Climatech of Professional Air in Pensacola, Florida, USA, is known for putting HVAC customers first by providing first-class service and for doing what’s right, even when no one is looking. “We approach each customer like it’s our grandmother,” said Travis Thompson of Climatech of Professional Air, adding “We show all the options and we are fair with pricing. The open-book approach to options and our honest opinion is the best way. We sit and get to know the customer and their needs, and then proceed with all the options we have.”
Winner of ‘Building a Higher Standard’ award
The approach pays off. Climatech of Professional Air was honored by equipment company - American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning with their ‘Building a Higher Standard’ award.
The award program recognizes the brand’s distinguished, independent dealers from across the country, recognizing local dealers who exhibit a high level of integrity, community stewardship, dedicated teamwork, and focus on continuous improvement in the pursuit of excellence.
Climatech was started by Larry Thompson and his brother in 1978. They began selling parts and then started helping others do repair work after hours, at the parts house.
Climatech of Professional Air
I was taken to a parts house, before I went home from the hospital, so I sort of ‘grew up’ in the business"
“I was taken to a parts house, before I went home from the hospital, so I sort of ‘grew up’ in the business,” said Travis Thompson, Larry Thompson’s son, who now partners with his father in the business, adding “I always enjoyed helping when I was young and picked up on the fixing side of things pretty quickly.”
After going to college for a couple years, Travis Thompson decided to go back to HVAC, by owning his own business. “My father and I decided to merge our businesses together, after I had built my own and been successful for several years,” Travis Thompson recalls.
Importance given to continuous improvement
The company then grew to around 15 employees and continues to grow each year. But the emphasis isn’t on growth, but on “How we treat customers and doing quality work,” adds Travis Thompson.
Continuous improvement is an emphasis at Climatech of Professional Air. “We train on all the latest technology industry wide,” said Travis Thompson, adding “We also go back over and over the basics many times a year to be sure these are understood and not overlooked.”
External training for technicians
Travis Thompson continues, “The company also provides outside training, any time its available and pays for the technician to go, as well as any cost of the class.”
Teamwork is another emphasis. Everyone is willing to help each other, no matter the level of the tech or helper. Manager and owners work side-by-side with technicians and helpers, as needed.
Weekly training meetings
Climatech of Professional Air also seeks to help home owners, who cannot afford new equipment
Weekly training meetings keep everyone up to date, followed by a company conversation about anything that’s needed or misunderstood. The company is very open with communication.
Climatech of Professional Air also seeks to help home owners, who cannot afford new equipment. “We take each one case by case and go to work looking for ideas that can help,” said Travis Thompson.
Helping home owners avail cheap equipment
He adds, “We may have good slightly used equipment or even have financial suggestions that will work for both them and us. We never want to make the situation worse by being cheap, but we do understand situations people are in and money being tight.”
The company also emphasizes the people element in their business. “I get to meet different people every day,” stated Travis Thompson, adding “I like getting to know people and love fixing problems. This is the perfect occupation to do both. The problems we fix not only help customers to be more comfortable and save money, but they also lower energy use across our area and every little bit adds up to a big difference.”
He continues, “We are very privileged to have won American Standard’s Building a Higher Standard Award. God has blessed us with the ability to help other people each and every day, and it is an honor to be acknowledged for our hard work.”
Sponsors of the ‘Miracle League’ – a baseball league
The Thompson family and Climatech of Professional Air are also involved with volunteering and sponsoring the ‘Miracle League’ – a baseball league founded in 2002 for disabled individuals with physical and cognitive challenges to participate in recreational activities in an accessible, non-competitive environment.
Other 2021 winners of the American Standard ‘Building a Higher Standard’ award are Holtkamp Heating & Air, in Suwanee, Georgia; Premier Heating + Air, in Denver, Colorado; and SoCal Airflow Pros, in Rancho Santa Margarita, in California, USA.