Fred Olbrych’s business philosophy:
“ Serve the customers and meet their needs."

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From its beginnings in 1979 more than three decades ago when Fred Olbrych purchased School House Pools, Inc. Amsterdam, NY, School House Companies/SLA Transport, Inc has grown into a diversified organization. Self-starting, goal-oriented strategist whose confidence, perseverance and vision promoted success in the Warehousing, Trucking and Heavy Duty Truck Repair industry.

Fred was first introduced to the business world through his families milk and dairy business, as a young boy he helped deliver the products to local customers.

After purchasing School House Pools, Fred moved into the
transportation business. Serving the North East in the transportation business it has become a major trucking company in the area, maintaining a fleet of 250 Trailers and 53 Tractors.

Expanding into the commercial warehousing industry, wood chipping and pallet repair in 1993 the location on Bell Street, Amsterdam, NY became too small to contain the growing business and employees. A move to The Johnstown Industrial Park along with the continued growth and success of the business again outgrew this facility.

Assertive, self-motivated and goal-oriented in 1998 Fred purchased the 600,000 sq ft facility on Patch Road, Mayfield. The Public Warehousing, Pallet Repair, Transportation division and Corporate Offices were moved to this location. The facility was renamed Mayfield Commerce Park and large enough to house School House Companies growing business needs.

Fulton County Chamber of Commerce honored Fred with Businessman of the Year in 1998 for recognition of a locally grown company acquiring one of the counties largest facilities creating more jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Fulton and the surrounding counties.

Looking forward to further growth SLA Transport, Inc was purchased in 2000 and merged with School House Transport. SLA Transport is a full service transportation company.

June 2005 saw another change within the corporation Ace Service Center a heavy duty truck and trailer repair center which was formally located in Amsterdam moved to the Mayfield Commerce Park location. Providing maintenance programs and on site repairs for all heavy duty trucks and trailers, fork lift repairs and fork lift driver certification.

Always ready to help out in a time of need, SLA Transport delivered nine tons of goods for the Earthquake victims in El Salvador and to the World Trade victims in NYC. These contributions to the community and help during the San Salvador Relief effort were honored by Center Civic in awarding the 2001 Corazon Award to Fred and SLA Transport, Inc.

Looking forward to more growth within the industry Fred acquired the former White Mop Wringer Corp. building in October 2007 located within easy reach of Exit 28, NYS Thruway in Fultonville, NY. This facility was converted into a truck terminal and the location provided a new home for a local leather business and a solar pool cover manufacturer. The remaining space of the140,000 sq. ft. will be used for warehousing.

June 1st, 2009 the 250,000 sq ft. Universal Building on Route 30A in Gloversville was purchased and became part of School House Companies. However at this time the name and School House Pallet and Warehousing was changed to UNIVERSAL WAREHOUSING, INC.

Universal Warehousing, Inc. offices are still located at Mayfield Commerce Park facility along with SLA Transport, Inc., and Ace Service Center, Inc. Currently Universal Warehousing, Inc. offers over 800,000 square feet of public warehousing space where programs can be tailored to meet our customers needs for either long or short term warehousing.

Fred's leadership and growth within the industry and business community provides an ongoing commitment to the stability of the area improving the quality of work for employees and employers.

Businessman eyes former Decca plant
By ZACH SUBAR, The Leader-Herald POSTED: June 17, 2009

JOHNSTOWN - The owner of School House Companies may purchase the former Decca Records building on Route 30A east of Gloversville and use it for warehousing.

The 250,000-square-foot building now is owned by Universal Music Group Manufacturing and Logistics, which is a division of Universal Music Group.

The building was temporarily owned by Grace Real Estate, whose subsidiary, Uni Water, considered establishing a bottling plant in the building in 2007. That project never got off the ground.

Now, School House owner Fred Olbrych has expressed interest in buying the building so it can be used for warehousing and light manufacturing. Olbrych's attorney, Canajoharie lawyer Charles Tallent, presented information about the project to the town's Planning Board at a meeting last week.

School House does transportation work, and Tallent said the operation likely would run around the clock. He said there would be about 10 trucks entering and exiting the facility each day, so truck traffic patterns won't be seriously affected.

The project "is not a huge operation," Tallent said.

Olbrych will look to replace some outdoor lights at the building, and he does not plan to have outdoor storage at the site.

Tallent said the project will be good for the town. The facility is not being used now, and Tallent said the purchase would allow taxes to be paid on the property once again.

"It's a no-brainer," Tallent said.

Olbrych said he is trying to complete the sale, and he expects to know more about the project in a couple of weeks. Town Planning Board members will discuss the project further July 14.

Zach Subar covers rural Fulton County news. He can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com

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