The Trussville Tribune | Spotlight on Industry | August, 2019

August 2019

SPOTLIGHT ON INDUSTRY presented by

The Trussville Tribune

Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

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August, 2019

Safety is always a top priority at Amerex Corporation Unsurpassed in its pioneering efforts, providing better fire protection throughout the world

designed specifically for rugged and demanding military applications.

solutions to our war fighters at home and abroad,” said Mier. “We work primarily through well-established government distributors and defense industry original equipment manufacturers (OEM). We offer a full line of hand portable extinguishers, specialty wheeled units and fire suppression systems. Our product offering is currently used to protect U.S. military personnel and tactical ground vehicle assets, as well as those of U.S. foreign government allies.”

“For instance, we have created a product for a four door or two door tactical wheeled vehicle that houses up to five crew members,” said Mier. “If an improvised explosive device (IED), otherwise known as roadside bomb, were to come in contact and cause an internal fuel explosion inside the cab, our high-speed optical detection system is designed to sup-

Ken Mier, General Manager of Amerex Defense, shares how the company’s innovation has extended to protecting our United States military.

“We provide innovative and reliable fire suppression

press a fire in a fourth of a second. Our goal is to continue to develop a product to support troops and aid in their survival during combat.”

“We designed a system that fits a very specific area inside a crew cab, where there

By Tanna M. Friday

Fire safety equipment has a big impact in reducing loss of life and property in a fire.

When it comes to your home, a fire extinguisher is layer of security that you can add to your home’s fire safety plan.

But what about the needed security of fire protection in other places such as local restaurants, mining, school buses, or in the United States’ military tactical wheeled vehicles? All of which could save lives, time and money should a fire occur.

Amerex Corporation in Trussville is recognized worldwide as a leader in the manufacturer of commercial and industrial fire extinguishers and fire suppression products. Established in 1971, Amerex Corporation continues to manufacture and provide fire protection products in portable extinguishers, and fire suppression systems for vehicle, kitchen, industrial and military applications.

For almost 50 years, Trussville’s Amerex Corporation has earned a reputation

for excellence in the fire protection industry and continues to be innovative in their mission to protect people and property. In fact, thousands of Amerex products are produced and shipped to customers worldwide. But regardless of the high production levels, employees say safety has always been a top priority at Amerex.

“We provide life, building, and equipment safety products,” said Jonathan Carter, Marketing Manager for

Amerex Corporation. “Most people are familiar with por-

table fire extinguishers. They see them and the diamond logo every day, even when they don’t realize it.”

“We hang our hat on quality, service, and innovation,” said Carter. “Throughout the decades we have innovated

newer products that the industry did not have but were needed. We went to third-party testing agencies to discuss potential fire hazards, and look for a new development.

A couple of examples are the water-mist extinguisher for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rooms and the Class K extinguisher for commercial grease fires.”

You may be familiar with the portable fire extinguisher, where it’s located in your home or business, but may

not realize that a fire extinguisher does not work on all

types of fires. Carter explains that there are many different types (or classes) of fire extinguishers just as there are many different classes of fires. These five classes include Class A (wood, paper, or pulp); Class B (flammable

liquid or gas); Class C (live electrical equipment); Class D (metals such as titanium, zirconium, magnesium, and sodium); and Class K (cooking media).

“We make a premium, quality product,” said Guy Jones, Product Manager, Extinguishers. “We have the ability to make up to 19,000 fire extinguishers per day, but currently produce around 15,000 per day. When the market demands, we can flex up to that 19,000.”

Jones shares that Amerex’s major products are the hand-portable, all-purpose/ multipurpose fire extinguishers, which range from two and half pound to 30 pound extinguishers.

“My job as product manager is to make sure that we are getting the right products to the right place,” said Jones.

“We are a compliance and a life safety industry. We want to make sure that we are not only supplying the right product, but also a high-quality product. This is people’s lives and property that we are deal-

ing with here. We want to make sure that we are supplying the best product for that application.”

