SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In July, ARS/Rescue Rooter purchased the Residential Services Division of Beutler Corp. and formed a strategic alliance with Beutler in Northern California. ARS/Rescue Rooter is a privately held, nationwide provider of air conditioning, heating, and plumbing services based in Memphis, Tenn. Beutler is among the largest residential HVAC new construction contractors in the United States with three locations in Northern California.

According to the companies, ARS/Rescue Rooter is expanding the residential cooling and heating service and replacement business under the brand name Beutler Air Conditioning Services, an ARS/Rescue Rooter Company. Beutler will continue to provide new construction HVAC installations.

“This acquisition allows us to enter into air conditioning and heating services in the attractive Northern California market with a significant existing customer base built upon the superior brand equity that Beutler has developed over the past 60 years,” said Dave Slott, ARS/Rescue Rooter president and chief operating officer. Beutler currently serves over 300,000 customers in the Northern California region.

The alliance between the companies is designed to optimize the strengths of each entity, thus providing the area’s most comprehensive HVAC service, including residential new construction, warranty, replacement, enhancement, and maintenance services.

“Our companies are an ideal fit. Our teams worked together to explore mutually beneficial opportunities in this challenging economy,” said Kenneth Goodrich, ARS/Rescue Rooter Southwest division vice president. “We are excited about our entry into Northern California and look forward to perfecting these types of strategic alliances nationwide.”

ARS/Rescue Rooter and Beutler will both work from Beutler’s existing Sacramento headquarters and will immediately begin hiring expert technicians and staff.

“We can’t imagine a better company to partner with in order to strengthen and expand the Beutler brand presence,” said Rick Wylie, president of Beutler Corp. “Whether new or existing customers, this powerful alliance is good news for everyone in the Northern California market.”

“We are building a nationwide HVAC and plumbing footprint by continuing to add quality service providers such as Beutler,” said Don Karnes, ARS/Rescue Rooter chief executive officer. “Rick and his team coincide very well with our strategic vision to be the premier service provider and the premier employer in the HVAC and plumbing service industries.”

Publication date: 08/09/2010