Engineering frim makes a lot out of less-is-more approach

Question: Which Portsmouth-based firm has provided civil engineering work for more than 50 school construction projects in the state, has a major contract with the U. S. Coast Guard for marine engineering services on the West Coast, and is named after one of the Isles of Shoals?

Answer: Appledore Engineering Inc.

"It does come as a surprise to many people when they find out what we do," says Gregg Mikolaities, one of Appledore's three co-founders. The second most surprising thing about Appledore - which also is heavily involved in commercial projects such as malls and shopping centers in northern New England - is that its diverse civil and marine engineering tasks are accomplished with a staff of only 40 employees.

And the size is right where Appledore wants it, according to Mikolaities. "We have hit the business plan right on the nose," he explains.

That plan extends back to 1987, when Mikolaities, Larry...