McNichols took on 'way different job'

Even in today's hyper online social networking, it pays to attend business lunches.

For Scott McNichols, doing so gave his company a chance to become part of downtown Tampa's lasting image.

McNichols is president of McNichols Company, the Tampa-based, family-run business that produces perforated metal products. Their work is featured prominently at the Tampa Museum of Art; the 3,000-panel “skin” that surrounds the building is theirs.

Review readers got the story on McNichols in the June 2009 issue. At that time, then-president Herb Gotschius pointed to the company's ability to complete more than 98% of orders within 48 hours as the key to growth.

So how does a fast-paced manufacturer like that land what McNichols calls a “way different job”?

He says the conversation started at a Tampa Downtown Partnership lunch meeting about two years ago. At that time, McNichols had an opportunity to shake hands with Stanley Saitowitz, lead architect for the new museum project.

Perhaps more importantly, McNichols also had a chance to look over a rendering of Saitowitz' vision for what the building would become. Once he knew a metal exterior was part of the project, McNichols went after it.

He talked with Saitowitz about getting his company involved with the project. The architect mentioned an upcoming meeting related to the work, and told McNichols: “Show up, and you'll have a shot.”

Now, one of Tampa's largest companies is responsible for a significant portion of the exterior of a prominent downtown building.

All because a company man made time for a lunch meeting.