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Bruce Johnson, Johnson's Heating president, says his father, Ray D. Johnson, founded the company in 1951. At that time, the business was located in Mount Pleasant, and Ray Johnson was its sole employee.
Johnson's Heating moved to Norvelt in the 1960s, and in 1972, began to expand, adding Johnson's Ace Hardware. Johnson says this was a logical move since the two businesses were so complimentary.
In 1989, the gun department of the hardware store, which had been so popular, was expanded into a shop of its own, Johnson's Gun Depot.
The company as a whole now employs 45 people. Johnson and his brothers, Don and Scott, work together in the heating division.
Johnson's Heating and Supplies Inc. is one of the largest companies of its kind in western Pennsylvania, serving thousands of customers in Westmoreland, Fayette, Indiana, Allegheny and Somerset counties.
Johnson comments that each year the company's client base grows with many new clients coming from the referral of other satisfied customers.
Johnson's Heating not only sells heating and air conditioning equipment, but also repairs and maintains any type of existing equipment in homes and commercial settings. It also has one of the largest parts departments in western Pennsylvania.
Over the years, Johnson's Heating has sought to offer its customers innovative solutions to make their homes more comfortable.
'One place in this world you ought to be the most comfortable is your home,' says Johnson. 'We try to apply technology to make people feel more comfortable.'
Living up to the slogan, 'Experts in Comfort Technology,' the business has added new product lines such as indoor air quality systems that filter and purify air.
'They're very popular,' says Johnson.
Another new option is 'zoning systems' for homes; rooms or areas of a home can have their own thermostat, allowing different people to each have the temperature set to their preference within a 10-degree range.
In addition to continuing to offer the newest technology, Johnson says he'd like to see the business continue to expand.
Johnson's Heating has made several recent acquisitions. In a press release earlier this year, Johnson's Heating general manager Charlie Bash announced the acquisition of Howell's Heating in Greensburg.
'Steady growth, but conservatively,' states Johnson. 'If opportunities arise to add another company, we'll do it.'
With growth, Johnson says there will be a continued need for service technicians. He says the company may also expand into new markets.
The Norvelt location has been ideal for the business, allowing access to Route 30 and the turnpike, and a location that draws qualified employees from all over the area.
Mount Pleasant Township supervisor Regis Adamrovich says, 'They're one of our largest retail stores in our township. They've been around the longest, and we're proud to have them ... We wish them the best of luck in the future.'
Adamrovich also says Johnson's Heating has been cooperative with the township's recreation program.
Johnson shares the company's keys to its long-lived success: 'Always offer high quality equipment, do a superb and quality installation, provide superior service and assure customer satisfaction.'
