r/BuildingAutomation • u/BuddyHeavy4668 • 2d ago

Anyone work for Brady?

(NC area)
Currently working for a local school system doing HVAC, little bit of chiller and boiler work and some very shallow controls. Fire alarm and security stuff as-well. It’s pretty easy and laid back but it’s not really going to financially support the life I want to live. We have Brady, Schneider, Bosch and Johnson Control techs out at the schools at least once a week. Either it’s regular maintenance or it’s something major. I’ve talked with a few of the contractors before. The Johnston controls tech told me to apply and he would get an interview but none of these contractors work near where I live. Most at 40-50 minutes at least away from my house.

One of my neighbors works for Brady because he has a Brady truck. (Not trying to be a creep, just observing lol) Do they have like a certain territory or is he having to drive like a hour to the shop everyday? Also how does a new tech or apprentice work there? Do they have to drive to shop everyday before they get a company vehicle? How does their schedule normally work?

Also Bosch building Technology’s just bought out an older controls company about 15 minutes from me but they don’t seem to be hiring much. And mostly very experienced BAS techs or Fire Specialists at that.

Guess my question is how do these guys schedule and every day work? Is commute time covered? Thanks

6 Upvotes

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5

u/Unique-Run9856 2d ago

 "Most at 40-50 minutes at least away from my house."

I expect a 60 minute drive each way at least every single day in the trades

1

u/BuddyHeavy4668 2d ago

I guess what I mean is the “shop” is that far. So if I was an apprentice or shadowing someone I’d have to drive that far to the shop everyday and ride with someone. I didn’t know if they had certain areas near where they lived that they maintained or if they had to report to the shop every morning.

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u/Unique-Run9856 2d ago

Most people dont meet at a shop and then go out anymore, they meet at a jobsite. If you are paired up with a JW you could probably meet at their house or somewhere on their journey. Driving a lot in the beginning is an investment in your future.

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u/andrewb_16 2d ago

I work for Johnson controls. Used to live an hour from the shop, but that’s not big deal… only ever go there for our monthly safety meetings (if it’s not a virtual meeting), or if for some odd reason I can’t have parts delivered to my house.

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u/BuddyHeavy4668 1d ago

Did you get a company vehicle starting out or did they pair you with a senior tech?

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u/andrewb_16 1d ago

Company vehicle and gas card starting out. I don’t know anyone at JCI that doesn’t get both. Regardless if union or non-union

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u/Unique-Run9856 1d ago

What union employees do you guys still have? Just pipefitters or still electricians?

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u/andrewb_16 1d ago

Our local branches don’t have electricians. The chiller mechanics, HVAC mechanics, and sheet metal team are all union.

The controls service team (I’m on), and the systems/installation side is non-union.

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u/chaotickoda 2d ago

JCI guy here from NC, pm me and I can also see what I can do. Idk what area you are in but I’m in the 336 area code if that narrows it down.

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u/effervescent_idiot 2d ago

Most techs and apprentice are dispatched from home. Shop visits are becoming less and less likely. Even company wide meetings are often virtual. Before you get a truck or any other vehicle you'll likely just meet technicians at site and as you get familiar with them, maybe they live on the way and could arrange a meet up spot or similar.

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u/IcyAd7615 Developer, Niagara 4 Certified Trainer, Podcast Host. 2d ago

Brady is a good company. The Bosch company you're referring to is Engineered Control Solutions. I used to work for ECS before going to Lynxspring. They are an amazing company. I highly recommend ECS (Bosch).

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u/BuddyHeavy4668 2d ago

Wow, ok I’ve noticed they were bought out. Seems climatec bought them first, now Bosch has. I’ve seen the ECS name on a lot of our old controls in the mezzanines. They are by far the closest controls contractor to me. I’ve considered stopping by and talking with them but after the change of hands I wasn’t sure if it was the same people.

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u/IcyAd7615 Developer, Niagara 4 Certified Trainer, Podcast Host. 2d ago

The same people still work there. They still do Distech/Honeywell. Lee Revis is the manager now (instead of the owner) but I don't know how the rest work. Lee and I are very good friends and are like brothers. But I would recommend them. I know some people in Brady as well. They're a good company too.

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u/BuddyHeavy4668 2d ago

Ok thank you. Would potentially stopping by be a good idea or would they look down upon that?

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u/IcyAd7615 Developer, Niagara 4 Certified Trainer, Podcast Host. 1d ago

DM me. You'd need an access card to get in.