Wednesday, December 26, 2007

the mo ron

View Full Version : Hello...


thermotron1
12-14-2006, 11:17 AM
Good morning, my name is Bob Barber. I stumbled across this site a few days ago and have found it very informative and quite interesting. I will be the first to admitt that I know next to nothing about hvac/refrigeration however I have a strong interest in learning. I currently work in HR/Sales for a company that manufactures Environmental Test Chambers (Cascade refrigeration systems). I have found that some of my struggles in my position is that I don't have a firm knowledge base, so I figured that I would periodically check different posts on this site to see what I could learn, as well I might just as well register in case I have a question that someone might be able to help me out with.

In any case, hello to everyone...hope its alright I'm here.

spotts
12-14-2006, 11:33 AM
If you can sort through the tons of bs here........ there are some real gold nuggets of information.

coolwhip
12-14-2006, 11:39 AM
Welcome!

Watch out for a guy that goes by the name of Spotts. He's a tricky son of a gun. ;)

bootlen
12-14-2006, 11:39 AM
Try "Just Ask Dice". Especially about HVAC for goats. ;)

thermotron1
12-14-2006, 11:46 AM
Originally posted by spotts
If you can sort through the tons of bs here........ there are some real gold nuggets of information.


sounds like my kind of place! I may even be able to add to the bs (of course in the most constructive way possible). by the way, they tell me I much more resemble sponge bob Squaure pants as opposed to Bob the Builder.

spotts
12-14-2006, 12:10 PM
and just have to read what you type........




I guess your "Silent Bob"

thermotron1
12-14-2006, 01:36 PM
Originally posted by spotts
and just have to read what you type........




I guess your "Silent Bob"

although, very true to the nature of the method of communication applied here. however, remember it is my job to talk! Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back! yeah buddy, I'm up on that one.

wolfdog
12-14-2006, 01:53 PM
I seem to recall a couple of guys here saying they worked on cascade systems. I don't remember the names.

Post over in the commercial area and see if you can wake them up.

Paul Pippin
12-14-2006, 05:18 PM
Welcome Bob I have been to your school in Michigan a few years ago very good classes.

Diceman
12-14-2006, 09:19 PM
Do you stumble around a lot?
Perhaps an inner ear problem.
I hooked up some ductwork to a Thermotron once, some kind of single package thingy used in a lab.
I forget what it was for but it was fricking expensive.

thermotron1
12-15-2006, 11:05 AM
Originally posted by Paul Pippin
Welcome Bob I have been to your school in Michigan a few years ago very good classes.

Did you find them helpful? I know that we are currently looking at re-structuring some of our training programs.

thermotron1
12-15-2006, 11:10 AM
Originally posted by Diceman
Do you stumble around a lot?
Perhaps an inner ear problem.
I hooked up some ductwork to a Thermotron once, some kind of single package thingy used in a lab.
I forget what it was for but it was fricking expensive.


Yeah, I do stumble around a fair ammount. Mostly that is a direct result of my wife smacking me in the side of the head with a snow shovel last winter (doctor is optimistic about my chance for a full recovery).

Yeah our equipment isn't cheap, highly technical equipment used in highly technical facilities. It was more than likely a large walk in Environmental Test Chamber. Our equipment is used to simulate a wide variety of conditions, the most prevelant being temperatures (extremes either way) but as well we are able to simulate altitudes, humidity and vibrations.

hvacpope
12-15-2006, 11:55 AM
how long have you been with thermotron? I hear lots of bad things about them, do you work from home?

thermotron1
12-15-2006, 01:18 PM
Originally posted by hvacpope
how long have you been with thermotron? I hear lots of bad things about them, do you work from home?

