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Bell Simons: Your Partner in HVAC & Plumbing Success

Celebrating their 75th anniversary this year Bell Simons’ has never looked brighter. But who is this powerhouse family-owned HVAC distributor? Started in 1941 by Dennis Redden Sr, the company has grown throughout the years with a series of acquisitions and a loyalty to customer base that has galvanized their reputation as a premiere New England HVAC and refrigeration wholesaler.
    
After the second World War Dennis Redden Jr. and his brothers Tuck and Jim returned from the service to begin their careers. At that time, it was chiefly hydronic, oil-based heating. In 1959 they acquired the Joseph Simons Company,  a refrigeration wholesaler. “That got us into the refrigeration business” explains Floran Boland, president of Bell Simons.  “We've always been a little bit unusual to have heating and refrigeration, and we're strong in both."

 Prior to 1959,  the stores were in Hartford, and along the Connecticut shoreline in Stamford, New Haven, and New London and Springfield, Massachusetts. After the acquisition of the Joseph Simons Company, they increased their footprint with a store in Portland, Maine. Over the years through opening branches and acquisitions they've filled in that map and currently have 30 stores that go from Stamford, Connecticut up to Bangor, Maine, as well as two in upstate New York and a Central Distribution warehouse in Palmer, MA.

Floran, who is the son-in-law of the late Dennis Redden Jr. began his career as a States Attorney for the state of Connecticut before eventually making a career change in 1978. He attributes the success of the company to Dennis, who was also his most influential mentor.  “He always lets people try new things,” he said.  “People liked working for him for a lot of reasons, but particularly because of the freedom he afforded them and a unique culture of flexibility and independence he created."