Pilgrim Interiors: not your typical metal framing and drywall contractor

Chicopee, MA Pilgrim Interiors is not your typical metal framing and drywall contractor.

Richard Bernard Jr.

Founded in 1999 by Richard Bernard Jr., the company’s use of state of the art technology has made it possible to stay ahead of the competition and focus on the client’s needs. “We have a dependable and qualified team of professionals that work together to complete projects safely, on time and on budget.”

Recently Bernard purchased the 20,000 s/f former Charter Communications location at 16 Ames Ave. and he has built out the 9,400 s/f space on the ground floor for Pilgrim Interiors. The space includes a beautifully designed 3,400 s/f office flanked by two 3,000 s/f warehouses.

The project took nine months and the space was completely gutted and redesigned to meet Pilgrim Interiors needs. The office has a decorative concrete epoxy floor with pearl and blue swirls to match the color scheme of the company’s logo. The floor has been buffed to a glass like sheen. All the interior office walls are floor to ceiling glass, making for a visually open space from front to back. The office area is comprised of a reception area, six enclosed offices, a central conference room, full kitchen, three workstations and a high-tech server room.

The warehouse space is split into two defined areas. The west warehouse has newly installed shelving for the company supplies (screws), safety equipment, and other drywall tools. The east warehouse stores metal framing, scissor lifts, ladders and other large equipment.

Pilgrim Interiors' conference room

Richard started Pilgrim Interiors on the second floor of a Chicopee duplex with his brother Patrick, Ivan Fuentes and Alfredo Sanchez. All are still with the company that has grown to over 60 employees. “Once you join the Pilgrim family you never leave.” Bernard said with a big smile. Recently the company rented a suite at Fenway Park so the entire Pilgrim family could attend a Boston Red Sox game.

Richard said “Pilgrim Interiors is not a cookie-cutter drywall contractor. We are not a member of a union, but we work in harmony with union subcontractors.” Projects include military (Westover & Otis), restaurant (Applebee’s), educational (Asnuntuck Community College, UMass. Clarke School), municipal (Barre Public Safety, Westwood Fire, Fitchburg Municipal Airport), multifamily/hospitality (Rosemead Apartments, Canyon Ranch Condos, Hampton Inn Westborough, Hyannis Harbor Hotel) and other projects for Logan Airport and Columbia Gas.

Pilgrim Interiors has been “Bringing youth into the construction field,” by employing students from Roger Putnam Vocational Academy in Springfield and Springfield Technical Community College.

Pilgrim Interiors' workstations

According to David Stevens the head of carpentry for Putnam VocTech, “I want you (Richard) to know how much we appreciate all you have done for kids and our program in general. Your commitment to bring on students, to give them a shot and then to let them know either “they are working out” or not is invaluable.”

“Technology and time management saves money.” said Richard. Some of the technology that is currently used in the company’s day to day operations include: FieldLens, Bluebeam and Hilti OnTrack software. Other aspects include, key fobs/access cards, smart phones, tablets, and GPS monitoring. “Our warehouse is managed through the newest inventory control software, Hilti OnTrack. This allows the warehouse manager to know locations of all company assets as well as to monitor quantities of materials on hand. Field personnel with the phone app are able to transfer assets and materials between jobsites, as well as between themselves.”

To see highlighted Pilgrim Interiors project click here.