Article by Richard Wade:

When Eberl Iron Works, Inc. was founded back in 1923, it was nothing more than a small welding shop manned by a few workers. As the company stands today, it has five different and distinct divisions. Those divisions include the following:

·         Metal Fabrication
·         Unistrut Buffalo
·         Traffic Safety Products
·         Rooftop Support Systems
·         Systems Installation

"The company is focused on saving its customers money", says Nora Eberl, who serves as the companies' Chief Financial Officer. "We've been able to accomplish that by adding value to each of the products we sell," said Eberl.

After spending six years in public accounting, Eberl joined the family business. Her degree in accounting allowed her to adjust to the role of CFO. "I really think my degree complements the tasks I'm presented with on a daily basis," said Eberl.

There are only a handful of companies that have been in existence for 80+ years. So how does a company like Eberl Iron Works survive?

"It's a combination of our core values, which include: Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, Respect, Communication, Quality Service and Innovation," said Eberl. We have also used outside consultants, instituted Six Sigma principles, and worked in conjunction with UB's Center for Industrial Effectiveness to better our business in its entirety."

The newest of the five divisions at Eberl Iron Works is the Rooftop Support Systems division.  It was launched in August 2009. The Rooftop Support Systems division makes custom non-penetrating components to fit existing roofing systems. The supports are used in the HVAC and Piping industries among others.

So what would prompt a company to expand with a new division, when many other companies are hemorrhaging money and barely staying afloat?

"We saw a huge opportunity in the market," said Nora Eberl. "We are a growth-oriented company."

"There is a need in our area. Lead times can be quite long,' said George Hartman, Project Coordinator for the Rooftop Support Systems division. We have been able to supply these supports in a short amount of time."

It's a rare sight to see. With all of the government bailouts and exorbitant executive bonuses, society often is left to guess who the good guys are. It is evident that Eberl Iron Works is one of those businesses that others should model themselves after.

Eberl Iron Works
128 Sycamore Street
Buffalo, NY 14204
(716) 854-7633