CEDAR RAPIDS .:: QUAD CITIES
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ABOUT US
Technology for fast and accurate solutions.
Deadlines…budgets regulations…performance demands. It's a lot easier to meet your goals with the power of high-tech equipment. Climate Engineers is one of the only HVAC firms in the area with both computer-aided estimating and computer aided drafting (CAD).
You get more accurate bids and instant revisions with our computer aided estimating. Changes in size, specifications and materials can be made instantly with a full analysis of the impact on schedules and budgets. Unlimited "what-if" scenarios can be run through the computer to determine where we might save you money or time
Fast, precise drawings and revisions are easy with our advanced CAD system. Computerized routing automatically positions ducts in the most efficient path. With BIM capabilities "Collision check" catches structural or pipe obstructions before manufacturing and installation. With elevation tracking and visualized layering, we can spot and eliminate costly fabrication errors and installation delays.
We load your drawings on computer disk directly into our CAD system. After the duct is drawn, pieces are automatically numbered for a complete cut list that's loaded into our computerized cutter. Doing this work "on-line" instead of manually helps us reduce delivery times and costs.
Climate Engineers capabilities encompass a wide range of projects for governmental, institutional, industrial and commercial clients. Our staff of highly experienced and seasoned professionals is very familiar with the complex requirements of renovation design, which typically involve multiple disciplines, phased construction and a variety of interrelated systems.
One source for design, fabrication and installation.
Climate Engineers is one of the few companies that not only designs and installs HVAC systems, but can manufacture any type of sheet metal products.
From start to finish, you work with one company and one project management team. You deal with the same people throughout the entire project - so you get straight answers fast. Since we don't subcontract the majority of our work, we can make commitments with confidence.
Climate Engineers has been providing solutions in air for businesses, factories and institutions since 1947. Put our practical experience and technology to work for you. Come visit our facilities!
History
Climate Engineers, Inc. was founded in 1947 when a lumber broker, James H. Maloney, formed a series of companies for investment purposes. An umbrella Corporation called Green Gable Builders Incorporated, spun off Continental Forest Products Company, which in turn had a subsidiary, Climate Engineers Incorporated. Green Gable Builders, Inc., was a manufacturer of prefabricated metal buildings, headquartered in Onawa, Iowa. It was logical that such a business should have access to a metal forming operation; thus, Climate Engineers, Inc., was founded.
Maloney, who died in 1967, had little active participation in the firms. The first manager for Climate Engineers was Arthur McLemore, who ran the company from 1947 to 1952. William Barnhizer assumed the managerial rains from 1952 to 1953, and John C. Watson succeeded him in that capacity from 1953 to 1969, when he purchased controlling interest.
Climate Engineers was engaged primarily in residential heating installation during its early years, mostly in rural areas. In 1953 the company was not a large operation, grossing only $105,000. In 1955 the firm entered the commercial heating, cooling and ventilation market because of the popularity of air conditioning. By 1959, Climate Engineers was doing commercial and industrial businesses only.
The Corporation was originally located at 115 A Ave. Northeast. As the company continued to grow, expansion was imminent. Climate Engineers moved in 1961 to 883 Shaver Road Northeast, utilizing 7,200 square feet of space. While John C. Watson served as president, some of the major commercial projects undertaken included: installation of heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC) at the University of Iowa Library, Mercy Medical Center, St. Luke's Hospital, Coe College, Mount Mercy College, Merchants National Bank (now US bank), Iowa National Mutual Insurance (now MCI), KCRG Radio and Television, United Fire and Casualty, Kennedy High School and the kitchens of Sarah Lee in New Hampton.
Following the death of John C. Watson in 1975, the company reorganized. The new owners and appointed officers were Frank E. Kvach, President and longtime employee of Climate Engineers, John C. Watson Jr., Vice president and Mark C. Watson, Treasurer.
Climate Engineers continued to grow and change under its new leadership. The first big challenge for the company was the installation of the HVAC system for the Stouffers Hotel (currently known as the Crown Plaza Five Seasons Hotel) and the Five Seasons Civic Center (currently known as the U.S. Cellular Center) in downtown Cedar Rapids. The job began in 1977 and lasted over two years. One hundred fifty tons of sheet metal ductwork was installed in the facility. Work in the arena involved installing large ductwork 100 feet off the ground. The completion of this job showed the construction industry that the new management was capable of handling large challenging projects.
In 1982 Peter Watson bought an interest in the company and became part of the management team as Production Manager. That same year the company was awarded a million-dollar industrial heat recovery project for the Hubinger Company in Keokuk, Iowa. The flue gas duct system ran approximately 1,000 feet above the roofs of 15 plant buildings. Duct sizes ranged from 48 inches to 68 inches square and were fabricated, shipped and erected in 25-foot sections, which were lifted in place by helicopter and bolted together. The ductwork was fabricated with 10 gauge steel plate and stiffeners. The duct system was supported by 49 structural steel supports that were fabricated and erected by Climate Engineers.
