSouthWhitehallTownship, said Boyle. He plans to break ground in July and follow a 10-month construction schedule.

These are just a few of the projects that Boyle has in the works and he says he would like to keep growth steady but not too fast.

"Each project could have 20 or 30 subs, that's why I like the size we are," said Boyle. "I like to sit in on the job meetings, meet the owners. I'm looking for slow and steady growth."

He currently has about $30 million to $40 million in projects under contract and the company generates about $10 million to $20 million in sales per year, said Boyle.

"I like to be hands-on," said Boyle. "If an owner has an issue I like to be on top of it and I'll fix it."