Dakota Supply Group - Index

Dakota Supply Group - dakotaoctober - Index

to furnaces and air conditioners, Niemela only
installs Armstrong Air, a highly respected name
in the heating and plumbing industry, and one
available through DSG. In 2000, Mike’s Plumbing
& Heating even became part of the Armstrong Air
Comfort Team, making it an elite dealer of the
national heating and cooling company.
In addition to putting quality products to use,
Mike’s Plumbing & Heating does everything it
can to ensure that its customers are treated well.
A unique take on business is that Niemela doesn’t
carry a cell phone. “I don’t like to interrupt the
time I have with my customers to answer a phone,”
says Niemela. “Plus, I’d rather visit with them on
a job site than over the phone, and I’ve gotten by
just fine without one.”
An important key to the success of Mike’s
Plumbing & Heating is its ability to provide
customers with an opportunity to check out
the heating, cooling and plumbing products in
person. Niemela uses DSG’s extensive showroom
in Alexandria to do this. “We used to have our
own showroom, but inventory costs became too
high,” says Niemela. “It’s worked out great to send
people to DSG where they can see up close what
they want and what they’re going to get. It helps to
eliminate surprises.”
Mike’s Plumbing & Heating has no inhibitions
about sending customers to DSG because it knows
that they are in good hands. “Our customers have
commented on how nice and helpful the staff at
DSG is,” says Niemela. “It’s nice to know that our
customers are being treated well.”
The new DSG facility in Alexandria has greatly
helped Mike’s Plumbing & Heating in other ways,
as well. “The new building carries more of the
things we need,” says Niemela. “It’s helped us keep
our inventory down, and back orders are virtually
nonexistent.” DSG delivers products like furnaces,
bath bases, shower stalls, air-conditioning units,
pipes, fittings, etc. to Mike’s Plumbing & Heating
at least twice a week.
For Mike’s Plumbing & Heating, every job is
unique. The people are different. The products are
different, but the commitment to VIP treatment
remains the same. That’s why, for them, it’s
important to have good people like those at DSG
working alongside them to treat customers right.
ABOVE: DSG’s showroom in Alexandria, MN, is utilized by many
of Mike’s Plumbing & Heating’s customers.
BELOW: New York Mills, MN, is home to the Lund Boat
Company plant, as well as Niemela’s free mini-golf course.
MECHANICAL
Fall 2008 CONNECTIONS 17