Client Spotlight: SURE Mechanical

Stock Yards Bank & Trust finances acquisition to create the largest Certified Minority Business Enterprise HVAC company in the Cincinnati region

With financing and merger support from Stock Yards Bank & Trust, SURE Mechanical Group recently acquired Cincinnati Air Conditioning. The combined companies employ more than 136 full-time employees and will create the largest Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) HVAC company in the region.

Stock Yards Bank & Trust Cincinnati Market President Stephen Brown says, “The bank is committed to serving all members of the communities we serve. Helping minority-owned businesses succeed mirrors this and we are thrilled to see SURE Mechanical experience growth that aligns with their business goals and vision.”

Much like the bank’s story that spans generations, the Radtke family has more than 86 years invested in Cincinnati Air Conditioning. Mark Radtke, 73, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, was looking for a change of pace while still providing stability for the business his grandfather started in 1938. Not interested in selling to a private equity company or other large corporation, he needed to find the right company to join forces with his business that made food storage lockers in World War II, designed air-conditioning and HVAC systems for several greater Cincinnati institutions and created Thermolinear, a patented manufacturer of modular environmental controlled rooms.

When Mark met with Chukwuma “Chuma” Ekwueme, President and Chief Executive Officer of SURE Mechanical, he knew he had found the right fit. “SURE Mechanical’s commitment to quality, ‘customer first’ service at his locally certified minority-owned mechanical firm put SURE Mechanical in a great position to continue our family’s legacy of excellence. Additionally, culture is everything to me, and their culture fits perfectly with ours,” Mark said.

Chuma fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur when he co-founded SURE Mechanical, a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), in 2010. He founded the business after earning his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in his native country of Nigeria and receiving a Master of Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. SURE Mechanical provides commercial HVAC/Mechanical design, fabrication, equipment services and installation services for all types of commercial HVAC customers.

“We built our company based on the trust and value we place on customer relationships. Joining forces with Cincinnati Air Conditioning will take SURE Group and SURE Mechanical to a new level of entrepreneurship and give us more capacity to serve our community. With marque projects including the Digital Futures buildings 1 & 2, Mercy West MOB 2, Shakespeare Theater, GE Aviation (at the Banks), FC Cincinnati Stadium, the Saks Building conversion, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Winslow Research Facility, Freestore Food Bank  and many more. We knew it was the right time to expand SURE and reach more customers,” Chuma said.  SURE Mechanical does projects for/with all the major organizations like Messer Construction, UC Health, Triversity Construction, Megen Construction, UC health, The Christ Hospital, Danis Construction, University of Cincinnati, Turner Construction, RJ Beischel Building, St. Elizabeth Hospital, 3CDC, City of Cincinnati, Bon Secours Mercy Hospital, Pepper Construction, Skanska Construction and West Chester Hospital.

This story is about far more than mergers and acquisitions; it’s a testament to how relationships built on mutual trust and respect yield long-term benefits for entire communities. Stock Yards Bank & Trust is proud to have played a role in supporting SURE Mechanical and Cincinnati Air Conditioning and we look forward to helping more customers realize their dreams.