Valparaiso Magazine - Spring 2023

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MADE IN VALPARAISO | HEAT WAGON >> Turning UP We wanted to stay a small, local, family-owned business and have decided to use that strategy to grow. — John Walsh, Heat Wagon the Heat Valparaiso’s Heat Wagon uses its small size to its advantage by doubling down on its strengths By Haleigh Vander Vinne It’s said that there are two seasons in Northwest Indiana: winter and construction. But thanks to the wide range of temporary heaters built and sold by Valparaiso’s Heat Wagon, construction season can easily extend into winter as well, much to the chagrin of region drivers. Assembled from parts shipped from right here in Valparaiso, Niles, Michigan, and other locations, Heat Wagon’s temporary heaters are sold to equipment dealers and specialty heat suppliers around the country. The small, local manufacturer offers a range of portable heaters, ranging in size from 65,000 BTU to 7 million BTU, offering both direct and indirect fired. Fuel options include gas, propane, and kerosene/ diesel, with power requirements ranging from 110 volts to 480 volts. “We want to make sure that we can fill a void with the right product,” said John Walsh, President of Heat Wagon. Standing Strong as a Small, Local, Family-Owned Business Many other heating equipment manufacturers have been sold to a venture capital company or consolidated into a larger company, but Heat Wagon continues to be locally owned. “We wanted to stay a small, local, family-owned business and have decided to use that strategy to grow,” said Walsh, who bought the company with his business partner in 1996. This strategy gives Heat Wagon a leg up on its competitors. With a tight team of 23 employees, Heat Wagon can help a customer in less time than it takes a larger company to just get an approval. “We pride ourselves in being quicker and more nimble than bigger companies in the way we can satisfy our customers and what they want,” said Walsh. The people who live and work in the area also contribute to Heat Wagon’s success. Walsh noted that Valparaiso has a generous labor pool to draw hard-working, honest people from, and looks forward to investing in the development of his employees and their skills. Innovating and Looking to the Future Technology has helped the team improve customer service. Heat Wagon has added diagnostic lights, how-to videos, and instructional QR codes for transparency, effectiveness, and accessibility. “We will continue to come up with more ideas for new bells and whistles on the products,” said Walsh. Because heaters are seasonal, Heat Wagon is also looking to enter new markets, exploring the development of products such as fans, dehumidification equipment, and humidifiers. “A goal for us is to create offseason products to be able to manufacture or distribute through our current dealer network and grow sales,” said Walsh. All Fired Up While larger companies have vast resources that can make the thought of being a smaller competitor chilling, Heat Wagon has leaned into the advantages of its smaller size – speed to service, innovation and a family-oriented culture – to build a business that has stood the test of time for 42 years. | ValpoChamber.org 7
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2023 VOL. 23 ISSUE 2 Craig a
Page 3 and 4: SPRING 2023 CONTENTS BUSINESS SNAPS
Page 5: Valparaiso's location is ideal for
Page 9 and 10: Immediate Care Centers of Community
Page 11 and 12: MADE IN VALPARAISO | ARCH WOOD PROT
Page 13 and 14: Now, more than ever... experience a
Page 15 and 16: MADE IN VALPARAISO | DANISH MAID BU
Page 17 and 18: TRUST MATTERS. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT
Page 19 and 20: NEED SOME HELP? WE’RE HERE FOR YO
Page 21 and 22: Our wood preservatives are synonymo
Page 23: MEMBER INVESTOR ANNIVERSARIES >> AN
Page 26 and 27: NEW MEMBER INVESTORS MEMBERS The Va
Page 29 and 30: Our beautifully renovated venue wil
Page 31 and 32: Teachers Credit Union (TCU) is plea
Page 33 and 34: Valpo MBA Pursue your degree online
Page 35 and 36: Meanwhile, in 1967, Cargill Inc had
Page 37 and 38: BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT >> BUSINESS Reac
Page 40: Make an Appointment to live your be

Valparaiso Magazine - Spring 2023

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