Partly Cloudy / 37° FLocal business receives award for service
By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Taking into consideration the recent weather, those in the business of heating and air conditioning are having a pretty interesting season, as Michiana recently got a taste of spring – only to wake up to frosty windshields Monday morning.
But as residents get ready to make the switch from heat to air conditioning, one area business is getting a rather celebratory start to the season.
Garwood Heating and Air Conditioning, 2207 East US-12 in Niles was named recipient of the 2009 President's Award for Excellence as a Carrier factory authorized dealer.
"This year our President's Award winners have demonstrated impressive abilities at achieving and maintaining customer satisfaction while delivering exceptional customer value and successfully positioning the Carrier brand in their respective markets," said Bob McDonough, president of Carrier Residential Light Commercial Systems, North America.
Garwood Heating and Air Conditioning has been in business since 1981. Owner Steve Gillispie bought the business in August of 2006.
"(It is) a great feeling to know that Carrier recognizes the service provided to my customers," Gillispie said Friday.
During a national recession, quality customer service seems to be an area many businesses are focusing on in order to maintain a strong customer base. Gillispie said his philosophy is to make sure his employees "treat everyone as if it was their mom and dad or relative…"
When Gillispie bought the company back in 2006, the business had only one employee, he said. Now, Garwood Heating and Air Conditioning employs a total of eight.
"We've grown a lot over the past three years just taking care of our customers," Gillispie said.
Garwood offers customers – both residential and commercial – with 24 hours service, free estimates and maintenance programs.
Carrier's President's Award for Excellence is considered one of the company's highest honors for dealers. The award recognizes "dealers that exemplify quality in customer service and are considered one of Carrier's model factory authorized dealers when working with customers."
Recipients are chosen from a pool of dealers nationwide.
The company listed "leadership, management, sales performance, industry expertise and operational excellence in all areas critical to exceeding the quality, comfort and performance expectations of Carrier customers" as criteria looked at in choosing a recipient for the award.
"We wanted to acknowledge and recognize these top-performing dealerships because each of them differentiated themselves by combining sound business practices with unique marketing strategies while being Carrier brand ambassadors," McDonough said.
In the winter, saving money and cutting down on heating bills often mean double checking the windows and doors to make sure they're sealed up tight and have a check done on the furnace.
Though there might have been a need for the scraper this morning, Michiana is still officially in the season of spring. And when the temperatures do warm up, Gillispie said there are still ways for residents to save money.
"Everyone is talking about saving money, saving energy and saving the environment," he said. "And that's what we can do."
Gillispie said customers might want to look into upgrading their current systems to models that include new refrigerants. Eventually, he said, all systems will be fitted with the new refrigerants and will need to be upgraded. Now is a good time to get a new system, Gillispie said and customers can take advantage of free estimates on upgrades should they wish to do so.
For more information on Garwood Heating and Air Conditioning, visit www.garwoodheating.com.
