December 11, 2024 • 9 mins
Armstrong Comfort Solutions is your best choice for all your heating, cooling, or plumbing needs. Our team is trained on every HVAC or plumbing problem you may encounter in your home or business.
If ever you find yourself in a heating, cooling, or plumbing crisis, we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction.
If ever you find yourself in a heating, cooling, or plumbing crisis, we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
This is the CEOs you should know podcasts. Let's say
hello to Don Tactic of Armstrong Comfort Solutions. Thanks for
being here, Don, thanks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
For having me today.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Bill Well, tell me a little bit about Armstrong Comfort Solutions.
I mean, what all does that entail.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Armstrong Comfort Solutions is a heating, cooling, plumbing, and drain
services company. We service both homeowners and businesses in the
western Pennsylvania area, spanning from Washington County all the way
up to the Erie area. We have four offices in
that area so that we're close to homeowners and businesses
(00:39):
that we serve.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So you're basically like all over the place.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
We are all over the place, but our home and
our center of gravity is Alleghany County and Butler County.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Okay. So, since you're the CEO and you know the
answer to this, what is the history of Armstrong.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
So Armstrong Comfort Solutions started in twenty eighteen, so we're
only seven years old. But we are owned by a
family that has been in the business since nineteen forty
six out of Butler, Pennsylvania and the FA So we're
coming up on eighty years for the what we call
the Armstrong Group of companies. So our more well known
(01:16):
brands are Armstrong, the Cable Company, cable and broadband services,
and also Guardian Protection Services, a home security company. Oh
that's interesting, yes, And I worked for the Cable Company
as the vice president of operations. Well in twenty seventeen.
You know, we have hundreds and hundreds of employees that
are going into homes and businesses to provide broadband internet services,
(01:43):
home security services, and we said, why not take a
look at the mechanical side of these businesses. A third
group who could take care of furnaces, air conditioners, hot
water tanks, everything, plumbing, everything, drains. And that's how our
company began. In twenty eighteen. We began with a purchase
of a company up in the Butler area and we've
(02:05):
been growing the business ever since.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
And what is your background personally?
Speaker 2 (02:10):
So I have a degree in electrical engineering, so my
background is technical. But after working coming out of school,
working as an engineer for a while, I suddenly realized
that the technical sales guys were making a lot more
money than me. So I then decided to go into
sales technical sales and seven years later, after holding several positions,
(02:36):
I once again had my desire to be back in technology,
but at that point then maybe more as a leadership position.
So I worked in two different companies in various leadership roles,
and then came back to Western Pennsylvania. I'm from Western Pennsylvania.
I'm from the Mont Valley, but spent a good portion
(02:56):
of my career in Ohio. But I came back about
twenty years ago to work for Armstrong and then the
rest has been history.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Now, since you're the CEO, what'd be like the the
hardest part of your job? What is that? I mean
the most when I just drives you crazy? Yeah? Or
actually is the most fulfilling And can go either way
with that.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
You most fulfilling, most fulfilling and most crazy probably goes together.
And it's you know, the challenges that working with people
and with customers present. You know, it is the most
It can be the most fulfilling when you have an
employee that maybe has been struggling and suddenly you see
the light bulb go off and you see them advance
(03:40):
and move forward in their career and do great things.
That is the most fulfilling. The most challenging can also
be people. Sometimes you can't get that win that you're
looking for But that's that's really my calling card. My
calling card is I very much want to have a
company that where we are the employer of choice, right
or we are the place people want to get into.
(04:02):
And it's all based upon how you treat them servant leadership,
you know, develop our associates, make them feel important, and
then by proxy, if your employees love working there, then
they will deliver a customer service experience the customers appreciate. Okay,
it's kind of like the old you know, if you
(04:23):
go to a chain restaurant, you can go to one
location and have a great meal, foods cooked perfectly, great service.
You can go to another location and have a bad meal.
The buildings the same, the menus the same. It was
who cooked it, who served you right, how well it
was all handled. So our my big thing is is
(04:43):
to invest heavily in the team that I have and
then it'll just be natural for them to delight our customers.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So what would exactly be for your company and what
you do? What is your like marketing strategy?
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Yeah, so we have a we we exist in a
marketing segment that is defined as little to no interest,
meaning that nobody is sitting at home today that doesn't
have a problem, and thinking about, wow, I would love
to get myself a new furnace today, or on there,
(05:17):
I'm hoping that I have a pipe that bursts. So
so our segment in our marketing strategy is about being
at top of mind. So when when you do wake
up and you have this sudden oh, I have no
hot water, and I walk down into the basement and
I see the water pouring out the bottom of my
hot water tank. There been there. Yeah, we all have
(05:39):
don't feel alone in that.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
When that happens.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
We then, you know, we want to be the thought,
the first thought that comes into somebody's head. Let's call
armstrong comfort. So our marketing strategy is mostly awareness. You know,
every now and then we'll promote our products and things
like that, but it's mostly about being top of mind.
