DeHumidification Technologies LP (DH Tech) Co-Owner Ken Armstrong’s dream of being an entrepreneur began when he was 12 years old. After many years of working in the dehumidification industry, Armstrong and Brian Battle purchased DH Tech in 2002. They wanted to serve customers without the red tape of larger corporations, which is still a main priority today. BIC Magazine recently sat down with Armstrong to learn more about how DH Tech puts serving the customer above all else and how the company has experienced significant international growth since he became a co-owner.
Q: What led to your position at DH Tech?
A: I have been in the dehumidification business for 18-plus years, working from a field technician to the senior management group. I helped take another company from a start-up to a substantial stage, so I felt I had the education and experience to grow my own business. I polled other people and gained plenty of advice and knowledge. DH Tech has been in business since 1993, but Brian and I have been the owners for over 12 years now.
Q: What surprised you most about DH Tech once you developed it?
A: Many things have and still do amaze me, such as the customers, employees, equipment and market developments. I was amazed at how much we expanded simply by listening to our customers’ logistical needs. The development of our firm has taken us into several different marketplaces. Back in 2004, we even developed a manufacturing side of our business. This has allowed us to better serve our customers by knowing the equipment, performance and internal workings better than anyone, as well as providing rental, sales and service all in one package. Plus, I would have never imagined we would be all over the U.S., Australia, Canada and Thailand and have the ability to rent, sell or service all over the world.
Q: What is the biggest news at DH Tech right now?
A: The amount of reinvestment we have put into our fleet and personnel to remain an industry leader. We have and continue to build new desiccant and refrigerant cooling dehumidifiers as well as electric, diesel, propane and natural gas heaters. We have developed and built — from 1,000 to 20,000 cubic feet per minute — units for cooling, heating and dehumidifying to control temperature and humidity in everything from storage tanks, reactors, buildings, control rooms, underground piping, temporary containments or enclosures to lunch tents. We have also dedicated resources to develop new technology for our industry and to better serve our customers once again. On the personnel side we have increased our staff by 10 percent — including the technical, administrative and sales departments — to better aid our customers’ needs.
Q: Are the ideals and culture of DH Tech what you initially envisioned?
A: Yes, we have always placed serving the customer above all else and will continue to do so. We have also enjoyed seeing employees flourish and grow with the company. We have a great team, and our company’s growth has created opportunities for them to grow as well.
Q: What is your best management tactic?
A: Teaching people to say what they do and then do what they say. In other words, don’t just paint a pretty picture by saying it; you have to paint it as well. Nobody likes to be told you can have something and then not get it. Only promise what you or your company can do.
For more information, visit www.rentdh.com or call (866) RENT-DHT [736-8348].
