Malco Products, SBC, the nation’s leading manufacturer of high-quality, American-made tools for the HVAC trade (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), today announced the winners of its second-annual Trade-Pro of the Year Award program. The Trade-Pro of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding HVAC professionals whose experience and achievements, on-the-job safety, excellent reputation and local involvement make a difference in their community.

The program recognized five top HVAC contractors and technicians from across the U.S.:

• Greg Chidester, union sheet metal worker #20, Schuster Sheet Metal, Elkhart, Indiana;
• Bob Hennen, self-employed HVAC technician, Eden Valley, Minnesota;
• Matt Schoner, HVAC/R service technician, Advanced Thermal Solutions, Casper, Wyoming;
• Emmanuel Williams, master HVAC contractor, EMX Heating & Air Conditioning, Baltimore, Maryland;
• Todd Yarrington, service technician/installer, Allied General Mechanical, Detroit, Michigan.

“We are pleased to recognize the HVAC industry’s elite contractors and technicians who are not only providing top-quality service to their customers, but also making a difference in their community and focused on safety on the job,” said Malco president and CEO Mardon Quandt. “Each of the 2018 Trade-Pro of the Year winners are helping advance the industry’s reputation, safety and experience, and we commend them on their dedication to the trade.”

Malco received nearly 400 nominations for the program, an increase of over 30 percent from 2017, with all qualifying trade professionals who submitted a nomination receiving a Malco cap and gloves. Nominations for the 2019 Trade Professional of the Year program will open in February 2019.

“Congratulations to this year’s Trade-Pro of the Year winners,” added Eric Peterson, Malco director of sales and marketing. “We are proud to support and recognize these individuals as some of the hardest-working and most dedicated tradesmen in the HVAC industry.”

As a strong supporter and advocate of careers in the trades, Malco donates significant quantities of in-kind products and apparel annually to a variety of skilled trade education programs, competitions and events across the country, including high school, post-secondary technical and apprenticeship programs, regional apprenticeship contests and SkillsUSA state and national conferences.

Malco also coordinates the “Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program that partners with education programs across the country to recognize high-achieving students and entire graduating classes in the HVAC/sheet metal, building construction and autobody repair fields.

For more information about Malco Products, SBC, visit www.malcoproducts.com.

About Malco Products, SBC

Malco Products, SBC, based in Annandale, Minnesota, with operations in DeWitt, Nebraska, is the nation’s leading manufacturer of high-quality, American-made tools for the HVAC trade (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). Backed by nearly 70 years of history, Malco also manufactures “tools of the trade” for professionals engaged in exterior remodeling (roofing, siding and gutter), fence, deck and rail installation and autobody repair and refinishing. These specialized tools are built to last, rigorously tested and backed by a lifetime warranty. Malco is proud to be employee-owned and a Specific Benefit Corporation in the state of Minnesota, a legal designation that indicates that a specific social benefit — employee ownership, keeping jobs local and strengthening communities — is the primary driver of Malco’s business decisions. Malco was recently named the 2018 Medium Manufacturer of the Year by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

For more information about Malco Products, SBC, visit www.malcoproducts.com.