Page 19 - BusinessWest February 20, 2023

“Some of the technology is changing, but we’ve changed some of the technology with our products,” he noted. “And we’re not making basic drywall screws or something like that. If we have a new product, it’s got to have a feature, a benefit, a patent- ed intellectual property, and something the customer wants.”
Clearly, customers do want them — not only domesti-
cally, but in a place like China that’s known much more for its imports to the U.S. than its exports from stateside manufactur- ers. “You don’t see that a lot in any industry — maybe in some more high-tech ones,” Kolvek said. “But in the construction industry, there’s a lot more imported product. So we have to be different — and better. That’s the bottom line.”
And when OMG develops a successful product, similar prod- ucts will follow, as with the OlyBond canisters. “We introduced that technology to roofing and, it took off — tens of millions of dollars of sales in a very short period of time,” McGovern said. “Now everybody has a canister technology.”
“In business, that’s what happens,” Shaffer added. “If you’re successful like Tesla, well, somebody else is going to come out with electric cars. They’re not going to let you just do that forev- er. So you’ve got to move on and innovate again, which is what that whole R&D building is all about.”
And being first to market is important when operating on a global scale, McGovern said. “Then it’s everyone else playing catch-up.”
A key element in OMG’s success has been its embrace of lean manufacturing concepts, Kolvek explained.
“We have a pretty robust continuous-improvement program where we want all employees to be engaged with that thought: what is a better way? How do I improve efficiencies? Can I work safer? Can I work faster? You know, really just instilling people to understand the principles of driving the waste out of every- thing that we do. There’s always an alternative, and we have to pursue that to stay competitive and stay out in front.”
Shaffer agreed. “How do we compete globally from Western Massachusetts, which is not an industrial region? It’s the inno- vation plus lean operations keeping costs down and improving
that value proposition to the end user. Managing costs and inno- vating — that’s how we succeed here in Western Mass.”
Focus on People
McGovern said the importance of employees is also reflected in initiatives ranging from tuition reimbursement and financial- wellness programs to company picnics, subsidized healthy meals, and physical-wellness programs such as yoga, massage therapy, and a gym and fitness trainer on site.
“These are all things that enhance people’s lives, that aren’t necessarily attached to the working piece of the company. But if people feel better about themselves, if they’re financially well, if they’re physically well, then we know they’re going to be a bet- ter employee. We win, and they win.”
Such efforts are even more important at a time when businesses of all sizes struggle to recruit and retain talented workers.
“It’s a huge issue. That’s why we spend a lot of time and money on it,” McGovern said. “We want the best employees, and we want them to stay. And it’s not an easy market.”
The goal has been to create an employee-centric culture, Kolvek added, and the proof of that model’s success is OMG’s continued growth.
“Management will walk the floor every day, in different areas of the company, just to find the pulse: ‘what are your challeng- es? What can I help you solve? Do you need anything from me?’ Maybe we’ve got to make an investment somewhere, and who better to highlight that than the person who’s dealing with that challenge day in and day out?
In addition, “you have to differentiate yourself from your competition,” Kolvek said. “We’re in Western Mass., and we’re all vying for the same pool of workers. So what makes you dif- ferent than someone else you’re competing against for that same labor? If you have employee programs where people see value and benefit, they’re going to be more inclined to come here, stay here, and make a career here.” BW
“We’re in Western Mass., and we’re all vying for the same pool of workers. So what makes you different than someone else you’re competing against for that same labor?”
Happy New Year
As we usher in the new year, RHC would like to thank our loyal customers and employees.
Let's continue to support each other this year.
We wish you all good fortune, health and happiness in 2023.
BusinessWest << CONSTRUCTION >> FEBRUARY 20, 2023 19