Inspiring historical tales can be found everywhere, and they needn't always involve epic battles, treaties, or inventions. The business world is full of great success stories, and this is one of them.

The Gillette Air Conditioning Company, San Antonio, TX, is celebrating 50 years in business. That's an historic feat, to be sure. And, like much of the history of the great State of Texas, Gillette's is a classic tale of initiative, rugged determination, and success.

Events surrounding the Gillette company's place in HVAC history don't contain the drama of the 1835 Battle of the Alamo, but they feature a worthy cast — that of a pioneering family-owned company that started small and became a leader in commercial HVAC installation and service.

As he ponders the 50-year milestone, second-generation president Vince Gillette, Jr. understands the significance of such extraordinary longevity in a tough and competitive industry.

“We're very proud of all dad and the family has accomplished. My understanding is that only 20% of second generation companies make it,” he says. And make it they have.

Vince Gillette, Sr., and Andy Anderson founded Anderson-Gillette in 1959. Sadly, soon after they started the business, Anderson contracted Parkinson's disease, and died six months later. Vince later purchased Anderson's share of the business from his widow, and renamed it Gillette Air Conditioning. He and his wife Margie buckled up for a thrilling ride, one filled with all the joys and challenges of family and business life.

The business prospered, and Vince and Margie pressed on. She balanced invoicing and multiple other duties with nurturing their four children, while he put in long hours to build the business. Today, she oversees the management of certain key accounts, and issues related to maintenance of the company's 85-vehicle fleet.

Margie Gillette says she and Vince have enjoyed a true partnership in their marriage and in the business. “My husband's always had a passion for the business. That passion drove him to excel back in those first days, and it's what drives him today.”

Vince Gillette Sr.'s management style has always been based on the quality of work performed. “You have to do a good job, period,” he says.

“We do good work, and consequently, we have many repeat customers. Schools, hospitals, boiler changeouts, chiller changeouts, plumbing — it's all quality, all the time. We keep up with the job, and we don't fall behind.”

Blessings of a Family Business

Vince Gillette, Jr. entered the business full time in 1981. His brothers, Tom and Ed, soon followed. All three attended Texas Technical Institute and earned associates' degrees in applied science. Their sister, Sharon Walls, serves on an advisory board that meets quarterly.

“It's been a blessing to work within a family business all these years, to work with dad, for him to teach us all he knows, and to build on our various successes,” Vince Jr. says. He became president of Gillette Air Conditioning in 2000.

The Gillette brothers' individual management roles are clearly defined, and they try to stay in their respective lanes as much as possible. Each has a job to do that's essential for a smooth-running business. “We've established a very good organizational chart that each of us fits into, and we try not to let the lines blur, so that one Gillette doesn't get involved with what another Gillette is supposed to be in charge of,” Vince says.

Gillette Air Conditioning serves customers within a 150-mile radius of San Antonio. Its commercial HVAC construction division is comprised of:

• a tenant finishing-out group, which handles smaller construction and refurbishing projects in shopping malls, managed by Todd Cabiness;
• a Federal projects group that includes projects for military bases, Veterans Administration sites, National Guard facilities, and other Federally-funded projects, managed by Kevin Hays;
• a general construction group that tackles school, hospital, or office building projects, managed by Tom Gillette;
• ductwork fabrication group, managed by Ed Gillette;
• a special projects group, guided by 37-year employee Dean Bowen.

Wayne Riddle manages commercial HVAC service, and Dede Gillette, Vince, Jr.'s wife of 25 years, manages the warranty division and billing.

Gillette Air Conditioning works according to Design/Build or Plan-and-Spec methods, as needed. Its retrofit/new construction split hovers around 50/50.

The commercial construction division enjoyed gross sales of $34 million in 2009. It's on track to hit $38 million in 2010, thanks to the growth of the company's reputation, and the addition of plumbing services, which had previously been a fixture solely of the Federal division.