How has your company grown or evolved over the years?
I joined Lee and Cates Glass three years ago. During my tenure, our commercial division has grown tremendously. Although the total number of projects completed each year has decreased, the profitability of the projects has increased. In three years, we have increased revenue by nearly 25%.
When a new manager is tasked with improving a company’s financial performance, it easy to simply say “this is the new way.” However, an organization doesn’t approach its centennial by accident. Viable processes and procedures likely already exist thus a complete overhaul is usually not required. By taking a granular approach, my team has been able to employ smaller changes that are easier to implement resulting in measurable improvements without the growing pains of widespread procedural changes.
Where do you see your business headed in the next few years?
Despite the advent of new products tailored to updated performance requirements, the glass industry still incorporates many products and procedures developed decades ago. Instead of blindly “doing what we have always done,” Lee and Cates Glass works diligently with general contractors and architects to educate them on new systems and processes that will add intrinsic value to their projects. For example, most glass systems are based around installing the metal framing then setting the glass in the field. A different process called “unitizing” builds complete units with glass and metal in a controlled, factory setting allowing for complete “units” to be installed. This process is common on large-scale projects such as skyscrapers and high-rises; the contractor benefits from a faster installation while the end user benefits from a higher level of quality in the manufacturing process. Despite the fact that unitizing is not new to the industry, many companies will stick with what they know. Lee and Cates Glass is using our expertise to make unitizing a viable alternative, even on smaller projects. This will create our competitive advantage as we move into the future.
What project are you most proud of, and why?
Last year, Lee and Cates Glass completed the Broward Dining Hall Renovation on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. Unlike typical glass projects, most of the glass was installed into openings that were not square. Picture your high school geometry class where you learned about tetrahedrons, parallelograms and trapezoids. Using lasers for field layout and AutoCAD for fabrication details, we were able to successfully calculate angles and sizes to decimal precision. The project was not our largest project – far from it. But it was one of the most complex. It was the epitome of a group collaboration between the office, fabrication shop and field operations. I am extremely proud of my team and what we were able to accomplish.
What do you hope your work says about your company?
I have long believed that three metrics define a successful project: on time, under budget, and no defects. No company can claim to have achieved all three on every job; however, the true measure is how the company delivers the final product. Sometimes budgets are exceeded or target dates missed. What speaks for my company is that no matter what, Lee and Cates Glass will deliver on our promise to complete every project to every client’s exact expectations.
What value has ABC First Coast brought to your business?
Our ABC First Coat membership has served as a tremendous resource for many aspects of our business. Many members have seen ABC as a networking organization for like-minded construction professionals. This is certainly true; however, the real value is found in many of the conferences, webinars and training sessions geared to improving the industry as a whole. For example, although running a financially successful company is important, making safety the highest priority is paramount to the ultimate success of an organization. ABC makes understanding safety protocols simple while highlighting those organizations that echo the importance of ensuring their employees’ safety and well-being.
How has your involvement changed over time?
I have worked at several ABC member companies for nearly two decades. When I started my career in Tampa, my companies were a part of ABC Gulf Coast. I moved to the Jacksonville area when I was hired by Lee and Cates Glass and immediately started to participate in ABC First Coast events. Networking was my top priority since I was new to the area, and I wanted to familiarize myself with the local community of builders. I was then presented with the opportunity to join the First Coast Board of Directors. This role has provided a forum for me to expand on my leadership role and collaborate with other industry leaders.
What advice would you give to a company considering joining ABC First Coast?
Join today! At its most basic function, ABC is an invaluable resource for making contacts in our local community of builders. However, digging deeper into the organization’s offerings, you will find a trove of training and development opportunities that not only benefit an organization’s leadership, but also those team members that are integral to a company’s success.