Scaling for Success: How Piedmont Service Group Thrives with Strategic Partnerships

When Piedmont Service Group joined the Service Logic family nearly two decades ago, they took a calculated risk in prioritizing growth over stability, propelling their company to unprecedented success. What began as a single-market operation grew into a thriving multibranch business with nine locations in the Carolinas and Virginia. 

Achieving this kind of growth takes more than time — it demands visionary leadership, strategic planning and the right partnerships. Read on to see how Piedmont Service Group adapted to a leadership change with the help of Service Logic. 

Navigating a Successful Ownership Change

In 2006, brothers Buddy and Larry Kelly were preparing to retire and sell their Raleigh, North Carolina-based company, Piedmont Air Conditioning. As they reviewed their options, ensuring they were leaving their leadership team and employees in capable hands was a top priority. After careful evaluation of bidding companies, Service Logic emerged as a top candidate. 

Keith Summey, a shareholder at the time and current president at Piedmont Service Group, understood the weight of this transition. “This decision would either position us for long-term success or lead to stagnation,” Summey reflected. 

PSG needed significant updates, including a new enterprise resource planning system, and was seeking avenues for growth. After hearing positive feedback from companies that had been acquired by Service Logic, they decided to move forward with the acquisition. 

“Service Logic asked us a pivotal question: ‘What could you do that would significantly grow your business faster?’” Summey said. “And this sparked a new era of dreaming of what our business could become.” 

Previously, Piedmont Service Group had wanted to expand into other regions but had moved at a slower pace, preferring to hire only after securing the necessary revenue. But, with support from Service Logic, PSG was able to accelerate hiring salespeople, which, in turn, drove significant revenue growth.

3 Keys to Success Behind Service Logic’s Acquisitions Program

Service Logic introduced PSG to a set of best practices that became foundational for the company’s growth.

1. Filling Leadership Roles Appropriately 

Effective leadership was the cornerstone of PSG’s advancement. They recognized the need for general managers who could combine visionary thinking and operational expertise with sales acumen. While finding all three qualities in one individual is rare, they learned to prioritize at least two and support the rest through specialized managers.

“Before, we hired managers with strong service operational skills, which provided stability but lacked growth,” Summey said. “Incorporating sales aptitude brought a totally different mindset that led to us securing a lot of new clients.” 

PSG even opened up the hiring pool to sales professionals outside the HVAC industry, focusing on candidates with transferable service management experience. This approach brought new and fresh ideas, driving rapid growth for the company. 

2. Creating a Scalable Business Structure 

With strong leadership in place, Service Logic and the team at PSG then focused on creating a scalable business structure. They centralized functions such as accounting, safety and training to their Raleigh office, freeing branch teams to focus on sales and operations.

“Service Logic provided a wealth of training and knowledge that we could use and distribute across our branches,” Summey said. 

This infrastructure helped PSG replicate success across multiple locations, maintaining consistent service quality and efficient operations. 

3. Fostering a People-Focused Culture

Lastly, a people-first mindset became a defining characteristic of PSG’s culture. The company prioritized succession planning and employee development, ensuring that every team member felt they were contributing to the business’s success.

“We employed Service Logic’s training resources and created opportunities for growth, especially as we opened new branches,” Summey said. “This helped us retain key talent while attracting new professionals eager to join a company that gives them avenues to develop their careers.”

By empowering employees, PSG built a diversely talented and motivated workforce that has proven a key component to sustaining the company’s growth. 

A Blueprint for Success 

Joining Service Logic gave Piedmont Service Group the tools, resources and confidence to test new business practices. For companies considering a similar journey to Piedmont Service Group, Summey offers the following advice: 

• Take educated risks — Develop a flexible plan and adapt as needed. If you see something going sideways, don’t give up; reevaluate and adjust. 
• Stay humble — Seek advice and remain open to new ideas. Listen to others within your company, no matter their role. And consult the folks at Service Logic. They’re not going to micromanage you, but they are there to help. 
• Commit to growth — Balance short-term goals with long-term strategies. Some actions will pay off in six months, others in 12 to 16 months. Both are necessary to sustain momentum. 

Take Your Business to the Next Level 

Through Service Logic’s Acquisition Program, companies including Piedmont Service Group tap into an arsenal of resources, expertise, training and best practices, helping them to scale their business and nurture the growth of their teams. 

Interested in joining the Service Logic family? Contact us to learn more.