Something special - Business First of Buffalo:

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“Gary and I were introduced by a mutual friends ata game,” Hamels recalled. “Later, we woul d see each other at social functions from time to time and eventuallhy gotto talking. “When it became obvious that Americanj Axle where I worke d wasgoing down, we decided it was time to starft a company,” he said. The next step for the budding entrepreneurs was a visity to the Small Business Development Centerat , wherw Hamels was an adjunct professor teaching careerf and technical education There they met Bill an adviser who helps businesses get launchede and he gave them a blueprintg to follow.
“Gary and I put a 38-page business plan togetherf that contained projectionsand everything. Bill then told us to see our banket and we hooked up withFirst Niagara. We told them what we wantedf to do and they partnered with Hamels said. “We hit the grouned running and haven’t stopped since. I’ve wonderedr what happened to the whole Slawinski said. Who’s Who: The businesz owners are Gary Slawinski, president, Robert Hamels, chief operating and a silentpartner – the one who introducede them to each other. The BMG corporate name is derivee from the first initials of thethrewe owners.
What’s Happening: The company is a custo fabricator of specialty architecturak products such as composite and platepanel systems, ornamental meta l and glass railing systems, and custom sun Revenue: More than $600,000 in nine monthas of 2008; $1-1.5 million is forecast for 2009. Seven full-time and part-time workers. 12 to 15 mostly general contractorsand “Most of our customers are in Erie and Niagaraq counties, but because many of their jobs in rehabilitation and renovation are away from Western New our work goes outside the too,” Slawinski said. Company history: BMG Systemx was formed in March 2008 by now 48, Hamels, now 56, and theit third partner.
Prior to launchingb their business enterprise, Hamelws had lost his 14-year job at American Axle’zs Buffalo plant which closed and Slawinski hadleft , a Northy Tonawanda architectural glass and metal Slawinski started his working career at 18 in the metap fabrication business when he joined Years at Krug, he was shop fabricator and later ran the custom metapl division. Hamels worked since 1972 as a welder, maintenance employee and superintendent for several employers including theformere , 3M O-Cel-O in the Town of and finally American Axle. Job Among the projects that BMG has worked on arethe , , the Buffallo federal courthouse, , , GM World Headquartera and Citicorp Building.
Biggest or most unique project to date: The at the Smithsonian last fall was the biggesg recent project. The work required intricate stainless steel fabricated paneles that were installed on the exterior of the AtSyracuse University, the company produced formed aluminun metal work for one of the campus