Max Hansen, chairman and CEO, confirmed that JMF Company has recently completed a major expansion of its line set manufacturing facility in East Moline, Ill.

“We have invested $3 million in expanding and updating our dedicated line set facility,” Hansen commented. “This facility is now 100,000 square feet and is the largest production facility in the U.S. with either production lines. With this expansion, we have doubled our production capacity and ensured that our industry-leading performance will be assured in the future. This reinvestment and expansion is great news in an industry where contraction and downsizing is often the news of the day. ”

JMF has been in business for 65 years, offering an expansive line of rough plumbing products through plumbing and HVAC wholesale distribution channels, as well as being a preferred vendor in retail and to industry leading OEMs who required products and services provided by JMF. Little known about JMF is the fact that they have been the leading vendor of major appliance installation “kits” and products for nearly 60 years. Entering the HVAC line set business was simply a natural extension of their strategic plans and product category strengths, Hansen confirmed.

“We entered the line set product category in 2002, and have earned our leading market share position through hard work and exceeding customer demands and expectations,” Hansen said. “We have earned our leading position in this key HVAC product category with a total commitment to superior product quality, 100% fill rates, shortest lead times, and exceptional responsiveness and customer support. No one offers more standard and custom products. We have worked hard to gain commitments from the most demanding and quality conscious customers, both from the OEM and wholesale channels of distribution. We offer more than 12,000 SKUs, providing our customer base ‘single source solutions’.”

Staffing changes are also confirmed. Effective January 2013, Brian Michaelsen was promoted to President. “Our growth has required staffing decisions important to our strategic plans,” Hansen noted. “Promoting Brian and hiring Doug Krause as our Director of Manufacturing Operations was a required element in our growth plans.”

New West Coast Production Facility and Offices

Effective June 1, JMF began producing line sets in California, servicing the Western seven states.

When asked why JMF is further expanding line set production and adding support staff in California, Hansen responded, “The West Coast market and customer base in HVAC and plumbing is underserviced by many national companies. Consistent with our total commitment to this segment of our business, we are responding to our present and future customers in real terms with capital and employees in their market, servicing their needs locally. New growth and expansion is immediately available for us by making this move now. Our JMF – West headquarters will be located in Corona, Calif. Our website will be updated to confirm details soon. We will continue to look for acquisition companies that provide strategic advantages within our core customer focus.”

New Line Set Product Offerings

JMF is also committed to staying abreast of competition and customer requests within the line set product category. One opportunity is being addressed with an overseas competitor who is currently providing a limited line of ductless line sets using a “white tough skin” insulation product.

Hansen confirmed, “We will offer industry standard, heavier ‘wall’ copper tubing. We want customers to compare wall thickness rather than the insulation. Furthermore, our tough skin will appear the same, but will be superior to competition, because our product will meet ASTM-E84 (Class A) standards and will be UL listed. Our commitments will be to meet or exceed standards that should be met by all vendors.”

The use of aluminum in a complete line set product offering has also been of interest throughout the line set industry for several years. JMF has been working with several OEMs and aluminum producers in this development so that JMF will be the preferred vendor when remaining code, joining, and related issues are finally resolved. Since JMF is engaged in discussions bound by confidentiality agreements, nothing more can be announced at this time.

Hansen added, “Aluminum line sets are coming. Rather than fight it, we embrace the future demands of our customers. We have produced aluminum line sets and will continue working with customers, aluminum producers, and those with joining solutions in an effort to conclude ‘open issues.’ We already have plans to segregate production and will eventually offer a full line of copper and aluminum line sets as demanded by OEMs and wholesale distribution.”

JMF Company corporate headquarters and central distribution are located in Bettendorf, Iowa.

For more information, contact Chairman and CEO Max Hansen at 800-397-3739 or visit www.jmfcompany.com.