James Clark and his partner, Colin Korody have been in the Duct Cleaning business for about 20 years in Edmonton. Four years ago they decided to go into business for themselves and founded Above All Duct Cleaning Services. They have three American Caddy Vacs with a crew of six.
Clark says Above All has historically emphasized commercial and industrial work: “We specialize in hospitals and health care. We’re 95% commercial and industrial.”
But that percentage may change going forward… “We just had a third American Caddy Vac built to start into residential work as well. We just received it after Christmas!”
Clark says they have used other powervac trucks in the past, but they just don’t stack up to the American Caddy Vac. “Honestly, to me, it just comes down to quality. The maintenance work, the easy access to maintain all the metal parts of the cleaner, the ability to reach all the equipment without difficulty.”
Working in hospitals and other multi-story buildings, Clark says they need to use portables for some of their work as well. Still, the American Caddy Vac makes even that part of the business simpler: “We bring our American Caddy Vac to the job with the portable in the back! That gives us choices. We’re able to show up at the medical or other facility with the portable and the American Caddy Vac and the crew and we only had to drive one vehicle to the job! It just makes sense.”
Clark also really likes the lines on the American Caddy Vac: “The looks… it just flows. I love the way these trucks look. They really make an impression.” Clark and Korody have their charicature on the side of each of their trucks, so you know that image and branding are important to them.
There can be challenges working in the “great white North”, mostly dealing with the cold. Clark says, “All of our cleaners are kept inside in a heated bay at night, so we start each day warm. Of course, the main issue for us, like anyone who works in the cold, is freezing of the air. We drain our tanks after each job and then we also add an additive like methyl hydrate, which Caddy Vac has provided. Again, everything is easily accessible which makes this process pretty simple.”
Clark loves the fact that when he calls to order tools or get some service advice that the crew at American Caddy Vac are there and ready to help. “I just call and explain what I need and they have answers for any problem. If it’s a part or a tool, they know exactly what I’m talking about and they ship it ASAP. They’re on it!”
Clark has a high opinion of American Caddy Vac as a truck, and as a company. “Over the years, I’ve dealt with American Caddy Vac and I’ve met with them at a couple of conferences. A lot of years ago, prior to our starting this business, Mac and his team have been there to answer questions and help with anything we need. I’ve been using their cleaners for about 15 years now. Honestly, I would say that American Caddy Vac is one of the best comanies that I’ve ever dealt with. They’re just so easy to work with. It’s amazing!”
