Reply to Thread

There's word that Carrier is looking to hire a couple of apprentices down here in Orlando which was kind of a shock to me since 99% of the A/C guys here are MSI. A few of the guys spoke highly of them though. I'm pretty interested in learning more about them

Originally Posted by Tech Rob

What would Schneider do with their T.A.C. line if they purchased Carrier or Trane? I recall reading in a european investment and financial blog an article saying that Siemens was looking to acquire other "bolt-on" companies in an effort to shore up their revenue in industries they have a presence in already. Some things I've observed within one of these manufacturers seem to suggest that success is a thin veneer and that the company is without a direction or plan for the future. The fact that Ingersoll Rand jettisoned Hussman late last year makes me a little more suspicious that something is going on in the Trane camp. I have a tendency to believe this rumor that TheChillerMan mentioned. If something is going to happen, it will probably be after the new year.

I don't think companies care too much about having more than one or more BAS line. Heck, Honeywell has like 4 or 5. JC got rid of Connectsys ISN to stick with Metasys. So who knows.
I-R still holds 40% of Hussmann. So if CD&R can find a buyer for let's say $5B. I-R then gets $2B! They're not stupid. Honeywell and Siemens would gain ground from acquiring either Carrier or Trane. Where's Invensys, Emerson, & Danfoss in all this lunacy?

Originally Posted by MechanicallyInclined

When I was with Honeywell at the turn of the century, the new Honeywell (AlliedSignal using the Honeywell name) was rumored to be for sale to either GE or UTC. It never happened though. I don't think Siemens or Honeywell would buy both Carrier and Trane. Another controls company that could buy Carrier or Trane is Schneider.

What would Schneider do with their T.A.C. line if they purchased Carrier or Trane? I recall reading in a european investment and financial blog an article saying that Siemens was looking to acquire other "bolt-on" companies in an effort to shore up their revenue in industries they have a presence in already. Some things I've observed within one of these manufacturers seem to suggest that success is a thin veneer and that the company is without a direction or plan for the future. The fact that Ingersoll Rand jettisoned Hussman late last year makes me a little more suspicious that something is going on in the Trane camp. I have a tendency to believe this rumor that TheChillerMan mentioned. If something is going to happen, it will probably be after the new year.

When I was with Honeywell at the turn of the century, the new Honeywell (AlliedSignal using the Honeywell name) was rumored to be for sale to either GE or UTC. It never happened though. I don't think Siemens or Honeywell would buy both Carrier and Trane. Another controls company that could buy Carrier or Trane is Schneider.

There are rumors that Trane is for sale too. Maybe Siemens will buy Trane and Carrier!

Originally Posted by OpenDrive

BTW, CCS stands for Carrier Commercial Service.

You will have to show me the web site. They change the name from time to time. My first truck had a cloud and BSS on the side.

...Ron

Of course there has been a few rumors that they are for sale. Dont know how true this is.... but with their new philosophy of only taking high-margin work; they have lost a lot of techs, supervisors, and such who are following their customers out the door, it kind of makes sense. Service can be a low margin business. Not very attractive to stockholders. BTW, CCS stands for Carrier Commercial Service.

wow that's crazy and to think I was looking into going to work for carrier......nature of the beast I suppose [big company's]

ccs

things are not looking good in northern California. applied service is busy, unitary suffers. carrier commercial services a great place to work if the work is there. been living off maintenance pull through, and maintenance is almost over for the year. pray for freezing temps for service calls.

Originally Posted by MechanicallyInclined

This the former Fire & Security Systems division of United Tech. Why the UTC website is not updated I don't know.

http://redhawkus.com/

Here's info about the sale.

http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/a...tment-partners

Interesting, but I haven't been told the CCS is anything other than Climate, Controls, and Security. I see Chubb trucks all the time with the UTC logo on them. I don't think anybody knows what is happening corporate wise, especially some lowly service technician like myself.

