Deal ensures Gundlach Sheet Metal stays in Sandusky

SANDUSKY — From the inefficient office space layout to dangerous traffic patterns, they vented about these bothersome issues for years.In fact, executives representing Gundlach Sheet Metal — a company specializing in heating, air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, custom sheet metal, fabrication and more — considered leaving Sandusky, the company's home since 1889, because of these concerns."We decided, about two or three years ago, to look around Perkins Township and Erie County," Gundlach company president Roger Gundlach said.When city officials learned about Gundlach exploring potential sites outside of Sandusky, talks to ensure it didn't immediately started.The two sides, quickly and mutually, agreed on a deal to ensure Gundlach Sheet Metal continues operating in Sandusky while addressing those aforementioned problems.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners authorized a financial package revolving around a $1 million project to improve operations at Gundlach's base, 910 Columbus Ave.The city's contribution consists of two major components:• A $50,000 grant to help pay down Gundlach's $1 million privately funded commitment toward this initiative• A 10-year, 75 percent tax abatement, forgiving this portion of taxes on all new construction, additions and expansion on the company's property during this time frameMatt Lasko, the city's chief development officer, explained the reasoning behind supporting this arrangement."For over 125 years, the company has been serving the needs and employing the residents of Erie County and, more specifically, Sandusky," Lasko said. "They have proven to be not just a great company with a respected reputation but valued civic partner. We are thrilled to play a small part in the company's growth and expansion, which signifies their long-term commitment to this community."Gundlach, meanwhile, couldn't be happier he and his family-owned and locally operated company is staying in Sandusky."When we looked at other options, we thought if the city can work with us, and if our neighbors can work with us, we realized it's best for our business to be here in the heart of Sandusky and in the center of Erie County," Gundlach said. "We like what is going on in Sandusky and all the positive things that are happening, and we wanted to be part of that renaissance."Gundlach Sheet Metal executives, president Roger Gundlach (left) and services manager Andy Gundlach, stand inside the company's new warehouse, located behind the business, 910 Columbus Ave., in Sandusky. The warehouse's creation is one aspect of a $1 million improvement the company set out to complete this year. Explaining the enhancements and efficienciesThe financial package included building a 6,200-plus-square-foot warehouse to store Gundlach products for its residential, services and construction departments. These items range from air conditioners to plumbing products.Gundlach previously acquired land behind the main storefront. This included buying a blighted house and demolishing the decrepit structure. Work on the warehouse is almost complete."We've grown to a point where we had to do something," Gundlach said. "We have adequate production space, but we filled it with our inventory. So that created inventory problems. We were running out of space. We built this warehouse to give us this space."A warehouse produces two spin-off effects benefiting the business, Gundlach said. More specifically:• A more optimal layout: Gundlach office employees work in several different buildings, split up from one another. "We have been in this location for well over 100 years and, over the years, as the business has expanded, we have purchased other buildings." Eventually, Gundlach wants to relocate all office workers into one remodeled area "so it's more efficient for everyone." The plan also involves creating some areas to host company-wide meetings.Gundlach employs about 50 people today and will likely increase job opportunities because of the financial package city officials supported.• A better traffic pattern: Large delivery trucks today, either coming from or leaving Gundlach Sheet Metal, often have difficulty negotiating Division and Wayne streets. And, at times, large trucks back up onto and block Columbus Avenue, causing issues for motorists. But with a new dedicated driveway, spanning between the warehouse and Gundlach's buildings, this should eliminate these concerns. "That's a huge safety issue for our company we don't need to worry about anymore, and it makes it a lot safer for everyone."Gundlach Sheet Metal's new 6,200-plus-square-foot warehouse aims to provide the business with ample space to store inventory. The outside areas, meanwhile, provide a dedicated area for large trucks to easily navigate through this area to pick up and drop off products.Making sense of the dollars and centsA project for Gundlach Sheet Metal to enhance and expand its business footprint in and around its Sandusky base, 910 Columbus Ave., totals about $1 million, broken down with:• $50,000: coming from a city grant• $950,000: coming from Gundlach Sheet Metal.Additionally, officials provided the business with a 10-year, 75 percent tax abatement, forgiving this portion of taxes on all new construction, additions and expansion on the company's property. This includes building a 6,200-plus-square-foot warehouse.Source: Sandusky economic development officeReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.