GUARDIAN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. – CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

 1984 was a good year in metro Detroit. It was the last year the Detroit Tigers won the World Series and it was also the year that Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. (GES) of Livonia opened its doors. The two events have one common thread – a winning tradition. And this year – 2014 – marks 30 years of a winning tradition for this local heating and cooling (HVAC) mechanical contractor.

GES began as a sister company to Guardian Plumbing and Heating, Inc., which started in the early 60s and is still going strong today. GES co-owners, John C. Philbin a former HVAC tech and Anthony D’Ascenzo, a former plumber, saw the market for commercial HVAC mechanical services to compliment a growing plumbing services segment. The GES goal, as stated in company literature, is to “specialize in the commercial HVAC, offering maintenance contracts and project management.”

According to Tom Barker, GES Vice President, the company’s focus and consistency is the same today as it was 30 years ago. “Our biggest accomplishment is the fact that we have been successful for 30 years with the same leadership,” he said. “We have been successful during the ups and downs of our local economy.”

That successful formula has always been passed down from Philbin and D’Ascenzo to GES employees. Aaron Olender, a GES service technician for 17 years, noted, “GES is committed to being the best. My company always keeps up with the latest technology and commits all of us to training, education, and safety practices. The owners like to be on the edge and it is what drives them to succeed.”

THE CUSTOMER’S POINT OF VIEW

GES focuses on several “critical” environmental needs of its commercial customers, including those who operate health care operations and data centers. One of their Detroit-area customers who depend on GES to maintain its critical data center as well as mechanical systems throughout its facility is Raymond James, a diversified financial services company located in Southfield.

Lisa Kerr, manager of office services for Raymond James, said that GES is the only mechanical company she has known since she began with her company 19 years ago. That’s saying a lot because long-term relationships and partnerships with outside vendors isn’t always the norm. “Our corporate office has very high standards and GES has always met them,” Kerr said.

Kerr said that Raymond James has equipment maintenance plans that require quarterly service and she is used to seeing Olender and other technicians on a regular basis. “And if an emergency arises, we know that GES will be here immediately,” she added. Beyond it’s quality service, GES gives Kerr and her company the piece of mind that the work will be carried out by technicians who have undergone complete background checks and security clearances. The nature of the financial services’ business requires trust and confidentiality – two characteristics that Kerr respects about GES.

“They are professional,” she said. “Integrity is important to them. We trust that when they offer solutions to our problems they will find the most cost effective ones for us. We are in the money business and cost is always important. They help us to become more knowledgeable about our equipment, i.e. filter change outs, which keeps our costs down. We also know that they will do what they promise with a simple handshake. That is trust.”

Kerr said she is happy to recommend GES to other businesses and has referred a number of other companies to them.

 GES – ITS EMPLOYEES & INNOVATIONS

Olender is representative of the many GES employees who dedicate themselves to being the best at what they do. The employees are union workers who are members of Operating Engineers, Local 324, a group that is dedicated to finding good opportunities for its members which includes working at GES. “We have an apprenticeship program and currently have apprentices working for us during the day while going to school at night,” said Barker. “We think the best techs are the ones we train ourselves.”

GES offers good training and educational opportunities as well as good health benefits for its workers. The company also participates in career “days” like the recent 2014 Michigan Construction Career Days program (MICCD) at the Local 324 Sam T. Hart Training and Education Center in Howell.

Barker said his workforce is excited to take on jobs that other companies may not do – another tribute to the GES philosophy of trying cutting edge technology. This technology includes inventions like the “Catalyst,” a controller for rooftop units which monitors all operations including fan speed, coolant levels, etc. “Saving our customers in energy costs is always our concern,” Barker added. “And the Catalyst can save 40-50% in energy costs.”

Ideas like this are often shared by GES with other progressive-thinking mechanical contractors through its affiliation with the Unified Group; an organization comprised of HVAC members throughout the U.S. Barker sits on the Unified Group’s board of advisors. “We share business ideas with other members and conduct regular webinars for this purpose,” Barker said.

This combination of top-notch customer service, professional staff, and innovative thinking are what has made Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. a leader in its field for 30 years. And with this successful business model, it is likely they will carry on for at least another 30 years.

For more information on GES visit www.gesmechanicalservices.com or call 734-513-9500.

Link to the story - http://www.semiacca.org/webapp/p/228/featured-contractor