This month we are pleased to feature Zeiser Wilbert Vault as part of our Meet a Precaster blog series.
Don’t forget to check out all of our Meet a Precaster blog posts and if you’re an NPCA producer member and would like to be featured in a future Meet a Precaster post, please send an email to NPCA’s director of communication, Kirk Stelsel.
Q: Where are you located?
A: Elmira, NY
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Zeiser Wilbert Vault, Inc was started in 1946 by Dick Zeiser and Jack Mikkelsen as a small burial vault company. Jack then expanded upon a larger precast product line. Charles Kottwitz bought the business from Jack in 1994 and was instrumental in expanding the business even further. Chuck is still the president of the company to date.
Q: How long have you been a member of the NPCA?
A: We have been a member of NPCA since 2001.
Q: Why did you join NPCA? What are the best benefits?
A: We joined the NPCA because we saw a benefit in being a member of an organization that had fantastic marketing tools to push precast in areas where it was not thought of by many engineers. There were also many other benefits in being a member. For one, the surprise inspections are welcome here. It is great to have an individual with an unbiased opinion walk through the plant and offer suggestions on areas we can improve upon. Networking with other precasters throughout the country has been great as well. The NPCA also has a real family feel. Everyone on staff is always there to answer questions and help out with any problems that may arise.
Q: What products do you produce?
A: Our product list includes: precast manholes, catch basins of all sizes, electrical manholes, light pole bases, meter pits, box culverts, septic tanks, distribution boxes, drywells, retaining wall blocks, storm water treatment system, and burial vaults.
Q: Have you introduced any new products lately?
A: We recently teamed with Crystal Streams Technology to build the precast vault for their stormwater treatment system.
Q: What are the top attributes of precast concrete?
A: Precast concrete provides our customers with product that will stand the test of time due to the stringent quality control processes in place at our facility.
Q: What has your company done to fight off the recession?
A: We are a smaller precaster therefore by tightening up the belt here and there we have been able to work through the weaker economic times. We also have a very dedicated customer base that helps us maintain profits to keep rolling year by year.
Q: What have you seen in your area as far as recovery?
A: Having a business in New York is always volatile. Our area has not seen a big jump as far as economic recovery goes. As a business owner you have to be very fluid if you want to stay in business. When the work is not in your immediate area you have to step outside the box and find the work.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: We always look to grow as the world changes. The precast industry continues to come up with new and innovative products and we want to be on that path. We strive to provide our customers with the best product we can. We are also willing to step outside our comfort zone to build products that are not what we may be use to.
The opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the member, and not of NPCA or any of its employees.
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