GSK Inc.
Perfection is the point
GSK Inc.'s philosophy: proper planning upfront results in high-quality
buildings with no delays or additional costs
A plumb bob is a conical piece of metal attached to the end of a plumb
line used to establish vertical alignment. It's also the symbol of GSK Inc.,
and an apt one.
GSK Inc. (Gary S. Kohn, Inc.) is a construction management firm whose
focus is the highest attention to detail from conception to completion,
working with clients, architects and the trades throughout the process.
"Paying attention to the details prior to the start of a process always
eliminates delays and wasted time, energy and dollars," says GSK, Inc.
owner Gary S. Kohn.
When Kohn founded GSK, Inc. 18 years ago, he was determined to create
his own marketing niche for the firm, based on his personal philosophy of
business. "I learned early to hold to the highest standards of quality
to create a place in the market ," he says. "What is important
to clients is seeing their projects done in a timely manner with quality
and at a competitive price.
"GSK, Inc. tends to have clients with complex, detailed projects,
the more complicated and challenging ones," he adds. It results in
what Kohn does bestplanning, organizing and sequencing. "I love
what I do," he says, and that love determined the way that GSK, Inc.'s
management philosophy evolved.
Process management
It's all based on what Kohn calls process management. When drawings and
specifications are incomplete, they cause change orders, adding time delays
and cost to a project, he says. Most of these could have been avoided from
the start, in the pre-construction process, if there had been a construction
manager, such as he or his team, that could understand both the owner's
needs and the architect's and engineer's viewpoints, as well as the project
scope and budget.
"The bottom line is that the GSK, Inc. process saves our clients
money. It decreases the construction interest that they pay on their construction
loan and allows their people to move into their building or space sooner.
It costs everyone that's involved in the project, including the subtrades,
less. Everyone is happyespecially the client.
"I learned early on that architects are creative, design oriented,"
says Kohn, "but frequently they are not required to analyze every construction
detail. The owner and the architect most often have the same goal in mind,
but they do not necessarily have the knowledge necessary to achieve their
goal in a timely and cost-effective master plan."
Kohn explains it with the use of a GSK, Inc. model, a three-legged stool
his staff had made for him, a stool with one leg representing the client
and another representing the architect. The all-important third leg represents
the construction manager, and Kohn shows what happens to a project's stability
when that third leg is removed.
"We have found over the years at GSK, Inc. that the language of
architecture, engineering and construction is foreign to most people who
enter into any type of construction project," he says. " Therefore
we and our clients found it helpful to have a third party, an interpreter
and the client's representative on board from the inception of the project."
Teaching the staff
Kohn's staff, as one might guess, is a close-knit and loyal group. Kohn
is able to maintain his high standards by keeping his staff constantly involved
and educated.
"To be a business owner, you have to be everything to everyone,"
says Kohn. "I didn't want to be a teacher, but when I began hiring,
I found myself teaching. I take my time with people and teach and support
them with what they need to know." He also supports his own staff's
activities with industry education.
And much of what he does comes from people skills rather than technical
ones. "I was surprised to find out that much of my job is as a support
person," he notes. " Construction knowledge, at times, seems almost
secondary to the skills needed to effectively deal with people."
Each member of Kohn's staff has clearly written accountabilities and
is responsible for their portion of maintaining this well-oiled machine.
"I understand my staff's capabilities and am able to pair people on
a project so that they complement each other," he says, "always
keeping myself accessible to them for direction and consultation."
Ultimately, how does Kohn account for his success? Well, he says, it's
basic: "Always do what you say you're going to do-and a little more!keep
your word." bxm
One man's dream
To understand GSK, it is first necessary to know its founder
Gary S. Kohn, GSK Inc. founder, comes by his profession honestly. His
grandfather, Morris Kofsky, was a union bricklayer; Kohn still carries the
man's gold 50-year union card with him, and his grandfather's and great
uncle Phil's lunchboxes are proudly displayed in his office, still filled
with their tools. "He was my inspiration," says Kohn. In the depression
years, Kofsky built a series of houses and sometimes moving his family into
one until it was sold, a common practice among first generation European
tradesman in the 1920's and 1930's. Kofsky built a series of houses and
rented them out, with Kohn's mother's family always living in the latest
built.
Inbred work ethic
Kohn was brought up to have a work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit,
going door to door peddling potholders by the age of five, with childhood
plans of being a dairy farmer.
