Three Generations, One Vision: Unico’s Family Legacy in Offsite HVAC

Introduction to Unico’s Heritage

The Unico System has long been recognized for pioneering high-velocity HVAC solutions that adapt seamlessly to both traditional and modular construction. In a recent Offsite Dirt Network feature, three members of the Intagliata family—Maura, Brian, and Ian—gathered to share how their individual paths reflect a shared commitment to innovation, customer relationships, and product excellence. Their conversation illustrates how a third-generation family business can honor its origins while charting new directions in an evolving industry.

The Roots of a Family Business

From Grandfather to Father

Unico began as a small operation founded by the family patriarch, who established a reputation for craftsmanship and personal service. His hands-on approach set the tone for future generations. Under his leadership, foundational values—integrity, customer focus, and adaptability—became woven into the company’s culture.

The Second Generation’s Expansion

The founder’s son, Steven Intagliata, now Vice President of Operations, carried forward these principles while scaling the business. During his tenure, Unico introduced modular applications for its high-velocity systems, breaking into factory-built housing markets. Steven’s leadership fostered long-standing relationships with distributors and contractors, ensuring that Unico’s support extended beyond equipment sales to ongoing project success.

Maura: Marketing the Family Story

Transitioning Careers

Maura De La Rosa (Intagliata) initially pursued an unrelated profession, following her academic training in a field outside HVAC. While the work was stable, it lacked creative satisfaction. Inspired by her father Shannon Intagliata—Unico’s Director of Sales, Maura requested an opportunity to join the family enterprise. She was placed in the marketing department and quickly found that her penchant for storytelling and relationship building aligned perfectly with Unico’s values.

Building Brand Awareness

Over the past two and a half years, Maura has spearheaded campaigns to highlight Unico’s dual expertise in traditional and modular construction. Her efforts include:

• Digital Engagement: Crafting blog posts and social media content that showcase project case studies and customer testimonials.

  
  

• Industry Partnerships: Coordinating webinars and events—such as the Offsite Dirt Network feature—to educate builders and specifiers about high-velocity systems.

  
  

• Creative Collaboration: Developing marketing collateral that balances technical details with relatable narratives, ensuring specifiers understand both performance metrics and real-world benefits.

  
  

Maura credits her father’s mentorship for teaching her the importance of authenticity in every message. She observes that genuine enthusiasm for product performance and customer satisfaction resonates more deeply than technical jargon alone.

Unico System Home Project

Brian: Early Beginnings on the Factory Floor

Brian’s journey with Unico predates his formal employment. At age ten, he spent summer mornings assembling installation kits for a quarter per box—a childhood task that instilled a work ethic and firsthand understanding of product components. In 2002, Brian officially joined the company, beginning with floor sweeping and unit assembly.

Evolving into a Leadership Role

Over two decades, Brian rotated through manufacturing, quality control, and field support before assuming the role of Director of Customer Service. His responsibilities now include:

• Service Excellence: Ensuring rapid response to field inquiries, replacement part requests, and maintenance scheduling.
  

• Relationship Management: Maintaining ongoing dialogue with long-time customers, some of whom have worked with Unico for more than 30 years.
  

• Continuous Improvement: Collecting feedback to refine installation guides, troubleshooting protocols, and training materials.
  

Brian emphasizes that his father Steven modeled a customer-first mindset, teaching that proactive communication and follow-through forge lasting trust. He also notes that this value traces back to the company’s founder, reinforcing a family tradition of putting customers at the heart of every decision.

Ian: Driving Technical Innovation in the Lab

The Newest Generation on Board

As Lab Technician, Ian Intagliata represents the third generation actively involved in Unico’s operations. His father Shawn Intagliata oversees contractor relations and global supplier partnerships, often traveling internationally. Ian joined the company three months ago and supports experimental testing of high-velocity systems.

