Archive for August, 2008

Maria Donadio Golf Classic, held on June 19, 2008

Every year since its inception in 1995, Safety King has participated in a southeast Michigan MDA fund raising effort known as the Maria Donadio Golf Classic. This year, 2008, was no exception, and the outing raised over $66,000. Counting this year’s contributions, the Maria Donadio Golf Classic has passed the $1,000,000 mark in funds raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Safety King has received the certificate of appreciation shown below for our role in making this year’s outing a success.

Thursday, August 21, 2008, The Detroit News, Local Spotlight

Air-duct firm opens doors to franchising

Utica company has perfected a business model that will be offered throughout U.S.
Karen Dybis / Special to The Detroit News

As it approaches its 40th anniversary, Utica-based Safety King is looking to expand by franchising its business model throughout Michigan and the United States.

Known locally for its red trucks, the air-duct cleaning company hopes to have more than 50 franchises within the next two years, said founder and President Michael S. Palazzolo.

The new franchises will go under the name DuctPro International. Safety King will still operate around Metro Detroit as an arm of the DuctPro company, said operations manager Michael J. Palazzolo.

“It’s a natural evolution,” said Palazzolo, who also is the founder’s son and the brains behind Safety King’s decision to franchise. “For years, we’ve been training people, handling the marketing and selling equipment. … All of the pieces finally fell into place.”

An ideal franchisee is someone who is mechanically inclined and has a penchant for customer service, Michael S. Palazzolo said. The initial franchise fee is $25,000 and there is a $50,000 territory fee for an exclusive territory of 250,000 households.

Franchisees also will receive training at the company’s headquarters, customized marketing and sales programs and the use of the DuctPro brand, including its 800-number in each franchise market.

To jumpstart the franchising program, DuctPro is offering potential franchisees discounts of up to 35 percent for veterans as well as people who have been downsized by the automotive industry.

Michael S. Palazzolo founded Safety King in 1969. He was working for a heating and cooling company that did air-duct cleaning on the side, and he saw the potential to open a business that focused solely on duct work.

People clean their ducts for a variety of reasons, Michael S. Palazzolo said. Older houses tend to need it because the ducts can accumulate dust, dirt and other debris. Newer homes often need duct cleaning to remove any construction materials in the ducts, such as drywall dust and the like.

Safety King quickly set itself apart from the competition, using unique techniques like a small camera to show homeowners and commercial clients a video of what it looks like inside their ducts before and after a cleaning.

“If you’re coughing and sneezing, your ducts could be the reason,” Michael S. Palazzolo said.

While its service may be more expensive than its rivals, Michael S. Palazzolo said that Safety King trucks have better suction power than most. Also, their employees are certified through the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, the Duct Cleaners Network and the Indoor Air Quality Association. DuctPro’s future franchisees also will be certified through these same associations, Michael J. Palazzolo said.

Safety King and DuctPro also offer other services, including dryer-vent cleaning, air duct inspections and airduct sanitizer treatments.

“Our company goes to great lengths to keep people and their homes safe,” Michael S. Palazzolo said.

Karen Dybis is a Metro Detroit freelance writer.

August 1-3, 2008, 5th Annual Duct Cleaners’ Network Conference: A Win at Indy!

The Duct Cleaners Network (DCN) hosted its 5th Annual Conference August 1-3, 2008, at the Holiday Inn at the Pyramids in Indianapolis, IN. With a focus on business networking between high quality service and equipment providers coupled with peer to peer hands-on training, the programs and events were well received. Over 45 business owners attended the full conference, and all conference sessions had a 100% participation level. Sessions covered topics such as turning your business into a machine, confined space entry, creating employee manuals, and successful marketing in a down economy.

Day two of the conference was held on-site at Mite-E-Ducts/Control Tech of Zionsville. At their campus, Alan and Clay Winters facilitated several hand-on demonstrations including UV lights installation and service, zoning techniques and encapsulation. The attendees were treated to a lively and interactive keynote presentation by Mrs. Toni Cooper.

The Duct Cleaners Network has already announced plans to hold the 6th annual event at the same location in August 2009. Exact dates will be announced shortly. The DCN’s mission remains promoting interaction among its members at reasonable costs. All events are held at family friendly properties. In addition to the networking and educational programs some members even use the network to cooperatively participate in large projects together. To support true networking, DCN hosts a lively Discussion Forum. DCN members also have access to a comprehensive business audio library. More information about this exciting network and their upcoming events calendar can be found at the website,  www.ductcleanersnetwork.org.