Posted on 02/14/2016 8:25:40 PM PST by 11th_VA
ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) - A HVAC company owner is turning his back on one of his biggest suppliers after he said the supplier turned its back on its employees.
Wednesday, Carrier announced it plans to relocate its manufacturing plant from Indianapolis' west side to Mexico, taking 1,400 jobs with it. The decision obviously isn't sitting well with employees but it's also bothering several heating and air companies.
It's a business decision that comes from the heart.
"We're not helping buy a CEO their 5th vacation home, we're helping feed our family," said R.D. Poffenbarger as he installed a thermostat.
He owns 911 Heating and Cooling in Anderson and is loyal to his suppliers.
"I've used Carrier products in my company the whole time," he said spanning 16 years in business. But he said that won't happen anymore, not after what Carrier announced Wednesday.
"They were always promoting that they were made in the U.S. and it just shocked me that they would (relocate to Mexico)," he said.
The out-of-the-country move is part of the reason why Poffenbarger says he'll no longer use Carrier products. "You notice different workmanship…failures," he said. "It just gets to be a cheaper product."
He also sympathizes with the workers. Living in Anderson, he knows what it's like when manufacturing companies skip town.
"Used to be Delco, Guide Lamp, GM, and they all left. So I have friends you know, I have people I went to school with as parents that all of sudden were out of jobs," he said.
Poffenbarger plans to use only suppliers like Goodman or Ameristar going forward. It might hurt his bottom line, but he said it won't hurt his conscience.
"I was talking to my service manager Coby and I said you know, we may take a hit for doing this but I feel it's right," he said.
Earlier in the day, Poffenbarger said he was at a HVAC supply store. He said while there, other heating and air company owners told him they agreed with his decision. He said the supply store was also contemplating not carrying Carrier products.
I am puzzled by companies that have a reputation for making a quality product that stands out from some of the competition, and then management gets the idea to make things cheap, cheap, cheap and cut corners. Customers will quickly catch on that things are not as good as before. Management must have calculated that they can do okay with new one-time customers and it is not a problem that they will have fewer repeat customers.
Here in Texas, I don’t know why, I guess higher upfront costs few people have HP and very few techs understand them.
It is funny though when the heat strips go on for the first time though. For 10 months the cool air blows across the strips and the finite dust clings to them. The 1st time is always the same around here due to the long AC season
I think you are going to see a lot more of that in the future due to the EPA.
The pressures with the new 410A vs the older soon to be phased out R22 is twice as high.
There are going to be many many more Freon leaks bank on it.
I came down here 14 years ago from Virginia. I knew heat pumps and I knew 90+ gas heaters. I've yet to see a 90+ gas heater and rarely even see a heat pump here. However, I don't know much about multi-speed compressor a/c units and I had never seen one in a residential area in Virginia like they have them here.
I think the reason for both are the upfront costs, plus like I said their techs can’t fix HPs.
I like your CEO to CEO straight talk idea. I bet Trump would as well. Hope his peeps are listening.
A self-admitted protectionist wants government to enforce his agenda? What a shock. Sorta like the IRS did, eh?
Comrade Bernie would be very proud of you.
Alternatively, we could take your threats as a Mafia-type thing -- nice business you got there, be a shame if something happened to it.
Same difference. You obviously hate economic freedom. All business should be conducted only by your rules.
Guess what? If you don't own it, you have zero right to dictate where anyone produces anything.
Get over it. We're not going back to tariffs.
Good for them - hopefully more will follow.
Good for him!
“I am puzzled by companies that have a reputation for making a quality product that stands out from some of the competition, and then management gets the idea to make things cheap, cheap, cheap and cut corners. Customers will quickly catch on that things are not as good as before.”
In some cases corporate America has made a lot of money in spite of cutting corners and reducing quality. Cadillac started decontenting it’s cars significantly after 1960. But it increased its sales for more than two decades until customers caught on.
“...I’ve heard guys laughing because they sold someone a new indoor and outdoor unit when the folks simply needed a capacitor.”
In my neck of the woods it’s A. J. Perri heating and AC - their solution to most problems is a new indoor and outdoor unit, in my experience.
Regarding the 1400, were they registered Democrats? union scum? or decent people?
Good for them!
You are right, but I have the same right to buy whatever I want for whatever reason. I still struggle with buying Ben & Jerry’s, its a little better now that they are owned by Unilever but still.
Does Rheem make furnaces? At one time they made good water heaters. Don’t know if they still make good stuff or furnaces.
You know, let’s think about this. I think Caterpillar does Carrier parts distribution. It makes the best products. The economy dictates what these companies do. They owe their allegiance to their shareholders.
In short, I can’t blame a company to make a business decision that is best for them. Change the economic climate, and they’ll stay here.
Carrier makes the best product. Everyone here admits it. Why do we have to suffer because they choose to go to Mexico.
This is another example of our failed system that goes all the way back, to Bush Senior.
So shipping jobs overseas is OK so long as the ones being cut are Democrats or union members?
Mine works pretty well down to the teens. Below that, the emergency heat strip comes on and the electric bill goes through the roof. Fortunately, we see very little single digit temps here.
Great point, the CEOs normally get comped to some degree by stock performance. That would be hitting him where it hurts, in his own wallet.
Carrier says the move will occur over the next 2 years. Perhaps if their US sales drop significantly they will rethink the move. Do you really want a Mexican built A/C?
I am very happy with my Maytag A/C. Quiet, efficient, & a 12 year warranty.
Maytag A/Cs are completely made in the USA.
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