...Ron

This the former Fire & Security Systems division of United Tech. Why the UTC website is not updated I don't know.

http://redhawkus.com/

Here's info about the sale.

http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/a...tment-partners

http://www.utcclimatecontrolssecurity.com/

Whatever.

...Ron

http://www.streetinsider.com/Downgra...d/7756429.html

With Carrier only representing 17% of UTX its called consolidation of assets.
Otis taking a hit in China,Pratt and Whitney layoffs.

And then there is Europe, and DOD downgrades.

Originally Posted by rscamaro

I've been told (just a rumor) that the "Hub and Spoke" system was tried many years ago and it was found that the individual branches when released from the "Hub and Spoke" made 2 to 3 times the profit than with the central type system. I don't really know about other parts of the country myself, I just see that my branch had a secratary, a dispatcher, 3 service advisors, 1 controls supervisor, a branch manager, a sales person, 2 apprentices, and 22 or so techs. Now there are much less than 20 techs, a sales rep, 2 supervisors, and a branch manager.

With the current issues with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy there has been no internet service for the hub dispatchers to dispatch with and it seems to be more and more difficult for the supervisors to find work for us with all of the "other" work that they have to do. Interesting times.

...Ron

I believe the name CCS has been changed to "Controls Climate and Security" or something to that effect.

Security? You're a Carrier employee, but you don't know that United Tech exited the Fire & Security Systems business?!

I've been told (just a rumor) that the "Hub and Spoke" system was tried many years ago and it was found that the individual branches when released from the "Hub and Spoke" made 2 to 3 times the profit than with the central type system. I don't really know about other parts of the country myself, I just see that my branch had a secratary, a dispatcher, 3 service advisors, 1 controls supervisor, a branch manager, a sales person, 2 apprentices, and 22 or so techs. Now there are much less than 20 techs, a sales rep, 2 supervisors, and a branch manager.

With the current issues with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy there has been no internet service for the hub dispatchers to dispatch with and it seems to be more and more difficult for the supervisors to find work for us with all of the "other" work that they have to do. Interesting times.

...Ron

I believe the name CCS has been changed to "Controls Climate and Security" or something to that effect.

They are trying a one size fits all in all markets. In southern AZ, if some's street rates are already at 130, then Carrier will do well. In the Texas market, price is still king. Most cannot get 130. Petrochemical plants negotiate their rates down to as little as 70-90 on Process Equipment. 55 for HVAC. They still have many contractors lined up to get their work. Carrier is trying to break this pattern of lowballing each other to death. More training, and higher margins with less volume. If their plan succeeds, then we will all benefit if others follow suit. If they fail, some general mechanicals are going to have some very good techs to choose from.

Well, here in Southern AZ. Service Jm Total Package is $50/Hr., but TBS' (which is non-Union here) street rate is over $130/Hr.! How do the big companies figure these rates?! Orlando's SJm Total Package is about $40/Hr., but are the street rates over 50% GP?

Originally Posted by MechanicallyInclined

I was told there was like 4 guys in Orlando. I looked into the UA scale there, it was mid $20s. Why so low?

Because you can buy a condo for about $25K?

BTW, Carrier has done the same in San Diego. Main office is in L.A. San Diego is a "spoke" of the hub.

I thought Disney was with McQuay. Or do all the manufacturers have a presence there? I was turned in the direction of Carrier Orlando when I inquired with Carrier Miami. I was told there was like 4 guys in Orlando. I looked into the UA scale there, it was mid $20s. Why so low?

Originally Posted by MechanicallyInclined

Why Orlando though? Because it's in the middle of the state? I would imagine the majority of Carrier's work to be in the Miami metro area.

I'm not sure, Miami was the busier office in the past. But Trane really gained control of market share in Miami. Heck Trane had over 70 technicians in Miami while Carrier had 12.

I think the Orlando Carrier office was busier with the Disney stuff, but I'm just speculating.