Made in Frederick: Equipment Development Company (EDCO)

By Bobby Baumler
Photography By Melissa Dryman, Hood College Intern

In The City of Frederick, many local businesses make and manufacture their own products. From distilled spirits to dog treats, many businesses are choosing Frederick as a place to make their products and do business.  

Made in Frederick is a feature that showcases these businesses and their products.

Made in Frederick: Equipment Development Company (EDCO)

Located on Thomas Johnson Drive, among medical offices and surgical centers, EDCO has been producing its American made machines in Frederick since 1978. EDCO's floor grinders, saws, and other tools set the standard in the construction rental industry. Marketing Director Jason Stanczyk answered a few questions about EDCO and let us have a behind-the-scenes tour of how their products are made.

A view of the loading dock area where assembled machines are placed in shipping crates prior to being sent to customers around the world.

How long has your company been in business?

EDCO has been in business since 1959. The company started in Sliver Spring, MD and relocated to Frederick in 1978. 

What is your product/products?

We have two businesses:  EDCO Inc. and EDCO Fabrication.

EDCO Inc: We manufacture and sell a complete line of surface preparation, removal, & professional sawing equipment. The product families include, floor grinders, surface planers, tile removers, street saws, hardscape saws, and tile saws. These products are sold world-wide.

EDCO Fabrication: EDCO Fabrication is a full service fabrication provider specializing in laser cutting, forming and welding. We also offer finishing capabilities that include powder coating, wet painting and assembly. We can fabricate, weld, and finish large runs of various parts and products for all kinds of manufacturing companies. This services regional manufacturers.

What makes your product different?

The laser cutting machine reads computer-aided design
files to create custom metal pieces for both EDCO
machines and for EDCO Fabrication clients.

EDCO Inc:  What separates EDCO from competitors is product life span. Every product we manufacture is designed to be over-built and long-lasting.  The vast majority of EDCO products are sold into the rental industry, companies who buy product to rent to end users. Product life-span is crucial to rental success. The longer a rental item lasts, the more profit the item will produce. While competitors manufacture overseas, EDCO manufactures everything in America.  Raw steel enters our Frederick facility and leaves as finished products.

EDCO Fabrication:  Attention to detail and customer service separates us from competitors.  We have staff dedicated to assisting, quoting, following up, and delivering fabricated products to other manufacturers.  Staff takes customer specs and turns them into the item customers expect.

Beginning with a sheet of metal, the pieces are laser cut and welded together.  The pieces are then sent to the paint booth for a powder coat and then baked in the oven.  Following this process, the machines are assembled and tested prior to being packaged and shipped out to customers.

What do you want your customers to know about your product?

EDCO wants customers to know that when they invest in EDCO products or EDCO Fabrication that they have superior customer service. That's what our company is built on.  One of our company values reads like this: "Customer Dependent:  EDCO does not pay our salaries, the customer does. We remember that in everything we do. We are nothing without the customer." EDCO owes its customers the best service and product training.

Why are you located in Frederick?

We've been located in Frederick since 1978. EDCO originally moved to Frederick because 1) the company founders needed affordable manufacturing space for their growing company and 2) they liked the quiet living of 1970s Frederick.

Since EDCO's move from Sliver Spring, it has occupied an existing Frederick facility, built a new facility, and then added a massive space extension. EDCO's growth was never met with resistance.  Frederick's proximity to shipping lanes, Washington & Baltimore, and international airports make it a convenient area to ship product nationally and worldwide. We hire local employees directly out of Frederick County Public Schools - many who received specific manufacturing-related training from the Career and Technology Center.

Frederick has grown since 1978. EDCO is a family company with multiple generations involved. Frederick is a safe and vibrant place to raise our families. EDCO is proud its corporate headquarters is here.

What does Frederick offer a company like yours?

Frederick offers opportunity - professionally and personally.

Professionally - The area has good people.  We have employees who have been with EDCO for decades. The region houses many other manufacturing companies that are customers of EDCO Fabrication.

Personally - Frederick City is a vibrant, safe, and fun place to live. The area offers many opportunities for personal growth.

Connect with EDCO

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Inspiring Office: Blue Pillar grows into its Downtown Frederick office

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires. From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs.  

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Blue Pillar

IT company Blue Pillar is an energy management solutions firm that moved its headquarters to Frederick, Maryland in 2015. Originally launching in Maryland at FITCI, Frederick’s high tech business incubator, the company grew into a space in the heart of Downtown Frederick. Their third level office provides stunning views of the Square Corner, high ceilings, wood floors, and custom elements that give the space character. 

Blue Pillar's light-filled meeting room overlooks Downtown Frederick's Square Corner.  The lights and custom table add unique design elements.

This high top table provides a collaboration space in their open office environment.

Comfortable gathering spaces welcome visitors. Note the actual "blue pillar" in the background.

Blue Pillar's space provide rooms with some of the best views in town. 

