Our Story
Over the Years
For over 95 years, commercial and industrial customers have chosen Krauss Company for our professional HVAC service.
1913
Work With Willis Carrier
- Our founder, Otto Krauss Sr., who apprenticed as a sheet metal worker in Germany, immigrated to New Jersey in 1913. He had the privilege of working on the engineering staff of Willis Carrier, who is referred to as the Father of Modern Air Conditioning.
1923
Krauss Moves to St. Petersburg
- Otto Krauss Sr., eager to take advantage of the land boom that hit Florida, moved his family, hoping to open a sheet metal shop. Shortly after that, in 1924, Krauss Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal was established in St. Petersburg
1954
Krauss Sr. Retires
- After 31 successful years of operation in the St. Petersburg area, Otto Krauss Sr. Otto Krauss Sr. retired, and Otto Krauss Jr. took over operations. Otto Krauss Jr. graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1936 and studied mechanical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
1967
Move to Pinellas Park
- The younger Mr. Otto Krauss Jr. moved most of the operation to Pinellas Park, where Krauss Company operates now
2005
Changing of Hands
- After nearly six decades of successful business operations, Mr. Otto Krauss Jr. was looking to retire. John Kerner, an intelligent businessman with, at the time, 17 years of experience working with Honeywell as a mechanical contractor, approached Mr. Krauss about possibly acquiring Krauss Company, and Mr. Krauss obliged.
Present
Looking Forward
- Krauss operates in the greater Tampa Bay area as an independent contractor providing HVAC/R design, installation, and service exclusively in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. From modest beginnings over 97 years ago, John Kerner is committed to the dedication to our customers, and these philosophies run throughout the organization
1930
Mr. Cox Attends Virginia Tech
- Mr. Cox traveled from southeastern Virginia by steam locomotive to Virginia Tech University. After a grueling 4-year effort, Mr. Cox (A proud Hokie) graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Mechanical Engineering
1934
Work With R.F. Trant
- Seeking growth, Mr. Cox embarked on a venture with R.F. Trant Inc., a locally owned Norfolk HVAC company. Near the beginning of the 1940s, World War II broke out, and William answered the call of duty and served his country
1946
Birth Of A Company
- Colonel Cox took advantage of the wartime growth and made his entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Cox-Powell became a successful business in Hampton Roads with the business direction of William Cox and J.V. Powell Jr.
1984
Changing of Hands
- After nearly four decades of successful business operations, Mr. Cox was looking to retire. John Kerner approached Mr. Cox about possibly acquiring Cox-Powell Corporation, and Mr. Cox obliged
2005
Expansion
- HVAC installations and retrofits in commercial and industrial settings always have a large electrical load. As such, Olde Towne Electric was aquired.
- Vassars Inc. and Controlled Environments allowed Cox-Powell Corporation to expand to the Hampton Roads region offering full-service HVAC and Mechanical Contracting
Present
Looking Forward
- Cox-Powell Corporation comprises nearly 100 employees. Service technicians, project installers, electrical technicians, control technicians, accountants, dispatchers, and the I.T. department help Cox-Powell run smoothly
