Top of the Chain with Damian Lang

Founder and CEO of EZG Manufacturing

Success in the masonry industry led to success in the fencing industry, thanks to innovative and quality manufacturing. Damian Lang, founder and CEO of EZG Manufacturing located in Malta, Ohio, is the creator of the Fence Hog® and other equipment used in several industries. As an innovator, he is continuously looking for the next creation to improve productivity.

WHAT LED TO THE LAUNCH OF YOUR FIRST COMPANY, EZ GROUT?

I was working in the masonry construction field on jobsites in the 1990s while using equipment that was not user friendly. In fact, I found that the equipment on the market was built so cheaply, it kept breaking down. After looking into it, I learned this was by manufacturer’s design because they made most of their money on parts.

Being both a manufacturer and a contractor and by using the equipment we built, we had to eat our own cooking, so to speak. Downtime cost us way more than it would to build high quality equipment.

It didn’t make sense to me to build equipment that would intentionally break down over time. I developed a policy that we would not build equipment or do anything at our company that would benefit our company over the end user, and I stand by that policy.

Damian Lang on the manufacturing floor of EZG Manufacturing

WHAT LED TO THE CREATION OF THE FENCE HOG®?

The Fence Hog propelled us into the fencing industry in the early 2000’s. Before that, I developed equipment for the masonry construction industry and achieved a good deal of success, but I was looking for another industry to grow into to help diversify our company.

A local fencer came to me with the idea of a fencing machine that would tremendously reduce the amount of time it took to install fence. His story was a lot like my own, so I bought into the idea; we greatly enhanced the design of the product, and Fence Hog was born. Once fencers started using the Fence Hog, sales took off for the machines.

Studies show that only 30% of the cost of a piece of equipment is incurred on the day of purchase while 70% of the cost is lost or gained during daily use. With those studies, I knew people would be more satisfied to buy quality equipment built to last long term.

WHEN DID EZ GROUT BECOME EZG MANUFACTURING AND WHY?

We were building all types of equipment, but the name EZ Grout gave the impression to customers that we made grout materials, understandably so. Therefore, several years ago we changed the name to clear up confusion about our company’s main line of business. It was painful at first, but changing to EZG Manufacturing has turned out to be a great move.

WHAT FUELS YOUR CREATIVITY?

Passion to do something different. I get frustrated when everyone wants to do things a certain way, just because that is the way it has always been done. I have always been a dreamer and visionary.

YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IMPROVING EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY SO MUCH THAT YOU WROTE A BOOK ABOUT IT. HOW DID THE BOOK REWARDING AND CHALLENGING EMPLOYEES COME ABOUT?

I got a call from the editor of Masonry Magazine. She asked if she could interview me on the management systems my company was using. We spent four hours together discussing the article and once it was published, I got calls from contractors asking me for more information; some even traveled to see me in person. I used the content of what I was teaching to write my book and published it in 2004.

WHAT ARE YOUR KEY POINTS FOR MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES?

It’s important to realize that people work for themselves. They don’t go to work to make my company money. They go to work for personal and family reasons. Therefore, we must design systems that not only benefit our company, but those who are striving to help us reach our goals. It must be a win/win situation for all involved.

Also, what gets measured gets done. We must create mutual goals with our people, then build a roadmap for how we are going to get there together. We measure and as they hit the milestones we created, they are consistently rewarded for their part in our journey.

WHAT ARE SOME CAREER-RELATED CHALLENGES YOU’VE EXPERIENCED AND HOW DID YOU HANDLE THEM?

The 2008 recession just about did us in. In 2010, we almost went broke - in fact, I was broke! However, during the darkest of times, I made a promise to myself and the team that we would never give up. Slowly, things began to improve. We never looked back.

The naysayers were tough; not many believed my plan of changing the systems in an industry that has been around for hundreds of years with few changes. I always preached to our teams to be like the Budweiser horses in a parade. The horses have blinders on, so they aren’t distracted with people in the streets watching, yelling, and screaming. I told our team to put blinders on and keep their sight on nothing but the target while keeping outside influences at bay.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR EZG MANUFACTURING?

We will continue to innovate new products and strive to improve systems and processes. We are currently working in masonry, fencing, hardscape, precast/refractory and contractor manufacturing markets.

To us, every day is like the first day I started the company. I am continuously motivated to accomplish more. That keeps me wanting to wake up every morning to do bigger and better things.

To learn more and view the products available, visit ezgmfg.com.

Jamie Lang, plant manager, and Damian Lang, lead engineer.