Masonry Magazine March 2007 Page. 16
Contractor to Contractor
MCAA MEMBER CONTRACTORS RESPOND TO THE INDUSTRY ISSUES OF THE DAY.
Alan Johnson
Dilworth Elementary
IMS Masonry Inc.
Lindon, Utah
Established in 1989, IMS Masonry Inc. has grown into one of the Northwest region's leading masonry firms. With 90 employees and an ever-growing portfolio, the company prides itself on high-quality customer service, a positive work environment and a priority on safety. IMS has completed a variety of projects, from medical and commercial, to industrial and recreational. Alan Johnson spoke with Masonry about his company's business philosophy, where he sees the future of the masonry industry heading, and how he has successfully marketed his company.
Masonry: Tell us a little more about the history of IMS Masonry.
Johnson: I started AJ Masonry in May 1977, working in the residential market. Looking to create an organization that could be built and passed on without any effects on the company, I formed a new corporation, IMS Masonry, which stands for Integrated Masonry Services. There wasn't a problem with AJ Masonry, but I just decided I really wanted to get away from using my name. I made the switch in 1989.
Our first project was a county jail in Pagosa Springs, Colo. For the next three years, we were chasing work in California and Nevada while maintaining a base in Utah. In 2003, I brought Heath Holdaway into the office as vice president of operations; in 2005, he became a part owner. We currently have approximately 90 employees.
Masonry: IMS has completed a wide variety of industrial and commercial projects, including correctional, educational, religious, medical and recreational facilities. How have you amassed such a diverse portfolio?
Johnson: Over the years, we have developed our management, pursued training for our employees, and created processes for desired results. We will only take on a new type of project if we feel confident in our ability to give our customers a great finished project. IMS has completed work from Vermont to Hawaii, all the while building quite a variety of facilities. We no longer have to spend as much time chasing work, as we build relationships with other contractors they know the results that they can expect from our organization and invite us to follow them into markets where they know they will be successful.
Masonry: Vermont to Hawaii is a pretty big area. How did that come about?
Johnson: A general contractor out of Salt Lake City had some stations along the Canadian border that they were going to build. On the front end, they talked about taking Utah contractors they were familiar with out there, they decided to take IMS as the mason contractor. We were one of only a few subcontractors they originally brought with them. Having a masonry team they were familiar with turned out to be a great experience for both the general contractor and IMS. We built two border guard stations in Minnesota and did one in Vermont.
Another large general contractor from Utah was building a high-end resort in Vermont and had heard about [the previous general contractor's] experience with IMS. They asked us to join