Craftsmanship and Cranes: Custom Ornamental Iron
From building wrought-iron security fencing at The White House to installing bronze and aluminum handrails at homes, businesses, museums, and government offices, Custom Ornamental Iron has left an indelible mark on metalworking. The architectural fabrication metal shop in Glen Allen serves the commercial and residential construction industries. With about 90 skilled employees, Custom Ornamental Iron is one of the largest of its kind in the eastern United States, says president Johnny Price.
Johnny is hard-pressed to name a favorite project. “There’s something cool about each one,” says Johnny, who founded the business in 1989 with James and Nancy Call. The company currently is doing renovation at Richmond’s iconic Old City Hall, as well as work at the General Assembly building and parking garage. Other notable endeavors have included installation of handcrafted white bronze railing at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and a monumental staircase at DuPont’s corporate headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, as well as contributions to the National Museum of the United States Army and the Greenbrier Resort. The White House fencing installation was in response to security breaches over the years, including in 2014, when a man scaled a fence and made it into the building. “We built the wrought-iron fence that prevents that from happening,” Johnny says.
On the residential side, the company has created spiral staircases, staircase railings, bronze curved rails, swimming pool fencing, porch rails, and driveway gates using a wide range of materials and finishes. Custom Ornamental Iron’s comprehensive approach to projects sets it apart from competitors, Johnny says. “All the finishing and powder coating is in-house. We have a full-blown machine shop.” The company initially invested in cranes to set its own steel, and now offers an array of crane services under the banner of COI Crane. Equipped with nine cranes ranging from 8.5 to 210 tons, the company handles tasks such as cell tower work and HVAC installations on rooftops.
Curt Straub, TowneBank senior vice president and commercial lender, says he’s inspired by Custom Ornamental Iron’s work ethic and dedication, and by Johnny’s industriousness. “He works six and a half days a week, gets in the crane and in the ditches with his team,” Curt says. Custom Ornamental was a client of Curt’s at another bank. When Curt went to TowneBank, Johnny stayed at the original bank, but after going through three account officers, he contacted Curt about moving to TowneBank. “It was really nice to get that call,” Curt says. “People don’t like to move banks.”
Johnny speaks highly of his experience with TowneBank, emphasizing the value of personal connections and trust in his business relationships. “I’m old school, at 62 and relationships mean a ton to me.” Curt is always helpful and responsive and the two have become friends, even going ATV riding together.
Custom Ornamental has moved all its business to TowneBank, including commercial insurance work and TowneBank has helped with commercial credit, crane loans, and operating accounts. “Some people might say they don’t like putting all their eggs in one basket,” Johnny says. “I look at it differently. When I believe in somebody, I put all my eggs in one basket.” For more information, visit CustomOrnamentalIron.com.