HYDRONICS
accommodate up to 12 students at a time. This allows us to offer classes on our Bimini (BWC) line of condensing boilers, along with the other boilers in our product line. We also have a van equipped with live-fired oil and gas boilers that we will bring to contractors who would like hands-on training but cannot make it to the Crown Boiler factory. Phc: What are some unique features/benefits that the training facility will offer?
Ensminger: Since the classroom is
located at the Crown Boiler factory, we can take students on a tour of our production lines and engineering department to demonstrate how the boilers are made and show what goes into assuring the quality of the product coming off of the production line. We have live-fire boilers so that
Training can help a contractor stay up to date on the latest advancements in technology and remain competitive in today’s market.
contractors can apply what they learned in class immediately, which helps them become more comfortable with the products before going into the field. We can also simulate issues that technicians may experience in the field with the use of valves and dip switches, so contractors can solve problems they may encounter on a service call in a controlled environment.
Phc: How many contractors do you expect to come through per month/year on average?
Ensminger: About 15–20 contractors
come to our new training facility each month, close to 240 per year. Phc: Please describe your online university.
Ensminger: Crown Boiler University is the online learning center for Crown Boiler. Through the university, contractors can learn about and train on Crown Boiler products at their own pace, while earning CEUs towards NATE and NORA recertification. It is a great option for those who can’t get to the factory, yet still want to learn more about Crown Boiler products. Once a course has been completed, a contractor can go back to it as a refresher before going out on a job.
Phc: Describe the importance of contractor training, especially in this economy?
Ensminger: Training can help a contractor stay up to date on the latest advancements in technology
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Crown Boiler’s Jason Mangos and Ken Ebers discuss the inner workings of one of Crown’s boilers with a couple of contractors inside the Crown mobile unit.
and remain competitive in today’s market. The knowledge and experience gained by attending training classes helps them install equipment faster and with fewer problems, freeing up time to complete more jobs. Training will also make contractors more valuable to their customers by increasing their ability to solve problems that arise before and after an installation. When a contractor can tell a potential customer they have been factory trained on the product they are recommending, it really increases their credibility. Phc: Does Crown offer other incentives to help out the struggling contractor? Explain.
Ensminger: Crown Boiler offers a couple of incentives to contractors. We have a Contractor Rewards program, a points-based system based on certain products installed. Contractors accumulate points through the heating season and can redeem them for gift cards or tools. For example, this year, contractors can save up their points to
get manometers and combustion analyzers.
Phc: It seems that energy efficiency is the buzzword in the industry right now. How energy efficiency in Crown’s lexicon and what is the importance of Energy Star affiliation?
Ensminger: Energy efficiency has been in the Crown Boiler lexicon from the beginning, starting with the Freeport CT boiler that has been on the market for over 30 years and continues today with condensing boilers like the Bimini. Energy Star is a great program to be involved with; the name is widely recognized. Seeing the Energy Star label immediately indicates to the homeowner and contractor that the product is energy efficient. We strive to make all of our products as efficient as possible and are able to offer an energy efficient option to fit most applications. Phc: The last time I said, “Today is a great day,” you were doing what?
Ensminger: Sitting at Citizens Bank Park watching a Philadelphia Phillies game. l
phc october 2011
www.phcnews.com
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