Page 28 - Green Builder May-June 2020 Issue

“Part of the Solution”

products. Because of everyone working we just have to help each other manage the
together, we have been able to stay in business near term.
to support our customers and builders with the GB: What are your customers doing
ventilation products they need to finish their differently?
jobs. FC: The immediate reaction we are seeing is
GB: What is your company doing to address that customers are looking for repair/replace/
the challenges caused by COVID-19? remodel solutions as well as more of a focus
FC: In our facilities, we have established a online. Our customers are also getting really
number of safety actions such as spatial creative with ways to service their contractors.
distancing, encouraging use of masks, In addition, we are seeing more requests for
increasing sanitation, creating schedule sanitizing and clean air solutions. We recently
adjustments, and providing consistent launched SurfaceShield, a fan that incorporates
communication across teams. a special light module powered by Vital Vio
However, while we have had to make some technology that limits the growth of mold,
adjustments in our work, a big focus for our mildew, fungi and bacteria. This type of product
Frank Carroll, President/CEO company has been on how to be part of the meets this growing need.
solution going forward. The From a builder’s
Broan Nu-Tone, Hartford, WI
importance of ventilation perspective, we see
GB: How is the coronavirus affecting your and fresh air has been a “We expect that the building codes and
company? growing topic in this time, more builders ASHRAE specifications
FC: The coronavirus has affected Broan Nu- so we have been working being published that are
Tone in a number of ways. The downturn in on sharing our existing will not only calling for more fresh air
new construction demand is the most-direct solutions and creating solutions, continuous run
effect. We supply to most of the new home new product solutions that want to meet and minimum balanced air
builders, so there is a direct correlation there address that. minimum capabilities.
for us. On the consumer side, now that they are GB: How affected did GB: How do you think the
spending more time in their homes, we have you think your company ventilation code coronavirus will change
seen an emphasis in online sales for upgrade will be if the coronavirus the homebuilding sector
motors and grills. Internally, we have created leads to a recession? requirements in the short term (30-60
a company-wide work-from-home strategy for FC: Our business would days)?
those employees that are able. We have also definitely be affected but go above FC: In the short term,
emphasized and reinvented a “healthier” safe by a recession, as would and beyond with builders are completing the
working environment for those employees any other company. The jobs and sites they started
that have to be in our factories, given we are one helpful difference solutions that before the crisis, but home
deemed “essential,” with ventilation and fresh that we have in working building statistics point to
air products. through a recession is a offer premium an expected short-term
GB: Did you expect this type of impact? diversified business over drop in manufacturing
FC: Initially, I am not sure anyone saw this level a few different categories indoor air thereafter. With that, we
of activity coming, but the team responded with of ventilation, fresh air quality.” expect that the discussion
the utmost professionalism. I am very proud of solutions and home and topic of energy
the way so many employees rallied together to appliances. This diversity is efficient, code-compliant
enable our company to continue working while further complimented by our channel diversity ventilation—both whole home and bathroom/
protecting employees at the same time. via new housing, remodeling and regional kitchen exhaust—will be at the center of builder
So many functions come together to prepare balance. conversations and considerations.
for business in a new way—the finance team, Another element in fighting through a We expect that more builders will not only
the IT specialists, the HR team, our web recession is new products and new market want to meet minimum ventilation code
specialists, and our remote customer service demand. The understanding of ventilation requirements but go above and beyond
teams are just a few to call out. solutions and indoor air quality through this with solutions that offer premium indoor air
Our real front line is our operations and challenging time is increasing. With that we quality. This will be a significantly more sought-
factory employees that make our essential see opportunities for growth in the future, but after feature in the eyes of health-conscious

22 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2020 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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