The story of Vent-A-Hood is a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, the company has survived many obstacles: World War II, a

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2 The story of Vent-A-Hood is a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, the company has survived many obstacles: World War II, a factory fire, and the onslaught of intense competition. Yet, generations later, the company is still prospering as America s preeminent manufacturer of high end residential range hoods. The Vent-A-Hood brand began in 1933 with an inventor who had an idea about residential vent hoods. In 1937, Carr P. Collins, Sr., a Dallas financier and founder of Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company, financed the family-owned company.

3 With this money, in 1940 the company patented its centrifugal blower system and trademarked the Vent-A-Hood name. 1 st Vent-A-Hood Patent

4 This centrifugal blower, named and trademarked as the Magic Lung in 1951, is Vent-A-Hood proprietary technology and is the platform on which company has built its historic reputation. Over the years this technology has been improved, yet the original concept is still central to the design. Magic Lung Blower

5 In 1937, the company moved from a 250 square foot tin building (with a dirt floor) to 2806 Commerce Street (the Chevrolet Building) in Dallas, Texas. Today, that factory is in Deep Ellum, Dallas renovated food and beverage district. Over the years, the location has been a car dealership, factory, nightclub, bar, and an art gallery.

6 In 1938, Mr. Collins recruited his nephew, Miles Woodall Jr., to manage the company. Miles Woodall Jr., Chairman Emeritus In the following years, Mr. Collins also hired two of his sons, Carr Collins Jr., and James Collins (who later went on to become the honorable Congressman from Texas) to help grow the company and watch over the family investment. James Collins Carr Collins Jr.

7 During World War II, all manufacturers using critical war materials (i.e. sheet metal) were under the control of the United States War Production Board. Vent-A-Hood survived on government contracts for electric fans for barracks, and butter churns for use in producing gun powder.

8 After the war, the company revived and became stronger than ever. As this promotional piece shows, moving to its 3 rd location, the company was proud of its success! Sixteenth year Over 300,000 installations 30,000 square feet of factory

9 In the early days of appliances, Sears, the electric companies, and the natural gas companies were the only ones making ranges to sell their energy. As these photos show, Vent-A-Hood became partners with them to sell Vent-A-Hood products across America. General Electric with Vent-A-Hood Model D Kenmore with Vent-A-Hood Models A & B

10 In those early days, Vent-A-Hood developed both production line (fan) hoods and higher quality (blower) hoods to go to market. Today, Vent-A-Hood specializes only in high-end quality products for its niche market share. The low end models were phased out as more and more competition reduced profitability in these product lines.

11 In the early part of the 1900 s, refrigerators, ranges, and Vent-A- Hoods weren t the standard in American homes as they are today. To build the range hood industry, the way the company marketed its products was The Best Investment We Ever Made, as this 1953 advertisement shows. The company also showed its products in small town parades, state fairs, and other local events. Vent-A-Hood Display

12 Other marketing efforts that the company employed was to create Greasy Gus as a film strip (he was the invention of the National Sales Manager at the time, Gus Schaefer, who named the new character after himself). Greasy Gus takes over but the home has a Vent-A-Hood. Greasy Gus begs for mercy. The Magic Lung solves the problem Thank you Magic Lung Vent-A-Hood maintains that left alone, every kitchen without ventilation will accumulate over one gallon of grease each year.

13 The Kitchen and Bath Industry has become one of the most prominent in the American economy, but that has not always been so. In the early days, trade shows were in tents. Vent-A-Hood, along with other manufacturers, would show its wares on tables as dealers would pass through. Tented Trade Show Today, Vent-A-Hood displays for trade shows are two stories high, with 20 foot tall signs, and built-in appliances in some of the largest convention centers in North America

14 The company also developed a Who s Who list of famous purchasers of Vent-A-Hood products. Along with this list the company had photos taken of famous people in their kitchens. Doris Day Rock Hudson Fred McMurray

15 To help the investment concept of marketing and to soften the cost for customers to buy Vent-A-Hood products, the company developed a finance program. As this marketing flyer shows, a customer could pay nothing down, while paying off the hood with weekly payments. Weekly Finance Promotion

