Airco Comfort Systems, Inc.

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About Airco Comfort Systems, Inc.

Foundations...

AIRCO Services was founded in 1983 by Kenneth and Judy Ridout. The origin of the company is fairly typical for small service-oriented businesses. In 1978, Ken was not satisfied with service work performed on his own home air conditioning system by local service contractors. After several mis-diagnoses and expensive service fees from different service "companies", Ken bought books on refrigeration theory and used prior electronic, mechanical, and technical skills to diagnose and complete a proper repair. He soon found that his newly acquired skills were in demand by relatives, friends, neighbors, friends of friends, etc. In 1985, the company was transformed into a Texas corporation, and renamed Airco Comfort Systems, Inc.

Airco Comfort Systems, Inc. primarily provides residential central heating and air conditioning service to residences in the Garland, Texas area. The company has expanded its capabilities and staffing to respond to customer requests for commercial service, residential equipment replacement, residential new construction, and commercial lease-space finish-out. Currently, Airco is a leader in technology and customer service in the Garland area, with a service area emcompassing the Dallas metroplex.

The marketplace...

The Dallas area growth since 1950 would not have been possible without affordable air conditioning in homes and businesses. Land and labor costs, being much less expensive in the Dallas area, attracted businesses from the more expensive (and colder) northern states. Air conditioning made the business migration practical. The HVAC industry in the Dallas, Texas area was hungry for competent, honest repair companies that provided professional services for reasonable fees. This led to a proliferation of air conditioning repairmen. Until recently, 65% of all heating and air conditioning companies in the Dallas area were one-man operations. Licensing, insurance, and registration were not required in the state of Texas. The majority of the smaller companies (usually one-man shops) were under-trained, under-staffed, lacked communications skills, and stability. They operated by the seat of their pants and "Bubba" procedures. The larger companies had "ballooned" during the inflationary times of the 70's...and were now out of control. The market was ripe for technical businessmen to start new companies and compete within the existing service market.

Growth and Development...

Airco grew, allowing Ken to employ his talents and formal training in accounting, computer science, and business management to provide a full range of services to home and income property owners, building contractors, and property managers. The company has now developed into a stable business/organization that employs ten full-time people and additional part-time helpers as needed.

In March of 1990, Airco purchased a 5,000 sq. ft building which now houses the office, warehouse, and sheet metal shop. Improvements are made each year to enhance the efficiency of the facility. AIRCO now serves the entire Dallas metroplex (with focus on the N.E. quadrant) from this facility in Garland, Texas. Based on current peak season production, the facility should be adequate to for 5 more years of planned growth.

Airco has marketed BDP equipment almost exclusively for the past 12 years! When the local distributor switched brand names from Payne to Bryant, AIRCO made the changes to convert its marketing strategy likewise. The current local Bryant distributor, "Climatic N. Texas" and their sales manager, Mr. Eloy Bazaldua, work in "partnership" with Airco with marketing, planning, and product support to help our company grow. Climatic N. Texas and the Manufacturer's Premier Dealer program has been instrumental in the profitable growth and professional management of Airco.

Technology...

Ken's training and experience in computer technology helps to lead AIRCO into the future. We have been at the leading edge of technology in the use of computers over the past 10 years. Airco was the first HVAC company in the Dallas metroplex (circa 1984) to request and obtain mechanical permits via computer and modem. That technology was superseded by FAX technology, which AIRCO was again the first in the area to employ with the City of Dallas Building Inspection Department in 1993!

Over the past five years, Airco developed its own customer office management, service dispatch, and database software system. This system provides services to customers and standardizes all internal operations. Airco not only uses computers for a customer tracking database, but also for invoicing, accounting, proposals, bids, word processing, load calculations, system design, sales development, and even as an after-hours emergency service call telephone attendant. Our systems and processes have been a model which principles of many other dealerships have visited and emulated. The HVAC Offce® software is now developed and marketed nationwide to other Carrier and BDP dealerships by Quantrac Corporation. Bryant dealers from across the country visit our facility to view its computer program, operations, and organization. We continually strive to be on the leading edge of technology in HVAC dealership organization and operations, and welcome visitors to our facility.

The Future...

In the next four years, Airco plans growth in the replacement market, which will necessitate the employment of an additional installation crew. Our service department will continue to expand, employing additional qualified technicians at the rate of one per each additional 75 maintenance contract customers. As the staff exceeds the span of control of the existing supervision, key employees will be offered promotion to managerial positions.

Long term company goals include day to day operations completely managed and controlled by a professional management staff. This will be attained through a combination of continued education and management training of key personnel and employment of experienced professional managers from other companies.

Philosophy...

Airco Comfort Systems, Inc. is a professionally managed, "efficient" business, providing salaried employment, return on investment, and retirement security for its owners and reliable wages, salaries, job growth potential, and retirement for employees.

We offer customer service which far exceeds that of any local competitor. Our office can draw upon its database of service, preventive maintenance, and installation history at a moment's notice. Our commercial customers now rely on us for this record keeping, making us more valuable to them. Our residential customers appreciate our quick response, accurate invoicing, and historical tracking of service at their homes. Of course, we still provide weekend, holiday, and 24hr service available when our customers require emergency service. With a complete stock of repair parts and equipment in our warehouse, we are prepared for almost any service or equipment replacment at any time, 365 days per year.

Airco Comfort Systems, Inc. is in business for the long term, dedicated to long term customer satisfaction. We take pride in retention of customers, and understand the time-value of customers and their referrals. Our success is measured by the longevity and stability of operations and personnel and the loyalty of its customers that depend on us.

972-271-3935 for 24 hour sales and service