the company history
In 2017, two of Fresno’s longtime construction companies joined forces. Lyles Mechanical Co., part of the Lyles Construction Group family of companies, acquired the assets and facilities of New England Sheet Metal Works, Inc., one of the oldest metal fabrication and mechanical contracting companies in Central California. The new expanded construction company is now known as New England Sheet Metal and Mechanical Co. While Lyles Mechanical Co. will remain part of the Lyles Construction Group, it decided to change its name to honor the longtime family legacy of New England Sheet Metal Works. The business traces its roots to Arakel Yazijian, an Armenian immigrant who fled the persecution of his people in Turkey for Worcester, Massachusetts in 1911.
After working for one of New England’s most reputable millwork, heating and ventilation companies, Yazijian moved his family to Fresno in 1920 and established New England Sheet Metal Works, which would go on to become a fourth-generation family business and finalist for the 2015 California Family Business Award.
Both firms have deep roots in the community. Lyles Construction Group – which includes four other companies: W.M. Lyles Co., American Paving Co., Lyles Utility Construction, and Lyles Services Co. – began operations in the oil fields of Avenal in 1945, and is known today as one of the largest environmental contractors in California. The firm, which was founded by Bill and Elizabeth Lyles, has performed more than 90 individual design-build projects in California totaling more than $1 billion.
New England Sheet Metal and Mechanical Co. (NESM) provides planning, design, construction and maintenance services on a variety of projects to a wide range of clients utilizing design/build, design/assist, design/bid/build, and job order contracting (JOC) delivery methods. NESM has the expertise and flexibility to perform work as a prime contractor as well as serve other general contractors as a trade partner. As a project may require, NESM also has the expertise and experience to lead a joint venture.