I haven't been here very long at all. Though I am by no means a seasoned veteran, I am a bit surprised that you hear lots of bad things about Thermotron. What are some of the things that you hear? (Please don't take this as me trying to discredit your statement, because that is certainly not my intention). I know one thing that we do have problems with at times is finding enough qualified service technicians to give the customers the appropriate ammount of attention. Please feel free to share publicly or privately. I'm open to any and all feedback

hvacpope
12-15-2006, 08:47 PM
I hear management likes the "work from home concept", they give you a fax machine and set you up with accounts the main problems are lack of support and most of the time you don’t make the 40 hours, at some point there was a woman running the show and she didn’t know much about anything but screwing with techs pay,are you a tech-salesman?, I met an ex-thermotron tech through RSES and he hated them with passion.

Diceman
12-16-2006, 09:44 AM
Didn't the Terminator come back in time using a Thermotron?

thermotron1
12-18-2006, 08:02 AM
Originally posted by Diceman
Didn't the Terminator come back in time using a Thermotron?


Although we are able to simulate temperature extremes, humidity, altitudes, even vibrations....unfortunately we have yet to master any sort of time travel. we do have an entire department dedicated to alien communication though.

Diceman
12-18-2006, 04:53 PM
If I install a Thermotron in my house, will I be able to communicate with my long, lost alien relatives??

bigbird
12-18-2006, 05:19 PM
You been communacating with them for years.

Diceman
12-18-2006, 05:28 PM
True....

razorback
12-18-2006, 05:44 PM
Welcome to the site Bob. I worked on a Thermotron mini-max unit last winter. Had to replace the second stage compressor. Nice units. They will get your beer cold in a hurry.:D

valdelocc
12-18-2006, 06:34 PM
Thermotron sucks

Paul Pippin
12-19-2006, 07:45 AM
Bob have a couple of questions. I noticed that you said they were always looking for technicians. When I was at the school they were trying to hire almost everyone who went through the class. Which considering that most of us had paid to attend the class I felt it was in very bad taste. Also do they still have their stance that they will not sell parts or anything to contractors because they are competition? I am just curious.

thermotron1
12-26-2006, 09:32 AM
Bob have a couple of questions. I noticed that you said they were always looking for technicians. When I was at the school they were trying to hire almost everyone who went through the class. Which considering that most of us had paid to attend the class I felt it was in very bad taste. Also do they still have their stance that they will not sell parts or anything to contractors because they are competition? I am just curious.

Paul, I apologize that I have not responded to your questions/concerns previously. I understand your concern regarding everyone in the service training course that we provided being approached about possible employment. Do you remember exactly how long ago that was? It is true, due to the nature of our equipment and the complexity of the position we are always looking for technicians. However, I as well would not necessarily agree with said recruiting practice. I do know that we have made numerous changes to policy and methods of recruiting technicians and I apologize if you were offended by the events that transpired at the training session.

Moving on, I'm not 100% certain, but fairly sure that you are correct in Thermotron's stance to not sell parts or anything to contractors. Although it is a bit more involved than just the creation of competition. (admittedly it is part of the reason though). You have to understand that our equipment is involved in a very small 'niche' market and it is difficult to stay on top. It is not solely that we don't want others to service our equipment, but sometimes there are new parts, etc... that are invented to help acheive different properties. Many of those parts are fabricated right here in our factory, and well if the wrong people get their hands on them...well I'm sure you get the picture. :D if you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me.

thermotron1
12-26-2006, 09:34 AM
Welcome to the site Bob. I worked on a Thermotron mini-max unit last winter. Had to replace the second stage compressor. Nice units. They will get your beer cold in a hurry.:D

What other unit will cook a turkey in it, and then be able to cool your beer while your eating? :D Wow....think of the applications...great football gameday gifts for your buddies! *just kidding*

PrestonPierce
12-26-2006, 09:39 AM
How much do the tech jobs pay.Is this the company that makes environmental chambers ?

Pay good technician = _____

Pay great technicien = _____

Notso good technician = ______

Jettaknight
12-26-2006, 10:00 AM
Hmm... Something smells fishy here. Sounds like a recruitment happening.

