About Us
History - Systems & Components Group, L.L.C., was established on August 1st, 1996, as a direct result of a nearly ten year affiliation between Larry Czapla and the Livonia, Michigan based sales agency, Gregg Associates, Inc. As a partner in the over fifty year old agency, Larry was able to learn the reasons for the firm's long term success. Following the philosophy of Gregg Associates past President, the late John Onesian, a sales agency must maintain a reputation for service, fair dealings and quality products. This is the basis for the operation of Systems & Components Group today.
Service - The focus of Systems & Components Group is to sell and service O.E.M. Window and Door Producers, Insulated Glass Manufacturers, Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing Builders. The company also maintains a small customer base of component distributors.
Additionally, creation of a program with an Internet web site developer in 1996 established Systems & Components Group as an early leader in the use of the Internet as a sales and information tool. E-mail, electronic ordering systems, informational links to principal's web sites, and industry informational updates have all been in use by the company well in advance of other sales agencies.
Sales - Systems & Components Group combines the skills of a uniquely qualified team:
Larry Czapla began his career in the industry in 1968 in Detroit, Michigan, working for Kaufmann Corporation. While attending Oakland University, Larry worked "on the line" packing storm doors, working as a saw and roll form operator, cutting glass and delivering products statewide in company trucks. At the age of twenty-four, Larry was offered a new role as the company's Purchasing Manager, directing purchasing for seven manufacturing facilities.
In 1980, Larry joined the sales team of the Alabama based company, Phifer Wire Products. With a broad base of products to sell, Larry's sales areas included O.E.M. window and door manufacturers, wholesale building material suppliers, drawn wire users, outdoor furniture producers, national department stores, hardware and home center chains. Larry advanced to the position of District Sales Manager, supervising Phifer's Chicago warehouse facility and staff, as well as the company's independent sales representatives for the Midwest.
Larry joined Gregg Associates in 1987, advancing to full partner status. Larry serviced customers in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin at various times during his stay at the company.
Ron Wilcox, a graduate of Michigan State University, began his window industry career with Grand Rapids Sash & Door Company in 1979. Working for this Andersen Window distributor and millwork products fabricator, Ron started in the customer service department and eventually became Assistant Manager. Purchasing was one of the numerous duties Ron handled while in the position.
In 1983, Ron joined Arizona Millwork Company, another Andersen Window distributor and millwork products fabricator. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Ron worked as a Sales Representative, working with developers, architects and dealers in the metropolitan Phoenix area.
In 1996, Ron had the opportunity to begin working for McKeegan Sales / McKeegan Equipment & Supply Company in Canton, Michigan. This well known sales agency allowed Ron to use his millwork, purchasing and sales background extensively, and added fabrication equipment knowledge to the mix. As a Sales Representative, Ron serviced window, door and insulated glass fabricators in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri while with McKeegan.
In November, 2001, Ron joined SysCom as a Sales Associate. Ron's territory includes Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and the province of Ontario and Quebec
Curt Pomerville, of CRP Sales., Inc., began his affiliation with SysCom on July 1st of 2004. Curt spent many years with McKeegan Sales / McKeegan Equipment & Supply Company in Canton, Michigan. This background assured success when Curt started his own representative agency in the Fall of 2003.
The coming together of CRP Sales and SysCom was a natural. A lack of overlapping lines allowed for a simple agreement that created a "subrep" arrangement between the two companies. CRP's strong position as a representative of fabrication equipment supplemented SysCom's strengths in component sales. Curt's activities in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa allowed for the expansion of territory with a number of important SysCom principals.
As the relationship between CRP Sales and SysCom moves into the future, the goal of representing additional lines that support the existing product mix is a priority. This priority will assure that our customers will continue to depend upon the two agencies for the latest in technology and components.
Rick Beight, a graduate of Bowling Green State University, began his inevitable career in the fenestration industry in 1992. “Inevitable” because R.C. Agents for Manufacturers, his present and ongoing manufacturers representative group, has been in the family since 1957 --- when both his grandfather Raymond (“R”) and father Charles (“C”) chose to go independent. So, you can almost say that this type of sales runs in Rick’s blood.
As a third generation rep, Rick, alongside his brother Dave, and with guidance from Dad, Charles, have continued to deepen their sales penetration into the Midwest states while continuing to maintain the agency's reputation for attention to precise service.
Another “inevitability” popped up in 2003 as Rick and Dave took over the reins of R.C. Agents to take it into new directions. One of those directions was the connection that took place between R.C. Agents and Systems & Components Group in July, 2007. Rick's communications with Larry Czapla regarding a shared line and a shared customer set up a discussion of a potential agreement fashioned after the one set up with CRP Sales.
Not surprisingly, this "coming together" of companies proved complimentary, with both sides benefiting from shared suppliers, territory and, most importantly, knowledge. Rick services customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan
Linda Czapla , or "Lin" as she is known to customers and principals, has over two decades of new home construction and remodeling skills, including both office and on site construction management. Lin's additional experience as a surgical nurse and retailer add organizational and goal setting skills to her long list of abilities.
Lin joined Gregg Associates in 1995 as a Sales and Marketing Representative in the Kalamazoo, Michigan office. Initially, her role was to create a personal communication link between customers, the sales staff and the principals. This list of duties continued when Systems & Components Group was created.
Today Lin's duties are in the area of Corporate Management. Lin monitors payroll and tax concerns, sales data entry, financial management and Internet systems functions.
Ron Simons , a graduate of the University of Michigan, started his career selling tools, metallizing equipment and light machinery. This was followed by positions as a Production Manager and a Plant Manager.
Ron began his window related career when he joined the Charlotte, Michigan based company, General Aluminum. Ron set up the company's first stock control program leading to a position of Receiving and Warehouse Superintendent. In that role, Ron played a significant part in the implementation of an MRP system.
Ron joined General Aluminum's purchasing department in 1979. Ron achieved status as a Certified Purchasing Manager, and he helped to develop a computerized purchasing system for the company.
Ron retired from the company, then known as Reliant Care Free, in August, 1998. Joining SysCom a few weeks later, Ron's initial functions included quote and sample follow up with principals and customers. Ron quickly advanced to a position of Sales Associate, and serviced a group of accounts in central lower Michigan.
Ron retired, once again, in December, 2001, but remains involved with SysCom as a Consulting Associate.
Mission Statement - Systems & Components Group has been created to use our staff's combination of business experience in customer service, manufacturing, purchasing, construction and sales to maximize the effectiveness of communication with our customers and our principals. The company slogan, "Tomorrow's Possibilities Today," clearly defines the intent. The combination of hands-on experience, the industry leadership of the companies represented, and the continued development and use of Internet technologies assure positive opportunities within the industries we serve.
