New Modern, Efficient Home for Dawn Inc.

WARREN, Ohio – Dawn Inc., a commercial building contractor, is moving its 25 employees into its new headquarters at 2861 Sferra Ave. NW in Warren.

The 7,600-square-foot building at the Warren Commerce Park has modern office features that include energy-efficient LED lighting and fiber optic internet connectivity, says Dawn Inc.’s president and CEO, Dawn Ochman. Workspaces have big windows to admit natural light as well as adjustable desks for standing or sitting.

“With more emphasis being placed on ergonomics, the added comfort of being able to work while standing makes the office a more efficient place,” Ochman says.

Employee breakout spaces with comfortable furniture as well as outdoor patio seating help create a modern space to motivate staff rather than keeping them cooped up at their desks, she adds.

“Just making any of that more comfortable and motivating, I think, is huge,” Ochman says. “Studies show being able to look at trees and landscape and getting even a few minutes of fresh air during a break greatly improve employee productivity.”

With 4,500 square feet of warehouse space, the general contractor has its tools, heavy equipment and building materials under one roof.

Inventory was kept in eight garages and storage units, which made locating items for a job a challenge and resulted in duplicate purchases, says Brendan Solarz, operations manager. Warehouse shelving and tool cages eliminate those issues and a keyless entry system improves accessibility.

“Tools and materials are now sorted, organized, easy to locate and better secured,” Solarz says. “We have a keyless entry system, which allows us to unlock the building from our phones should an employee need tools or materials during nonbusiness hours.”

Dawn Inc. specializes in government projects, including work for the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, the U.S. Coast Guard and the General Services Administration. It has 18 projects lined up for 2018.

Annual growth of 200% over the last six years and the new building give Dawn Inc. room to hire, Ochman says. A new project manager started in March and the company will hire three full-time employees between now and 2019, including project managers and administrative support staff.

Project costs total nearly $700,000, Ochman says. In July 2017, Warren City Council and Trumbull County commissioners approved a 75% tax abatement for 10 years for the project.

Pictured: Dawn Inc.’s new building at 2861 Sferra Ave. in Warren cost about $700,000 to build.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.