Four decades ago, Eliott Zeprun of Stoughton lost an executive hotel maintenance position with the old Howard Johnson chain.
But that didn’t deter him from the industry. Instead, he started his own company.
EZ Maintenance Services is now celebrating its 42nd anniversary and offering maintenance services for around 1,500 hotels in 30 countries.
Zeprun said he saved countless millions of dollars – not to mention untold amounts of time, headaches and sleepless nights – to owners and managers of hundreds of hotels in the eastern half of the US.
Zeprun has EZ Maintenance Services LLC (www.linkedin.com/in/eliott-zeprun-969a452b/) in 1979 after Howard Johnson Co. was sold to a British company. Significantly, he found ways to turn negative into positive. As Senior Facility Asset Manager at HJ, he had developed close relationships with the owners and facility managers of around 1,000 restaurants and hotels.
“I knew the hospitality industry and had long-standing personal connections with hundreds of service and maintenance companies that deal with everything from key cards to heating systems,” said Zaprun. “I have found a way to keep these relationships and to use my experiences and contacts in my own business.”
Over time, Zeprun has focused primarily on the hospitality industry, mostly in the Eastern Time Zone – as far west as Chicago and every state from Maine to Florida. The co-owner is the wife of his late colleague Janice Charles, who and her team handle customer calls and work orders from their Florida office.
Zeprun reviews providers for proper licensing and insurance so customers can rest assured. He notes several keys to success: (1) All contractors are monitored for performance and quality assurance and have contracts with EZ within their 20 mile radius .; (2) EZ promises a quick response around the clock – including emergencies within an hour – to ensure safety and comfort for hotel guests; (3) EZ pays the sellers within 14 days so that they will happily accept calls from EZ; (4) Customers receive fast service due to long-term relationships; (5) Vendors are local and quick to respond, giving them a steady stream of recommendations; and (6) All service calls are answered within five minutes.
Their contractors specialize in a full range of services including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire control, sprinklers, locksmithing, roofing and glass. EZ has a 24/7 electrical / mechanical engineer with decades of experience who specializes in the maintenance of hotel facilities.
The company has more than 16,000 suppliers in approximately 30 states, including machinery builders, electricians, fire sellers, landscaping, and hotel defects. Zeprun once owned EZ Fire, a fire extinguisher and sprinkler company.
For more information, visit www.linkedin.com/in/eliott-zeprun-969a452b/
