Jason Kelsick and Federal Air Conditioning making cash the cool way

By Joyette Mills-Ward
Business Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Federal Air Conditioning Building

Basseterre; ST. Kitts - Jason Kelsick, proprietor of Federal Air Conditioning has come a long way since he made his first foray into the Air Conditioning industry almost ten years ago as an agent for Peake Industries in Trinidad.

Back then he knew very little about the industry, but through the encouragement and support of the agents of Peake Trinidad and confidence in himself, he now heads his own business which employs four persons and imports 40 foot containers of stock regularly to keep up with the demand of today’s market.

Kelsick remembers being very apprehensive about what he was getting into when he ordered his first shipment of air conditioners. However, he swallowed his fear of the unknown and set about learning all he could about the industry and now almost ten years later, though he still does business with the company which baptised him in the cooling technology, he is the one calling the shots.

“Federal Air Conditioning stocks four main brands of air conditioning units, namely Chigo, Peake, York and Miller. However, we have access to basically any brand on the market.

Some clients request a specific brand that they want to have installed and we have to source it, whether it is Carrier, Train, TDM or other brands,” Kelsick told SKNVibes.com during an intimate chat.

The company has warehouse space of 10,000 square feet which is kept well stocked with units, and accessories. Kelsick explained that in the industry people expect to request an air conditioning unit and have it accessible right away.

“The climate we live in is hot all year round and people do not want to live in discomfort. When they decide to install air conditioning, they don’t want to hear it will take two or three weeks...they want it done that day, if not sooner to get relief from the heat,” he joked.

He indicated that changes in the air-condition market within the last eight or nine years had made it very customer friendly in terms of prices, making what was luxury in the past, an affordable commodity today. 

“What China has done basically, is what we refer to as ‘dumping’ meaning that they dump their products on the world market at almost cost price if not below cost price just to get into the market. What you used to pay for a 12000 unit six years ago you are paying less than half of it now because of competition from the Chinese product,” Kelsick said.

This phenomenon he said made it necessary for him to import Chinese products in order to remain competitive. This, he said, contributed to a market demand great enough for him and his competitors to each get a fair share of the business.

Kelsick highlighted the importance of regular unit maintenance as it related to the longevity of the air conditioning systems.

“Owners of air-conditioning units must maintain and service these appliances after installation in order to extend their useful life. It’s a very simple process that takes maybe a half an hour every month. As the saying goes if you take care of it, it will take care of you and be with you for a long time.”

Although there is no outlet or agent for Federal Air-conditioning in Nevis, Kelsick informed of an alliance with a company on Nevis which has over 30 years of experience which gives his company access to technical and design expertise. As Kelsick aspires to have that same expertise in-house he will be sending one of his staff to acquire further training in related fields.

Kelsick said that business is ‘lock stock and barrel’ in his blood, and that he could not see himself doing anything else but this.  In addition to his ownership of Federal Air Conditioning, he is a partner at Stonewalls Restaurant and recently divested himself of part-ownership of NAGICO, based in St. Kitts.

Aside from self discipline and determination, Kelsick applies these words of wisdom to his everyday life: “Know where you want to go, keep a positive outlook and try not to dwell in the past.”