Category: News & Announcements

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.

AUGUST 2018 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) Office Manager Sharon Holstein was chosen as this month’s featured employee.

Sharon has been working for ECMS for 12 years and likes to say “we chose each other.” Prior to ECMS, she worked for a business that was located in the building of the previous ECMS office in Bellaire, Ohio. John Kalkreuth kindly offered Sharon a position with ECMS when they took over the building, and she gladly accepted. “As the saying goes, I came with the building in Bellaire,” said Sharon.

On a day to day basis, Sharon helps immensely around the office for many different departments. Some of her main roles are to support project managers during submittals and throughout the project duration including logistics, billing, and collections. Throughout the years Sharon has been part of the ECMS team, she said she loves being able to use her knowledge to help manage projects to achieve a successful outcome. “Be a sponge,” said Sharon. “Soak up all the information and advice that people are willing
to share with you.”

When asked her favorite part about working for ECMS, Sharon responded, “I appreciate the concept that we are all a team, and each person has their own unique insight that can be brought to the table. Our leadership has proven that they have faith in our abilities and have provided us with a state-of-the-art facility and financial backing to allow this to happen.”

“Sharon is someone whose work ethic, reliability, and dedication are what others strive to achieve. She’s a mentor for the ECMS team and someone we all count on daily, with confidence that she will provide whatever support is needed to get the job done every time. I truly appreciate Sharon and her thoughtful contributions to what we do, and it’s a privilege to work with her,” said ECMS VP John Trifonoff.

Pictured from left to right is ECMS Sheet Metal Shop Administrator Christy Thomas, Lucy McCabe, Administrative Assistant Karen Porter, and Office Manager Sharon Holstein.

JUNE 2018 – East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) is highlighting Roofing & Exterior Product Services (REPS) of Ohio as the Representative of the Month.

REPS of Ohio has been representing commercial roofing, building insulation, waterproofing, exterior products, and safety and fall protection manufacturers across the Midwest since 1988. They have been representing ECMS for over a year covering Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. REPS of Ohio Manager of Engineering and Exterior Product Sales, Denise Diestel, covers the state of Ohio, and Territory Manager of Walls and Exterior Products, Aaron Spencer, covers Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Any inquires for ECMS in those specified areas are directed toward Denise and Aaron.

“When Bill and his team joined the ECMS family of independent representatives, they worked hard to introduce our products and services to their customers. Our plant is in the middle of their geographic market, and we appreciate that REPS leverages that by bringing customers to our new facility for tours,” said ECMS Director of Sales Robert Nixon. Current President of REPS of Ohio, Bill Spencer, followed in his father’s footsteps pursuing a career in the building envelope industry and established his company in 1988. “Learning how to balance a project and take it from conceptual design through the bidding process all the way through installation is very satisfying once the job is complete,” said Bill.

There has been a lot of change within the metal industry, including new products entering the market. Metal has become more of an aesthetic feature on buildings, and it helps carry a design concept from the outside to the inside of a building. With the increase of metal sales and the design inspiration it provided for architects, REPS of Ohio has officially become a

complete exterior building system representative with the knowledge base to help people with quotes, bids, and installation. “When you give someone what they want, and the job is completed correctly and on time, people come back to you as their trusted resource,” said Bill.

“The metal industry holds tons of opportunities, and it is such an exciting field with new products and design applications,”Bill added. “The East Coast Metal Systems team has an amazing knowledge base, and their exciting new state-of-the-art metal fabrication facility brings a whole new level of service and professionalism to the industry and doubles as an attraction for architects and designers.”

On Wednesday, February 21, Project BEST (Building Efficiency Striving Together) held its Awards Gala honoring customers and contractors at the WesBanco Arena where they announced the 2017 Project BEST Award Winners.

East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) was one of the eight winners of the Construction Awards. ECMS was recognized for their brand new 60,000 square foot metal fabrication facility at the Highlands in Triadelphia, WV. Director of Operations Steve Kerr accepted the award on behalf of ECMS and thanked everyone who was involved.

The new East Coast Metal Systems facility was completed in March of 2017.  Designed by Greco Madama Joint Venture and built by General Contractor Colaianni Construction, the facility serves as the center of operations for ECMS.

Pictured above is Ohio Valley Constructions and Employers Council Co-Chair Ginny Favede, Steve Kerr and Co-Chair Bengy Swanson.

Project BEST is a local construction industry labor-management organization developed by the Building and Construction Trades Council and the Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council located in Wheeling, WV. The purpose of this organization is to promote jobs for its 6,500 participants by providing quality and safety.