Childers Enterprises

In 1989, Gregg Childers started Childers Enterprises in Beckley, West Virginia. After working for a mechanical contracting firm for eight years, Childers was given the task of starting a residential division. “After a few years the division was very successful,” recalls Childers. “I decided that residential HVAC was something that I wanted to continue to focus on so I set out on my own.”

Childers Enterprises is a parent company with several subsidiaries. The firm began when Childers purchased Comfort Air in ’89, and in 1993 the company acquired General Heating & Air Conditioning, which had been in operation since 1951. Childers Enterprises has continued to acquire businesses operating within its market to help it grow to the industry-leading company that it is today.

Success built on relationships

With 40 full-time employees, Childers Enterprises serves approximately 20 counties throughout Virginia and southern West Virginia. “We generally work within a 120-mile radius of Beckley,” says Childers. “We will go anywhere we need to though if a client requests us to.”

In the competitive construction industry, a contracting company in the HVAC sector must provide products and services to set itself apart from the pack. Childers Enterprises believes in standing by the work it performs and providing the best customer service. “I believe it’s all about our attitude,” Childers explains. “Issues will always come up in this line of work and we can’t guarantee that they won’t. What we can guarantee is that we will solve any problems as quickly and efficiently as possible and do whatever it takes to make sure the customer’s needs are taken care of.”

With ability to self-perform a majority of its work, Childers Enterprises also maintains strong relationships with other contractors in the event that the company needs to turn to a strategic partner for any scope of work. “We do a lot of plumbing ourselves but will also sub out some of the larger portions of it,” Childers explains. “We also sub out any crane work.”

As a leader in the local market, Childers Enterprises has been able to build up a strong network of strategic partners that the company is able to turn to when in need of some assistance. “It’s a partnership,” says Childers. “We have strong relationships with our subs just like we do with our vendors. We have certain strategic partners that we deal with on a regular basis and it’s very important for us to maintain those relationships because we help each other out when one of us is in a bind. These partnerships have never been more important.”

A passion for the industry

The aspect that Childers enjoys the most about his job is knowing that his customers are receiving the product and service that they pay for. The company is also heavily involved in the local community. “We do a lot of work for churches and that is very gratifying as well,” says Childers.

While Childers is passionate about what he does, he did not always see himself going into the HVAC business. “It happened more by chance than anything,” he says. “I always knew I wanted to go into business for myself, I just wasn’t always sure what that would look like.” After a few years of studying at Marshall University, Childers decided that he needed a change. “I went there with my girlfriend at the time and her stepfather worked for a mechanical contractor in Beckley. He offered me a job in which I could also continue taking college courses in Beckley so that’s what I did and it has worked out for the best.”

Using Trane HVAC equipment for its installations, Childers Enterprises has become the No. 1 dealer of the brand throughout the state of West Virginia. “We have reason to be proud of that because we are working in a relatively small community compared to some other cities in West Virginia,” says Childers. “The state’s No.1 Carrier dealer is also in the same area.”

Childers Enterprises has thrived financially, which Childers credits to his employees. “I have some people that have been with me since day one and that is hard to find these days,” he says. “The main thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is the opportunity to satisfy our customers and to help my employees grow professionally and personally.”

As the company continues to grow, Childers Enterprises Inc. will focus on the needs of its customers while creating opportunities for employees and establishing new business relationships with clients, vendors and contractors.