Blaze Ways

I. Services Provided

The company demonstrates its passion for saving lives through the design, installation, inspections, maintenance and service of automatic fire-protection systems. It provides general contractors a package of services that meets project needs throughout their life. This includes working with the architect's design or its own assessment to design an effective, high-value automatic fire-protection system. Its experienced and well-trained installation crews, many of whom have been with the company since the beginning of their careers in the industry, insure that the system works properly. Through inspection, maintenance and repair services, the company insures that the systems continue to provide effective protection.

II. Facilities and Locations

The headquarters office is in Suite F245 of the Airport Industrial Park, 3375 Koapaka St., Honolulu, HI 96819; the design group is in Suite F220-14 of the same building. Field offices are established at job sites when appropriate.

III. The History of Blazemasters

Blazemasters was formed in 1997 and incorporated as a Limited Liability Company on April 13, 1998 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The founders and co-owners were Bruce C. Graham, a sprinkler fitter since 1968, and Clarence E. Smith III, a sprinkler fitter since 1984. The two have worked together for more than 20 years, since 1992 in Hawaii. Starting with a job at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor in 1997, the company has subsequently grown to include up to 50 employees, including a core group of about 15 administrative and design staff and an installation group of 15 to 35. The company has completed more than 100 projects since its inception, ranging from small jobs to multi-year projects like the Ritz-Carlton Club on Maui. Annual revenue has grown rapidly, from the six-figure range to the middle-seven-figure range over the last few years.

IV. Organizational Structure

The LLC has Bruce C. Graham and Clarence E. Smith III as members and managers; they founded the company and are its co-owners. They supervise employees associated with functions such as design and installation, sales and marketing, administration and human resources.

V. Human Resources

The Human Resource function at Blazemasters is a key component of its success. The HR function includes hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees; payroll services; provision for professional and technical development of employees; and administration of the company's benefit programs.

VI. Management Philosophy

Management operates under several key principles: excellence in customer service; strong support of employee development; maintenance of a leading-edge design function; innovation in technology and services; and employee retention through innovative benefit programs.

VII. Goals

The company's goals include (1) maintaining recognition as the best fire-protection company in the Islands, (2) demonstrated mutual commitment between management and employees; (3) recruitment and training of employees to insure their long-term retention, (4) gaining an increasing share of business from repeat customers, and (5) incorporating and demonstrating principles of sustainability in the services and projects offered by the company.