Summit Anchor Company Celebrates 25 Years of Fall Protection
By Keisha Winston
“Don’t Hold Your Breath.”
One single steel hook affixed to a brick parapet. That was all the 12-story building offered Gus Strats to attach his rope descent system to before he climbed over the parapet to clean the windows. Strats agonized over going ahead with the work, one of his semiannual window cleaning contracts, without safe anchorages to which to secure his ropes.
Gus Strats suspends from newly-installed anchorages on the World Trade Center in Baltimore, MD, in the late 1990s.
After several meetings and conversations with the building’s management team, including the safety manager, they agreed to add fall protection measures. But when Strats asked the safety manager when it would happen, his response was: “Don’t hold your breath.” Soon after that Strats decided that cleaning windows in unsafe conditions wasn’t worth risking his life.
That was the trigger point for the founding of Summit Anchor Company. Summit Anchor, a leading fall protection provider, celebrates its 25th year in business with its same core value intact: respect for life. With over a thousand major projects under its belt and several accomplishments under its wings, Summit Anchor reflects on its stellar reputation as a designer, manufacturer and installer of the best anchors and fall protection systems in the industry.
With an eye toward expansion and growth, Summit Anchor seeks to offer more to its clients while still maintaining its roots as a company that protects workers at height, such as window washers, suspended maintenance workers, and rooftop landscapers.
What started as an interest in protecting his own life while washing windows led to also thinking of how others should be protected when working from heights. “Window cleaning was adventurous at first, but I grew to understand respect for life,” Strats said.
Above building where Strats was denied his request for safe anchorages
In the mid to late 1990s a few building managers agreed to retrofit and install certified anchorages even while not required to do so by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A Director of Administration at The Washington Post building at 1150 15th Street in Washington, D.C., for instance, agreed to add the anchorages, Strats said. The Post manager later thanked Strats for the anchorages after contractors who were suspended from them were saved after their swing stage upset, tipping the workers at an angle but saving them from a fall.
“To this day I am thankful to the Post for allowing me to learn how to design and install anchorages on their three-building complex at 1150 15th and L Street”, Strats said. “The Post’s Director of Administration, George Wathen, afforded me the space, environment and help from their maintenance staff to learn valuable lessons about anchor design and installation that benefit me and the company to this day.”
Still some building managers then and now fail to take appropriate height safety precautions, Strats said.
Summit Anchor has come a long way from trying to convince most of their customers that fall protection is necessary. Vice President Raiff Margerum said one of Summit Anchor’s biggest hurdles was helping property managers and building owners recognize the need for anchors and other fall protection measures. Summit Anchor has kept its emphasis on the ideal of respect for life. “If our actions have any bearing on other people, we will protect their life and safety above all else,” Margerum said.
In more recent years, however, with OSHA’s Subpart D walking-working surfaces in place since 2017, property managers and building owners realize they must meet the standard’s requirements.
This has led to some notable projects over the years for Summit Anchor, including:
- George Washington University,
Anchorages for fall protection on the roof and rope descent system on 10 legacy GWU buildings in additional to recently constructed GWU Science and Engineering Building, Washington, D.C. - National Art Gallery,
Anchorages for fall protection on the roof and fall protection equipment for interior space, Washington, D.C. - 1000 – 1100 Wilson Boulevard,
Davits and anchorages packages – 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
Davits, anchorage, and horizontal lifeline, walk-through ladder rungs, and weather camera mount for Channel 7, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia - U.S. Embassy Greece,
Davits for swing stage operations with anchorage and horizontal lifeline, Athens, Greece - Avocet Tower,
Davits, anchorages, and monorail package, Bethesda, Maryland - Boston Properties,
Anchor retrofit package for 24 buildings in Washington D.C. and Reston, Virginia and consulted on several new buildings. - Reston Station,
Davits, anchorages, and Intermediate Stabilization Anchors package, Reston, Virginia - Association of American Medical Colleges,
Davits, anchorage, and outrigger package, Washington D.C. - World Trade Center,
Rooftop anchorages package on new buildings, Baltimore, Maryland - Tyson’s Central,
Tyson Central – Owner: Foulger Pratt. Davits, anchorages, and Intermediate Stabilization Anchors package, Tysons Corner, Virginia - Midtown Center*,
Anchorages, davits, and horizontal cable systems for fall protection and davit system for suspended access Carr Properties, Fannie Mae Headquarters, *1150 15th and L Street, Washington, D.C.
