Hampton Enterprises, Mena, AR
By Natalie McCormick

Hampton Enterprise is the only nationwide ‘local’ repair facility.  It’s been located on the Mena Airport in Mena, Arkansas since Hampton opened its doors in ‘74.  Fred Hampton started in the aviation business of structural repairs over 37 years ago at this same airport.  He says he can’t remember a time when flying didn’t intrigue him.  Hampton and his crew, which includes his son, Vernon Hampton, his Director of Maintenance, Dale Lehmanm and sixteen other employees, specialize in aircraft structural repairs.  They work on such aircraft as Cessna, Piper, Beech, Mooney, and more.  They also restore classic airplanes and the occasional war bird.  They recently restored a Cessna 195 and a Meyers 200.  To Fred these are not only classically, beautiful pieces of history they have meaning.  He took his cross-country in a Cessna 195.

Due to the nature of their business, Hampton Enterprise had to expand to include retrieval of damaged aircraft.  Twenty years ago they would ferry or haul aircraft from about a 500-mile radius, now days anywhere in the USA is fair game, from Long Island to Florida.  Hampton says 60% can be ferried in; the other 40% have to be hauled.

Hampton Enterprises is also known for its custom part manufacturing.  In a world where most of the airplanes they work on are 20+ years old, parts get more and more difficult to find.  Even when you can find them the price is astronomical.  For example, a gear door from the manufacturer retails for $4300.  Hampton Enterprise makes the exact same part for $2800.  That is a savings of $1500 to the customer, on just one part.

In 1965, Fred Hampton started his aviation career working for a structural repair shop at the Mena airport.  Then in 1974, he went into business with a partner, who he eventually bought out.  At one time during the late 80’s early 90’s, Hampton Enterprises employed over 85 people.  At the time, they were dealing with the big companies and their representatives.  Not an easy thing to do.  It caused Hampton to take a step back and re-evaluate his priorities.  He wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue with the business in the direction it had been going. 

Hampton decided to scale back the operation and make it more personal.  More one-on-one with the people they served.  The change was a success.  Hampton says that the people he deals with are ‘really good people’.  The common thread between his customers and the claim adjustors who seek his expertise is TRUST.

Hampton Enterprises has a wonderful reputation with years of experience to back it up.  From their quality of work to the way they treat their customers.  If they give you an estimate on a repair, they stick with it.  You won’t find Fred or his crew ever trying to renegotiate an estimate they’ve given you.  The unwritten store creed states that if they quote you a mistaken price, they stand by it.  In today’s society, this kind of work ethic is nearly extinct. 

Fred Hampton believes in promoting good work ethic.  He’s been associated with a local high school vocational program.  Qualified students start in their junior year.  It’s a regular class credit, but the classroom is Hampton Enterprise and the teacher Fred Hampton.  Everybody starts doing the same thing… sweeping the floors.  If you’re not good at sweeping the floors you’ll never touch one of Hampton’s planes.  If you’re good at sweeping the floors, Fred says, you’re on your way to becoming a good mechanic.

Fred is proud and confident that the mechanics he’s trained are the best around.  Most of his employees started out with him in high school, including his son, Vern, and his director of maintenance, Dave.  He has been training them to take over the business when he eventually decides to retire.  As it stands, they allow him to take well-deserved breaks without having to constantly worry about how the business is doing.

The average years of experience for a technician at Hampton Enterprise is 22 years.  Fred Hampton refers to his crew as his second family.  He takes an interest in his employees and their lives and they know that he expects 110% from them every day. 

Fred does admit that Hampton Enterprise is a difficult business for advertising.  “People plan to have their aircraft painted or re-upholstered every five years or so… no one plans that they are going to forget to put the landing gear down or that it’s going to hail.”  Thus most of their work comes from insurance adjustors familiar with their excellent reputation and work ethic.

Hampton Enterprise is located at 102 Aviation Lane, Mena, AR.  They are open Monday thru Friday, 7AM to 5PM.  But Fred Hampton’s customers know that he’s always on call if they need him.  It’s only one of the reasons they keep coming back.  Come visit Fred and his staff at Hampton Enterprise, you’ll be glad you did.  For more information, call 479-394-5290 or email fred@hampton-enterprise.com.   You can also visit their web site at www.hampton-enterprise.com.