Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/131533
12 • JUNE 2013 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Since opening its chain link manufacturing plant in Compton, Calif. in 1988, Swan Fence, Inc. has steadily developed its business niche to include unique and out-of-the-ordinary wire fence products that the founders probably did not conceive of when they started out. The firm, which is owned by Koiwa, the largest chain link producer Los Angeles-based chain link producer celebrates quarter century supplying the North American fence market in Japan, is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a supplier to the North American fence market. Originally a weaver only of galva- WFN STAFF PHOTO Above, some members of the Swan Fence staff stand in front of hundreds of temporary fence panels which are awaiting distribution. Left to right: Juan Rico, extruder; Pedro Ochoa, welder; Aki Yamada, intern; Coti Gutierrez, supervisor; Barney Hatake, president; Mat Dekitani, production manager; Martha Velazquez, office manager; Alex Deborbon, shipping; Jun Ando, general manager; and Javi Gutierrez, weaver. Salesperson Tracy Jakositz was out of town on the day this photo was taken. nized chain link fabric, Swan now manufactures fused bonded and extruded bonded PVC coated chain link in a variety of colors and special sizes, as well as many other types of wire, including aluminized, stainless steel and aluminum. Swan also specializes in manufacturing mini mesh. Some of their standard mini mesh sizes are 3⁄8-inch and 5 ⁄8-inch, but they also offer less common sizes such as ¾-inch, ½-inch, and even ¼-inch. As well as small mesh, Swan specializes in manufacturing extended heights, up to 50-feet. One niche market that Swan Fence has moved into in a substantial way is temporary fencing. The company fabricates and stocks several standard size panels, and can provide custom sizes, which it ships throughout the U.S. The current president and general manager were originally employees of the parent company. Koiwa wanted to establish a man- ufacturing plant in the United States, and set out to look for a suitable location. Sites were considered in Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco before settling on Los Angeles. "The feeling was that Los Angeles offered the best location for growth and expansion," noted Swan sales staff member Tracy Jakositz. "They named the new company 'Swan Fence' after the Japanese city of Shiratori, where Koiwa is located. The name Shiratori means 'white bird' or 'swan' in Japanese. "Swan Fence began with five employees and two weaving machines in a 4,000-square-foot building," Jakositz added. "Starting with just the bare essentials we worked hard to build a customer base, and some of our most durable relationships started with a simple handshake instead of a credit application," she said. Today, Swan is housed in a 50,000-square-foot building containing its offices, nine weaving machines (including four mini-mesh machines), two extruders, and machinery for producing fused bonded wire. "Swan Fence employees take great pride in providing top quality material without compromise, and