Syles Mechanical Services Ltd. celebrates half century
In 1967, in a barn in Tecumseh, a local company focused on heating, cooling and sheet metal began with just two employees and one company vehicle.
At the time, the business was called Syles Enterprises Ltd., and Sylvio Lesperance Sr. was the brave backbone behind the venture. He had decided to start the business after working several years in the field.
“I just felt that I could provide more for my growing family by working on my own rather than working for someone else,” says Lesperance Sr.
He says once he decided he would be better off as head of his own business, he approached then owner of Riverside Roofing, Steve Zold, and asked to borrow $6,000 as start-up funding, and he agreed.
Now, five decades later, Syles Mechanical Services Ltd. – which is what it’s now called – is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the company has greatly grown and expanded. Currently, there are 45 employees and a fleet of 25 vehicles. And the company now provides not just heating and cooling, but plumbing and electrical as well.
That barn where it all started, located at Lesperance Road and E.C. Row Expressway, is now a Home Hardware store. The company is now located in a much larger space on Odessa Drive in Tecumseh.
“I never thought when I started this that it would be where it is today,” says Lesperance Sr.
In its first 20 years, the main focus at Syles was sheet metal work and HVAC commercial and residential installations. In the 1970s, the company grew to eight employees.
Then Lesperance Sr.’s son, Sylvio Lesperance Jr., took over the company in 1988. His business focus shifted to HVAC service and residential new construction.
Then in 1994, Grant Higginbottom joined in the ownership of Syles and became partner of the company with Lesperance Jr. At that time, the company had reached 14 employees and was continuing to gain momentum and advance in the industry and the community.
“It is very gratifying to see where Sylvio Jr. and Grant have taken this company,” says Lesperance Sr.
It was in 2000 that the company experienced the notable expansion of adding in electrical and plumbing services. This changed the landscape of Syles overall, as now they were established as a full service mechanical contractor. The name of the company was changed to Syles Mechanical Service Ltd. in 2003 to better reflect the full extent of services they now offered.
Their success continued and by 2004, there were 25 people employed by Syles. Their growth and expansion also continued and in that year, they became a contractor with Union Energy – later to become known as Reliance – and added commercial water heater rentals to their growing list of what they were able to provide customers.
In 2012, Syles shifted gears away from Reliance and became a contractor with Direct Energy – now known as Enercare Home and Commercial Services. Syles has grown Enercare’s residential water heater market share significantly in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, and the owners say the next step is to increase the market
share in the rental commercial HVAC sector.
In recent years, Syles has expanded its territory to include most of Southwestern Ontario and providing mostly commercial HVAC and plumbing for the booming commercial new construction market. Additionally, Syles has entered the property restoration industry, and boasts being able to provide “one-stop HVAC, electrical and plumbing services to the restoration services providers,” say owners Lesperance Jr. and Higginbottom.
“We are fortunate to have very loyal customers and dedicated staff that work hard to keep our customers happy,” says Lesperance Jr. of the success of Syles over the past 50 years. “It has been great developing relationships with so many customers and building a team of great employees.”
Syles also specializes in gas line work, new installs, repairs, replacements, renovations, new builds and plumbing for all sectors – residential, commercial and industrial. And their complete in-house sheet metal shop allows for the manufacturing of custom duct work.
Syles also proudly supports local charities and events that make our community better, adds Higginbottom.
Lesperance Jr. and Higginbottom say they’re proud to provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year for all heating, cooling, hot water, electrical and plumbing emergencies, with trained technicians with professional experience and expertise on call at all hours.
“Our prices may not be the lowest, but our quality material and workmanship makes up for the difference in price,” explain the owners.
“We both love helping our customers find the best solutions to their HVAC, electrical and plumbing needs, and this is what keeps us motivated,” says Higginbottom. Both owners say they’ve received fantastic reception from their customer base over the years.
And as for what drives and inspires their team to make Syles the best it can be, Lesperance Jr.’s response is simple and straight to the point:
“We love the challenge of making customers happy they chose Syles!”