Company History

In 1957, Robert Owens formed the Owens Trane Service Company, initially to offer professional service and maintenance for the equipment he sold. The business grew with the local economy and other major national competitors became more active in the market. Owens realized that no single source existed to responsibly service and maintain the complex equipment and systems being installed. He recognized a business opportunity to deliver higher quality systems, greater quality, and more timely solutions by assembling all mechanical services under one roof.

Robert Owens left the Trane franchise in 1973 and renamed the company Owens Services Corporation (Owens). Building owners could now go to a single source no matter what problem they faced.

The following milestones illustrate Owens’ history of innovation and leadership. For over forty years, the company and its employees have consistently served as a positive force for change in the HVACR industry:

• In the 1960s: Robert Owens and Floyd Thomas pioneer the use of refrigerant oil analysis as a standard industry diagnostic tool, saving building owners costly breakdowns and premature equipment replacement.

• In the 1970s: Owens offers full-service contracts to customers, which cover all mechanical system components—an industry first. Robert Owens helps found the present-day Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA). Prompted by the oil embargo of 1973, Owens begins providing extensive energy audits and programs to help customers lower operating costs. Owens establishes Owens Leasing Company and implements a unique financing program, now known as performance contracting, which allows building owners to pay for energy retrofits through future energy cost savings.

• In the 1980s: After cholorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are found to be depleting the earth’s ozone layer, Owens establishes a CFC Committee to monitor the issue and advise customers. Owens becomes a recognized authority on the issue, with Owens President John Owens serving as an industry advisor to the national CFC committees of the EPA and the MSCA, as well as to other national organizations establishing CFC guidelines.

• In the 1990s: Owens continues leadership role in guiding client companies through the phasing out of CFCs, both before and after the production of CFCs ceases at the end of 1995, as mandated by the Montreal Protocol and the U.S. Clean Air Act. Owens’ "Ozone Matters" campaign raises regional awareness of CFC phaseout. Owens also takes the lead in helping customers to understand complex Indoor Air Quality issues facing most facilities. Owens remains active in assisting customers to produce comprehensive compliance plans given the rapidly changing regulations in the area.

Owens Companies Inc. 930 East 80th Street Bloomington, Minnesota 55420 Ph: 952.854.3800 Fax: 952.854.3769

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