Thermotrons signature looks suspicious and Lil' Preston took the bait!:eek:

PrestonPierce
12-26-2006, 10:02 AM
its HVAC work some of us may need it.

Jettaknight
12-26-2006, 10:08 AM
its HVAC work some of us may need it.

Hey lil' buddy, I'm just yanking yer chain.:D
In all seriousness check the website out. Quite interesting.

Thermo, do you folks do much sales and service in Toronto, On? Canada for that matter?
I seem to remember seeing some similar equipment in labs we worked on.

thermotron1
12-26-2006, 10:56 AM
Hey lil' buddy, I'm just yanking yer chain.:D
In all seriousness check the website out. Quite interesting.

Thermo, do you folks do much sales and service in Toronto, On? Canada for that matter?
I seem to remember seeing some similar equipment in labs we worked on.

Yeah, we do have some pieces of equipment in Canada. I'm not for certain where the concentration of our equipment is though. We are a world wide company, of course the majority of our test chambers reside in the U.S.

thermotron1
12-26-2006, 10:58 AM
its HVAC work some of us may need it.

Preston-
The pay really depends on pre-exsisting experience as well as the location of the Technician position. We have equipment nationwide (world wide for that matter) and the pay will be a reflection of the cost of living for each particular area.

PrestonPierce
12-26-2006, 05:38 PM
Thank you very much for the reply,


Could you tell me what this statement means

"We seek skilled refrigeration service specialists, with an entrepreneurial spirit,"

Does this mean it is like subcontracting?

What if a good tech applied and he didn't need much training in these lab environments and he had more experience than most of your existing techs, and he lived in southern Michigan what could he expect to earn with your company in wage and benefits?

markettech
12-26-2006, 05:42 PM
Thank you very much for the reply,


Could you tell me what this statement means

"We seek skilled refrigeration service specialists, with an entrepreneurial spirit,"

Does this mean it is like subcontracting?

What if a good tech applied and he didn't need much training in these lab environments and he had more experience than most of your existing techs, and he lived in southern Michigan what could he expect to earn with your company in wage and benefits.

..................And what if a frog had wings...............would it still bump its a$$ when it jumped??:cool:

PrestonPierce
12-26-2006, 05:44 PM
To make it easier , can an excellent tech earn 100 thousand working for Thermotron ?

HeyBob
12-26-2006, 06:30 PM
Preston, you're in Michigan? We got a bunch of beer drinking guys here from Michigan that hang once a month or so...........













Ahhhhhhhhhhh.........the new guy always buys.:D

otto
12-26-2006, 06:36 PM
I'm quite sure I have nothing constructive to add to this post.

Jettaknight
12-27-2006, 06:42 AM
I'm quite sure I have nothing constructive to add to this post.

Isn't that why we're here?:confused:

thermotron1
12-27-2006, 07:42 AM
To make it easier , can an excellent tech earn 100 thousand working for Thermotron ?

Preston, unfortunately as company policy I am unable to disclose any sort of wage range with individuals that have not applied for employment at Thermotron. I am certainly not avoiding your question, however my hands are tied.

I can however address your question inquiring about an 'entrepreneurial spirit'. Our field service techs are essentially running their own business in each remote location. No it is not a sub-contracting position. They are responsible for managing their own schedule, fielding calls directly from customers (no central dispatch), managing a budget, controlling an inventory, seeking out new business, etc...Basically the field service tech's are determining their own level of success without someone else standing over their shoulder at all times micro-managing them. Therefore, that is why a 'entrepreneurial spirit' is desired.

I hope that I have done a sufficient job in answering your question. If you have any further questions, comments or concerns feel free to e-mail me.


<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Please put your email in your profile

PrestonPierce
12-27-2006, 04:07 PM
I just don't understand. but I suppose if the pay were worth mentioning they would let you mention it.

