When Pat Aubin founded AEI Subsurface more than four decades ago, the company’s primary focus was site preparation for residential construction projects. But today, AEI (which stands for Aubin Excavating Incorporated) mostly focuses on technologically advanced utility locating and mapping.How AEI evolved from force to finesse, heavy machinery to sophisticated high-tech equipment, underscores the importance of spotting and capitalizing on changing business conditions and underserved markets. It also shows how the older generation in family-run businesses can benefit from embracing ideas proposed by the next generation — in this case, Aubin’s son, Nick, now a co-owner of the company.“I knew
