AMS Industries: Celebrating 60 years of integrity and excellence
When John Berzanskis Sr. founded Antarctic Refrigeration back in 1963, he simply wanted his small company to be known for putting his customers first. The company has seen many changes during its 60 years — including the 1982 purchase by John Berzanskis Jr., a name change to AMS Mechanical Systems in 1985, a 2017 transition to become 100% employee owned under the leadership of President/CEO Ben Campbell, and a recent rebrand to AMS Industries in 2022 — but the cornerstones of integrity and excellence remain the guiding principles of the business.
Throughout six decades, AMS Industries has built a solid reputation by offering HVAC, plumbing, industrial refrigeration, heavy industrial, electrical, fire protection, systems integration and security/alarm services to clients across a variety of markets. They also have an in-house engineering and system design team that works collaboratively with clients to solve some of their most pressing challenges.“We’re a one-stop-shop of multiple disciplines and a commitment to excellence by providing a full suite of MEP+™ services and solutions,” said Mike Catanzaro, Vice President of Commercial HVAC. “We have thousands of collective years of experience under one roof, along with a state-of-the-art fabrication facility.”
The 110,000 sq. ft. custom fab shop at the corporate headquarters in Woodridge, Illinois, allows the team to fabricate all ductwork for commercial, industrial, nuclear and food-grade applications. As part of their commitment to continuously improve their manufacturing capabilities, AMS recently purchased a new PPI Laser Pro Cutting Machine for the fab shop and invested in a state-of-the-art Novarc robotic welding machine and Watts CNC pipe cutting machine.
“This cutting-edge technology will enhance our welding processes, drive efficiency and increase our overall productivity,” Catanzaro said. “Operational since May 2023, the Novarc robotic welding machine has bolstered our competitive edge and better positioned AMS Industries as an industry leader in delivering top-notch, on-schedule projects. With the pipe cutting machine, we’re now better equipped to meet the evolving demands of our clients while maintaining the highest standards of quality.”
With offices in Illinois and Indiana AMS quality can be seen throughout the Midwest and, as of May 2022, the company expanded into Nashville, Tennessee. Recently, AMS installed a 145-ton rooftop unit for a healthcare client with 100 VAV boxes, including: in-house engineering and installation of a full building automation system serving patient and procedure rooms.
Greater Chicago Food Depository was a true showcase of the team’s MEP+™ capabilities as they self-performed plumbing, sheet metal, piping, refrigeration and temperature controls. The 37,000 square foot, phase 2 project with Skender Construction is scheduled to be completed early 2024.
“As we move forward into 2024, AMS Industries remains dedicated to fostering growth and embracing innovation,” Catanzaro said. “Our investments in advanced machinery reflect our determination to remain at the forefront of the industry. We are committed to staying agile, adapting to market trends and exploring new opportunities that align with our strategic goals.”
AMS Industries is a proud employee-owned company consisting of 500 field craftspeople and 160 office personnel. They’ve been a proud member of SMACNA Greater Chicago since 1997, with Catanzaro serving on the Board of Directors.