HeyBob
12-27-2006, 04:20 PM
I just don't understand. but I suppose if the pay were worth mentioning they would let you mention it.


Pricing is not allowed on this website, I take that to mean the discussion of salarys also, but that's just my interpretation.

Please read Forum Rules (http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=1241)

PrestonPierce
12-27-2006, 04:22 PM
........:o

vfdking
12-27-2006, 06:46 PM
I hear management likes the "work from home concept", they give you a fax machine and set you up with accounts the main problems are lack of support and most of the time you don’t make the 40 hours, at some point there was a woman running the show and she didn’t know much about anything but screwing with techs pay,are you a tech-salesman?, I met an ex-thermotron tech through RSES and he hated them with passion.

100% true, they suck, worst than Aggreko.

PrestonPierce
12-27-2006, 09:05 PM
I'm glad you fellows have let us in on them. Thats what really counts is what the people that all ready worked for them say about them.I asked how much they paid and it was a like a god dam secret or something. I hate people that aren't just straight up. When you ask them a question. if I wanted to be an entrepeneur I would of got a small buisness loan not fill out a dam application.

Dowadudda
12-27-2006, 09:23 PM
This entire thread, is a perfect example of why the internet is the great DEMOCRATIZER.

Truth to the people. ;)

I have always wondered about their gig. Let's face it, it is interesting. But they don't pay well.

I don;t get why they think this kind of a structure is better over others. Doesn't make any sense to me. A true Factory Tech traditional structure would yeild them more talented guys. Just an opinion.

gruntly
12-27-2006, 09:29 PM
They are responsible for managing their own schedule, fielding calls directly from customers (no central dispatch), managing a budget, controlling an inventory, seeking out new business, etc...Basically the field service tech's are determining their own level of success without someone else standing over their shoulder at all times micro-managing them. Therefore, that is why a 'entrepreneurial spirit' is desired.

Funny... Sounds somewhat familiar... like an Amway or Aloa Vera ad. Tupperware?

If all a tech wants to do is make 40 every week, he can't be doing the admin and field work.

Sorry if I'm cynical... I've been in business too long to think any other way.

PrestonPierce
12-27-2006, 09:35 PM
Thanks Gruntly I think thats what I was trying to say thats why my comments about the 100,000 dollars was made. I did not expect to make a hundred thousand dollars

Dowadudda
12-27-2006, 09:37 PM
it's funny you say that. They are relatively close, geographically speaking, being world wide, because they are very close to where Amway is Headquartered in the Grand Rapids, MI area.

PrestonPierce
12-27-2006, 09:39 PM
Hey how long does it to make diamond club there ? LOL

Jettaknight
12-27-2006, 11:15 PM
Funny... Sounds somewhat familiar... like an Amway or Aloa Vera ad. Tupperware?

If all a tech wants to do is make 40 every week, he can't be doing the admin and field work.

Sorry if I'm cynical... I've been in business too long to think any other way.

Bullseye! I knew it smelt fishy! Maybe that's why we don't see it up here.

thermotron1
12-28-2006, 08:34 AM
STOP PICKING ON ME!!!! :D :D :D

Just kidding.

In any case, we are not structured in any way shape or form like amway. It is very true they are close in proximity, however that does not translate into our pay structure being the same as ours as well. To be honest we have a traditional pay structure. hourly base pay + overtime + bonus (paid out based on service calls made throughout the course of the year) = annual pay.

All that being said, the original intent of the post was to say 'hello' ....

coolwhip
12-28-2006, 08:56 AM
This entire thread, is a perfect example of why the internet is the great DEMOCRATIZER.

Truth to the people. ;)

I have always wondered about their gig. Let's face it, it is interesting. But they don't pay well.

I don;t get why they think this kind of a structure is better over others. Doesn't make any sense to me. A true Factory Tech traditional structure would yeild them more talented guys. Just an opinion.

