SIDNEY — Lochard Inc. has been serving Shelby County for over 70 years and we are proud to share our successes from this past year as we segue into 2017.
Lochard Inc. consists of a contract manufacturing division, HVAC/ Plumbing service and installation divisions and the retail Do It Best hardware store. We are fortunate to be located in a community that has such a strong and diversified manufacturing base. Mike Lochard, president of Lochard Inc. believes this is one of the driving forces in his company’s growth and is proud to be a part of creating a strong economic base within our community.
Our Do It Best hardware store focused their efforts in 2016 on ensuring customer satisfaction through excellent customer service and communication. Deb Peters, Hardware Manager states “Our customer base was pivotal in our continued growth throughout 2016. Through their feedback we have been able to establish a product line to fit their needs and wants. The positive response we have seen attests to the great relationships we are forming with our contractor and private customer base.”
Our HVAC service and installation departments have also seen an increase in growth. Doug Myer, service manager, said “We have retained our existing customer base and continued to grow it by creating strong relationships built on trust and excellent service from our office personnel and service technicians in the field. Our customers are the backbone of our operations and their continued support has allowed us to add the tools and personnel necessary to take care of them promptly and efficiently.”
Due to the 30 percent tax credit offered on geothermal installation, our HVAC installation department had a record number of geothermal installs and replacements in 2016.
Lochard’s report continues:
Plumbing service and installation continued their growth through a combination of performing the city of Sidney Infiltration & Inflow inspections, commercial plumbing jobs and back flow prevention testing and replacement work. We anticipate continued growth in 2017 as we enter into the fourth phase of the infiltration and inflow inspections.
In 2016, we were able to fully establish 950 Wapakoneta as our second full functioning manufacturing plant. After purchasing the building in 2015, multiple renovations and upgrades were completed to ensure a smooth work flow throughout the space. We have continued to bring on new equipment that has allowed us to meet the needs of our strong and diversified customer base as well as fulfill the needs of our new customer growth. Due to the success of 2016 we were able to add on additional personnel and are expecting to expand our employee base even more in the coming year.
Third generation owner Mike Lochard is proud to lead his family’s 70 year old company. Always an advocate for the community and Shelby County, in 2016 Lochard Inc. partnered with WorkForce Partnership of Shelby County. We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with them in 2017. We are very excited to help empower and educate our youth in their goals to develop the skills necessary in finding current and future local jobs.
