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Don’s Heating and Cooling marking its 25th

September 16, 2015   ·   0 Comments

DonsHeatingandCoolingIn 1990, Don Roper started his journey to creating his own business within the heat- ing and cooling industry. It started as a one-man show; just Mr. Roper, his beat-up van, a handful of jobs and a dream.

“I have been in the trade my whole life, working in heating and cooling for 40 years,” said Mr. Roper. “I was approached to do some sub-contract work for a company in Orangeville (BBQ Clinic) in 1990, and from there, everything just grew.”

Following his work for BBQ Clinic, Mr. Roper began picking up other jobs around Orangeville, and things just began to grow. He realized that he had a prime opportunity in town, and began to investigate how to further his customer base.

Consumer’s Gas, the local natural gas util- ity at the time, would post reports about gas service. In reviewing them, Mr. Roper dis- covered that there were many Orangeville residences that had gas service on their streets but not to their houses, and were continuing to heat through the more expensive methods of oil and electricity.

“I started learning to do what is referred to as target marketing,” explained Mr. Roper. “I used the reports to find out areas where homes were that were not hooked up to gas, and approached them. Many of the people were surprised to discover they could use gas, and I helped save them a lot of money by making the switch.”

From there, Don’s Heating and Cooling continued to grow, eventually reaching its current size of 22 employees, two stores, 11 vehicles, a complete sheet metal fabrication shop, and a duct-cleaning service.

“We’re a local company; all our employees live locally, we support our community, and we try to purchase as much of our product locally as we can,” said Mr. Roper. “And of course, we no longer have to worry about any kind of sub-contracting.”

Having that local aspect and focusing on the community is something that is extremely important to both Mr. Roper and his staff. They provide service throughout the county, and the business has grown far enough that they recently extended to Allis- ton, where Mr. Roper opened his second showroom; an impressive achievement for a business that started out so small.

“We try our best to support the local economy as much as we can,” he said. “This is the community we call home, so being a part of it is important.”

It’s that community focus and the level of service that have led to the success the company has seen. As Don’s Heating and Cooling now celebrates their 25th Anniversary, Mr. Roper says that customers can still expect the same level of expert service and care that they always have.

“It’s all about personal service for us,” said Mr. Roper. “When you phone here, you don’t get an answering machine during business hours. We have live people answering who work right here; you’re talking to local people.”

And when customers have a problem or an issue that needs to be resolved, they can expect to be able to follow up and have it resolved, whether by calling, or going to the show room to speak to Mr. Roper himself.

“I’d like to say we’re perfect, but we’re not,” said Mr. Roper. “But when there is a problem, we do everything we can to fix it — I do everything I can to fix it.”

His methods have worked, as many of the customers the company has have been with them since the beginning, and a large number of his employees have been with the business long-term as well.

“After 25 years, I still wake up every morning and just love coming to work,” said Mr. Roper. “I thank the local community for allowing me to enjoy what I do when I come to work today.”

Mr. Roper and the team at Don’s Heating and Cooling are showing their gratitude through three big anniversary parties; one last weekend, another to be held this weekend (Saturday, September 19) in Orangeville, and the third to be held in Alliston on September 26. The events will feature lots of food, including beef brisket, sausages and hamburgers, and a number of other things going on.

“It seems like just yesterday this all started; I can’t believe it,” said Mr. Roper. “It’s exhilarating. I’m very passionate about what I do, and it gives me a sense of pride. The biggest thing for me is that I did it on my own; I wasn’t handed a business or money to start it. I built it from the ground up, and here we are now.”

The team at Don’s Heating and Cooling, along with Mr. Roper, hope that the community will join them during the celebration this Saturday at 48 Centennial Road from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

He added that the company is like one big, happy family, and that it’s that feeling that helps make a lot of customers feel like a part of the family too.

“Please just come on in, and meet us,” said Mr. Roper. “We love visitors, and we always have a cup of coffee waiting for them.”


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