Ontario, Calif.-based Airite Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. and Harrisburg, Pa.-based InterCon Automation Inc. have become the latest mechanical contractors to join the 125+-member network that spans the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. Linc Service Contractors follow the disciplines of the Linc System® in delivering preventive maintenance as well as HVAC service and bundled energy solutions to the commercial market.

Airite has been serving the HVAC needs of its commercial and industrial customers in Southern California's Inland Empire since 1961. It wasn't until the mid-80s that Airite owner Richard Mace Sr. first became familiar with Linc through a local competitor who owned a franchise location at the time. Although Mace did not know much about Linc 20 years ago, he did see how his competitor grew from less than $1 million in annual revenue to a $20 million service business over the next decade. So when he felt the time had come for his own company to expand, he thought Linc would make the perfect partner to help grow his business.

"We've seen how utilizing the Linc System can translate into great success for a company in our position, so our goal is to achieve similar results as a member of the Linc Service Network," said Richard Mace Jr., who assumed general manager duties starting in November. "We believe that Linc can help us grow tremendously and reach greater profit margins."

In addition to its commercial and industrial operations, Airite owns and operates a 12,500-square-foot metal shop where all of its custom-made products are shorn and formed. As a new Linc Service Contractor, the company's 25-member staff will continue servicing customers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Airite is also one of Carrier Corp.'s elite Factory Authorized Dealers.

Similar to Airite, InterCon first learned of Linc several years ago from one of its local competitors who owned a franchise, albeit in the central Pennsylvania market. As a building controls contractor for the past eight years, InterCon was looking to broaden its corporate offerings by supplementing other capabilities, namely mechanical services. InterCon engaged in dialogue with Linc about the possibility of joining the network and, after subsequent meetings, principals Tim Winters and Doug Marks agreed that the Linc System provided an excellent business model to grow and expand their service business.

"Working with Linc will allow us to become a one-stop shop and offer our customers a broader umbrella of services," Marks said. "From the perspective of our customers, we'll become more of a team member and less of a vendor."

Through a strategic partnership with Automated Logic Corp., InterCon provides direct digital control and energy management solutions for the non-residential market. Geographically, the company's 16-member staff will continue serving its customers from Huntingdon County to Berks County, as well as to the state borders of New York and Maryland.

Linc Network LLC, headquartered in Pittsburgh and Atlanta, is the franchisor of the Linc System, a business format for operating a commercial HVAC service business. For more information, visit www.lincservice.com.

Publication date: 11/06/2006