A Third-Generation, Family-Owned Company
Celebrating 75 Years of Geauga Mechanical
From our founding in 1950 to the present day, our family values and small-town culture has shaped the way we treat our clients. In the course of 75 years, Geauga Mechanical has stayed at the forefront of commercial HVAC and mechanical systems. As the industry has of course changed in tremendous ways, the heart of our business, and our commitment to our clients, is steadfast. This is why businesses and organizations from all corners of Northeast Ohio continue to choose us as their partner. We look forward to continuing this mission into the future generations of our family and our company.
Family Shop to a Northeast Ohio Leader
A Tradition of Excellence
Geauga Mechanical has been built by generations who believed in doing things the right way. As the industry changed, they changed with it. Expanding skills, mastering new technology, and strengthening relationships throughout Northeast Ohio. This documentary looks back at the milestones, the people, and the moments that shaped the company’s legacy and continue to drive it forward.
Our History
Geauga Mechanical By Decade
1950's
Geauga Mechanical was founded as White City Heating and Tinning by Ted J. Berman.
The company operated as a residential heating, gutter, and roofing contractor in the Euclid Beach neighborhood.
Ted J. Berman began by installing gutters with welded seams (called “Tinning”), and converting coal furnaces to gas furnaces.
As the company grew, employees were added. By the end the 1950’s there four sheet metal workers: Maurice “Slim” Link, John Wearsh, Bill Wearsch, and Don McClennan.
The company started in a garage, but moved to a corner storefront on the corner of East 156th Street and Grovewood.
1960's
White City Heating and Tinning entered the residential and commercial air conditioning field.
Gas Air Conditioners: The East Ohio Gas company would sell gas air conditioners to residential customers, and have White City install them. Customers were charged for them on their gas bills at 2% interest rate.
Ted J Berman was friends with many of the gas company sales people, and would often go with them to help sell the gas air conditioners. The majority of the gas company salespeople worked with White City.
1970's
Mechanical Service, Maintenance, and Repair
White City began offering Mechanical Service, Maintenance, and Repair in the early 1970’s.
When the gas company went on strike, White City did all of the service on gas air conditioners.
Tom Wadsworth and Bruce Berman went to gas air conditioner training.
The service business started as residential only, with some light commercial.
1970's
Automatic Vent Dampers
Vent-o-Matic
Charlie Wolfork invented the product, which was an automatic damper which closed flues for gas fired furnaces so heat did not leak out of homes. It could reduce heating costs by 20%.
Ted J Berman saw a 60 Minutes piece on the product and contacted Charlie Wolfork about selling this product.
White City got approval from municipalities to install the product, including Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Cleveland.
It was hard to get traction on the project. The American Gas Association (AGA) would not endorse the product (safety issue).
1970's
Automatic Vent Dampers
Energy Vent
John Perkett from Dayton started Energy Vent, which was a better product due to being thermally actuated (and not electrically actuated). It could also be used on hot water heaters. It was a similar concept to the Vent-o-Matic but safer.
John Perkett contacted White City because they already had distribution rights for the Vent-o-Matic, and made arrangements for White City to be the distributor for the Vent-o-Matic.
A large Mormon sales force from Utah relocated to Cleveland and helped White City sell the dampers to residential customers. Their pitch was "Did you know you have a hole in your roof?"
The sales force would get downpayments, and then White City would install the dampers.
White City formed a separate LLC in 1977 called Mechanical Energy Savings for the vent damper business.
In 1979, Mechanical Energy Savings merged with White City Heating to form Geauga Mechanical.
1970's
Milestones
1970: Moved into Willoughby Hills office on Chardon Road.
1977: Mechanical Energy Savings founded.
1979: White City Heating and Air Conditioning and Mechanical Energy Savings merged into Geauga Mechanical Company on October 1, 1979.
1970's
Key Projects
Shaker Lakes Apartments (1974)
Converted over 125 apartments from hot water heat to forced air gas furnaces.
First job over $200,000.
Furniture Stores
Furnitureland (mid-to-late 1970’s).
Name Brand Furniture (mid-to-late 1970’s).
East Cleveland Adult Training Center
First public bid job.
First project that required a bond.
Our “shop” drawings were copied pages out of SMACNA handbook. Required the company to hire a detailer.
1980's
Gas Main Extensions and Gas Furnace Installations
Geauga Mechanical installed gas main extensions in throughout many eastern suburbs, including Chesterland ,Gates Mills, and Novelty.
Bruno from the gas company would put service lines in, and Geauga Mechanical would install the house lines, gas furnaces, and hot water heaters.
1980's
Walden of Aurora
Geauga Mechanical installed HVAC systems in this new construction residential community in 1984.
Dozens of new construction homes with air conditioning.
Geauga Mechanical became an Amana dealer.
