A.T. Klemens Inc.

A.T. Klemens Inc. (ATK) originally began as a single-service company. Since its founding in 1928, the Montana-based business has grown to become a successful multiservice contractor responsible for the coordination of several crafts.

Antoine Klemens founded ATK 85 years ago as a sheet metal shop in the Great Falls area. The company adapted throughout the years to an ever-changing industry and slowly added new services to accommodate customer needs.

ATK acclimated to include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, roofing, plumbing and electrical services to complete projects across the state with ease. The company also has a 24-hour emergency service department for maintenance and emergency repairs to ensure residential and commercial properties’ needs alike will be satisfied.

In order to uphold such a prestigious reputation, the company must continually deliver on such promises. Dennis Zaremski, vice president of ATK, has been in the construction industry since he was a teenager. In his youth, Zaremski worked alongside his tradesman father. Since joining ATK 28 years ago, he has worked his way up the construction business ladder to his place in management. Zaremski and his partners are proud, and able, to steer ATK down the road to success.

Zaremski acknowledges that the road begins at home base where the company’s 70 employees, half of which have been with ATK for over 10 years, begin the journey to please clients. To extend the company’s reach, the ATK team brings its services across the state working with many different suppliers and general contractors. More often than not, the company is viewed by customers as a one-source subcontractor able to provide all trades for a project.

“For one company, we have it all,” says Zaremski. “We have it all under one roof so the customer doesn’t have to have three different subcontractors. We do everything from the ground work up to the roof.”

Versatile Business

Zaremski is not exaggerating when he notes the company has it all, as ATK provides work from all of its departments in residential and commercial markets. The company maintains a competitive edge over others in the industry by providing a full range of services by a team that excels in design-build projects or plan-and-specification jobs.

ATK electrical services include commercial, residential, design-build, new and remodel projects, as well as computer and phone wiring. Additionally, ATK’s plumbing department offers commercial, residential, design-build, drain cleaning, water heater and boiler installations. ATK is also able to provide commercial and residential forced-air HVAC, hot water radiant floor heat, humidifiers, electronic air cleaners and garage heater system installations. The team is also capable of performing all types of flat roofing, including asphalt, rubber and hypalon. Often, the staff at ATK will do free consultations, estimates and provide same-day delivery.

The team’s vast array of services also ensures ATK is able to provide success on a range of projects, including for the military. Zaremski reports the company recently completed a housing project from start to finish on the Malmstrom Air Force Base, which is located slightly east of Great Falls.

As for work in Glacier National Park, ATK worked on an electrical remodel project for a motel in the national park, which is located near the Canadian border. The project was completed in summer 2012, and Zaremski thinks it is one job that he will remember for a long time to come. “We worked on a motel that’s been sitting there for 100-plus years,” he says. “That was pretty cool.”

Anytime Service, Pounding the Pavement

“Our niche is really our service,” says Zaremski. “We have technician’s running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A lot of companies don’t offer 24-hour emergency service work.”

The service department is the main driver of ATK’s goal to provide customer satisfaction. Zaremski attributes the company’s growth to its dedication to assuring customers are happy with work completed. Not only is this measured by feedback from clients, but the fact many customers return for additional work or service and refer ATK.

ATK’s service department is EPA-certified and an authorized dealer of Carrier heating and air conditioning systems. Carrier is a world leader in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Authorized dealers meet Carrier’s rigid criteria and close scrutiny for the quality of the company’s products, knowledge and service. ATK upholds Carrier’s expectation to do work right the first time and guarantee the job. The department is able to provide periodic maintenance and service contracts, as well as work on warm air, steam and hot water boiler systems.

ATK survived the worst of the economic recession and is now actively pursuing work. “Right now we’re bidding what we can bid on,” Zaremski explains. “The economy is still hard right now. We’re trying to keep our costs down, but you’re battling material increases and insurance increases.” Zaremski adds that it has also been difficult to find reliable staff. “It’s hard finding people who want to become tradesman,” he notes.

However, Zaremski remains optimistic. “There are a lot of unknowns right now,” he says. “I foresee it getting better, though.” Despite the uncertain economy, Zaremski and his partners claim the company is poised to continue growing in the coming years. If Zaremski has anything to do with it, A.T. Klemens Inc. will continue to be a one-stop shop for construction and service needs.