Filling Every Need
Eastern Metal Supply has a 25-year commitment to hurricane protection and aluminum extrusion products.

HP: Please give a detailed description of your company and its history.

BILL FEELEY, head of the Eastern Metal hurricane division: Founded by Susie Walsh and Greg Weekes in 1982, Eastern Metal Supply started with just five employees and has since grown to employ more than 350. Our single Florida location has turned into seven nationwide service centers, totaling over 700,000 square feet of distribution and manufacturing space and over 18 million pounds of inventory.

In 1989 our Charlotte, NC, branch was opened to better service our customers outside the state of Florida and in Canada. Thanks to our ever-growing customer base, we have upgraded our North Carolina facility to 112,000 square feet, and we also opened a 35,000-square-foot new location, EMS Delaware, in early 2006. EMS North Carolina serves the Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States as well as Kentucky, Ohio and eastern Canada.

In 1995 we opened EMS Texas in Houston. Due to a rapid increase in sales, we expanded our Texas location to 80,000 square feet in May 2004. EMS Texas serves the Southwestern United States as well as Mexico and Central America.

In January 1999 we opened our newest branch office in St. Louis, MO. EMS Missouri now stands at 45,000 square feet to serve the Northwestern United States west of Ohio and western Canada.

Our corporate office in Lake Worth, FL, stands at 143,000 square feet. We also have a 112,000-square-foot Hurricane Shutter Products Distribution Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Due to our rapidly expanding customer base, we’ve just added a 20,000-square-foot warehouse to support our retail department in West Palm Beach and are currently building a new 160,000-square-foot warehouse in Lakeland. EMS Florida comprises more than 435,000 square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space to better serve our customers. EMS Florida locations serve the state of Florida and the Caribbean.

HP: What hurricane protection products did you handle initially? What products do you handle today?

FEELEY: The first hurricane protection product developed by EMS was a non-approved generic accordion shutter with two choices of shutter blade. The hollow/hollow blade and the hollow/solid blade were introduced in June 1990. In the spring of 1994 EMS made a major commitment to the hurricane protection industry. With a tough new building code adopted in Florida in the fall of 1994, EMS introduced the first accordion shutter to effectively meet impact restrictions and pass the new code.

We are even more committed today by testing and developing new and approved hurricane protection products.
EMS currently offers the New HV™ Bahama/Colonial Shutter, HV Accordion Shutter System, 58mm Bertha™ End Retention/Non Retention Roll Shutter, a variety of Bertha Storm Panels, including clear polycarbonate, aluminum and steel. EMS also offers aluminum railing and screen enclosure systems.

HP: Is your business computerized? Do you have a company Web site, and how is it used to communicate with customers?

FEELEY: All of the Eastern Metal Supply locations are networked via T-1 and DSL connections. We have a database system that allows receiving, shipping, purchasing, accounting, credit and manufacturing to work together for a seamless workflow. We host our own e-mail.

Outside sales and other reps can dial into our server, while in-house employees simply stay connected through the T-1 and DSL connections. Each branch also houses file, print and fax servers for on-site usage. Through our company’s Web sites (www.easternmetal.com and www.amshutter.org) visitors can review products from our huge online database; contact our employees via e-mail; download digital versions of our line cards, credit applications and catalog sections; and request information from any of our branch offices.

HP: Who are your customers? What parts of the country do you service?

FEELEY: Our customers consist of a variety of businesses, the primary being hurricane and security shutter manufacturers, wholesalers and installation services. Many of our customers are diversified and also include railings, fencing, awnings and other aluminum building products, which we supply.

We service the entire United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. The majority of our hurricane protection customers are located in coastal areas. Wherever storm and security protection are needed we are there.

HP: What best describes your niche in the market place?

FEELEY: “Just-in-time” delivery (JIT) is the backbone of our business today. Stocking inventory and shipping it as needed saves valuable warehouse space for our customers.

HP: What are some of the key factors involved in your growth and success?

FEELEY: At Eastern Metal Supply we take pride in our employees and the service they provide to our customers. It is because of them that we are a successful company today, and we sincerely appreciate their efforts and dedication.
Service and quality are the keys to our success and will always be our main priorities. As a result, in the 25-plus years we have been in business we have earned a reputation as a first-class supplier of aluminum products.

HP: What are your strengths in the market place?

FEELEY: Our strength was developed by setting three primary goals:
1. To serve our customers profitably through the sale of aluminum extrusions and sheet products.
2. To provide a healthy work environment for our employees.
3. To make a positive contribution in our communities.

HP: What other products do you offer?

FEELEY: Eastern Metal Supply is one of the largest distributors of aluminum extrusions in the United States. Our seven nationwide distribution centers will ship standard or custom aluminum extrusions efficiently and economically with our just-in-time delivery. We can stock product inventory for our customers and ship it as needed to save them valuable warehouse space. Whatever their aluminum needs may be, we can fill that need affordably and on time.

In addition to our hurricane protection products we also carry welded and mechanical railing systems, sign frame and awning industry shapes, marine extrusions and accessories, fencing and wall systems, boat trailer I-beams and components, dock and ramp systems, window treatment products and much more.

Eastern Metal Supply
Florida Corporate
(800) 432-2204
Charlotte, NC
(800) 343-8154
Houston, TX
(800) 343-8154
Earth City, MO
(888) 822-6061
www.easternmetal.com
www.amshutter.org