Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRevenue growth FY 2022 to 2024: 241.18%
2024 revenue: $21.1 million
The right time: Northern Lights Location and Inspection, which locates underground electrical, gas, sewer and other utilities to make construction worksites safer, is in the Fast 25 for the second consecutive year. Owner John Harris said there are “times when a company knows it’s their time,” and this is Northern Lights’ time. “We have provided a product for years and years, and our customers are seeing that how we do things is a lot better. We’re not the lowest price, but we’re the best. That’s a change in that industry, and it’s a big change throughout the country right now.”
Starting off: Northern Lights grew out of a sister company, JDH Contracting, which started in 1995. In 2001, JDH had a customer who needed a locator and was not satisfied with its current vendor. “We looked into it, made a business decision and found the best people to do the locating. And it’s kind of blossomed from there,” Harris said. JDH and Northern Lights are now separate entities.
How it works: Harris said companies like AT&T, Verizon and AES have to register with 811, the national call-before-you-dig phone number, for safety reasons. Then they contract with Northern Lights to do the utility-locating work. “By having accurate locates, it’s a lot safer atmosphere, that’s for sure.” Harris said customer service, attention to detail and communication are fueling company growth.
A matter of trust: Harris said hiring people of good character is important because many of Northern Lights’ employees in the field are out on their own. “Their truck is their office. They have to be self-motivated and quality-oriented. It’s not an easy job. But it could be very fulfilling if you’re the right person.”
Next phase of growth: Harris said Northern Lights has a plan in place to grow. “We’re not going to grow too fast, but we have a lot of additional opportunities that we’re working on right now that’ll come to fruition. We’re in nine states right now. And there will be more.”•
Check out more of IBJ’s ranking of Indy’s fastest-growing companies.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.
Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Please note our comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated.