Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Smith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jerry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
AIS was established in 2005, a 3 man office grew and soon became an international company, shipping all over the world. In 2011 we were hit with a devastating issue, one of our trusted employees was embezzling money. Most companies our size would not have survived, but with a lot of hard work, loyal customers, and God’s Grace, AIS did.
We were honored to have supplied material for the Sept. 11 Memorial and museum. We have now been in business for 12 years, my wife, Sandy retired last year and is now a part of the AIS team and we continue to grow, we have good employees, loyal customers and a good bank, all a must, for a strong foundation to build on. We are happy to be a part of this community and look forward to many, many years in business.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, by no means, in a small office, everyone does everything. I am not just the President and Founder of Advantage Industrial Solutions, I am customer service, one of the warehouse guys, forklift driver and I have been seen cleaning the bathroom.
A small company doesn’t have titles and positions, we all do what needs to be done to take care of our customers. Embezzlement is not easy to overcome, we missed Thanksgiving and Christmas that year to make sure this person was held accountable and to keep the company’s doors open.
The company was the most important thing that year, we had to make sure our vendors and our employees were paid. Starting a new business is risky, scary, and expensive, it took me several years to take that big step, quitting a good job and going out on my own. Starting a business, is kind of like getting old, it is not for the weak of heart.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We supply industrial valves, pipe supports, custom fabrication and our Advantek FRP vinylester wear pads and liners to pipelines, chemical plants, offshore platforms and FPOS.
I am most proud of the fact, that after 12 years we are still a young company and we are supplying to major oil companies and engineering firms.
We rise above other companies in the same industry with our Customer Service, our Customers come first. They don’t have to do business with us, they do because we make every effort to get what they need, when they need it. If we don’t have it, we will tell them where they can get it.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Houston is a great place for a business such as ours. We are close to the gulf coast, close to Louisiana, and the Port Of Houston.
Houston is the home of some of the largest engineering firms and refineries and chemical plants.
Houston people are friendly, and they welcome new industries and businesses, I would recommend anyone wanting to start a business look at our city first, you can do it in Houston, Texas.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11450 FM 1960 W, suite 112. Houston, Texas 77065
- Website: advantageindustrial.com
- Phone: 832-237-7500
- Email: jerry.smith@advantageindustrial.com
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
