Matthew Taylor, managing partner of CIMA Services LP, believes being accessible virtually 24/7 is a main reason why the company has formed long and lasting relationships with its customers. Taylor prides himself on responding to every customer in 15 minutes or less. BIC Magazine recently visited with Taylor to learn more about how he started CIMA Services, its newest division and what’s led to the company’s immediate success.
Q: What led you to start CIMA Services?
A: I partnered with Faraon Gonzales and John Bailey in 2012 to start CIMA Services. The desire to leave the “hi-haz” industrial cleaning business is what spurred on my search to do something different. Faraon called me one day out of the blue and asked, “Hey man, do you want to go fishing?” Since I had never fished with Faraon before, I knew something was working behind the scenes. He divulged he wanted to start an industrial construction/environmental service company, and basically the idea grew from that conversation.
Q: What is the biggest news at CIMA Services right now?
A: The opening of our mechanical division. We saw the need to bridge the gap between our civil and coatings service lines, so we went on the search for a division manager to start this venture organically. Rather than growing through a business acquisition, CIMA Services has focused on acquiring talented division managers who bring knowledge and manpower assets to the table. This worked very well for our coatings division and is looking good for our mechanical division out the gate.
Q: Why is CIMA Services successful?
A: Safety is the biggest reason followed by knowledge and accessibility. I have told my team if we can’t do it safely, then it is not worth doing. My partners and I have had to make some tough decisions on turning down jobs we felt could not be done safely or the risk was too great given the clients’ criteria. This steadfastness in the eye of profit has led to a culture I am proud of within our organization and ultimately has helped us dodge some big bullets that would have sunk the ship.
During the formulation of CIMA Services, I wondered if the mix of our knowledge would be profitable or even wanted from industry. After the first year, I had my answer loud and clear. Partnering 10 years of environmental, 25 years of industrial, 20 years of transportation and 30 years of construction services experience is a very viable product. Being able to handle complex projects that involve construction within a historically contaminated site without skipping a beat is something our customer base values.
Q: What is your best management tactic?
A: Management by walk around (also known as MBWA). Anyone who knows me sees I spend a lot of time out in the field with my people. It is hard to see trends or issues when reviewing job safety analysis paperwork back at the office, but they’re hard to miss when you are interacting with your workforce.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
A: “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
This was a favorite quote of a wise/successful former boss of mine. Basically, it reminds me I should always be doing something productive or my competitor will be at my heels.
For more information, visit www.cimaserviceslp.com or call (713) 946-5053.
