By Dick Maggiore and Mark Vandegrift

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Nimbleness, Quality Fuel Growth at Premier Building Solutions

Stark County manufacturer has expanded three times since forming in 2008; Company setting itself up for continued growth in 2019 — and beyond.

Some companies struggle to find buyers interested in their products and services.

Massillon’s Premier Building Solutions never had that problem. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite.

The adhesives and sealants maker at 480 Nova Drive SE, now is expanding again to keep up with growing demand for its products, which are sold across the United States, in Canada and Mexico, and as far away as Australia.

Premier is investing $2 million in a 24,000-square-foot addition. The expansion, expected to be complete by the end of 2018, will add more office space, large bulk tanks, and a new product research and development lab.

Since 2008, Premier Building Solutions has made, sold and distributed caulking products used in the building and construction, industrial transportation, flooring, cold storage and siding industries.

The company sells its products to large distributors, window manufacturers and construction companies.

What’s behind the growth? Marketing Manager Kelly Mullen said Premier’s history of filling customer orders rapidly with quality products is the foundation.

“We’re a nimble company,” Mullen said. “Our hallmark has always been turning product quickly. We’ve been good at listening to our customers and introducing new products they need.”

Offering 800 color options and being able to handle both large and small orders also has endeared Premier to its customer base.

“We have two 500-gallon mixers, six 250-gallon mixers, multiple 100-gallon mixers as well as 50- and 25-gallon mixers,” Mullen said. “So, we can tackle the big orders and also handle the smaller ones.”

Mullen said that Premier’s management team has played a vital role in steering the company in the right direction during key growth periods.

The company was founded as Premier Industrial Supply by Derek Miller, who serves as its president. In 2012, the name was changed to Premier Building Solutions.

The expansion is Premier’s third move to accommodate growth. In 2013, the company moved into its current 90,000-square-foot facility from its original North Canton location. In 2015, shipping docks and the Stark County Sports Complex, a training center for youth and adults, were added.

After having children of his own, Miller realized a need for such a sports complex in Massillon. The result is a 43,000-square-foot training facility for baseball, softball, football and lacrosse. It features hitting tunnels, pitching mounds, a fielding area, strength and conditioning center, and professional staff and instructors.

Premier Building Solutions develops and manufactures a complete range of high-performance adhesive and sealant products, including silicone, latex, MS polymer, butyl, flashing and foam-based technologies. 

“Our products have set the standard in the industry for quality and performance,” Mullen said.

Premier’s history of innovation has led to the development of breakthrough adhesive chemistries and new industrial-strength products that help customers increase the efficiency and durability of their critical assets.

“We employ associates around the country to support our sales, marketing and manufacturing operations,” Mullen said. “We have two distribution facilities — in Massillon and Phoenix. This helps us get our product delivered in ultra-short turnaround times at competitive prices that are hard to beat.”

Premier Building Solutions’ XtraBond brand is synonymous with quality and innovation. The product line includes more than 40 individual and unique products, ranging from simple latex sealants to ultra-modern hybrid polyurethane sealant adhesives 
to expanding foam sealants. Each product is engineered, manufactured, filled and shipped from Massillon, and also stored in Phoenix.

The company’s flagship product is XtraBond 9500, a multi-purpose advanced polymer sealant. The product’s design ensures that it cures rapidly when exposed to atmospheric moisture to form a durable bond and can be applied in a wide range of temperature and weather conditions — from -40° F to 140° F.

GenX, Premier’s newest product, is the next generation of sealant technology. This high-performance advanced polymer sealant offers maximum durability for use in multiple interior and exterior conditions. The product’s flex technology allows for ±50% joint movement, providing a flexible, durable bond.

There’s hustle and bustle inside Premier’s manufacturing center. On average, between 75 and 85 employees fill out two and a half shifts, or 20 hours, of production each day. Several additional employees will be hired as a result of the new expansion.

“We’re preparing for substantial growth,” Mullen said. “We’re expecting big things for the rest of 2018 and in 2019 and beyond.”

There’s no doubt, Premier Building Solutions is poised to continue sealing the deal as it pushes more Stark County-made products in the United States, and throughout the world.

 

» Innis Maggiore