US Supply celebrates grand opening
West Conshohocken, Pa. — On April 25, US Supply Company suffered a devastating loss when a relentless fire ravaged their branch in Hainesport, N.J. In just under two weeks, with the help of employees, customers and vendors, US Supply was able to regroup and open a new, fully stocked location in Hainesport.
The US Supply Company family of employees, vendors and customers, joined together on May 20, to celebrate the grand opening of the new location. The event was celebrated with a catered breakfast and lunch. Customers who attended were entered into a drawing to spin the “Wheel of Fortune,” which was sponsored by all of the supporting vendors, as well as a chance to win a 40" TV. Gift cards, tool boxes and jackets were among the 18 prizes awarded to the winning contractors by each of the sponsoring “Wheel of Fortune” vendors.
Douglas Hyman, president of US Supply Company, said it best: “Our success wouldn’t be as great if we didn’t have the support and loyalty of our employees, vendors and customers. We suffered a loss, but their determination to get us up and running is what has helped us to persevere and overcome this tragedy.”
Taco breaks ground on Innovation & Development Center project
Cranston, R.I. — On June 3, Taco broke ground on a major building project designed to secure its future in the Ocean State. Company president & CEO John Hazen White Jr. was joined by family members, representatives from the state’s political leadership, guests and employees of Taco for the morning event.
The centerpiece of the $18-million project will be the new Taco Innovation & Development Center, consisting of a two-story, 24,037-square-foot addition to the current building, a former trolley barn built in 1904. The center will be a state-of-the-art learning and training environment, complete with new classroom spaces, conference rooms, a business center and functional labs for testing and teaching. It will utilize, display and provide a hands-on learning environment for the best equipment and systems that today’s HVAC industry offers for comfort, efficiency and sustainability. The HVAC products and systems will be visible throughout the entire facility, forming “Living Laboratories” that allow for close-up viewing, hands-on learning and teaching.
Taco’s reception area, employee cafeteria and office areas on two floors, encompassing over 24,000 square feet of interior space within the existing building, will undergo extensive renovation, floor to ceiling, advancing the comfort, functionality and productivity of those areas. There will be new offices, work stations, meeting rooms and open areas illuminated by energy efficient lighting, natural light and the very best in indoor comfort.
The LEED project, slated for completion during the fall of 2012, will provide the space the company needs to grow and to remain competitive, while remaining in Rhode Island, where the company has been operating since 1942.
The project, which will extend through five phases of design and construction, will employ 36 subcontracting employers and provide almost 200 jobs for the local economy.
Gustave A. Larson marks 75 years
Pewaukee, Wis. — July 11 marked the 75th anniversary of the Gustave A. Larson Company. Founded by Gus Larson in 1936, the company has been family owned and operated for 75 years and is presently under the leadership of CEO Andrew Larson and president Scott Larson, Gus’s grandsons.
Larson began as a small storefront in Madison, Wis., with just two employees. Today, the company has 47 locations, covering 18 states, with almost 400 employees. Each branch carries an extensive inventory of equipment and replacement parts to serve customers’ needs. The Larson Company, a leader in customer service, maintains a $55-million inventory and an in-house truck fleet that replenishes the branches nightly. Their B2B site, e-fficiency, provides customers with valuable access to products and account information 24 hours a day.
In the April 24, 1940, issue of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration News, the success of the Larson Company was attributed to members of an organization who were “committed to technical competence, responsive to customers’ needs, friendly, willing to work hard, active in the industry and active in the community.” Today, that same formula for success still holds true. Larson employees are among the most professional and service-oriented in the industry. The sales team is focused on helping customers with technical questions as well as growing their bottom line. Each person on the sales team has a HVAC/R technical college degree or equivalent industry experience.
As technology in HVAC/R evolves, the Larson Company ensures employee education with the Larson Learning Center, a 24-hour online learning tool. Educational programs are also made available at every branch to help their customers stay on the cutting edge of product technology and business acumen.
“We don’t sell anything; our customers do. As a result, our focus is on helping them maximize their success,” said Andrew Larson.
This philosophy will provide the foundation for success for the next 75 years.
McCall’s Supply opens 200th PROSTOCK store location nationwide
West Columbia, S.C.— Ruud distributor McCall’s Supply Inc. opened a new PROSTOCK location in West Columbia, S.C., marking the 200th PROSTOCK location nationwide since Rheem pioneered the concept in 2001.
PROSTOCK, part of the Rheem family of quality brands, provides retail locations for contractors to quickly and easily find Rheem and Ruud parts and supplies. McCall’s owns 15 stores throughout South Carolina, two stores in North Carolina and one in Savannah, Ga., and partnered with Rheem to convert the West Columbia store into a PROSTOCK location. Rheem is one of the few HVAC manufacturers in the country offering a retail presence to meet the needs of HVAC contractors, and also employs a full-time retail designer/merchandiser, who is dedicated to advancing the PROSTOCK concept.
On May 19, Rheem and McCall’s hosted a grand opening event for local contractors at the West Columbia location. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, lunch and giveaways, including PROSTOCK goody bags with product literature and branded flexible-head flashlights. Rheem also awarded prizes to several lucky contractors.
The store is located at 1018 Meeting Street in West Columbia, S.C. and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday.
BrassCraft’s Texas facility wins top environmental recognition
Novi, Mich. — BrassCraft Manufacturing Company continues to demonstrate environmental leadership by being awarded Platinum membership, the commission’s highest level of recognition, from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This is the second Clean Texas honor bestowed on BrassCraft’s Lancaster, Texas, facility, which was recognized in 2010 with a Bronze membership.
“The elevation from Bronze to Platinum in one year is a significant achievement,” said Michael Hansen, BrassCraft–Lancaster director of operations. “The commission’s platinum-level standards are far more rigorous. That we can implement our environmental management system so successfully and deliver real, sustainable reductions in energy, waste and water usage is testament to how critical the environmental initiative is at BrassCraft.”
The BrassCraft Environmental Management System is a comprehensive series of internal policies for improving resource utilization, optimizing recycling throughout the facility and maintaining strict compliance and reporting standards with all environmental regulations.
To achieve Platinum status, a company must commit to at least four measurable environmental goals that go beyond regulatory requirements or are in areas that are not regulated. BrassCraft’s achievements include the following:
• Reduced electricity usage — Steps included using more efficient compressors, the removal of unneeded column fans, retrofitting with more efficient lighting and eliminating air leaks for better HVAC efficiency.
• Reduced water usage — Timers were added to water lines, and plans are in development for waste water reuse, with the potential of saving millions of gallons of water.
• Hazardous waste reduction — New parts washers that utilize recyclable filters have been installed, reducing hazardous waste to date by 14,586 pounds.
• Non-hazardous waste reduction — The Lancaster facility has lowered non-hazardous waste by more than 50%, with new compactors and a more comprehensive recycling process.
In addition, the Platinum award recognizes BrassCraft’s environmental efforts outside the company. BrassCraft–Lancaster maintains an open dialogue with the community regarding environmental concerns and has a continuing process for communicating the company’s environmental performance. Working with the Lancaster School District’s “Partners in Education” program, BrassCraft presented students and faculty with information and materials regarding the company’s lead-free compliance initiative. BrassCraft is also a member of the Adopt-a-Spot program in Lancaster, in which a company team cleans and maintains a mile-long stretch of road every quarter.
“Platinum recognition is the result of each individual’s effort at Lancaster,” said Peter Kattula, vice president-operations and supply chain. “BrassCraft’s environmental policy follows two paths simultaneously: using fewer resources and making meaningful contributions to the environment. By doing that, everyone benefits — our customers, our company and the rest of world.”