Okanagan First: The Importance of Working With a Local HVAC, Building Automation, and Electrical Technology Company

Local is king when it comes to top-tier building automation, HVAC, and electrical in the Okanagan.

Building automation, HVAC, and electrical are some of those funny things where everyone needs them, everyone uses them, and people rarely think about them when everything is functioning properly. 

But when something goes wrong, you’ll want help — fast. That’s just one of the reasons why working with a local technology company is key. 

Why local?

There are plenty of national chains to choose from in the HVAC world, but when selecting an HVAC company, the more regionally local you can get, the better. Here are five reasons to go hyperlocal with your HVAC, building automation, and electrical provider. 

1. Local knowledge: HVAC and automation systems are intricate and made to adapt with the local climate, whether that’s humidity, temperature, or the seasons. A specialist in HVAC in Penticton will understand exactly how to fine tune your building automation and control system for where you live. 

2. Local jobs: Working with local companies helps them to thrive and, in turn, creates more local job opportunities in your home region. Companies like Kimco strive to create excellent opportunities for career growth with well-compensated, stable, skilled jobs with a focus on hiring from within our community when we can.

See how Kimco helps local tradespeople thrive

3. Innovation and leadership: Being a successful business in a booming regional economy helps your local technology company stay ahead of the curve. At Kimco, we partner with learners like the Okanagan College trades programs, or provide building automation technology training to our peers.

4. Reliability: This is a huge one, and spills over into many different aspects of service, including supply chain. When you work with a local, established company you’re less likely to experience extreme delays from missing products thanks to the creativity and strong relationships a seasoned local provider has nurtured over the years.

The power of relationships in action: Learn how Kimco executed a highly specific electrical design and lighting installation from Wine & Beyond’s in-house engineering team in the face of COVID delays and supply chain issues.

5. Responsiveness: Being embedded in our communities means local companies like Kimco are quick to respond when an emergency strikes. You don’t have to sit around waiting for something to break to hear from us though! Preventative maintenance solutions, like our quarterly maintenance plans, will keep your business running smoothly for years to come.

Our close proximity also means dropping off necessities, like water treatment solutions, can be done on a periodic basis, rather than filling up your whole store room with a year's worth of treatment products.

6. Community support: Local helps local — whether that’s the home Little League team or donating to grassroots organizations. Large chains may have charitable initiatives — but those are often to other large chain charities. Local companies will give back in ways you can actually see within your community.

For example, when Maple Springs Bible Camp needed a new building, Kimco Controls donated both the time and the skills to build it. Or how every year the team donates the proceeds of a 50/50 raffle to a local charity. For two years running, the beneficiary has been Mamas for Mamas, an organisation founded in Kelowna which directly gives back to families in need in the Okanagan.

7. Accountability: Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools for a local company. Your community is their community, too, and that creates a sense of responsibility and accountability towards each other. Forget getting put on hold, being passed around and having messages never returned (or even worse — no phone number to call for help at all). A local contractor is far more likely to be there for you when you need them and communicate openly.

What to look for in a local HVAC company

When you’re in the market for a local technology company, here are some tips to make the right choice:

Read reviews: Avoid places with too many reviews that could seem like bots by using repetitive language or suspect names.

Source multiple quotes: Never go with the first company you see. By sourcing multiple quotes, you’re able to not only gauge price, but responsiveness and clarity of the company.

Screen for ease of use: Is it hard to find the contact information of the company? No quote form? No phone number listed? These are red flags not to be ignored. If the company is hard to deal with before you’ve hired them, imagine what will happen if something goes wrong and you need help?

What sets the Thompson-Okanagan apart

From the dry, hot climate in the Kelowna area, to the rocky mountain weather of the Kootenays, the Thompson-Okanagan region is as diverse as it is stunning. Local experts will understand the nuances of this part of BC, including:

• High summer heat
• Wildfire risk and mitigation (air quality)
• Dry seasons
• Cold winters
• Spring flooding
• Varying snow levels

Aside from the changes in climate, the region is a hotspot for various booming Canadian industries, including:

• Agriculture
• Wine and beer production
• Cannabis
• Education
• Transportation
• Tourism

Building automation integration plays a role in improving efficiency and productivity in every one of these industries.

The Kimco connection

Part of what makes Kimco special is the people-focused philosophy the company is built on.

Current owners Ken Watt, Mark Janssen, and Mark Hartwick all started at Kimco as employees themselves. They continue the tradition of supporting employee growth by promoting from within whenever possible.

At the same time as the company turned 40 last year, they also promoted longtime staff members to senior leadership roles. Kris Wiens became general manager of automation and electrical, and Mark Deighton, general manager of HVAC.

Blog: Learn more about how Kris and Mark have seen Kimco evolve over 40 years in the Thompson-Okanagan.

Forever invested in their community, Kimco is so proud to continue to hire and nurture local talent.

Where we operate

Kimco Controls serves the Thompson-Okanagan region from three offices:

• Kelowna
• Penticton
• Cranbrook

Being strategically placed across the region we serve allows us to specialize in our clientele, providing a responsive, knowledgeable, reliable service to our communities.

If you see a Kimco truck on the road, give us a wave! We’re proud to be out in our towns, helping our friends and neighbours.

Work with a people-first company that has been on the cutting edge of building automation, HVAC and electrical technology in the Thompson-Okanagan for 40 years. See how Kimco can help.