Out Of Work It Exec Returns Home To Launch New Business

Jerry Kulin's life today is much different from what it was two years ago when he was unemployed and living in Colorado.

Kulin, 58, worked in IT for about 25 years, the last 18 months with Starz Entertainment. When he was laid off he spent a year searching for another position. Frustrated with the lack of opportunities, Kulin ultimately decided it was time to go into business for himself. Kulin didn't have to look far for the right opportunity. His brother-in-law, Bob DiGiovanni, owns and operates Steeelcraft Folding Gate, a manufacturer and supplier of rolling doors, grilles, fire doors and shutters.

"My brother-in-law has worked with Amramp in a consulting role for a number of years. He was intimately familiar with and a believer in the concept. He was the one who encouraged me to pursue this opportunity, and is a constant source of support for me, and for the business" said Kulin.

Originally from New Jersey, Kulin packed up his family and moved back East to launch his Amramp, the nation's leading producer of modular steel ramps designed for both interior and exterior use in residential and commercial settings. Kulin, who services Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island and all five boroughs of New York City, has already seen tremendous success. In fact, he even installed a ramp at New York City Hall.

"It's very difficult and expensive to do structural upgrades to a historic building like City Hall," said Kulin. "We were able to install the ramp in one day last June and it's still there today." Amramp's modular ramp systems offer numerous advantages over permanent wood and concrete ramps. They can also typically be installed in hours instead of days and weeks. If a client moves, the ramp can be easily dismantled, moved and reassembled with no damage to home or property. Landlords prefer Amramp's ramps because it allows their property to be easily restored to its original condition.

Typically, if a ramp need is expected to be less than six months, renting is most cost-effective, especially for short-term rehabilitation or extended visits from relatives using wheelchairs. If a customer is unsure about the length of time a ramp will be needed, as in cases of a stroke or amputation, it is typically recommended to rent. Clients can later convert to the purchase option and apply 75 percent of any rental monies paid toward the purchase price.

Because Amramp is determined to make safe, affordable metal ramps available to as many people who need them as possible, the company has a national toll-free call center that helps to pre-qualify customers. While metal ramps are considered durable medical equipment (DME) and their cost may be reimbursed by insurance, Amramp has also identified more than 350 funding sources to aid customers with financial assistance. An entire department investigates funding sources.

Amramp not only makes a difference for its clients, but its impact extends to the environment. Amramp ramps are manufactured from recycled and 100 percent recyclable steel. Even after years of productive use, the ramps can be easily disassembled and returned to inventory to be re-used rather than dumped in a landfill.

"All of our ramps are reusable," Kulin said. "They are all pre-punched and fit together extremely easily and that makes our ramp system attractive and affordable for our clients. If it's Monday and you need to get your mother home from the hospital on Thursday, do you think you can call a carpenter and get a ramp built on time? The answer is ‘no.' " About Amramp: Amramp was founded in 1998 and began franchising in 2002. More than 40 franchises are currently operating in most metropolitan areas of the country and Canada. Amramp is the only company with ramps available for rental, anywhere in the U.S., for no minimum period or no minimum or maximum size ramp. Growth has been steady and substantial. The company expects to have 100 active franchises within five years. More information is available at www.amramp.com.

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