A glass jar of candy in the reception area helps satisfy a sweet tooth.

Light filled offices have both historic and modern elements.

Blue Pillar is on the third floor of this iconic Downtown Frederick building. From dining to the arts, employees at Blue Pillar are steps from the city's best amenities.

Find Your Own Inspiring Office

If you are looking to open or expand a business in Frederick, we can help.  Contact us, and let us help you find your own inspiring office space so you can build your dream. 

If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature.
 

Michelle Kershner is the Business Development Specialist for the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development. 

Tech Showcase Features Emerging Technologies

The annual Tech Showcase offered networking on the patio and tours of FITCI. 

On June 14, 2016, the Fort Detrick Alliance hosted its annual Tech Showcase at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) in Frederick, Maryland. The event featured FITCI's new Executive Director Kathie Brady; County Executive Jan Gardner; Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement; and Dr. George V. Ludwig, the Acting Principal Assistant for Research and Technology, USA Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick. 

“This annual event is an excellent opportunity to learn about new technologies and is an opportunity to connect with industry professionals,” said Richard Griffin, Director of The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development.

Fort Detrick Alliance President Dr. Harry Modrow opened the event with a welcome to attendees, followed by remarks from other speakers.

The evening concluded with tours of FITCI, Frederick County’s only business incubator. Attendees had the opportunities to meet with the entrepreneurs currently operating out of FITCI and learn more about their research and technologies.  

From left to right: Fort Detrick Alliance President Dr. Harry Modrow; Executive Director Kathie Brady; County Executive Jan Gardner; Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement; and Dr. George V. Ludwig, the Acting Principal Assistant for Research and Technology, USA Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick. 

A Company's Mission Inspires its Office Design

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires.  From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs.  

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside this month's inspiring office in Frederick - Someone With. Paula Jagemann-Bane is the CEO and Founder of Someone With Group. The company began as an online marketplace for breast cancer products, and has expanded its corporate vision of "Innovation for Life" to include membership based financial services for those suffering from a chronic condition. 

The company's mission has inspired its office design. Pink is the classic awareness color for breast cancer, and it can be found infused into all aspects of the office's design. 

Learn more about inspiring office, Someone With. 

Someone With CEO and Founder Paula Jagermann-Bane answered a few questions about what she loves about her office space.

Why did you choose your current office location and how long has Someone With​ been located here?

I've always wanted to have space downtown.  My last venture we raised $92M for insisted that to be a “credible” software company, we’d have to headquarter in Northern 
Virginia. NOT THIS TIME! 

Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out? 

The space was not ready to move into, but, the second the elevator doors open to hunter green and burgundy swags, I told Joe Donegan, my agent “I’ll take it”.  He was frosted that I 
said that in front of the landlord, and took away his negotiating power, but, the space just spoke to me.  Everyone who comes here loves it, thanks to Rhonda McLaughlin (the designer).

What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space? 

Since it was so Victorian and heavy, I wanted to lighten up the space, and mainly go with monochrome walls and carpeting and use modern lighten fixtures and eye popping furniture to add New York-style contemporary.  We also have an original Virginia McLaughlin 10-foot mural of our logo, in pinks and purples to reflect the breast cancer portion of our business.  

What are the most unique aspects about your office space? 

From the street level, looking up, we have the two front turrets facing Market Street, best view of the City ANYWHERE.  Shhhh, we also have a deck off the back! 


An Office With A View

"Shhhh, we also have a deck off the back!" said Paula. It offers stunning views of the twin spires and Downtown Frederick. 

"I wanted to lighten up the space, and mainly go with monochrome walls and carpeting and use modern lighten fixtures and eye popping furniture to add New York-style contemporary." 

Even the bathroom pops with pink and bright colors.

This painting symbolizes Paula's philanthropic work with the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" fundraiser that raises money for the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Foundation at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Walls are personalized with art throughout the space. 

Paula jokes that Bryan Voltaggio watches over her kitchen. His cookbook and bobble head figure are perched on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen area.  

Find Your Own Inspiring OfficeIf you are looking to open or expand a business in Frederick, we can help.  Contact us, and let us help you find your own inspiring office space so you can build your dream. 

If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature.

Inspiring Offices: Welocalize offers an airy office in a former factory

Inspiring Office Welocalize is located in The Glass Factory in Downtown Frederick. This space blends the old and the new and creates a great work environment for employees. 

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires.  From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs. 

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside this month's inspiring office in Frederick - Welocalize. Welocalize's office is located within the Glass Factory, a 17,000-square-foot structure that was built as a cannery in the early 1900s. It was previously a tailor company and also a window factory. Today, the renovated warehouse space is home to a variety of companies in Downtown Frederick. 

Co-Owners Smith and Julia Yewell answered a few questions about what they love about their office space inside of the Glass Factory. 

Why did you choose your current office location and how long has Welocalize been located here?
 
