Author: ecmsAdmin

APRIL 2019 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) Pre-Construction Coordinator Tiffany Wildern attended the Construction Specifications Institute’s annual ProductFest & Expo at the John Knight Center in Akron, Ohio along with Bill Spencer and Bob Andrus from REPS of Ohio.

This event consisted of over 150 attendees including architects, engineers, facility managers, specification writers, and product reps from over 60 companies.

“ProductFest was a great opportunity for ECMS to get into markets with a strong rep presence and share our products with architects from all over Ohio,” said Tiffany. “Networking events like ProductFest, or DesignColumbus, allow for important relationships to be built and our company’s footprint to grow.”

Pictured from left to right is Bob, Tiffany, and Bill.

MARCH 2019 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) is highlighting Advanced Building Products as their featured Representative. Advanced Building Products is an independent ECMS sales representative based in Illinois.

Patrick (Pat) Duffy, President of Advanced Building Products, began his journey in the metal industry over three decades ago upon completion of his college education in 1985. He was involved in many different functions within the industry including estimating, technical sales, sales management, and became an independent sales representative in 1994. In addition, Pat developed a metal manufacturing business for about eight years and then refocused back to his primary role as a rep. “Success is defined by interdependence and trusting relationships,” said Pat. “The day I started to believe in this was the day I started doing better business.” For 25 years, Pat has been developing relationships and increasing his knowledge about the metal industry every day.

Advanced Building Products has been working with ECMS since 2016 covering the territory of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Since then, around 15 jobs have been won totaling over one million dollars. During the beginning stages of the relationship between ECMS and Advanced Building Products, ECMS was still working on creating a foothold within the market. The two companies have made great strides together, and ECMS is now being specified by architects on many large projects.

“There are multiple manufacturers and even customers that make their own panels who want to buy from the East Coast team, and that is because of the people,” said Pat. “Honest, sincere, and hardworking people — that’s East Coast Metal Systems.”

Some of the bigger projects that Advanced Building Products has won for ECMS include McDonald’s Headquarters, which is completed, and Esperanza Health Centers, which is currently under construction. Both of these projects are located in Chicago, Illinois.

“With the metal industry, there is always more to learn,” said Pat. “A relationship never stops growing, so be humble and remember that it takes a team to make something successful for the long-term.”

“Pat has a great reputation in Chicago and a strong customer base that has helped ECMS get work in the Chicago area,” said ECMS Pre-Construction Coordinator Tiffany Wildern. “Opportunities like the McDonalds’ Headquarters have been made possible with Pat’s connections in the market. East Coast is grateful to have such a strong presence in the Northern Illinois and Wisconsin territories.”

JANUARY 2019 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) Estimator DJ Hores is this month’s featured employee.

DJ earned a degree in the field of Communications/Journalism and worked as a marketing director prior to discovering his passion for working with metal. DJ has a total of 12 years experience in the metal industry and began his career on the ECMS team in August of 2011 as an apprentice in the metal fabrication shop. In December 2017, he was promoted to Estimator and began working in the office.

From apprentice to estimator, DJ has always liked a new challenge. He enjoys estimating atypical designs and especially enjoys the math portion of the work. “My co-workers are very knowledgeable, and I’ve leaned on them heavily while learning this position,” said DJ. “Their help is invaluable, and the office environment at ECMS is better than any other I’ve experienced.”
DJ’s most memorable project as a sheet metal worker was fabricating large copper panels for Camp Dawson Army National Guard Facility in West Virginia. He recalled it was intricate work which required attention to detail and careful handling so as not to damage the panels, as the copper was easily dented and scratched.

“I’m very grateful for the help and advice I’ve received from Mike Gilli, Chris Wack, Bob Nixon, Karen Porter, and most recently Tiffany Wildern. I also consider myself fortunate to have worked with some extremely talented sheet metal workers – not to slight anyone, but Jeff Spradling and the late Guy Bellanco offered a wealth of knowledge, experience, and humor,” said DJ. “Last but not least, my wife Jacqui deserves credit for encouraging me to take a chance and submit a resume to ECMS and for tolerating my work stories!”

“For six years, DJ demonstrated a great work ethic and knowledge of our products while working in the shop. He put in the extra time to master his trade and was excited for the opportunity to do more in an office setting, and the transition was virtually seamless,” said ECMS VP John Trifonoff. “His positive energy has allowed him to consistently build a constructive reputation with our customer base and enhance our customer relationship management efforts. DJ has proven himself to be a great addition to our estimating team.”

Pictured from left to right is stepson Zachary (19), wife Jacqui, son Tyler (13), DJ, and daughter Odessa (18).

NOVEMBER 2018 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) would like to congratulate Chris Wack for achieving Estimator of the Year and Jeremiah Pleise for earning Project Manager of the Year.

ECMS Vice President John Trifonoff awarded both of these achievements on a point system that designates the top-performing employees. The Sales Manager of the Year is based on dollar amount of sales and the Project Manager of the Year is based on panels produced plus projected billing versus actual billing.

Congratulation to Chris and Jeremiah—keep up the great work!

NOVEMBER 2018 – This month, East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) is highlighting the Jackson Flayler Company as the Representative of the Month. The Jackson-Flayler Company are independent ECMS sales representatives based out of Orlando, FL.

The business was created by Pam Jackson in 1997 and was geared toward “specialty products.” In 1998, Jim Flayler was added to the team. His background in project management strengthened the project management and estimating side of the business. In 1999, Nancy Capobianco was added to the company in an accounting role, which provided the company with the well-rounded workforce it needed to propel forward. Today, the company is still a small representative firm of only six employees but has a large footprint throughout the industry.

Pam and Jim began working with ECMS about a year ago. They had the opportunity to work with various exterior cladding solutions in the past, but not metal. “We definitely see more metal projects today than ever before,” said Pam. “You have to grow and develop with the times, and these new designers and architects represent a whole new aesthetic appeal.” Now that Jackson-Flayler is working with ECMS, they feel that a door has been opened into the metal industry. “You plant seeds to watch the garden grow. We have planted many seeds and spent time cultivating in the past few months. The garden is growing; keep watching and we will be harvesting soon,” said Pam.

Throughout their 21 years of business, Jackson-Flayler has been involved with many unique projects. One of their most memorable projects was the Amway Center Magic Arena in Orlando, Florida. In addition, their largest project to date is the Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Florida, which was just recently completed.

“Pam and Jim are well-connected in the Florida market, and it shows. Although they haven’t been with ECMS long, they have already developed metal wall panel relationships that will benefit us for a long time,” said ECMS Director of Sales Bob Nixon.

“Everyone at ECMS is so eager and willing to help, and they always have a ‘team’ attitude,” Pam added.

OCTOBER 2018 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) recently completed the metal panel fabrication for the new, 600,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art McDonald’s Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

This nine-story project utilized the EC-200 Dry Joint MCM System with 16,000 square feet of Zinc composite panels and 1,600 square feet of aluminum composite panels. The wall panel system also included a custom hanging attachment system to accommodate the design requirements.

Panel fabrication and installation was labor intensive due to the complexity of shape, natural finish, and overall weight of the materials once fabricated. Additional stiffening of the panels had to be done to meet the weight requirement of the panels.

The new McDonald’s Headquarters involved a three dimensional panel layout to simulate the look of structural beams due to its location in the highly industrial West Loop of Downtown Chicago. Congratulations to the ECMS team involved with this high-profile project!

SEPTEMBER 2018 –  East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) Director of Sales Bob Nixon sponsored an installer training on an NOA Approved System in Orlando, Florida along with ECMS Independent Representatives from the Jackson-Flayler Company.

One of ECMS’ manufacturer vendors created a new system that will allow metal wall panels to be installed in a more timely manner. ECMS customers from across Florida sent 27 associates including estimators, installers, and project managers to attend the training.

“I was impressed with the professionalism of the trainees and their interest to learn this new system,” said Bob Nixon. “This training is required in order to receive certification, and we couldn’t have had a better group of
people who were ready to learn and become certified.”

Great job Bob and ECMS Representatives! We appreciate your continued hard work and support.