THE KAUFMAN GROUP AND BURNS & WILCOX
SPECIALTY INSURANCE MAKES THIS BUSINESS SPECIAL
Kaufman Group subsidiaries, including Royal
Premium (premium financing) and Burns &
Wilcox Re (reinsurance brokerage), provide ancil-
lary products and services to form a vertically inte-
grated source for its client base.
en Herbert W. Kaufman first began selling
Company executives — including the elder
insurance nearly 40 years ago, he provided
Kaufman and his son, Alan Jay Kaufman, chairman
protection for homes in subdivisions and
of Burns & Wilcox, president of the parent H.W.
the 4-door Ford in the driveway. Soon, however,
Kaufman Financial Group, Inc. organization and
Kaufman learned that the standard insurance agency
founding partner of the prominent Detroit/
could not adequately respond to the increasing
Farmington Hills based law firm Kaufman & Payton.
demands for specialty coverage. The complexity of
Alan Jay Kaufman-6. Herbert W Kaufman
P.C. — plan to continue on the path of strategic
insurance needs was growing, requiring a sophisticated
expansion, both nationally and internationally.
understanding of how to secure coverage for every-
As one of the few remaining independent national wholesalers of its
thing from vacant buildings to a yacht moored in a hurricane zone. In 1969,
size, Burns & Wilcox products and services are in greater demand by those
Kaufman founded a wholesaler to focus on the specialty insurance market-
agents unwilling to turn to others owned by, and whose judgement might
place, a company that would become known as Burns & Wilcox Ltd.
be biased by, its parent company.
Today, Burns & Wilcox is the nation's premier insurance wholesale and
"The industry climate is ideal for a customer service driven company
managing general agent (MGA) for specialty insurance products with 31
like ours," explains Alan. "We intend to continue on an established path of
offices in 21 states. The size of the organization provides the clout neces-
strategic growth and broader offerings, enhancing our reputation as the
sary to ensure prompt response to both conventional and extraordinary
independent niche leader in the specialty marketplace insurance industry.
insurance requests. Representing internationally renowned Lloyd's of
And,
continuity of family ownership will continue to provide our company
London, in addition to more than 200 domestic and international insur-
with
the
necessary spark needed to remain competitive in today's active
ance providers, Burns & Wilcox acts as the liaison between insurance carri-
marketplace."
er and some 27,000 insurance agents across the United States.
For more information, call 248-932-9000 or contact our Web site
Burns & Wilcox is currently ranked as the largest independently
. ❑
burnsandwilcox.com
owned managing general agent according to Business Insurance. Other
Burns d7 Wilcox Ltd.
meets insurers' toughest challenges.
S & M HEATING SALES COMPANY
HOT STUFF
equipment functioning properly for 40 years. The
company, founded by brothers Samuel and Manny
Laski, was originally located on Seven Mile Road in
Detroit. It moved to its current location at 23262
Telegraph Road in Southfield in 1968.
Samuel's son, Jeffrey, began working full-time
for the business in 1976. Ten years later, Jeffrey and
partner Richard Darin bought the company.
Today, S & M Heating designs and installs
i et's face it, furnaces and air conditioners aren't
new heating and cooling systems and repairs and
the best-loved machines in our lives.
maintains existing systems in homes, commercial
Too often, heating and cooling equipment
businesses and industrial buildings throughout the
"is neglected," says Jeffrey Laski, co-owner of S & M
metro area.
Heating Sales Co. "So many people make sure they
Both co-owners are respected throughout the
get their car's oil changed every 3-5,000 miles, and if
industry and serve on committees and boards that
they hear the tiniest noise they take it into the shop to
write heating and cooling technical manuals and set
Richard Darin (left) and Jeff Laski.
make sure that everything's OK.
numerous industry standards and municipal codes.
"But people seem to neglect their heating and
Recognized as experts in their field, Laski and
cooling equipment. It's just like a car — it has compressors, it has different
Darin appear often on TV, radio and in newspapers. For example, when a
motors, it has a whole slew of controls. It is valuable equipment. You can
rise in heating prices was announced, Laski went on the six o'clock news to
keep it going for decades as long as you take care of it. But people don't.
explain how to cut heating costs.
"It is also a health issue. You've got something that burns in your base-
Their 60 employees are also experienced and well-trained — over half
ment. But people just neglect their basement. They don't want to go down
have worked for the company for over 15 years. "Even though we're large,
there. They're not going to do anything to that furnace until the day it
we feel like we're a family," Laski says.
dies. Then you find out they haven't changed their filter in 15, 20 years.
For more information, contact S & M Heating at 248-352-4656, or
We try to tell people that it's something you shouldn't neglect."
check out their Web site at SMHeating.com .
S & M Heating has been helping people keep their heating and cooling
S M Heating Sales
Company will keep your
heating and cooling equipment
running smoothly.
T
3/23
2001
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