Atlanta, GA — With more than 100 guys on a jobsite, most of them wielding nail guns, making sure your supplies are readily available, the right size and priced right isn't an option.
Griffin, GA-based Southeast Framers, Inc. has literally been creating the framework for one of the most unique redevelopment projects in the Southeast. Atlantic Station is a multiuse project in the shadow of midtown Atlanta. When it's done, Atlantic Station will house more than 10,000 people and employ about 30,000 in its shopping, business and entertainment venues, according to its developers. Built on the grounds of the landmark Atlantic Steel mill, its 138 acres are part of an EPA Superfund site, Atlantic Station is destined to become a landmark in its own right.
Southeast Framers, specialists in wood construction for multifamily residential projects, is completing its third housing project at Atlantic Station — this one with 322 individual units. "We have found that specializing in multifamily projects, like condos, apartments and townhouses, makes the best use of our skills and resources," explains company founder and president Jerry Smith. "The scale of these jobs allows us to keep all of our people busy and productive."
Nails go fast
Southeast Framers has jobsites throughout the metro Atlanta area and, according to company vice president and founder's son Jerry Lee Smith, that puts an even greater demand on making sure tools and supplies are available.
"Counting all the subcontractors, we can easily have 100 to 150 people working on a jobsite, and that means we go through nails really, really fast," points out the senior Smith.
"We've tried several suppliers in the area, but have come to rely on Kentec Inc. for almost everything," Jerry Lee explains. "We found the others couldn't get what we needed quickly, and they couldn't handle repairs.
"With our jobs spread all over the area, we've come to rely on a lot of the Kentec locations, especially for nail gun repairs and last minute supplies," he adds.