*The Midtown Center replaced the Washington Post Headquarters buildings in 2017 that were mentioned above.
Since its start in 1996, Summit has grown and solidified its place with several accomplishments along the way:
- 2000:
Gus Strats is elected to the ANSI/IWCA I.14 Window Cleaning Safety Standard Committee as a voting member. - 2004:
Summit Anchor begins manufacturing anchors with their trademark forged eye capable of sustaining a 5,000 lbs. test load without deformation. - 2007:
Summit Anchor begins development of its davit portfolio, including ground rigged and roof rigged davits. - 2017:
Gus Strats is elected to serve on the ASME A120 Powered Platform and Gantry Safety Standard committee. - 2018:
Three Summit Anchor staff members become competent person trainers for fall protection; three others become competent persons for fall protection by 3M.
George Washington University
Anchorages for fall protection on the roof and rope descent system on 10 legacy GWU buildings in addition to the newly constructed GWU Science and Engineering buildings
Hall of Government & Monroe Hall buildings
G. W. U. Smith Center building
National Art Gallery
Anchorages for fall protection on the roof and fall protection equipment for interior space, Washington, D.C
1000 – 1100 Wilson Boulevard
Davits and anchorages Packages 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
Davits, anchorages with horizontal lifeline, walk through ladder, and weather camera mount for Channel 7, 1100 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA
U.S. Embassy Greece
Davits and anchorages for swing stage operations with anchorage and horizontal lifeline,
Athens, Greece
Avocet Tower
Davits and anchorages with Monorail Package – 7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Boston Properties
Anchorages retrofit package for 24 buildings in Washington DC and Reston VA,
above building design-only of davits and anchorages for new building in Reston, VA
0500 – 600 Mass Avenue, Washington DC
11955 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA
Reston Station
Davits and anchorages with Intermittent Stabilization Anchor Package –
1900 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston, VA
Association of American Medical Colleges
Davits and anchorages with Outrigger Package – 655 K Street NW DC
World Trade Center
Anchorage system, Baltimore, MD
Tyson Central
Tyson Central – Owner: Foulger Pratt. Davits and anchorages with
Intermitten Stabilization Anchor Package
Midtown Center*
Anchorages, davits, and horizontal cable systems for fall protection and davit system for suspended access Carr Properties, Fannie Mae Headquarters, *1150 15th and L Street, Washington, D.C.
* Midtown Center replaced the Washington Post Headquarters buildings mentioned in the article.
Picture taken by – James R. Berkon
New Beginning
Starting in the late 1990s, Strats and his wife Agata began running Summit Anchor from their townhome. Agata covered administrative duties, joined by a full-time salesperson, a part-time designer, and four other employees. The business took over their home, said Agata. Sometimes she was in one room doing laundry while employees were working nearby.
“My home was not my home anymore,” she said.
But Agata said she was all in with Gus’s idea to start a rooftop anchor installation business. “I thought it was a smart idea,” Agata said. “I knew Gus wasn’t going to be able to clean windows into his 50s.” In 2006, the Strats moved Summit Anchor from their home to its headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. Now the company has grown to 23 employees.
From design and consultation, to installation, testing and certification, Summit Anchor ensures that architects, engineers, facility managers and owners comply with OSHA requirements for building fall protection systems used by window cleaners and other suspended maintenance workers. Summit Anchor is known for its rooftop anchors – drop forged, quenched and tempered and able to withstand 5,000 pounds without adverse effects.
Jim Giuffreda, who joined Summit Anchor in 2004, said that company challenges have included keeping pace with increased business flow, hiring qualified employees, and helping customers see the value in Summit Anchor’s height safety plans and products. “Some clients tend to focus on price instead of quality of the fall protection design, system and products”, he said.
“The lowest bidder is not always the best solution for their needs,” Giuffreda added.
Last year, despite the raging pandemic, Summit Anchor was still able to make strides: It added safety hatch guards (see Fig. 1: safety hatch guards), safety walk-through ladders (see Fig. 2: walk-through ladders) and safety grating (see Fig. 3: safety non-slip grating) to its product suite. Another accomplishment: Longtime employee Daniel Mensah became an Associate Welding Inspector.
SUMMIT SNAPSHOT: Summit Anchor Company employee Daniel Mensah eyes its future
“It’s really these incremental successes that all add up to where we are today,” Gus Strats said.
