Marc and Michael Newman – a father and son team – are leading Standard Refrigerators Inc., a family-owned business that began in 1945, into its third generation of serving New Yorkers.
The Long Island City-based business provides premier design, installation and service for air conditioning, commercial and laboratory refrigeration, heating, ice machines, wine coolers and ventilation systems throughout the New York region.
“It’s an incredible neighborhood because we are convenient to everything,” said Marc, who is the President of the company and began working there in 1973 for his father-in-law, Milton Levine.
The company, which has about 14 employees including 8 to 10 mechanics – some who have been with the company more than 30 years – provides 24/7 service to offices, commercial buildings, financial institutions, factories, hospitals, computer rooms, restaurants, retail businesses, residential buildings and high end residential homes. One of the company’s biggest clients is the New York Blood Center, so the staff is always on call to help the clients it services.
Ten years ago, Michael came into the family business, and he currently serves as the Director of Operations of the company, overseeing all of its daily operations. During his time with the company, Michael said that a number of technology advancements have been occurring in the industry. He mentioned improvements to equipment, which is making greener refrigerators that are less harmful to the environment.
“We are installing units that are so efficient that they can heat and cool at the same time,” Michael said.
Both Marc and Michael realize that it is important to be involved in the communities they work in and serve. Standard Refrigerators actively participates in the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Long Island City Business Improvement District, Mechanical Contractors Association of New York, Mechanical Service Contractors Association and the Long Island Green Building Council.
“The community is valuable to us in terms of our business and as a result of that we need to be involved in the community and making it better from whatever perspective we can do that from,” Marc said.
The company has also worked with a number of non-profit associations – many times at cost or work rates or reduced costs.
Meanwhile, Michael is the President-elect of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), New York Chapter, and he will take over as President beginning in 2011.
“There’s been a lot of older generations, and I’m one of the newer generations and bringing the youth to the table is nice so we can get some new ideas going,” Michael said.
For more information about the company, visit standardrefrigerators.com or call 718-937-0490.
