Page 3 - BusinessWest Faces of Business March 18, 2024

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Facesof Business
A BUSINESSWEST SERIES
Michael Ciolek Jr., Paul Ciolek, and Tom Ciolek
wners, Associated Builders
OM
construction field “by default,” long after their father, Michael Ciolek Sr., founded Associated
Builders Inc. in 1971.
But there’s nothing default about the way
they run the business today. Rather, they take a purposeful approach to meeting customers’ needs.
After growing up in a construction family and working in the business in various roles, the three brothers assumed full ownership of South Hadley-based Associated Builders upon their father’s retirement in 1990.
“Our early entry into the construction field allowed us to hit the ground running once we became owners,” they say. “We’ve continued to grow the company and adjust to the ever- changing technologies and rules and regulations within the construction industry. We are cur- rently a full-service commercial and industrial design-build company.”
Through more than 50 collective years in business, the brothers have designed and built hundreds of facilities, including projects in the commercial, industrial, automotive, institution- al, and agricultural sectors, with projects rang- ing from new buildings to office renovations and tenant fit-ups.
It’s certainly a broad array of projects — but Associated Builders is about quality, not just quantity, and the leadership team takes pride in every single job.
“Our crews are committed to the details of each project. We are especially proud of the many repeat clients we have. We pay attention to our clients’ needs and requests and make their design-build and renovation projects as efficient and stress-free as possible. We work hard to earn our clients’ confidence and trust and appreciate their business and the relation- ships we’ve built.”
At a time when the construction industry is graying a bit and talent is at a premium, the Ciolek brothers can reflect on their own experi- ences and why they feel this is a dynamic, inter- esting, and well-paying field for young people to consider.
“Currently, the construction industry is in dire need of general laborers and individuals with vocational skills and experience in carpentry, masonry, and the mechanical fields,” they say. “Compensation for individuals that choose
to work in these fields can be extremely rewarding.”
MARCH 18, 2024
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ichael Ciolek Jr., Paul Ciolek, and Tom Ciolek say they entered the
Part of that reward is the palpable nature of each success.
“Construction is inher- ently gratifying,” they note. “There are few indus-
tries in which you have
the opportunity to see a project from inception to completion. Overcoming challenges — whether it
be budget issues, planning board decisions, or project scheduling delays — is part of the job, and it’s gratify- ing when we’re able to find a solution that satisfies
our client and achieves our goal of constructing a func- tional space for them.
“Our work is more than just ‘finishing the job,’” the Associated owners stress. “Our ultimate goal with every project is to design and construct a building that increases our clients’ productivity and profit- ability.”
It’s not all work for
Michael, Paul, and Tom. In
their spare time, they enjoy
spending time with family
and in the great outdoors,
including hiking, golfing, skiing, and fishing.
But at work, it’s all about doing right by their clients, a business philosophy summed up suc- cinctly in the company’s mission statement:
“Associated Builders Inc.’s mission is to design and construct the highest-quality com- mercial and industrial facilities for our New England customers. We will accomplish this with the honesty and integrity we would expect from others, a commitment to unparalleled quality and customer satisfaction, sustainable and profitable growth for our company and
our employees, an integrated team effort from design through construction, recognizing the positive role Associated Builders can play in the communities where we do business, and striv- ing to improve the quality of life within those communities.”
To learn more about Associated Builders’ pro- cess and the projects it has successfully brought from idea to reality, visit abuilders.com. BW
Michael Ciolek Jr.
Paul Ciolek (left) and Tom Ciolek
Tom Ciolek