BERLIN — A local business recently celebrated its expansion.
Douglas Mechanical Services offers heating, air conditioning, ventilation, services for both residential and commercial properties. Douglas Sturtevant opened the business with his business wife, Jill at 820 Four Rod Road and has been successfully operating it since 2004.
The business recently added a 2,500 square foot sheet metal shop.
“We’ve been at about 25 ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the last few months,” Mayor Mark Kaczynski said during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. “To have businesses like yourself to open and expand during this pandemic is incredible.”
The new workshop enables Douglas Mechanical to produce its own ductwork for install jobs and smaller companies in the area.
The Sturtevant’s are looking to hire a full-time sheet metal technician eventually to assist in training their apprentices in fabricating ductwork.
“For many years, we have been struggling to find somebody to do quality sheet metal for us,” said Doug Sturtevant. “We can install it all day long, but we have some very talented guys here who know how to fabricate it. Now, we can have a fabrication process in-house, which gives us control, better quality, and the ability to hire more people during this pandemic.”
Jill Sturtevant added she was “elated” about the expansion.
“…we’ve grown so much and have such great staff,” she said. “I am so happy that we were able to come together and make this happen.”
Doug Sturtevant obtained his technical training from Goodwin Tech in New Britain, through an apprenticeship program provided by the school and the State of Connecticut.
He began his career at United Mechanical Resources formerly in Meriden and worked there until 2003 before opening Douglas Mechanical Services with his wife.
He strongly believes in the value of apprenticeship programs.
“I’ve never had an employer who cares about their employees as Doug and Jill do,” said a warehouse supervisor Christopher Schatz. “They dedicated their time and patience to finding out what my strong suits were to better adapt and create the best position for me.”
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