The company has expanded its facilities over the years to meet the demands of the market. In 1986, 2,400 square feet of manufacturing space with an overhead crane was added to the back of the shop. In 1990, 5,000 square feet of manufacturing and 2,000 square feet of office space were added. An additional 6,000 square feet building was erected in 1995 at this location. The new building has 40-foot ceiling and a 30 ton Canada Iron overhead crane running the length of the building.
In the '90s many significant events occurred. In 1993, Frank Kvach, who served as president of the company since 1976, retired. Climate Engineers also became the first mechanical contractor in the area to offer CAD capabilities. Today the company has multiple operating CAD stations. The service department at Climate Engineers expanded from one mechanic in 1990 to seven technicians today. The 1990s also brought an expansion of operations, outside of Cedar Rapids. Climate River Valley in the Quad Cities was started in 1996. That facility is equipped with a computerized cutting table, heavy gauge shear and power press break.
In 2000, Climate Engineers expanded into Hiawatha purchasing a 16,000 square foot facility. This facility is know as the HVAC fabrication shop. In 2008 Climate Engineers added a paint facility to that location.
Climate Engineers and its affiliate have grown from 20 employees and $900,000 in sales in 1975 to a current employment of more than 100 employees and sales of $21,000,000 annually.
With this magnitude of sales the office staff grew in numbers. In 2007, Climate Engineers added a 2500 square feet addition off to the south side of the current office facility for our expanding staff which gave us a total of 8,800 square feet of office space. The addition and remodel of existing office space was completed in March of 2008.
June 12, 2008 Climate Engineers was affected by the "Flood of 2008." Climate Engineers received 5 1/2 feet of water in their Shaver Road location. A sad and tragic event didn't get down the hopes of the owners. With all Climate Engineers owners and employees working as a team, Shaver Road shop was up and running within a month. The office was relocated up the street with-in days following the flood at the "Schimberg House." March of 2009 the office returned to the original remodeled location.
Fall 2010, Climate River Valley relocated from Rock Island to a 24,000 square foot facility in Eldridge, Iowa.
Our success can only be attributed to our dedicated well trained, hard-working employees. We're confident in our ability to deliver superior systems and performance. We encourage you to talk with any of the owners, engineers and plant superintendents we have served, just ask for our client list. We invite you to visit our facilities.
Deadlines…budgets regulations…performance demands. It's a lot easier to meet your goals with the power of high-tech equipment. Climate Engineers is one of the only HVAC firms in the area with both computer-aided estimating and computer aided drafting (CAD).
You get more accurate bids and instant revisions with our computer aided estimating. Changes in size, specifications and materials can be made instantly with a full analysis of the impact on schedules and budgets. Unlimited "what-if" scenarios can be run through the computer to determine where we might save you money or time
Fast, precise drawings and revisions are easy with our advanced CAD system. Computerized routing automatically positions ducts in the most efficient path. With BIM capabilities "Collision check" catches structural or pipe obstructions before manufacturing and installation. With elevation tracking and visualized layering, we can spot and eliminate costly fabrication errors and installation delays.
We load your drawings on computer disk directly into our CAD system. After the duct is drawn, pieces are automatically numbered for a complete cut list that's loaded into our computerized cutter. Doing this work "on-line" instead of manually helps us reduce delivery times and costs.
Climate Engineers capabilities encompass a wide range of projects for governmental, institutional, industrial and commercial clients. Our staff of highly experienced and seasoned professionals is very familiar with the complex requirements of renovation design, which typically involve multiple disciplines, phased construction and a variety of interrelated systems.
One source for design, fabrication and installation.
Climate Engineers is one of the few companies that not only designs and installs HVAC systems, but can manufacture any type of sheet metal products.
From start to finish, you work with one company and one project management team. You deal with the same people throughout the entire project - so you get straight answers fast. Since we don't subcontract the majority of our work, we can make commitments with confidence.
Climate Engineers has been providing solutions in air for businesses, factories and institutions since 1947. Put our practical experience and technology to work for you. Come visit our facilities!
History
Climate Engineers, Inc. was founded in 1947 when a lumber broker, James H. Maloney, formed a series of companies for investment purposes. An umbrella Corporation called Green Gable Builders Incorporated, spun off Continental Forest Products Company, which in turn had a subsidiary, Climate Engineers Incorporated. Green Gable Builders, Inc., was a manufacturer of prefabricated metal buildings, headquartered in Onawa, Iowa. It was logical that such a business should have access to a metal forming operation; thus, Climate Engineers, Inc., was founded.
