SJ Johnson Company, Where Oil and Water DO Mix…
SJ Johnson delivers a lot of things, from pool water to heating oil, but above all, they deliver comfort. Their priority is to keep their customers comfortable in their homes or work places through the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. SJ Johnson maintains the tagline “delivering comfort all year long.”
When asked to sum up his company, Saquane Johnson said, “We sell energy.” This energy encompasses a year round variety of services. The company started in the pool water industry, delivering clean pool water to residential areas around Southern Maryland. In an effort to diversify and stay open year around, SJ Johnson began to offer heating oil for residential and commercial use. “We saw a need,” Johnson explained. “And we grew from there.”
Johnson explained that while water and oil don’t normally mix, in the case of SJ Johnson, it does. The company had found the right mix to serves its southern Maryland clients. The company also offers propane, heating and air conditioning services, and geothermal systems. Basically, if you need a supply of comfort in your space, SJ Johnson is the place to go. To easily remember their services, SJ Johnson uses the phrase “Heat, Cool, Water, Fuel.”
Johnson knows that when it comes to these residential and commercial services, your options are great. To set themselves apart, SJ Johnson focuses on customer service. “We are a small mom and pop operation,” Johnson explained. “And we pride ourselves on accountability.” That personal service and focus on people differentiates SJ Johnson from the big name companies and national changes. With those companies, Johnson said, “There is a disconnect between them and every day blue collar folks like myself.” SJ Johnson stays up to date on the needs of the community and trains all its staff to be aware of customer relationships. “We don’t automate anything,” Johnson said. “We are old-fashioned in that way.” When customers call during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, a receptionist answers, rather than a voicemail machine. “We try to stay as connected as we can,” Johnson maintains. “It’s important, not just a cliché. With money as tight as is, people want personal services.”
That personal connection to the community also keeps SJ Johnson involved in a number of charities and programs. “We participate in the Relay for Life every year,” Johnson explained. “Doing what we need to do to sponsor that and keep it going.” Last year, Saquane was named King of Mardi Gras for the Calvert County United Way and will be sitting on its board starting in 2012. He uses that position to bring more awareness to United Way throughout Calvert County and southern Maryland. SJ Johnson is also involved in local little league teams.
“You have to feed back the community that feeds you,” Johnson, who is also a father of two, said. “It goes hand in hand.” Johnson considers it an honor to be in a financial position with the company to be involved in the community and give back as he can. “If we don’t feed each other, that’s a problem. That’s the way we survive,” he said. “In SoMD, if we are going to prosper, we have to stick together.” Johnson also enjoys getting the employees involved and working together as a team toward a common goal.”
Although they are a small company, their diverse service offerings, focus on their customers, and involvement in the community make SJ Johnson an impacting resource for southern Maryland residents. Johnson encourages anyone looking for those comfort resources, or any service, to look first to local companies. “Check with your local company and see if they are competitive,” he recommends. “Give you local companies a chance. We need to keep that money local.”
