From the AEDC
This summer, John Karamanos of HVAC Manufacturing, Inc. (HVAC) traveled to North Carolina to attend a first-time event hosted by Siemens, and to receive the 2017 Supplier of the Year award.
Siemens, a multi-billion dollar company and global powerhouse, focuses on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization and is one of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies and leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis.
“By winning this award, it has opened up opportunities with other divisions of Siemens,” said John. Since relocating to Athens from California last year, HVAC Manufacturing is beginning to diversify into other industries outside of HVAC.
HVAC was selected for the award for their newly developed, patented Intelligent Air Value product. “This product will change the way buildings are built,” he said. “It’s green, lean and energy efficient.”
The Intelligent Air Value product, just one of ten disruptive products HVAC is rolling out, is the first to hit the global market, giving Siemens a tremendous competitive advantage in the marketplace.
“With this new product, we will have a lot of visitors coming to Athens from North America and around the globe. Customers always want to come see the factory where the product is made before they commit to million-dollar orders,” John said.
Currently, HVAC has 40+ employees and expect their workforce to triple over the next couple of years. “HVAC’s expansion would never have come to fruition without the move to Athens,” said John.
Located at 1010 West Corsicana Street, HVAC’s expansion includes a new sheet metal shop that will house a fully automated fiber optic laser, C&C press break, and a laser welder, as well as other sophisticated equipment, opening the door for HVAC to do contract manufacturing and all sorts of metal fabrication. The Bystronics equipment will encompass a 5,000-square foot area and will allow for the applications of cutting, bending and automation of the material. Instead of buying sheet metal, HVAC will now be able to make their own.
HVAC also has plans to install a paperless system in order that all work order information be sent electronically to production workers. In addition to paperless, they are taking it a step further by sending work orders to the appropriate departments. “For example, a work order will be sent to the electrical department and will show the schematic drawing, building materials and everything they will need to build that product,” John said. “The 21st century software runs off 3D AutoCAD and will take a work order to the final assembly and quality control.”
“We’re excited for HVAC’s success in the industry and in Athens,” said Lisa Denton, Executive Director of Athens Economic Development Corporation. “Relocating to Athens from California alleviated the heavy tax burden and higher operating costs allowing HVAC to invest and grow their business, resulting in more jobs and increased tax revenue for the city of Athens.”
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