Jim Karnes Knows the Value of a Good Connection
By Sandra McVeigh
Sometimes the invisible comes with a price. Who knows that better than Jim Karnes? Years ago, he had a foam insulation business designed to make homes more energy efficient. Time and again, though, the biggest energy users he saw were leaking duct connections pouring out energy in basements and attics.
Today, as president and CEO of Erie-based DuraTite Systems™, LLC, he and his company team are solving those problems through patented, first-of-its-kind plastic technology in the form of polypropylene duct connectors.
Used for heating, cooling and ventilation, DuraTite connectors are self-sealing and have a fastening system that permits air-tight installation in seconds with duct board and sheet metal; and they also attach easily to metal pipe or flex duct.
DuraTite connector systems recently received UL (Underwriters Laboratories) 2043 certification — a major “fire test” hurdle for industry acceptance and entry into the commercial building sector.
“We’ve been in business a little over a year, and the level of enthusiasm we’ve seen is pushing us farther and faster than any of us expected,” said Karnes. “Within nine months, we had our first pallet orders; and we’re already negotiating an alliance with an international, flexible duct company to produce fully-assembled, factory sealed duct systems that are ready for field installation.”
DuraTite is currently focused on the U.S. residential housing and commercial construction markets; but Karnes isn’t ruling out Mexico based on an overwhelming response to DuraTite’s offerings at a Mexico-based, HVAC trade show late last year.
A huge challenge for DuraTite is that no two U.S. markets (state to state) are alike. “We’ve learned the importance of researching building codes before moving into the sales mode, and I can’t emphasize enough the importance of letting market demand determine the final design and pricing of products,” said Karnes. “Based on market feedback we’ve received, DuraTite is adding new connector sizes (4 and 5 inch) to its 6 to 8 inch product line.”
With favorable energy efficiency trends in place and demonstrated time savings during installation, Karnes and his enthusiastic team are confident that their one-of-a-kind duct system technology will make DuraTite a marketplace winner.
Sandra McVeigh is a freelance writer and founder of Spectria, LLC, a B-to-B communications firm. sandra@spectria.biz
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