ARLINGTON, VA — The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has announced a new series of programs designed to help HVACR contractors expand their profits and control their costs. The ACCA MemberTools™ program will provide association members with tailored resources that can be used in their contracting businesses.

"For over thirty years, ACCA has served the needs of the HVACR contracting industry, and today that means helping contractors of all sizes run more profitable, successful operations," stated Paul T. Stalknecht, president and CEO of ACCA. "The HVACR contracting industry is the only industry we serve, and that will never change."

The association says that MemberTools will incorporate a number of new resources into basic membership, providing contractors with products they can begin using right away. The first three resources are:

  • The Exchanger™, a quarterly newsletter designed for the employees of member contractors. ACCA says that each issue will feature short, easy-to-read, and useful articles on "soft" sales skills, general technical and troubleshooting issues, customer service tips and techniques, and positive articles on HVACR contracting. The newsletters, designed in black-and-white with line art, will be customized with the member's company name and designed for photocopying or inexpensive printing. The first issue is being printed and will be distributed at the end of October.

  • ComforTools™, a series of sales-enhancing brochures and collateral materials aimed at consumers that can be offered to consumers by service technicians. These brochures will include such topics as indoor air quality, zoning, the value of proper load calculation, the value of duct testing and repair, humidity control, and other generic product-supporting issues. An accompanying website, ComforTools.com, will also be available for consumer information. The first brochure kit, "The Truth About Mold," will be available in early October. Brochures may be customized with member contractor names and contact information.

  • NewsTools™, a series of online tools contractor members can use to develop and customize press releases to send to their local press to promote their businesses. It includes information on finding, contacting, and dealing with local media. NewsTools will be available online in November.

    These tools are designed to be personalized products, with basic costs included in membership dues, and will be sent to members via e-mail in a format ready for printing. ACCA says it will also make an optional printing service available at an affordable cost for convenience.

    "HVACR contractors are looking for one resource that helps them grow their businesses and control their costs," said Kevin W. Holland, ACCA’s vice president for communications and membership services. "As a nonprofit association, ACCA grows and changes with the needs of our members, as we've been doing for over three decades. These tools were developed based on the feedback, input, and recommendations of our contractor members, and we're proud to say that ACCA membership will now provide even greater value for contractors."

    ACCA members will be receiving details on the first set of MemberTools resources in the next two weeks. Additional resources will be announced as they are developed. For membership information, call 703-575-4477 or your local federated ACCA affiliate.

    Publication date: 09/16/2002