I bet they do this so they dont have to pay into workmans comp., or provide liability-health insurance. You can service our equipment, but you will not have our backing if the sheit hits the fan.

thermotron1
12-28-2006, 09:12 AM
I bet they do this so they dont have to pay into workmans comp., or provide liability-health insurance. You can service our equipment, but you will not have our backing if the sheit hits the fan.

Not the case at all, we hire only direct employees. Also, we have a very comprehensive health care, retirement package. As well we do have workmans comp. coverage, short/long term disability, etc.

coolwhip
12-28-2006, 09:20 AM
Would your techs be covered under the the companies liability insurance? Also, do they provide a company vehicle? if not, what compensation do they provide when useing your own work truck?

thermotron1
12-28-2006, 09:26 AM
Would your techs be covered under the the companies liability insurance? Also, do they provide a company vehicle? if not, what compensation do they provide when useing your own work truck?

yes to the insurance and yes to the vehicle.

coolwhip
12-28-2006, 09:32 AM
Well allrighty then.:) I dont see an issue, and I can understand not wanting to discuss pay. I would'nt either until I knew the qualifications of the tech and observed his or her performance.

PrestonPierce
12-28-2006, 05:10 PM
dot they have sign on bonuses?

thermotron1
12-29-2006, 06:37 AM
dot they have sign on bonuses?

No we do not offer a sign on bonus.

Dowadudda
12-29-2006, 07:17 PM
THERMOTRON,

I want to know more.

The Penguin
12-29-2006, 07:19 PM
Looks like a good way to learn how to run a biz before you run a biz for your self

PrestonPierce
12-29-2006, 07:20 PM
Can we moonlight?

thermotron1
01-02-2007, 08:48 AM
THERMOTRON,

I want to know more.

What more would you like to know? You can visit our website if you'd like. www.thermotron.com

Preston-
I'm sorry but we do not have an opportunities at this time for moonlighting. If I remember correctly you said that you are in the SE part of Michigan, we are actually slowing down in that region of the country a bit right now because of the lull in automobile production, however other regions are really taking off at this time.

valdelocc
01-02-2007, 11:37 AM
good luck working for Tammi, she is a @#@#%&**#@ and a &&%$#@@ plus a huge C*** :D

markettech
01-02-2007, 11:58 AM
Ooohhhhh - Thats My Kinda Woman :D

PrestonPierce
01-02-2007, 08:40 PM
What more would you like to know? You can visit our website if you'd like. www.thermotron.com

Preston-
I'm sorry but we do not have an opportunities at this time for moonlighting. If I remember correctly you said that you are in the SE part of Michigan, we are actually slowing down in that region of the country a bit right now because of the lull in automobile production, however other regions are really taking off at this time.


So do you have a relocation plan?

slimwoodie
01-02-2007, 10:46 PM
ya .....
always lookin'
'cause ya better like to travel .......

Jettaknight
01-02-2007, 11:03 PM
So do you have a relocation plan?
:confused: Planning on leaving school?:confused:

curdogg08
01-11-2007, 12:53 AM
hey thermotron, i read just briefly threw this thread, but are you a mech on enviromental chambers? I ask because we have 27 of your machines and sometimes they throw me for a loop. Im sure youve seen our account @ nas jax.

thermotron1
01-15-2007, 10:13 AM
So do you have a relocation plan?

No, we do not offer a relocation plan at this time. The stance that we have adopted is we are hiring for a particular territory, and the job is in that territory. Therefore if you wanted to live in that territory it is your responsibility to get there.

thermotron1
01-15-2007, 10:14 AM
hey thermotron, i read just briefly threw this thread, but are you a mech on enviromental chambers? I ask because we have 27 of your machines and sometimes they throw me for a loop. Im sure youve seen our account @ nas jax.

curdogg, I apologize but I am not a mechanic for our environmental chambers. You do have quite a few pieces of our equipment. Have you tried to contact our technical advising department?

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