A Message to our Customers, Employees and Community:
Business as usual under unusual circumstances is not an option in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that is affecting our nation and our world. Summit Anchor Company is open for business, but we have made several adjustments to safeguard employees and provide our essential products and services to customers.
Why are we continuing to operate?
Summit Anchor is considered an essential business, with the state of Maryland allowing critical manufacturers of steel, iron and aluminum, as well as suppliers of personal protective equipment to continue operating. With the construction sector continuing, fall protection is necessary for worker safety. Anchors and other fall protection, when properly designed, installed, tested and certified — all things that Summit Anchor does on a daily basis — guard workers from hitting the ground or lower surfaces, which ultimately saves lives.
We are closely monitoring unfolding events and endeavor to act in accordance with federal and state guidelines, adjusting as necessary. We regularly assess employee circumstances while balancing customer needs.
Current Summit Anchor projects are presently on schedule. While some projects are on hold due to COVID-19-related concerns, there have been no disruptions in Summit Anchor’s manufacturing supply chain. Installations are moving along at pace, at times even on an accelerated schedule because installers are able to hammer drill and weld without disturbing office workers now working from home due to COVID-19.
Valuable services that we continue to provide:
- Top of the line manufacturing of our products from anchorages to davits
- Field crews highly trained in equipment installation, testing and inspections of pre-existing equipment
- Experienced sales team ready to answer questions and provide estimates on equipment, design services and much more
- Qualified design team continuing to design to OSHA and ANSI standards and regulations and develop new fall protection and safety access equipment
At this time Summit Anchor has discontinued out-of-state travel for roof anchor inspections. We hope to resume as soon as shelter in place orders are more widely lifted.
Recently, Summit Anchor received approval of a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loan, which allows our company to continue operations for the foreseeable future. Summit Anchor thanks Sandy Spring Bank for assisting us, and appreciates the bank’s commitment to helping small businesses like ours to secure such funding.
How is Summit Anchor keeping employees safe?
One of our biggest changes has been the addition of an evening shift to reduce the number of workers in the production shop space. Manufacturing shop employees are encouraged to socially distance, and advised to regularly wipe down common areas. On roofs, the installation crew is encouraged to socially distance and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirator masks, eye protection, and rubber foamed gloves. Portable handwashing stations have been set up on rooftops for installers. Our sales employees are working from home, while our office staffers have select days to work at our Frederick office.
Summit Anchor got its start with an eye on safe working conditions, and we won’t stop focusing on safety now during this challenging time.
Trust Summit Anchor Company, safety from the top down.
Written by Keisha Winston