According to Carter, new product development is engineered in the Trussville facility and product testing is carried out in the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) headquarters in Northbrook, IL. “We are constantly developing products and product improvements in portable extinguishers,” said Carter.

“Extending into kitchen and vehicle systems as well. We are always doing something in our lab and fire testing building.”

"UL is the body that certifies our products,” said Jones, who shares the value of safety at Amerex. “For each program there are standards that have to be fully met. We meet both of those standards for each extinguisher.”

Jones adds that UL requires an on-site inspection.

“They are at our facility two to three times a week to see if we are producing the product we tested,” said Jones. “Because we consistently meet and exceed these guidelines, we have the high degree of confidence that we are placing a good product into the marketplace. Along with that, you have quality and reliability.”

“We have controls here to administer a leak check,” said Carter. “This is done on each and every one of our extinguishers prior to being boxed and shipped to our distributors.”

All of which Carter shares that meet UL guidelines and testing and what the industry calls for. Exceeding them is how Amerex sells their products competitively.

In addition to Amerex’s major product line of hand-portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, another business unit, Amerex Defense, occupies a 3,000 square foot office building with a 4,000 square foot test and development laboratory which was developed specifically for live fire simulations

August, 2019

is no wasted space and is very tight,” said Mier. “Once it is designed and integrated, the OEM’s like Oshkosh, will

take the vehicle to Aberdeen, Maryland where everything is tested. They blow it up, shoot rocket propelled grenades (RPG) at it, and generally ex-

pose the vehicle to catastrophic events. Our equipment has to survive.”

In addition to military tactical wheeled vehicles, Amerex Corporation also focuses on fire suppression for on-road and off-road vehicles found in the mass transit, mining, waste management, and forestry industry.

“We apply vehicle suppression systems on mega sized mining equipment all the way to something pretty

Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

simple like a pick-up truck,” said Alan Fulton, Project Manager of Vehicle Systems.

“This system automatically

detects and suppresses a fire.

We have brand name recognition in the transit industry.

People refer to it as the Amerex system. We are heavy in

the waste industry, forestry, agriculture, and active in the mining industry.”

Fulton adds that a majority of buses in the mass transit industry, rely on Amerex vehicle systems as an important life safety measure.

“There is a bill pending that was introduced by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen Tennessee, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth Illinois, that directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement new school

bus safety rules,” said Fulton. “The bill would require school buses be equipped with fire suppression systems and a firewall to keep engine fires from spreading into the passenger compartment.”

Fulton explains that the fire suppression system is automatic using a heat sensitive device that tells the system that there is a fire and it is time to discharge.

“Much like a thermostat in your home that says okay I need more heat or cold,” said Fulton. “This system works very similar to that, in that it turns the fire suppression system on.”

Fulton adds that there are three pieces to the vehicle system: detection (detecting the fire); actuation (opens the valve); and suppression (flowing of the agent). There is a controlled device that is placed in the hazard area, which is in the engine compartment, that looks for the detection which actuates the cylinder. There are nozzles surrounding the engine connected to a cylinder that is automatically actuated.

“It is very effective and thorough in what it does,” said Fulton. “You would be surprised that a little amount of agent can create that great amount of action.”

Fulton adds that Alabama is not required to have these fire suppression systems on buses.

In addition to portable/ wheeled extinguishers and reliable fire suppression solutions to our war fighters and vehicles, Amerex offers fire suppression systems to commercial kitchens around the world.

According to Michael Gaston, Product Manager of Amerex Kitchen and Industrial Systems, this business unit is designed to accommodate the needs of building and restaurant owners in order to protect their property and ensure the safety of the people.

“Restaurant and industrial systems is one of Amerex’s

smaller product lines, but one that is growing,” said Gaston.

“Every commercial kitchen has to have a fire suppression system. The industrial systems, however, are a little more varied. They go into places like vehicle paint spray booths, which protect the fire hazards that exist with these flammable vapors.”