And then with that, you know, in our space, if
(06:04):
you don't have a great customer reputation like Google ratings
or Facebook ratings or Better Business Bureau, you simply don't
get the call. So you know, our Pittsburgh, our two
biggest offices are Pittsburgh and Butler, and we're four point
nine stars out of five in Pittsburgh and we're four
point eight stars out of five in Butler.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
So you know, if you.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Search Google best HVAC company near me, if you're under
four point five stars, you're not even showing up in
that search.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
So you have to perform.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So ours is every time we get an opportunity with somebody,
we have to delight them and then just get our
name out so that when somebody has a sudden surprise,
they think of us.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Very nice, very nice. Are you or your company or
both involved in any kind of community involvement?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
We are actually One of the reasons the timing for
our discussion today is Threems has been a great supporter
of Heat the Burg. So Heat the Burg is an
initiative that was founded by one of my one one
of the HVAC providers in the Pittsburgh area, a carrier
(07:14):
dealer like we are.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
I know that I've been yep for the commercials. Yes, yes, yes, So.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
A number of carrier factorized factory authorized dealers and our
distributor Standard Aaron Light in the area came up with
a program called Heat the Burg. And what Heat the
Burg does is low income people that are having difficulties
can apply to get a free furnace for their home.
And we actually did our installation of our family just
(07:43):
two weeks ago. Yeah, So so we love being part
of Heat the Burg. I believe we have now the
group of companies and Standard Aaron Light has done fifty
six homes, you know, and it's an important thing because
you know, two out of every five five in somebody's
home was from a space heater.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
So the more we can get people secure and they're
heating and how they handle that in their home, the
safer it is for them too. And then people that
do alternate fuels maybe burn wood or something like that
because they can't afford a furnace, then you can start
to get into carbon monoxide concerns with venting and things
like that. So having heating security is a big part
(08:26):
of our society.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
That's why I stay away from space heaters and I
have a chimney that I would not trust for my life.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Yes, and get a CEO detector exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Now, if someone needs to get a hold of you
and use your services, what's the best way, I mean,
is it buy a phone or is it buy a website?
Speaker 2 (08:45):
So either so our website is Armstrongcomfort dot com. Armstrong
Comfort dot Com one word and then our phone number
is seven two four seven eight nine ninety one hundred
or just look at your radio dial because that is
our phone number on three ws's display when you're in
(09:08):
your car.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
So thank you very much. Down Tastic of Armstrong Comfort Solutions.
Catch the entire conversation with Don Tastic on the CEOs
You Should Know podcasts on the iHeartRadio app. Don, thank
you very much for being with us today. Thank you, Bill,
I appreciate it
This is the CEOs you should know podcasts. Let's say
hello to Don Tactic of Armstrong Comfort Solutions. Thanks for
being here, Don, thanks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
For having me today.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Bill Well, tell me a little bit about Armstrong Comfort Solutions.
I mean, what all does that entail.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Armstrong Comfort Solutions is a heating, cooling, plumbing, and drain
services company. We service both homeowners and businesses in the
western Pennsylvania area, spanning from Washington County all the way
up to the Erie area. We have four offices in
that area so that we're close to homeowners and businesses
(00:39):
that we serve.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So you're basically like all over the place.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
We are all over the place, but our home and
our center of gravity is Alleghany County and Butler County.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Okay. So, since you're the CEO and you know the
answer to this, what is the history of Armstrong.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
So Armstrong Comfort Solutions started in twenty eighteen, so we're
only seven years old. But we are owned by a
family that has been in the business since nineteen forty
six out of Butler, Pennsylvania and the FA So we're
coming up on eighty years for the what we call
the Armstrong Group of companies. So our more well known
(01:16):
brands are Armstrong, the Cable Company, cable and broadband services,
and also Guardian Protection Services, a home security company. Oh
that's interesting, yes, And I worked for the Cable Company
as the vice president of operations. Well in twenty seventeen.
You know, we have hundreds and hundreds of employees that
are going into homes and businesses to provide broadband internet services,
(01:43):
home security services, and we said, why not take a
look at the mechanical side of these businesses. A third
group who could take care of furnaces, air conditioners, hot
water tanks, everything, plumbing, everything, drains. And that's how our
company began. In twenty eighteen. We began with a purchase
of a company up in the Butler area and we've
(02:05):
been growing the business ever since.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
And what is your background personally?
Speaker 2 (02:10):
So I have a degree in electrical engineering, so my
background is technical. But after working coming out of school,
working as an engineer for a while, I suddenly realized
that the technical sales guys were making a lot more
money than me. So I then decided to go into
sales technical sales and seven years later, after holding several positions,
(02:36):
I once again had my desire to be back in technology,
but at that point then maybe more as a leadership position.
So I worked in two different companies in various leadership roles,
and then came back to Western Pennsylvania. I'm from Western Pennsylvania.
