Two longtime Sandhills staples have merged and are rolling out a new name and a broader focus after bringing the two related businesses under one roof.
Carolina Air & Power recently rebranded following the consolidation of Carolina Air and Carolina Power & Generators.
Ernest Johnson, general manager of the newly combined company, said the change comes after nearly a year of work integrating the two operations.
“We’re coming up on a year of consolidation,” Johnson said. “We changed our name to Carolina Air & Power. We have a new name, a new mission, and we’re going to serve the community the best way we can in the process.”
Johnson says he joined Carolina Air about five years ago, though he has decades of experience in the field.
“As we got going and I got my feet under me and got to know the community, we thought it was a great idea to try to acquire Power & Generators and bring it together,” he said.
The company now offers both HVAC services and generator sales, installation, and maintenance from its location at 3700 U.S. 15-501 in Carthage.
Johnson brings about 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Though his background centers on heating and cooling systems, he said electrical work and generators have long interested him.
“I’ve always been fascinated by it,” Johnson said. “I’m a big kid at heart, so I said, ‘Hey, let’s get into something outside my comfort zone.’”
He said bringing the two teams together has worked well so far, and he attributes much of this to having “the best” employees and experienced technicians on both sides of the business.
“Every person I have who works here is a senior at what they do,” Johnson said. “They’ve all been in the industry a minimum of five years and up to 25 years.”
That experience allows the company to send technicians to customers with confidence, he said.
“We know whenever we send a technician, whoever we send, he has the ability to provide superior service,” Johnson said.
The rebrand also expands options for customers seeking backup power systems. The company continues to sell and service Generac generators and has recently added certification for the sale, installation, and maintenance of Kohler systems.
“Not everyone wants a Generac,” Johnson said. “Giving them another option is important.”
As part of the rebranding, the company plans to update its fleet and uniforms. Three newly wrapped service trucks sporting the company’s new name and logo are expected to hit the road soon. Johnson said the vehicles are designed to stand out and help customers quickly recognize the company in the community.
However, beyond the branding changes, Johnson added that the company’s culture remains one of its strongest assets.
“We’re not family, but we do treat each other as such,” he said. “Everyone here respects the next, on both sides. We have a whole lot of talent.”
The team often celebrates together outside of work, and Johnson, who enjoys cooking, frequently organizes company gatherings. At Christmas, he roasts a pig, and for Thanksgiving, he deep-fries turkeys. The company has also hosted an oyster roast and plans to hold a crawfish boil in the coming months.
“We’re a tight group,” he said. “We work hard, and we have a good time when we can.”
While the business is currently focused on completing the rebrand and fully integrating its employees, Johnson noted that the company has long-term plans for additional services. For now, though, Johnson said the goal is to continue growing while maintaining the close-knit culture that defines the business.
Contributed photo.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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