Johnson Controls has relaunched the Miller-Picking brand of custom air-handling solutions.

“Miller-Picking has built a reputation for delivering the highest quality custom air-handling products on the market—products that effectively addressed difficult jobs and instilled trust and confidence in its customers,” said Harvey Elder, Johnson Controls vice president & general manager of air systems. “We’re excited to build on the legacy of authentic craftsmanship and trusted expertise the brand established more than 50 years ago and set an even higher standard in custom air-handler design and support.” 

The goal of the original Miller-Picking brand was to target specialty size and capacity niches often overlooked by larger, more well-established heating, ventilation and air-conditioning companies. The company quickly built a reputation for industry-leading quality and advanced performance, selling its custom configurations to a variety of markets, including hospitals, schools, research facilities and manufacturing plants. Many of these units are still in use, a testament to the reliability and support that has long-characterized the brand. 

Tim Thomas, product service manager, Airside Technical Service, Building Technologies & Solutions of Johnson Controls, joined Miller-Picking in 1978 and knows the brand’s ability to successfully incorporate new technologies while maintaining the high standards on which the company was founded. 

“Looking at the evolution of custom air handlers, I’m impressed with the improvements we’ve made—everything from variable frequency drives to cost-effective speed controls for fans, arrays of direct-drive fans for redundancy and improved reliability, to name a few,” said Thomas. “We used to take 16 weeks to build a custom unit; now, we do it in half the time. But through all these changes, the quality of workmanship has remained a steadfast tradition at the Hattiesburg plant. Our people take pride in their work, and it shows.” 

Elder agreed, adding, “Miller-Picking is also about service. Employees ensure on the front end that they serve their customers’ needs and provide them with the information they require in a timely and reliable manner. On the back end, they make sure whatever resources are needed are there when the unit arrives and is started up. It’s the brand’s well-thought-out and quality solutions, speed of getting information and products to customers, and service throughout the life of a product that defined the brand then and continues to define it today.” 

Johnson Controls purchased Miller-Picking in 1992 and today supports the brand with world-class manufacturing processes and state-of-the-art testing facilities. In addition, a responsive team of application engineers works closely with customers to deliver custom air handlers manufactured to the highest standards for very specific, often demanding applications, including pharma/lab, healthcare and clean rooms. 

“The market for custom air handlers captures customers who require a specific performance, components or a unique configuration,” said Elder. “Our job at Miller-Picking is to provide them with the engineering expertise that will ensure optimal performance and consistent quality in the most economical air handling package on the market.” 

Miller-Picking is currently available in select markets. To learn more about Miller-Picking custom air handling units, visit www.miller-picking.com