Built on integrity and high standards, this company above and beyond by providing high tech construction equipment solutions for customers. The Equipment Corporation of America (ECA) was founded in 1918. Over the years their product lines have ranged from boilers and steam cranes, locomotive equipmen t and foundation construction equipment. Today, ECA has narrowed their focus to including hoisting systems for communication tower erection and marine winch applications and a primary focus on Foundation Drilling Equipment and Pile Driving Equipment and Accessories.
The company offers a fully array of new equipmetn, rental fleet, parts and service at its five locations: The main office is in Pittsburgh, PA, with branch offices in Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C., Boston, MA and a subsidiary company in Toronto, Canada. ECA strives to provide productive and innovative products, services and solutions to the construction industry.
President of the company, Roy Kern, has been with ECA since 1986 and followed in the footsteps of both his grandfather and father. "It's in your blood," says Kern, who essentially grew up working in the shop throughout high school and some of college. Leonard Kim, Roy's grandfather, started as a secretary in the Pittsburgh office, and moved up the ranks, eventually buying out retired officers and becoming the owner. Al Kern assumed control in 1965, and Roy became president in 2000 when his father retired. Kern has a degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State and an MBA from Cornell. After working as a financial analyst in Chicago for a couple years, he returned to Pittsburgh and the family business.
Ben Dutton, Executive Vice President, started with ECA in 1975. Dutton received his accounting degree from St. Joseph's University in 1974. Throughout his time at university he worked selling construction equipment in Philadelphia which prepared him for working at ECA. Since he graduated he has been with ECA.
THE EMPLOYEES
Like Kern and Dutton, many employees have been with the company for a long time. Kern says, "I'd like to think it's because we have a good atmosphere to work in."
Dutton adds, "I also think that it's the reputation and integrity of the company, its administration and its employees." Each employee has an important role in the company and upper management recognizes that. Everyone can work autonomously and have a say regarding matters that arise. With this management style, everyone feels empowered and therefore services the client quicker and more efficiently."
ECA is also committed to making sure employee receive the best possible training. The company invests in education for employees by sending service personnel and sales personnel to association seminars and manufacturer's factories for specialized training several times a year, even to manufacturers in Europe.
TECHNOLOGY
Contractors today look for highly-specialized machines for increased productivity. Due to a need to be competitive and get projects done in a timely manner, there has become higher sophistication in equipment. Dutton says, "In the last 10 years it has been very dramatic. We're seeing very technical hydraulic systems, and more use of computers. In general, it's getting more specialized as the contractors have to increase productivity to remain competitive."
There are now computerized systems in the machines, running the hydraulics and engines simultaneously and in synchronization to increase productivity and minimize fuel usage. Dutton continues, "Machines are doing more specific tasks, so there is a higher level of sophistication involved. Part of it is also driven by inspectors requiring more information as to what is being done. The use of computers provides data that they can just download to the inspector's computer." In addition, the use of global positioning systems (GPS) now exists within equipment.
Kern explains, "ECA offers industry recognized, top-quality equipment. We have to support our customers by providing full service to maximize the contractors' up time. And that's something that we have always been committed to and back up with a big investment with service related assets. We have full-service capabilities out of all five branches including trained mechanics and technicians, parts and equipment inventories and sales personnel. We're located strategically so we can be near our large customer bases to better serve their needs."
ECA also utilizes several European manufacturing companies to meet their inventory needs. The challenges of building foundations in Europe near 1,000-year-old structures, led to the development of specialized foundation equipment not available in the United States. After the earthquake in San Francisco in 1989, the Federal Highway Authority teamed with the California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) and changed their design criteria for foundations in seismic activity areas. This has created a huge opportunity to introduce the European drilling technologies to the deep foundation industry in the U.S.
KEY PROJECTS
The Equipment Corporation of America also gets involved in major, high-profile projects across the U.S. and Canada. For example, the ECA worked on the levy restoration in the Gulf area as a result of Hurrican Katrina. They also had equipment and workers at Ground Zero and had equipment on major bridges, including the bridge that collapsed in Minnesota. Dutton continues, "We've had equipment on basically every stadium that's been built east of the Mississippi." Currently, they are involved in a project in Idaho which is a radioactive containment site.
Some customers in major cities have requirements that exceed Federal APA emissions standards. ECA works very closely with them to meet specific standards. The company uses biodegradable oils in hydraulic systems and synthetic oils in gear boxes and motors. They also recyle oils, filters and other materials.
ECONOMY TRENDS
Dutton says that the trends in the construction industry "parallel the ups and downs of the global economic trends. The construction industry has been hit very heavily in the last several years. The impact of the real estate and banking crisis had a direct and dynamic impact on construction spending." The construction industry is also a leading factor in getting the economy back on track - due to the increase in stimulus money and public sector funding, activity in the construction industry increases. "We derive probably 85 percent of volume from heavy infrastructure construction," says Dutton.
The private sector has been a little slower to recover. Dutton says, "Being involved in the foundation construction business - we're the first to experience a rise in volume. The bad news is that we're one of the first to see a slow down. We are starting to see an increase which is a good sign for all construction going forward."
Ben Dutton, Executive Vice President, started with ECA in 1975. Dutton received his accounting degree from St. Joseph's University in 1974. Throughout his time at university he worked selling construction equipment in Philadelphia which prepared him for working at ECA. Since he graduated he has been with ECA.
ECA also utilizes several European manufacturing companies to meet their inventory needs. The challenges of building foundations in Europe near 1,000-year-old structures, led to the development of specialized foundation equipment not available in the United States. After the earthquake in San Francisco in 1989, the Federal Highway Authority teamed with the California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) and changed their design criteria for foundations in seismic activity areas. This has created a huge opportunity to introduce the European drilling technologies to the deep foundation industry in the U.S.