Maloney, who died in 1967, had little active participation in the firms. The first manager for Climate Engineers was Arthur McLemore, who ran the company from 1947 to 1952. William Barnhizer assumed the managerial rains from 1952 to 1953, and John C. Watson succeeded him in that capacity from 1953 to 1969, when he purchased controlling interest. Climate Engineers was engaged primarily in residential heating installation during its early years, mostly in rural areas. In 1953 the company was not a large operation, grossing only $105,000. In 1955 the firm entered the commercial heating, cooling and ventilation market because of the popularity of air conditioning. By 1959, Climate Engineers was doing commercial and industrial businesses only.
The Corporation was originally located at 115 A Ave. Northeast. As the company continued to grow, expansion was imminent. Climate Engineers moved in 1961 to 883 Shaver Road Northeast, utilizing 7,200 square feet of space. While John C. Watson served as president, some of the major commercial projects undertaken included: installation of heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC) at the University of Iowa Library, Mercy Medical Center, St. Luke's Hospital, Coe College, Mount Mercy College, Merchants National Bank (now US bank), Iowa National Mutual Insurance (now MCI), KCRG Radio and Television, United Fire and Casualty, Kennedy High School and the kitchens of Sarah Lee in New Hampton.Following the death of John C. Watson in 1975, the company reorganized. The new owners and appointed officers were Frank E. Kvach, President and longtime employee of Climate Engineers, John C. Watson Jr., Vice president and Mark C. Watson, Treasurer. Climate Engineers continued to grow and change under its new leadership. The first big challenge for the company was the installation of the HVAC system for the Stouffers Hotel (currently known as the Crown Plaza Five Seasons Hotel) and the Five Seasons Civic Center (currently known as the U.S. Cellular Center) in downtown Cedar Rapids. The job began in 1977 and lasted over two years. One hundred fifty tons of sheet metal ductwork was installed in the facility. Work in the arena involved installing large ductwork 100 feet off the ground. The completion of this job showed the construction industry that the new management was capable of handling large challenging projects.
In 1982 Peter Watson bought an interest in the company and became part of the management team as Production Manager. That same year the company was awarded a million-dollar industrial heat recovery project for the Hubinger Company in Keokuk, Iowa. The flue gas duct system ran approximately 1,000 feet above the roofs of 15 plant buildings. Duct sizes ranged from 48 inches to 68 inches square and were fabricated, shipped and erected in 25-foot sections, which were lifted in place by helicopter and bolted together. The ductwork was fabricated with 10 gauge steel plate and stiffeners. The duct system was supported by 49 structural steel supports that were fabricated and erected by Climate Engineers.The company has expanded its facilities over the years to meet the demands of the market. In 1986, 2,400 square feet of manufacturing space with an overhead crane was added to the back of the shop. In 1990, 5,000 square feet of manufacturing and 2,000 square feet of office space were added. An additional 6,000 square feet building was erected in 1995 at this location. The new building has 40-foot ceiling and a 30 ton Canada Iron overhead crane running the length of the building.In the '90s many significant events occurred. In 1993, Frank Kvach, who served as president of the company since 1976, retired. Climate Engineers also became the first mechanical contractor in the area to offer CAD capabilities. Today the company has multiple operating CAD stations. The service department at Climate Engineers expanded from one mechanic in 1990 to seven technicians today. The 1990s also brought an expansion of operations, outside of Cedar Rapids. Climate River Valley in the Quad Cities was started in 1996. That facility is equipped with a computerized cutting table, heavy gauge shear and power press break.
In 2000, Climate Engineers expanded into Hiawatha purchasing a 16,000 square foot facility. This facility is know as the HVAC fabrication shop. In 2008 Climate Engineers added a paint facility to that location.
Climate Engineers and its affiliate have grown from 20 employees and $900,000 in sales in 1975 to a current employment of more than 100 employees and sales of $21,000,000 annually.
With this magnitude of sales the office staff grew in numbers. In 2007, Climate Engineers added a 2500 square feet addition off to the south side of the current office facility for our expanding staff which gave us a total of 8,800 square feet of office space. The addition and remodel of existing office space was completed in March of 2008. June 12, 2008 Climate Engineers was affected by the "Flood of 2008." Climate Engineers received 5 1/2 feet of water in their Shaver Road location. A sad and tragic event didn't get down the hopes of the owners. With all Climate Engineers owners and employees working as a team, Shaver Road shop was up and running within a month. The office was relocated up the street with-in days following the flood at the "Schimberg House." March of 2009 the office returned to the original remodeled location.
Fall 2010, Climate River Valley relocated from Rock Island to a 24,000 square foot facility in Eldridge, Iowa. Our success can only be attributed to our dedicated well trained, hard-working employees. We're confident in our ability to deliver superior systems and performance. We encourage you to talk with any of the owners, engineers and plant superintendents we have served, just ask for our client list. We invite you to visit our facilities.
