Ohio building technology company expanding to Fort Wayne – Inside INdiana Business

Ohio-based HVAC, building technology and services company Gardiner is adding northeast Indiana to its footprint. The company said this week it plans to open an office in Fort Wayne and serve as the exclusive factory sales representative for HVAC manufacturer Daikin.

CEO Todd Barnhart said in a news release that Fort Wayne is a natural fit with the company’s current markets due to its proximity to the Ohio border. He also noted the positive business climate in northeast Indiana.

“Much like how people have overlooked cities like Cleveland historically, most people don’t realize what’s been happening in Fort Wayne over the past several years and the growth trajectory there right now,” Barnhart said in the release. “We think we can have a positive impact on that both as an employer and as a partner in the construction sector across the region.”

Gardiner provides a variety of building technology services, including HVAC, fire and security, maintenance and repair, and water treatment, according to the company’s website.

A spokesperson for Gardiner told Inside INdiana Business that a specific financial investment in the Fort Wayne expansion hasn’t been identified yet, and the company plans to begin looking for an office space soon.

Gardiner’s presence in Fort Wayne will begin with a sales office that includes a parts outlet, and the company will first look to hire a sales engineer. A total number of new jobs created with the expansion is not yet known, but the spokesperson said the plan is to scale the office to support all of Gardiner’s businesses.

“At Gardiner, we put an emphasis on local business and long-term relationships,” Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Rob MacKinlay said in the release. “We believe in establishing operations in the places we do business. We look forward to assembling a world-class local team and becoming part of the business community in Greater Fort Wayne in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

The company plans to open the office within the next few months.

Story Continues Below