I'm from the Mont Valley, but spent a good portion
(02:56):
of my career in Ohio. But I came back about
twenty years ago to work for Armstrong and then the
rest has been history.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Now, since you're the CEO, what'd be like the the
hardest part of your job? What is that? I mean
the most when I just drives you crazy? Yeah? Or
actually is the most fulfilling And can go either way
with that.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
You most fulfilling, most fulfilling and most crazy probably goes together.
And it's you know, the challenges that working with people
and with customers present. You know, it is the most
It can be the most fulfilling when you have an
employee that maybe has been struggling and suddenly you see
the light bulb go off and you see them advance
(03:40):
and move forward in their career and do great things.
That is the most fulfilling. The most challenging can also
be people. Sometimes you can't get that win that you're
looking for But that's that's really my calling card. My
calling card is I very much want to have a
company that where we are the employer of choice, right
or we are the place people want to get into.
(04:02):
And it's all based upon how you treat them servant leadership,
you know, develop our associates, make them feel important, and
then by proxy, if your employees love working there, then
they will deliver a customer service experience the customers appreciate. Okay,
it's kind of like the old you know, if you
(04:23):
go to a chain restaurant, you can go to one
location and have a great meal, foods cooked perfectly, great service.
You can go to another location and have a bad meal.
The buildings the same, the menus the same. It was
who cooked it, who served you right, how well it
was all handled. So our my big thing is is
(04:43):
to invest heavily in the team that I have and
then it'll just be natural for them to delight our customers.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So what would exactly be for your company and what
you do? What is your like marketing strategy?
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Yeah, so we have a we we exist in a
marketing segment that is defined as little to no interest,
meaning that nobody is sitting at home today that doesn't
have a problem, and thinking about, wow, I would love
to get myself a new furnace today, or on there,
(05:17):
I'm hoping that I have a pipe that bursts. So
so our segment in our marketing strategy is about being
at top of mind. So when when you do wake
up and you have this sudden oh, I have no
hot water, and I walk down into the basement and
I see the water pouring out the bottom of my
hot water tank. There been there. Yeah, we all have
(05:39):
don't feel alone in that.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
When that happens.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
We then, you know, we want to be the thought,
the first thought that comes into somebody's head. Let's call
armstrong comfort. So our marketing strategy is mostly awareness. You know,
every now and then we'll promote our products and things
like that, but it's mostly about being top of mind.
And then with that, you know, in our space, if
(06:04):
you don't have a great customer reputation like Google ratings
or Facebook ratings or Better Business Bureau, you simply don't
get the call. So you know, our Pittsburgh, our two
biggest offices are Pittsburgh and Butler, and we're four point
nine stars out of five in Pittsburgh and we're four
point eight stars out of five in Butler.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
So you know, if you.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Search Google best HVAC company near me, if you're under
four point five stars, you're not even showing up in
that search.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
So you have to perform.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
So ours is every time we get an opportunity with somebody,
we have to delight them and then just get our
name out so that when somebody has a sudden surprise,
they think of us.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Very nice, very nice. Are you or your company or
both involved in any kind of community involvement?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
We are actually One of the reasons the timing for
our discussion today is Threems has been a great supporter
of Heat the Burg. So Heat the Burg is an
initiative that was founded by one of my one one
of the HVAC providers in the Pittsburgh area, a carrier
(07:14):
dealer like we are.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
I know that I've been yep for the commercials. Yes, yes, yes, So.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
A number of carrier factorized factory authorized dealers and our
distributor Standard Aaron Light in the area came up with
a program called Heat the Burg. And what Heat the
Burg does is low income people that are having difficulties
can apply to get a free furnace for their home.
And we actually did our installation of our family just
(07:43):
two weeks ago. Yeah, So so we love being part
of Heat the Burg. I believe we have now the
group of companies and Standard Aaron Light has done fifty
six homes, you know, and it's an important thing because
you know, two out of every five five in somebody's
home was from a space heater.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
So the more we can get people secure and they're
heating and how they handle that in their home, the
safer it is for them too. And then people that
do alternate fuels maybe burn wood or something like that
because they can't afford a furnace, then you can start
to get into carbon monoxide concerns with venting and things
like that. So having heating security is a big part
(08:26):
of our society.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
That's why I stay away from space heaters and I
have a chimney that I would not trust for my life.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Yes, and get a CEO detector exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Now, if someone needs to get a hold of you
and use your services, what's the best way, I mean,
is it buy a phone or is it buy a website?
Speaker 2 (08:45):
So either so our website is Armstrongcomfort dot com. Armstrong
Comfort dot Com one word and then our phone number
is seven two four seven eight nine ninety one hundred
or just look at your radio dial because that is
our phone number on three ws's display when you're in
(09:08):
your car.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
So thank you very much. Down Tastic of Armstrong Comfort Solutions.
Catch the entire conversation with Don Tastic on the CEOs
You Should Know podcasts on the iHeartRadio app. Don, thank
you very much for being with us today. Thank you, Bill,
I appreciate it
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