Northwest Heating and Cooling Co. Inc. has been at their downtown Ortonville location for eight years. Owners David and Karyn Milligan are Groveland Township residents and have been in the community since 1978.
Their children have been educated in the Brandon School District and their youngest, Matthew, will be graduated this year.
‘We are now going through the nerve-wracking time of waiting for acceptance letters from colleges and wondering how we will deal with the ’empty nest? syndrome,? said Karyn Milligan. ‘I have this feeling we will be devoting even more time to the company.?
This past year, the firm added four new employees, including Ann Doyen, who helped lighten the load for Sherry McLean, who has been there five years. Also new are Nick Giglio in service/installation, Jerry Irwin in installation and Tom Conway in service.
Because of the unusually cold winter, customers have been very interested in the Freeze Alarm and the Second Wind Germicidal Air Purifier. With the severe cold, people are concerned about pipes freezing. Also, with the cold comes the flu season. These products can ease their worries.
As it has been for the past few years, the company needs to move to a bigger facility.
‘But I am the holdup,? said Milligan. ‘I love the village, and at this time will not think of moving anywhere else except in the village. Although, logically, I know there are not many places available that can accommodate our trucks and scrap, emotionally I am tied to the village.
‘There is nothing like a day in the village; moms playing in the park with their children, watching our dear senior citizens enjoying the day, the ceremonies honoring our fallen war heroes, Septemberfest, Christmas in the Village, distributing candy to all the ghosts and goblins on Halloween,? she said. ‘Each event touches the deepest part of one’s heart. I, personally, would be lost if I could not witness the aliveness of our wonderful village each and every day.?
The firm’s major project for 2003 is upgrading the computer system. When completed, there will be several months of staff training. The Milligans visited a trade show in Chicago to view the computer upgrade and the newest products in heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
The newest feature in the computer upgrade will be the Virtual Office, which will allow technicians to invoice, update inventory, post time to payroll, which can reduce paperwork for both office and field staff.
When asked what the company does best, Karyn Milligan said it goes along with what people like about the community.
‘This has been our home for almost 25 years, and we could not think of growing our business anywhere but home,? she said. ‘Although our service area is considerable, we like the hometown atmosphere. It’s nice to be able to have a customer walk in and we get the opportunity to get caught up on all their news.
‘David and Sherry, especially, have a wonderful knack of remembering customers? faces, equipment and location of their home and their family,? she said. ‘Northwest tries hard to make sure our customers are not just a number in the computer, but a member of our family.?
Northwest Heating and Cooling is at 417 Mill Street in downtown Ortonville. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with 24-hour emergency service. Telephone is (248) 627-3543, (248) 634-9355 or (810) 750-8102. Fax is (248) 627-5157.