Responsibilities and Learning Curve

Ian’s role encompasses:

• Performance Testing: Pairing outdoor units with indoor coil and blower combinations to measure airflow, noise levels, and energy efficiency.
  

• Refrigerant Development: Evaluating emerging refrigerants under development, identifying optimal operating parameters, and ensuring compliance with evolving environmental standards.
  

• Data Analysis: Recording test results, identifying trends, and collaborating with engineering to refine product designs.
  

Although still in a learning phase, Ian appreciates the opportunity to contribute to product evolution. He points out that working alongside two prior generations offers unparalleled insight into both the technical and relational aspects of the business.

Shared Values That Propel Unico Forward

Emphasis on Relationships

Across all three generations, a commitment to building genuine connections stands out. Maura admires how her father extends hospitality and support to every distributor. Brian highlights the value of personal interactions that continue decades-long partnerships. Ian observes that his father’s extensive network in St. Louis grocery aisles exemplifies how business relationships can transcend transactions.

Passion for Innovation

From the founder’s original handcrafted units to today’s modular system integrations, Unico has continually adapted to industry trends. The family’s willingness to embrace new markets—such as factory-built homes—demonstrates a shared entrepreneurial spirit. Ian’s lab work signals a next step: rigorous testing of next-generation refrigerants to meet efficiency and sustainability goals.

Dedication to Service Excellence

Unico’s tagline might well be “service before sales.” Whether through timely customer support, comprehensive installation guidance, or proactive performance monitoring, the company strives to ensure every project succeeds. Brian underlines how this philosophy shaped his approach to managing customer service channels, focusing on responsiveness and resolution.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Unico

Growth in Modular Construction

All three Intagliata's agree that modular and offsite construction represent the most promising avenues for expansion. Brian envisions Unico becoming the go-to HVAC partner for factory-built housing, leveraging digital marketing initiatives and strategic alliances cultivated by Maura’s team.

Advancing Technical Capabilities

Ian anticipates that Unico’s lab will test dozens of new refrigerants over the next decade, tackling energy-efficiency targets and environmental regulations. This research will drive product refinements that keep Unico ahead of competitors.

Evolving Leadership Dynamics

Maura expresses interest in integrating advanced analytics into marketing campaigns, harnessing data to tailor outreach and measure campaign ROI. Brian plans to implement CRM enhancements for more personalized customer journeys. Ian hopes to develop a formal apprenticeship program, passing down lab techniques to emerging technicians.

The Offsite Dirt Network conversation with the Inagliata family underscores how Unico System’s success is rooted not only in high-velocity HVAC innovation but in a three-generation commitment to people, relationships, and continuous improvement. By blending marketing savvy, service dedication, and technical rigor, Maura, Brian, and Ian exemplify how a family enterprise can honor its past while building for the future. As Unico continues to evolve, its foundational values—instilled by the founder and carried through each generation—will remain the cornerstone of every project and partnership. FAQ's

1. What makes the Unico System HVAC different from traditional HVAC systems?

The Unico System is a high-velocity HVAC solution designed to deliver superior comfort in both traditional and modular construction. Its small-duct design allows for quiet operation, flexible installation, and energy efficiency compared to conventional systems.

2. How has being a family-owned business shaped Unico’s growth?

As a third-generation family-owned HVAC business, Unico emphasizes long-term relationships, integrity, and customer-first service. This culture of trust and continuity has helped the company maintain strong distributor and contractor partnerships while driving innovation.

3. Why are high-velocity HVAC solutions ideal for modular construction?

High-velocity HVAC solutions are compact, efficient, and easy to integrate into factory-built housing. For modular construction, this means faster installation, space savings, and consistent climate control, making Unico a preferred partner in this sector.

4. What role does innovation play in the Unico System’s future?

Innovation is central to Unico’s evolution—from introducing modular HVAC applications to testing next-generation refrigerants for sustainability. The company’s ongoing research and technical advancements ensure it stays ahead in efficiency, performance, and environmental compliance.