16 In the mid 1940 s, the company invented and patented another ventilation product: the ductless hood. Although this product line became very popular in the 1950 s (and still remains popular today in some areas of the country because of ease of installation), Vent- A-Hood never produced this product line. To maintain its reputation as a manufacturer of quality ventilation products and to keep its standard of efficiency at the highest levels, the company opted to not participate in the practice of selling products it knew would not withstand the test of time. This speaks to the integrity of the family members who give deference to the long term aspects of business reputation over profitability of low quality product lines. 1 st Ductless Hood Patent

17 In the 1950 s, a fire in the Vent-A-Hood factory (a blaze big enough to the make the Dallas newspaper) changed the course of the way the company would mature. Two important decisions were made. One decision was to close many offices throughout the country, thus allowing the company to strongly support the rest of its distribution network. The second decision was to continue to strengthen product lines that were in the high end appliance category (and very profitable) and to begin to eliminate product lines in the low end category (fan models). These decisions profiled the business into a high end niche market company that remains as its core today. Thus, the reputation as America s most respected name in home ventilation.

18 Although Vent-A-Hood s third factory was rebuilt after the fire, growth needs in the early 1960 s required larger production capability. In 1961, the company opened a fourth factory (approximately 100,000 square feet) in Richardson, Texas, where it remains today.

19 In 2005 the company added a 50,000 square foot addition to the factory housing a new press shop and training / learning center where 20 sales representatives from different locations across North America week are trained each week.

20 Over the years, Vent-A-Hood products have been known for being laboratory tested by both outside engineering companies (as shown by this letter from Twin Cities, Minnesota testing lab) and by Vent-A- Hood state of the art testing lab that it enjoys today. Vent-A-Hood Testing Lab

21 Today, the company incorporates IPAD presentations to present its testing data.

22 Although all Vent-A-Hood products maintain the hand finished quality that gave the company its reputation, technology has changed some production methods. All Vent-A-Hoods today are designed on CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems. These CAD systems speak to high technology punch and laser machines that have 100 th to 1000 th of an inch tolerances and punch three times per second. This new equipment has established an even higher production quality of Vent-A-Hood products and increased the proficiency of Vent-A-Hood employees. Currently Vent-A-Hood maintains a very high market share of the American market for high end range hoods with over 125 employees in its manufacturing division.

23 Although Vent-A-Hood Company was originated in Texas, it maintains business in all of North America, with 12 independent distribution companies located throughout the United States and Canada employing hundreds of dedicated administrative and sales personnel.

24 Long before it was stylish, trendy, or common practice, Vent-A-Hood has taken a position of environmental consciousness: The 1961 Vent-A-Hood building has an on site preserve and is home to abundant wildlife. The Vent-A-Hood paint system is environmentally friendly with non polluting powder coat processes. All scrap steel, copper and brass is collected and recycled. All cardboard is collected and recycled.

25 The purpose of a range hood is to remove contaminants and improve the home air environment: The Magic Lung was the first blower system designed to selectively remove only contaminated air. A recent innovation by Vent-A-Hood has been the Air Recovery System (ARS) which reclaims cooking exhaust air by removing grease, odor and smoke before reintroducing the flow back into the room.

26 Vent-A-Hood engineers are in the final phases of introducing: A new high end energy star product with LED lighting and high efficiency motors.

27 Vent-A-Hood employees have maintained this dedication to giving by participating over the years in the United Way campaign, as this award to the company in 1997 shows.

28 Dell Hospital was the 2012 recipient of Vent-A-Hood philanthropic funds.

29 George W. Bush Presidential Center has been chosen as the 2013 recipient of Vent-A-Hood philanthropic funds.

30 Over the years consumers have seen Vent-A-Hood products in many national publications, including: Architectural Digest Elle Décor Metropolitan Home Home Southern Accents House and Garden Traditional Home Saveur Woman s Day Entrée Renovation Style

31 Vent-A-Hood advertisements can also be seen in appliance Trade publications

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