Aire-Master restructures management team

Founded in 1958 by Jerry P. McCauley, Aire-Master began as a manufacturer of odor-control and cleaning products for the janitorial industry.

Today, the company has branched out by making hand sanitizer, bath and body products, and a hunting accessory that masks human scents. Headquarters is at 1821 N. Highway CC, where the company employs about 35 of its 63 employees.

At the top of the company’s new lineup is Doug McCauley, who was promoted to CEO and vice chairman from president. McCauley, 40, is son of Aire-Master’s founder and has been a full-time employee of the company for 23 years.

Another longtime employee, Walter Heinle, now holds the president spot previously occupied by McCauley.

Heinle, who will also serve as Aire-Master’s chief operating officer, was formerly the company’s executive vice president. Heinle has been with the company for 15 years.

Other promotions include: Eric Reese to vice president of operations from plant manager; David Knewston to chief financial officer from accounting manager; Josh Jones to production manager from production supervisor; and Sean Tennis to warehouse manager from warehouse supervisor.

The promotions, which took effect April 2, were “kind of a chain reaction,” McCauley said.

New contracts

Last year, Aire-Master’s Nixa facility received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to move forward with manufacturing contracts negotiated with various companies.

For example, Bath Junkie – a Fayetteville, Arkansas-based purveyor of candles

and bath products – is perhaps Aire-Master’s best-known client, according to McCauley.

The company also recently began manufacturing hunting products for Kansas City-based Dead Down Wind, which specializes in enzyme-based products that prevent bacteria from creating human odors.

“One thing just led to another, and the sky’s the limit,” McCauley said, adding that larger manufacturers have passed on many of the contracts now belonging to Aire-Master.

“We’re cleaning up what the big boys don’t want. It’s been great.”

Financial gains

In the fiscal year ended March 31, Aire-Master’s revenues grew 9 percent to $6.3 million, said Phyllis O’Neal, the company’s human resources director. Aire-Master posted a 3 percent increase the previous year and a 6 percent increase two years ago, O’Neal said.

Aire-Master now has 73 franchises in 39 states.

Five of the franchises are corporately owned and operated; they are in southwest Missouri; St. Louis; Tulsa, Okla.; Jackson, Miss.; and coastal Oregon.