MILTON òòò½ÊÓƵ” Kevin Ashworth knew exactly what he wanted to do when he graduated from Hurricane High School in 1993.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI wanted to start my own business,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI started while I was still living at home and I had one employee, me.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ashworth said in the 10th grade he was introduced to trade school.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI tried a few things over there and then I tried heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and I just loved it,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœNow we are celebrating 30 years of providing HVAC products and services to customers in the Tri-State area. This is a great opportunity to thank the community for their unwavering support over the past three decades because we would not be here without them.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Today, the company has 41 employees at its headquarters and warehouse in Milton on Johns Creek Road, just off the Milton exit on Interstate 64.
Company given industry award
To commemorate the milestone, Ashworth Heating & Cooling received the òòò½ÊÓƵœCarrier President Awardòòò½ÊÓƵ for the second consecutive year during a celebration event Wednesday. The company sells Carrieròòò½ÊÓƵ™s top-of-the-line series of home HVAC systems.
The award recognizes excellence and leadership in the HVAC industry, according to Cheryl Hinchman, marketing manager at Ashworth Heating & Cooling.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe are incredibly honored to receive the Carrier President Award once again,òòò½ÊÓƵ Hinchman said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThis achievement reflects our teamòòò½ÊÓƵ™s hard work and dedication, as well as the trust and support of our valued customers.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Reflection on past and future
Ashworth said the event offered the opportunity to reflect on its past successes and excitement for the future.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThe key to our success has been just taking care of the customers, having decent prices and helping customers with any issues that come up,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœTaking care of people is the reason we have grown over the past 30 years.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The business started at Ashworthòòò½ÊÓƵ™s home and after five years he rented a little storefront in Hurricane.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI was probably there about three or four years, but we were growing and I needed a bigger building,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI went from there to Johns Creek Road on Route 60, and we have been at our current location off Johns Creek Road, just of the Milton exit, for the past five years.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ashworth says the business mainly serves residential customers.
òòò½ÊÓƵœProbably 85% is residential and the rest commercial,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe install heating and air conditioning systems for your home and indoor air quality filters. Anything that helps air quality humidity, dehumidifiers and we do service maintenance, repairs, replacements and just about anything involving heating and cooling for your home.òòò½ÊÓƵ
A family business
Ashworth says the company has also become a family business.
òòò½ÊÓƵœMy brother Scott is here and my sister Patty is here,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœOur employees are like family and having a family atmosphere is important to me.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Patty Ashworth is the office manager and says she loves working for her brother Kevin.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI really put more into working for the family and working for him, as opposed to just working for somebody that really didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t know,òòò½ÊÓƵ she said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI canòòò½ÊÓƵ™t say how proud I am of him.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Kevin Ashworth said he is 50 years old and expects the company to continue to grow.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI plan to keep going for many more years,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI got a long way to go.òòò½ÊÓƵ