Page 54 - Biz X Magazine - June, 2014 Issue

Riverside Gas Piping Co. Goes National OF THE MONTH With Elegant Gas Lamp Products By Steve Colm ometimes answering a simple Plus, with the price of electricity Squestion from a customer can on the rise, Baillargeon believes light the way to opportunity. energy efcient lighting is a For local fuels contractor “wise choice.” Owner Dave Baillargeon of “Customers also say the Riverside Gas Piping Co. (330 warmth and glow of the gas lamp Laporte Avenue, in Windsor), is welcoming,” Baillargeon says, that moment came two years ago. and pride of ownership is “second “A customer asked me if I to none,” he adds. could install a gas lamp for him He continues, “I’ve had on his front lawn,” Baillargeon (customers) send pictures of recalls. “(He wanted) a how they decorated them for the traditional-style lamp like his Christmas season. I’ve had ‘thank parents had when he was a kid. I you’ emails, telling me how many told him no problem, but then compliments their neighbours found that I couldn’t buy him one give them. I even had one in Canada.” customer make me promise not to Baillargeon began a lengthy put another on his block because search and eventually found a it made his house stand out from company from Pittsburgh, Pa., his neighbours.” called American Gas Lamp Riverside Gas Piping Co. Owner Dave Baillargeon, a licensed and insured gas One such happy customer, technician, lights the mantles of a newly installed lamp at a home in South Windsor. Works, which still produces them. The gas lamp, made by American Gas Lamp Works, has the energy efciency of James Pegg of Windsor, called “Tey are high quality, sand- a compact fuorescent (CF) bulb, but with the output of a halogen quartz light. Baillargeon about a year ago to cast aluminum fxtures made Photo by Rod Denis. help replace the electric lighting from the same moulds that were Baillargeon quickly set up a dealer “eye sore” in front of his house. in use since 1954,” Baillargeon explains, network across the country and says he “A co-worker mentioned Dave and his new noting he’s found examples of similar lamps continues to add to it daily. gas lanterns as a far more elegant alternative installed in Windsor in the 1960s and early “We are a local company supplying a to the standard big box designs,” Pegg 1970s. product nationally, with no shortage of recalls. “From the original call through the Sensing an opportunity, Baillargeon interest in our products,” he says. entire consult Dave was very knowledgeable worked with the company and helped get the “Landscapers, HVAC installers, pool and was very helpful. His pride in detail lamps certifed for Canadian use. companies, deck builders, lighting and client satisfaction far exceeded my “I then signed up last year as their frst contractors and wholesalers have all joined expectations.” Canadian dealer,” he states. “I installed the network,” Baillargeon says, noting the Pegg continues, “I couldn’t be happier. Te one for that initial customer on Patrice town of Fenwick, ON, is in the middle of an cost is negligible on my bill (and) having that Street in Windsor, then I installed many install of six commercial size gas lamps in its light at Christmas with a wreath adorned across the city as Riverside Gas Piping Co., core district. “Tis is very exciting because on it and the snow falling, Charles Dickens as well as selling and shipping many more other municipalities have voiced interest himself couldn’t have written a more perfect across Canada.” and we are watching closely to (see) how that display of Christmas morning.” Tis past winter, Baillargeon became install will be received by the public.” Even with his reach extending to a American Gas Lamp Works’ sole Canadian He says “the lamps are a fully customizable national level, with dealers as far away as distributor of traditional cast aluminum product,” adding they come in a variety BC and Nova Scotia, Baillargeon retains his gas lamps, and he opened a new business of styles and can be mounted via a post, focus on local customers. called Canadian Distribution Corporation pedestal or wall mount (and) the lamps “We’re a Windsor company rebuilding (CustomLandscapeLights.com) with a themselves can be personalized for the an industry one light at a time, one happy silent partner. personal tastes of the homeowner. customer at a time,” Baillargeon says. 54 BIZ X MAGAZINE • JUNE 2014 BizX2014June52.indd 54 2014-05-27 9:44 PM