As the Portland, Ore. housing market headed toward all-time lows in 2007, Sky Heating & Air Conditioning had to make major changes to survive. The end result, a total transformation into a growing company focused almost entirely on selling high-end, high-efficiency products like 16 SEER heat pump and geothermal heat pump systems.
The commercial, new-construction market has been operating for decades under two processes: plan and spec, and design-build. These systems are now being challenged by integrated project delivery (IPD), a new concept that is gaining traction nationwide.
When talking to the management or employees at My Plumber Heating and Cooling, it is hard to tell if they are part of a large contracting firm or a big extended family, which is the key to success at this Manassas Va.-based company, and why The NEWS recognized the company as its “Best Contractor to Work For” Eastern region contest winner.
Many owners pay themselves less than they are worth because most of their experience comes from the technical side of contracting, and not the business side. Here are some words of advice from my “ad hoc” panel of experts.
I was lucky to see a classified ad from Rheem Manufacturing Co. in the Chicago Tribune way back in 1970 because it led me into a career in a unique industry with a group of really great people.
Not even a devastating earthquake and tsunami could keep two of the world’s leading HVACR companies from completing an acquisition this November. That is why The NEWS has chosen Takeshi Ebisu of Daikin Industries Ltd. and Dave Swift of Goodman Global Group Inc. as 2012 NEWSmakers.
Hugh Joyce, owner of James River Air Conditioning in Richmond, Va., initially wanted to create a place to showcase some innovative and energy-efficient products. However, after a year of planning and construction he opened something much greater. What is it?
Because of my involvement in the ACCA Disaster Relief Committee, I have heard about several contractors whose businesses and lives were upturned by the storm.
There are a lot of unknowns affecting the healthcare industry, including the economy, pending legislation, and insurance reforms. Yet the sector still provides opportunities for contractors who are willing to change their approach to assist facility managers and align their work with healthcare administrators’ business goals.
