SUPERIOR WATER CONDITIONING 

In 1982, Jim Gander opened his first business.  Superior Water Conditioning (SWC), originally Gander Sales Company, opened its doors to distribute water conditioning equipment.  In 1984, SWC had sales that demanded full time attention.  Soon thereafter, a full time sales and service consultant expanded our territory to a 75-mile radius around Rochester.  Working local home shows, sponsoring on site training for technicians, and educating our dealers about the water treatment business was the concentration of SWC.  The subsequent fast paced growth of Superior Plumbing and Heating (SPC) hindered the growth of SWC in its earlier years.

In 2000, sales were not supporting the operation, so Jim Gander decided to reenergize the lethargic company. Larry Klobassa joined Jim at Superior Water Conditioning.  A business plan was put into place, goals were set, and Larry hit the road.  Doubling sales in less than ten months was the jolt that was needed.  Inside of eighteen months, commercial softener sales quadrupled.  Working with engineers and architects, Larry was able to have Superior Water Conditioners approved for many commercial, industrial and municipal projects.  Today, Superior Water Conditioning is clearly the leader in the water treatment industry in Southern Minnesota.

Web Site Address:  www.superior-waterconditioning.com

SUPERIOR PLUMBING AND HEATING

After serving his apprenticeship with three separate contractors, Jim Gander opened Superior Plumbing and Heating (SPC) in 1984.  SPC’s original customer base was mainly service customers.  Building business partnerships and friendships helped SPC begin moving into the new commercial construction market.  By 1990, Superior Plumbing and Heating employed approximately fifteen people and its concentration was dedicated to new commercial projects and service plumbing.

Joining the firm in 1990, Lisa Gander helped set up many of the office systems still utilized at SPC.  In 1994, Lisa and Jim jointly decided to begin concentration in another market.  Jim and Lisa set out to build up the new construction residential market.  Contracting the plumbing for approximately twenty homes in 1994, Lisa and Jim increased their market share to over 300 homes in 2000.  Lisa retired from Superior Plumbing and Heating in 2000, leaving SPC as the largest residential plumbing contractor in Southern Minnesota.

Superior Plumbing and Heating’s residential construction department, led by Vice President David Oftedahl will provide plumbing for over 450 new homes in 2002.  Dave’s’ department is deep with Southern Minnesota’s best-trained construction crews.  Custom plumbing design and consultation services set SPC’s residential department far ahead of its competition.

Superior Plumbing and Heating’s service department, managed by team leader Norm Autry, along with dispatchers and technicians are part of the Southern Minnesota’s premier service team, the area’s only true 24 hour service department, fifteen radio dispatched trucks, and the best trained technicians in the business.   Superior Plumbing and Heating’s  service department is truly unmatched in this market.

Superior Plumbing and Heating’s commercial construction department continues to be a leader in Southern Minnesota. Hotel/motels, multifamily, industrial, warehousing, office buildings and medical facilities are a daily occurrence for SPC’s commercial department.  Commercial Department Managers and Estimator/Project Managers, Jim Ronnenberg & Craig Curley, manage plumbing and mechanical projects all over SE Minnesota.

In the summer of 2005, Superior Plumbing and Heating, at the request of many sales customers who have concentrated in the metro market, opened its doors to its Edina office. This branch office will offer the same service at competitive rates to ensure the growth of this marketplace in year to come. Under the direction of Dave Nemecek and under the supervision of existing managers at Superior Plumbing and Heating, the metro division has an aggressive business plan.

Web Site Address:  www.superior-plumbing.com

SUPERIOR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

Long time friends and associates, Rob Jones and Jim Gander combined their talents and resources to open Superior Mechanical Systems (SMS) in March of 2000.  Rob’s extensive experience in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration,  together with Jim’s mechanical contracting background was a perfect match.  Capitalizing on the Superior tradition quickly advanced SMS to be a HVAC leader in Southern Minnesota.  Surrounding himself with the most qualified people in the HVAC industry encouraged Rob to lead SMS into the commercial, residential and service markets almost simultaneously.

Growing to employing over thirty people in only a few short years, positioned SMS as a leader in the HVAC industry.  Quality and service at the right price is always our goal.  We have been able to work with our customers to complete their projects on time and under budget.  Restaurants, motels, warehouses, office buildings and many other projects are already on our resume.

During 2001, our second year of  business, Superior Mechanical Systems earned the prestigious American Standard Dealer of the Year Award.  Judged not only on volume, but also on customer feedback and satisfaction, this award was a welcomed compliment to our entire team.

With the area’s only true 24 hour HVAC service, twelve radio dispatched trucks, qualified and certified technicians, and a support staff with decades of experience, the SMS service department is far above its competition.

Since opening its doors, Superior Mechanical Systems has contracted HVAC comfort systems in over 300 housing units.  Custom designed home heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems that meet the needs, expectations and budgets of our customers is our specialty.

Web Site Address:  www.superiormechanicalsystems.com