John McIntyre and Twining Construction, Inc. *

In 1963 John McIntyre began an apprenticeship as a union cabinetmaker and millworker It was the same year he and Mary were married. About seven years later, he took a job as maintenance boss at St. Francis Vocational School in Bensalem. By 1980, this Bristol native felt it was time to go into business for himself, launching JM Home Improvement. As time passed, he began to use his cabinetmaking skills to do home improvements. He also began building additions and new structures. Since his business was growing and he was doing more construction work, they changed the name to Twining Construction Company in 1989.

Through the years, the number of employees at Twining has steadily grown and are now numbering 14 full-time, including John, his wife, Mary, and one son, Steve. In the mid-90s Steve became a 50-50 partner.

Part of Twining's business is working on historic buildings. Examples of their work can be seen in buildings like the Spread Eagle Inn and the New Hope Visitor's Center.

About 70 percent of Twining work is commercial, the rest residential. They have done jobs in Delaware, New Jersey, the Poconos, and many in the Greater Philadelphia area, including both Montgomery and Bucks counties. Most of their business is generated either by word-of-mouth or repeat customers.

* Excerpted from "Everything Wooden" written by Lew Larason for the Fall 2003 edition of Bucks County Town & Country Living