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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
In an age of big-box retailers and one-stop shopping, it's sometimes hard to find the "mom and pop" businesses of bygone days. That means I'm doubly delighted to find small businesses that are not only surviving but thriving, such as Image West Metals in Salt Lake City.
Twenty years ago, Harry Lord decided to start his own sheet metal fabrication company. The small company prospered under his leadership and guidance. In 1998, Harry hired his son-in-law, Tyler Banks, to work for him. Tyler became quite efficient at metal-working, and in 2005, he started running the more technical aspects of the business. He purchased the company in 2007.
Image West Metals is a sheet metal fabrication company with diversified capabilities. Tyler says his company does everything from working with sheet metal to shearing, forming, welding and some structural projects. The company works with all types of materials from steel, piping and tubing, to aluminum and stainless steel. Image West Metals serves the trucking, food service and skiing industries among others and does work for the general public.
A unique aspect of the business is something Tyler calls Just in Time parts. Customers come into the shop requesting small quantities of parts that similar companies wouldn't be willing to do, and Image West Metals will happily produce them with same-day or next-day service. Clients appreciate this service as well as the competitive pricing that comes with it.
Tyler says the business model for Image West Metals hasn't changed much in the 20 years the company has been in existence. However, he and his six employees do their best to complete orders as quickly as possible with the highest level of quality. Tyler hopes the family-owned company can continue to prosper so he can pass it on to his own children someday.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
