Bob Hillebrandt’s vision for LoTemp Equipment Company came into focus in 1979 when he launched the business in some unoccupied warehouse space in a north Omaha.
“I wanted to take my expertise in the engineering and refrigeration fields and help companies grow,” he says. “I knew that if I maximized my knowledge and skills, I could help customers drastically reduce the stress and complications that comes with running a business.”
Almost four decades later, LoTemp has established itself as a leader in providing refrigeration engineering, installation, service and parts to customers throughout the Midwest.
“LoTemp has a 39-year record of success,” Bob says. “It would be easy to rest on our laurels, but our customers rely on us to anticipate and respond to their refrigeration needs.”
Winning Insights from Our February Winner:
- Providing an Excellent Customer Experience
“We are driven to doing the things the right way whether it’s meeting project deadlines, providing customer-specific engineering, consistently responding to customers’ service needs, or providing common-sense solutions,” says LoTemp’s John Hillebrandt.
- Empowering Employees and Creating a Culture in which They Can Grow and Succeed
“Since LoTemp is in a specialized market – ammonia refrigeration – we offer an extensive in-house training program that includes classroom time, 3rd party factory training, and on-the-job, directly supervised training,” John says. “At LoTemp, we stress the learning that comes from making the mistake, not the fear of making one. LoTemp is supportive, both morally and financially, of employees that want to better themselves from taking additional classes or training.”
- Best Practice Tip
“LoTemp’s strength has been its ability to anticipate and respond to a customer’s needs. In doing so, our customers’ day-to-day operations are a lot less hectic and they can concentrate on developing their business instead of avoiding equipment and system failures,” John explains.
- Value of Chamber Involvement
“The Greater Omaha Chamber has helped LoTemp by attracting and retaining food processors and other industries with a need for industrial refrigeration solutions. This is LoTemp’s customer base,” John says. “The Chamber has also helped put LoTemp in contact with complementary companies to allow us to offer customers’ a fully realized solution.”
- Prioritizing Community Involvement
“Everyone at LoTemp is involved in volunteering in the community,” John says. “Multiple LoTemp employees serve as mentors within the mechanical contractors community, volunteer their time as coaches for various sports, sit as members of church and neighborhood organizations, and actively participate in the north Omaha community.”
Want to learn more about LoTemp? Check out the companies’ website.
United Republic Bank is the sponsor of the Small Business of the Month award. View more information or nominate a small business online.