Gaston adds that Amerex produces systems for around 8,000 kitchens per year.

“Our largest area of

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growth has been internationally,” said Gaston. “We have a pretty good chunk of kitchen systems out there. Now we

innovation here at Amerex,” said Gaston. “We are the first kitchen fire suppression company to offer electric detec-

are going overseas to protect kitchens around the world.”

“The United States has always had strong safety rules for commercial kitchens somewhat driven by the insurance agencies, said Gaston. “And International markets have realized the need for this, so they are starting to come around to the same rules and standards that the U.S. holds. So, as those markets develop rules to protect kitchens, we are starting to see a lot more demand in those markets.”

The latest development in the restaurant and industrial systems area is electronics.

“The restaurant systems that we are most familiar with are mechanical,” said Gaston. “They are not like Mier and Fulton’s technology of detecting the fire electrically.

It relies on technology that has been around for decades,

tion. The list of ground-breaking features and benefits of this new system is extensive, and it is gaining traction in the

Gaston shares that the most exciting thing he has experienced in the industry is the amount of change internationally in kitchen systems.

“I would say 10 years ago that we sold very little kitchen systems internationally, which is completely different today,” said Gaston. “Watching how the world realizes the need for similar safety rules to protect their employees and equipment and seeing how we are seen as experts in the industry is exciting.”

“Knowing that you are protecting people, especially with some of these industrial systems we manufacture, and that you are protecting families, fathers, mothers is motivating to me,” adds Gaston.

“Without those systems, people are in danger of not mak-

marketplace. We really think it is the future of the kitchen suppression industry.”

“It really allows us to build off of the other existing technology and systems we already utilize elsewhere,” said

ing it home each day. That really brings me to work.”

“Truly, our team protects people around the globe,” said Gaston. “I would say that everybody here, when they take a step back and think

maybe a century. Most of the systems are requiring a mechanical device to melt away before it can trigger the fire system.”

“We pride ourselves in

Gaston. "So, by having those different areas, protecting the vehicle, the military, and the portables, we take the expertise from each of those and make the other areas better.”

what Amerex is really about, it’s really about protecting people, protecting their property and making the world a safer place. That is what we really do.”

Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

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August, 2019

Growth in custom steel fabrication: Staying small while extending its reach

By Tanna M. Friday For The Tribune

Drive on Gadsden Highway and Trussville and you will learn to appreciate the amount of industry that has made an impact in our great city. One, in particular, has reached to skyscrapers, football stadiums, hotels like the Hard Rock Cafe, and even “The Most Magical Place On Earth.”

M&J Steel, LLC, (formerly M&J Materials, Inc.) has been in business since 1976 and has become a leader in the fabrication and erection of structural steel and miscellaneous metals for both

commercial and industrial projects throughout the United States. M&J Steel fabricates and manages projects that include stairs, handrails, canopies, beams, columns, steel supports and other miscellaneous steel for hospitals, stadiums, office buildings,

hotels, condominiums, and theme parks.

Formed in 1975 by John Russell and Frank Hopson, M&J Materials built a strong reputation as a quality steel fabricator. The two sold the business to seven long-term managers in 2009 forming M&J Steel, LLC. Today there are over 40 employees with a combination of over 525 years of combined steel fabrication experience, making the average employee tenure 12 years.

“The men and women of M&J Steel are the heart of our company,” said Joel Drake, President of M&J Steel. “We believe and practice the golden rule, ‘Treat each other, our customers and our community as we would like to be

treated.’”

Drake shares that through God’s blessings, dedication and hard work, M&J Steel has been a Trussville success for 44 years.

To dig deeper, CEO Lavon Drake, surrounded by his six partners, spoke to The Tribune about how the company evolved into what it is today.

“M&J Materials, owned

by Frank Hopson and John Russell, was the original company,” said Drake. “All of the current partners worked closely with Mr. Hopson and Mr. Russell for many years.

We have great respect for these men. They still come by to visit every now and then.”

