How Greenmill AC’s solutions are reshaping the air conditioning and ventilation industry
Having grown from a small operation to a robust player at the forefront of the air conditioning and ventilation industry, Greenmill AC (Greenmill) is a UK-based supplier of air conditioning, ventilation, and heat pump installation materials. Operating from a single large warehouse, Greenmill provides everything needed for an installation, such as pre-lagged copper coils, insulation, brackets, electrical accessories, AC units, and maintenance equipment.
Mohammed Arshad, Operations Director, joins us to expand on the secrets behind Greenmill’s success, as well as the company’s latest developments. “Established
in 2000 by our current CEO, Greenmill was initially an air conditioning installation company,” Mohammed begins. “However, as a former air conditioning installer and engineer who was frustrated by the need to purchase components from multiple suppliers, our CEO spotted an exciting opportunity. His vision was to create a one-stop shop for AC installers to get all their required parts from a single provider, as many people had to use five or six suppliers to purchase everything needed for AC installation. The business started in a small garage and has since grown substantially, becoming an independent market leader in the air conditioning and ventilation sector.”
Despite this growth, Greenmill remains family owned with a focus on delivering excellent services and experiences for its customers. “Our mantra – ‘in stock, on site, and on time’ – shapes everything we do, from our highly customised stock control systems to state-of-the-art routing software,” Mohammed states. “We’re constantly enhancing and upgrading our service teams to ensure we stay ahead of any emerging trends or customer demands.
“Our approach to service is very customer-centric; the concept of doing everything we can to satisfy customers is engrained in our DNA. For example, we recently had a loyal customer who was desperate to get parts and reached out to us on a bank holiday. I got a call from our MD, who had no expectations but wanted to know how quickly we could secure the parts needed. Together, we managed to compile a small team to pick the parts and get them ready for collection that afternoon.
“This is not only a great example of how we put customers first, but it’s also part of why we brought all our operations in house,” he adds. “We previously used a third party to oversee operations, but we wanted more control and agility. We brought transport and warehousing in-house to ensure that every step of our process aligned with positive customer experiences, and if an issue arises, we can quickly resolve it without requiring external input. I believe we’re now the only organisation in our industry that operates entirely from a central warehouse and operates its own fleet, which makes things easier and more reliable for our customers.”
Customer-centric service
Alongside bringing services in-house, Greenmill also moved to a new and larger premises. “We’d outgrown our previous site of two 20,000-square-foot warehouses, and we’d reached a point where the lack of space was preventing us from introducing new products,” Mohammed explains. “We moved into our new site around two years ago, which has not only brought everything under one roof, but it has also allowed us to achieve improved service levels. During the move, we also relocated our head office to bring everyone together and positively impact our company culture.
“After just two years here, we’ve already outgrown the warehouse and we’re currently expanding by adding a substantial mezzanine across the site. We’re squeezing aisles together and reorganising products to maximise our space, and I’m confident that we can introduce more products while remaining a single warehouse.”
Placing customers at its core, Greenmill has built a strong reputation for customer loyalty and collaborative partnerships. “We’re a team of genuinely passionate
people who understand the frustration and delays caused by products not being in stock, on site, and on time,” Mohammed confirms. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, we regularly called our customers to see how they were and what impact the pandemic was having on their business. This not only exemplifies how we approach customer relationships, but it also enabled us to maintain contact throughout difficult times. It all goes back to understanding our customers’ needs and finding innovative solutions to their problems.”
To deliver excellent customer service, it’s crucial that Greenmill has a team of passionate and empowered employees. “While there are key beliefs and traits that shape a company’s culture, there’s not a roadmap to building a successful culture, but rather it evolves over time,” Mohammed shares. “I always lead by example and when it comes to recruitment, there are a list of attributes we look for alongside qualifications. We always share our values with new employees to check whether our expectations align, and this helps to ensure the employee is a right fit for the rest of the team.”
Geographic growth trajectory
As the business has grown, Greenmill has increasingly adopted sustainable practices. “Sustainability plays a key role in any business strategy, and at Greenmill, there are several initiatives underway to ensure we have a minimal impact on the environment,” Mohammed says. “We’ve invested in compactors, for instance, which means that instead of filling one-or-two industrial skips with cardboard and plastic waste per week, we send these materials to a recycling centre to be recycled and repurposed.
“We also have solar panels on the roof of our warehouse and we’re exploring the option of using electric vans where possible. Packaging is another key area of focus, as we want to reduce this as much as possible. We’re using more sustainable packaging materials, and for some customers, we’ve started to use totes that can then be collected at the next delivery and reused.”
With such a customer-centric mindset, Greenmill is sure to continue its successful trajectory in 2026 and beyond. “2026 is focused on continued growth and maintaining our strong customer service reputation while getting our expansion project up and running,” Mohammed shares. “While I can’t share too many details, we’re embarking on a digital journey to ensure our infrastructure meets the company’s future needs and we’ve recently implemented Blue Yonder, a new state-of-the-art warehouse management system. We’re also looking to expand our Stornch brand, and we’re currently working with several manufacturers to accelerate production.
“When it comes to longer term, we’re in the process of outlining our five-year strategy and growth plan,” he concludes. “There are plenty of opportunities, both in terms of expanding our product range and strengthening geographic coverage. However, it’s important that our growth revolves around providing an even better customer experience rather than detracting from our customer-centric approach to business.”