Training goes hand in hand with customer service at Source 1 HVAC Supply Centers

MILWAUKEE — Last fall, Johnson Controls Inc. celebrated the grand opening of seven new Source1 HVAC Supply Centers, a supplier of HVAC equipment and factory authorized service parts and residential accessories for all Johnson Controls residential and light commercial unitary products in Illinois, Michigan, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma, Arkansas,  Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The company also offers a broad variety of universal heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) parts, supplies and accessories from many manufacturers.

Stores had grand-openings at the following locations:

• Collinsville, Illinois
• Sterling Heights, Michigan
• St. Louis (Mid-Town), Missouri
• Columbia, Missouri
• Cape Girardeau, Missouri
• Wentzville, Missouri (relocation/reopening)
• Earth City, Missouri (relocation/reopening)

“We’re excited to offer contractors the benefits each of these stores offers, beginning with quick and easy access to HVAC parts,” said Liz Haggerty, vice president and general manager, Johnson Controls Unitary Products Group. “By providing contractors with a conveniently located, one-stop source for a comprehensive line of HVAC parts and systems, along with the tools and supplies necessary to install, maintain and service equipment, the centers allow contractors to get in, get what they need and get to the jobsite, eliminating wait time and improving efficiency and productivity.”

In addition to York, Guardian and Source1 products, the new supply centers offer products from other HVAC manufacturers and a wide array of HVAC test instruments, tools and supplies — everything from gauges, recovery equipment and vacuum pumps to tape, filters and pipe and electrical fittings.

A training resource

The supply centers will also give contractors the opportunity to tap into local training programs on York and Guardian equipment as well as HVAC and business fundamentals, like electricity, refrigeration, heating, financial analysis and sales techniques.

“The technical expertise of our store employees provides another important resource to contractors,” said Haggerty. “In addition to unrivaled customer service, they offer industry experience and in many cases, first-hand familiarity with the challenges contractors encounter in the field.”

“At the Collinsville store we have three people working there, and they are all HVAC experienced,” said Dave Smithey, vice president and general manager of Source1 HVAC Supply Centers. “We hire people from both sides of the counter — some have experience working on the distributor side, and some are from the customer side that have walked in the customers’ shoes, and can understand where customers are coming from.”

According to Smithey, the opening last September at the St. Louis-based store went well.

“There was a lot of engagement with our customers,” said Smithey. “They were very glad to see us open the store there, and they have access to the York product. “What we have with Source1 is a concentrated effort to be an access point for any HVAC contractor to service, repair, and install York and Guardian brand products. Source1 HVAC Supply Centers were introduced in 2013 to make sure we have a well-defined communicable presence in the market. The differentiator with Source1 is the customer service we offer — we are easy to do business with and have a great relationship with our customers.”

The training offered at Source1 locations goes hand in hand with its customer service.

“We view training as part of the service we provide to our customers,” explained Smithey. “If we give them product we need to give them training — we offer this onsite and online training too. We customize training to what the customer needs. This starts with an in-store class, and then we customize training specific to the customer’s needs. We publish classes monthly for the customer, so they know what is available and what they can attend.”

The seven new stores are part of a growing number of Source 1 HVAC Supply Centers Johnson Controls operates in Illinois, Michigan, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma, Arkansas,  Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

York products from Johnson Controls include energy-efficient, residential central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories, and innovative light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a national distribution network and delivered to home- and building-owners through qualified York heating and cooling contractors. 

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s 150,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and seating components and systems for automobiles. Johnson Controls’ commitment to sustainability dates back to its roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through Johnson Controls growth strategies and by increasing market share the company is committed to delivering value to shareholders and making its customers successful. In 2016, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the No. 17 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list.