“We were fortunate enough that they provided the opportunity for us to buy the company,” said Drake.

“It was a good transition and they helped us get started.”

“Joyce Kell,” said Drake, “Was the office manager and bookkeeper.” Kell has been at M&J Steel since 1977, longer than any other employee of the company and is now the Chief Financial Officer.

Lavon came to M&J shortly afterwards in the role as General Manager and hired all the other partners. He shares how he and his partners came together.

“I hired Hoyt Farmer (V.P. Engineering) at Trussville’s

Gulf Service Station, now the Classic Cars & Garage Museum building,” said Drake.

“He pumped gas for me and kept asking if he could come work for me. He was attending Hewitt-Trussville High

School at the time. I told him that if he would cut his hair, he could have a job. He came to work for us as an errand boy. He is now head of our engineering department.”

“Eddie Box followed Hoyt out of high school,” said Drake. “He was hired as Hoyt’s replacement. He has worked in several positions, including detailing, project management and estimating.

Eddie was the onsite project manager for M&J at the Saturn Manufacturing plant in Columbia, Tn in 1985 and later got into the estimating and sales department, which

he now manages.”

“John Rich came to us from an erection company in 1980,” said Drake. “His first job at M&J was a fork truck operator and painter. He has been project managing since 1988 and is currently VP of project management.”

“Mike Murphree came to us in 1999 after a company in he was working for moved to Virginia,” said Drake.

“We needed his expertise in our purchasing department, which he now manages.”

“Joel Drake worked for us during high school cutting grass,” said Drake. “After working for M&J in Florida for several years, he came back to work in project management. Joel is now president of the company.”

“Mostly, we have all been here a long time,” said Drake.

“I am proud to say that over the last couple of years, we have learned to work together a lot better. We have gotten to know each other’s strengths well.”

“The partners realize that we are blessed to be associated with M&J. But it’s not all about the partners. We have some of the best craftsman in the world here. Each employee is a vital part of the M&J Steel family. Without the dedication, skill and hard work of each individual, we would not

have enjoyed the success we have had here in Trussville.”

Currently, M&J Steel, LLC, works on projects in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois. Some complete projects include the New Tennessee State Museum, Bridgestone Offices in Nashville, UAB School of Nursing building, William Morris Office renovation, Littlejohn Arena at Clemson, Jurassic Park at Universal Studios, the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Disney Little Mermaid support framing, Auburn Arena, Baxter Pharmaceuticals, Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, Piedmont Hospital and much more.

M&J Steel, LLC, is located in Trussville at 7561 Gadsden Highway and is celebrating their 10 year anniversary the end of August.

Celebrating 10 Years as M&J Steel!!

A I S C Fa b r i c a t o r o f s t r u ct u r a l a n d m i s c e l l a n e o u s s t e e l f o r c o m m e r c i a l & i n d u s t r i a l p r o j e ct s t h r o u g h o u t t h e U S .

Jet blue Ballpark

Atlanta Highrise

Auburn Arena

Forsyth County Jail

Samford Arena Birmingham

S p e c i a l i z i n g i n H o s p i t a l s , S p o r t s St a d i u m s , O ffi c e b u i ld i n g s , U p s c a le H o t e l s , Co n d o m i n i u m s , & T h e m e P a r ks .

4 3 e m p ly e e s & ov e r 5 2 5 y e a r s o f c o m b i n e d st e e l f a b r i c a t i o n e x p e r i e n c e .

7 5 6 1 G a d s d e n H w y, T r u s s v i l le A L 3 5 1 7 3

2 0 5 - 6 5 5 -74 5 1

August, 2019

Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

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Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

August, 2019

Advanced Building Products: Focusing on customer experience and employee satisfaction Sponsored Content

When it comes to roofing materials, Advanced Building Products, off Mary Taylor Road, is a one-stop shop that offers more than quality products.

As part of the strongest national network of independent roofing distributors, its parent company, SRS Distribution, has streamlined the roof purchasing process to ensure the best service and experience for clients. SRS operates around 260 stores nationwide and is based out of McKinney, Texas.

