Home-Tech Air Conditioning Adds Jobs, Plans Sarasota Expansion

As summer draws closer in Florida, it becomes apparent why companies that install and service air conditioners are well-positioned to survive and even grow during tough economic times.

A good example of that is the announcement that Home-Tech Service, Inc. plans to hire 22 employees over the next five years. The air conditioning and appliance repair and replacement company is receiving incentives from the Manatee County government as part of the plan. The new jobs must pay more than the county's annual average wage of $33,582 to be eligible for the incentives.

Home-Tech's president Steve Marino founded the company in 1981. It now employs 115 people and serves customers in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.

Home-Tech is employee-owned and Marino says that provides benefits to the company. "Our philosophy is that you take better care of something if you own it.That's why we believe in employee ownership."

Employee training is also a big part of the company's business model. "Our technicians never stop learning. We are the only air conditioning company that has an on-site training facility and full-time trainer," says Marino.

Home-Tech is headquartered in Ft. Myers and serves customers in Sarasota and Manatee counties from an office in Venice. The company is planning to open a new facility in Sarasota.

Writer: Brad Stager
Source: Carolyn Rogers, Briggs & Rogers

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