Family-run heating, cooling business continues to expand with new location, staff, customer base
In the last week of July, as temperatures across East Multnomah County spiked above 100 degrees, a company dedicated to bringing comfort to community worked long overtime hours to keep everyone safe.
Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning, which has been a staple of the Gresham business community for two decades, had crews working on overdrive the week of July 25th. In total they installed and repaired 1,392 cooling units, prioritizing longtime customers and anyone in danger from the high heats.
“Heating and cooling is not super exciting until you don’t have it,” said Amy Clawson, corporate secretary who opened the business alongside her husband Mike in 1995.
While heat waves these past two summers have put the spotlight on Clawsons, it doesn’t take a traumatic weather event to spur the family-owned business into action. The growing team is continuing to expand its footprint within the community — with a new physical location, growing customer base, and programs to give back to local nonprofits.
“We are bringing a great deal of customer service to the heating industry,” Clawson said. “We want to change people’s ideas about the industry and be a part of this community.”
Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning, 143 N.E. Elliott Ave., is focused on residential forced air systems as well as ductless heat pumps, but that just scratches the surface of all it offers. Any needs related to HVAC systems falls under their purview, with a service radius of about 30-miles from their office.
“When we do an installation we take care of the full gambit — financing, permitting, subcontractors, inspections, repairs, rebates — it’s the full service,” Clawson said.
It all began with Mike Clawson’s desire to own his own business. He had worked for years for a bevy of companies, and with that experience knew he could set out on his own path. Amy joined the eponymous business to help set up the LLC and promised a year in the office to keep things running smoothly.
“That year stretched a little longer than I expected,” she said with a laugh.
The burgeoning business started in Troutdale out of their home, moved into the Birdsdale Business Center, and then a standalone structure down the road. In every case Clawsons kept outgrowing those spaces, necessitating the move. That is what spurred the latest shift to its current location along Elliott Avenue — and even now there are murmurs of a future expansion.
“We keep outgrowing the buildings and parking lots,” Clawson said.
Right now the business, which is looking to hire, has five service technicians, four installation crews, and the team in the office that prioritizes customer service above all else.
“The people in East County are great, we have a lot of loyal customers and we enjoy those interactions through the years,” Clawson said. “If you have a need, we will be there for you.”
Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning
143 N.E. Elliott Ave.
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
503-405-4535
clawsonheating.com
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