OUR STORY

We have been building commercial and industrial buildings here in New England for over 50 years.  Drawn to the practicality of pre-engineered metal building system, Michael Ciolek Sr., our father, started the company in the early 1970’s after spending a number of years as a home builder in the local market.  Over the next decade or so, Associated Builders built a wide range of metal buildings from the Connecticut shore to the Canadian border.  During this time, all four sons began working for the company in the field gaining valuable knowledge and experience while attending school full time. 

Upon graduation, Michael Jr., Paul and Tom all joined AB full time in construction first as laborers, then foremen and, finally, as supervisors.  As time went on, Michael transitioned full-time into the office, where he would come to lead the design and sales efforts, and ultimately, taking the helm of the company as our father stepped back to focus on the real estate development side of our family’s business.   With the three brothers and a talented design staff and construction team continuing to grow AB’s business, relationships and reputation in the market, a natural transfer of AB ownership and control to the brothers took place and formalized the passing of the torch from one generation to the other.  

In subsequent years, AB shifted to a design – build strategy providing clients with a full service approach that dovetailed with the strong relationships and repeat customers it had built.  Under the design – build model, AB continued to excel providing quality buildings, through a safe, efficient and transparent process, with a laser focus on adding creative “value-engineering” elements while avoiding expensive change orders to keep owner costs as low as possible.  The team also maintained a conservative orientation, never getting overextended financially and always being able to provide senior leader attention to every project. 

Our third generation are making important contributions to AB’s success.  Melissa Ciolek Brugger, daughter of Michael Jr. , has her hands on much of what goes on as Office Manager, interacting across all facets of the company.  Her brother Michael Ciolek, III is following in the footsteps of his dad and uncles gaining valuable experience in the field working on both ground up new construction as well as commercial renovations.

Most recently, John, brother of Michael, Paul and Tom re-joined the company after a long career in banking and strategic advisory spanning three decades at some of the world’s largest financial institutions.  John has taken up responsibilities at AB including in sales, finance and administration, as well as efforts at the family’s real estate development companies.