Watts Radiant --

Mike Chiles’ commitment to perseverance

Phc News continues its monthly “Executive’s Club” feature with an exclusive Q&A with Mike Chiles, president, president and general manager, Watts Radiant, Springfield, Mo.

Phc: Please provide a brief history of the company.

Chiles: Following years as building contractors, in 1981 brother Dan and I started a company in a garage called Chiles Power Supply. We designed, built and installed innovative mechanical systems, including solar domestic hot water, solar pool heating, water source heat pump systems, biomass boilers, energy recovery and radiant floor heating.
Through a series of widely publicized events, we were led to Watts Water Technologies, where we find ourselves today in a large modern factory with a loyal staff and many opportunities on the horizon.

Phc: What is the mission statement for Watts Radiant?

Chiles: Our core mission is manufacturing radiant floor heating equipment with innovation and customer service as our key strategies.

Phc: How did you get started in the radiant floor heating business?

Chiles: Our experience in the solar business led to the radiant business where we could apply our experience with piping, manifolds, fittings, controls and heat exchangers. We installed our first radiant system in 1981 and went through a major expansion of our lines in 1985. We know this business as manufacturers, contractors, distributors and customers.

Phc: Why offer both PEX and EPDM rubber radiant tubing? What are their distinct advantages? You also offer a variety of electric radiant products; can you please inform us about these?

Chiles: They all complement each other. Customers want a warm floor and its up to us to find the equipment that does the best job for the least cost. Each product has a different price point, ease of installation and performance. We can find the best radiant solution for any customer on any project and I don’t think anybody else in our industry can do that as well.

Phc: Watts is a big contributor to “green” building. Can you describe the company’s efforts on this front? Can you describe what that means to the company?

Chiles: We wrote the first check to start the Radiant Panel Association in 1994 and we did the same in 2006 for the new Green Mechanical Council (GreenMech). Too bad that the market for solar, heat recovery, bio-mass and water source heat pumps had to take a back seat during several presidential administrations. People lost interest in energy efficiency, but we never forgot our roots. Now everyone is demanding better performance and we find that we are “cool” again. We are pushing the envelope in so many new sustainable directions that our business is really exciting.

Phc: To what do you attribute Watts Radiant’s continued innovation and growth?

Chiles: Watts Radiant is an unusual company. We do more with radiant and hydronics than anybody else in North America. We make most of our own tubing, manifolds and electric mats. We make our own mechanical panels and through sister companies, most of our own fittings. We produce our own software, websites, and tens of thousands of instructional videos. We sell through more types of customer channels than anyone else we know. Overall, having expertise in so many fields and having direct contact with so many customers has lead to remarkable innovations.

Phc: Can you explain the significance of “American-made”? Explain what that means to you and what you think that means to Watts Radiant’s customers?

Chiles: LEED building certification has re-acquainted this country with the importance of buying local products. We think American manufacturers can do a a great job at less cost while preserving our economic foundation. Naturally, we have great lines from overseas, but our footprint is here in Missouri and most of what we sell is made here.

Phc: What is Watts Radiant’s commitment to its employees?

Chiles: We’re old fashioned in that we provide our employees with a pension, a 401K plan, college tuition reimbursement, a dental plan, a medical plan and generous vacation benefits. We’ve recently hired a wellness coordinator to manage a new series of programs for health, fitness and nutrition for our people. Watts Radiant is committed to assisting their employees in self improvement, both physical & mental. The wellness program was started this year with a wellness coordinator helping employees to lead a healthier lifestyle via a nutritious diet and exercise. Each quarter, you turn in a wellness log and if you meet the points required, can receive a check for your good lifestyle choices. The company pays for fruit to be brought in each week to allow an employee one serving per day. Education assistance for employees wishing to further their education is available. There are training classes in management and software that are available for employees.

Phc: What is Watts Radiant’s commitment to its surrounding community?

Chiles: Some of the best jobs in our community are factory jobs like those at Watts Radiant. We support our local schools, environmental organizations, sports teams and community organizations, large and small.

Phc: Explain the importance of your relationship with these groups:

A. Contractors

Chiles: We have a training program both in-house and in the field known as “Warm U.” We provide software, design support, literature and promotional goods for this important customer group. Contractors are the key to our business.

B. Wholesalers

Chiles: We sell through hundreds of wholesalers for our hydronic and electric radiant systems and additional groups for our new rainwater collection systems.

C. Manufacturer’s Reps

Chiles: We support rep groups for all our lines. They all have their best Russ Rose stories and after 25 years of exposure to Russ, there are thousands of stories out there.

Phc: Are you involved with Buying Groups?

Chiles: We don’t work through Buying Groups with our product lines, but of course, Watts Water Technologies does.

Phc: What would you like your legacy to be at Watts Radiant?

Chiles: Our culture is tenacious, innovative and friendly. I hope this recipe will never change even as the company goes through product changes, people changes and rapid growth. Keeping all this in balance in a culture that respects people and helps them achieve their life goals would be a great legacy.

Phc: Where do you see Watts Radiant in 10 years?

Chiles: Our factory is full, so I’d like to see a major plant expansion next door. We will continue to develop our sustainable mechanical lines and to offer new and integrated hydronic services. This is a great time to be in the mechanical business and we want to stay on top of the wave that we mounted in 1981.