About Summit Anchor Company
For 25 years, Summit Anchor has provided superior fall protection systems and suspended maintenance equipment solutions. The company offers a single source contact for design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, testing and certification of suspended access and fall protection systems. Summit Anchor’s innovative solutions are used extensively by high-rise window cleaners and other suspended maintenance providers.
“As we celebrate 25 years in business, we could not have accomplished this without our hard working and dedicated employees at Summit Anchor. Our loyal customers have also played a role in our success and for their trust in us, we thank you and look forward to working with you for years to come.”
Karol Longo
Purchasing/Production Manager
“What I began as a part-time, one-man window cleaning business in 1988 has grown into a fall protection company with 23 employees. After nearly three decades, the impelling force driving our mission and growth has remained the same – respect for life. Day by day, I am grateful to work with a team of professionals who value our fundamental mission.”
Gus Strats, CEO/President Summit Anchor Co., Inc. August 12, 2021.
Testimonials
“For well over 25 years, Gus Strats and Summit Anchor Company have blazed a trail to ensure worker safety at the highest levels. I had the opportunity to work with Gus closely as industry experts and building owners collaborated in a meaningful and thoughtful way to address safety in the window cleaning industry. The culmination of that work led to the development and approval of the ANSI/IWCA 14.1 Window Cleaning Safety Standard. Together we created a legacy of safety that for sure has saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives over the past 20 years. That is what Gus and Summit Anchor have brought to the industry throughout the history of the company.”
Marco Giamberardino, Director of Advocacy – Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International – Jul 1999 – Dec 2002
Testimonial on: November 12th, 2021
“Summit Anchor Company has been an incredible partner to Boston Properties over many years. Gus and his team come armed with innovative ideas and problem-solving solutions that meet the requirements for safe and efficient fall protection systems. The team from Summit has partnered with us to create cost-effective solutions on many of our existing assets. They have rolled up their sleeves during the design phase on many of our new developments to ensure we’ve designed anchors and fall protection systems that create a safe and efficient work environment for our window washing vendors.”
“We look forward to relying on Gus’s expertise and to partnering with Summit Anchor Company for many more years to come.”
Jake Stroman, Senior Vice President – Boston Properties
Testimonial on: September 30th, 2021
“We have worked with Gus and his team on numerous high-profile DC metro area buildings over the past decade. Gus has been a valuable resource during design, construction, and operations to ensure that the window washing system is safe, economical and usable. We appreciate his availability and willingness to work with us and our design teams to solve issues before and after they occur. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Gus and his experienced team at Summit Anchor.”
James R. Berkon, Vice President, Design and Construction – CARR Properties
Testimonial on: October 14th, 2021
“I have known Gus Strats for over 25 years. Summit Anchor has installed various fall protection equipment at multiple buildings that I’ve been affiliated with. Gus and his team have proven to be honest, trustworthy, dependable, and can be counted on to get the job done expeditiously, on time and on budget.
Here is to hoping [Summit Anchor] has another successful 25 years!”
Brad Cleaveland, Chief Engineer – TRANSWESTERN
Testimonial on: October 15th, 2021
“So let’s look back on 25-plus years together. I never doubted your desire to do a good job for your customers. [Gus] proved that each time [he] cleaned the windows at the Post, as well as installing anchors.”
George Wathen, Director of Administration – THE WASHINGTON POST – Retired 2006
Testimonial on: October 29th, 2021
Testimonials of Summit’s Personnel
“I’ve seen Summit come a long way in the 20 years I’ve been associated with the company. We’ve gone from essentially a one-man operation out of Gus’ garage, to a respected industry leader in fall protection. I’m glad to have played a role in the development of the company, and I look forward to many more years of success in the preservation of life.”
Raiff Margerum, Vice President / Project Management
Testimonial on: November 26th, 2021
“I only wish that our customers could walk just one day in the shoes of each of Summit’s employees. Then they would understand the depth of passion and dedication we have for what we do. Summit can and will accomplish anything as a team, working together towards a single, wonderful goal – protecting the lives of others.”
Amy Damon, CFO / Corporate Secretary
Testimonial on: November 26th, 2021
“I’m grateful to be a part of a company that is the true leader in the fall protection industry.”
Micah Damon, Sales Manager
Testimonial on: November 26th, 2021
