Home-Tech Expands with New Facility in East Manatee County and Adds 13 New Employees

Sept. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Bradenton, Florida – September 8, 2011 – Home-Tech, Southwest Florida’s leading air conditioning and major appliance sales and service provider, has begun construction on a $1.3 million, 10,400-square-foot service office, technical training center and showroom on Lena Road in East Manatee County. The new facility is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2012; its shell is expected to be completed by the end of September. Home-Tech has hired six new employees from the local market, and plans to hire seven additional staff members locally. The new jobs range from entry-level positions and sales positions to experienced technicians.

Home-Tech established an initial presence in Sarasota in 1992 with an office in Venice. Now the company is making a major commitment to the Sarasota-Bradenton market.

“We knew we needed a larger commitment and a strong physical presence in the area to bring the full Home-Tech experience to Sarasota-Bradenton,” said Steve Marino, President and Founder of Home-Tech. “We chose Manasota Commercial Construction as our general contractor to keep our construction in the hands of local builders, and insisted that our electrical, plumbing and all other subcontractors are local service providers as well. At Home-Tech we believe every business has to be a committed and involved member of the community, and we look forward to building lasting relationships here.”

Lakewood Ranch-based World Designs Inc. was the architect of the new building, and the land development was by Bradenton-based Allison Engineering. Home-Tech is investing 50% of its own money into the facility, which will include a 3,000-square-foot showroom for demonstrations of the latest product innovations and convenient selections by customers. A state-of-the-art training center will include simulated air conditioning and appliances for ongoing technical education and will house the company’s apprenticeship program, which gives aspiring technicians an opportunity to gain real-world experience with the company.

Steve Heinz, Home-Tech’s Community Development and Service Agreement Sales Director, will lead the sales effort for the new office.

“We are providing affordable, convenient and high-quality in-home repair service to Sarasota and Manatee County homeowners,” said Steve Heinz. “In today’s economy, most people benefit from our affordable service without additional cost for all their major appliance and air conditioning service calls.”

About Home-Tech
Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of home-service agreements, air conditioning, and major appliance sales and service for three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, Home-Tech is privately held and employee-owned. Home-Tech employs over 130 people in Southwest Florida and provides services in Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Home-Tech operates from its headquarters in Fort Myers and is in the process of building its regional office in Bradenton to serve Sarasota and Manatee counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call 941-355-5363 or 1-800-800-8356.

Grapevine Communications has been selected by Home-Tech to provide public relations services. Grapevine is a full-service, award-winning advertising, marketing and public relations firm based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and serving clients nationwide. The firm was awarded the 2010 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Award by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and celebrated donating over $1 Million in pro-bono services to area non-profits in 2010. For more information on Grapevine Communications, call Gabriele Vest at 941-351-0024 or email gvest@grapeinc.com