Motors and Armatures (MARS), a leading commercial and residential HVACR motors and components supplier, today announced that it has made a strategic acquisition of Heat Controller, Inc., a leading commercial and residential HVAC equipment supplier. As a result of the acquisition, the MARS Company will become the most comprehensive supplier of HVACR parts and equipment to the industry. The MARS motors and components division will continue to operate from Hauppauge, NY, and the Heat Controller equipment division will remain in Jackson, MI.
According to Edward Chernoff, President and CEO of MARS, the acquisition represents MARS’s commitment to anticipate the needs of the marketplace and proactively invest in creating additional value for the customer.
“This acquisition is a merger of equals. Two reputable companies are aligning in order to better serve HVACR customers, suppliers, and contractors,” Chernoff says. “MARS knows motors and components. Heat Controller knows equipment. The partnership is a natural fit.”
In addition to the inherent synergies between parts and equipment, the acquisition also makes sense from a cultural and philosophical perspective. Chernoff says that the companies share similar brand attributes and core values.
“The dedication of our people, our unwavering commitment to service, and the quality of our products have made MARS the company it is today,” Chernoff says. “Heat Controller shares this same dedication and commitment to quality people, products, and service. They have built their success on the same foundation as ours — great employees and earned customer loyalty.”
Although the two business divisions will operate independently under the MARS Company entity, Chernoff says the acquisition lends itself to unlimited opportunities for future collaboration and growth. “Both companies have a rich history of success, as well as extensive HVACR industry expertise,” Chernoff says. “We look forward to utilizing this combined knowledge and expertise to deliver additional value to our customers.”
Frank Mehler, MARS vice president of marketing and sales, says the acqusition will provide both companies with new marketing and educational opportunities, and will be a springboard to innovation.
“As a result of this acquisition, we see a real benefit in the opportunity to develop a comprehensive contractor marketing program," Mehler says. "We will continue to respect the traditional hierarchy in our supply chain, and our wholesaler customers will continue to receive the world-class service they have come to expect from MARS and Heat Controller. But we see the acquisition as an opportunity to provide contractors with in-depth technical training and educational programs covering HVAC equipment and repair parts, as well as to expose contractors to a continuous stream of new products. Innovation will be driven by our association with contractors.”
Don Peck, CEO of Heat Controller, says, “These are exciting times for Heat Controller, and we believe the merger into the MARS family will be a perfect fit going forward. Heat Controller will continue to operate from Jackson, MI, and Guelph, Ontario, with the same dedicated employees and management. Our goal is to make this transition transparent to our customers and to continue to serve our customers with this new alliance as we have in the past.”
Founded in 1946, Motors and Armatures (MARS) is a family-owned and operated supplier of quality motors, components, and service/installation parts for the HVACR industry. The company distributes its own extensive MARS and JARD-branded aftermarket replacement products, as well as the original equipment components of leading manufacturers. MARS is headquartered in Hauppauge, NY and operates distribution facilities in Earth City (St. Louis), MO and Mississauga, Canada and is known for its quality products, extensive inventory, solution-based sales approach, and logistics efficiencies.
For more than 75 years, Heat Controller, Inc. has been a leading source for residential and commercial heating, cooling, and dehumidification equipment. The company markets its products under the Comfort-Aire and Century brand names in the United States and under the Comfort-Aire by Aitons' brand name in Canada. The company offers one of the broadest equipment lines in the HVAC industry and is known for in-season availability, quick delivery, best-in-class warranties, and comprehensive training and support programs.