1980's
Terminal Tower and Tower City
Started working in the Terminal Tower in the early 1980’s, doing office renovations and adding air conditioning.
The Tower City expansion project required Union Labor, and Geauga Mechanical was awarded a large portion of the project by Forest City Enterprises.
Projects in Tower CIty included J Crew, Gucci, and the Food Court.
Geauga Mechanical also performed fire protection and sprinkler work.
1980's
Milestones
1986: The company is reorganized into an S-corporation with 5 owners, including Ted J Berman and four second-generation family members.
1990's
Service Department
Hired a full time Service Manager to help grow the service department, as well as a service dispatcher.
Throughout the 1990’s the service department grew and expanded its customer base.
1990's
Geauga Industrial Insulation
Geauga Mechanical started a separate Insulation business that operated between 1996 and 1998.
A majority of this company’s work was in the steel mills.
1990's
Fiber Optics
In the mid-to-late 1990’s, Fiber Optic lines were installed between New York and Chicago that ran down Euclid Avenue in Cleveland.
There were several projects for new business related to Fiber Optics, including data centers, that required specialized cooling systems.
Projects included Focal Communications, Quest, and the Halle Building.
1990's
Milestones
1990: Won first Lake/Geauga Fast Track 50 Award.
1996: Geauga Industrial Insulation is founded.
1999: The company relocated from Willoughby Hills to a new facility in Chardon.
2000's
Design/Assist and Design/Build
In early 2000’s, 80%+ of our construction projects were plan-and-spec bid projects.
In late 2000’s, less than 20% of our construction projects were plan-and-spec bid projects.
Our design department developed expertise in LEED and Green Projects. performed building energy analysis, and started offering “Lunch and Learn” programs.
2000's
Assisted and Senior Living
Geauga Mechanical completed many projects for new Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Senior Living facilities.
2000's
Milestones
2001: Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Awards for Focal Communications.
2004: Purchased spiral duct machine.
2005: Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Awards for Lake Erie College Student Recreation Center and Magnificat High School.
2006: Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Award for East Fourth Street Rehabilitation.
2000's
Key Projects
The Bingham Building (2005)
East Fourth Street Snowmelting System (2006)
Hiram College - first LEED Project (2009)
Lincoln Electric EP-5 (2009)
2010's
Building Automation
Geauga Mechanical started a separate Building Automation department.
This department provided new controls system installation, control system upgrades, and retrocommissioning.
2010's
Early Adoptors of New Construction Technology
Expanded our design department by adding two full time mechanical designers/modelers.
Transitioned from 2D CAD, to 3D CAD, to BIM/REVIT.
Started using Trimble laser tools for layouts, and 3D scanners.
Moved to paperless systems in the Service Department.
2010's
Multifamily Housing Projects
Geauga Mechanical became the market leader in large Multifamily Housing projects.
These included large new construction buildings, and historic renovations of office buildings into new residential projects.
2010's
Key Projects
Independence Technology Center (2010). First project over $2 Million
Flats East Bank – Building 4 (2015). First project over $4 Million
University of Mary Washington Project – Fredericksburg, VA (2010)
Cambria Suites Project – Pittsburgh, PA (2010)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2010)
One University Circle (2018). First project over $5 Million
2010's
Milestones
2011 - 2019: 8 time winner of Lake/Geauga Fast Track 50 Award.
2011: Geauga CIC Corporate Salute Award
2012: Weatherhead 100 Winner
2014: A third generation family member purchased majority shares in the company
2015: SMACNA National Safety Award Winner
2018: Weatherhead 100 Winner
2020's
Automation Department Expansion
A new Automation Department manager was hired which accelerated growth in our controls department.
Geauga Mechanical transitioned some service technicians to full time automation technicians.
2020's
COVID-19 Pandemic and Indoor Air Quality
As an essential industry, Geauga Mechanical continued working throughout the pandemic.
In 2020 and 2021, we performed over $1 Million in Indoor Air Quality projects, including enhanced filtration, UV lighting, and bipolar ionization.
2020's
Second Service Location
In 2024, the service department expanded to a second location at Alpha Park in Highland Heights.
This location is close to many of our key customers, and is a more central location for service technician meetings.
2020's
Virtual Design and Construction
Continued expansion of our Virtual Design and Construction Department (“The Nerdery”).
Performed 3D building scans for architects and general contractors.
Provided modeling services for other trades, including electricians and plumbers.
2020's
Key Projects
Lumen (2021)
2025
Geauga Mechanical celebrates its 75th anniversary as a company.
Celebrating the Past, Looking Forward
A Vision for the Future
From our early roots in residential heating and gutter services to our position as a leading mechanical contractor today, our company continues to innovate and evolve. Over time, we have met and responded to the challenges and trends in our industry, including the evolution of mechanical system design/build services, virtual design and construction, and HVAC automation systems. Our focus is, and has always been, to deliver the very best services to our clients.
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