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Contractor Louis Fuentes (left) and Gabriela Fuentes-Becerril at the Becerril Air air conditioning office in El Centro on Thursday. The family-owned business has been around 60 years. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / October 13, 2011) |
Louis A. Fuentes, Becerril Air dba: B Air
775 E. Danenberg Drive., (In the IV Mall) El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2244
www.becerrilair.com
Tell us how you ended up in this line of work.
Since 1951, Becerril Air has been a family business. It is now in its third generation. We were pioneers in this border region bringing comfort and air conditioning to peoples’ homes and businesses. Becerril Air continues to provide the latest in technology, energy efficiency and comfort.
Describe what your business does.
We provide air-conditioning solutions to customers with a variety of products to meet any cooling or heating needs. Becerril Air installs, replaces and repairs air-conditioning systems. Manufacturers of the B Air brand of A/C systems.
What are memories from your career that stick out with you the most?
During the construction boom, we had 10 housing tracts that we were working on simultaneously. With over 30 employees, it was hectic.
What do you most like and least like about your work?
I most like that fact that we provide comfort and quality products to customers. Our B Air products reduce energy consumption, which translates into monthly savings for a family. After they purchase our products, they now have extra cash in the household to spend on other things; school supplies, food, gas or education expenses. By reducing their energy bill, they don’t have to spend more every month. I least like the fact that banks are not very accepting of people’s credit. This is an area where air conditioning is a critical part of survival. Banks do not care or understand that a new system will improve a family’s household cash flow and actually allow their debt ratio to decrease by not paying high energy bills but saving money every month.
What makes your business unique?
Our uniqueness stems from the fact that we are not only HVAC contractors, but we also have invested heavily in manufacturing. We have our own line of air-conditioning products that are quiet, energy efficient and affordable. Our B Air brand is built to last. Also, we are the only air-conditioning company in the Imperial Valley that has committed to energy reduction and a great example of this is the fact that we are the only company that offers airconditioning systems that can be powered by the sun. Our SunSource airconditioning systems can have solar panels installed that will power the system. No other air-conditioning company in the Valley can provide this.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to open a business?
I would say that the bureaucracy will be the most challenging part of the business. All the regulations imposed can be overwhelming and time consuming to manage. Keep your business model simple and always keep up with the latest technology to make your processes simple.
How do you give back to the local community?
Becerril Air believes that we also have a responsibility to not only operate in this community, but to give back and enhance it. We have sponsored a variety of activities that help keep our youth busy in recreational sports programs and out of trouble. Some examples of this are:
- Godfather business of the Calexico Parents Athletic League with over 4,000 children in soccer, basketball and softball.
775 E. Danenberg Drive., (In the IV Mall) El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2244
www.becerrilair.com
Tell us how you ended up in this line of work.
Since 1951, Becerril Air has been a family business. It is now in its third generation. We were pioneers in this border region bringing comfort and air conditioning to peoples’ homes and businesses. Becerril Air continues to provide the latest in technology, energy efficiency and comfort.
Describe what your business does.
We provide air-conditioning solutions to customers with a variety of products to meet any cooling or heating needs. Becerril Air installs, replaces and repairs air-conditioning systems. Manufacturers of the B Air brand of A/C systems.
What are memories from your career that stick out with you the most?
During the construction boom, we had 10 housing tracts that we were working on simultaneously. With over 30 employees, it was hectic.
What do you most like and least like about your work?
I most like that fact that we provide comfort and quality products to customers. Our B Air products reduce energy consumption, which translates into monthly savings for a family. After they purchase our products, they now have extra cash in the household to spend on other things; school supplies, food, gas or education expenses. By reducing their energy bill, they don’t have to spend more every month. I least like the fact that banks are not very accepting of people’s credit. This is an area where air conditioning is a critical part of survival. Banks do not care or understand that a new system will improve a family’s household cash flow and actually allow their debt ratio to decrease by not paying high energy bills but saving money every month.
What makes your business unique?
Our uniqueness stems from the fact that we are not only HVAC contractors, but we also have invested heavily in manufacturing. We have our own line of air-conditioning products that are quiet, energy efficient and affordable. Our B Air brand is built to last. Also, we are the only air-conditioning company in the Imperial Valley that has committed to energy reduction and a great example of this is the fact that we are the only company that offers airconditioning systems that can be powered by the sun. Our SunSource airconditioning systems can have solar panels installed that will power the system. No other air-conditioning company in the Valley can provide this.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to open a business?
I would say that the bureaucracy will be the most challenging part of the business. All the regulations imposed can be overwhelming and time consuming to manage. Keep your business model simple and always keep up with the latest technology to make your processes simple.
How do you give back to the local community?
Becerril Air believes that we also have a responsibility to not only operate in this community, but to give back and enhance it. We have sponsored a variety of activities that help keep our youth busy in recreational sports programs and out of trouble. Some examples of this are:
- Godfather business of the Calexico Parents Athletic League with over 4,000 children in soccer, basketball and softball.
