GT Mechanical: 30+ Years Of HVAC Solutions
Tim Uher was a Local 597 pipefitter by trade, but there was something incomplete about working for other contractors in his early career. Always a hard worker, he began putting his energy toward starting his own company.
In 1991, GT Mechanical became a reality, revolving around a simple promise to Tim’s customers: “If I can’t fix it, I’m not going to charge you.”
“That’s how he started growing the business,” said Greg Uher, Tim’s brother and President of GT Mechanical Projects & Design. “He’s very good with customers and very good at fixing HVAC systems and understanding how they should work.”
The company’s early years focused on service work, with Tim building a reputation for delivering exceptional service, products and solutions for commercial, institutional and light industrial clients. After a decade of success, customer demand drove the company’s expansion into construction. In 2001, Greg joined the company to oversee the Projects & Design division, transforming GT Mechanical into a full-service operation specializing in plan and spec and design/build processes.
“We take a holistic approach to the project,” Greg said. “Whenever we get involved, it’s not just figuring out how to get to a certain number, it’s how do we solve a problem and ultimately make the end user happy with the system they end up with.”
Today, GT Mechanical employs approximately 60 people, with staff split between office and field operations. The company maintains strong union relationships, becoming signatory to Local 265 in the early 2000s. The business remains deeply family-oriented, with multiple generations working together, including Tim’s daughter Sam, who now runs the service division.
The “GT” name itself predates the business, when Tim and Greg’s father, a career estimator, created a custom-designed product for a customer as a freelance opportunity. He needed to bill the client under a company name, so used his sons’ initials. Tim officially adopted the name when he founded the company, building on a legacy of innovation and problem-solving.
That appetite for innovation, Greg says, is what sets the GT Mechanical team apart from others in the industry. He cited a recent project in the city involving a shrine that had decayed over time and needed extensive restoration in addition to an upgraded HVAC system. GT’s reputation for understanding complex systems and thriving in the face of a challenge made them the ideal partner to find a creative solution.
Another high-profile project currently underway is the Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center, state-of-the-art, 45,000-square-foot facility designed to serve as a hub for wellness, culture and community. The center will provide incomparable facilities, services and programming while showcasing local artists’ work throughout its multi-level space.
“HVAC is one of the most noticeable things in a building because the occupants are either comfortable or they’re uncomfortable,” Greg said. “It’s not glamorous, but it’s definitely noticeable, so we really try to make sure the end user gets what they’re expecting.”
In terms of technological innovation, GT Mechanical aims to stay on the forefront with tools that make their workforce safer and more efficient. Recently, they’ve invested in their first exoskeleton to help with lifting and to prevent injuries. This wearable technology is designed to support and enhance the physical attributes of the wearer, allowing them to more easily complete repetitive tasks with less strain or lift heavier loads.
“It’s been around for a while, but it’s become more affordable. We do a lot of work where your arms are over your head, which creates wear and tear, so we’re looking for ways to reduce injuries and fatigue and make it better for the employee,” Greg said.
The company’s success stems from its customer-first mentality. As Greg summarized their business philosophy, “You’ve got to be profitable, but at the same time, you’ve got to do it right the first time.” This commitment to quality continues to drive GT Mechanical forward as they serve the Chicagoland area’s HVAC needs.