Doors, windows, moldings, casework. Custom-build or stock. If it's made out of wood, Acadian Millwork and Supply Company can build it.

And the Mandeville-based business has done well during its 26 years, serving satisfied customers on the Northshore, in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf South.

Then Hurricane Katrina hit, and business picked up at Acadian.

"Since the storm, we've literally been overwhelmed with work," said Acadian President Denny Perschell. "We're doing everything we can to produce the products that are needed for people's houses right now."

As with many business owners in southeast Louisiana post-Katrina, staffing was an initial concern for Acadian. Perschell said the company was fortunate enough to retain nearly all its existing staff but continues to struggle to find additional employees needed to meet the additional demand.

This is, of course, a good problem to have. And Barry French, Acadian Vice President and treasurer, said the company is preparing for the anticipated years of increased activity.

"We were able to find a piece of property north of I-12 in the Goodbee area between Covington and Hammond," French said. "We've got a nice big piece of land we're building a new facility on, and it will give us plenty of growth opportunity in the future should we need it."

The potential for growth is there not only for Acadian, but also for all of south Louisiana's businesses that are involved in construction and building materials, as homebuilding and renovations are sure to continue at a rapid pace for years to come.

"We're strongly committed to this," Acadian Vice President Don Perschell said. "We're looking at the long range, and we see certain areas that have not had the chance to rebuild. We know we're going to be part of that and assisting in the restoration."

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