Factory Finds New Life Thanks In Part To Graham

October 27, 2016

At one time, A.S. Kreider Shoes was the world’s largest manufacturer of children’s and toddlers’ shoes. And one of its main production facilities was the A.S. Kreider Shoe Factory in Lebanon, PA.

When overseas competition forced the company to close its doors in the 1950s, the building became home to a garment manufacturer and then other tenants before being abandoned to the elements.

During a ceremony marking the building’s rebirth, David Cooper, one of two principal owners of Woda, an Ohio-based development company, said, “If you saw the building then, it was in pretty rough shape, but it kind of had the bones that looked like it could become something.”

Now nearly 100 years old, the building has indeed become something – something new and exciting – and Graham was part of the project.

The building recently reopened as Kreider Commons, an apartment complex featuring 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors with low to moderate incomes.  More than 200 of Graham’s SR6700 steel replication windows helped to bring the project home.

Although the windows varied in size, they shared one characteristic: They were big. “Not a lot of companies can make those larger windows like we do. But for us, it’s kind of our bread and butter,” said Nick Irwin, Graham sales rep.

Graham contributed to the owner’s pursuit of LEED BD+C certification by virtue of the recycled content in its aluminum windows and its location within 500 miles of the jobsite.

Kinsley Construction, York, PA, served as general contractor on the project and Marks, Thomas Architects, of Baltimore, was the architectural firm. Longtime Graham partner Hershocks, of Harrisburg, PA, was the window contractor.

ABI Shows Further Contraction

October 19, 2016

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) slipped again in September, marking the first time in more than four years that the ABI reflected a decline in demand for design services in back-to-back months.
The ABI, considered a leading indicator of construction …

Graham Curtain Wall Helps Lucky Dragon Casino Stand Out

October 13, 2016

When representatives of the glass, window and door industries converge on Las Vegas next week for GlassBuild America, they’d be wise to check out Lucky Dragon Casino and Hotel.
It’s the first ground-up casino to open in Last Vegas in …

Dodge Momentum Index Suffers September Slip

October 10, 2016

The Dodge Momentum Index slipped 4.3 percent in September with weakness reflected in both the commercial and institutional sectors.
The index, from Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which …

Anthony Moore is Graham’s New VP Operations

October 5, 2016

Graham Architectural Products is pleased to announce the addition of Anthony Moore as vice president operations.
Anthony’s strengths are in operations leadership, Lean/Six Sigma/Continuous Improvement, organizational development, project management, and change management strategies to inspire, engage, and teach employees in …