Contractor Spotlight - Schardein Mechanical: Building Trust and Solutions That Last

For over four decades, Schardein Mechanical has been a cornerstone of the Kentucky and Southern Indiana mechanical contracting market. Established in 1984 by four original owners, including one who still comes into the office at nearly 80 years old, Schardein has grown from a small local team to a regional powerhouse with over $100 million in annual sales.

While the numbers tell the story of a successful business, the real foundation of Schardein is its people and its promise: Do what you say you’ll do, every time.

Building from Within

“We’re a company that believes in culture over everything,” said Dennis Meiman Jr., Schardein’s president since 2008. “Most of our management team started out in the field. We’ve promoted from within for 30 years, taking on 20 apprentices a year for 15 straight years, and many of those folks are still with us. That continuity has created a team that’s built to win—and built to stay together.”

Schardein’s unique internal culture is more like family than a corporate organization. With offices spanning Louisville, Elizabethtown, and Bowling Green, the mechanical contracting company has fostered an environment where knowledge is shared, experience is valued, and the successes and inevitable stresses of the job are carried collectively.

“We win and lose together,” said Meiman. “And if something isn’t right in the family, we tweak it and help whoever needs it.”

A Reputation for Reliability

Schardein’s culture isn’t just talk. It underpins a reputation in the region for trustworthiness and relentless commitment.

“They’ve never broken their word,” said Aaron Burgin, a longtime Trane account manager, who has worked closely with Schardein for 26 years. “No matter what it takes—extra resources, late nights, whatever it takes—they always deliver. When we collaborate with Schardein, I can sleep easy, because I know their team will get it done.”

This reliability is especially crucial in the high-stakes world of critical process industries—manufacturing, chemical plants, distilleries, hospitals, data centers—where downtime isn’t an option. Schardein is often called for jobs where complexity, speed, and technical expertise are non-negotiable.

“Clients call us because we have the horsepower and the experience to deliver, even when the stakes are high and there’s no room for error,” said Rocky Nardi, Vice President of Operations.

A True Collaboration with Trane

That same dedication to accountability extends to Schardein's long-term collaboration with Trane. The relationship stretches back to the early days of both companies, built on decades of successful projects, honest conversations, and problem-solving under pressure.

“It’s a two-way street,” said Eric Zirnheld, Louisville Service Manager. “There’s a real sense of trust. We know that if we have an issue, our Trane contacts are there. They answer the phone, they show up, they help us find answers. And we do the same for them.”

Over the years, Trane and Schardein have collaborated on hundreds of projects, navigating everything from HVAC equipment supply challenges to urgent service needs. And not only do both companies share a customer-first attitude, but the cultures are so similar that visiting a Schardein office “feels like coming home,” according to Burgin.

Spotlight on a Recent Success: A Seamless Chiller Solution

Most recently, Schardein collaborated with Trane to solve a critical challenge for a major regional food processing facility.

When the facility’s aging air-cooled process chiller finally failed, there was no time to spare. Process chillers provide essential cooling to various pieces of equipment used in manufacturing, helping operations maintain continuous uptime.

“Like most of our customers, downtime just wasn’t an option,” said Jameson VanMeter, a Schardein project manager. “We needed a replacement fast.”

An MTA process chiller from Trane was the perfect fit. In stock and supported by Trane’s trusted service, the solution had the facility up and running in less than a week.

“From installation to ongoing maintenance, it’s run flawlessly,” said VanMeter. “And because of that, we've built even more credibility with the customer.”

Behind the scenes, it was Schardein’s long-standing relationship with Trane and Trane’s consultative approach that made all the difference.

“We trust Aaron and the Trane team to do right by us, and that means we can do right by our customers,” said VanMeter.

Looking Forward: Built to Last

Today, Schardein continues to grow by innovating, expanding, and injecting new talent into the field. Their collaboration with Trane has evolved into a deeply collaborative effort, especially as both teams invest together in developing turnkey project delivery and service models.

“We all take it personally—every project, every customer, every challenge,” said Chris Beck, Service Manager in Bowling Green. “We answer the phone. We solve problems together. And that’s why we’re as strong as we are after all these years.”

For Schardein and Trane, the recipe for success is simple: Keep your promises, invest in your people, and never stop building on each project, and with each other.