Years later, as a student at Ohio State University, he participated in
several Outdoor Pursuit experiences, which taught him valuable lessons in
setting goals, meeting them and learning to fulfill them through the right
kind of training. "It was a defining moment for me," he said after
completing a winter mountain expedition through the White Mountains of New
Hampshire and reaching the summit of Mt. Washington. "I didn't want
to talk about doing things anymore, I wanted to do. I was going to be a
builder." What's more, he was going to start out as a laborer, to learn
from the ground up. He put himself through the training he needed, just
as he had for physical activity. "I set up my own apprenticeship,"
he says. "Today I might have pursued a construction management degree,
but that was then."
He then bought a $100 car, fixed it up and drove it to Eugene, Oregon,
with his soon-to-be wife Betsy, to participate in a series of Outward Bound
courses. Between courses, he worked as a laborer with a concrete crew, but
always working on complex forms. He progressed from laborer to form carpenter
to foreman, and then to assistant superintendent and superintendent. Eventually,
18 years ago, he knew enough to go out on his own. After a few years in
Oregon, he returned to Ohio, in the same $100 car.
He has more respect and appreciation for formal education now, and he's
indicated an interest in pursuing more formal education in marketing and
business management.
As GSK, Inc. continues to grow and thrive, Kohn keeps adding to his store
of knowledge and honing his business practices. Even his hobbies show his
craftsmanship and his passion for attention to detail. He also collects
and restores historic cars, doing his own restoration work with his brother,
Stan. He is currently in the process of restoring a 1930 Oldsmobile. bxm
GSK meets diverse needs, goals
Client, architect and construction manager work together to create wonderful
buildings
Gary S. Kohn Inc. has handled projects across the entire spectrum of
construction, looking for ones that offer a challenge, not cookie-cutter
projects but more complex ones in which the firm can use its process management
capabilities to listen to client needs, solve problems, speed construction
and introduce value engineering concepts. Here are some representative facilities
GSK has been involved with, including background on why the project presented
a challenge and how it was overcome. Shaker Community Credit Union. GSK
has been working closely with the SCCU for more than a year to find a new
home that would provide the additional space that they need in a location
convenient to their members. After inspecting and evaluating several existing
buildings in the area, GSK assisted the credit union in purchasing and planning
the renovation of the Former Beth El Temple building on Shaker Boulevard.
Renovation work to restore the classic exterior of the building while converting
the interior into an efficient financial facility has begun.
High Point Plaza, Strongsville. When Robert Nieto of R.G. Nieto
Co. planned the purchase of this strip shopping center in Strongsville,
he turned to GSK, Inc., the construction experts that had helped make past
projects, such as Hi Bishop Plaza a success. GSK provided a preliminary
feasibility analysis and plans are currently in progress to give this shopping
center a fresh new appearance while replacing the parking lot.
Heritage Development CompanyNew Solon Corporate HQ. As one
of the premier commercial developers in this area, Heritage Development
wanted their new corporate headquarters to be located in a first-class office
building with excellent highway access. They selected Arbor Court in Solon
for their new home, and GSK, Inc. is currently preparing their new space,
on an accelerated schedule, for a September 2004 move-in.
Pulte Homes of OhioNew Solon Corporate HQ. Pulte Homes is
one of the largest home builders in the nation, and their own home for their
northeast Ohio division is at Arbor Court in Solon. Due to their continuing
success, they have called on GSK, Inc. to provide them with their second
office expansion in the past two years. The scheduling and logistics of
this expansion were complicated, but GSK worked with Pulte Homes to devise
a phased construction plan that allowed Pulte to relocate into their remodeled,
larger space without interruption to their ongoing operations.
Life Settlement InsightsNew Solon Corporate HQ. This fast
growing financial services company wanted to be located in a high end office
building that could provide flexibility for future growth. Located at Arbor
Court, they have worked with GSK to develop a plan that has allowed them
to address the space requirements created by their rapid growth. GSK is
currently planning a 5,200-sf office renovation to meet LSI's latest requirements.
Everest Capital PartnersNew Solon Corporate HQ. GSK, Inc.
worked closely with Everest Financial to create offices in Arbor Court that
reflect the look of quality that is important to their image while working
within their budget. GSK Inc.'s attention to detail made this project a
success.
