Page 21 - Veterans' Issue

HVAC:

Recent award

to benefit Athens

By Sherri Skeeters

This summer, John Karamanos of HVAC fruition without the move to Athens,” said John.
Manufacturing, Inc. (HVAC) traveled to North Located at 1010 West Corsicana Street, HVAC’s
Carolina to attend a first-time event hosted by expansion includes a new sheet metal shop that will
Siemens, and to receive the 2017 Supplier of the Year house a fully automated fiber optic laser, CNC press
award. brake, and a robotic laser welder, as well as other
Siemens, a multibillion-dollar company and global sophisticated equipment, opening the door for
powerhouse, focuses on the areas of electrification, HVAC to vertically integrate and do all sorts of
automation and digitalization and is one of the contract metal fabrication including complete UL
world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, 508 certified electrical control panels. The Bystronics
resource-saving technologies and leading supplier of equipment will encompass a 5,000-square foot area
systems for power generation and transmission as well and will allow for the applications of cutting, bending
as medical diagnosis. and automation of the material.
“By winning this award, it has opened up HVAC has installed a digital ERP paperless system in
opportunities with other divisions of Siemens,” said order that all manufacturing orders be sent
John. Since relocating to Athens from California last electronically to the manufacturing technicians. In
year, HVAC Manufacturing is beginning to diversify addition to paperless, they are taking it a step further
into other industries outside of HVAC. by sending work orders to the appropriate
HVAC was selected for the award for their newly departments. “For example, a work order will be sent
developed, patented Intelligent Air Valve product. to the electrical department and will show the
“This product will change the way buildings are schematic drawing, bill of materials, processes and
built,” he said. “It’s green, lean, economical and everything required to build that sub-assembly,” John
energy efficient.” said. “The 21st century software integrates 3D
The Intelligent Air Valve product, just one of many AutoCAD and will take a work order from material
disruptive products HVAC is rolling out, is the first to ordering, building the sub-assemblies to the final
hit the global market, giving Siemens a tremendous assembly and quality control.”
competitive advantage in the marketplace. “We’re excited for HVAC’s success in the industry
“With this new product, we will have a lot of visitors and in Athens,” said Lisa Denton, Executive Director
coming to Athens from North America and around of Athens Economic Development Corporation.
the globe. Customers always want to come see the “Relocating to Athens from California alleviated the
factory where the product is made before they commit heavy tax burden and higher operating costs allowing
to million-dollar orders,” John said. HVAC to invest and grow their business, resulting in
Currently, HVAC has 40+ employees and expect more jobs and increased tax tax
tax revenue for the city
o f
their workforce to triple over the next couple of years. of Athens.”
“HVAC’s expansion would never have come to
EXPLORING THE COMMUNITY ROLE OF AEDC