Welocalize has called this location (241 E. 4th Street) home since the fall of 1997 and chose the location for the proximity to our family and charm of old town Frederick. Frederick has a lot to offer to the community and is a great place to work, live and raise a family.

Was it "move in" ready or did you have to design/fit it out?
The office space was wide open, unfinished and inviting, which gave us a great opportunity and ability to mold the space to the way we envisioned for ourselves and staff at Welocalize.

What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?
The Glass Factory building is quite unique and has plenty of history within its walls. Together with the owner of the property, we tried to preserve the old look and use the elements of the old factory to create an airy feel of the modern office space.

What are the most unique aspects about your office space?
The materials that are used in the space as well as the decor. The building owner has an interesting taste, to say the least.

What do your employees like best about the office space?
Our employees love the high ceilings and natural light!

Find Your Own Inspiring Office

If you are looking to open or expand a business in Frederick, we can help.  Contact us, and let us help you find your own inspiring office space so you can build your dream. 

 If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature.

Video Debut: "Work Where There's Room to Play" - Frederick, Maryland

The City of Frederick's new three minute film, "Work Where There's Room to Play," showcases the benefits of working in Frederick, Maryland. From thriving Downtown Frederick to outdoor activities, the film highlights the opportunities of life outside of work.The three minute film debuted on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Downtown Frederick Partnership's "Movie Night on the Creek" event. 

The project was developed after Tech Frederick, a Frederick area non-profit that advocates for the local IT industry, indicated recruiting top talent to Frederick was a priority. While the film was developed with IT professionals in mind, any Frederick area business can use it in coordination with their recruitment efforts. 

"There are many advantages to working in Frederick," said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for The City of Frederick. "This three-minute video features Frederick's great downtown, the arts, amenities, and quality of life we all know and love. It shows that Frederick offers a great place to play when people get off of work." 

Local talent featured in the film included narrator, Ashley Miles, local musician and Frederick resident; Jeanne and Eric Rhodes, Frederick residents; Steve Ellis, recruiter for local software development company Regent; and Justin Saltzman, insurance agent and community volunteer. They volunteered their time to appear in the film.

Local company Digital Bard produced the film with additional film footage courtesy of Visit Frederick, Downtown Frederick Partnership, and drone footage by Mike Purks. 

3 Ways Businesses Can Use This Video
Businesses can use this video in three ways to support their recruitment efforts: 

1. Share it. The easiest way to use this video immediately is to share it on your website's employment or recruitment page. Use this to link to the video: https://youtu.be/aXaanozKY_Q. You can also share the video via Facebook. 
2. Make it Yours. Customize the existing video with your company's message or branding at the beginning and end of the video. Contact the production company, Digital Bard, to discuss this option.
3. Be Inspired. Use this as inspiration to develop your own recruitment video to meet your individual hiring needs. 

Inspiring Offices: Wood Street

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires.  From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs. 

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside this month's inspiring office in Frederick - Wood Street. Wood Street partner Jamie Stup answered a few questions about what they love about their office space. 

August 2015 Inspiring Office - Wood Street
Founded in 2002, Wood Street has built a reputation of consistently dedicating itself to outstanding web design and development, as well as quality customer service. They are located at 303 East Patrick Street in Frederick.
 
Through these core principles, we have been able to acquire top-notch design, development and marketing talent as well as ally ourselves with some of the area’s leading experts in the industry.

Wood Street is managed by the partnership of James Stup, Jon-Mikel Bailey, Jason Giuliano, and Derek Jubach. Their partner team has over 35 years of combined web design and development experience. Smart growth has been, and continues to be, a top priority for the company. Through this philosophy, they are able to provide cost-effective solutions to existing and potential clients.

Why did you choose your current office location and how long has Wood Street been located here? 

We choose our office based on several factors, including its proximity to Downtown Frederick, that we have plenty of parking, and the office layout is very open. We've been here since 2011.

Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out? 
The office space was technically move in ready, but it really needed some updates to modernize it - wood flooring in the conference room, new floors in the kitchen and bathroom, and a new coat of paint as well as some wiring. The "southwest" themed wall paper needed to come down as well as the teal carpeting in the conference room.

What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?

We're still working on decorating. Obviously, we hung several pieces of our work as well as our awards and accolades, but for the most part we like having an empty canvas. We work daily in so many different mediums, its nice to have an office that grounds us.

What are the most unique aspects about your office space?

The openness, interior brick surface and the conference room overlooking the offices are by far the best qualities. The theme of our space is really one of collaboration and teamwork.

What do your employees like best about the office space?
The open-office design allows all employees to converse with each other as well as supervisors. Also, the high ceilings come in handy during our indoor corn-hole tournaments.

Find Your Own Inspiring Office

If you are looking to open or expand a business in Frederick, we can help.  Contact us, and let us help you find your own inspiring office space so you can build your dream. 

If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature!