Side aerial view of the completed facility expansion at Emecole Metro.
By Martin Hawrysko
Metropolitan Industries has completed a 15,000-square-foot facility expansion of Emecole Metro, our basement waterproofing product manufacturing subsidiary in Romeoville, Illinois.
“The larger facility improves storage capacity, eases workflow challenges, and allows us to pursue new growth opportunities,” said John Kochan Jr., president of Metropolitan Industries. “With increased manufacturing and development from Emecole, we will better serve residential contractors and facility operation specialists with new innovations for successful waterproofing and concrete repair.”
“We experienced an accelerated product demand increase resulting from the rapid uptick of basement remodels during the pandemic’s home renovation boom,” said Joe Kochan, co-general manager of Emecole. “With one chance to correct potential water entry and structural vulnerabilities before finishing a basement, the Emecole product selection became an essential commodity for waterproofers with a backlog of available jobs.”
Expansion site preparation ahead of construction.
As the company increased inventory to keep up with rising demand and fend off the persistent threat of supply shortages, the facility eventually ran out of storage space. External containers were placed around the building for additional storage, though the increase in production and shipping highlighted additional building limitations – which additional containers would not solve. “The team worked tirelessly to out-maneuver varying bottlenecks, but it was apparent we had outgrown the facility,” Joe Kochan said.
“The building was purchased with the anticipation that we would eventually expand,” said John Kochan Jr. “The property’s open space adjacent to the building made it an attractive option at the time, knowing we could seamlessly add-on when needed, which occurred a few years earlier than we originally imagined.”
A significant constraint before the expansion was operating with only a single loading dock. The new addition was built with three loading docks, allowing the shipping department’s personnel to accommodate multiple trucks at once. “We’re moving more of our products out the door on peak days,” said Juan Medina, co-general manager of Emecole. “We’re making better use of space and our time to get more done each day, for the betterment of our customers.”
Facility expansion in progress while Emecole maintains regular day-to-day business operations.
The company-owned property was purchased in 2017, and thoroughly renovated prior to commencing operation in mid-2018. Outfitted with a test lab and training classroom, the facility houses Emecole’s day-to-day production, customer service, sales, marketing, and accounting. Located down the street from Metropolitan, personnel can commute back and forth between the two businesses as needed.
“The business endured some unprecedented times thanks to the perseverance of our people,” said John Kochan Jr. “We were fortunate to have avoided the brunt of the supply shortages and that customer orders were consistently fulfilled.”
Continued progress of facility expansion, with exterior closer to completion.
With Emecole’s facility now completed, Kochan Jr. is currently exploring plans to expand the facilities of Emmons Metro, our subsidiary in Albany, New York, serving the Northeastern U.S. This expansion is geared toward bolstering their ability to deliver state-of-the-art engineered solutions and the quality field service they are known for. Their focus spans pumps, equipment, and controls for municipal, commercial, and industrial applications. A future expansion ensures their facilities can meet the growing demands of their customers.
Front aerial view of the completed facility expansion at Emecole Metro.
