United Plate Glass has experienced tremendous growth over the last 10 years, and UPG President Nate Lawrence has been leading that progress since joining the company a decade ago.
During a recent company-wide meeting, Lawrence was honored for the milestone with an award, refreshments and kind words from his colleagues.
Dave Zartman, CEO and co-owner of United Plate Glass alongside Lawrence, said annual revenue has increased tenfold since Lawrence’s arrival, noting significant reinvestments in the business, including property, equipment and staff.
As UPG grew, upgrades became necessary to support an increasing number of customers and team members. Among the investments were a cutting table, edger, CNC machinery and work vehicles of various sizes. In 2022, Zartman and Lawrence determined that the company’s standalone Sunbury location had reached its limits.
“We got to the point where there was no longer space to do anything,” Zartman said.
With that, they made an offer on a former steel manufacturing site in Shenandoah, PA. The property is now home to UPG’s fabrication center, which supports the company’s large commercial projects.
To support UPG’s growing operation, staff has roughly quadrupled in size to 36 employees. Zartman attributes it to a well-run business by someone who shows leadership and “gets it.”
“He wears a lot of hats, and he wears them well.”
Lawrence, however, is quick to credit UPG’s success to the entire team.
“I don’t do it, you guys do,” he said at the meeting. “It’s every one of you in this room. It’s a team effort.”
Today, United Plate Glass conducts commercial business across the Mid-Atlantic Region and residential business throughout Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, UPG joined a short list of glaziers to be certified by the North American Contractor Certification Program (NACC) for Architectural Glass and Metal Contractors, providing third-party verification of the company’s processes and practices.
In addition, UPG was recently named a COMPASS By Bespoke Metrics SELECT Top Subcontractor, coming in as a top 4 percent Specialties Subcontractor.
United Plate Glass is also a Proud Partner of Penn State® Athletics, which was announced this summer.
For Lawrence, the 10-year milestone comes as the company continues to invest in its people, facilities and capabilities while positioning itself for continued growth.