Birmingham Branch Man-

ager and company investor, Mike McGaughy, says Advanced Building Products is top-notch in the industry.

“You’re going to get premium products,” said McGaughy.

“We carry the four main brands of shingles.”

For home builders and con-

tractors, Advanced Building Products offers a wide variety of luxury, designer, and traditional roofing shingles, along with all the materials needed to install a new roof. “We have roofing nails, paint, caulking, shingles, and whatever is needed. It’s all here,” said McGaughy.

The experts at Advanced Building Products make purchasing seamless and easy.

Every step along the way, from placing an order to delivery, allows clients to have peace of mind, knowing orders will be handled with care, no matter the level of complexity.

For accuracy, the company has a four-step order-completion process. First, the purchase order is printed. Then, the PO is verified by a staff member.

Next, the warehouse builds the order. After that, it is staged and shipped. With every step, tickets are initialed. This pro-

cess ensures the order is accurate and complete.

The company uses the Roof Hub app to track orders. Clients can access real-time data showing their order status and details, order tracking, delivery ETA, delivery confirmation, and invoice history. The free app keeps you on track, on schedule and ahead of the game.

“We’re the leader of technology in the business,” said McGaughy. “Customers can look up an invoice and see what time their products are supposed to be delivered. The customer even gets a notification when their stuff gets on the ground and they get pictures. At any time, they can pull it up and see exactly where the truck is.”

McGaughy says there is no need to travel to downtown Birmingham. You can simply place an order with Advanced Building Products and have all you need for a complete roofing job delivered to your work site.

Advanced Building Products keeps materials on site, so there is little wait time for customers. The company also has the means to deliver in a timely manner.

As a leader in the roofing industry, Advanced Building Products services customers with over 80 years combined experience.

“Our staff is amazing. We are also big on hiring veterans,” said McGaughy. “We like to hire the best people that we can. Most military veterans are disciplined, they’re hard workers, and they’re awesome teammates.”

SRS’ motto is “Make Money, Have Fun and Give Back.”

“I have a staff of 12, and we are really a close-knit family,” said McGaughy.

The staff at Advanced Building Products picks a charity to give back to every year during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

As for the parent company, SRS invests in its communities through the Raise the Roof Foundation. The non-profit organization that benefits in disaster relief and veteran’s needs.

According to the company’s website, “SRS highly values the service and dedication that the members of the United States Armed Forces show each

and every day” and the company has dedicated a majority of funds raised to causes and organizations that support them.

The corporate structure is designed to require the corporate office to work for the field and not the reverse.

McGaughy believes customer service is the most important part of his job. When he’s not in the office, he’s out visiting customers and asking them about their experience with Advanced Building Products.

“I ask how we can help or how we can do better,” said McGaughy. “In this business, it’s important to develop relationships with your customers and your vendors.”

Perhaps that dedication is why the Birmingham branch of SRS, which has been open since 2012, was recognized as one of the top 20 branches in 2018. The award is given for outstanding achievement.

Advanced Building Products delivers all around central Alabama. There are also locations in Huntsville and in Montgomery. With a strict focus on residential roofing, the company is able to offer a

contractors.

SRS is a private company backed by Leonard Green & Partners and Berkshire Partners and led by a management team of industry veterans who understand the needs of professional contractors. Continual growth through acquisitions since 2008 has allowed SRS to employee the most talented professionals in the industry.

With a focus on customer service and employee satisfaction,

broad inventory at its store. The client is sure to be satisfied.

The family of industry-leading, independent roofing distributors is committed to serving professional roofing

SRS has unlimited opportunities for future growth and success. Those opportunities are directly reflected within the communities in which the company operates.