Anderson-Dubose Distribution. This Solon-based company carries
goods for hundreds of McDonalds restaurants, including food, paper products
and Happy Meal toys, so it stays pretty busy around the clock. GSK, Inc.
had to replace its massive concrete parking area, used by semis 24/7. How
did the firm pull it off? With exquisite planning, including 16 phases of
work. Even the paperwork was color-coded to add clarity.
The Gathering Place. The old Academy Blueprint facility at Commerce
Park in Beachwood was transformed inside and out by GSK, Inc. last year
into a 11,000-sf wellness center for those touched by cancer. Designed by
Bialosky & Partners, the non-profit community building took six months
to build and offers such amenities as a gas fireplace with ceramic tile
hearth, a featured skylight, interior garden, french doors and a covered
cedar trellis walkway.
Hillcrest Educational Credit Union. An existing video store in
Richmond Hts. was transformed into a model for all credit union facilities.
GSK, Inc. worked with all parties to save costs on a project that was originally
bid over budget. GSK, Inc. entered the picture and took control of the planning
process. Through value engineering and constant communication GSK, Inc.
gained a "client for life."
Lincoln Electric. The interior renovation of this office and manufacturing
headquarters included such special touches as a custom circular security
center with brushed aluminum laminate and etched glass, a custom brushed
stainless steel and glass curtain wall and custom double doors with designer
hardware to enhance the look of this major Cleveland corporation.
Middlefield Market Square. The tenants of this complex needed
an outdoor sales area and high-quality interior, with the need to adhere
to strict time and budget constraints. GSK, Inc. brought its considerable
scheduling abilities to the fore to meet the needs of all tenants while
making the site usable through a major rock excavation effort. It paid off
with an on-time, within-budget performance.
Cleveland Browns Headquarters and Training Facility, Berea. When
the Browns returned to the city in 1999, refurbishing their 36,000-sf Berea
headquarters gave new meaning to the term hurryup offense. GSK, Inc.
added security features such as 3,000 feet of ornamental fence, automatic
gates, lighting and an infrared security system, as well as underground
irrigation and expanded utilities, including storm sewers and drain systems,
plus new parking areas and walkways. Extensive landscaping adds to the draw
of this tourist destination.
Solon Marquis Office Building. The idea was good: a high-end office
building in Solon, but GSK, Inc., as construction manager, had to overcome
faulty soil conditions and topography. They worked with structural engineers
to solve the physical challenges, while helping the architect and owner
locate uncommon, high- quality materials to give the building its unique
look.
St. Matthias Church. This Parma church congregation wanted GSK,
Inc. to renovate and add to their existing structure, but the site conditions
represented a drawback. GSK, Inc. worked with the owner and the architect
to overcome these conditions while keeping costs contained for the church
by repurposing existing space and tapping into the congregation's time and
skills.
Bainbridge Market Square. Building shopping centers like the
one in Bainbridge, then meeting tenant needs with build-outs such as the
ones for Drug Mart, Mazzulos, the Breadsmith, the Bistro Restaurant and
Best Cuts, takes some doing. GSK, Inc. had to assist the owner in getting
a sanitary sewer to the site. Extensive utility work was needed to extend
the sanitary sewer connection and widen Route 306, all going to create a
buildable lot.
Ridge Road Shopping Center. This shopping strip in Brooklyn needed
to modernize, but part of the challenge was serving the needs of a diverse
number of tenants without affecting business. A specially designed office
now serves the MetroHealth Medical Center and enhances its corporate image.
The city uses the parking area to serve a new city park, and nearby residential
neighbors got to have their say regarding traffic and appearance; the project
won an award from the county for sensitive development. bxm
Focus on education
One of GSK Inc.'s key personnel is Hope Ann Copeland, who serves as an
assistant project manager. In addition to her invaluable work at GSK, she
is also a vital member of the National Assn. of Women in Construction, Cleveland
Chapter. She was recently honored by that group as its Foremost Leader for
the year for Region 4, the largest NAWIC region in the country and certainly
its most active. Copeland is part of the reason why: she serves as the group's
liaison to NAWIC's Education Foundation, which fields such activities as
the Block Kids program to interest elementary school kids in construction
jobs, a Building Design program for middle school kids, and a CAD/Design
Drafting Scholarship Competition for senior high kids. The NEF also offers
scholarships to college students pursuing construction careers, and it helps
to educate its own members with continuing education certification in three
designations: Certified Construction Associate, Construction Industry Technician
(Copeland's designation) and Construction Document Specialist. bxm
