Preferred Mechanical has maintained its success within their niche market for more than 19 years by providing quality work, outstanding customer service and instituting frugal business practices.

Founded in 1999, Preferred Mechanical currently has 12 employees. They specialize in retrofit work, which includes removing and replacing equipment in occupied buildings such as hospitals and casinos.

Some of the projects that Preferred Mechanical has worked on recently include Intel, the Mesa Convention Center and Camp Verde’s Cliff Castle Casino, along with various projects from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The company works on all types of construction, but during current market trends has focused on more technical and specialized work which presents unique challenges.

“The work we do is more critical than that of many contractors,” says Preferred Mechanical Co-owner Jack Johnson. “We have to work at certain times so as not to disturb the occupants or operations of the building we’re working on. Ultimately, we need to stick to strict timelines and do the work quickly and correctly to avoid any operational interruptions.”

Preferred Mechanical’s full fabrication capabilities also set the company apart from the competition. While many companies these days buy the sheet metal duct they install, Preferred Mechanical chooses to fabricate things themselves.

“Even though this method is more expensive, it is worth it to us and our customers because by controlling the fabrication we can ensure that it is built the right way, and on time,” Johnson explains.

Preferred Mechanical also emphasizes customer service on its projects, and works hard to ensure that lines of communication remain open throughout the entirety of a project. Johnson further stresses the importance of leadership by working closely on projects alongside their employees, and he attributes the company’s success to this philosophy.

Preferred Mechanical works closely with UA Local 469 and SMW Local 359, as well as SMACNA-Arizona, and all parties benefit from the strong partnerships. Johnson teaches a second-year class to the apprentices at the halls focusing on the cost of doing business, specifically the real costs of projects and labor.

“You can’t out-produce a low wage,” Johnson often tells the apprentices. “But you can out-work them with quality, expertise and efficiency. That’s what makes the difference in a place like Arizona.”

Just like the workers themselves, at the end of the day, Preferred Mechanical has been able to sustain success by specializing in this technical work, emphasizing quality and performance against the competition. With this focus, Preferred Mechanical will continue to be a leader in this business for many decades to come.