ACtion Magazine - September/October 2015 - (Page 14)

Experienced and new perspectives converge at Airsept T AirSept his year, MACS ACTION™ has been reporting on multi-generational family members working together in the mobile A/C industry in our MACS member profiles, and father and daughter Greg and Michelle McGuinness of AirSept are a perfect example of industry experience and fresh perspectives coming together to build success. AirSept has always been family focused, as AirSept founder and Industry Pioneer Myron Stein upon his retirement, passed control of the company to step-son Aaron Becker. Mobile A/C industry veteran Greg McGuinness joined the team as executive vice president in 2009 and last year his daughter Michelle began work at AirSept as sales and marketing coordinator. A long-time MACS Member, AirSept offers a wide range of unique, proprietary repair solutions and they were just issued their 27th patent worldwide. Greg explains, "Many of the products we offer were created to solve service issues for vehicle manufacturers; we're a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier to 18 OEMs around the world. The company began in 1989 as a chemical manufacturer, and A/C odor abatement products are still a big part of our business. Over the last few years, we've expanded into OEM, aftermarket and custom filtration for multiple automotive systems. Our Smart Splice line repair products and Compressor Guard filter plates represent a significant share of our overall sales." We asked Greg, why bring your daughter into your work place and the mobile A/C industry? 14 ACTION * September/October 2015 He told us, "I think the future of AirSept and this industry is reliant on new ideas and a younger perspective. The timing is perfect for Michelle and her peers to take a leadership role in the business over the next few years. What I've learned from Michelle is that our industry, like most others, is resistant to change, but change is already here and she intends to be at the forefront of the transition." After her first year, Michelle has found, "The learning curve is like no other, because AirSept develops and markets such a diverse range of products. What we do is a second language to our team, and having me come on board with limited product knowledge was frustrating for both sides. When I would ask, 'What does this part do?' They would look at me like I had three heads and not understand why I didn't get it. They have learned that I need their help on occasion, and I have learned that some things cannot be taught, just gained through experience. "Before joining AirSept, I thought the industry was more about competitors selling the same products to a set customer base. I quickly learned that it is not the case. There are many different niches in this business, and AirSept is a great example of that. As a 24-year-old woman who is new to the industry, working in an office full of men who have been doing this for their entire careers has definitely been a bit of culture shock for all of us. I have a very different perspective on product marketing versus the team that I work with. I believe this is a huge advantage for AirSept. Because of that, we can find new ways to relate to many more demographics than those we have traditionally pursued. "I think working the MACS and AAPEX tradeshows left the biggest impression on me, in a very positive way. It was the first time I had a chance to do what I truly love, which is to talk to people in person, not just over the phone. I actually had to pitch products to random customers at these tradeshows, and it was awesome! The best part of it all was finally meeting so many industry members personally and getting to know them." Greg's most important piece of advice for Michelle is, "I've told her that no matter how advanced technology becomes, this will always be a people business. Success in our industry hinges on relationships." Greg has been involved in MACS since 1990 and values his membership for staying on top of technology and developing the industry relationships so important to continued personal and business growth. You can meet Greg, Michelle and the whole AirSept team at the MACS 2016 Training Event and Trade Show, February 11-13, at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, FL. ❆

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - September/October 2015

Cooling the '55 Chevy
Servicing an A6 Compressor
Cruising the Classics in California
Outlook
Leonard's Law
Virtual View
Service Port
Last Watch
Member Profile
By the Numbers
Industry News
Association News
New Products
In Memoriam

ACtion Magazine - September/October 2015