Specializing in Residential Exterior Building Products Over 25+ Years

3441 Mary Taylor Rd Birmingham AL 35235

205-721-2794

Branch Manager Mike McGaughy mmcgaughy@advancebldg.com

Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

August, 2019

Page 7

Iron Mountain Supply: A storage solutions provider There is one thing that everyone in the workplace needs: Storage. A new division of Iron Mountain Construction is taking that bull by the horns and providing a broad selection of storage solutions for any business in any industry.

Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Iron Mountain Supply, Tom Pappas, knows just how important the job is to those striving to reach goals in a productive manner.

“If you have a storage solution problem, we will come up with an answer,” said Pappas. “We will provide the products for that solution.”

Iron Mountain Supply offers everything from lockers and cabinets, to workbenches

and shelving.

After working for a large manufacturer for 10 years, Pappas identified a need and got to work on his own business. He formed a partnership with Iron Mountain Construction’s Jeremy Purvis and together they created Iron Mountain Supply. It’s unique and in-demand business that will provide industries and organizations with the tools they need to succeed. Afterall, what’s better than making life easier for industries across the nation? The company is doing that and more from east Jefferson County.

“Anywhere in the continental United States that needs this, we will provide it,” said Pappas.

Iron Mountain Supply is your one-stop-shop. With the ability to engineer and customize storage to meet any need, the company can accommodate industry solutions in any space.

Even in earthquake-prone areas, Iron Mountain Supply has the answer. With seismic-approved products and engineering, the company can offer storage solutions to high-risk areas. So, when disaster strikes, clients can focus on what matters most and

not on the stability of their business storage.

Products are supplied by Lyon LLC, Interlake Medalux ASI, West Rack Tennsco and other suppliers needed to meet a need.

“We only use highly reputable manufacturers who provide high-quality and durable products,” said Pappas.

Lyon LLC has been in business for over 118 years and its products come with a lifetime product warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Lyon is LEED/GreenGuard Gold Focused, meaning products are made with sustainability and environmental friendliness in mind. The company’s mission is to deliver the best possible workspace solutions to its distributors.

Tennsco’s affordable and high-quality product line is environmentally friendly and certified SCS Indoor Advantage Gold for indoor air quality and low VOC emissions.

The line includes a wide variety of storage and filing systems, steel office furniture, industrial and institutional shelving, lockers and shop equipment. The manufactur-

er also has the ability to meet special requirements.

When it comes to the community, Iron Mountain Supply is a proud supporter of Springville High School Football and Hueytown High School Anglers. The company also supports Jump Rope for Heart at McAdory and Hayden schools.

Another community service project Iron Mountain Supply holds dear, is its participation in the nationwide charity event, the United Craftsmen Children’s Shoe Drive. Each year, craftsmen across the U.S. gather to provide shoes, socks and lunch for children living in children’s homes or foster

at Shoe Carnival in Hoover.

The money is divided evenly among the children who come to participate.

care. Iron Mountain Supply donates money for the event

The website for Iron Mountain Supply is currently

being developed by Trussville web developer Net3Systems.

It will offer e-commerce for clients who want to browse product lines and place orders.

For clients interested in larger quantities, contacting the company directly is recommended.

“If you buy in bulk, you’re going to get a better discount,” said Pappas. “So, if they’re ordering larger quantities, it would behoove them to contact us directly.”

The website is www.IronMountainWorld.com.

You can also call toll free (833) 975-0057.

Iron Mountain Supply.

Your storage solutions specialists.

WE SERVICE your needs by supplying: Steel Lockers, Workbenches, Shelving, Cabinets, Bookcases, and more!

Specializing in Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Storage Solutions. We offer turn-key solutions, from product sales, to installs, to engineering and design to custom fit any warehouse, locker room, or storage facility.

Proud partner of Lyons and Tennsco products.

Contact: Jeremy Purvis / President jeremy@ironmountainworld.com Tom Pappas VP of Sales & Marketing tpappas@ironmountainworld.com

833-975-0057

Proud Sponsors of Springville High School Football, and Hueytown High School Anglers.

Page 8

Spotlight on Industry | The Trussville Tribune

August, 2019

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